I’m an Appraiser, But What the Heck is a [Divine Eye]? ~I Want to Live Freely as the World’s Best Beginner Class~ - Episode 202: Hot Springs, Hospitality, and Trouble 4

Episode 202: Hot Springs, Hospitality, and Trouble 4  

The next day. Sensei and Leyreina-san used teleportation to travel to the Kingdom of Shriden. And by the day after, they had already returned to the hot spring town.  

Did the two cooks prepare to come here beforehand? That’s how fast they arrived.  

Well, the sooner the better, so I’m not complaining.  

“It’s been a while, everyone!”  

“U-um, it’s been a while.”  

The energetic greeting came from Mamiyu Ren, an ‘advanced-class’ Head Chef. The quieter one came from Yaka Sumire, an intermediate-class Pastry Chef.  

I knew about them but had never spoken to them before.  

“Long time no see, Mamiyu.”  

“Sumire-chan, it’s been a while–!”  

“It’s been a while, both of you–!”  

While I might not have talked to them before, the same couldn’t be said for Madoka and the others. They casually struck up conversations, exchanged greetings, and the inn room quickly became lively.  

“Whoa! You’re really alive, Maki!”  

“…Huh? Me?”  

“Who else would I mean? You’re the only Maki in this room!”  

I didn’t expect Mamiyu to speak to me so suddenly. And I blinked repeatedly in surprise.  

“…..Well, yeah, I guess.”  

“What’s with you, man? Is this your usual personality?”  

“What’s ‘usual’? What kind of personality do you think I have?”  

“I’d say a ‘clueless’ type?”  

“I’m not clueless, though!”  

“Oh? Then maybe you’re just naturally airheaded!”  

“Not that either!”  

Seriously, if anyone here is airheaded, it’s Mamiyu! I glanced at Arata for help, but he had no intention of stepping in. Instead, he gave me a thumbs-up, silently cheering me on.  

“Hey, Maki! I heard from Sensei that you have Japanese cooking tools. Is that true?”  

“W-Well, yeah.”  

“And you made them yourself? For real?”  

“……I mean, technically, yeah.”  

“That’s amazing! Do you cook too, Maki? I love cooking!”  

“N-No, I don’t! You’ve got the wrong idea, Mamiyu!”  

“Oh, really? Well, whatever. I’m just thrilled the tools are here! Oh, and just call me Ren. Using last names is too formal for people our age.”  

…This guy is airheaded and completely does his own thing. Honestly, he’s a handful.  

“Um, Mihiro-kun?”  

At that moment, Yaka-san spoke up hesitantly. She seemed much more manageable than Mamiyu.  

“It’s been a while, Yaka-san.”  

“Y-Yeah. I’m really glad you’re okay.”  

“Haha, well, I survived thanks to a series of miracles.”  

“Hey, Maki! Show me those cooking tools!”  

“Can you celebrate my survival a little more first?”  

“I am celebrating! Congrats, Maki!”  

..…Forget it.  

Not wanting to deal with the hassle anymore, I decided to show Mamiyu the cooking tools as he requested.  

“This way. By the way, you’ve already greeted Alicia—the local lord—right?”  

“Um…uh…”  

“What’s wrong, Yaka-san?”  

“We haven’t yet!”  

“…What?”  

Hold up, Mamiyu. Did you just say you haven’t greeted the lord yet? Did you come straight here without doing that first?  

“Sensei?”  

“Well, um… Mamiyu-kun wasn’t really listening…”  

“Hey, Maki! Come on, show me the tools already!”  

“No! The lord must be greeted first!”  

“Aw, but I want to see the tools—”  

“Follow me!”  

“Wait, the tools are this way?”  

“Of course not! We’re going to see the lord! Yaka-san, are you good with this?” 

“Y-Yeah. Please take the lead.”  

“No way! I want to see the tools!”  

“Stop whining! Arata, drag him along!”  

“Me?!”  

Obviously! You tried to leave everything to me, so it’s your turn to deal with this fallout!  

Thus, we dragged Mamiyu along—kicking and screaming—to the room where Alicia awaited us.