A New Friend

They left the hospital and walked on the sidewalk toward the heart of the Capital. Gael broke the silence first.

"You're not going to ask me?"

"Ask you what?"

"Like who's the girl I just visited."

"No."

"I guess you were not really interested."

"It's just not within my interest to pry into other people's lives. I believe everyone is so. People tried their hardest to hide- be it their past, secrets or relationships. I guess you were just different who willingly dragged me with you."

"Did I inconvenience you?"

"Not really. I could at least say maybe because you're a little interesting."

"Then I'm glad I got your attention. Would you find it cringe if I say I want to know you better?"

"You're more than cringe. I can't believe you're saying that just after visiting someone as beautiful as her. It made me change my mind, please do not follow me anymore."

Gael smiled, remembering that Avrill called him just the same when he expressed his intention to befriend her.

Leone quickened her steps to get away from the boy who was shameless and insistent.

"She's Avrill."

Leone stopped and looked behind her. Gael was looking at her sadly with a small smile on his lips.

"She had always been sickly but her health turned for this year. She sometimes loses consciousness. She's also more of an intellectual person than she looks and I think she'll like you. If possible, I want to introduce you to her next time too."

"... You surely just asked something I would usually say 'no' to."

"So it's a yes?"

"How disturbing. Don't make it sound like an answer to a proposal."

Gael's laughter warmed her. A moment when she could just joke around and laugh is unfamiliar to her but it doesn't make her feel bad. She thought something hollow in her is slowly being filled.

"Anyway, I'm done with my matter here. Let's go to the market now. What do you intend to buy?"

"An umbrella."

"You'll go all the way to the market for an umbrella?"

"I'm afraid a cheap one would not be appropriate as a replacement for something I borrowed and lost."

"The material value doesn't matter. It's the thought that counts."

"But going an extra mile would not hurt."

"I see. I'd probably jump in delight if I would receive a present from a person as thoughtful as you. Your friend is lucky to have you."

"... They are not my friend though."

"Huh? Then what?"

"Just a stranger who's kind enough to let me borrow their umbrella."

"You lack common sense. Did your guardian not tell you not to talk to strangers."

"You're referring to yourself, aren't you?"

"You're partly correct. But it pains me to hear that you think I'm still a stranger even after what we went through together! You knew the name that my beloved parents had given me, my affiliation which only a select few have access to, and even agreed to meet my dearest childhood friend! You're such a cruel person, my Leone."

"Continue acting like that and we could pretend we have never met each other."

Leone deadly stared at Gael, feeling the shame coloring her cheeks at the young man's flashy monologue before a crowd who are now watching him with disgust in their eyes.

Gael cleared his throat with a fake cough. "Anyway, wanna grab some snacks?"

"Okay."

They went to the nearest bakery and sat on the open veranda on the ground floor.

"May I get your orders?"

"What can you recommend?"

"Our bestseller pasta. As for dessert, fondant and sherbet."

"Okay. Tow servings for each. What would you have for drinks, Len?"

"Cold apple juice for me, please."

She watched the townspeople come and go while waiting for their meal. Laughter could be heard from the inns along the street.

There are several adventurers and mercenaries who showed interest in the bulletin board stationed at the wide plaza near the market.

"Do you have an idea what's going on?"

"Hmm. There would be a tournament in celebration of the Crown Prince's return. It is usually open for nobles only but this time commoners could join in so it's rather lively. The champion will be granted one chance to enter the outer royal treasury, and including him, together with the top 5 contenders will be given a special knight admission pass to join the knights' order."

"Wow. The grand prize is grand. His Majesty seems to placed a great consideration into it."

Their orders arrived shortly and Leone thanked the waitress.

"It won't be an easy feat to win first place. There are three strong contenders for it. There is the mercenary named Brad who joined the war against the savages of the Surran Kingdom of the south. Then there's an adventurer who is the top ranker from the Adventurers Guild of this territory's branch. While the wanderer is someone who just happened to be seen knocking out Brad's second in command. It was a hot topic that the finals might be a fight between the two."

"How about the nobles? I didn't hear you mention them?"

"Hmm. Remember the Academy? They have a Knight Apprenticeship Department where mostly nobles enroll. They have a different stage so to say. If there would be nobles joining the tournament, they would belong to the lower levels who could not compete with the rankers."

"But they must still be skilled compared to others."

"Well, maybe? Let's see their might against the three."

Leone is thankful to have Gael show her around after their quick breakfast. He introduced good stores and eventually helped her pick a nice umbrella.

It was late afternoon when the two got tired from all the window shopping.

Leone sat on one of the bleachers. It was a first for her to have this much fun even if it was not Mimi who was with her.

"Did you wait long? Here."

She accepted the bottle of water Gael handed.

"I was wondering if you're free this Saturday? I'm thinking of watching the tournament together."

"... I can't promise."

"I see. No worries then."

Leone felt sorry for Gael. He had been a great help and it embarrass her not to be able to repay his kindness.

She stood and then placed the café's business card in Gael's hand.

"As my apology and thanks for accompanying me, I could treat you to snacks some other time. I would also feel bad if we parted this way so please have this. I don't have many friends to introduce nor an affiliation I'm connected to but they are what I could proudly share about myself. Thank you once again, Gael. It had been fun. I hope to see you next time."

Gael stared at the girl's retreating figure, remembering her sweet smile as she said her thanks and that she had fun. He thought his heart skipped a bit and he hit his chest.

"Don't 'thumped' me now. Seriously."

Gael murmured and disheveled his hair. He stared at the card again with a small smile at the amusing beginning of his story with Leone who will later become his best friend and greatest enemy.

***