"I'll Catch Up Later, So Go On Ahead!" I Said, and Stayed Behind in the Dungeon for Five Years. When I Returned to the Royal Capital, for Some Reason, I Had Become a Great Criminal, So I Decided to Retire. But Outstanding People Keep Gathering Around Me Though... - Episode 23: Lisel’s Change

Episode 23: Lisel’s Change

“That Haru-san was Hero Haruto…?”

Lying on my bed, I stared up at the familiar ceiling.

Haru-san was Hero Haruto.

I was surprised when I heard it. But it made a lot of sense.

Not just during that fight—Haru-san had always had a special air about him in the way he acted every day.

I never thought I would ever meet Hero Haruto in my life.

I’d only ever heard the name.

To someone like me, just an ordinary person, Hero Haruto was someone way beyond reach.

But he was very friendly, and such a kind person.

Even though he was stronger than anyone else, he never acted like it.

He was humble and truly wonderful.

But… um…

Back then, I kind of got carried away and said something really bold…!

I even hugged him tightly…

Looking back, I think I did something super embarrassing…!

“Uuuuugh!”

I hugged my body pillow tightly and squirmed in embarrassment.

—

After that, Haru-san asked me to cut his hair.

I chopped it off cleanly.

I tried really hard to cut it so it would suit him, and…

He turned out way cooler than I expected.

It looked good long too. But now he has a refreshing look.

And since then, he’s seemed more at ease—his smile looks more natural now.

Ever since then, every time I talk to Haru-san, I feel my heart pounding.

“Could this be… maybe—”

I held my chest.

Just thinking about Haru-san made it beat faster.

Also…

I think part of it is because of my dad.

I remembered what I talked about with him earlier.

“Lisel. About Haru…”

“Haru-san?”

“Yeah. What do you think about letting him be the successor?”

“S-successor…? D-does that mean—”

Successor?

That would mean… that Haru-san would take over the bakery one day, right?

But if that’s the case…

“Yeah. I could let you inherit it too, Lisel, but what do you think?”

“I—I think… if Haru-san wants to, it would be fine. I’m not really cut out to be a shop manager…”

“I see. But don’t say anything to Haru about this yet. I’m just thinking about it for now.”

“O-okay.”

Haru-san would take over the bakery and become the shop owner.

Then that would mean… I would be the wife supporting the shop owner…!?

I was startled by the thought in my head.

I imagined marrying Haru-san and running the shop together as a couple.

It wasn’t a bad idea—in fact, I thought that kind of future would be very happy…

As for kids… hmm, maybe two?

I bet Haru-san would be really good with kids…

Living together here forever sounds fun too.

We could go out together on holidays…

“Ah! Wh-what am I thinking!?”

No no no.

Once I start fantasizing, I can’t stop.

Anyway, I need to get to sleep.

Tomorrow’s another early day—!

I somehow stopped my wild imagination and tried to sleep…

But I couldn’t fall asleep at all.

—

“Good morning, Lisel.”

“Good morning!”

Haru-san came to the shop.

Wh-why does he seem even more dazzling than before…?

N-no, it must be the morning sunlight! That has to be it!

As I stared at him, he spoke to me.

“Lisel. What’s up? You’re spacing out.”

“Ah! N-no, it’s nothing! Let’s work hard today!”

“Yeah.”

After that, we worked as usual.

Even though we were working, I kept glancing at him from the side now and then.

He was working so seriously…

I found myself a little mesmerized.

“Senpai! Hello!”

“Felina. You came again?”

“Hehe. Lately, I’m basically surviving on this bakery’s bread.”

“The bread here is good, but are you eating your vegetables?”

“Ugh…”

“Also, meat alone isn’t enough protein. You need fish and a good balance.”

“Geez! Are you my mom or something, Senpai!?”

…Huh?

U-uh…?

I watched Haru-san and Felina-san’s exchange in a daze.

I wasn’t really there mentally—I just listened to their conversation passively.

Before I knew it, Felina-san had left.

“Um… Haru-san?”

“Yeah. About Felina, right?”

“Y-yes.”

“Actually, Felina is an old comrade of mine. A lot happened, but I told her the truth about me. Though it seems like she had already kind of figured it out.”

“I-I see…”

He was talking, but I couldn’t really absorb it.

The old comrade Felina-san visited the grave for… was Haru-san.

I felt like the two of them had a real, deep connection.

And then… I started to worry.

That maybe one day, Haru-san would return to being an adventurer again.

Right now, he’s working here at the bakery.

But it might not stay that way forever…

At that moment, for the first time, I felt a sense of panic.

Lying in bed, I stared at the ceiling again.

Felina-san has been with Haru-san much longer than I have…

I’ve only known him for about two months…

Ugh. I feel like such a fool for getting ahead of myself…!

“What should I do…? Oh, right. I’ll ask Milda-san for advice.”

—

The next day.

I decided to talk to Milda-san about it.

She had way more life experience. And she seemed perfect for this kind of thing.

“Um, Milda-san. I’d like to ask your advice…”

“Oh? What is it, all formal like that?”

“It’s about… a friend of mine.”

“Hmmm. Alright, let’s hear it.”

I told her the story.

That my “friend” had someone she liked. But there was a beautiful girl around him.

And that she had no traits to compete with that beautiful girl, and felt really anxious.

Milda-san nodded and replied:

“Lisel.”

“Y-yes!”

“Looks are definitely important. But when it comes to a long life together as a married couple, personality compatibility matters the most. First, I think you should try cooking for him. I snagged my husband by winning over his stomach, after all. Don’t rush it. You have to slowly surround your target from the outside.”

“Win over his stomach… and surround from the outside. I see! That was really helpful!”

“Well, I know it’ll be tough in many ways, but do your best, Lisel.”

“…Ah! I-I mean, my friend! This is about my friend!”

“Right, right. Then tell that friend of yours what I said.”

“I will!”

Okay… win over his stomach, huh?

Right! I just came up with a new bread recipe—

I’ll have Haru-san taste it!

He always says it’s delicious, so this should be a good plan!

I lightly skipped my way back home.

“Lisel, you seem really motivated today.”

“Yes! I’m working on a new bread recipe! Haru-san, please try it once it’s done…!”

“Ah, yeah… I’m looking forward to it…”

Hehe.

I have to do my best to win over Haru-san’s stomach!

I feel like this bread will turn out well—

And maybe not just Haru-san, but even my dad will approve too…!

Alright! I’m going to give it my all!

With that in mind, I kept kneading the dough with all my heart—

again today.