66: Stage Actor Brandon / More Light / Highly Nutritious Spicy Soup 2

On that day, it rained quietly outside.

It had been a day with unusually high humidity compared to usual, and an unpleasant degree of discomfort.

Perhaps because the atmospheric pressure had been low, Carol, who had been organizing fabrics and clothes, had not been in top form either.

“It’s a weak rain now, but it seems like a storm will start tomorrow. Haah, how annoying.”

Carol muttered such words quietly.

“It can’t be helped this time of year every year. Autumn is close, after all.”

Maureen said this, but like Carol, she also looked somewhat gloomy.

“Boss. What should we do about the shop…… Boss?”

“Huh? Ah, is it a storm? Then no customers will come, so let’s take a day off on that day.”

Jill had been lost in thought and responded slowly.

Ever since she had that dream, she could not help but be concerned about the sky and the weather.

“Around here, storms often come from summer to autumn. When we rebuild, we should get new storm shutters, so if we lock up tightly, it’ll be all right. If you’re worried, we can call a carpenter and have them make various preparations.”

“Yes, that’s right… Let’s bring valuables to the mansion, and then do as Maureen said and lock everything up tightly.”

“Got it.”

“If we could stop the storm, that would be nice.”

“Ahaha, that would certainly be nice. The house would not be destroyed, and no one would get hurt.”

Maureen laughed aloud, then shrugged her shoulders.

“But if it did not come, that would also be problematic. If rivers and lakes dry up, that would be trouble too.”

“That’s true. Humans would be happy if it rained and shone in a balanced way.”

“That’s not how the sun worked.”

They had been having a deeply felt, idle chat when it happened.

Just at that moment, the bell attached to the door rang, and a single customer came in.

“Hey, are you still open?”

“Ah, an ordinary customer.”

That customer wore no mask.

He did not seem to be one of Lady Emily’s fans.

Before that, he was not even a woman.

“Ordinary?”

“Sorry, it’s nothing. Welcome!”

Jill stared again at the customer who entered.

She had accidentally called him ordinary, but that was ridiculous.

With just one look, Jill thought he was a remarkably imposing handsome man.

His glossy, jet-black hair swept back.

His taut, wheat-colored skin, tall height, and thick chest.

He wore a wine-red tunic effortlessly.

His features were well-defined, and his back was held perfectly straight.

He appeared strangely large, but his actual height was not that tall.

His gaze and posture were straight, making him look bigger for some reason.

He was that kind of man.

“May I take a look?”

“Yes, please. We do have men’s items, of course. Please feel free to pick them up and take a look. If you want to try something on, just let me know.”

“Ah, thank you.”

He had a voice with strength.

It made one suspect that he received training in vocal music or something similar, a bewitching and beautiful voice.

It made one think that more than his looks, his voice was what made this person truly charming.

“Hmm…… I heard about it, but this is interesting……”

The man observed the clothes and accessories intently.

He showed particular interest in the aloha shirts.

He carefully observed the patterns and shapes.

“Hey, clerk!”

“Ah, yes. What is it?”

“Do you have this in other colors? For example, something with a white base and only the picture on it?”

“I’m sorry, we run out at the moment.”

“That’s too bad…… If we have something like that, it would have looked great on stage.”

“Stage?”

Jill muttered with a puzzled look.

There, Carol interjected as if explaining to Jill.

“Uhm, sorry if I’m mistaken…… You’re Brandon, the top star of the Kanaria Canary Troupe, right?”

“Oh, are you perhaps a fan? Hahaha, thank you!”

The man called Brandon flashed a dazzling smile.

◆

Brandon bought one snowflake-dyed shirt and left casually.

He also left a meaningful remark: “I will come again some other time.”

“I’m sorry, Carol. What is the Kanaria Canary Troupe?”

“They’re the most highly regarded theater troupe in this town! I was so surprised……!”

“Ah, so he’s someone who performed plays.”

Jill understood, feeling satisfied.

His bearing was somehow straighter and prouder than that of most nobles.

She sensed that he accepted being watched by others as a matter of course.

Jill had even momentarily wondered if he might have been royalty from somewhere.

“He sings as well, but his acting is rated highly! I sometimes go to see plays too, and they were really amazing……!”

“Carol, do you have a hobby of watching plays?”

“Particularly, his role as a condemned prisoner in “The Ten Nights of Roald,” which depicted the ten days until a jailed man received the death penalty, had been the most acclaimed. He committed a mistake, repented, and faced his avenger; critics praised that performance highly.”

“Haah.”

“He also performed in various productions such as “The Demon King’s Trial,” which portrayed a forbidden love between a demon and a human, “The Three Crows,” which depicted a succession struggle filled with love and hate among three princes, and “The Rampaging Dragon Inn,” in which gamblers and former criminals with a dark past became settlers, repented their sins, and worked together to build a post town. He’s well-known for his passionate acting……”

Then Carol, speaking rapidly, praised Brandon while listing various performances and characters.

“Umm, Carol, are you a fan?”

“…………Yes. I’m sorry, I got a bit too excited……”

Carol lowered her head, looking embarrassed.

“No, but really, in this town, there aren’t many people who aren’t his fans, really!”

“They sound interesting. I would like to see them if I had the chance.”

Jill felt as though she had seen something heartwarming.

However, Carol shook her head.

“No, it’s not possible to get tickets normally. Even if you reserved them, it might be half a year… no, maybe even a year later.”

“What, that long!?”

“That‘s the kind of actor Brandon is.”

“Haah……”

Thinking that there truly were amazing people, Jill suddenly realized something.

“Why would such an amazing person come to our shop?”

Maureen answered Jill’s question.

“Didn’t it get passed on from Madame Emily or someone? That person has a hobby of watching plays, if I recall correctly.”

“……will it become a big deal? Like, he got inspired, and a lot of customers come?”

Of course, Jill ran a general store to sell goods. Having customers was a good thing. But she wanted to avoid a situation where customers flooded in and, after being given high expectations, found that the essential products were unavailable.

“Well…… who knows?”

Carol’s answer was ambiguous.

“Huh?”

“Brandon’s private life isn’t well known. Among fans, it’s widely rumored that he either go out in disguise or spend his time continuously rehearsing. This is my first time seeing him in town…… This is very unusual.”

“Hee……”

“They said he disliked being celebrated for things other than his plays. That stoic attitude had earned him popularity among fans of all ages and genders……”

“He’s an amazing person, huh. But if that’s the case, wouldn’t it mean we wouldn’t have Brandon’s fans crowding in and causing trouble?”

“Yes, I think it would probably be fine.”

Relieved by Carol’s reply, Jill felt at ease.

But Jill would soon learn that her estimation had been too optimistic.