Published: February 1, 2026
Before Rizel came to this world, she had never taken the time to care for her own nails.
After all, her status was such that all preparations were entrusted to those around her. She might have had a kneeling attendant polish her nails while she read, but she had never once held a nail file herself.
When she noticed her nails growing longer after arriving here, she wondered whether she should buy a nail file or if there was some other tool, so she went to ask Jill. As part of the contract involving money between the two of them, knowledge like this was also to be imparted, so Jill didn’t refuse and, though a bit exasperated, taught her various things.
Jill always completed the jobs he took on properly. However, sometimes due to his amusement, the knowledge Rizel acquired ended up being slightly off in subtle ways.
“Jill, do you have a moment?”
“What is it?”
When she went to ask, she found Jill precisely in the act of grooming his nails.
He sat on a chair with a wooden trash bin clamped between his feet on the floor. One hand was casually tossed atop it, while the other gripped a short knife.
Without looking away, the knife smoothly continued filing his nails. Rizel nodded in understanding and changed the question she had prepared.
“Where do you buy those small knives?”
“Wait.”
Thanks to Jill, who immediately realized everything, Rizel was able to acquire a nail file without incident.
At the shop they went to, the clerk offered her a glass nail file with a translucent moon design on the handle, bowing almost to the floor. It filed well, and Rizel still uses it to this day.
At first, she would file too hard and chip the nails or overdo it trying to shape them, but now she can properly maintain them. In her original world, she seemed to have other steps before and after filing, but she doesn’t intend to do as much herself here.
“Hmm.”
Looking down at her freshly trimmed nails, Rizel nodded with satisfaction.
Lately, Eleven has been eager to do it, so she often leaves it to him. Naturally skilled with his hands, he always shapes Rizel’s fingertips perfectly, so she just files accordingly. She doesn’t know why he wants to do it, but since it’s easier, she doesn’t mind.
“Next…”
Setting the nail file on the desk, she lowered her gaze to the open book.
She was intently reading “Cooking Guide for Absolute Beginners — How Hard It Is to Fail at Curry.” She was still going through the first page about preparations before starting cooking.
“Let’s keep nails short,” she read and marked the item as done before moving on.
“‘Tie your hair back.’”
Rizel nodded once and picked up a string.
She tied her hair back in one bunch. Since it was cooler around the neck, she sometimes did this in Astarnia, so she was skilled at it.
“All right.”
Having read through it once, she closed the book after reviewing it to proceed with preparations. Putting it away in her pouch, she wrapped the pouch around her waist and stood up.
Now she just needed to gather the ingredients to actually start cooking. After all, Rizel had yet to buy any materials.
And most importantly, the one thing essential for cooking hadn’t been prepared yet.
“(I wonder if an apron is sold at a clothing store…)”
Rizel liked to start with appearances.
The shop was not far from the harbor.
Passing in front of it, a distinctive aroma would strike the nose, sometimes inviting hunger, other times sneezing. But carried by the sea breeze, people never found it unpleasant.
It was a spice shop, rare in Astarnia, where Rizel stepped inside.
“Mr. Nahas.”
“Hm?”
Immediately, she spotted a familiar face and called out in surprise. She hadn’t expected to meet him here, though she didn’t think he wouldn’t come.
Nahas probably thought the same, looking puzzled. In plain clothes today, he seemed to be off duty.
“A guest, what a coincidence.”
“Hello. Doing some shopping?”
“Yeah, I needed something.”
Smiling as Rizel approached, Nahas held up a flower in his hand.