Uketsukejo ni Kokuhaku Shitakute Guild ni Kayoitsumetara Eiyu ni Natteta

Chapter 8: The Present Strategy’s Outcome

We hurriedly returned to the royal capital in a panic.

The Star Flower wilted while we were sleeping!

“Water! We need some water!” (Dorami)

“That’s right! In times like these, we need water!” (Jade)

We hurried home and gave it some water but there were no signs of it recovering.

“How about cheering for it? Let’s cheer for it!” (Dorami)

“Right! In times like this, we need to cheer for it!” (Jade)

We cheered for the Star Flower saying things like, “Do your best!” or “Don’t lose!” but as expected, it didn’t really work.

“Since it’s like this, let’s give it to her before it wilts completely! (Dorami)

“Would she be happy to receive a dying flower?” (Jade)

“It’s not dead yet! Besides, Garnet might be able to revive it!” (Dorami)

“Y-you’re right…!” (Jade)

I’m not really familiar with flowers but Garnet-san is different.

If it’s Garnet-san who grows flowers of her own, she might be able to revive the Star Flower.

“Alright, I’ll go give it to her!” (Jade)

“That’s the spirit!” (Dorami)

I left the house with Dorami and went to Garnet-san’s house next door.

The windows were pitch black. I also knocked on the door but I couldn’t hear a single sound.

“I wonder if she’s asleep…” (Jade)

“Maybe she’s just taking a bath. Let’s just wait out here.” (Dorami)

“But if we stand in front of her house for so long we might scare her.” (Jade)

“It’s scary if it’s some old man she doesn’t know but Jade is her neighbor! There’s no reason to be scared!” (Dorami)

“I’m… not scary?” (Jade)

“That’s right! You aren’t scary at all!” (Dorami)

“I’m not… scary.” (Jade)

“That’s right! That’s the spirit!” (Dorami)

“I am… not scary!” (Jade)

“Yeah!” (Dorami)

“I’m not scary!” (Jade)

“What are you two fussing about?” (Garnet)

I turned around when I heard a solemn voice behind me. Garnet-san was standing there by the streetlights.

She must be on her way home from the baths. Her wet hair is illuminated by the lights and she looks somewhat… divine.

“I-I’m sorry for all the noise!” (Jade)

“It’s good to be energetic.” (Garnet)

She’s so kind… I’m going to fall in love more and more.

Dorami poked my side. I know… I won’t run away no matter how nervous I get.

With my heart beating super fast, I handed over the flower pot to Garnet-san.

“I happened to find this while I was away! I thought it would be a perfect moving-in present!” (Jade)

“Isn’t this something usually given by the one who moved in?” (Garnet)

“In my hometown, it’s normal to give gifts to the one who just moved in! Also, Garnet-san seemed to like flowers so I thought it’d be a nice present but it wilted on the way back…” (Jade)

Garnet-san approached me and stared at the Star Flower.

Ah… Garnet-san’s face is so close…

“This is… a Star Flower.” (Garnet)

“That’s right! Garnet-san, do you like this kind of thing?” (Jade)

“I do.” (Garnet)

Alright! At the very least, I seem to have picked a good flower.

That’s why it’s such a pity… Why did you have to wither…?

“So, Garnet-san, how is it? Can you revive it somehow?” (Jade)

“It’s impossible. The Star Flower can’t grow without the nutrients from the World Tree.” (Garnet)

So that was it!

I didn’t know about that. I thought that it only grew in certain environments… I might’ve done something bad to the Star Flower.

“So we can’t do anything but wait for it to wilt?” (Jade)

“I’m sorry I can’t help you.” (Garnet)

“No, it’s not a problem! It’s not something you have to worry about! Rather, I’m sorry that I wasn’t able to give you a beautiful and healthy flower…” (Jade)

“I don’t really mind. More importantly, can I really have this?” (Garnet)

“Eh? You still want it even though it’s about to wither?” (Jade)

“Is that a no?” (Garnet)

“Not at all! Please go ahead and take it!” (Jade)

The Star Flower would be happy if it got to spend its last moments with Garnet-san.

Garnet-san shook her head once I handed over the pot.

“I don’t need the flower pot. I’ll just press the flower.” (Garnet)

“Press the flower?” (Jade)

“Yes. If you press a flower, you can make it a bookmark. You can also keep the flower’s beauty that way.” (Garnet)

To think that she’d reuse my gift to use as a bookmark…

“Thank you so much!” (Jade)

“Why are you the one thanking me?” (Garnet)

It’s certainly strange for me to say thank you when I’m the one who gave the gift.

“Um… It’s a thank you from the Star Flower!” (Jade)

“Then, you’re welcome. I’ll take good care of you.” (Garnet)

Garnet-san spoke to the Star Flower as she entered her house.

“The gift strategy… was a success?” (Dorami)

“It went very well. Thank you, Dorami, for giving me the push I needed!” (Jade)

As if my joy had been conveyed to her, Dorami burst into laughter.

“I am indebted to you so I’m happy to be able to help! When you need help, you can always rely on Dorami!” (Dorami)

“I’m counting on you. As a thank you, I’ll treat you to whatever you want to eat today!” (Jade)

“Hooray! I feel like eating fish today~!” (Dorami)

As Dorami happily yelled, we headed for the restaurant.