I'm The Ex-Girlfriend of a Soldier Chapter 3

Translator: Shiko

Proofreader: Asu

"Huu… it looks like I've been forced into the 'single life'. From now on I'll have to walk it alone."

"What's a single life?"

“Love… you live a free life when you're not married.”

“Sometimes, Meize, you sound like you're talking nonsense.”

“Isn't that because I have extraordinary ideas?"

To be exact, I am a stranger to her, but I finished the last sentence with a gentle reply to Sarah's words. Huu, I have to focus. The deadline is soon. Today is the closing day of the store so I'll have to collect my possessions and find a new job.

“And by the way, Meize… Are you really done with Syukr?”

"Yep, and as proof of that, he no longer comes to my place."

“Well, now I can speak with ease.”

I don't know what to say. Sarah, do you like Syukr? Now that I've broken up with him, you're thinking about revealing what you've been hiding? There's nothing you can do about people's minds. He's going to be famous all over the world soon. I'm glad we broke up in advance.

“So here's the thing. If your relationship with Shukr is really over, why don't you introduce yourself soon[1]?”

"Oh?"

“In fact, I've been thinking of making an agreement with John from the next town over to arrange a group blind date. Everyone knows you broke up with Syukr and I made sure to ask you to come.”

Maybe Sarah really does like Syukr. I was going to tell her, “If you're thinking of confessing, think again”. But the sudden suggestion of blind dates rendered me speechless. No, do I look like I need a man that much? They keep on saying that they're gonna introduce me to a man.

“No, thanks. I don't know, but I'd like to enjoy my own life a little bit. I think I should try to get used to it.”

I thought that after I'd broken up with Syukr, I'd meet a supporting character. But now that I think of it, there weren't many male characters in the story. From the beginning, I should have realized that this world was made for Syukr, even if there were a few impressive male characters associated with him, this world was made for Syukr and only Syukr.

Honestly, I only remember three male characters and that's about it. Plus, one of them was Syukr himself, and the other two were enemy characters, a rival and the final boss. No matter how lonely I am, I have to stay as the soldier's ex-girlfriend. I can't just meet with the Demon King or the rival.

“No, don't do that… you should just have a casual meeting. You know, it's not always about love.”

I'm sorry, Sarah. My love for Syukr has long been forgotten, so I don't have to forget it by meeting someone new. If I had to choose between the storyline and Syukr, well, I don't even have time to think about love.

My ex-boyfriend wasn't very useful.

“You don't need to pressure yourself to date. He's just the one who arranged the blind date. They say it's good to see people before you get married. I've grown up meeting a lot of people.”

“But it's still burdensome.”

“There's nothing to be ashamed of. I heard you don't have feelings for Syukr anyways. At a time like this, we need to make it seem like we're feeling as good as we look so Syukr won't be able to approach you easily.”

Even if you don't do that, Syukr won't approach me. There's no reason to hang out with me when he's surrounded by other women.

"And Meize, you're perfect for it. Though Hailey was supposed to introduce herself first…"

Sarah frowned and pouted. I knew why Hailey refused the blind date, so I just laughed. Actually, it's not that surprising. Hailey's been crazy about Syukr these days. She even went so far as to become romantically unavailable so that there was no reason to have an introductory chat.

"Who from our village is going?"

“Meize, are you going on the blind date?”

“No, I'm still thinking about it. I'd like to hang out with other friends, but I think Mrs. Becca will have a grudge against me if I go on a blind date.”

I smiled awkwardly and avoided Sarah's glistening stare. This is a chance for me to broaden my social relationships, but also at the cost of my relationship with Mrs. Becca.

“Then you can go to both.”

"Huh?"

“It's a simple matter. It's not like the dates overlap and you don't have a lover.”

“Don't you think I shouldn't? I don't want to be in a relationship, but going to a place like that….”

"It's a blind date, after all. You should go to see whether you like it or not."

Even if you say that, it's still the case. Something's wrong. It's been a while since I broke up with my ex-boyfriend, so why don't we go on blind dates? Well, I'm not that desperate for a man.

"It's all right, it's all right. Take it easy, Meize. It's not hard to just eat a meal. Besides, it's better if you're lucky and get to meet a nice guy and date him.”

Unlike nobles, commoners were relatively free to love whoever they wanted. It doesn't matter who you meet until you get married.

“……Is it really okay to take this lightly?”

Sarah's face quickly brightened as I said that. I haven't thought of getting in a relationship yet, but I am curious about my peers. Because I only hung out with Syukr, I didn't get to socialize with other people of my age, so I don't even know how they act.

“Don't worry, I'm sure it'll be fun.”

Sarah said quickly before I had a chance to change my mind and put her arm around my shoulders. “You're the only person who hasn't been on a blind date. You've lived so innocently, Meize,” she added.

It might be my first time in this world but I've been on a lot of blind dates in my past life. Of course, the results were disastrous.

I looked around the shop and took a seat. Thanks to Mrs. Becca, who had been on her feet since morning, I'd come to the appointment area too early and was now waiting for my date.

“Excuse me, may I order some strawberry juice?”

I asked the waitress, remembering about the strawberry on the front board of the store. Back in my world, people could enjoy drinking raw fruit juice regardless of the season, but in this world where refrigerators don't exist, it was a delicacy only to be enjoyed when it was in season.

“Of course! I have fresh strawberries that just came in this morning! We can add extra milk to your drink, would you like that?”

“Just give me strawberries without milk, please.”

“Yes, I see. Then, do you need anything else?”

It was still a long way to go before the time my date would arrive. I think I'll be able to enjoy a sandwich during this time. After a bit of consideration, I ordered an extra breakfast sandwich. It takes time for the food to be served, but it doesn't take that long. I'll be able to eat everything before he comes.

“We have your order for strawberry juice and breakfast special sandwiches. Please enjoy.”

I must be lucky today. The food came much quicker than I thought it would. Maybe because I didn't eat breakfast, the food made my mouth water. Alright, I'll have to finish this before my date arrives. 

First, I drank some strawberry juice that I won't be able to taste again until spring. This world's raw fruit juices were more sour than sweet because they were expensive, but the juice made of seasonal fruit was delicious enough and my hands quickly headed for the sandwich.

The sandwich with ham and vegetables between the buns didn't taste great, but the crunching sound of fresh lettuce made me excited. Every time I ate took a bite, I naturally had a smile on my face and a pleasant feeling of satiation.

"Miss Meize Hazelnut?"

I was concentrating hard on the sandwich, but there was a dark shadow lingering over my head. I raised my head in a nonchalant manner. And at that moment, the ham in my sandwich, which had been half eaten, fell on the table.

Oh no, my ham.

"Miss Meize Hazelnut, am I right?"

I opened my mouth to greet him with a smile. I didn't say hello, but it seems like it's the guy I'm supposed to meet today. It was long before we were supposed to meet. Why did you come so early? Come back later. I haven't finished my sandwich yet. 

“Hello, you're ….”

I put down the sandwich I was holding and got up from my seat. But I couldn't follow up with a greeting straightaway. Surprisingly, I didn't know the name of the man who I'd arranged to meet with, courtesy of Mrs. Becca, even though she has a big mouth.

"My name is Yse, Yse Lancel. Please just call me Yse."

Perhaps he noticed my plight, as the man asked for a friendly smile and a handshake. Wow, I thought I'd felt it when I was sitting down… but standing up, this man was really tall. Perhaps even a head taller than Syukr.

"That's a wonderful name."

There's not a single person who doesn't like compliments. I cleaned the crumbs off my hands with a napkin and then shook hands with the man. I don't know if the height and the size of the hand are proportionate, but the man in front of me was not only tall, but also large.

"The name Meize Hazelnut is pretty, too. It suits you very well."

I could see his eyes behind his glasses fold into a pretty moon shape. Feeling my cheeks burn up, I sat down on the chair. Was it just me or was the chair that was usually comfortable suddenly stiff?

“You too. Feel free to call me Meize.”

Mrs. Becca's always bragged about various things, so I didn't expect much. My first impression of him was passable. Although not strikingly handsome or fancy, he looked neat and gave off a good impression. That was good. Excluding our first encounter with the sandwich, the start didn't seem too bad..

Well, I guess I should have eaten breakfast at home. 

"Then, I'll speak without hesitation."

I'd rather you didn't. Yse reached forward and we shook hands. Then slowly… slowly, as if savoring the moment, he moved his lips. I stared blankly at the figure.

Yse's eyes were a common brown, but something was different. They keep staring at me. The more I looked at them, the more I couldn't take my eyes off them. It was a strange, unexplainable feeling.

[1] As in dating

T/N: big F for meize's ham

Chapter end