Chapter 23: Let’s Buy Souvenirs and Return to the Northern Town
As the hunt wrapped up and preparations to leave were almost complete, Shou and Alfie set off into town, clutching their pocket money. They were buying souvenirs for the kids in the youth group. Shou was in charge of gifts for the girls, while Alfie handled those for the boys.
They would be receiving proper payment later for their work as healers, but for now, they were using the money they had earned from hunting slimes along the way. The gifts didn’t need to be expensive. Fortunately, Nordam, being next to Iwadou, had plenty of fine crafted goods for sale.
Shou decided to buy small hair ornaments with stones for the girls, carefully picking out ones that matched each friend’s hair and eye color.
Then, she spotted a silver hairpin inlaid with a green stone. Just as she reached for it, her hand bumped into Alfie’s.
Huh?
Alfie rubbed his nose sheepishly.
In unison, they said:
"For Aura."
Right.
So Alfie wanted to give Aura a special gift too.
Shou had suspected Cain might feel the same way, but Alfie as well?
"No, Cain’s different," Alfie muttered.
Sure, sure.
Shou grinned. Aura was beautiful, after all.
She decided to let Alfie have the green one and picked another design.
How about red?
She imagined Aura’s face—a bold, striking color would suit her well.
Yes. This one.
"Hey there, little healer. Since you’re here, why don’t you check my body too?"
Both Shou and Alfie wore their yellow healer sashes properly, marking them as apprentices.
"Sure, mister. Hold out your hand?"
"Alright."
"Hmm… No major issues, but you’ve been sitting too much—your lower back is getting weak. You need to move more."
"Ah, that explains why my back’s been aching lately."
"I’ve treated it, but if you don’t stay active, it’ll start aching again. Make sure to exercise!"
"Got it. Damn, just as the rumors say—you’re spot on!"
If those kinds of rumors spread, Shou wouldn’t mind at all.
She and Alfie exchanged a knowing smile.
Meanwhile, Leon and Falco spotted them.
"Buying souvenirs? You two are quite thoughtful."
"It’s fun—both picking them out and giving them away."
"Is that so?"
As they approached, the shopkeeper spoke to Shou.
"As thanks for the healing, why don’t you pick out a hair ornament for yourself? You’ve been choosing things for your friends, but not for yourself."
"Mister, how did you know?"
"I could tell—you were picturing each of your friends while picking out their gifts."
"Wow, that’s amazing."
As expected of a merchant.
Shou looked at him with admiration, making the shopkeeper a little embarrassed.
"Go on, pick one."
Falco, standing behind, felt curious.
"What will she choose?"
"I’m good."
Shou declined.
The shopkeeper frowned.
"Why?"
Blushing slightly, Shou hesitated before replying:
"I want Falco to pick one for me later."
Falco froze.
…Falco.
…She wanted him to pick something for her.
…For her.
…Shou.
…Looking all shy.
No, she wasn’t actually that cute about it—if she could hear his thoughts, she’d definitely correct him.
"O-Old man! That!"
"Falco?"
"Ohh… So you’re Falco, huh?"
The shopkeeper smirked.
"Everything from here to here—give me all of it."
"Huh?"
"Excuse me?"
"All of it. Shou is cute, so everything will suit her. With her black hair, silver accessories will match perfectly. She can wear anything—so I’ll buy everything."
Behind him, Leon was doubled over laughing.
Falco looked at Shou expectantly.
Shou, in turn, stared back with cold eyes.
Why?
"One is enough."
"Why? Any of them would be fine. Hell, I’ll buy the whole shop if you want."
"One is enough."
Why?
Falco would buy anything for her.
"I want to wear it every day."
"Just one, something special, something I’ll cherish."
"I want you to choose the one you think suits me best."
It would be easier to just buy everything.
But that wasn’t the point, was it?
Reluctantly, Falco scanned the display, then reached for a silver ornament with a deep blue stone—the color of the evening sky.
"How about this one?"
"It’s the color of the sky from Star Welcoming Night… when we walked together."
Right.
That night, they had walked hand in hand.
"You sure? It’s kind of a plain color."
"It’s beautiful."
"Falco, will you buy it for me? As a reward for working hard?"
Of course.
"Want to wear it now?"
"Yes!"
The deep, elegant color suited Shou perfectly.
She kept reaching up to touch it, clearly pleased.
"Shou, it looks great on you."
"Thanks, Leon."
"It’s beautiful."
"Thanks, Alfie."
Shou smiled brightly.
Falco suddenly had a realization.
"That hairpin needs matching clothes… and shoes… and a new belt… and—"
"I don’t need those."
"O-Okay… A new sword then?"
"I definitely don’t need that."
Leon, still laughing, finally intervened.
"Stop, Falco. If you spoil a kid too much, you’ll ruin them."
"Is that so?"
"Yes. Now, Alfie, Shou, do you need anything else?"
"Nope!"
"Nope!"
"Then let’s head back."
As they were leaving, several townspeople approached, asking if Shou could stay in Nordam.
One request even came from Iwadou.
If their town could raise such a talented young healer, it would be a huge benefit to the community.
Not to mention—keeping Shou meant keeping the Black Wolf, too.
But Gaius turned them all down immediately.
"She already belongs to the Northern Town."
The Summer Hunt Was Over.
Now, it was time to return home.
With souvenirs in hand, they set off back to the Northern Town—together.
