Talking with the window flowers in my room

What's up with the windows?　If we're having a dinner tomorrow, you won't have to worry about manners, will you?

　I felt an intense intimidation from the window flowers and almost took a step back, but I managed to hold back.

''You certainly don't have any problems with manners. But then, why don't you tell me what you're discussing?

　The window flower comes up in time my mind screams for me to get away.

''No, I didn't even hear what it was about either. Isn't it something about getting rid of a nasty demon or something?

You don't seem to know what it is... but, Ryota-sama. Why are you trying to freeze your heart as soon as you leave Pina's room?　Why are you trying to get a rise out of him?　That prepares you for going through hard things alone, doesn't it?

　As expected of a window flower.
　It's a PC that I've been using for a long time, so it's easy to find out. There's no way to hide it.
　I'm going to have to be honest with you.

"I have no reason to believe that I'm going to do this, but that's the way I feel when they make me do their dirty work. Plus, I don't think I can say no to that.

If you say you felt it, Ryota-sama, I believe you.

　I'm glad you believe me, but it's hard right now.
　It would have been so much easier if you'd just laughed at me.

'I have a good hunch about this sort of thing. They probably ask me to do something with a bad aftertaste that's off the beaten path. That's why I don't want you guys to get involved as much as possible. Window flower, please. Can't you just let me go?

'Take me with you, I'll agree to these terms. Ryota-sama is not a strong-minded person. He can only endure what he doesn't like. And I will not allow you to fight alone anymore.

　So much for caring about window flowers....
　I'm sorry for trying to leave it behind.

''Thinking sword [Yukikaze], as the Lord's guardian sword, I will also accompany you. If you leave me behind, I will use all means to chase after you. Even if I have to rely on all of you.......

　Well, I had brought Yukikaze with me. We'll have to take him with us.

''Window flower, Yukikaze is joining us. I'll take their conditions. So stop this from growing any more.

Yes, sir. I agree to those terms. I'll make sure it doesn't happen again.
"Lord, I promise you the same, Yukikaze.

　That's why I had to explain to the two of them where my premonition came from.

　When we entered the citadel city of Kishina, I promised to get a consultation from Dionne. The guest house told me that they wanted to talk in the form of a dinner, and when I agreed, they said they would send a carriage to pick me up tomorrow morning.

　In terms of time, it was an ordinary luncheon that served as a thank you.

　However, it seems it would be better if as few people as possible attended the luncheon, so if possible, I would prefer to attend alone. Ostensibly, the reason for this is a matter of status, such as knighthood, and it was proposed that I would be welcomed at the mayor's residence and my friends at the guesthouse.

　The invitation is addressed to Baron Ryota Ohnaka, guest general of the Countess of Sela Pretares, Alpes Guards. The Chinese characters in the name are suspiciously shaped and have furigana attached to them, but it's a fine official document.

　It clearly states my position in the Alp Guard State and the powerful backing of Sailor-sama. If a city-state harms a key figure in a territorial state, there is no future for them. So I guess that's why I'm here to guarantee my safety.

　The alps are neutral, but not unarmed.
　Except for security actions, they just don't have a military alliance and don't set themselves up.

　If they are hit, they will hit back. If we are attacked, all of our people will fight. They have also declared that they will destroy and burn the entire country rather than let the enemy take it from them. Just like Switzerland on Earth, the Arp is a militant nation where all those who violate their land are enemies.

　Nevertheless, we must not let it leak out.
　This can't be an extermination-related issue.

　The first company I worked for had a scandal involving a customer who was in the middle of a delivery job and a number of arrests were made. What I felt was the same kind of pungent smell as that time.

　The friends I've come to care for more and more after the incident with Pina's care. So even if it's just a hunch, I don't want them to get involved if there's any chance of them doing our dirty work.

　Therefore, I'll explain that I've decided to go to tomorrow's meeting alone as specified. To tell the truth, I didn't want to get Window Flowers and Yukikaze involved either....


Next day

　Last night, at the direction of the window flower, I asked the servants at the guest house to send a message to the mayor. He said they would be picked up by their own carriage, led by a knight, not a carriage. And just a few minutes ago, the knight arrives to pick them up and the stay-at-home group sees them off.

'Heh, so that's Ryota's formal wear. It's a black fabric, and it's bistro, but it looks tight to me.

　Well, I don't like suits either. But I don't have any aristocratic clothes. This is the best-tailored clothing I have. The mayor doesn't know about Japanese formal wear, so he has to wear a suit.

You can't tell the difference between the two. It is true that the clothes are made differently, but the fabric and sewing techniques are very good, and they fit your body shape even though they look tight. In other words, it is a one-of-a-kind item to fit your husband. Is the sword belt also from the east?

　The common clothes of Ales are usually old clothes. But the suits are fully custom made for emergencies. Other than that, the shirts, ties, and shoes are also good things. Although useful in limited situations, they are powerful equipment depending on the opponent and the situation.

　But Anya's connoisseurship is amazing, even if it's not her area of expertise.

''Originally, it's formal wear for merchants and civil servants. But Alp nobles are basically military officers, right?　So I modified the holster for P229 and made it into a makeshift Yukikaze sword belt. It's a tachi sword, though, so it's technically a sword belt.

　Early in the morning, for the first time in even longer, I also shaved my beard with a razor.
　The haircut and set was done by Midea.

　In addition, last night, the window flower was in a bad mood, and the suit has been modified to look pompous. The leftover fabric from the hemming was left in my pocket, but it was a good start.

　I made up shoulder loops, a kind of shoulder insignia, and added a silver thread-like decoration using white polyethylene rope. The buttons are all silver-plated. The buttons are all silver-plated, but since it's a business suit, it looks strange to me as a Japanese.

　There were some medals and insignia on the breast pocket. The national emblem of the Arp family, the coat of arms of the Pretares family, and the family crest of the Ohnaka family were also pasted on in the form of a badge.

　Apparently they can be put back on after the dinner is over, but....
　I'm worried because I only have one suit for the game.

　My shoes are polished down and shiny, and my shoelaces are new. A demonically modified ex-pistol holster is used to sash the snowflake, and finally, a gray P-coat is slung over my shoulders to serve as a cape.

　Honestly, it's embarrassing, like a sulking kitchen costume, and besides, it's too hot in the summer. But I have been invited as a guest general of Sailor-sama and Baron of the Alps. I'm sure you'll be able to find a great deal more to say.

You will be able to get a good deal more information on this.　It's different, but it's cool.
Mug!

　I'm going back to buying souvenirs for Pina and Mogu!　Absolutely!

"I'll be heading there in an armored car, and I'll be safe since I'll be with Windows and Yukikaze, right?　And you appear to be alone. In some cases, I could stay the night, but I'll let you know when I do.

　Finally, Window Flower turned the armored car in front of the entrance of the guest house.
　Before that, he handed over the spending money and errands to the housekeeping group.

''And don't give them the money for dismantling the beehive and the special salary (bonus). If you're bored, you can play in town, but I'll ask you to collect the honey, beeswax and beehives instead. I'll be off then.

　A group of housekeepers send me home with a hand or a wave.
　I brace myself and get into the armored car.
　Hoping that my bad feeling will end in apprehension.



*Someplace in Japan

It's nostalgic, the clothes I wore when I first met Ryota. But the atmosphere is very different. The haircut is two-blocked and swept a little to the right, or maybe an upright all-back, or maybe a fixed stomach and sharp eyes. The eyes are sharp, too.

"But inside you're a slob... that's fine... you can't... you can't... can you? .....