241. Country of Sakura, Cherin and Seven Holy Swords [12]


    The sakura product that was at the end of Ria’s gaze was a beautiful accessory.


    (Sakura ring… 10 thousand gold, huh.)


    Expensive.


    …No, considering that it’s a ring, you can say it’s relatively cheap.


    However, from my sense of money and wallet situation, the price of 10 thousand gold is extremely high.


    (But why is she making such a troubled face?)


    Ria is so rich that I could never compare with her.


    (Something like 10 thousand gold, should be of no problem to her.)


    The moment I was thinking about that vaguely, a blitz across my mind.


    (Speaking of which, Paula-san said something a long time ago.)


    If I remember correctly, it was on her birthday.


    When I was twelve years old at the time, I planned to present an apron to Paula-san as thank you for taking care of me everyday.


    (I went out far to the next town to look for it, but… I couldn’t find a size of more than two meters at all. I just stood in the crowd not knowing what to do.)


    I still remember the anxiety I felt at that time very clearly.


    I searched around desperately, but I couldn’t find the right apron.


    In the end, when the sun started to set, I bought the biggest apron at a nearby shop.


    But when you compare it to Paula-san’s huge frame, it was undoubtedly “small”.


    And that evening, when she received the non-fitting apron, she was so happy, almost jumping in joy.


    I asked「It’s not that expensive, and the size doesn’t fit. So why are you so happy, Paula-san?」. Paula-san then replied, with a powerful smile.


    【Listen well, Allen. Girls are extremely weak creatures for “presents”. Let’s see… When you find a girl you like in the future, you should give a present which speaks of your feelings. It’s not the appearance or the price that is important, it is the thought that counts!】


    (Maybe this moment is the “future” that Paula-san mentioned.)


    I remembered the advice from three years ago and decided to see if Ria really wanted it.


    「Naa, Ria.」


    When I called out to her like that,


    「Uh-oh!? A-Allen… When did you!?」


    Ria raised a surprised voice and pulled her hands to her chest.


    I seem to have surprised her a little.


    「S-Sorry. You had a troubled expression on your face, so I was a little worried.」


    「I, I see… Thank you, it’s nothing, so it’s okay.」


    She said, shooting a glance at the sakura-colored ring for just a slight instant.


    I didn’t miss that glance, and brought up the topic casually.


    「That’s a beautiful ring.」


    「Eh, ah, ermm, yes…」


    When I brought up the ring all of a sudden, Ria became disordered and simply nodded.


    「Beautiful, isn’t it?」


    「T-That’s right…」


    「……」


    「……」


    There was an indescribable subtle silence between us.


    (H-How do I handle this? What the hell am I supposed to do!?)


    Should I push or retreat?


    (What if she rejects my present?)


    Chills ran down my spine just thinking that.


    Even so,


    (I shouldn’t run here!)


    Now is the time – the time to muster my courage.


    I scolded myself, who was about to chicken out, and finally took a big step forward.


    「D-Do you want that ring?」


    「Eh, uh… t-that’s…」


    Ria’s eyes widened as she started mumbling, but then, she finally looked up and directed her gaze towards mine.


    (This reaction, no doubt!)


    As I thought, this moment is similar to the “decisive moment in battle”.


    (All right, let’s do it.)


    I made up my mind, exhaled loudly, and told her clearly.


    「I-If you don’t mind, Ria… I would like to give this ring to you as a present.」


    The next moment,


    「R-Really!?」


    She brought her face closer, her eyes gleaming.