[32.2] How to Spend a Day Off

I was awakened by my mother gently prodding me, "Reika darling."

I groaned, "Can't I sleep in? It's not often I get days off…"

She sighed, "Reika. You have slept in. It's past noon."

I blew out a sigh, "So? I don't have class."

She pouted, "But I wanted to get matching outfits today."

I groaned.

She poked my side, "We can get lemon tarts again."

I sat up, "Okay. Let's go."

I quickly got ready, shoved a few bites of food into my mouth, and headed out the door beside my mother and Zephyr. I looked back, "Papa isn't coming with us today?"

My Mother shook her head with a grin, "No. I thought we could just have a fun day with the girls."

"Then why is Zephyr coming?"

"He's pretty much a girl."

Zephyr looked up at her, "Oi. I'm a man."

She laughed and rubbed his head, "Yes, yes. You're a big boy now. I almost forgot."

"That's right. I'm a big boy-" He nodded smugly before freezing, "OI!"

She laughed at his frustration as we continued to walk towards the main shopping street. Since my mother preferred not to stand out thanks to her body-snatching past, we didn't take our ice chunk. It wasn't too far, but that didn't stop Zephyr from complaining.

"My feet hurt!"

I clicked my tongue, "We haven't even walked that far. I'm in heels and I'm perfectly fine."

"Those are wedges!! They are WAY more comfortable!"

I narrowed my eyes, "How do you know the difference between heels and wedges? Have you been trying on my shoes again?!"

He ignored me and whined, "But it's so hot! Can't I take off my shirt?"

I glared at him, "Absolutely not."

"Why not?!"

My mother giggled, "Zephyr, you can't give people a free show."

His eyes flashed at the thought of money, "So if I charge them, I can do it?"

I groaned and shook my head, "No one would ever want to pay to see that."

He chuckled darkly, "I can think of a few who would."

I rolled my eyes.

My mother laughed and pointed to a cafe, "How about some tea and snacks?"

We entered the cafe and sat down at a table. My mother already knew what to order for us and soon our entire table was decorated with a variety of desserts. Zephyr and I didn't even bother wasting time and quickly started shoving food into our mouths. While I preferred the more bitter-sweet and fruity desserts, Zephyr preferred the cupcakes decorated in cookies and other candies.

My mother picked up a scone and nibbled on it elegantly before shoving the rest into her mouth.

It seems she can only pretend to act elegant for a few seconds.

My mother glanced over to the door. Her eyes widened in recognition, "Reika. Isn't that your friend?"

I turned to look at the door and saw that Hazel had just walked in. I took another bite of my tart and stared back, "That's certainly Hazel."

What a coincidence.

My Mother wasted no time waving her down, "Miss Hazel! Yoohoo~"

Hazel noticed her waving and walked over with a polite smile, "Miss Della. It's been a while. You look amazing."

She beamed at her, "What a sweet girl you are. How would you like to join us?"

Hazel's cheeks flushed slightly, "Oh, I couldn't possibly."

"Nonsense! We've ordered more than enough. Come on, sit down."

Hazel glanced at me and I shrugged showing that I didn't really care. She looked down shyly, "Then please allow me to join you."

She sat down at the table as my Mother pushed over food for her to eat. She nodded her thanks and bit down into it. She looked over at Zephyr, "So you like to eat cupcakes?"

He licked the corners of his mouth where icing still remained, "I don't care for those fufu sweets."

He shoved another cupcake into his mouth without a care about how messy it was. Hazel laughed lightheartedly and continued to watch Zephyr put more food into his mouth.

I watched her carefully with calculating eyes.

She doesn't seem like a villain.

If anything, she seems like a hopeless romantic who is interested in Zephyr.

And I don't think having poor taste in men would make you a villain.

My mother spoke to her, "Hazel. We are probably going to go around town today and shop. Would you like to join us?"

Her eyes lit up, "Is it really okay?"

She nodded, "Of course. Reika's friends are always welcome to come along with us."

I rolled my eyes.

Why does she keep trying to push me to hang out with friends? Does she think I'm really that antisocial?

I have tons of friends.

Zephyr…

Goldilocks…

Felix…

Um…

Who else?

Oh gods.

I sat up in shock, "I'm antisocial."

My mother reached out and patted my head, "I know dear."

My mouth hung open, "..."

After paying, we left the building and walked down the street. As we passed a store that sold swords, I smiled, "I wonder why Goldilocks loves swords so much. Why would you even want something so useless when you can use magic?"

Hazel spoke, "Magical tools are far easier to use. You can use it longer and more effectively than if you just relied on a magic wand… Unless you're you, of course."

I nodded happily, "Of course."

Zephyr spoke up, "I don't think I ever saw that golden-haired brat ever use magic besides his sword."

I paused.

He doesn't…

Does he?

How come I've never noticed that?

But I know he has a wand so it's not like he can't…

So… He just chooses not to?

Do people like that exist?!

I pressed my lips together and continued walking.

As we continued to walk down the street, Zephyr tugged at his shirt, "Ughh. Why did you make me wear such a stuffy thing?! I can't stand it!"

I rolled my eyes, "It's a shirt, Zephyr. Stop trying to be naked all the time."

Hazel's eyes widened in embarrassment, "N-Naked?"

Zephyr paused and then turned to her with a mischievous smile. Although we were all around the same height, Hazel was still a little taller. Although that didn't seem to bother Zephyr.

He grinned, "How much would you pay to see me without a shirt on?"

Her face turned pink, "H-How much do you want?"

I groaned and pushed them apart, "Stop flirting. It's grossing me out."

We passed a stall selling plushies and my mother let out a squeal, "Look! Reika! They have a Mama and a baby bear plushie!"

I laughed, "You should get it."

My mother picked it up and gave it a hug. Then she glanced at us, "Okay, but if I get one then you three will also have to get one. I don't want your father to single me out."

Hazel looked at a fox plush and pointed it out to Zephyr, "Look. Isn't it cute? I think that foxes are just the best."

Zephyr looked at the plush with an arrogant chuckle, "Duh! Foxes are the best! No other animal could compete with our adorable faces and our intelligent brains."

I rolled my eyes, "Adorable and intelligent? You must not be a real fox then."

"OI!"

I looked around the stall until my eyes stopped at the sight of a white rabbit with an indifferent expression that almost resembled a scowl.

"Oh! It reminds me of Goldilocks. It even has his facial expression." I giggled as I played with the small rabbit, "I think I will buy this one."

My mother stared at me intently for a moment before suddenly saying, "I think we need a girl's night."

I raised my eyebrow, "A girl's night?"

"That's right." She grabbed both of our hands and started leading us over to another store, "First, we need to get matching pajamas!"

Hazel shuffled after us in order to keep up.

I looked at my mother in slight confusion, "Matching pajamas? Do they even offer that sort of thing?"

She laughed, "Oh, Reika. When you have money, they offer everything."