-- "Taverna Lute"

　The bonfires hanging on the walls give the restaurant a warm orange color.
　The sound of the moisture from the wood exploding is gentle, however, and melts away into the bustle of laughing customers.

　The lute that gives the store its name is the name of a musical instrument.
　It is said that the previous owner played it as a hobby, and used to perform every day at a certain time.
　According to the waitress girl, he was not very good at it.

　That's why the lute is now displayed with its strings removed at the back of the store, on the wall right above the table where Futa, Izuna and Motosuke are sitting.

A musical instrument. ...... I haven't had much luck with that.

　While picking up an appetizer, Futa looked up at the lute hanging on the wall and muttered.

I don't either.

　The instrument, which has a unique shape like a pear cut in half, is described by Izuna as "like a gourd, no matter how many times I see it.

Mochisuke has no memory of it either. I can recognize the scale if I hear it.

　Scales. Izuna nodded in agreement.

"Ah, Hanihohetoiroha.
What's that? Do-re-mi-fa-sor-si-do, right?
What's that?

　The two large men looked at each other with curious eyes.

"Different countries have different musical scales," Mochisuke replied.
Is that so?
I didn't know that.

　Two large, ignorant men were being rebuked by a child.

I'm sure you'll be happy to know that I'm not the only one who's had a bad experience.
"Why don't you ask them?

　When I inquired, the answer was unanimously do-re-mi-fa-sorashido.

Really? Is my country so minor?
It's nothing to be upset about. --Besides...

　I glanced at the center of the crowded auditorium.

I glanced at the center of the crowd and saw that in Izuna's country, "Do-Re-Mi" is "Hani-Ho"!
So that's what this restaurant will be from today!
Done!
"Ha-nee-ho-hee-ho-ee-lo-ha ！！！！

　Wordlessly, Huta turns back to Izuna.

...... This place is turning into your dictatorship.
It's a warm place.
Are you honest?

　Izuna rubs the bridge of his nose and sips his drink.

"Anise has already gone to rewrite her predecessor's score, Master.
It's a warm place.
You can't mess with the old ones, can you?

　Anise is a waitress girl with a bandana on her forehead. She is the daughter of the current owner of the restaurant, which means she must be the grandson of the previous owner.
　Her grandchild is playing with her precious things as she pleases.
　Thinking about it for a while, Futa began to cry.

　If I ever have a grandchild, I want you to take better care of your things.

Anyway...

　Izuna muttered as she gobbled up a plate of penne with cheese on top.

I haven't listened to music in a while.
I haven't listened to music in a while.

　For Futa, the first thing that comes to mind when he thinks of music is the maid's music box in his room.
　The first thing that comes to mind when you think of music is a music box made by a maid in your room. You don't really like music, so you don't pay attention to it, but then you look at the plate in front of you.

　As he ate his order of pasta pomodoro, Futa thought.

I heard that pasta sings and dances, but I wonder if they have a song for it.
"Pasta?　"Pasta? Oh, you said that yourself?
"...... Yeah, well, yeah. Yeah, partly.
"Heh. You're a cute little girl at your age. You should take care of your sister.
"Oh, yeah.

　You'll be able to find a lot of people who are interested in you.
　I'm sure you'll have a great time. And moreover.

"Futa Pomodoro. My sister is to be cherished.
"Yeah. Yeah, that's right.

　You can't say that because you just delved into the relationship between Izuna and Motisuke right in front of me.

　To divert the conversation, Futa said.

I don't know if you know anyone who knows anything about music, Izuna.
"Hmm?　I don't know.

　He crossed his arms and looked up at the sooty ceiling.

There was a lot of music in my hometown. I wasn't that interested in it. I wasn't that interested in it, but... no, this has nothing to do with it.


Just tell me what's on your mind.
It's not a big deal. There was a priestess who said she had to deliver a song to a sacred mountain. That was before we got to the Colosseum.
Was it a good song?
I don't know. I don't know. She said something about dying if I sang it, so I ticked off the sacred mountain. I don't have to sing anymore and I'm probably still a priestess in the country, aren't I?
You really do that kind of thing all the time. ......
?　I told you it has nothing to do with you.

　You're right, it's irrelevant, but you're a hell of a troubleshooter.

　I'm not sure what to make of that.

　In the end, I guess this guy is fine as long as he's satisfied.

So, well, the Colosseum--unfortunately, not many people in the Colosseum hang out with me.
Me neither.
Ha-ha-ha.
Ha-ha-ha.

　Two men sharing a drink.

Master. What's so funny? Master.

　It was hard to answer that it was rather sad.
　I'm not sure what you mean by that.

You'll be able to find a lot more information on the web.
I'm sure you'll be happy to know that I'm not the only one.
Pasta told you that?　Yeah, I did. When I told him I was quitting, he said, 'I'm quitting too,' as if he had made up his mind. I'm quitting too!
Didn't he love you?
I don't think so, man.　I don't think so. That was the first time I talked to him outside of a game. It's not like we traveled together. In fact, you're the only one with a reason to quit. Do you have any idea?
"...... No, I don't.

　No, but... No, but..." Futa held his head.

What's the matter?
You can't trust me anymore to know something I don't know. ......
Ah, .......

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

I'm sure you'll be able to find something that works for you. Then there's Urushinotachi.
I haven't seen him since the final, does Izuna know anything about him?
I don't know anything. But he always disappears after a loss.
I didn't know that. ......
At least watch the game.
No, I didn't. I was only watching the game. ......
Can't blame you. Neither could I.
Ha-ha-ha.
Ha-ha-ha.
Master. Futa Pomodoro. I... I don't understand. Master?

　I want you to leave me alone.
　With that in mind, Izuna wiped Motisuke's mouth and Futa offered him a new juice.
　Mochisuke had no choice but to sip the grape juice.

I'm sure you'll be able to figure out how to get the best out of it.
"Oh, wait ....... Now that you mention it, I remember. He used to play the viola.
Really? Oh, no, where?

　Futa's memory of Aylan.
　Izuna was surprised, but both of them were beginning to enjoy looking for the person who played the instrument in the past.

I was playing it in the middle of the Colosseum after it was closed when I was coming home from training.
It's too good to be true. ......

　It's called a viola da braccio. It is, after all, a viola that is played on the shoulder. Looking back on it now, the sight of her playing it alone under the starry night sky was quite fantastic.

"So, how was it? Was it good?
"No. ......
Was it bad?
...... Sorry. You're playing the viola. ...... was all I could think about as I walked away.


You couldn't afford it.
Yeah.
Ha-ha-ha.
Ha-ha-ha.
Master. Master.

　An exchange that has now been repeated many times.
　Futa gives her a slice of pizza.
　It's almost like a bribe.

"So, the Rikunotachi...

　Izuna waved away Futa's words, annoyed.

He can't play an instrument, can he? Next.
I'm going to go to the next one. ............肆............... ...
Four. ..................

　We both had our heads in our hands.

"Master?　Futa Pomodoro?

　The two of us pondered. "Master? Futa Pomodoro?" Mochisuke, who had been struggling with the growing cheese, tilted his head at the change in the air.

"...... looks like you can play some kind of instrument, don't you?
That's true. That's true. He seems to be able to do everything.
"But do you have the option of asking him to play an instrument?
"No.

　We agreed and nodded at each other.

"Then come on.
"No, .......
"What's up, Futa? You don't look so good.
I know it's rude, but...

　Shaking his head loosely, Futa mutters.
　He takes a sip of his drink and stares blankly at the bonfire on the wall.

I've never liked that guy.
"Huh. Surprisingly, not really. I think he was a good guy.
I know. I know. That's why I didn't like ....... You know?
Yeah, well. I was never good at it either. I was never any good at it either, until I lost 100 girls in a row picking up girls, and I was jealous of Ocean.
He was doing that?

　We both have bruises on our shins.
　I'm sure you'll be happy to hear that.

I'll tell you something, Futa.
Wow, I have a feeling I don't want to hear this.
You're very perceptive. He was the first one to quit. Find you.
"............, seriously, what's going on?

　Futa's head was in a turmoil.
　Fouta had heard from Pasta that she was the first one to quit.
　But if the motive was to find himself.
　But when her motive was to find him, he had mixed feelings.

"You know, I even thought you and her were seeing each other behind my back.
That's not true. I don't remember doing anything for him at all.
No, no, no, no, no, no, no. ......
I can't believe I'm saying this, but... I'm not sure what to do, but I'm sure I'll be able to do it. I'm sure you're not the only one. ...... But that's not why you've been meddling with me. I'm sure you're not the only one.
That's why I didn't like him either. That's why I didn't like him either.
...... hahaha.
At least laugh it off, .......

　Whenever I see someone in pain, I tend to talk to them.
　He was that kind of person. That's why Futa and Izuna were not very good at her.
　But I'm glad it was only that.

　But it would have been better if that had been the end of it.

　I don't think I have what it takes to go that far.
　If you can reach him, convince him to come back now.

By the way, does he play an instrument?
No?　I've never seen him play.
Let's move on.



　Next. Then it's already the Ninotou.
　NINOTACHI. That's Ocean Big Wave.

That's him.

　Futa suddenly remembered.

He can play some kind of instrument, right?
Did he?
No, I don't know. I don't know. Let's go to a bar in town and have some fun!　Let's have some fun! Didn't they play some kind of percussion instrument after shouting that?
"Yeah, I did. Percussion......, it's definitely a percussion instrument. What's that? It's like a percussionist on his own.
It's not exactly music, but I wonder if we can imitate ...... that.

　I think he was handling a number of drums with his bachi and beating them with his feet as well.
　Anyway, the audience was very excited. The only thing I remember clearly is that the atmosphere was not very friendly to Futa.

　After finishing the cup, Futa took a breath.

"So, Ichinotachi. I don't know much about it.

　I don't know much about it," he muttered, looking up at the lute hanging on the wall.

"Didn't he play the lute?

　I have a vague image of him playing the lute.
　But I had no memory of him actually playing it, and it was a mystery to me why I could picture him.

　Then Izuna shook his head.

No, he probably can't play the lute.
"What?　Then why?
"He used to pretend to play the lute.
"Pretending to play the ......?
"There's an air of coolness about a guy who can play the lute. So I used to pose as if I was holding a lute and gesture as if I could play it. It's often done after a game or something.
"Oh, no wonder.

　Futa was convinced that it was because of this that his image was so prevalent.

But if you think about it, Arawn and Ocean can both play instruments?
I'm not sure what that means. I'm sure you're not the only one.

　I'm not sure.
　But Futa thought for a moment and muttered .......

I'll talk to Pasta about it.

　Futa thinks about the reason why he has become so popular.
　It was not only because of the sword fighting, but also because of the fact that he was able to make himself known to the customers as a commentary brother.
　That's what Pasta said, and in fact, he succeeded in doing so.

　And now, Pasta is even trying to support the box office by singing and dancing himself. It's a very tearful story.

　Which brings me to...
　Futa thinks that a different performance by a known swordsman would not be a negative thing.

　Let's just consider the words that Izuna spilled.

　Before the game.
　For example, Aylin's entrance.
　We don't even know who's going to come out, and then suddenly there's a resounding viola.
　As she finishes her solo, the orchestra takes over her piece, and Aylan comes in proudly, standing in the middle of the field with her introduction behind her.
　Then she stops the piece like a conductor.

　Wouldn't that be cool?

"If we win the game, we can ask him to perform a song.
I don't think Aylin would agree to that.
That's true.

　But this is a bit...
　It's a good idea to have a good idea of what you're looking for.