FGFM 12

Chapter 12

Would you like to use the perfume that you can never forget?

Info: If sprayed on your body, someone nearby will soon come find you again.
Caution: At your next meeting, the person’s favorability will increase by 5%.
Do you still wish to use it?

When she gave a small nod, a large pink crystal bottle of perfume popped out from the status window.

Though invisible to him, the perfume circled Fleur and quickly sprayed around her before vanishing.

You have used the perfume. The nearby person’s favorability has increased by 5%.
??? Favorability: 5%

Only the favorability was displayed since the name wasn’t revealed.

Still, it gave her an excuse to meet again, and that was satisfying.

“I hope we can meet again someday too.”

Using the heroine’s beautiful face to its fullest, she walked away gracefully.

The stranger kept smiling until Fleur turned her back—then his expression hardened instantly as he muttered:

“…The ‘Valen’ family, huh.”

He called Fleur’s name a few more times under his breath before moving on.

After parting with the stranger, Fleur happily made her way to the café where she had promised to meet Dylan.

As she got closer, she saw him frowning deeply, looking anxiously around.

“Dylan!”

When she waved her arms, Dylan spotted her and hurriedly ran over.

“Lady Fleur!”
“Sorry, I didn’t notice you fell behind while I was browsing the stalls.”
“No, it was my fault. You weren’t harmed, were you?”
“Actually, something did happen.”

His face stiffened immediately.

“Did you encounter vagrants? Were you hurt?”

He gripped her shoulders, his blue eyes darting everywhere, checking her carefully.

“I’m not hurt—”
“Then why is your wrist like this?”
“Hm?”

At his words, Fleur looked down.

The spot where that scammer merchant had grabbed her was red. He hadn’t even held her that tightly, but her skin was so delicate that it left a mark.

It had been hidden under her long sleeve, so even Fleur herself hadn’t noticed—but Dylan had spotted it right away.

“Oh, it’s nothing serious.”
“How can this not be serious? Who did this?”

He looked ready to storm off immediately and confront them.

“They’re gone already. Someone else helped me out.”
“…What?”

She explained how she had almost been framed, but a stranger had come to her rescue.

Thinking of him made Fleur smile unconsciously.

“He was so handsome, I was honestly shocked. And he was so kind, too.”
“…”
“If I had a phone, I’d have asked for his number. It was such a shame I couldn’t.”
“…I could have done that.”
“Hm?”

Dylan lowered the hand still holding her shoulder and carefully examined her reddened wrist.

“If I had been at your side, none of this would have happened.”
“You’re right. They seemed to target weak, defenseless young women like me.”
“…”
“But it’s over now, so don’t worry.”

Dylan wasn’t just worried—he was also frustrated. But he couldn’t bring himself to say everything he felt.

“…From now on, I’ll stay right by your side so Lady Fleur never has to go through something like this again.”
“Alright. Still, you did manage to find your way to the café just fine, huh?”
“Ah, well, this friend helped me.”

He stepped aside slightly. Hidden behind his tall frame, another figure appeared.

“I kept getting pushed back, but this friend cleared the way for me.”

The moment Fleur saw the person, her eyes went wide—tears welling up instantly.

“…Rike?”

It was unmistakably Rike. With her black hair tied into two tight braids and freckles adorning her cheeks, it was definitely her.

“Rike! You’re safe…!”

Overcome with emotion, she rushed forward and grabbed her hand.

But Rike’s expression was not welcoming. The warm, kind smile she once always wore was gone—replaced by discomfort.

“…Do you know me?”

Her body stiffened as she looked only at the hand Fleur was holding.

Just as everyone at the mansion had forgotten Rike, she too had no memory of Fleur. It was a perfect reset.

Only Fleur remembered. That made it all the more painful, knowing the memories were hers alone.

Swallowing her sadness, Fleur quickly let go of Rike’s hand and stepped back.

“…Sorry for startling you. You just looked so much like a maid I cherished that I mistook you.”
“Ah… I was surprised too, since my name is Rike as well.”

Once Fleur distanced herself, Rike’s expression brightened again. She even blushed slightly, stepping closer to Dylan.

“Since you’ve reunited with your companion, I’ll take my leave.”
“Thank you for your help.”

Bowing politely, Rike turned to go—but Fleur quickly blocked her path.

“Wait, could you spare me a little of your time?”
“…Pardon?”
“You helped my companion, and I can’t just send you off without showing some gratitude. Besides, I have something I want to say… Could you?”

Her plea was so earnest that Rike hesitated before finally nodding.

“…For a little while, I suppose it’s fine.”

Even for that brief moment, Fleur had been tense—afraid of being rejected. She beamed with joy as if she’d gained the whole world.

Thanks to Dylan stepping aside, Fleur and Rike sat facing each other at an outdoor café table.

“I’ll take the hotcakes, strawberry shortcake, and chocolate mousse. And for drinks, two orange juices and a hot chocolat—”
“W-wait! Please hold on. I can’t eat that much…”
“Oh—sorry. I just got carried away wanting to treat you.”

In the end, they settled on a single cake and two drinks.

“You said you had something to tell me—was it a request?”
“May I ask if you’re currently working as a maid in a household?”
“No. I’m helping at a relative’s shop.”

Since Rike had once been her maid, Fleur assumed she still would be.

“I did receive offers, but I turned them down.”
“Why? Being a maid pays better than shop work.”
“If I only thought about money, yes. But I’m not suited for repetitive work in one place. I enjoy meeting new people all the time.”

For the first time since they’d met again, Rike’s stiff expression softened. It was that warm, sunlit smile Fleur had missed so much.

“…I never knew.”
“Most girls my age work as maids, so it’s natural to assume.”
“How’s shop work treating you?”
“It’s wonderful. The customers give me energy. My dream is to open my own shop someday.”
“Your eyes are sparkling—you really mean it.”

Seeing her like that, Fleur’s desire to bring Rike back as her maid vanished.

She still felt the emptiness of Rike’s absence, but she wouldn’t selfishly hold her back from pursuing her dream.

“Rike, I know you’ll succeed. I’m good at judging people, and you have such strong responsibility—you’ll do well at anything.”
“Thank you for thinking so kindly of me.”

Blushing at the praise, Rike bowed her head politely.

“That’s why I want to make you an offer.”
“To me?”
“You said you wanted your own shop, right?”
“Yes.”
“Then let me invest in your dream.”

Fleur took off the bracelet she was wearing and set it on the table.

“You know the largest produce store in this district, the one famous for early morning deliveries?”
“Yes, of course.”
“That’s mine.”

Rike’s eyes widened.

“It’s doing well, and I’m planning to open a branch. I’m looking for a manager. If you’re interested, take this bracelet to the Valen estate. It’s proof you met me, so they’ll let you in.”
“B-but… this bracelet is far too expensive to give someone you just met today! What if I just sold it off?”
“That’s fine too.”
“…What?”

Fleur smiled gently.

“I’ve lost many precious people recently. So if I find someone good like you, I want to hold on to them no matter what. But if selling it helps your life more, that’s okay.”

Her sincerity melted much of Rike’s wariness.

“I could never just sell it…”
“Then, would you consider working with me?”
“…I’ll need to think about it.”
“Of course. I won’t force you. Take your time and decide freely.”
“…Understood.”

With that, Fleur stood up. Dylan, who had been waiting nearby, immediately came to escort her.

Watching them leave, Rike held the bracelet tightly in her hand.

“Dylan.”
“Yes.”
“You can stop looking for a new personal maid.”
“…So suddenly?”

Dylan walked close behind, shielding her from the crowd.

“I think the maids I already have are enough. To move forward, sometimes change is needed.”
“Understood. If that’s your will, Lady Fleur.”

Knowing now that Rike hadn’t vanished completely, but was living her own life somewhere else—that was enough.

At last, she felt she could go on without guilt.