Shrine

In that one area, the surrounding bustle seemed to suddenly quiet down. It was a peculiar silence, as if they had stepped into a temple or shrine.

Perhaps it was because they had been among the crowd for so long and were somewhat tense; Wataru and the others felt their shoulders relax with relief. Almost immediately, a sense of fatigue set in.

"Hello, may we take a look at this?" Wataru asked.

"Go ahead," the woman replied curtly.

But her tone wasn't cold. Perhaps it was because she wore a faint smile.

Her voice was cool and melodious, a beautiful sound that was pleasant to the ear. As much as he was interested in the product, Wataru found himself watching the woman's face.

She had a well-proportioned, delicate face with striking almond-shaped eyes. She appeared to be in her late twenties, perhaps early thirties. Her long eyelashes and ash-gray eyes stood out, and her purple-tinted hair was fastened with a hair ornament.