--The garden under the castle of the king.

　A bright and joyful music box plays in the afternoon.

　The best person to make tea after dinner.
　Two not-so-good people exchange words while watching her handiwork.

　Two teacups are gently presented between Futa and Lilac, who are chatting.

"Ocha.
"There's a better way to serve them.
The maid was trying her best not to disturb them!　"Grass soup.
Don't you dare make it sound disgusting.
"Don't you dare make it sound bad.

　The tea served by the maid, who was pacing around the table, was not too thin or too thick, but perfectly balanced. I'm not sure if you've ever heard of it, but I'm sure you've heard of it.

　But why the grass juice?

I have no complaints about the taste.
"I have no complaints about the taste," said Master Lilac.
Otherwise, how could I allow this to exist?
"This is ridiculous!

　I'm not sure if I'm going to be able to do this, but I'm sure I'll be able to do it.

　One day, when I was first introduced to Corona, she said that she was "a little quirky, but she's my most trusted maid".

　--But considering the fact that Lilac's smile to Futa was a bit fake back then, I'd say this is more genuine.

"...... Huh.

　I'm sure you'll be able to understand why.

　It's a good idea to have a good idea of what you're looking for.
　Lilac took one look at her, put the cup back in the saucer, and said.

"This is so annoying.
I did it.

　I'm not sure if you've ever heard of this, but I'm sure you've heard of it.

I'm sure you'll understand. I'm not sure what to make of it.
I'm not sure if this witch has something dangerous in her system or not.
It's awful.

　I'm not sure what to do, but I'm going to do it.

　It's just... I don't know. I'm sure you'll be happy to know that I'm not the only one.

　He wondered if Lilac had been this harsh to Corona before.
　Since Corona didn't seem to mind at all, there was no need for Futa to say anything. Lilac wouldn't have kept quiet if the question had come up on her face anyway.

"What is it, Futa?
Lilac, you're being pretty harsh on Corona. ......
...... Is that so?
Oh, you didn't know that?
............ Hmm.

　It's a good idea to have a good idea of what you're doing.
　It's a good idea to take a look at the website and see if you can find anything you like.

　He remembers very well Lilac revealing her emotions for Corona's sake.



You can't protect me.　You think you're a fragile princess who can't even protect yourself?　You cunt!　You will die of shame!



　I'm not going to let you do that.


I'm sure you're not the only one.



　Maybe this guy.
　Maybe he hasn't forgiven Corona for that incident.
　Futa guessed that.

　As she sipped her tea, her gestures were graceful, though they did not distract from her normal demeanor.
　Originally, Lilac M. Fangini was a girl who had never had any allies.

　Although Futa doesn't know it, it is safe to say that she has been living her life with a deliberate absence of her own emotions.

　As long as the relationship is one of using and being used, the feelings she has for the other person are "not important.
　The most important thing is to do things efficiently and formulate a survival strategy.

　That's why.


"My love to you.


"But... Thank you for picking me up, Your Highness.


　The point is, I'm not used to having anything but interests at stake.



Corona.
I'm Corona, your noisy cleaning maid. Did you get your finger in my tea?
Don't make it sound like it's okay to have a little finger in your tea. ....... I'm sure you're right. Lilac said that Corona was a bonus.

　He glanced at Lilac and gave Futa a half-hearted look, wondering what he was going to say.
　However, Futa had only one goal in mind. For that purpose, even if Lilac disliked him a little, it would only be painful for him.

"You really did a great job.
"Hoota.
When I heard about Corona's little box, I was so angry for her.
"Futa!
He promised to help Corona.
You've got to be kidding me.

　You've got to be careful." Lilac was about to stand up, but before she could seriously give the order to stop him, Futa said.



So let's do it right for once.
"......

　Only the ridiculously cheerful music fills the place.

　I'm not sure what to say.
　And then there was Lilac's face in front of Futa's, her eyebrows lowered as if she was trying to stifle her emotions.

"Master Futa!
"Hmm?
...... maids, the extras would have been enough.
Yes.

　I'm not sure if this is a good idea or not, but I think it's a good idea.
　I'm sure that's why she reacted the way she did earlier, because she was still happy.
　But...

　I'm not sure if it's a good idea, but I think it's a good idea.

I'm in trouble. That's a serious reaction.
That's right.
It's not like you're asking me to feel sorry for myself because I bothered Futa-sama.
No.
Okay. ...... Sayaka.

　The sky above, or rather... I'm not sure what to say.

　Next to her, Futa was convinced.
　That's why he cried and apologized only to Futa.
　He thought that Lilac was really helping him as a bonus, and that he was angry at Futa for bothering him.

　That alone was enough to make me feel happy about the way she felt about me.

　But what if he actually cared for me many times more than that?

"...... Futa. I don't know how it looked to you, but I don't remember giving her that much of my heart.

　Shaking her head loosely, Lilac stood up and looked at Futa.
　Her hands, still on the table, trembled faintly at the tips of her fingers.

　Was it humiliation or...?

"Master Lilac. I'm not going to ask you to forgive Corona. But I don't think there's any need to hide the fact that you've worked so hard for Corona.
That's not true. Any emotion I show is an opening for someone else to take advantage of. "You can't be so careless with a contract that's already expired.
Mr. Lilac. I'm...

　I can't say anything smart to Futa.
　And I didn't even know what to say right now.

　--Actually. No matter what Futa said, it wouldn't make a difference. Because of Futa and Lilac, that night just paid off. No matter how close you are to someone.

　You never know if the person you trust is worth trusting.

　And how difficult it would be for her to put her trust in them.

　It is not easy to expand your circle of friends when you have not had a single friend since you can remember until just three months ago.

　The human mind is not made that way.

　Futa doesn't understand that. Lilac doesn't either.
　And of course, what they don't know, the other person here can't know.

　But...








"Meido!　I like you, Princess!








　It doesn't matter what you know or don't know.

　If it weren't for Futa's arrangement, the two of them wouldn't have made it to this place. That's why, from this point on, we can't move forward unless we take care of it ourselves.

　The human heart is not easily swayed by someone, no matter how much they have the support of someone they trust.

　No, but...

　But we can at least learn the truth about each other through the feelings of that person.


　A little bird flapped its wings.
　Futa was stunned, and Lilac's eyes widened in surprise.
　Catching their gazes, she flicked her tongue out.


No, don't look at me like that. I'm embarrassed.


　I'm embarrassed." She smiled her usual smile.

I don't know what you're thinking, but... The maid likes you, Princess. I'm really glad I wasn't poached.

　The word "poi" refers to a small box of records.
　It's not really a poi, it's more like a bakkatsu after you've heard the whole thing, but that's about it.

I don't know if you'll believe me. But really.
...... Why all of a sudden?
I don't know. I thought I'd better be greedy!

　The words did not come naturally to me.
　I'm not greedy. Originally, there was no such thing as greed in her life.



　That's why the meaning of "greed" is still unclear to me.
　However, if it is greed to say that you want what you want.

　If you can gain the trust of someone who is willing to put her life on the line for you.

　That's her greed at its finest.

"...... you.

　This time, Lilac's face twisted as if she was about to cry, as her emotions had nowhere else to go.

　You can't put your trust in me.
　It's not just selfishness, it's your life.

　And yet...

　Why all of a sudden, twice in the last few months.

"See, Princess.

　The girl staring at me smiles.

"There was a possibility.

　That one word, and a big smile, was the answer.



"Rather than waste your life here for nothing, help me.


"If I help you, will it make any difference?


"Well?　How am I supposed to know what's going on?

I've only come to pick up the fruit that will rot if left unchecked.

"If you say no, you'll die here. If you say yes, well, there's still a possibility.


"Pfft. Hahaha. Possibility, possibility!　There hasn't been anything like it in over ten years.

You want me to put my faith in something like that?



"I still don't know what it is. There are many things I don't understand. But I don't want to die right now.


I think I know that because you picked me up. So thank you. For saving me.


"I like you a lot, maid.



　She smiled and said, "I like you a lot.
　The tension in Futa's shoulders loosened, as if a thread of tension had been loosened.

　And then.

"Ten and a half years, and nowhere to be found. ......?

　Muttering, she lowered her eyes.

　She stroked her lips as if thinking for a moment, then closed her eyes as if holding them tightly.

　The expression on her face as she looks at them again is the same as always, Your Highness.



You can at least test to see if it is worth believing.


　It's a good thing that you're not the only one.



"You're so naive, Princess!
I don't think I've ever had the friendship to be honest with you.

　I don't think I've ever been so friendly as to be honest.

　Futa suddenly thought of something.

"You haven't made a contract between us yet, have you?"

　Apparently, the two of them had already guessed with that comment.

　As her eyes widened, the other girl chanted happily.




The other girl happily chanted, "So, let's tie the knot.





　"Not a contract. Just friendship.