Vol 21 Chapter 16
Vol 21 Chapter 16
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Chapter 16 – Fairly Good
To comfort Camille-san, who had been working so hard, I invited her to the Chris, pretending it was for work. I took her to a beauty treatment clinic to help her tired body and mind. When I saw Camille-san, who had been healed and regained her energy, I was happy that everything had gone according to plan… but for some reason, Camille-san, who had been smiling so happily, suddenly changed her face to that of a warrior, started to push forward with her shopping. Women’s feelings are hard to understand.
From Camille’s point of view
“Cough… Maybe I was a little too enthusiastic…”
When I came to my senses… or rather, when I regained my composure, time had flown. It was just before lunch, but when I realized it, it was after 3 p.m., and my hands were full of the items I had purchased.
I suspected that someone had manipulated me with their skills, but I don’t think that’s the case because there’s no one who would benefit from tricking me into buying these items.
Wataru-san tilted his head slightly, but it was definitely more than a little. For women, the beauty products on the luxury liner could even be considered sacred treasures.
Since I can get my hands on these new products, I think this kind of outburst is within acceptable limits.
Some of the ladies who visit the Castle spend all their time on the ship, from morning to night, not to mention all the time they spend on the ship getting beauty treatments and buying beauty products. My outburst is nothing compared to that.
Well, I didn’t have a spending limit this time, so I can’t compare myself to the other guests on the Castle, who are all struggling with their spending limits.
“Carla and I had lunch earlier. I think Camille-san and the others are probably hungry, so shall we go for lunch? Well, it’s almost snack time…”
“…I see. If I eat a proper meal now, I’ll have trouble at night, so can I have something light?”
Even though I’ve been asked to take a tour of the place, I feel bad that I have to have a light meal, but on the other hand, I’ve learned a lot about beauty products, so I’ll just have to let it go.
“Then shall we go to a café? It’s a Parisian-style cafe, and they have delicious bagels, pastries, prosciutto and cheese.”
I’m not sure what he means by “Parisian style,” but if I think about it too much, I’ll lose. If Wataru-san says it’s delicious, it must be.
Besides, I’ve never eaten anything on Wataru-san’s ship that wasn’t delicious.
“Then I’ll leave it up to you.”
Wataru-san leads me to the cafe. Hmm, I pride myself on being a reasonably competent person and a calm adult, but I’m starting to get excited and carried away.
I don’t think Wataru-san understands this.
He doesn’t understand the value of good food and how extraordinary the food served on Wataru-san’s ship is.
He seems to understand that the food served on his ship is extremely delicious, but it’s a shame that he stops there.
Even the chefs of the royal palace come to me to ask to be taken on as apprentices.
A stylish cafe with a white interior. I’m already used to it, but the contrast with the beautiful sea outside is wonderful.
As I sat down, a menu was handed to me.
Well… They’re all so tempting, I want to try them all… but if I can’t eat dinner, there’s no point in asking for a light meal. It’s a dilemma.
Wataru-san is talking to Carla at the next table, saying things like, “What? You’ve already eaten so much, and you’re going to eat more? What about you, Rimu? Oh well, I guess there’s no point in complaining, is there?” and he sounds like he’s given up on everything, but from my point of view I’m kind of jealous.
If I could, I’d like to try all the food on this ship.
…Aside from the impossible, let’s focus on the menu. It’s not like a merchant to pass up a good opportunity.
Huh, this pastry is pie dough. I’ve had pie a few times, so I’ll have a bagel this time. I’m very curious about the fact that it’s boiled before it’s baked.
I wonder if they have it at the Castle? There are so many dishes on the menu there, and there are customers, so it’s impossible to keep track of everything.
“I’ll have the smoked salmon bagel sandwich and coffee.”
As soon as I placed my order, Saporabi-chan brought me my food. She looks cute in her apron and hat, which is part of the cafe’s uniform.
I think Saporabi-chan is the best. Wataru-san made me my own personal Saporabi-chan, who is the cutest, but I can’t deny how cute the other Saporabi-chan are, too.
Donatella and I are very comforted by the Saporabi-chan’s support. I know that Mauro-san spoils them like a grandfather spoils his grandchildren. They are also very popular with the other crew members and guests.
But for some reason, Wataru-san seems a little distant with the Saporabi-chan. Is it because they are so popular with the ladies?
“Thank you.”
I thank the Saporabi-chan who served the food and pat her head lightly. Her hat is cute, but patting her head makes me feel like it’s a waste. The Saporabi-chans are fluffy and have the best feeling when you touch them.
The order for Marina and the others is ready, and we start our late lunch.
Smoked salmon bagel sandwich.
It looks beautiful on the pure white plate. Many of the dishes on Wataru-san’s ship, especially on the luxury liners, are very carefully prepared, right down to the presentation.
Just by looking at the bagel, you can tell it’s delicious. The bright green leafy vegetable, the orange smoked salmon, the raw onion on top… is that cream cheese? Just looking at it makes it look delicious, doesn’t it?
I especially liked the smoked salmon. When I first tried it, it was a real shock. At first, I was a little confused because it looked like it was raw, but I soon became addicted to the rich flavor of the salmon and the aroma of the smoke.
The only problem is that it goes so well with alcohol, but I secretly enjoy smoked salmon, cheese, and sparkling white wine in the quiet of the evening.
“Hmm, it’s really rich.”
The surface of the bagel is hard and feels heavy. Many of the breads on Wataru-san’s ship are soft, but this seems to be a different kind.
I only tried the bagel. As I expected, the texture was hard and chewy. That’s why it felt heavy.
I wonder if the taste is just salt. When I chew it slowly, I can really taste the wheat flavor. It’s simple but delicious, just the way it is.
Next, the filling… ah, this is good. The crunch of the greens and the pungency of the onion mingle with the strong, savory smoked salmon and the rich cream cheese.
I see, the strong, complex aroma and flavor of the smoked salmon and rich cream cheese are not overwhelmed by the hearty bagel. This is good. I like sandwiches, but I think I prefer bagels. Let’s try to find some at the Castle.
Next, I have a cup of hot coffee with milk and a little sugar. I like tea, but coffee is good too. But I want a beer or a glass of wine. It’s daytime, so I hold off, but I’ll try it next time.
“How is it?”
“It’s really delicious.”
I was so absorbed in the bagel that I gave a very simple answer to Wataru-san’s question. But Wataru-san nodded with a look of satisfaction.
If it were a merchant, he would want a more detailed answer, but… come to think of it, when I told him that I had been able to reach a satisfactory contract for the negotiations on the regular shipping route, he was satisfied with that alone.
While I’m happy that he trusts me, it’s a little sad that he doesn’t ask me how I negotiated and what kind of compromise we made to come to an agreement.
Negotiating with countries, high-ranking nobles, and guilds is something of a showcase for merchants.
…Well, I’ll tell Donatella and the others about my adventures when I get back.
Now, what shall I do next?
***
Camille-san is eating a smoked salmon bagel sandwich with a delicious expression on her face. It’s nice to see a beautiful woman eating with such a delicious expression, isn’t it?
So what do we do next?
The goal is to give Camille-san a rest, but exercising is also a good way to relieve stress. You could go too far with fitness-related activities, but things like tennis and mini-golf are probably fine to include in your options.
As for casinos… there’s a slight chance she’ll go crazy if she loses, so let’s not do that. Never underestimate a merchant’s passion for money.
The other options are shows and movies.
I’m torn. In a situation like this, I should just ask her directly. Even if it’s something fun, it won’t be therapeutic if she doesn’t want to do it.
“Camille-san, what would you like to do next? Exercise or go to a play?”
“Well, I just finished eating, so I’d rather go to the theater.”
That’s right. It’s hard to exercise after eating.
I guess I’ll have to save exercise for the next time I see Camille-san. Come to think of it, when I’m thinking about her health, raising her level is also an option.
If her level goes up, her stamina will also go up, and she’ll be more resistant to fatigue. This has nothing to do with the inspection of the ship, but I’ll also prepare an opportunity for Camille-san to improve her level.
“Which would you prefer, the movie or the show? Well, the performers in the show are all Saporabi…”
“Then please do the show.”
That was a quick answer. It seems that Camille-san likes Saporabi too. I wonder what would happen if she found out that Saporabi was the end result of the horned rabbit I killed?
Carla-san, Rimu and Fuu-chan are still eating…
“Please.”
We slowly drank our coffee and went to the stage.
“Ara, you’re making the room dark even though it’s not a movie?”
Camille-san wondered why the room was dark.
“Yes, we need darkness for this show.”
There are different types of shows, but this time, I chose a light show. The reason is that the outline of the light formed in the darkness takes the shape of a Saporabi, which is interesting.
“How cute!”
As the shapes of the many Saporabi appeared in the darkness, I could hear Camille-san’s exclamations of delight. Is being cute more important than being interesting?
Well, if it makes her happy, that’s the best.
The Saporabi Illuminate show is technically very well done. It’s beautiful and interesting in its own way.
The other shows are a bit of a disappointment when it comes to the Saporabi. The female roles are also played by Saporabi, so it’s a bit of a letdown.
The costumes are from the play, so it’s a shame when the Saporabi wear costumes with deep slits or costumes that would have been worn by sexy beauties.
The Illuminate show is great because you can’t see those parts.
Camille-san’s healing plan is going pretty well so far.
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