CH 26

Chapter 26: It All Feels Like A Dream

My boring life in the village changed completely when I met Onyx-san.

I want to travel the world like Onyx-san!

I want to engrave my—Jade’s name in history, fighting to the death with monsters, garnering achievements, and becoming a hero!

I came to the guild’s capital to make my dreams come true but…

When I saw the guild’s receptionist, my dreams of becoming an adventurer, fighting to the death, and being a hero disappeared.

Garnet, the receptionist, was so cute.

T/N: Talking in -noda, he does it a lot when talking like a kid/immaturely.

—I want to become friends with Garnet-san!

—The only way we can get along is to keep going to the guild and talking with her!

—We’ll only have formal conversations at first, but we’ll become closer someday!

With such thoughts as my driving force, I continued going to the guild for 10 years, defeating countless monsters and becoming a hero.

But, for those 10 years, I never could have any casual conversations with Garnet-san…

I never thought that the day would come when I’d be able to go out with Garnet-san!

“Thank you, Dorami!” (Jade)

“What for?” (Dorami)

“It’s because of you  that I managed to get along with Garnet-san!” (Jade)

I didn’t have the courage to talk to her alone, and I couldn’t graduate from having formal conversations.

I was only able to get along with her because Dorami often pushed me.

“Garnet fell in love with Jade because you worked hard! Dorami hopes that you both stay happy forever!” (Dorami)

“Thanks! I’ll do my best to make her happy!” (Jade)

“Then, why don’t you take her out on a date?” (Dorami)

“Wouldn’t it be a nuisance if I suddenly invited her out?” (Jade)

“Not at all! Garnet also wants to be invited!” (Dorami)

“Got it! I’ll go invite her right now!” (Jade)

Driven by Dorami, I left the house.

I thought she would follow me, but she didn’t move from her spot.

I wonder what’s wrong with her? She’s usually all excited, saying, “We’re going out~!”

“You’re not coming with me?” (Jade)

“Don’t worry about Dorami, just invite her.” (Dorami)

“Okay, got it. I’ll be back!” (Jade)

“Have a safe trip~!” (Dorami)

Dorami waved goodbye, and I left the house.

I headed straight to the neighboring Garnet-san’s house.

After taking a deep breath, I knocked on the door, and Garnet-san quickly came out.

“Hello, Garnet-san! It’s a beautiful day today, isn’t it?” (Jade)

“It’s a lovely day. With such nice weather, I feel like going for a walk.” (Garnet)

“Well, um… if you’re okay with it, would you like to take a walk with me?” (Jade)

“I don’t mind.” (Garnet)

Alright! I managed to invite her on a date smoothly!

We started our walk in the sunshine.

As we immersed ourselves in a happy mood, Garnet-san asked:

“Where are you taking me?” (Garnet)

“W-Where…?” (Jade)

I had planned to wander around the neighborhood, but…

Since it’s a date, maybe I should take her to a nice place.

…What should I do? Where should I go?

If I mess up the first date, it will be difficult to ask her out for the next one…

“Where are we going?” Garnet-san asked.

“Oh, um… well…” (Jade)

My chest was filled with anxiety.

My heart pounded heavily, and it felt like my body was trembling in sync with its beats.

…No, it wasn’t just a feeling.

I really was shaking!

“Jade~! Jade~!” (Dorami)

Suddenly, Dorami’s voice echoed.

Even though she was supposed to be at home, it felt as if she were screaming right next to my ear.

Dorami’s voice gradually grew louder—

When I woke up, Dorami was right in front of me.

S-so it was just a dream…

“You look unwell. Did Dorami’s shaking make you feel seasick?” (Dorami)

“It was just a bad dream.” (Jade)

Thank goodness it was just a dream.

I was about to ask her out without thinking.

We’ve only been dating for three days, so I need to be more cautious with my actions.

“What kind of dream did you have? Sharing it with Dorami will make you feel better.” (Dorami)

She sat beside me, gently patting my back with her small hand, and Dorami was ready to listen to my concerns.

“It was a dream about going on a date and taking a walk with Garnet-san.” (Jade)

“That sounds like a fun dream!” (Dorami)

“But you know, I didn’t think about where to go…” (Jade)

“Just going for a walk is enjoyable. Dorami can have fun just by walking with Marin!” (Dorami)

Marin-chan is Garnet-san’s younger sister and Dorami’s best friend.

When you’re with a close friend, you can enjoy anything you do together.

In other words, if I can become even closer to Garnet-san than I am now, any date can be enjoyable!

“I’ll do my best to get closer to Garnet-san!” (Jade)

“In that case, you should wear matching outfits. That way, you can become close like Dorami and Marin!” (Dorami)

Imitating Garnet-san’s style might feel a bit weird, it doesn’t necessarily have to be about clothing.

Just using the same tableware could help us become closer and create a stronger sense of being in a relationship, right?

If that’s the case, let’s go shopping!

“After we eat, should we go shopping?” (Jade)

“Sounds great! Actually, I woke Jade up because I was really hungry!” (Dorami)

Once we finished changing our clothes, we left the house. We had a meal at a nearby restaurant and then immediately started our shopping.

“Where are we going? The clothing store is in the opposite direction.” (Dorami)

“We’re going to buy tableware. I feel like Garnet-san and I can become closer by using matching plates.” (Jade)

At home, we only had plain white plates. While they matched in a sense, there wasn’t anything special about them. I definitely wanted to get some plates that felt more like a couple’s set.

“Dorami wants some plates too! …Is it okay to buy them?” (Dorami)

“Sure. If you find something you like, go ahead and buy it.” (Jade)

“Yay! Dorami wants plates that suit her taste! Because meals taste better when eaten on favorite plates, right?” (Dorami)

With a cheerful Dorami by my side, we continued down the road and arrived at the tableware store.

They had a considerable variety of plates here.

I should be able to find my ideal plate here!

“What a coincidence.” (Garnet)

Before finding the plates, we ran into Garnet-san.

“What a coincidence! Thank you for the delicious dinner yesterday!” (Jade)

“Thanks to you, I was able to have a delicious dream!” (Dorami)

“You’re welcome. How’s your stomach feeling?” (Garnet)

“It’s completely better after sleeping!” (Dorami)

Dorami ate too much rice and ended up with a stomach ache.

To take care of Dorami, we decided to have dinner and go straight home yesterday.

“Sorry for not cleaning up before leaving.” (Jade)

“Don’t worry about it.” (Garnet)

She’s so kind!

Not only cute but also kind, she’s perfect!

I still can’t believe this person is my lover.

“Why are you pinching your cheek?” (Garnet)

“I thought it might be a dream. By the way, Garnet-san… Are you off today?” (Jade)

“I took a lunch break to come and buy some plates. Yesterday, I accidentally broke a plate while cleaning.” (Garnet)

“Did you get hurt?” (Jade)

“I’m fine.” (Garnet)

“That’s a relief… Um, if it’s alright, can I accompany you while you shop?” (Jade)

“I don’t mind.” (Garnet)

“Can Dorami look over there?” (Dorami)

“Yeah, go ahead.” (Jade)

Maybe she sensed the presence of some nice plates, Dorami ran to the back of the story.

I wandered around looking at the dishes with Garnet-san.

…Honestly, I want to look at Garnet-san rather than the dishes.

“What kind of plates are you looking for, Garnet-san?” (Jade)

“I want plates with patterns. They make the meals look more vibrant.” (Garnet)

That’s a good idea, patterned plates. It would make meals more enjoyable! So… something like this?

“It has a beautiful flower pattern.” (Garnet)

“Garnet-san, you like flowers, don’t you?” (Jade)

That’s right, Garnet-san likes flowers.

She might like it if I take her to a flower garden.

But there’s no flower garden nearby…

What if I buy a piece of land in the neighborhood and turn it into a flower garden?

A heart-shaped flower garden would convey my love, right?

Alright! If that’s the case, I need to start looking for land!

While I was lost in my thoughts, Garnet-san returned the floral patterned plate.

“Are you not going to buy it?” (Jade)

“I think I’ll stick with wooden ones after all. Ceramic ones might break again.” (Garnet)

We headed towards the wooden tableware section.

Most of the wooden tableware was plain, but there were some with patterns as well.

There were plates with flower imprints and plates with heart imprints!

They were truly couple-like plates!

“W-What do you think of this heart-shaped plate?” (Jade)

“I think it’s cute.” (Garnet)

“In that case, I’ll give it to you as a gift! Eating with cute plates makes the food look adorable, and I think Garnet-san will also look cute!” (Jade)

“I see…” (Garnet)

“Oh, of course, it’s not like you don’t look cute right now, Garnet-san! You’re always cute!” (Jade)

“When you say it loudly like that, it’s embarrassing.” (Garnet)

“I-I’m sorry… I didn’t consider the place…” (Jade)

“I’m not angry.” (Garnet)

Garnet-san’s cheeks slightly flushed, and a smile appeared on her lips.

And just then, Dorami rushed over.

She was holding a large plate.

“I found an amazing plate! With this, I can eat to my heart’s content!” (Dorami)

Perhaps thinking of a hearty feast, Dorami drooled.

“It would be great if you bring that plate to my place today.” (Garnet)

“Today is okay too!?” (Jade)

“Yes. I also want to try using the heart-shaped plate.” (Garnet)

“Thank you!” (Jade)

While eagerly awaiting dinner, we left the store and headed to the guild.

Since Garnet had work, I’ll take care of the heart-shaped plate.

“I had a great time shopping together today.” (Jade)

“I enjoyed it too. It was a lovely first date.” (Garnet)

Huh?

“T-this was a date!?” (Jade)

“We went out together as lovers. I think it counts as a date.” (Garnet)

“I-I see…” (Jade)

So, this is what a date is like.

And Garnet enjoyed it too!

The first date was a big success!

“Why are you pinching your cheek?” (Garnet)

“I wanted to make sure it wasn’t a dream.” (Jade)

Having confirmed it wasn’t a dream, Dorami and I headed home.
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