Chapter 10 - A Test For Ginette (Part 1)
Starting with giving alms to the church and followed by a meeting with Bertina and Estella over there. On the way back, I clashed with Assunto from the commerce guild which resulted in the founding of a new guild of my own. Then, I fixed all the squeaky chairs and tables in the restaurant, caught a dine-and-dasher --- Guzuya, and made him write a written promise to pay for all his unpaid bills. After such an eventful day, a new morning was upon me.
Like yesterday, Ginette had started her activities even before the sun rose, and I was awakened by the delicious aroma from her cooking.
I went down to the courtyard which was still dark, and again, just like yesterday, there was a familiar large white cloth stretched out in the courtyard --- the gate to the Land of Peach Blossom.
According to the story I heard a long time ago, the fisherman who left the Land of Peach Blossom could never go back there, but here I am standing before the gate to the Land of Peach Blossoms once again
The treasure I got yesterday was confiscated by Ginette. Today, I will obtain another treasure.... No, it's not a treasure, it's a Happiness!
“Hmm…?” (Yashiro)
As I got closer, I noticed a warning sign --- a relatively large piece of paper attached to the cloth, that wasn't there yesterday.
[No Entry. If you enter, a high voltage current will flow to your body.]
Ginette, if you are going to tell lies, make it something believable. I mean, a high voltage current? In this different world where the level of technology is still low, are you telling me electricity exists?
Hahahaha! That's an interesting joke. I'll give you the Best Unique Award of the year.Let me teach you something. We, the treasure hunters, will be even more motivated when there's a trap. This is a proof that the treasure we seek is out there, after all!
Also, do you think you can make me falter with this kind of threat? Your threat brings smile to my face, instead.
"Now then, let's go! To the paradise of hope!" (Yashiro)
I rolled up the white cloth with confidence. Then, in the next moment, a violent electric current flowed throughout my body.
"AgaGAgAGaGagAgaGaGagAgAga!!!" (Yashiro)
A tremendous shock ran through my fingertips and down to my toes. I felt a chill run through my veins as if ice had been thrown into them, followed by a burning sensation. My nerves went haywire, and my limbs started to move strangely, regardless of my will. Finally, I lost even my power to stand, and I fell to the ground as my whole body twitched continuously.
“Yashiro-san!?” (Ginette)
Hearing my cry, Ginette came out of the kitchen and ran to me.
"I've clearly put a warning there. Why did you still touch it?" (Yashiro)
"Because... over.... there.... lies.... a dream...." (Yashiro)
"Dream!? There's only my laundry over there!" (Ginette)
"But... panties...!?" (Yashiro)
"I just washed all of them yesterday. There are only dishcloths and towels today." (Ginette)
From the number of yesterday's panties, I should've known that Ginette didn't wash them daily. In other words, it’s a dream scene that only appears on certain days.
Ginette who spends most of her day preparing the thrown-away vegetables in the kitchen to be used as ingredients, probably had no time to do laundry so it always accumulates.
In other words, it’s a trap! It’s a trap, isn’t it!?
“I was deceived…. I was betrayed…. *sob*…. *sob*….” (Yashiro)
"Umm, you see, Estella-san, yesterday, she told me to install this device and also instructed me how to write a warning...." (Ginette)
Ginette showed me a palm-sized black box with some kind of dial switch and two overtly suspicious cords.
Is this the thing that Estella gave to Ginette yesterday? That girl, she went and did something unnecessary! Also, why is such a high technology only being used for this kind of thing?
"And then, you see, I’ve told Estella-san that Yashiro-san wouldn’t get caught in such an obvious trap, but she said 'You can bet, but he will absolutely fall for it.' with confidence. I installed the device because I believed Yashiro-san would be fine, but.... why did this happen!?" (Ginette)
"Because.... a man has his own world.... For example, a shooting star running in the sky...." (Yashiro)
"I don't understand what you are talking about, but I've clearly put a warning that says it's dangerous to proceed." (Ginette)
"I thought it was just a lie...." (Yashiro)
"I would never lie!" (Ginette)
"I wanted to think it was a lie...." (Yashiro)
This is not good. The pain is weakening my heart. I am a man. I should not cry!
Ginette supported my body and guided me towards the dining room. Then, she sat me down on a chair and nursed me.
The folklore is correct, after all. I can't go back to the Land of Peach Blossom once I leave.
"Ugh........" (Yashiro)
"Yashiro-san, does it still hurt? If there's anything I can do, please let me know." (Ginette)
"Then, please give me your panties...." (Yashiro)
"Th-That's impossible!!!" (Ginette)
With her bright red face, Ginette withdrew into the kitchen. I plopped down on the desk and cried alone.
Today, I just want to stay in my bed without doing anything.