Drawn Mochi Volume 6 Chapter 13: Fairy Patisserie*4

Support the translator on lazytranslations.com

　The popularity of the Fairy Patisserie has not waned at all. On the contrary, it has maintained almost the same popularity as it had right after it opened, and it seems it will soon surpass that.

“That’s amazing. I never thought a patisserie could be so profitable.” (Croix)

　Ms. Croix said this while keeping the books. …It seems that they are making a lot of profit.

“Fufu, I guess it’s because the fairies’ sweets are just very delicious.” (Croix)

　Ms. Croix is in a good mood and seems to be having a lot of fun at the patisserie recently. She is working hard on product development together with the fairies and Ange.

“…Umm, in addition to that, I think it’s because the staff are beautiful.” (Tougo)

“Oh my.” (Croix)

　And speaking of that rumor…

“I’m surprised that you are complimenting me like this. What’s the matter? Are you trying to flirt with me?” (Croix)

　Ms. Croix bent down a little and looked at my face from below. Her forest-green eyes were beautiful, framed by extremely long, golden eyelashes, and her lips were slightly loosened in a smile, which made her look very enchanting…

“N-no, that’s not it. Fay told me that that was the rumor going around.” (Tougo)

　I hastily try to stay conscious and look away from Ms. Croix. It’s no use. If I look at her any longer, I’ll end up wanting to draw her a hundred times.

　…oh?

“…Did you just try to use Charm?” (Tougo)

“Yes. I was just trying to see if my skills had dulled. But if you think I was trying to do something, then I guess my skills have improved quite a bit. I mean, I was trying to seduce a spirit.” (Croix)

　I thought something was a bit odd, so I asked, and Ms. Croix replied nonchalantly.

“Well, that’s fine.” (Croix)

　It’s not good, but I don’t feel like I’ll be able to win against this positive Ms. Croix no matter what I say, so I’ll just stare at her in protest.

“Well, I suppose it could be that we’re the poster girls. Lian and Ange are angels, and Lila is a little less polished, but still a beautiful gem. I really like those feisty eyes of hers. And I still think I’m beautiful in my own way, too, if I do say so myself.” (Croix)

　Hearing Ms. Croix say that… I agree.

　Lian and Ange are angels. Flaxen hair, sky blue eyes, and skin that seems almost translucent. Lian is a little wary of humans, but his face is dominated by curiosity and a sense of fulfillment, while Ange has an air of innocence that makes her able to converse with fairies. Yes. They’re perfect for a Fairy Patisserie.

　Laila, too, I can tell. She’s so beautiful. Her dark chestnut hair is just tied up in a random bun, but it looks like she’s been grooming it with some oil or something that Ms. Croix gave her recently, and it’s become really shiny and pretty. Also, as Ms. Croix said, her eyes are really beautiful.

　…And as for Ms. Croix, it goes without saying. Yep. So, I think it’s a bit too humble to say, “I’m beautiful in my own way.”

“You’re really beautiful, Ms. Croix. Really. Not just ‘in my own way’. When you’re flying around on your Alexandrite Butterfly, you look like the queen of fairyland.” (Tougo)

　So, when I told her honestly… Ms. Croix looked a bit surprised, then puffed her cheeks a little and turned her bright eyes towards me.

“…Tougo, are you also practicing charm magic?” (Croix)

“Eh?” (Tougo)

　Practicing charm magic… I, I see. That’s what I did. Um…

　…maybe.

“Yep. I just wanted to see how my skill compares.”

　When I replied honestly, Ms. Croix looked confused… then she laughed loudly and pinched my cheek.

“Sassy!” (Croix)

　…I feel a little like I received something.

　The day after my conversation with Ms. Croix, I decided to take a look around the Fairy Patisserie.

　… There’s not much work for me these days. It’s summer, so I don’t have to chop wood, and the farmers don’t want me to do farm work, so I’ve decided not to do it. So, my job is to take care of the horses a little bit and to make the paintings that are commissioned. I also maintain the forest barrier. That’s about it.

　So, after I finished taking care of the horses that morning, I did some maintenance on the barrier, and then… I went to the Fairy Patisserie.

　When I open the door to the patisserie, the bell rings.

“Welcome… Oh, it’s Tougo. That’s unusual.” (Lila)

“Yep. I came to see you.” (Tougo)

　When I entered the store, Lila greeted me. She was wearing a chocolate brown dress that matched well with a cream-colored shirt and apron.

“Are you going to buy something?” (Lila)

“Um… Oh, I’d like three raspberry cakes, please. And a packet of tea cookies.” (Tougo)

“Okay, okay. I’ll wrap them up then.” (Lila)

　As soon as Lila said that, the fairies on the other side of the counter started moving and put the boxed cake and packed cookies into bags. Wow, that’s amazing. Quick work.

“Here it is. The bill will be five copper coins. Is it weird for me to take money from you?” (Lila)

“No. I’ll pay.” (Tougo)

　When I took out some coins from my wallet to pay, Lila handed me a bag of sweets. Yup. She looked a lot like a store clerk.

“…Lila, do you have enough time to draw?” (Tougo)

　When I asked her after receiving the item, Lila smiled and nodded.

“Yes. That’s right. Recently I’ve been spending over an hour on magic painting, and three hours on pencil sketches. I only go to the shop from lunchtime after I finish painting.” (Lila)

　I see. …It sounds like Lila is having fun as she said that, and I’m glad for her. Having fun painting is a very happy thing.

“The only thing I’m not happy about is that I can only do magic painting for an hour… Ah, don’t get me wrong. It’s not that I don’t have the time, it’s that I don’t have the stamina or magic power.” (Lila)

　Ah, yeah, I understand that too.

　I can manage 18 hours of pencil sketching in a row, but 18 hours of magic painting in a row is impossible. I can only do magic painting for six hours in a row, or four hours if I’m not very good at it. [T/N: Hey! Doing something for 6 hours continuously is already more than good.]

“The limit of my drawing ability isn’t in the image. You can’t create what you can’t imagine. So, magic painting is a great way to check my current limits… I wish I could do it more efficiently…” (Tougo)

　…while I was talking to Lila.

　The bell rang and the door opened. It was a customer.

“……welcome.” (Lila)

　“What?” I thought. Lila seemed a bit unfriendly.

　Curious, I looked over at the customer. …And then…

“Hey, Lila!” (Man)

　A man holding a bouquet of flowers greeted her, smiling brightly.

　The man, who looked somewhat out of place, came into the store carrying a bouquet of flowers that were not forest flowers, and looked around the store with a restless smile. At the same time, the bouquet was swaying, and a sweet fragrance was wafting through the air.

“Oh, where is Ms. Croix?” (Man => Flirt)

“She’s off duty today.” (Lila)

“I see. That’s a pity.” (Flirt)

　The attitude of Lila is worse than the one she had when she first met me. I’m sure she was consciously trying to make me dislike her a little… but now I feel like she’s doing it because she genuinely doesn’t like him.

“So, have you thought about what we talked about?” (Flirt)

“Yes, I have thought about it. And my decision remains the same. I have no intention of leaving here.” (Lila)

　…Wh-what are they talking about?

“And Ms. Croix?” (Flirt)

“I suppose the same. Now, if you understand, please take the bouquet home with you. It’s outrageous to bring such strong-smelling flowers to a sweet shop.” (Lila)

　Laila said coldly and waved her hand to the man as if to say “shoo!”.

“Don’t be so cold. I really like you girls. Why don’t you come to my territory instead of this remote place?” (Flirt)

“That’s why! I told you I won’t do that! Go home!” (Lila)

　As Laila gets incensed, a group of fairies from the back of the store began to stand ready with wooden spatulas, ladles, and whisks in their hands.

“Oh no.” (Tougo)

　It would be bad if the fairies started hitting people, so I decided to call out to them from the side.

“She seems to find it troubling…” (Tougo)

　It’s not very cool to look up at a man who is taller than me, but I say so anyway, interrupting Lila.

　The man looked a little confused and then said…

“Umm, you’re… I’ve never seen you before. Are you from this shop? You’re quite cute.” (Flirt)

　Then he smiled at me… and when our eyes met, I felt a little chill.

　“Huh?” I thought. What is this feeling? …The moment I experienced this sensation, I realized, aah, this must be a weaker version of Ms. Croix.

　Is this person trying to seduce me?

　Can’t be, I thought to myself, and stared back into the man’s eyes.

　The charm magic is much weaker than Ms. Croix’s, so I can at least bounce it off to him. Because I’ve been under Ms. Croix’s very serious, charm magic before. I know how to do it.

　…When I resisted the magic like that, the man looked a bit surprised, and then agnry. At the same time, the tingly feeling disappeared.

“Can you please leave? She’s troubled. And I’m feeling troubled too.” (Tougo)

　With Lila behind me, I glared at the man. I don’t know if I was glaring properly, but I felt like I wanted him to go home.

　The man then… had his shoulders’ sag a little and let out a small sigh.

“Sorry, my bad. I’ll go then. Sorry. Oh, that’s right. Before I go, I’d like two packs of cookies. One tea cookie, and one with nuts.” (Flirt)

　Lila glared at the man, wrapped up two bags of cookies, and held them out, saying, “Two copper coins!” The man then laughed, took the cookies, took out a gold coin, and placed it in Lila’s hand.

“Keep the change.” (Flirt)

“Well, let me give it back to you. Nine silver coins and eight copper coins!” (Lila)

　Then, as if she had anticipated this, Lila roughly placed the prepared change into the man’s hand.

“I’ll come again. Next time I’ll pick flowers with a weaker scent.” (Flirt)

“I hope you don’t come again!” (Lila)

　With Lila’s harsh words were thrown back at him, the man shrugged his shoulders and left the store.

　…you know.

“Air it out! Air it out! What on earth was he thinking when he brought that bouquet of flowers!” (Lila)

　Lila opened the windows with a bang and became even more angry.

…Somehow, I feel like this is getting a bit tricky.

T/N: Oh, look a sleazy playboy. He’s like Croix before being rehabilitated by Tougo. I don’t know who he is. But I don’t like the “charm everyone” tactic. At least Croix is more professional than him. Well, some background story might help.