--After a few days of martial arts competition.

　Futa had moved his base back to his private quarters in the royal castle.

　Every day, in his spare time, he went to his room or to the botanical garden of the castle to continue his training.
　I felt like I had returned to my daily life, and I felt a sense of calmness in my heart.

　Today, I am in the midst of training with a sword in my room.

　In the middle of the large room, there was a shadow running around in front of and behind Futa, who was holding an imitation sword.

　It was carrying a laundry basket and slapping it in front of him.

　It was carrying a dustpan and slapping it in front of him.

　Clapping in front of me with some kind of wagon.

　Clapping in front of you for no particular reason.

　The maid, who seems to be deformed, is hard at work.

　She seemed busier than ever today.

　No, she was running around completely pointlessly at the end.

"Futa-sama! Futa-sama!
"Yes, yes, what's wrong?

　What's wrong?" Just as he finished his swing.
　It's a good idea to have a good idea of what you're going to be doing and how you're going to do it.
　He took the towel that was offered to him and turned to face Corona with a big smile on his face.

I'm not sure what to do, but I'm sure I'm not the only one.

　Wiping the sweat from his face, Futa gave her a curious glance.

　I have somewhere to go.
　That's good.
　But normally, she would have disappeared as soon as she thought of a place to go. All that's left is a maid's blank, as usual.

　So...

"Thanks.
"Hi.

　I hand back the towel and have a moment of thought.

"Is he asking me out?
"Yes!

　She nods her head.
　You breathe a sigh of relief, glad that you're on the same page.
　If she says, "Oh, it's not like that," I won't be able to recover for 10 days.

"Okay, let's go then.
"You're talking too fast!

　Corona raises her fist with a towel and says, "Yes!
　Now, where does she want to go?

　Is it a place with hexenbiests? If so...

I'll take care of Korona's safety.

　He gripped his sword tightly and smiled fiercely.

"Oh, that's not what I meant.

　I couldn't recover for 10 days.












　--Below the castle. Old street.

　Unlike the main street where there are many street vendors, this is a safe area where you can find many goods for the royal castle, such as traders, jewelers, tailors and antique dealers.

　Although not as familiar as the main street, it is a street that Huta often visits when accompanying Corona.

　Horse-drawn carriages often ply the wide street, and today, unusually, she and a maid with a smiling face were visiting the street in a horse-drawn carriage as well.

"Loomp, loomp, loomp!
I see you've been talking to the gentleman. Where are you going?
To the store!
Of course you are.
Oh, yes, of course.

　In the not so spacious carriage, next to each other.
　The pleasant smell of laundry wafted from her.
　I glanced at Corona, who was in a good mood, looking out the window.

Are you so excited about this place?
I'd say so.
Isn't that what you're saying?
I don't know. I don't know. Well, don't get your hopes up.
In a good mood?

　The more you see Corona enjoying herself, the higher your expectations will be, but Futa is not convinced.

I'm not sure what to say.

　And so they arrived at the destination.
　When they got off the carriage, there was a small coffee shop in front of them.

What is this place?
Yes, I've been here once before.

　Futa and Corona have been to the old street many times.
　It is not uncommon for them to enter the store for a break.

　However, this store was actually one that they had been to once before for a different reason.

"--Mr. Lilac's.
"Oh, yeah. The one where the princess asked Futa-sama to find her a good store.

　When I walked into the store, I was greeted by the owner.
　When I entered the shop, the owner, who had a sober atmosphere, only lightly tucked his chin.
　There are a few counter seats and a few tables for two facing each other.
　Without hesitation, I chose a sunny seat by the window and sat down in front of her.

　It was a nice, calm place with a nice atmosphere.

　One day, Lilac had made a request to Futa.


　She wanted them to find a place where she could go and play.

　Futa and Corona once followed her request and walked down the old street.

"I was rehearsing for my date with the princess!
I told you it wasn't like that.

　While Huta took Lilac's request in stride and searched for a store. I'm sure you'll be able to figure out where the princess wants to go with you.　I'm sure you'll be able to figure out where she wants to go with you.

So, why are we here again?

　I ordered the two recommended coffees and sat there for a while.

　I asked Corona, who was always smiling and happy, and she giggled.

You've been busy lately, haven't you?
"Oh, that's true. No, I haven't been busy at all.

　It's been a few days since we got back from Pasta's house.
　The room was dirty after not being cleaned for a while, and it was safe to say that Corona had paid the price for being away from the castle for more than ten days.

　The busy maids certainly seemed to be back to their daily routine today.

　That makes sense, I thought to myself.

She seemed to be enjoying herself since this morning.
"Is that so?　I guess so. I thought I'd take a break today!

　She smiles shyly, and her face is much closer than usual.

　Basically, the tables in this restaurant are only for two people.
　And that table is...

Come in.
"Hi.
Thank you.

　The table is so small that it can be completely filled with the offered coffee and some sweets.

　What would happen if we sat facing each other across the table, which was no bigger than Futa's forearm in diameter?

　Inevitably, the other person's face is right under your nose.
　You can almost reach out and touch Corona's cheek with your hand.

　That's why Corona said something about a date with Lilac someday.

Two sugars, Master Futa?
You're supposed to drink it black. ......
I can taste the ground beans!
Of course it does.

　I was surprised when I first heard about it, but she is a good cook and has a discerning palate. She is a good cook and has a discerning palate. She tastes ingredients in their best form.
　It was very typical of her.

　Lilac hates putting anything in her tea, as if it were a revenge for her parents.
　Corona drinks her tea and coffee straight.
　The only one who needs to sweeten it a little is Futa.

　Pasta, on the other hand, is like "Coffee?　Why do you drink that bitter stuff? and puts a lot of sugar and milk in her tea.
　It's almost heartbreaking to watch.
　--In other words, pasta is Lilac's avenger.

Did you want to come here?
"Yes.

　The chair is a little too high for her to reach her feet, and she flutters her legs in her skirt.

　She nodded happily, smiling.

"Not shopping or anything?
"Maid, I haven't finished my work yet. I'll be back as soon as I leave the store.
"Really?

　I'm sure you'll be happy to hear that.

　To be honest, Futa is not that attached to this store.
　The atmosphere is good. But that's all.

　Corona knows what she's talking about. You know that.
　That's why I told her not to get her hopes up.

　But. But Futa was rather happy about that.
　It was proof that she was unusually putting herself first and taking him out.

"I'd be so happy if I could help Corona do what she wants to do.
"Yeah. The maids, too, are getting a little more involved!

　Close up. Her long eyelashes move busily in conjunction with her twinkling eyes.
　When their eyes meet, their jade eyes narrow and break into a happy smile.

　It's true that Futa doesn't have much of an attachment to this store.
　This casual moment was a warm and happy one for Futa.

　If what Corona wanted to do was to come to this store like this.
　I'll stay with you as long as I have to.

I've been having a hard time lately. Cleaning, too.
But what?
Guys!　We've been fighting a lot!
Sorry, .......
It's not like Futa-sama's doing anything wrong... ......



　Resting his cheek on the table. Your hands on your cheeks.

　You're so close, but if you step in closer, you're right under my nose.

　--A table for two.
　It's probably a smart move by the restaurant to have a table for two, just for the two of you to talk with friends, lovers, or family.

　Her gold glittered in the sunlight.

"...... Master Futa?

　What's the matter?　She smiles up at you as if to ask, "What's wrong?

　It's like a painting.

"I like it too. I like this store.
"......, I see. Good.

　He looked surprised for a moment. Then he smiled loosely.

"But Mr. Futa. But Mr. Futa, it's not possible for everyone to come here.
"Well, we can't fill all the ...... counter seats.
"Well, there it is, Master Futa.
"Hmm?

　The forefinger, which was held up with a snap, left a gap just barely touching Futa's mouth.

It's not good to just say something and not go with them.
Do you want me to shut up?
"...................

　I look away. A slight vermilion tint to her cheeks. A moaning voice.
　Conflict, I guess.
　I'm not sure if she's feeling guilty about not telling me, but she's a sweetheart anyway.

　It's true that we can't all come together.
　If you teach her and she can't even come properly, we'll all be unhappy in the end. You have a point.
　But if the idea of not teaching is still on your mind.

Well. I don't know anyone who likes coffee as much as Corona.

　"Well, no one I know likes coffee as much as Corona.

　As I said before, there are few people around Futa who like to drink coffee.
　The only person who would be willing to drink a richly recommended coffee black is Corona.

If you want coffee, just come.

　She blinked her eyes.

　Corona nodded happily.

"Hmm.

　Okay.

I'll invite you back for coffee at ・・・・・・・・・.
Oh.

　She smiled. I drank the last of the coffee, which tasted of beans.

　There will be many times in the future when I want a cup of coffee.
　There will be many times in the future when I want a cup of coffee, but the feeling I have when I say I want a cup of coffee will be different.