The Human Saint is Bored, so I was Summoned to Another World

Eris Goes on a Trip (Part 3)

Anyway, all that walking and talking has made me hungry. Since I got no single coin in my pocket, I asked Eris if we could now return to the Palatial Gardens. I tried my best to appear as casual as possible, but...

"You must be hungry, Mister Kuro?"

"H-how d'you know?" I sheepishly asked.

"Eris can hear your stomach growl." Eris laughed softly, "Don't worry, Eris brought money with her. Let's eat somewhere nice."

"Ah please..." I bowed repeatedly, "I'd feel bad if you treat me for free."

"Nah, don't worry." she reassured me, "This is thanks for helping Eris before. Come!" Eris pulled my hand and led me to the place she wanted to go to.

----------

"Welcome to the Holy Frills Diner!"

Err...that's quite a name. Looks like the owner put much thought into coming up with it.

Anyway, it was a small restaurant. The girls who served were wearing frilly uniforms, thus the name of the restaurant. However, what called my attention was that macho man in a frilly dress behind the counter further in.

"Ah, welcome, Miss Eris!" the macho man greeted.

"Hello, Mister Ricardo!" Eris chirped back, "By the way, he's the owner of this place, Mister Kuro."

Ricardo's deep baritone voice and serious expression didn't match his words, nor his frilly, fancy dress. I mean, it felt like he's threatening us more than welcoming. Add the eyepatch, bulging muscles, and a big scar on his face, it looked like we're talking to a veteran mercenary than a restauranteur.

"Mister Ricardo's also a former mercenary." Eris added, "But he took an arrow to the knee, so he had to retire."

"Oh..." Isn't that a little Todd Howard-ish?

Ricardo laughed, "Well, that's all behind me now. I don't want to wake up in another cart with prisoners and getting attacked by a dragon on the way..."

Damn...Todd Howard, you did it again!

"So anyway, Eris..." Ricardo took an eyeful of me, "Who's the guy? Your man?"

"Err...ah, n-no!" Eris was quick to deny, "M-mister Kuro is just a friend."

"Oh...well, every love story starts with being a friend." the former mercenary countered.

My companion fell silent; her face was beet-red. Uh, you don't need to get pissed as much as that, Eris...

"Ah, anyway, please have a seat as usual, Miss Eris!"

Eris then led me to her favorite spot in that restaurant, passing through several tables filled with other customers. Some of which were looking at us; it must be because of the disparity between our height and ages.

I mean, I'm a young adult and Eris just looked like my little sister.

"!!!" I felt Eris jerked suddenly.

"What happened?" I asked her, "You okay?"

"Eris felt someone touched her b-butt."

"Eh?" I turned around and saw a bunch of armed people looking lecherously in our direction, particularly at Eris. That one's a human, and two were elves...and they didn't have a pleasant air around them.

"Nice pick, dude!"

"How's her ass?"

Uh...these guys. I could see the fear in Eris' eyes; clearly, that's where her distrust for men came from. I, being the more mature one, should protect her.