Frieren 90

Title: Who’s Eating Alone?

As Ash avoided her gaze, Fern, who had been worried about Frieren eating alone, forgot her frustration and stared at him. She asked in a low voice: “Ash-sama, what’s with the apple smell on you? Why won’t you look at me?”

“What…” Ash felt amused and flustered by the unexpected apple scent question. He quickly searched for an excuse: “Because after a year apart, Fern’s suddenly so beautiful, I’m shy to look at you.”

“Do you think I’m stupid?”

“…Not really.” Ash sighed in relief, thinking, She looked like a girl in love earlier; why’s she so hard to handle now? Was it just my imagination?

He tried to change the subject awkwardly: “By the way, Frieren went to a shop. Shouldn’t we catch up?”

“We’ve got time to follow her later. Answer my question first!” Fern stared unblinkingly, no longer caring about Frieren.

Her curiosity forced Ash to think. “…Alright, I actually own an apple orchard in the north. Whenever we’re apart, I go there to tend it.”

“Huh? An apple orchard? Really? That sounds super suspicious.”

“It’s true. I really have an orchard! Next time we’re in the north, I’ll show you.”

“But if it’s true, why hide it?” Though Ash didn’t seem to be lying, Fern sensed something off.

“Well… I just didn’t want you to suddenly know you’re the orchard owner’s kid and get upset from being rich so fast.”

“You think… my mentality’s that weak?” Fern found this sudden info odd.

“Just a precaution. But after I die, it’s all yours! Don’t worry!”

Ash smiled, patting Fern’s shoulder. But his words annoyed her. “…Don’t say unlucky things like that, or I’ll get mad!”

“You’re already mad.”

“Then I’ll get even madder!”

“…”

(What should I say now?) Ash fell silent. When he looked ahead again… Frieren had completely vanished.

They’d clearly lost her trail while chatting.

Realizing this, Fern couldn’t help complaining, “…This is all Ash-sama’s fault. Frieren-sama’s definitely eating sweets alone! Travel expenses shouldn’t be wasted! And I haven’t had sweets in months!”

“You don’t need to overthink stuff like that, right?” Though feeling a bit wronged, as an adult, Ash didn’t argue with Fern. He extended his hand: “Let her eat alone. I’ll treat you.”

“…Really?”

“Why… why does an adult like me get suspected when offering to treat you to sweets?”

“Well… sorry. Lately, I’ve been living poorly with Frieren-sama… so I didn’t mean to…”

Fern started to complain about Frieren’s extravagance forcing them into poverty, but thinking of eating sweets, she let it go. She grabbed Ash’s hand excitedly: “Thank you, Ash-sama. Let’s eat sweets together! Before that sneaky Frieren-sama returns~!”

“Alright, let’s go.”

“She’s suddenly a kid again.” Ash smiled at Fern’s hopeful expression, stroking her purple hair and leading her to find a bakery in the city.

While searching, Ash tried to see if they’d spot Frieren on the way.

Sadly, they didn’t. Instead, they found a seemingly popular bakery.

When Ash generously told her to order anything, Fern hesitated and only picked a small cake, eating it happily with a knife and fork.

“Mmm~~ So delicious, so sweet~!”

After one bite, Fern’s face lit up with joy.

Ash propped his chin with one hand, watching her, amused. He even smiled and grabbed a napkin to wipe cream from the corner of her mouth.

“W-Why? Why’re you looking at me like I’m a kid…” Recalling being called a child, Fern whispered with flushed cheeks, “…I’m not a kid.”

“I just want to take care of Fern. Is that not allowed?”

“…It’s not that… just a bit embarrassing. But I don’t hate it…” Ash’s sincere words made Fern lower her head shyly.

But Ash shook his head, saying helplessly, “Back when you had a fever, I even helped clean you up. We often slept together early on. Why’re you shy now?”

“T-That was years ago. Please forget it~!”

Her nearly forgotten past being brought up made Fern’s face flush. She puffed her cheeks angrily, hitting Ash’s shoulder repeatedly with her fists.

Her hits weren’t hard or strong. Instead, they looked cute and a bit spoiled. Ash even apologized while patting Fern… making her realize why kids sometimes feel annoyed with loving parents.

Of course, her feelings were more complex than a child’s, but… she didn’t hate it at all.

Holding back Ash’s joyful gaze and finishing her cake with frustration, they left the bakery.

At the city’s horizon, the sun had set over the sea, coating the land and water in gold.

“Goodness, it’s this late… I haven’t bought anything…” After enjoying her cake, Fern stood stiffly outside the shop, finally remembering her task after parting with Frieren.

“We can buy it tomorrow. For now, let’s head back to meet up.”

“That’s all we can do… I don’t know if Frieren-sama’s done eating.” Fern accepted Ash’s suggestion, sighing softly without much worry, and hurried to the inn to avoid worrying Frieren.

Soon, they reached the inn room with a sea-view balcony.

As Fern entered, she saw Frieren sitting by the bed, daydreaming while watching the sunset outside.

When Fern walked in, Frieren only complained flatly, “Took you long enough.”

“Sorry, I ran into…” Fern was about to say Ash was outside to surprise her, but Frieren awkwardly said, “Forget it… how about we eat sweets together sometimes?”

“Huh?”

(So she didn’t want to eat alone but invite me? But I…)

Fern’s face froze.

“Let’s go!”

Frieren, with exaggerated hand and foot movements, unaware of Fern’s odd expression, said this and walked out with a mysterious smile.

“Damn, this vibe… did Fern and I eat alone while Frieren got nothing?” Ash felt awkward, unable to admit he’d just treated Fern to sweets. He bolted before Frieren saw him.

◆━⊰✧⊱━◆

At a seaside café, they could enjoy the sunset, sea, and city views below. Fern and Frieren sat across from each other.

Frieren, mysterious all day, sighed in relief while gazing at the sunset, sea, and beautiful city.

“The view here’s great, highly recommended.”

“…I feel so guilty, Frieren-sama. I doubted you, even—”

“Doubted me? Even what? Did you do something?” Frieren looked confused.

“No… nothing.” Fern turned her face to avoid her gaze.

Seeing her expression and movements, Frieren smiled with nostalgia: “You’re really influenced by Ash. When you don’t want others to know something, you avoid their eyes.”

“I-Is that so?”

“By the way, this is sudden, but… has Ash ever given you anything?”

Recalling the birthday gift she secretly bought for Fern, Frieren asked to ensure it wasn’t a mistake.

“Pretty sudden. For gifts… you’ve seen them before, right?” Fern was surprised, pulling a silver leaf bookmark from a small box in her pocket. She stroked it, smiling and murmuring: “When I was little, I saw this and loved it. I only glanced at it, but Ash-sama bought it for me right away. Though it’s a bookmark… it’s so precious, I never used it as one.”

“Is that so? He’s got a soft side too.”

“By the way, Ash-sama and Frieren-sama have known each other a long time, right? What did he give you?”

“It’s been a long time…” Frieren nodded slowly, rummaging in her pocket, saying, “Found it, found it,” and pulled out a gold ring.

“A ring?! And gold…!” Fern nearly stood in shock.

“Come to think of it, that lousy Ash only gave me this.”

“It’s gold! Where’s the lousy part?” Fern desperately wanted to trade for it. Though she’d feel reluctant if they actually swapped…

“You don’t get it…” Frieren twirled the ring with a disbelieving expression, sighing shortly: “He found this in a dungeon treasure chest years ago and forgot to sell it. He had nothing to give during a celebration, so he just gave it to me. By the way, when he gave it, the ring still had dried monster blood.”

“T-That…”

(What’s this? I can’t find words to defend Ash-sama! Just thinking about it’s outrageous!)

Fern not only couldn’t defend Ash but even wanted to scold him for Frieren.

Ash, hiding behind a wall with no chance to come out, suddenly felt he couldn’t due to the mood and topic shift.

He could only crouch behind the wall, cover his face, and regret his past: “I should’ve cleaned the blood off before giving her that ring…”

“Really? You’re actually regretful? You should’ve bought a new gift from the start!”

As Ash muttered to himself, Fern’s annoyed voice came from behind. With both hands, she grabbed his collar, dragging him from the wall’s corner.

Frieren, still seated holding the menu, saw Fern inexplicably leave the table. About to ask, she saw Fern struggling to drag a familiar figure from behind the wall.

Frieren froze, doubting her eyes for the umpteenth time: “…Ash? Why’re you hiding there?”

“W-Well~ Frieren, long time no see.”

“…What are you doing?”

“What am I doing… Maybe reflecting on life?” Ash, who’d fallen while being dragged, smiled awkwardly, patted his backside, and stood.

Fern glared at him with an “utterly unreliable” expression, bowing to Frieren: “Frieren-sama, this guy overheard our talk and thought he should’ve cleaned the blood first… I’m really sorry.”