That night, I had promised to go around the festival with Laura.
My steps felt heavy. But a promise is a promise, so I had to keep it.
Since Laura’s situation had made it into the papers, we decided to wear deep hoods as a simple disguise.
Well, it still stood out, but it was better than nothing.
We arrived at the stalls by the central square. It was said to be a must-see spot during the festival.
It lived up to its reputation and was quite spectacular. Unlike other random stalls, all the shops here had wooden frameworks and were slightly decorated with colors to stand out. They had an individuality that wasn’t overwhelmed by the festival, a stately presence of stores that had carried on the festival tradition for generations.
I’d heard that the scents were the highlight here. Only famous stores recommended by the Villeborn Culinary Guild could set up stalls here, each with distinct aromas of spices and fish sauces, making it easy to follow a scent to the dish you liked.
But when I tried to follow the scents, I couldn’t really tell them apart. It all smelled good overall, though.
“Laura, are your legs okay?”
I asked Laura, who was next to me, while also making sure we didn’t get separated in the crowd.
“Yes! I’m fine!”
She said with a bright smile and lightly hopped to show it.
“Don’t get separated. Also, if someone calls your name, it’s better not to respond.”
“Okay!”
I didn’t say she was being targeted, but since she was at the center of a commotion and that story was spreading, it was better to be cautious of reporters.
“Vim sama…”
Laura blushed and held out her hand.
“Huh? What is it?”
I realized what she meant a moment later.
Did she want to hold hands?
Well, she’s just a kid. It’s not that unusual.
I grabbed her hand.
I hardly ever held hands with anyone, so it felt strange.
“Shall we go?”
“…Yes!”
We navigated through the bustling crowd.
There were more times Laura pulled me than I pulled her.
As I was surrounded by the crowd’s energy and the three-beat music, my emotions started to swing more. But at the same time, I realized I couldn’t express those feelings like everyone else, which made me feel more isolated.
Laura’s firm grip on my hand gave me a sense of reassurance.
Pathetically, I wasn’t very tall, so in places with many people, I often couldn’t see ahead.
So, I decided to give Laura a piggyback ride. It was better to let her see ahead and decide where to go.
“Vim sama! Over there!”
Laura pointed to a stall she liked.
The sign read “Seven Skewers.” It had four types of meat and three kinds of vegetables, seasoned with a spicy sauce.
We lined up and bought two skewers.
“I’m sure it’ll be delicious!”
Laura’s eyes sparkled as she held the skewer.
If it passed the discerning nose of a beastkin, it must be good.
Personally, it took some courage to eat something like this. I wasn’t a fan of mixed flavors.
I decided to stop thinking and took a bite.
“…Huh?”
“It’s delicious, Vim sama!”
“Ah, yeah.”
“Great!”
I thought it would be more complex and surprising, but it was just simple and tasty. It wasn’t a flavor that would divide opinions.
After filling our stomachs a bit, we were led to the square.
Laura weaved through the dancing crowd and stopped at an open spot, looking back at me.
She then gracefully curtsied.
“Vim! Let’s dance!”
It seemed I was to be led.
“Um, it might be hard to maintain the enhancement, though. Are you okay with that?”
Laura said she’d practiced dancing, but dancing involved moving the upper and lower body separately, making enhancement quite difficult.
“I can do it! I’ve practiced! Um… sorry, Vim, can you support me a bit?”
As she asked, I held her shoulders to support her. Her full weight fell on my arm for a moment. I knelt to adjust and let her lightly sit on my knee.
“…Hehe. Switching is still a bit hard.”
“I see. But you’re improving fast.”
“Thank you! Um… [Whirling] – [Flawless] –”
Laura smoothly chanted the spell.
Meanwhile, her unnaturally limp legs caught my eye.
“– Enhancement complete!”
After the chant, she stood up straight and held out her hand to me.
Holding Laura’s hand, I tried to mimic the dance moves.
Looking at the dancing couples, it seemed we were supposed to hold hands and move our feet to a one-two-three rhythm.
“Sorry, Laura, I’m not very good at this.”
“Just go with the flow! Let’s have fun!”
I tried my best to follow her lead.
One, two, three.
One, two, three.
One, two, three.
Were we dancing? It felt more like we were just zigzagging three steps at a time. But Laura seemed to enjoy it, and I started feeling the same way.
Looking around, I saw mostly couples who seemed like they were married or dating.
On closer inspection, they were all talking. It felt like there was a special space created between their held hands.
“Vim sama.”
Laura’s tone changed.
Her feet didn’t stop. The music continued.
“I’m really grateful to you, Vim!”
She said with a tense expression.
Even with a smile, her hands were trembling. She needed courage to say it, unable to start unless she masked it with other movements. I realized this was what dancing at festivals with a partner meant.
Still, I can’t let go of her hands, so there is no escape and I have no choice but to say it. This is how lovers dance at a festival, I thought.
“I’ve been meaning to thank you properly, but it’s hard to say it right. Thank you so much, Vim sama.”
Her eyes were sincere.
“…It’s not like that.”
I couldn’t bear it.
“Mou! Just accept it, Vim sama!”
“Uh, well, okay. I’ll accept it.”
I answered, trying to sound casual.
Laura’s face brightened, and she seemed to dance with even more vigor.
But it wasn’t right.
There was a disconnect. What I felt and what my body was doing were different.
I can’t look at you, Laura.
I don’t deserve this. If you come at me so directly, I can’t take it.
I caused you trouble.
“Laura, um…”
“Yes?”
“Heidemarie, she has a sharp tongue, but she’s really nice.”
Heidemarie. Upon hearing that name, Laura made a puzzled face.
“It’s rough, but in its own way, it’s a unique form of respect. Not holding back can sometimes show sincerity toward the other person. It’s that kind of context.”
“……Mmm.”
Laura puffed up her cheeks in obvious discontent.
It seems I messed up.
Even I could tell that Laura had some feelings for me. Mentioning someone else’s name so unnaturally was probably not a good idea.
Well, those feelings are more of a self-made illusion anyway.
“Anyway, I just want you to get along with her. Can you do that for me, please?”
Laura nodded, still pouting.
After that, we continued to dance in silence.
I thought maybe I should show some kind of mature, manly composure, but I decided against it. It wouldn’t end well. I just made sure not to make any more mistakes like I did earlier.
When it was time, I took the exhausted Laura to the hospital.
With this, I think I’ve fulfilled my promise.
Walking along the cobblestone streets with the cheers of the festival behind me,
I heard a voice calling out.
“
“
I began to understand what it meant.
It didn’t seem to have any ill intent.
It felt like it had been calling me to come for a while now.
“
“
I wasn’t feeling unwell. I’d had plenty of sleep and food.
I felt a bit lightheaded, not like the pounding headaches I’d had before, but rather a sense of calm as I responded, almost as if being led, and it wasn’t unpleasant.
This must be what Rita-Heinkes was talking about. Camilla’s concern was justified.
But it’s not the call of the labyrinth that draws you in. It’s that people who hear the call of the labyrinth are already predisposed to it.
When I got home, I opened the door.
“Hey, Vim.”
In the living room, Heidemarie was lying on the sofa, acting like she owned the place.
“How are you so calm about this…?”
“The back door was open. You can’t be so careless in this situation.”
“But why are you so calm…?”
I’m sure I locked the back door. Am I misremembering?
She continued, still lying down, ignoring my question.
“Where’s Laura?”
“I took her to the hospital. Also, since I did get called, I think it’s best if I don’t go out for a while.”
“Hmm.”
“So, well, actually, I was planning to go to your place, but I’d like to ask you to look after Laura when I’m not available…”
Heidemarie sat up and looked at me.
“Is her lower body reinforcement complete?”
“Ah, yeah. Yesterday, I finished the technique that works with her ‘beast transformation.’ It’s upstairs, so please check it out when you need it.”
“Wow, that’s unbelievably fast work.”
“Heidemarie, I think you can adapt it. You can use enchantment magic, so it should be even more versatile.”
She made a bitter face as if joking.
That must mean she agreed.
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Wonder what Heidemarie felt when she heard Laura’s confession and Vim asking to get along with her. I mean, she IS stalker and listening magic stone is always hidden in his clothes.