Night Out

"Um."

After receiving confirmation from the other party Galan accepted the butterfly ring and took Lia's hand.

Feeling the warmth from the other person's fingertips, he was momentarily dazed. So this is what it feels like?

Even in the future, I will never hold her hand like this again.

Compared to Galan's hands, which were calloused from years of wielding a knife, Lia's soft skin was like water, seemingly delicate enough to break at a touch.

Without getting lost in the sensation, he picked up the ring, aligned it, and pushed it in with a little force.

The ring slid smoothly down Lia's fingertip, fitting her finger perfectly as if it were custom-made for her.

"Hmm, okay, how does it feel? Looks like the size is just right."

"Um:

She held the hand in front of her eyes, examining it closely with a strange glint in her eyes, as if she were quite satisfied.

"The boss, let's buy this one then."

Seeing that she seemed to like it quite a bit, Galan didn't hesitate to say she would buy it.

"Alright! One Shtrel Silver Coins."

The boss held up one finger to Galan, surprised that he had secured a sale so quickly.

It's so easy to make money off young couples!

"A single Shtrel Silver Coins...?"

Galan frowned slightly; the result was a little higher than he had expected.

Is it because it's in a big city?

Can't you make it any cheaper?

"In [Äußerst], all the shops you can find have the same price, sir! No cheating, no cheating!"

The boss was still smiling, and judging from the certainty in his expression and tone, he didn't seem to be lying.

Because of costs and shop rent, some things here are indeed more expensive than in other smaller cities, which is unavoidable; everyone needs to eat.

"I see... Alright, one it is."

Galan didn't try to bargain with him anymore, since being able to buy things at market prices here was already considered quite a bargain.

In large, commercially developed cities like these, the same item can often be sold at several price points even across the street.

Moreover, compared to the shady stone carving merchant I met before, who started with gold coins and offered a Shtrel Silver Coins as his first offer, this price seems acceptable.

He rummaged through his rather sparsely filled wallet, pulled out a silver coin, and handed it to the boss. Out of the corner of his eye, however, he caught sight of a somewhat familiar design on the stall. "What style is that?"

After the boss took his money, he picked up a ring from the stall and examined it carefully.

"Oh, that one, it's the Mirror Lotus."

The boss touched the Shtrel Silver Coins in his hand, and after confirming that it was genuine, he put it into his pocket with satisfaction. Then he looked at the ring in Galan's hand and helped him answer the question.

"Mirror Lotus... No wonder it looks so familiar."

Galan murmured to himself.

I remember seeing this flower once or twice when I first came into this world. At the time, I simply thought it looked pretty, but later it became a kind of commemorative variety.

It seems that whenever I see Mirror Lotus, a warm feeling of home involuntarily rises in my heart.

"Is it also a Shtrel Silver Coins?"

"Um."

Galan was about to offer to buy it, but then he thought it was unnecessary for a man like him to buy such a thing. After thinking about it, he decided against it and walked away with Lia, continuing to stroll along the street.

"You treated me to so much food and even bought me this ring, so I thought... I should buy you something too..."

After walking for an unknown amount of time, Lia suddenly spoke without warning, her voice timid, as if she had been holding it in for a long time.

Upon hearing her words, Galan showed a surprised expression, but it quickly turned into a smile.

"You want to buy me something? But you don't have any money on you, do you? How can you buy it for me?"

He teased Lia with a grin, his tone laced with a slyness.

Lia seemed stumped by his words.

Of course I don't have any money, so what should I do...?

"Yes, I'll go get a job to earn money!"

She raised her little fist, solemnly declaring her adorable foolishness, which made Galan burst out laughing.

"Hey! What's so funny, Galan? I'm being very serious!"

Lia seemed embarrassed and angry at his reaction, and loudly retorted, "Fine, fine, I believe you!"

Galan couldn't stop smiling and reached out to touch her head. The smooth hair flowed through his fingers like a kitten. Lia, on the other hand, was already used to his constant head-touching and didn't show any particular surprise. She continued walking with a bit of a huff, letting Galan play with her head.

If you really want to do something for me... could you get me two Mirror Lotus next time?

After a while, Galan withdrew his hand and said calmly.

Does Galan like the Mirror Lotus?

Hearing him say that, Lia turned around and asked curiously, "Hmm... I wouldn't say I like you... but it's very meaningful to me."

He pondered, wondering if it sounded a bit strange to say it that way.

If you like something, you like it; if you don't like something, you don't like it. "It's very meaningful"... then what is it if not liking it?

Looking at the crowd that was beginning to thin out in the distance Galan suddenly realized that the two of them had been wandering around outside for quite some time.

Some shops have even closed down; after all, there doesn't seem to be a vibe for going out for late-night snacks in this world.

Some of the roadside vendors also packed up their stalls and blended into the flowing crowd.

On the street, many adults with children were urging their kids to go home to sleep, while the children, still reluctant to leave, held their parents' hands and made plans with their friends for tomorrow's activities, hurrying home with many glances back.

It was really late. As Galan watched the crowd gradually disperse, a sense of weariness welled up in his heart, and his eyelids grew heavy.

However, perhaps because she had taken a nap in the afternoon, Lia didn't feel very sleepy, but it was definitely better to go back and rest since it was so late.

Looking at the somewhat crowded alleyway they were about to pass through, Galan reached out and grabbed Lia's wrist to prevent them from getting separated.

But it didn't seem very comfortable to walk in that position, so Lia took the initiative to turn her hand over and clasp it tightly with Galan's.

Although it was just a matter of changing her grip to a more comfortable way, it made Galan pause for a moment. "What's wrong? Let's go."

She looked at Galan with some doubt and urged him on.

"-Okay, let's go."

For a fleeting moment, unnoticed, a smile crept onto Galan's lips.