"Big brother!　Hey!

"I like your ...... lemonade.

"It's ...... hard. Big brother.







　--Midnight. Pasta's home.

You forgot to listen to the advice Corona gave you. ......

　I'm not sure if you've seen this before, but I'm sure you've.
　You'll be able to go to bed as you normally would, but you've woken up somehow.

　I'm not so soft that I can't fall asleep just because the bed has been changed.
　So, maybe I had a strange dream.
　Or was it that I was more worried about not being able to talk to Pasta today than I thought?

　People say that it is surprisingly difficult to understand your own state of mind.
　If that's the case, then I'm probably exactly where I am right now, he thought to himself as he left the room, cantera in hand.

　Unlike the Royal Castle, there is no ore that reacts to darkness to light up the room.
　The headquarters of the Orba Chamber of Commerce might have them, but not in this house that Pasta had bought for herself to spend time in.

　It was her.
　She may have sold or moved some of the things that were in this villa.

...... It's cold.

　I put on my gown and headed for the bathroom.

　I didn't really want to go, but... If there was a list of things to do when you can't sleep, it would be the bathroom for now.
　With such a shallow thought, Futa walked down the corridor from the guest room.

　He went down the stairs at the entrance and headed for the water.
　Thinking that he should have been shown around a little more properly during the day, he aimed for the bathroom, relying on his dim memory.

　This is not the first time I've been to this house, but it is the first time I've spent the day like this.
　The cafeteria and bathrooms had been explained to me verbally, but I hadn't actually been there before, so - to put it bluntly - I was a bit lost.

　However, it wasn't so much that I was standing around in the house wondering, "Where am I? It was more like, "Oh, so this is where we're going?

　Corona was pleased to see that the cleaning was worthwhile. Futa couldn't help but feel that the lack of proper cleaning and the size of the room had contributed to her enjoyment.

　He finally made it to the restroom and took a break to relieve himself.

　As night fell, the tournament was just around the corner.
　Even though Futa would not be participating in the qualifying round, his preparation time was dwindling.
　Although the level of work required from her is getting lower and lower every day, I'm still not confident that I can do it perfectly.

The most popular fighters win and lose.

　I close my eyes to the refrain of Pasta's words.
　I wash my hands in the cold well water, and my consciousness becomes more and more awake with my thoughts.

　Considering my physical condition, I should go to bed and get a good night's sleep.

　After all, that was what was bothering me.

"Huh. ......

　Futa resented the fact that the Colosseum's "manager" had used him as an example.
　He got rid of him because he was in the way. It was a necessary rite of passage.
　That's all he thought about it, and the fact is that the "manager" was incompetent, to borrow Lilac and Pasta's words.

　So I vaguely assumed that everything he did was wrong.

　But.

"The strongest that no one can beat is no fun. It may be good for idle gazing, but people go to the venue because they don't know if they're going to win or lose. There is a right and wrong way to go about everything.

　Even Lilac was impressed with the manager.
　That's what the young president of the Orba Chamber of Commerce and Industry, a girl who has been at the top of the trade union, said.

　Once again, I think.

　I wonder if I'm just a burden to Lilac's plan.

　She wanted Futa to be free. She's been good to him, trying to help him achieve his dreams.

　But it's still a disadvantage for her, isn't it?

"...... No.

　I put my hand on my forehead.
　I'm not sure what to do.
　Just be strong. I'm sure you're not the only one who has a problem with that. These thoughts flashed through my mind.

　I really can't sleep like this.
　Perhaps I should go out and do some swinging to tire myself out.

　In any case, it's not a problem I can solve by myself.

　Finally, I lost sight of the stairs back to the second floor.
　I had to get back to the entrance hall, so I checked my surroundings.
　Where am I, I thought.

"----

　There was a room with a light leaking out.

　It wasn't Futa's room. Not Corona's or Reefy's.
　But it wasn't Pasta's private room either.
　There are no private rooms on the first floor.

　There are only four of us in the house right now.
　Futa had a bad feeling and walked up to the door, killing the sound of his footsteps.

　Carefully grasping the knob, he opened the door slightly and peeked inside.


............ So it looks like Futa is the bad guy after all.

"Calm down, me. There are still two days left. You can still make time during the qualifiers. You just have to keep up with his training as it progresses.



I know that the strongest champion is unheard of. But you've been taking chances like that before.

"Huh. ....... What time is it?　It's ......, and you've only been down for a moment.

I've finished the formalities of setting up my business, but I still haven't finished the important part.

If I can get it done by tomorrow morning, I can make it. ......

"At the very least, we need to make sure that the 'unemployed' can make it. It's a pain in the ass. ......

　The girl stretched out, her brush fluttering in the pile of books.
　All I see is long red hair. A small back, that's all.

　She was struggling alone in the cold room, illuminated by the small light of a candle.

　Futa closed the door softly.

　Then, he turned around and headed back.
　His destination was not his private room. It was the kitchen.

......

　As he put the wood on the fire and boiled the water, he thought.

　"Because I'm a manager. It's pasta.
　Didn't you think that he would take care of it?

　Just do what you have to do.
　Let her do all the arranging.
　Because I know she'll do it.

　Think like that, look through the books you bring, and think you've learned.
　Have you tried to change anything by just giving it to her?

　No wonder I can't come up with ideas when I'm "unemployed."
　Did you ever give up?

　Pour the boiling water into the mug.
　I knew that the first thing to do was to warm the cup.

"I'm pathetic.

　With all my "dreams" on that little back, I just ordered this and that.

　If it hadn't been for the pasta, I might have been a little more careful.

　Even though we are no longer on the same level of mutual hatred, he is still the most unreserved person I know.
　Even now, I have not forgiven Corona.

　But that's not the same as this.
　I'm the one who decided to work with her as a business partner, whom Lilac introduced to me as the person she entrusted her management to.

　If I let her do what she wants, nothing will change.

　You put out the fire and take a breath. You pick up a lemon from the fruit basket.
　Squeeze out the juice and add honey and hot water.
　Stir it gently with a spoon, taste it, and it's ready.

　With the steamy lemon in your hand, you walk back to your study.
　The light was still on.

Pasta.

　I knock lightly on the door.
　But there was no answer. Maybe he was concentrating, or maybe he had gone to the bathroom.
　Either way, if the fire is still on, he's not going to finish yet.
　With that in mind, I open the door.

"Soo...... soo......

　That made sense to me.
　The quill was lying on the table.
　The quill was lying on the table, on a hard chair that was of much poorer quality than my own room.
　She had closed her eyes with her cheekbones.

　She opened the book and saw the writing.

"He can't do this.

It's none of your business.

　The swear words were passed off with a wry smile.

　But the ruled lines underneath made Futa's eyes roll back in his head.

　The contents of the book seemed to be instructions for the theater.
　The ruled section is a way to put strong emotions on the page.

　I was surprised that she, who had always told me to pretend to be uninterested in everything, had taken the trouble to look up acting with emotion.
　But more than that.

"He can do it.

　My eyes widened at that note. She said she was capable of emotional acting. Because that's what it said.

　I looked at the description and realized what it meant.

"A person who doesn't usually show emotion, but shows it for the sake of someone else, can gain the attention and sympathy of a large public."

"--

　For someone else.
　The word made Futa think of the people he cared about more than anything else.

　He wondered why it said "he can do it" with such conviction, and then he realized.

"You're here now, aren't you, in both hands?
"......".

　At that time, I was too busy trying to regain consciousness.
　I wonder where she got the idea about the two hands.

　It's hard to imagine that she told anyone about it when she had only told Corona about it.



　Then I'll be surprised.

　You were there.

　The ballroom. She was sitting in the seat closest to the execution table, with Huta and Corona. And she was watching.

　Huta is convinced, but it doesn't occur to her.

　If he had seen it, he would have remembered it so well that he would have said it at that moment.


"............".
Are you awake?
...... You ......?　What time is it?
It's still midnight. I was just going to the bathroom and saw a light leaking in, so I took a peek.

　She looked up at him and he shook his head.
　He exhaled. Then, as if realizing something, he closed the book vigorously.

It's a trade secret of the Orba Trading Company. Is it a crime to snoop?
Honorific?
............ I mean, I'd never pass this place if I had to go back and forth between your guest room and the bathroom.
I didn't really understand the structure of the house. I got slightly lost.
".......
What do you mean?

　"What do you mean?" - Pasta looks away from Futa.
　The corner of his mouth slackened and he plopped a freshly made hot lemonade in front of her.

　Her gaze is fixed on the mug.
　Her gaze fixed on the mug. 　

"What's this?
"Hot lemonade. It'll warm you up.
...... Did you make this on your way home from the bathroom?　Did you wash your hands?
You're so rude. Of course I washed my hands.

　"Of course I washed my hands." They were still exchanging snide remarks.
　I'm sure he washed his hands.

Yeah.

　The small words he muttered were so honest that Futa suspected he was faking it.

What's wrong?
Nothing.

　Her gaze was fixed on the mug.
　He was about to leave, as he didn't want to interfere with his work, when he suddenly stopped.

　I could leave her like this, but... If she resumes her work, she'll be asked to leave anyway.
　Then I can wait until she tells me.

"...... You know what?
What?
I'm sorry about earlier. I thought it was a pretty good idea.
"...... Oh.

　Pasta.

I know you've been working really hard to keep me from being exposed, so I won't drag you down that far.
Okay.

　I could have said that desperation was unnecessary, as usual, but...
　I could have said that desperation was unnecessary, as usual, but the fact was that I was desperately trying to think of something I could do about the stuffed animal.

And...
Hmm?
...... might not be such a bad idea if you can kill my feelings.
No, you can't go that far .......

　The corner of her mouth twitches, and she mutters.
　I'm not sure if you've heard of it, but I'm sure you have.
　The way she is willing to sacrifice herself, let alone others, is fundamentally different from Lilac.

　Lilac is the king of the board game, no matter how far she goes. The only condition for her defeat is herself.
　In this respect, Pasta is a queen. She has absolute power, but her own sacrifice is not synonymous with defeat.

　Nevertheless, the picture of a girl with a stuffed bear in one hand and a hood in the other is quite punchy.
　Futa was worried that she might not stand out.

Human traits can be deceiving, you know.
What do you mean?
Well, let's say you're holding a really big fork.
What kind of a metaphor?
What kind of a metaphor is that? - Well, when you're not holding the fork, it stands out so much that you're a blur in the world.
I see. ......?　So it's camouflage?
Well, yes.
I see.

　Gently, I pick up my mug of pasta.
　You wrap your cold hands around the mug, and the warmth of your hands will surely be there.
　Gently sip and sigh. No particular comment.



　Futa, however, didn't care what he thought of the lemonade.

　He thought for a moment.
　His suggestion was not a bad one.
　It gave him a small sense of confidence, and it also helped with his earlier worries.

Pasta.
What?
Can I help you?
...... What are you up to?
I'm not scheming. It's just that you're the one who's been keeping me up at this hour.
I always do. It would be the same with or without you.
I mean, I saw it.
...... Huh.

　Little sigh.
　She lifted her mug in a furtive manner and opened her mouth in a mocking tone.

"What? You think you're a big brother?

　I felt a sense of déjà vu in that snide remark.
　You can imagine her expression even from behind her back as she shushed me, her voice trampling on my goodwill.
　The twisted corners of her mouth and her disdainful eyes are surely reflected in that lemonade.

　Behind the ridiculous words, she was the brother and sister she used to trick Leafy.
　It had slipped his mind until just now, but it reminded Futa of a chain of events.

You're not going to like the word ...... brother and sister, are you?
"Not really. See, I was just irritated because it reminded me of that b*tc* Lilac.


I'm not sure why the maid didn't feel like telling Futa-sama about her profession at first.
"The correct answer is... slap, slap, slap, slap, slap, slap, slap!　It's because I didn't know Futa-sama well.


...... Let it be that way.


　After closing his eyes, Futa let out a small breath.
　And then he tells you.


I... I was a kid when my sister died.
"At ......?　If you want to make amends, why don't you look elsewhere?

　And without pause, you say something that strokes people's hearts. But I'm used to that now. Futa just raised one eyebrow and continued.

I've already done the quid pro quo. When I was about your age.
"You found a girl who looked just like your sister and you played family?
Yeah.
......

　It was Pasta's turn to get a little upset at the unpretentious affirmation.

　Pasta didn't mean to brag about his misfortune. 　
　But, no way. "He hadn't expected to find someone who was doing something similar, and the cursing that had gone up to his throat receded.

　I didn't think there would be people who would nod in agreement at the mockery of playing family.

...... I think I did something pretty stupid. "She was unemployed."
"Oh, yeah. Just like you.
No.
"...... What?

　Huta felt nostalgic and relaxed the corners of his mouth.

"Being 'unemployed' isn't worth living for. It's better to die. Painful. It's painful. You don't know how I feel. That's what fueled me.

　Pasta's reaction to hearing that was quick.
　Pasta knows. It's a rare case. But he knew that there was no one who would throw away his life by doing so.

　In that profession, it's possible. But even that's a one-time miracle.
　Once you've done it, you can't go back.
　You can't get it back. Your talent.

You can't be serious!
I just wanted to prove to myself that I could live without a job.
You're all over .............

　It was the biggest sigh of the year, if I do say so myself.

　I was so stunned that I couldn't even speak.
　Especially when it's her. Because she understands the importance of "profession", she couldn't understand the outrage of the man in front of her.

"Why ......?

　She didn't know, and her voice was trembling.
　But she didn't care, she continued.



Why are we talking about this?
Why, huh? Well, ......

　We're business partners. It was easy for him to say that.
　But Futa hadn't meant to be so frank.

I broke my dream once. I was kicked out of the Colosseum, and I thought I could die. In the end, I felt like my sister-in-law reminded me that there's nothing an 'unemployed' person can do."
"......
"But then I met Lilac-sama. But meeting Lilac-sama gave me another chance. But meeting Lilac-sama gave me another chance. So I'm gonna keep trying.
"......
But in the end, there was nothing I could do, I just had to follow your orders, not that I thought so. I'm not saying that's what I was thinking, but I was reminded that I'm just being driven by the situation. I won't do it again.
"......, huh?

　Yeah.
　When I feel bad, I'm sorry and I won't do it again.

　That's what my significant other taught me.

　So this is that. It's a statement of determination.

I don't think it's fair to cite the stuffed animal, but... I'll try my best to come up with something. I'm not gonna make you think alone. And, yeah. I'm not going to let you figure it out on your own.
"......

　He told me to leave him alone.
　I tried to dig deeper.
　I tried to dig deeper, but Corona told me I was asking in the wrong order.

　I don't know if she's going to tell me anything about herself.
　I don't know.

　But she'll keep her ears to the ground if I come to her.
　Then so be it.

　If you took my hand like that because you were Huta to Corona.
　I hope that the trust I've built up will one day reach this guy in front of me who looks like he's in pain.

　With that in mind, Futa said.

"Huh. It's so stupid.
"......

　Futa's eyebrows lowered at her gesture of dismissal.

"I'm a business owner. You're unemployed. What I can do, you can't do. So all you have to do is follow me. And I'll make ...... your dream come true. You don't have to listen to me.
Okay.
My head's awake now, and I've got some work to do, so you're out of the way.

　Sure enough.
　Futa leaves her side with a feeling of conviction that she's been told to leave when she's working.

　But it was the right thing to do, he thought to himself, letting the corners of his mouth relax.

　Hey," Futa asks.

　He turns around. She's holding a mug in her hands.

Is there anything I can do to help?


　She took a sip of her lemonade, and then muttered.


...... is enough.