011: Preface ~ Teaching Good Things ③

“Then, I’ll have some…” Charlotte sighs as she glances at Allen’s face.

“Mr. Allen should choose first, and I’ll just take what’s left.” Charlotte

“No, no. I don’t have much of a sweet tooth.” Allen

“eh?” Charlotte asks as her eyes expand in surprise.

“So… is all this for me?” Charlotte

“Have you only realized it now? It’s all for you.” Allen

“But you sold a valuable magic tool! Why would you do that…” Charlotte

“Why?” Allen repeated as he tilts his head quizzically.

“I thought you would enjoy them?” Allen

“Huh…” Charlotte

It seems Charlotte is well and truly stunned. She’s frozen with wide eyes. Allen tries to snap her out of it.

“What’s wrong? Do you hate sweets?” Allen

“Well, no. That’s not the problem… but…” Charlotte

“Well then, eat some” Allen

“Yes…” Charlotte

Charlotte picks up the fork awkwardly and mutter to herself.

“for me…” Charlotte

To steel herself, Charlotte gulps, then gently pushes the fork into the shortcake. She starts with the tip of the triangle, then brings it to her mouth. She’s going at the speed of a tortoise, but Allen watches expectedly. Charlotte carefully takes the bite, as if it was her last meal. Eventually, she swallows, then freezes.

“How is it? Is it good?” Allen calls out.

He’s worried the cake didn’t taste good or had been damaged from the trip. He watches her face for any signs.

“it’s delicious” Charlotte

Great! It’s tasty! Allen’s worries disappear while a tear spills down Charlotte’s cheek. Fairly quickly, Charlotte turns to sobbing. She desperately tries to wipe away her flowing tears, but to no avail.

“Someone will do nice things for me… Be happy and kind to me… No, I’m not worthy of this!” Charlotte groans.

Charlotte speaks in a tempestuous manner, as if her very soul was trying to cry out. The heartbreaking statements pierce to the center of Allen’s heart. She raises her tear-soaked face to stare at Allen.

“It is fine for me to feel this sort of happiness?” Charlotte

“Don’t be a fool…” Allen mumbled.

While it was a little pricy, this isn’t a major expense for him. This level of happiness… isn’t nearly enough.

“Are you satisfied with this level of pleasure? Don’t underestimate me, this is just the beginning! From here on, I will show you all sorts of pleasures that reside in this world. I won’t stop even if you cry or scream.” Allen

They’ll eat delicious food in all sorts of places. She’ll enjoy happy and fun things until she can’t take any more. Eventually, she’ll be the happiest girl in the world. If Allen said his plans, would she object again?

“Why… why are you being so gracious to me, a stranger?” Charlotte asks with a worried face.

“To be honest, I’m not entirely sure.” Allen confides honestly.

What kind of girl cries so much after a single bite of cake? Allen is sick to his stomach from the suggestions. It’s more than just sympathy for him, he wants to help Charlotte. He’s not sure what to call his reasons, but he feels both anger and sadness at her previous situation. Since he’s decided to help her deal with her issue, he will do it completely. That’s his motto.

“Charlotte, I swear to you. As long as we’re together, I’ll show you all the pleasurable things in this world!” Allen

“But… how can I repay you?” Charlotte

“Don’t think of everything as some sort of barter, think of it as my hobby.” Allen

“Fufu… you’re kind, if a bit weird.” Charlotte giggles behind her tears.

Charlotte looks to be accustomed to Allen’s oddities. Allen pats her back, as she’s finally getting over the crying spell. A happy face is always preferable to a crying face, everybody knows that. Allen hands her a handkerchief to wipe her tears as he explains the other cakes he had brought.

“Look, eat as much as you want. What do you want to try next? Maybe this chocolate cake?” Allen

“But, I can’t eat that much… please eat some too, Allen.” Charlotte

“So, sweets… I’ll try…” Allen

Allen’s trepidation worries Charlotte, but he goes ahead and picks up a cake. He’s picked a fruit tart, heavy on the fruit.

“Would you like to share it?” Charlotte

“Yes! If we eat it together, it should be tastier.” Allen

Allen smiles at Charlotte as she smiles back. He’s not good at socializing, but he’s trying his best. Then Charlotte knits her eyebrows in thought.

“But… can we eat all of this? What should we do?” Charlotte

“Why don’t we eat it as we want each day?” Allen

“Will the cakes last long enough for that?” Charlotte

“I have my ways…” Allen answers as he snaps his fingers.

Immediately, the chocolate cake is surrounded by a magic barrier.

“Why not stop the time around the cake?” Allen

“What can’t you do?” Charlotte

“Well…” Allen demurs as he puts a fork into his tart.

“Since I’m a mischievous but talented wizard, stopping time is just something I do for fun… Don’t be so surprised.” Allen

The tartness of the fruit allowed Allen, who isn’t a fan of sweet things, to enjoy the tart. Allen marks the store as a good place to return to later.

“Look, you should try a bite as well” Allen cajoles as he wiggles a fork laden with tart in front of Charlotte.

“Ahhhh” Charlotte

Charlotte takes the tart into her small mouth, chewing it seriously to enjoy the taste. She takes on a color resembling happiness

“It’s delicious…” Charlotte

“That’s good” Allen

Allen grins and scarfs down the rest of the tart. In the end, it was a pretty-good tart.

Translation

Good Job!

Do Better!

Chapter

Love It!

What?

FFS!

Really?