— Sorry if I'm bothering you, but why did you sit here? -I asked a little nervously.
— Can't I? -she asked, still with a straight face and narrowed eyes.
— Sorry, yes you can.
"Best to just ignore her and keep eating, even if she keeps staring at me, I'll play crazy."
I grabbed my plate again and proceeded to finish my meal as Seraphine continued to stare at me. After I was done, I got up to put the plates back in their place and leave.
"What a pain in the ass, she hasn't stopped looking at me and since she finished she still hasn't left. I'd better say goodbye and get out of here."
— Well, Seraphine, I'm leaving now, goodbye," I mentioned with a slightly displeased tone.
She also stood up and, with a sharp look, answered me.
— Well, it's time to go.
We both put the dishes away. Quickly and discreetly, I left the dining room to escape her sight.
— Aaah," I let out a small sigh of relief.
— What's wrong, where are we going? -asked Seraphine.
Hearing her voice, I gave a little jump of fright.
"But what happened? I thought we had already said goodbye, what does she want?
— The truth is that I'm already leaving, haha -I let out an awkward smile.
— Are you going somewhere in particular?
— N-no, the truth is....
Without being able to say anything else, she came closer to me and, a bit excited, she said:
— Then come with me to the market of Tracia.
Unable to answer him, he pulled me by the coat I was wearing. After a while of awkward silence, we arrived at the Thrace market. The market was large and vast, a place where you could buy almost anything, such as food, clothes, furniture, accessories, and even weapons and equipment, and all of this could be paid for with your student card, as long as you had enough credits.
— Do you have somewhere you'd like to go here? -he asked suddenly.
"Umm, what's going through this broad's mind? I've had enough of treating her formally. Since we're here, I guess I'll have some fun."
— I hear there's a place where they sell books. I'd like to go there and check it out.
— You mean the bookstore? Do you like books? You don't look like you read much.
— They've recently started to catch my eye. Don't you like them?
— I don't usually like or dislike anything.
"With such a cold answer, I can't even keep up with the conversation."
— Well, let me ask where the bookstore is.
After asking a gentleman if he knew where the bookstore was located and having him direct us, we went straight there. The place was in a somewhat dark alley, but in the background we could see a small light and a sign.
— Look, Seraphine, it's that place at the back.
— Well, let's go see it.
We walked further into the alley and stood in front of the wooden door. As we opened it, a small bell rang, indicating that someone had entered. The interior was small and cluttered, a bit dusty and with books lying off their shelves. In one corner, a young boy who was arranging books stood looking at us until he approached us.
— Welcome to my bookstore, is there anything I can help you with? -he asked politely.
The young man standing in front of us, still with a book in his hands, was of the elven race, with long, pointed ears; it was unthinkable that he was of any other race. He had long green hair, with large glasses that covered most of his face and a green and white robe.
— In truth, we just wanted to see the books he was selling.
— In that case, you can tell me what subject you would like me to show you.
"Now that you say it, history is the only thing I'd like to know at the moment.
— I'd like some book that deals with the history of the empire.
— Oh, so history? Okay, I've got it. You can see what you want in what I bring you some.
— Okay, thanks. I'll take a look.
Seraphine and I parted while he looked for the books.
"You have several, but compared to the library, I'm not surprised at all, although it's interesting."
Looking on a bookshelf, my attention was drawn to some books on the top shelf.
"Those books are about military strategy, how to win wars and stuff. It would be interesting to know that if I were military. I wonder if captains read those kinds of books."
Without taking long, the elf returned with the books and placed them on a small table. Seraphine and I walked over to look.
— Look, these are the books I recommend. The first one is The Empire of Britain, the other is The 100 Year War, and the last one is The Dragon Calendar and the System.
— Wow, they all have good names and look good, but I don't know which one to choose.
— If you're just starting to read, I recommend the last one, The Dragon Calendar and the System," Seraphine mentioned, concentrating on helping me choose.
"You're really paying attention; for a moment there I thought you just brought me here to waste time.
— In that case, I'll choose the latter. How much is it?
— Excellent choice; it's priced at 3900 credits.
"WHAT? How can a book cost that much? That would be more than a month of my salary when I was working, but now I have the credits my sister gave me. No way, it will be the only book I buy."
Without noticing, Seraphine was already pulling out her card to pay.
— Hey, you don't have to pay; I want to buy the book for myself.
— Don't worry, I'll pay for it," she mentioned nonchalantly. Here you go, take it," she extended the card to the elf, and he cashed it.
After he cashed the book, we both left the place, now with the book in my hand.
— Hey, you really didn't have to buy it," I said, apologetically.
— An F-class kid wouldn't have an easy time paying that much for a book.
— Well, I have enough credits thanks to my sister.
At that moment, the spark of curiosity ignited in Seraphine.
— Do you have a sister? -she asked, her eyes a little wider and curious.
— Yes, she's in the same class as you. You probably already know her; it's Haruki.
— So Haruki..." his expression returned to normal, with narrowed eyes and a serious look. I've already seen her; she looks a bit like you, but I didn't think they were siblings. In that case, you'll pay me back for the book in another way.
— What do you mean? I can give you credit now...
— No," her expression became softer, and with a small smile she replied, "I just want to have lunch together from time to time.
Stunned by her beautiful expression, I just answered:
— Yes.