Comrades

Leaving the weapons shop, Vim and Hana headed straight for the clothing store—the same place James had recommended and taken him to the day before. After a few minutes’ walk, they arrived at their destination.

“Welcome,” Daryl, the shopkeeper, greeted them as he had the day before.

“Well, well, Master Vim. How may I be of service today?”

“I’d like you to pick out some adventuring gear and everyday clothes for this girl,” Vim said, shifting his gaze to Hana.

“Understood. I shall prepare some options immediately.”

With practiced hands, Daryl set out several adventurer outfits.

“How about this one?”

It was a set of clothes that looked easy to move in, yet retained a charming, girlish cuteness.

“Looks good, doesn’t it? Can she try it on?”

“Of course. Right this way, please.”

Daryl led them to the fitting room.

“Hana, go ahead and try it on.”

“Understood.”

Hana took the outfit and stepped inside the fitting room. Vim waited for her to finish changing.

“A new companion?” Daryl asked.

“That’s right. I expect we’ll be moving together quite often from now on.”

“For you to say that much, she must be quite capable. And you seem to be rather fond of her.”

“Well, I think she’s talented. And somehow, she just makes you want to protect her.”

To Vim, Hana felt somewhat like a younger sister. She was a comrade to fight alongside, yet in private, she was someone he wanted to look out for. That was Hana.

“Forgive me. An old man shouldn’t pry so much,” Daryl apologized.

“No, it’s fine.”

Daryl had a mature charm that was different from James’s. He felt like an “ideal grandfather”—the kind of person you just wanted to talk to. Perhaps it was a case of “wisdom comes with age.”

“I’ve finished changing.”

As they were talking, Hana emerged from the fitting room.

“Yeah, it suits you perfectly.”

“Yes, it looks very lovely on you,” Daryl added.

Being a beastkin, she had cat ears and a tail, which only added to her cuteness in the new outfit.

“Th-thank you,” Hana said, her cheeks flushing slightly red.

“Alright, I’ll take this.”

“Certainly. Would you like to wear it out?”

“What do you think?” Vim turned to Hana.

“I’ll wear it out, then.”

“Understood. I’ll put the clothes you arrived in into a bag for you.”

Daryl packaged her old clothes along with the other private outfits they had selected.

“Thank you again for today,” Vim said after finishing the payment. Daryl handed over the paper bags.

“The pleasure is mine. Um… is it okay if I come by just to talk or ask for advice again?”

“Of course. Please, come keep an old man company. As you can see, I’m quite bored here,” Daryl said with a self-deprecating smile.

“I’d like that. I’ll come again.”

Vim felt that even things he couldn’t discuss with others, he could talk about with Daryl. This was Daryl’s unique charm.

“Yes, please get home safely.”

With Daryl seeing them off, Vim and Hana left the shop.

“Aren’t you hungry?” Vim asked Hana as they walked side-by-side.

“A little.”

“Right. I’ll grab something from a stall.”

There were various food stalls lined up in this area.

“Sit down and wait here for a second.”

“Shouldn’t I go?”

“No, you’re a girl; just sit and relax. I’ll handle it.”

After making Hana sit on a bench, Vim headed to a nearby stall. He bought some meat skewers and fruit juice and returned to her.

“Here, is this okay?”

“Thank you! I’m so happy.”

Hana took the skewer and the juice. Vim sat down on the same bench.

“Hold on a second.”

Vim hovered his palm over Hana’s juice and activated his ice magic.

“Amazing… it’s cold!”

“Juice tastes better when it’s chilled. Go ahead, enjoy.”

“Thank you very much!”

Ice magic could be used for things like this, too. Magic really was convenient.

“It’s delicious…” Hana said after taking a sip.

“I’m glad.”

Vim chilled his own juice and began eating his skewer.

“Yeah, this is good.”

Occasionally, it was fun to just buy something from a stall and eat outside. They continued eating leisurely, enjoying the outdoor breeze. Moments like this made it easy to fall into the illusion that the world was entirely at peace.

“I’ll go throw the trash away.”

“No, let me—”

“Don’t worry about it. You and I are equals. And among equals, the man handles this kind of thing.”

Vim took Hana’s trash as well. When he returned to her, he reached out his hand.

“Let’s head back.”

“Yes, understood.”

Hana took his hand and stood up.

“Um… Master Vim, what am I to you exactly?”

“Hmm, that’s a tough one, but… a comrade, I guess.”

“A comrade… thank you so much!!”

The word “comrade” struck a deep chord in Hana’s heart. Until now, the relationship between slave and master was all she had known as “normal.” Her relationship with Vim was that of a “comrade”—an experience that was entirely new to her.