Chapter 58
Free Pin Really is Amazing!
"My paintings… in the guidebook?"
"That’s right. Um, here, take a look at this, would you?"
I showed Art my sketches.
They were nothing more than doodles — scenery, people, that kind of thing.
Of course they were clumsy, but she looked at them with her blue eyes, the same color as her hair, and smiled.
"They’re very lovely. They have warmth, and they show your personality, Mr. Tabito."
"Haha, I’m glad you’d say that. But you see, you get it, right? I’m hopeless at drawing. I just can’t make it come out the way I picture it in my head."
Art softly shook her head with her eyes.
"No… I think they’re very lovely. You just can’t see it yourself."
Such kind words. She’s really a good girl, and she truly loves drawing.
"Thanks. —Which means… maybe you just can’t see it yourself either, Art?"
My little teasing remark made Art’s eyes go wide; then her face reddened and she began to fluster.
Ah, so this is her real self too. Cute.
"N-no, that’s not it. I… I’m sorry."
Fidgeting, she lowered her gaze and used my book to hide her face.
Man, there sure are a lot of cute people in this world.
That was the start of a lively conversation between us.
She told me she had just recently come to Rivana, and had been so captivated by the Ice Temple that she couldn’t help but start sketching.
"I often lose myself in it until suddenly it’s night before I know it. I’d wanted to come to this country for so long, so it feels like a dream come true."
"I see. What other countries have you been to?"
"A lot, actually. The most unusual and fun was a country called Ponnin, sort of like—"
"Ponnin!？"
That’s where Mrs. Yuri, the waitress at Moonlit Water Hermitage, is from.
A country rumored to have meat bowls instead of beef bowls.
"Y-yes. Have you been there?"
"No, but it’s the homeland of someone I know. Hey… did you draw any illustrations there?"
"Of course I did."
"Show me! Please!"
My excited shout made Art’s shoulders jolt. Sorry about that.
My voice echoed way too much inside the Ice Temple. Feeling bad, I suggested we step outside.
We sat on a bench, and she showed me a rather large notebook.
On the cover, a magical sigil was inscribed.
"What’s this?"
"It’s the most expensive tool I own. It’s incredibly convenient. It looks thin, but you can actually draw tens of thousands of pages in it."
Just like she said, flipping through revealed endless sheets.
There were mostly landscapes, but also portraits.
They all had a warm quality. Then she showed me drawings from her stay in Ponnin.
"It really felt like a foreign land. There were row houses, and everyone wore traditional clothes. The food — the meat bowls were delicious, but what I liked best was something called sushi, which is fish on top of—"
"OHHHHHHH, sushi!?"
My voice was beyond loud. Sushi… sushi, you say!?
Su-su-su-su, sushi!? Sushi in another world!? How many times did I just say su?
"Yes, here. Personally I loved fatty tuna the most."
"Otoro tuna!?"
"Y-yes."
In the illustration, beautifully marbled otoro tuna was drawn.
There was even a note about dipping it in soy sauce — this was exactly the sushi I imagined.
But the real shock was the memo scribbled beside it: Delicious otoro tuna! And cheap, just one copper coin!
Converted, that’s about 100 yen for two pieces. And apparently they were big, too.
I’d eaten sashimi in a port town before, but this was sushi exactly as I knew it.
She’d even written vinegared rice. Gulp.
Who wouldn’t get hyped about this!? Nobody, that’s who!
"That’s it. Ponnin — let’s go."
"Eh?"
I blurted something that sounded like a Kyoto tourism slogan.
But that’s how real her illustration felt.
There were lots of other drawings too, carefully detailed, with a warmth that evoked Edo-period Japan.
They made me smile, and filled me with nostalgia.
These drawings would surely bring joy to many people.
"Art, about what I asked earlier — would you draw for the guidebook? Of course I’ll pay you properly."
It was a sudden request from someone she barely knew. She should refuse, naturally.
Still, I wanted to convince her—
"Mr. Tabito."
She looked at me with a serious expression.
Ah… maybe this was hopeless.
"I’d like to ask something too. Please, may I draw for it?"
"Eh? Y-you mean it!?"
"Of course. You’re the first person who ever said my art was wonderful. Hearing you say my drawings made you want to visit a country made me so happy. Until now, I was just drawing for myself. But now I understand — I should draw pictures that make people want to visit, just like you said."
With earnest eyes, Art grasped my hand.
She really does love drawing. And it makes me happy to help her.
Also, wow, my heart is racing from holding hands.
"I’m just as happy. We still have time, so… want to explore Rivana together?"
"I’d love to! Oh, and I want to see Elmirah’s Ancient Dungeon. I also heard the Garden are amazing."
So even someone new like Art had heard the rumors.
If tourists were growing, then making the guidebook was even more urgent.
"It should be easy to go now, right? Just zip straight there with water travel."
"You don’t know? It’s fully booked already."
"Wha— booked!?"
"Yes. The dungeon exploration’s been tough, and things are complicated."
Ugh… I feel a bit bad now.
Sure enough, reviews said progress on exploring it hadn’t gone well.
But I had permission from Tia to enter and exit the dungeon anytime.
Which meant I didn’t need reservations.
"Then let’s go see the Garden first."
"Eh? Um… did you hear me? They’re fully booked."
I pulled Art by the hand into a back alley.
I could tell she was a good person — and since I was going to hire her, I had to earn her trust.
If I showed her my ability, she’d understand.
"I know. —That’s why we’ll go without a reservation."
"Eh?"
I clicked on the Free Pin for Elmirah’s Garden.
[Teleporting in 10 seconds. If combat occurs, the teleport will be forcibly canceled.]My vision cleared, and before us spread a field of colorful flowers.
The blue roses really were stunning.
I had placed the pin beforehand at the edge of the Garden, so no one saw us arrive.
"E-e-e-eh!? Th-this is—!?"
"Elmirah’s Garden."
"… Wh-what!? Is this a dream!?"
"It’s my magic."
"Amazing, amazing, amazing!!!"
Heh, she sure gave a great reaction.
---
Art
★★★★★
I’m so glad I met someone who thinks my art is wonderful.
And Mr. Tabito’s magic… it’s incredible.
Tabito
★★★★★
The true joy of traveling is the people you meet.
And Art’s reactions are so cute and delightful.
This old man will take you anywhere!