Transmutation Master Aria Is Doing Her Best Today ~a Happy Second Life for a Transmutation Master Wh

Chapter 78: A little uneasy

I walked around the bustling capital city without going against the flow of people. After parting ways with Yuren-kun, I went back to my room to change and then went out into the city.

In the palace, we wear uniforms so that our social status is apparent. If you’re going out into the city without any work-related reason, it’s better not to wear the uniform. If you wear the uniform, you’ll attract unnecessary attention.

“Well then…”

I came to the city, but what should I do now?

I didn’t come here with any particular purpose, and although it’s been a while since I came here, I’m not very familiar with things outside the palace.

I don’t have any favorite places to go, or familiar shops…

“Oh, there it is.”

I suddenly remembered. It’s not my regular or familiar shop, but the only shop I’ve been wanting to go to. I’ve been wanting to go there for a long time, but I’ve been busy and putting it off.

Now is the perfect opportunity, so let’s go see how it is.

“I wonder if Celica is doing well…”

Celica, who was involved in the incident with Laurus, is now running a shop in the capital city. Although she was threatened by Laurus, she regretted the fact that many people were hurt by what she had created. I stopped her when she tried to atone for her sins by taking her own life.

It’s wrong for death to be compensation. If the desire to make amends is genuine, one should suffer and live to compensate, I said. With Yuren-kun’s agreement and help, she found a place in this country.

The store is located in a corner of the shopping district. She is in a two-story building facing the main street. I arrived in front of the store after a short walk.

As it was late when I headed out to the city, the sunlight had just started to turn orange by the time I arrived. Looking at the signboard illuminated by the setting sun, I felt complicated emotions.

“Ugh… I still feel embarrassed.”

My name, Aria, was stylishly written on the signboard. This is Celica’s shop, and I am not involved, but…

When deciding on the name of the shop, Celica insisted that this name was the best. It was her own shop, so she could have used her own name if she wanted.

But she’s still inexperienced. She said she wanted to borrow her Onee-sama’s name and become a Transmutation Master who was not ashamed of that name someday.

If I were there, I would have asked her to use a different name because it would be embarrassing for me. But Yuren-kun, who was there to hear it directly, apparently laughed and said that you would just have to do your best.

“He’s so mean.”

Knowing him, he probably didn’t mean any harm and likely agreed for a positive reason. But I wished he had expected me to feel embarrassed. If he laughed knowing that, then he truly is mean.

Thinking about such things, I sigh and put my hand on the door of the shop. But I couldn’t open it right away.

I haven’t seen Celica since that incident. It wasn’t that I was avoiding her, but I simply couldn’t find the time to meet her. Still, when I think about what happened between us, I hesitate. We are not like normal sisters.

I’m anxious about being alone with her and having a proper conversation. I take a deep breath and open the door with determination.

The doorbell rings, announcing a visitor.

“Welcome!”

Then, a cheerful greeting was heard right away. When I looked at her standing at the storefront, she had a smiling expression. Our eyes met, and she noticed me.

“Onee-sama!”

As if she had found her beloved owner, she gave a happy shout and ran towards me in a hurry, just like a puppy.

“You came!”

“Yeah, sorry for coming while you’re working.”

“Not at all! I’m so happy that Onee-sama came. I’ve been waiting for the day you would come.”

“Is that so?”

“Yes!”

Her energetic reply echoed throughout the shop. I’ve heard her voice many times before, but I’ve never seen her so lively and talkative like this.

I have always seen her smiling face. She was always cheerful towards everyone with a smile, but I’ve never seen her genuinely happy like this before. I feel like I’m seeing it for the first time now.

“Did you have a day off today?”

“Yeah, I had the day off.”

“In that case, we can talk and relax later!”

“Huh, is it okay for you to take a break from work?”

“As the evening comes, the number of customers decreases. So I was thinking of closing soon.”

Until just a little while ago, her sharp glances used to sting me. Even though she spoke politely with a smile, I could tell that she didn’t like me. So honestly, I didn’t like talking to her.

But now, I don’t feel that way at all. What I feel from her now is warmth and kindness. She genuinely welcomes me. That’s how I feel.

“Let’s talk upstairs! I’ll guide you.”

“Okay. Thank you.”

Until the door opened, I was anxious. I didn’t know if I could talk properly. But that anxiety disappeared in an instant. As I watched her back guiding me upstairs, I smiled to myself.

It seems like there was no need to be anxious after all.