Episode 136

It seemed the words were directed at me, but Alicia had heard them perfectly well too.

She jumped with a start, her ears bright red, glaring at Refy.

“R-Refy! Don’t say unnecessary things!”

Since we were inside the shop her voice was low, but Alicia’s cheeks were puffed out nonetheless.

When I glanced over, Refy had already left and was walking through the shop blended in with the other customers.

That was quick work, as expected.

As I thought that, Alicia—who had been looking down shyly—glanced over at me.

“F-Faik… um, that’s why…”

“Got it. But rather than something I like, it’d be nice if there’s something that suits the two of us.”

“Y-yeah…!”

When I answered that, Alicia’s eyes suddenly brightened with happiness.

At first I thought it was necessary for identification, but there was no need to get worked up about it.

But if it’s a matching item, Alicia might wear it regularly.

If that’s the case, I found myself thinking it should be something that suits Alicia.

With that thought, I looked over the merchandise again.

If it’s overly fancy, it wouldn’t suit Alicia very well.

So, rather than something oddly decorated, a simple piece might be better.

I walked with Alicia, looking at the shelves.

At that moment, one necklace caught my eye.

There was a Magic Stone at the end of the necklace, but the whole thing, including the chain, was simple.

The modest-sized Magic Stone on the necklace would suit Alicia well.

As I reached for that necklace, my hand bumped into Alicia’s.

“Huh?”

“Ah, sorry.”

Alicia hastily pulled her hand back, and I did the same.

We were both a little embarrassed, but we pointed at the item.

“I thought this would be perfect. I thought it might suit you.”

“M-me too… that’s right. Because I thought it would suit Faik.”

“Me? No, I think it would suit Alicia.”

When I said that, Alicia opened her eyes wide in surprise.

“Come on, Faik, it’s okay for you to choose something that suits you, you know? Pick something you want, it’s fine.”

“No, but… I mean, shouldn’t that go for Alicia too?”

We stared at each other.

A few seconds passed, and then we both gave a wry smile.

“So, shall we go with this?”

I nodded at Alicia’s words.

Since both of us were fine with it, there was no need to worry any further.

“I thought that would be fine too… Well then, I’ll go buy it.”

“Ah.”

Alicia started to say something, but I ignored it and quickly grabbed the item.

Then I headed to the counter, paid, and returned to Alicia.

The shop’s items were affordable enough that I could buy it with the money I had on hand.

It was perfect, since I wanted to give Alicia a present as a thank-you for everything so far.

I shook the necklace to show it to Alicia, and she puffed out her cheeks.

“I was going to buy it.”

“You always take care of me, so let me at least repay you for this.”

Saying that, I handed her the necklace.

Alicia still had her cheeks puffed, but when she received the necklace she put it around her neck.

“How is it? Does it suit me?”

“Yeah, it looks amazing on you.”

Alicia looks good in anything she wears.

As I thought that, our eyes met.

“Faik, try putting it on too.”

“Okay.”

I put it on as she asked.

I was a little uneasy since it was my first time wearing something like this.

“H-how is it?”

“Yeah, it really suits you.”

Alicia smiled warmly, and I breathed a sigh of relief.

With that in mind, we left the shop.