Kays Translations

Chapter 25

Upon looking outside, the clock showed it was just before 8 PM, and the sun had completely set.

Seeing me glance outside, she stood up. I thought the conversation might be over—

"Just wait a moment."

Leaving those words behind, she exited the room.

I was left somewhat dumbfounded by the sudden turn of events.

Wondering what it could be, I felt strangely uneasy and excited. Then, the sound of a door closing from somewhere, and she returned.

She was now seated with another book in her hands.

"We've talked quite a bit, haven't we?"

Come to think of it, I realized I hadn't asked why I was summoned.

"Oh... It's a bit late to ask, but why did you call me here?"

"Hmm? It's for this."

This... I thought she meant the book, but it seemed different. When I raised my gaze, she was staring intently at me.

"I wanted to talk to you, Mizuki."

Huh... right now!?

A sensation of time freezing overwhelmed me.

My heart instinctively tightened at being called by my first name.

Wait, wait, this is too sudden!

No, no, this is way too unexpected!

I already have no immunity to beautiful women. If I, someone who's already susceptible, hear such a killer line from a stunning elf, I'll be knocked out in one shot.

I had forgotten to breathe.

My face was not just red—it was completely flushed.

"Um, what...?"

My voice trembled and didn't come out smoothly.

"I wanted to talk after hearing your words... It's been a while since I've used them..."

"Ah..."

Ah, I see!

I suddenly became calm.

When she heard my Elvish at the guild, she must have found it unimaginable—someone other than herself speaking her language.

It wasn't just because a person spoke; it was the fact that she heard the language itself that resonated with her.

That long silence carried the weight of the impact.

She had been reviewing the language on her own to ensure she wouldn't forget.

It's natural to want to converse when there's someone you can talk to.

I understood why her body seemed to relax with such a convincing reason.

It seems she was nervous until just now...

Whether she could speak her true feelings or not, her expression suddenly brightened.

"How was it? Was I able to speak properly like a professional elf?"

Being asked if she spoke well like a professional elf... it felt a bit awkward.

"Now that you mention it, it seems like you've become much more talkative than when we first started."

I must have been helping to remove the rust accumulated over the centuries.

If it served as a lubricant, that's more than welcome. Happiness welled up within me.

"Or rather, you give off the impression of 'smoothed out and rounded.' It feels like the edges have been taken off."

Thanks to knowing the reason, my words also flowed smoothly.

Knowing the reason, my words also flowed smoothly.

She chuckled.

"Your words have some phrases that are unclear here and there... Is it Japanese?"

"Ah, yes, it is. I apologize."

It seems my recent phrase 'smoothed out and rounded' didn't quite convey.

"The expression 'the edges have been taken off' is a Japanese saying. It means you give off a softer impression than when we first met."

"You don't need to apologize. By the way, I haven't asked you anything about your country."

"Ah."

"Next time, please tell me about your country."

Saying that, she handed me the book she had in her hands.

The book looked quite worn, with a damaged cover and very old paper.

"What's this?"

She then took the book she had handed me earlier and replied,

"This is the predecessor to that one."

Ah, I see. With several hundred years as a backup document, it's no wonder it's worn.

It's like using documents stored in the Shōsō-in (a treasure house at Tōdai-ji in Nara, Japan) and expecting them to be usable.

"I used the 'Preservation Magic' to use it, but the damage became severe. So, I bought a new one and copied it here over a decade ago. After all, I had been using it before coming here."

It's definitely at the level of ancient manuscripts. My grip on the book tightened.

—Wait a minute, did she just say something now!?

"Did you just say 'Preservation Magic'? Can you use magic?"

"I heard you're a student. Are you a student at a magic school?"

"No, not exactly. But I'm thinking of learning magic since I came to this country."

"I see."

I hadn't realized I had dropped a hint about being able to use magic.

"Well, that's perfect. It's also written in there—'Preservation Magic.'"

"Huh!?"

"I'll give it to you."

For a moment, I couldn't believe my ears. Did she just say she's giving it to me!?

"...Huh!?"

"I already have a new one, so I don't need the old one anymore."

My thoughts came to a halt at this unexpected turn of events.

And I looked at the book in my hand, feeling a sense of panic.

"No, no, no, no, no, no, no, no! What are you saying!?"

She tilted her head.

"I-I can't accept such an important ancient manuscript!"

Looking at her face, she seemed to be asking, "Why not?"

"T-This is something precious!"

"That's why I have a new copy, so I don't need this one anymore—"

"N-No... that might be true, but... still..."

"It's a thank-you for accompanying me in our conversation today. If you're okay with it..."

"N-No, it's not just 'okay' with something like this..."

I hesitated for a while, but it seemed she wasn't expecting any answer other than "yes."

Grateful and a bit flustered, I decided to accept.

"N-No... um... Yes... thank you very much."

I was astonished by the unexpected turn of events, finding myself holding onto a seemingly incredible treasure, and I stared at the weathered book for a while.

I get up from my seat to leave.

"Oh, Tinameril-san, how about showing your face in the store once in a while?"

"?"

"I'm sure everyone wants to talk to you. Let's talk even if it's not in Elvish."

Even my way of speaking has become less reserved.

I don't know why she doesn't show her face in public, but it seems like a good idea to bring back opportunities for her to interact with people as much as possible.

"You might recall the feelings from when you left the forest, you know?"

Her original nature isn't one that dislikes people. It must be stuck deep in her soul.

After thinking for a moment, she lightly nodded, agreeing to the suggestion.

As I was about to leave, I turned around to look at her once more.

"Tinameril-san, I had a great time today. I'll be happy to talk anytime, so please feel free to call me."

"Hmm, next time, tell me about Japan."

"Hehe, you can look forward to it. There's a mountain of things to talk about."

I put on a triumphant expression.

"After all, Japan is a country with a history of 2,600 years since its founding. We're not even beaten by the lifespan of elves."

She returned a radiant smile, and my heart was completely captivated by her.

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