"If I ...... sing and dance, I can get paid ......?

　Pasta was conflicted.
　In front of him was a costume.

　It was light blue.
　It's not clear if it's a good match for his red hair, or if it's just a costume he happened to have.

"Wait, wait, wait, isn't that weird?

　For example, suppose someone is planning to wear this costume to a public singing and dancing spectacle.

　There are times when the size is just right for you. ？？？？

And what's with the ruffles? It's a good idea to use a good fabric for nothing.

　It's a habit to wear circular skirts that are long enough to expose most of your thighs, but wide enough to cover your arms.
　The pannier-like framework in the lining shows an unnecessary high level of sewing skill.

　She picks it up lightly, shakes her head with a sigh, and drops the outfit on the table with a plop.

　I can't stand the light blue color.
　It's not my favorite color.
　It's not my favorite color, partly because it's intuitive.
　Besides, when I stare at the costume with half-lidded eyes, I feel uncomfortable.

　Pure innocence. Maybe it's because this color has such an image.
　It doesn't match with me. I instinctively feel that way.

　I don't blame anyone for wearing it, and I don't deny it, but I don't like to have it around me.

　It's different from the pale reds, peaches, and cherry blossoms that I like.

　At least, let's have them change the color.

　You've brought out so many samples, you can't possibly only have this one.

　I looked at the people behind the door, waiting for me to come out and change my clothes.

　I couldn't see anything through the wall, but I could at least hear their conversation.
　They were talking about sword fighting.

　They were talking about how they had fared in the semifinals, how they had fared in the finals, and so on. Occasionally, a secretary named Mion would join the conversation, and the word "happy" was the perfect word to describe the fun.
　While others were in such distress.

"But there's one thing that's bothering me. Futa.
What is it?

　When the conversation had settled down to a certain extent, Pasta was about to intervene.

I understand why the semifinals were such a success. It's just, ......, did you have to go that far?
What do you mean?
Don't you understand?　I didn't know you were on good ...... terms with her enough to go toe to toe with His Highness and fight with her.
You're a good friend, .......
What do you really think? Pretend that you are brother and sister.

　I stopped in front of the door, feeling somewhat uncomfortable to enter.
　I resisted the urge to say, "At least do it when you're not there. She must have thought that Pasta was changing her clothes. It's funny that I'm listening to her without looking at her costume.

"First of all, I still haven't forgiven you for trying to sell Corona off.

　He sniffed at the words that came from Futa.
　That was to be expected.

　I don't forgive you.
　I didn't do anything wrong.

　That contradictory claim was a clear line between them.

　In fact, I felt that she was my equal because she was doing that for me.

"That's not going to change, is it?
"Yeah. ......, but yes. It's not just that.

　Pasta raised his eyes with just a hint of confusion at that comment. Not that Huta could see it.

I already know how hard he's been working, how hard he's been trying. It's not for me to judge whether that direction is right or wrong.
Even though there are things you haven't allowed to happen?
Yeah. I've decided that I'm not going to forgive him for that one until he apologizes to Corona. But that's because ...... Corona is important to me.

　Maybe," Huta paused for a beat, as if thinking to herself.

I guess I'm pretty much a bastard myself. No matter where Pasta goes or who he frightens, ...... if the guy in front of me is still the same guy laughing at me with the same angry face, I can't be his enemy no matter what he does.
"I see. So you have no intention of taking on the so-called cause.
If I had a rule, it would be to stay on the side of the people I care about.
"Well, I don't have a ...... position. It's okay.

　Richter's easygoing tone.
　It's a good thing that you're not the only one.
　However, the content of the conversation was already completely...

"But Futa. But Futa, I have something interesting to tell you.
What is it?
Let's say you never forgave that woman.



　Richter asked it straightforwardly.

"What is it?

　Yes.
　I won't allow it. That's what he said.
　But that doesn't mean there's nothing to forgive.

　I hear Futa let out a small breath.

"No, well, you're right.

　"No, you're right," he says, stirring his sugar-filled teacup.

I'm not going to be able to harass him in any way when I say I don't forgive him. ...... I'm sure Corona would say that I can't do anything about it either.

　One day, Corona told Huta.
　Pasta is beyond the point of "wanting".
　There's nothing you can do about it.
　That's why I couldn't push him away, but I also couldn't approach him.

"You're so bonded to that thing, aren't you? No, I like him that much. What's the big deal?
What the f*ck is that supposed to mean?
Shut up, pimp.
Suddenly?

　You're so angry when people say bad things about Lilac.
　You're so angry at Lilac when she's abused, but when she's abused, you just cringe.

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

"Well, you know... Oh.

　A voice of distress with filler, as if choosing his words.

When I first got paired with him as champion, I was allowed to accumulate all the "discomfort points" I wanted.
"What's with the stupid points?
"Basically, I'll do whatever he says, but if I don't like it, Lilac-sama will do something about it later.
It was beyond horrible, it was horrible.

　Through the wall, Pasta agrees.
　If I offend this pimp in any way, the princess will personally go to war?　Idiot, I say. It's not just a bad bet.

"I've accumulated a lot of those points, to be honest.
I don't even want to know exactly how many and what kind of retribution I'll get.
Well, I don't know much either.
The sin of ignorance is too great.

　I don't know much, but I'm guilty of ignorance..." Pasta had agreed with Richter, which was unusual for her, but what he said next was something she hadn't heard before.

I got it all wiped out yesterday.
"...... Oh. How could His Highness allow it?
"He was very careful, though.
Oh, my God.
What the hell do you think Lilac is?

　Richter completely ignored Huta's comment and asked.

"Why did you write it off?
"Well, I guess that answers that question. I didn't know how Master Lilac was going to pay him off.
It'll be horrible. ......
"What?　Yeah, a reckoning. I guess I just don't want to see him feel any worse than he already does.
"......, I see.
So, yeah.

　--I found myself just standing there.
　I didn't even put my ear to the wall to listen. I didn't cower to hide. I couldn't even pretend to change my clothes.

I don't know if I want to allow you to cry by yourself anymore.




That's misleading.
Oh, ......, I've been thinking about it a lot, and I just can't find the right words.
By the way, it's legal for 14-year-olds to marry.
Stop it!　That's not what I'm talking about!　No, I don't want to think of him as a woman!
What about you, Your Highness?
What?　Do you look at Master Lilac that way?
I'm afraid of your eyes. And I don't want you.
You think Master Lilac is unattractive?
Stop it, stop it, stop it, stop it, stop it, stop it. Your Highness c2, Your Highness e2, no. Resign. That's it.
What are you talking about?
What are you talking about?

　I could barely follow the conversation.

...... What is that?



　I think back to that day in the kitchen.
　I remember that day in the kitchen, when he had come all the way to the house.

　The mug was supposed to be warm, but I couldn't feel it and just stared at the steam.
　His vision was blurred because of the steam in his eyes. I excused myself and tried to go back to work. Even though there were four of us in the house that day, I felt alone again.
　I was half-bonded, and...

"Now it's my turn to make your dreams come true.

"......

　You don't have to say that.

No, there's nothing to cry about.

　I whispered.
　I turned my back to the door once.


Pasta's late.
Yeah, I know. Have you gone to pick some flowers?

　The two of them crossed their arms and Mion, who had been listening to the conversation silently, smiled thinly.

I'm not sure. It's a long time for a woman to change her clothes, you two.












I'm sure you'll agree.
What's that? ...... Say something. ...... I want to die. ......

　A few minites later.

　A few minutes later, a girl was in the parlor, holding her bare arms as if she had no idea where they were.

　The shoulders are softly puffed sleeves.
　The upper half of the body is made of a texture like underwear that clearly reveals the body line, and is studded with glittering ornaments. The design, which may have been made from scraps of jewelry, is simply beautiful to the untrained eye.

　And the softly spread miniskirt is decorated with frills, giving it a girlish air, and the socks that go up to the knees are also light blue with a lovely white pattern.

I wish my eyes weren't so rotten.
That's all you're going to say?　You want me to sing and dance in this?　I'm feeling a lot of shame.

　I clench my fists and smile aggressively.

"Wait, wait, wait. No, I think it's really cute, yeah.
I'm not feeling the praise, bro.
"Objectively speaking, I think you're very well received, too. I'm sure you'll be happy to know that you have a lot of fans. Kids, too.
You can't analyze your audience. You're muddying the waters. It's weird.
I've been saying that about the ...... show. So it's all subjective?
What?
I like you just the way you are.

　I like you more than the 9-year-old Pasta Girl who's so popular in Spectacula.
　He says he'd rather be a regular "manager" - no, just a pasta pomodoro.

　His eyes widened slightly at that comment.

　I snorted at the man in front of me who didn't give me a single honest compliment.

"Hmm, I was just talking about this outfit. What, are you hitting on me?
"Oh!　Oh, you're asking me that?
"They like it better this way, you know?　Hey, bro?
I think you're right, my object.

　"My objectivity!" - A mocking, crossed-back gesture with an upward glance.
　A smirk and a cocky expression appear on his face.

I'm not sure how much I know about .......

　I'm not sure if this is a good idea or not.
　It's a good idea to have a good idea of what you're looking for.

　As if sensing his behavior, Pasta, who had been playing with Futa, turned to him and said.

I'm sure you'll be able to figure out how to do it.
You remembered ......, didn't you?

　You remembered ." Richter spat at her, and she followed up.
　She smiled happily and clung to Hooter as if she were spoiling him.

"Wow, I'm so bummed Pasta can't pay me. I'm going to cry. "Oniichan!
Hey, don't stick to me!
At least you should be ashamed of yourself!
You're a mess!　I mean, are you even ready for this?
"Shame and pride make money." ！！！！
You're so desperate!

　I'm not sure what to make of this, but I'm sure it's a good idea.

　I'm not sure if you've seen this before, but I'm sure you've seen it before.

　Pasta cries. I'm not sure if this is a good idea or not.

I'm not sure if you've heard of ...... before.

　You heard me, didn't you?　And.


　The words were not spoken until the end.
　She looked back at him from an angle that Futa couldn't see, and put her index finger to her lips with a mischievous smile.

Oh dear.

　Richter shook his head.

　Anyway.

It's a good thing we're finally in the black!