Chapter 220 First Date (2)
The reason I end up muttering something really timid is because of the present I bought for Fiona, which is a ring, quite an insinuating accessory.
The shopkeeper recommended it, and I bought it, but......no, everything’s fine, it’s not some normal ring, it is an item helpful for adventurers, it’s not like I have any ulterior motives.
Even so, while regretting to have bought something too much embarrassing, I move at a quick pace to the plaza, as the meeting time is nearing.
The sun would soon come near the meridian.
Things like clock are only nobles, so the meeting time is quite vague.
The commoners can only guess the vague time by hearing the bells of temple which ring at every two hours interval.
In truth, there is still thirty minutes left till the bell of noon, but it would be bad if Fiona was waiting for me since before, so it’s obvious for me to reach there first.
Once I was told by my sister to “Never make a girl wait!”
It’s not a date, but this date-like event is a first experience for me, while remembering the words of wisdom given to me by my sister long time ago, I determine myself to be a great escort for Fiona.
Well then, with this and that, I reached the plaza, in front of obelisk but,
「Hm, Fiona is still not here, huh」
I survey the surroundings, but I couldn’t find a girl wearing that witch costume.
As expected, this place is filled with crowd of people during the day, but her figure can be easily distinguished even among this crowd with just a glance.
While thinking that, I stand in front of the obelisk, which has word of praise for that Mia-chan, and wait for Fiona’s arrival while staring at the crowds of people.
「......Um」
Suddenly, the edge of my apprentice robe is tugged, even though Lily is not here.
Just who is it, while thinking that I turn over and,
「Fiona......is that you?」
Standing there was, Fiona, wearing white blouse and light blue skirt, a completely common person’s clothes. [1]
The reason, there was a question mark at the end of my sentence is because, her figure was completely different from the image of Fiona in my mind.
Just like my equipments, the witch-like, always wearing all black clothes, that Fiona.
However, currently she is wearing clothes of completely light hue, this gap is just too much.
「Err, is my appearance, strange?」
To Fiona saying something that sweet with a downcast look, I, unintentionally blushed.
「No, it’s looking perfect on you」
I hate myself for saying that over-used line.
But, Fiona’s casual wear of robe or cape, and doesn’t reveal any of her body, it even concealed her bodyline.
Her this blouse and pleated skirt, resemble the summer uniform of a girl student, and it has the impact to completely annihilate her image of wearing boring witch costume.
From the half-sleeves of that blouse two white slender arms peek out, and from the miniskirt which barely reaches her knees, two bewitching legs are seen.
Her clothes are perfectly fit, and her body line is being seen, which seems more girl-like considering her real age.
Particularly, the belt of her sling handbag, is passing diagonally from between her blouse, resulting in twin peaks exerting pressure on the cloth of blouse, telling its size, if Fiona is doing this intentionally, then I have to say that she is also a witch in seducing men.
「I see, I’m happy to hear that」
Fiona slightly smiled, seems like she hasn’t noticed my impolite gaze, or maybe she is ignoring it, well either way thank you.
「Sorry, I’m always in apprentice robe, I should’ve wore some better for this occasion」
「No, the robe suits you Kurono-san」
No, it’s not the problem of it suiting me or not, but......No, if Fiona is not bothered by it, why should I, let’s take on good will.
「However, Fiona also had common clothes like this, it was completely out of expectations for you to appear in this beautiful appearance」
「Eh, am......Beautiful, is it」
「Yeah, truly」[2]
「I-Is that so......」
Saying that, Fiona; looked away.
Huh, did I just speaking something bad—–or rather, this is strange, wasn’t my remark just now way too embarrassing.
Why am I saying something with the nuance of「You’re truly beautiful」as if natural, this going to be bad, if not a proper cover-up she might even complain on me for sexual harassment.
Don’t tell me that there exists some punishment rule again harassing a girl in the guild or maybe, stopping my shitty idiotic thinking in middle, and I tried to change the subject, at least my rational reasoning told me that.
「T-That’s right, Fiona, I got a present for you! If it’s fine, can you accept it」
At that point, I took out the precious gift I bought just before.
「Eh, no way Kurono-san, it feels somewhat bad」
「Hey, before I bought the white robe for Lily, but there wasn’t anything for you though. Ah, is it by chance bothering you, righ—–」
「it’s not like that, I want Kurono-san’s present」
「I, I see, it’s good that you are accepting it」
She interrupted me with great force, even I got back somewhat.
But, she might have thought to not waste my good will, Fiona does understand that much, albeit being a natural airhead.
The over-excited me, took out a dark blue case with the ring inside, from my pocket.
「Thank you for everything till now, Fiona, and let’s work together from now on too」
「Yes, thank you very much, Kurono-san」
Is it alright to open it, to her question, I immediately nod.
Fiona’s slender fingers open up the lid of case, inside it was the ring I just bought emitting the luster of a new article.
「『Athena Guard Ring』, this ring is embedded with the divine protection from a goddess named Athena, and protects the wearer from blades」
To put in simple words, it is a magic item similar to『Nana Blast Amulet』, which both Fiona and I possess.
Divine protection is similar to magic, based on uses it can be weapon or defenses, and could be embedded in ornaments; of course, the strength varies from best to worst.
At a glance this『Athena Guard Ring』might seem like a normal silver ring, but on the interior of the ring exists a magic circle written with ancient characters for activating the power of divine protection.
「Hearing the name it might sound like a really great thing, but it’s grade as a magic item is not that high, so don’t expect much of defensive power」
It protects from blades, having said that, the Shield is automatically deployed to block against physical attacks, so, it is quite a popular accessory.
It is same as the cross which was hanging from the neck of Cyprus, of course, it is not a great item to that extent.
Well, Fiona would understand it even without explaining it.
「No, I’m truly happy, thank you for this lovely gift」
Fiona thanked me by bowing very deeply, and politely. I hesitated in saying, It ain’t something that great, so just ended this conversation by saying Your Welcome.
「Is it alright to wear it too?」
「Of course」
Like that, Fiona wore the ring, without hesitating, in the ring finger on her left hand.
「......Is something wrong?」
「No, nothing, it’s good that if fits you perfectly」
「Yes」
It ain’t a wedding ring that you wear in ring finger of left hand, I thought that, but it was a custom in my world, and it shouldn’t be necessarily the same in this world too.
The fingers good for wearing rings are index finger, middle finger and ring finger, these three, and combing of both hands, there are 6 fingers good to wear ring in, in that case, the probability of wearing wedding ring in the ring finger of left hand is going to be 1/6, so it’s almost impossible for this world to have same customs as that on earth.
No, there might not even be the existence of wedding ring present in world.
The reason I thought about wedding ring must be because I know of its existence, and nothing more. [3]
「How is it?」
「Yeah, it looks really great」
The one-sidedly excited me, was only able to give that safe reply to Fiona showing her ring in her ring finger to me.
But, because Fiona is smiling as if understanding everything from my reply, so it’s all good.
[1] He thought Fiona was an eccentric person.
[2] You’re just dense enough and quite shameless too.
[3] Am I the only one thinking that this world also has got the same custom, based on the fact that many things on this world resemble to earth. Like bunny costume and stuff.