Published: July 26, 2025
When I returned home, my entire family was waiting for me with deeply worried faces. The moment the front door opened, Tulli and my mother looked relieved, and then my father, who wore the same expression, immediately shouted angrily.
"You were late! How much do you want to make us worry?"
"I'm sorry for making you worry, Father."
Having heard various things from Benno after going to the temple, I understood well that my father was genuinely worried and apologized right away.
I glanced at the already prepared dinner and went to put my belongings in my bedroom. As soon as I got home, hunger and fatigue came crashing down on me.
"I went to the temple, then Benno’s shop, and then to the Merchant Guild, so it took a lot of time. I’m tired and very hungry."
After washing my hands, I sluggishly sat at the table, and my father furrowed his brows and narrowed his eyes.
"What on earth happened?"
His words seemed to reflect the feelings of the entire family. My mother and Tulli both looked at me with anxious eyes.
"I’ll tell you everything, but can I eat first? I’m hungry, and it’s going to be a long story."
"...Alright."
Whether it was because they were lost in thought or because the talk after dinner hadn’t gone well before, everyone’s expressions were dark, and it seemed like each of them was deeply contemplating something.
While searching my memories for some bright topic, I suddenly remembered something. If I talked about Corinna, maybe the conversation would liven up a bit.
"Hey, Mom. When I went to Benno’s shop today, he passed on a message saying that Corinna wants to see my formal kimono and hair ornament. Can I show them?"
Mother, who was eating soup, dropped her spoon with a clatter. Her eyes widened, and she nervously looked around with a flushed face, shaking her head.
"W-what!? That’s not something you should show to Lady Corinna!"
"...I see. Then I’ll decline."
I thought she might hesitate a little, but I didn’t expect such a strong refusal. I didn’t want to confuse my mother too much, so it was better to decline.
Though my refusal was meant kindly, my mother became even more flustered. She waved her hands frantically and looked around nervously.
"W-wait a minute, Myne! You can’t refuse. Please wait. Ah, I just can’t give an answer right now."
Mother was completely thrown into confusion. She was happy that Corinna had recognized me, but because Corinna was someone like a figure in the clouds, she didn’t know how to act.
Noticing my mother's feelings, I smiled softly. Her unusual behavior was a little funny and cute.
Muttering this and that while thinking, and enjoying my mother's flustered state that made her unable to eat, Tulli suddenly poked my arm from the side.
"Hey, Myne. Are you going to bring those to Corinna’s house?"
"I think so."
Since mother herself said I couldn’t refuse, it was decided that I would bring my formal kimono and hair ornament. Whether mother would go or I’d just go alone wasn’t clear, but it was going to Corinna’s place. There was no way we could invite her here.
Tulli looked at me with sparkling eyes full of expectation, clasping her hands in front of her chest—her cutest pleading pose—and I blinked, tilting my head.
"What’s wrong, Tulli?"
"Can I come along this time?"
Last time, when we brought Rinshan, the invitation was addressed to me, so Tulli held back her desire to go and stayed behind. This time, we hadn’t received an invitation, but I thought I could mention to Benno when replying that Tulli would come too.
"Corinna is kind and probably won’t say no... I’ll ask in advance, saying that Tulli made the larger flower for the hair ornament."
"Myne, I love you! Thank you!"
Tulli’s face lit up brightly as she joyfully exclaimed “Yay!” so innocently. She’s really our little angel. For apprentice seamstress Tulli, Corinna is like a charismatic seamstress—her idol.
As I watched Tulli warmly, mother suddenly put out her hand and stopped us.
"Wait, both of you. Wait. We haven’t decided to go yet..."