My Nerdy Neighbor Is the Master of the Magic Tower
Chapter 20
Cecilia stared blankly at the vivid scenery unfolding before her eyes.
The Relief Festival hadn’t officially begun yet, so all the merchants couldn’t have arrived. Nevertheless, various types of makeshift stalls were already nestled throughout the streets. Between trees planted at irregular intervals, unlit sky lanterns and banners hung dangling in the air.
Most of all, it was the people immersed in the scene who truly brought out the festive atmosphere.
There were children with sun-tanned faces grinning to reveal white teeth, lovers walking side by side with hands interlaced, and elderly people sitting on faded, worn wooden benches enjoying the happy clamor.
When she thought about it, it was a peaceful sight she hadn’t witnessed in a very long time in her life.
Perhaps it was the first time since her childhood when she had visited an amusement park holding her parents’ hands.
Maybe that was why Lien approached her from behind as she stood there still, unable to blend in easily, like a third-party observer.
“Is there something you would like to do?”
His question was, as always, gentle and unconditional.
Only then did Cecilia, no longer a stranger to the scene, nod vigorously.
“Of course.”
She had something in mind ever since she decided to come to the festival with him.
In two days, she would have to leave for the Temple and wouldn’t be able to hang around him for a while. She had to make her move now before he forgot about her entirely.
To do that, I have to find that first!
A few days ago, she had luckily learned of something perfectly suited for her purpose.
The very thing the working maids had talked about until their faces turned red!
The item certified by grandmothers’ grandmothers, which guaranteed a one hundred percent success rate when used during a confession!
Furthermore, the item that, if gifted to a lover, would ensure you were reunited in the next life!
That miraculous object was none other than a white flower.
She wasn’t entirely sure, but it was supposedly a breed that resembled the legendary plant called the ‘Flower of God.’ Because its value was so high, it was said to be the grand prize for a major contest hosted during the festival.
[A contest with the Flower of God as the prize? There will probably be a sign with a white flower painted on it at the venue. I heard there are many participants because the prize is so rare.]
[Hmm, I see.]
[……But how do you know about that, Cecilia-nim? No, why are you curious about it in the first place?]
Shaking off the memory of Melanie’s fiercely suspicious face, Cecilia took the lead energetically.
“Shall we look around a bit first?”
First, she had to find the sign with the white flower.
Then, she would participate in the contest as if by chance, win the prize or buy it from the winner, and gift it to him!
Since it’s Lien’s first time at the Relief Festival, he surely won’t know the meaning of the flower.
She didn’t particularly believe in superstitions, but it was perfect for flirting.
Satisfied with her plan, she searched diligently, only to spot areas with triangular white flags hanging here and there instead of white flowers.
“There seem to be a lot of white flags.”
“Ah, those are likely shops that provide free food and goods to the hungry during the festival.”
“Pardon? A festival is the prime time to make a profit, yet they give things away for free?”
“It is the Relief Festival, after all. They must be following the Temple’s will to be charitable.”
“Ah……”
It was a level of piety that made the prospective Saintess, whose head was full of selfish desires, feel naturally solemn.
Feeling sheepish, Cecilia turned her steps toward an area without flags, but Lien suddenly pointed in a different direction.
“There are many restaurants from this point on, so it might be better to go the other way.”
“Oh, really?”
Wait.
Following him without much thought, Cecilia suddenly narrowed her eyes.
Knowing the meaning of the white flags was one thing, but he even knew the locations of the restaurants?
I’m sure he said during the interview that it was his first time visiting Weberdin at all.
If so, that meant it should be his first time at the Relief Festival as well.
“Um, Lien. Have you by any chance been to Weberdin around this time before? You seem quite familiar with the festival here.”
“Ah, no. Since you invited me to come along, I looked into it a little beforehand.”
“Hmm, I see.”
Of course, there’s no way Lien, who just came down from the Capital—and the Magic Tower Master at that—would have attended a Relief Festival hosted by the Temple.
If he knew which shops were located on which streets, he must have researched quite thoroughly.
Even though he had turned pale saying it was dangerous.
Perhaps he, too, had been looking forward to today deep down.
Gazing up at him, who was practically a human navigation system, Cecilia surreptitiously grabbed his sleeve.
“Ce-Cecilia-nim?”
“I might get lost.”
“Ah!” Realizing her point, Lien nodded shyly.
Having finished her morning’s worth of flirting, Cecilia finally found the sign with the white flower painted on it.
“Here, it’s here!”
“……Serenade Contest?”
Standing still, Lien read the banner hanging over the stage.
Yes, I must win and…… wait, what? What kind of contest?
They said it was a contest prize, but they didn’t say the contest was a serenade competition…….
Cecilia read down the promotional text with a heavy heart.
<Confess to your beloved with a one-of-a-kind sweet song! The winner will receive the Flower of God and the right to an encore!>
……Isn’t the last part just a punishment?
Of all things, a serenade contest! She felt like tearing her hair out in frustration.
Just then, the next contestant stepped onto the stage and began to recite a serenade amidst enthusiastic cheers.
Let’s just listen for a bit. Who knows, it might be more decent than I think.
“Oh, my lovely fiancée. When I swim in the depths of your lake-like eyes, I feel a sense of fulfillment so deep I could suffocate!”
……Let’s stop listening.
If she heard any more, she might actually gag right there in the street.
However, it seemed she was the only one cringing; the woman who was the subject of the serenade, and even the people who appeared to be judges, all had misty eyes.
They’re not red because the horror of those words actually being uttered out loud is overwhelming? They’re actually moved?
There was even a burst of vigorous applause when the contestant finished his serenade.
At this point, she began to doubt her own taste.
Am I the one who’s wrong? Was that actually a really touching confession?
“My cute little skylark……”
Ptooey.
She had only put three words together in her head, and her whole body broke out in goosebumps.
It was hopeless.
This was all because her romantic cells, having decided there was no hope while she was buried in papers and experiments, had finally committed suicide.
In the end, having lost her romantic cells, the prize, and her confidence all at once, Cecilia turned away in despair.
And a moment late, she spotted Lien, who looked very, very, extremely flustered.
……He didn’t hear my monologue, did he?
“I-I will be away for just a moment.”
Asking for her understanding with a bow, Lien fled without looking back.
Yeah, let’s just die.
Cecilia’s face contorted with intense shame.
Trudging along until she was far enough away that the serenades were no longer audible, she slumped down onto an old bench.
The only way out now is to be born again.
It was just as she was cycling through gloomy and terrible plans that were too embarrassing to even mutter aloud.
Lien returned, cradling an armful of things.
It was a paper bag filled with colorful candies, fruit drinks, appetizing skewers, and round pieces of bread.
“I’m sorry. Were you hungry? We could have gone to a restaurant first then……”
“N-no, it’s not that. I just thought you might feel better if you ate something delicious.”
Lien said hesitantly, crouching down at her feet.
Her gloom evaporated in an instant.
“Did you buy this for me to eat?”
“Yes!”
She was already grateful he hadn’t run away, but for him to do something so precious.
It was actually Cecilia whose heart felt assaulted by his unexpected sweetness.
“Thank you.”
When her hand reflexively reached for his head, Lien lowered his head obediently, just like a puppy.
She wanted to ruffle his hair vigorously, but!
Damn robe.
The moment she saw the dull piece of cloth covering his head, the warm feelings that had been bubbling up settled back down as if they had never existed.
“I’ll enjoy it. Lien, you eat some too.”
Giving a heavy-hearted invitation, Cecilia pulled Lien to sit beside her.
Then, they shared the food he had bought.
Cecilia first moistened her mouth with sweet fruit juice. After eating some well-seasoned salty chicken and even a cherry-flavored candy, she finally felt like she could breathe again.
Alright. Let’s try again!
Even though the plan was ruined, the day was long. She could surely make up for it.
She stood up abruptly with that resolve.
Lien, rising awkwardly after her, began to pick up the wooden skewers and the scraps of paper that had wrapped the candies she had finished.
Then, he tucked them into his bag…… instead of the trash can.
“Lien? Why are you putting trash in there……?”
“Th-that’s because the trash can is far away.”
What are you talking about?
Is the thing right next to us a sculpture and not a trash can, then?
As she continued her silent protest, Lien hesitantly confessed the truth.
