Noontime on a festival day sees the plaza packed with people, giving the appearance of a living mosaic.

The pillar that stands in the middle of the plaza in lieu of a clock tower makes a natural meeting point.

Jill Gustav looks somewhat plain amid the gaudily dressed men and women milling about.

She is wearing a neat but unremarkable white blouse. She has put on culottes that are made for ease of movement above all else, and plain tights.

Her hair is styled the same way as usual. But she has gotten a new ribbon to hold her braid back.

Simple, personal clothes—this is all she has to wear into town on her day off.

After all…

“Ah.”

…See?

It is then Hiro arrives, striding boldly through the crowd as though it is not there.

There is no mistaking him, and certainly no losing him in the sea of bodies.

He is so utterly his usual self it is enough to make her laugh.

So she summons up a smile just like the one she always has. Only her clothing is different today.

“Did you enjoy your morning?”

“Yes,” Hiro says dispassionately, coming to a stop in front of her and giving one of his usual nods.

“Sorry to keep you waiting.”

“It’s all right. I just got here myself.”

A small lie on her part. She wouldn’t mention that she has been so excited she has arrived before noon.

She coughs a little to cover her deception and continues.

“…Hee-hee. You are a little late, though, Hiro.”

“Sorry.”

“Not at all, it’s fine. After all, I…”

…like waiting.

Then Jill smiles mischievously, spins, and begins to lead him away.

Her braid, bright with its new ribbon, wags like a tail.

“Well, let’s go, then!”

She knows. Even if she has dressed up, it wouldn’t have grabbed his attention.

Instead, she wants him to see the real her, not the face she shows at work every day.

Not Jill Enel Gustav. Just a regular girl. The way she normally is.

Part of the reason she has dressed plainly is to declare, "This is me!"

“Did you eat lunch already?”

“No.” Hiro shakes his head slowly. “Not yet.”

“Okay, then…”

She turns her head so quickly you could practically hear it.

She considers one plan after another, compares them, dismisses some, and finally chooses one.

She knows stew is one of his favourite food.

She couldn’t compete in that area. But she could take advantage of the festival day.

“How about we walk while we eat?” she says, smiling shyly. “I know it’s not good manners, but today is special…”

“I don’t mind.”

“I knew you wouldn’t. Okay then, let’s get something and then have a look around…”

She glances up, taking in his face from below. The stained helmet. The same face she sees every day.

“But where, I wonder?”

“Hrm.”

“We can go to a place you like, you know?”

“Mm.”

Hiro grunts once. Jill smiles at him.

Waiting doesn’t bother her. Not so long as the other person is trying to respond to her, anyway.

From two months of their acquaintance, she understands that he is thinking carefully.

Then, after a moment, Hiro nods and answers.

“Let’s start here, then.”

“Sure!”

He set off at his bold pace, and she follows him like an excited puppy.

She might have been able to get away with holding his hand so they wouldn’t get separated.

But she knows she would never loose sight of this singular, unforgettable person.

Jill is determined to enjoy escorting him for the afternoon. She trailes after him, her smile growing ever wider.

The two of them bought candied apples from a stall selling sweets.

It doesn’t exactly pass for a full meal, but one could hardly complain about festival food.

That is what she thinks, anyway, and she couldn’t imagine him being dissatisfied with any food.

Speaking of things I can’t imagine…

He keeps with him many women, a feat she might not otherwise have considered possible.

“…Hee-hee.”

“What?” His head tilts in a quizzical expression as he breaks the now bare stick in two.

“Nothing,” Jill says, shaking her head and not trying to hide her smile.

“I was just wondering if there was any food you won’t eat.”

At her question, Hiro looks puzzled and lapses into thought.

Jill watches him out of the corner of her eye as she licks her apple.

Mm. Sweet.

“I suppose I would eat it if I had to,” he mutters, and she follows with a soft “Yes?”

“But I prefer to avoid fish.”

“Fish?”

“They are easy enough to get if there is a river nearby, but rivers also mean parasites, and the possibility of food poisoning." 

There is a pause, and then he adds, "And they stink. "

“That’s true,” she agrees with a laugh. Even smoked, dried, or salted fish has a very distinctive odor. “I understand. I’ve seen mercenaries arguing about that very thing.”

“Oh?”

“Somebody bought preserved fish for provisions, and they got into a big fight over whether it smelled too terrible.”

She is exaggerating a little, but he nods and says, “I see.”

Ever since they had set out for the afternoon, he—or rather, they—had been like this.

Each time there is a choice of directions he would scan from right to left.

When they pass a sewer grate, he would stomp down on it with a clang.

They came to the end of the main street and walk along the.riverbank, where she stares up- and downstream.

The burbling of the river, the splash of jumping fish, the boats that skirts along the water—none of it seems to catch his attention.

“Mmm, isn’t this lovely?”

Jill closes her eyes as the cool autumn breeze kisses her cheeks.

Then she grabs onto the guardrail of the bridge and leans out as far as she could over the water.

“You’ll fall.” To her, the brusque comment is simply evidence that he is paying attention to her.

“I’m fine,” she says, spinning back around.

Hands supporting her against the guardrail, she arches her back and leans out into space.

Her braided hair dances as the wind catches it.

“This river must run all the way to the sea.”

“That’s right,” he says. “It starts in the mountains.”

“But it’s nothing like the White City. What did you think of that place?”

Jill knows Ivanna was from noble family in White City although she doesn't know which family she was exactly from.

“The streets are confusing,” Hiro says with annoyance. 

“Good for defense, but troublesome when trying to go somewhere.”

“Oh.”

Just for a second, Jill meet the eyes of a sightseer on a boat passing under the bridge.

A lovely girl with beautiful crimson hair and pale cheeks tinted a light red.

She is not wearing her usual clothing. Today she is sporting a navy blue dress. Ivanna.

Next to her is a tall woman with medium length navy hair and brown skin. Sekrit. They have somewhat bored expression on their faces. Hiro never expect those two could date each other.

“…Hee-hee.”

Ivanna put a finger to her lips and glares at Jill as if to demand this remain their secret. Jill couldn’t help laughing at seeing the strong looking woman behaves like any other girl at her young age.

Yes. Yes, of course. Our secret.

She figures everyone else is already well aware of the situation, but her lips are sealed.

It seems to be going well for the two of them. That is the important thing.

Now then, Jill wonders what everyone thinks of Hiro and her.

“Say, Hiro.” She comes away from the railing and tugs on his arm.

"Where to go next?"