Chapter 371 : The Way Home From School
ーDONG! DONG! DONG!
The sound of the bell echoed through the classroom. Since the bell was right at the top of the church, the sound was so loud that some children covered their ears.
After the bell’s ring died down, Sister Lina, who had just taught us math, closed her textbook and spoke loudly.
「That’s all for today. Everyone, please be careful on your way home and don’t forget your homework.」(Sister Lina)
「「Yes, Ma’amー!」」(children)
After replying to Sister Lina with lively voices, we, students, put our books and toys in our bags and started leaving the classroom… except one person.
「Zzzz…」(Nicola)
「Oi, Nicola, wake up!」(Mark)
Yup. It was Nicola. She was sleeping with her head on her desk.
Even the bell didn’t wake her up.
「I’ll leave you here if you don’t wake up!」(Mark)
「Fwee…? Is the class over…?」(Nicola)
「Yeah, come on!」(Mark)
Lucky for her, Sister Lina was talking with some other children from the younger group, so she didn’t notice Nicola sleeping.
Nicola slowly raised her head, wiped the drool on her mouth with the back of her hand, and started packing.
「Mark-kun, Nicola-chan, shall we go home together?」(Pamella)
While I was waiting for Nicola, I heard Pamella’s voice and turned around.
「Yeah, sure. Nicola, hurry up.」(Mark)
「I’m coming~!」(Nicola)
After we finished packing, we said goodbye to Sister Lina by simply waving our hands, and then left the church.
ーーーーー
The three of us walked down the street while chatting, heading toward the center of the town.
It really brings back memories. Delica, Yuri, Pamella, Nicola, and I had walked this street together so many times.
Speaking of which, it seemed that Pamella, Delica, and Yuri used to go to the Sunday School together while Nicola and I were still in Schultria Village. However, after Delica graduated, they stopped that habit.
Yuri joined just because of his sister, Delica, but he seemed to feel awkward going to school with Pamella alone. Pamella also felt the same. Because of that, Yuri began to commute to school with Wolf Gang members, while Pamella with some female classmates.
Well, I can understand. Both Yuri and Pamella are quite shy after all. Besides, they don’t talk to each other that much. It must have been hard for them to interact with each other without Delica.
By the way, before leaving the church, I asked Yuri if he wanted to go home with us, but he kindly declined. He seems to prefer to go with Wolf Gang members nowadays.
He is one year older than me, so he was in a different group. I wasn’t able to talk much with him in the class because of that.
He’s my only friend I can share my thoughts about books with, so I want to talk with him more. Looks like I need to revive Wolf Gang’s secret base as soon as possible so that we can play together again like the old days.
While I was thinking about Yuri, I spotted his sister. What a coincidence.
Delica was crossing the town’s plaza in her maid uniform while carrying a shopping basket.
「Hm? Isn’t that Delica-chan?」(Pamella)
「Delica-chaaan~!」(Nicola)
Pamella and Nicola noticed her too. Nicola called her out loud and waved her hand.
Delica then approached us as soon as she noticed us.
「Yo, Mark, Nicola, Pamella! I was thinking I might bump into you guys here, and it’s really happening. Haha! How’s school?」(Delica)
「It’s been a while, but same as always, I guess. Are you grocery shopping?」(Mark)
「Yup. I’m running an errand for your mom.」(Delica)
It seems that we’re running out of some food ingredients.
In the basket Delica was carrying, I could see some vegetables, fruits, spices, and something that seemed to be meat wrapped neatly in paper.
The basket looked heavy, but Delica was carrying it without breaking a sweat. She’s surely gotten a lot stronger. Seems like her training in the dojo has borne fruit.
「Oh, right. Mark, don’t forget to see my dad. He told me he learned something about your wood.」(Delica)
Yesterday, I asked Gauche oji-san if he knew what kind of tree I created with Tree Spirit magic. He said he would look into it and told me to come back later.
It seems like he has found the answer.
「That’s great! I’m going to stop by your house after taking Pamella home.」(Mark)
「I see. Well then, I’m going now. Your mom’s waiting for me. I’ll tell her that you and Nicola will get home a bit late.」(Delica)
「Roger that.」(Mark)
「See you later, guys!」(Delica)
「See you later.」(Pamella)
「See ya~!」(Nicola)
As soon as Delica parted ways with us, she continued walking a bit hurriedly.
Seems like our inn is super busy right now. I feel kinda bad for Mom and Dad that I can’t help them, but since they have Delica and Nei, I’m sure they’ll be fine.
While I was looking at Delica’s back as she left, Pamella shyly pulled my sleeve.
「Mark-kun, are you going to Delica-chan’s house?」(Pamella)
「Yeah. I have business with her dad, but don’t worry, I’ll take you home first. Let’s go.」(Mark)
I was about to continue walking, but Pamella pulled my sleeve harder to stop me.
「Hm?」(Mark)
「Umm, can I go with you?」(Pamella)
「To Delica’s house?」(Mark)
「Yeah. I rarely walk around the southern area, so… I think it’s a good opportunity for that…」(Pamella)
『Oya, oya~? Did she just invite you to go on a date~?』(Nicola)
『It’s not a date when there are three people…』(Mark)
After briefly responding to Nicola’s teasing, I nodded to Pamella.
「Alright. We stop by Delica’s house first, and then I’ll take you home after that.」(Mark)
「Un. Thank you, Mark-kun.」(Pamella)
Pamella’s house, Iris Bar, was on the east side of the town, but we changed direction and walked down the street leading to the southern part of the town where Delica’s house was.
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“so many times”
Still less than 60 times per year, so maybe a hundred total?