NOVEL NEXT Chapter 34 - A Rainbow-Colored Boy
A Rainbow-Colored Boy
Reki, the apprentice nurse, must be busy with his studies. Was it okay to make him babysit me? I had my doubts, so I asked Saura-san about it.
“Reki recently joined our guild. It was about thirty years ago, I think? So, he’s a bit of a senior to you, Meg-chan! Medical personnel have a job where they have to be ready to go anywhere at a moment’s notice, so they need to know the guild inside and out, as well as the town, the roads, and basically every nook and cranny. If we make it part of his exam to properly show you around the guild and explain things, he won’t be able to refuse.”
“As expected of Saura! He definitely won’t be able to refuse!”
There was a clear discrepancy between Saura-san’s and my definition of “recent” and “a bit.” But, well, putting that aside, from the way they were talking, it seemed like Reki was a bit of a rebellious boy who might refuse if it was just babysitting. I see, he’d be obligated to do it if it was an exam. And it seemed like I’d even get a proper explanation.
“So this is a request from me, Meg-chan. Please report back to Ludo, honestly, about how Reki did with his explanations and guidance. Fufu, your first job! What do you think?”
What! A job for me!? This was more than I’d hoped for. In that case, I’d observe this Reki boy with the utmost care! So, of course, my answer was…
“Okii! I’ll do my besht!”
“Oh my, you’re so cute…! Make sure you have lunch and take a nap, okay?”
“Undershtood!”
Ugh, I stutter even more when I’m eager! But it’s fine. I mean, I could work again, even in an isekai! I like working, you know? But this time, I’d make sure not to overdo it!
“Alright. Then I need to tell Ludo right away. Meg-chan, would you mind waiting in the hall?”
“Okii!”
And so, we got up from our seats, cleared our dishes, and went our separate ways. Maryla-san left reluctantly, her gaze fixed on Juma-kun, sharp, oh so sharp…! In the end, I never found out what happened between them (though it seemed one-sided). Should I ask Juma-kun? My gut feeling was telling me he wouldn’t know, so it’d be a waste of time!
“Sorry to keep you waiting. Meg, did you have a good breakfast?”
I was waiting, buried in that sofa in the hall, when Dr. Ludo and a boy approached. I could barely manage a one-word reply to Dr. Ludo’s question. The boy who’d come with him had captured my full attention.
“Sho… pretty.”
I murmured this involuntarily. The boy’s hair was incredibly beautiful, almost surreal. What color was it? It shifted between purple, yellow… all sorts of colors depending on the angle. Like a soap bubble. Anyone seeing it for the first time would react the same way, I’m sure.
“Don’t stare, shrimp.”
However, the words that came out of the boy’s mouth were anything but beautiful.
“Reki! What kind of language is that to use with a child?”
Dr. Ludo reprimanded the rainbow-colored boy, who’d turned away with a huff, but he remained sullen, unrepentant. It seemed like he was at that difficult age.
“It’s okii. It’s my fault for shtaring. I’m shawry.”
No matter how unusual, it wouldn’t feel good to be gawked at like some rare creature by a child you’d just met. And I figured this boy was probably used to being treated that way. I understood why he was fed up. I was definitely in the wrong this time. So, I apologized sincerely and bowed my head. …Sorry for looking silly, being stuck in the sofa.
“…Meg is far more mature than Reki, who’s just become an adult.”
“Wha…!”
Dr. Ludo was… teasing the boy, using me as leverage. Was he a sadist? And the boy, predictably, took the bait. Maybe he was used to being treated this way.
Speaking of which, I knew he was an adult, but his personality and appearance were that of a young boy, so I’d mentally categorized him as one. My bad.
He looked like a boy, but he was mentally an adult, huh? N-No, I’m not thinking anything weird! Besides, if I were to talk, I’m a girl who looks like a child, but I’m mentally in my late twenties! …This is painful.
“Well, never mind. Let’s not get sidetracked. I’ll briefly explain today’s schedule. Meg, are you listening?”
“Pwease tell me!”
Dr. Ludo skillfully ignored the boy, who seemed to have something to say, and began speaking. He was smiling gently, but I figured he was strict when it came to work. It’s nice to be able to separate your work and personal life!
“Reki, you’ll be spending the day with Meg until you bring her back to the infirmary tonight.”
“What!? It’s not just showing her around!?”
Eh, does that mean I’d be spending the whole day with the boy? And it seemed like he hadn’t known. …This seems like a high-difficulty task, even for me.
“Reki, be quiet. And don’t interrupt people when they’re talking. I’m not exactly free either, you know.”
“…Sorry.”
I felt a chill in the air. When he meant business, Dr. Ludo meant business. I would listen to him properly. I straightened my back instinctively.
“Listen carefully. Consider this a day-long exam for you, Reki. You have to clearly explain things about the guild to Meg, a new member, a young child no less, while carrying out your work. I’ll ask Meg later about what she learned about the guild. I’ll be judging you based on how much she can convey.”
Uh, doesn’t this mean I have a huge responsibility? As I was hardening my resolve, Dr. Ludo smiled warmly and reassured me, “It’s fine.”
“Meg, you don’t have to try too hard to memorize things. I just want to see how well Reki can convey information in a natural setting. And whether Reki has a good understanding of the guild, of course.”
“…So I’m being monitored.”
“Of course, we can’t burden Meg with everything. And you, Reki, tend to be a bit… rebellious.”
“Hmph…”
Ah, I see. It wasn’t just me observing the boy. It was an exam, so it made sense for someone to be monitoring his progress. Fuu, my bad habit of trying to do everything by myself almost got me again. So dangerous.
“And Reki, I explained Meg’s situation earlier, right? As a medical professional, you have to make sure you don’t miss any changes in your patient’s (Meg’s) condition.”
“…Understood.”
Oh, so he was subtly tasked with monitoring my fatigue as well. What a clever exam. Of course, I had no objections.
“Well then, the exam starts now. Both of you, good luck. Meg, don’t hesitate to tell Reki what’s on your mind. Relax. I’ll head back to the infirmary.”
“Okii! Thank you vewwy much!”
I replied properly and saw Dr. Ludo off. I watched him until he was out of sight. And then, an awkward silence settled between us.
“Hey.”
“Yesh?”
He called out to me, and I responded, but this was turning into a very awkward exchange. The boy must have had the same thought because he had a sour expression on his face.
“I can’t show you around if you’re sitting there.”
Ah. That’s right. I get it. I really do. But you see, this sofa is easy to get on, and it’s incredibly comfortable, but it has a major flaw.
“…It shinks, I can’t get down.”
“…………”
I wiggled my legs, trying to get down, to prove my point. I was serious! I wasn’t playing around! And why did I choose this sofa in the first place? I felt a wave of self-deprecation.
“So you want me to… help you down…”
Sighing dramatically, the boy placed his hands under my arms and effortlessly lifted me down. Oh, he’s strong despite being so slender. Th-That’s not the point!
“Sowwy… Thank you vewwy much.”
“…Let’s go.”
Uu, this isn’t a very good start! I hurriedly followed the boy.