-- "Taverna" lute.


"Huta pomodoro. What's this?
I don't know which one you're talking about, but if you're talking about the situation, all I can say is that I don't know either. ......

　The restaurant (taverna) is as busy as ever.
　After the sun goes down, the crowd gets even more rowdy.
　There are a lot of people talking about "sword fighting" as they drink.
　Even more so today, since we have a special guest.

　A young girl was forced to stand in the middle of the dining room.
　She coughed lightly and raised her fist in the air and shouted.

"And now for the next match--oh, Blanco versus Hollins!
Yeah!
Let's do this!

　Two men come out and propped up on one elbow across the table. They grab each other's hands in the middle of each other's eyes, and it's a race to see who can get their arm down towards you.
　What would normally be a mere sideshow, a contest of arm strength, turns into a fierce battle of "sword fighting" with the help of this girl.

　While the people around her are yelling and screaming, the popular girl, Pasta-chan, seems to be working hard on her sales efforts.

　Futa and Mochisuke, who were sitting opposite each other, were vaguely watching them from the back of the table.

Mochisuke asks for your judgment on this dish.
"Oh, that.

　In front of her were a number of dishes.
　It started with pizza, then focaccia and mushroom ahijos.

She said, "Let's eat while we wait.
"Okay, then.

　Mochisuke took the hot pizza fearfully and started to eat it, dabbing the tip with his tongue so that he could judge the heat.

　I wonder if he doesn't like hot food.

Do you know why the minstrel girl was being hunted?
"......?
Oh, no. You can wait until after you've eaten.

　He nodded his head and fought a fierce battle with the growing cheese.
　You'll be able to find a lot more than just a pizza.

"Thanks for the ......, Futa Pomodoro.
"Well, .......

　After finishing his sticky rice, Mochisuke turned to think for a moment.

I don't know the details, but I'm pretty sure it was her lyrics that were the problem. It was a heroic tale with a nobleman as the antagonist.
"A heroic tale?　Does that mean it's a work of fiction?
No, it seems to have happened in the southern provinces.
"Oh, so it's a story about a nobleman in a kingdom with a problem. Around here, commoners are more likely to support them.
Maybe that's what she was thinking when she sang there?　--She seemed to be struggling financially. Money is important.
That's a lot to take in.

　Futa scratches his cheek.
　In fact, the reason why she and Izuna went into a rage was because of their financial situation, or almost all of it.
　They said they hadn't been able to eat for several days. And Futa himself knows the pain of hunger.

As a result, it was a risk but not worth the money, right?
I'd have to ask him about that.

　She plucked a piece of focaccia to fit in her tiny mouth and gobbled it up.

In any case, we'll have to wait for her to get better.
"Yeah, ...... before we get into trouble.

　Futa has no idea how relentlessly she's being targeted.
　But at least for the rest of the day, it would be better to take it easy somewhere safe.

　Deciding that, Futa picks up the pizza in his hand.
　We'll deal with the rest when she's ready.

　Izuna had made the decision to put her to bed so that she could talk if she could somehow force herself to.

　There was no reason for Futa to complain about it.

　It's not like I'm on guard duty, but I'll just relax until the store closes.

　That's when I thought.

"Huta Pomodoro.

　Mochisuke stood up with a thud.

What's going on?
"There are a lot of reactions around.

　The red eyes of the woman who said this were painted with a myriad of some kind of technique.

"Really?

　Numerous reactions. Even Futa could understand that it was not a customer.
　No, he was a customer. It's just that it's not a customer of the diner, but an annoying customer who comes into the poet's private life.

　The swinging door opens with a bang.
　I look up to see what's going on, people who were enjoying themselves.

　The people who come in are too strong to be called "ruffians in the square," and they look like they're behaving badly.

　Futa's expression turned grim, and he glanced toward the kitchen for a moment.

　But Mochisuke, without taking his eyes off them, said.

There's only one way in.
That's good news. That's good news,......, Mochisuke.



　As soon as he asks, Futa steps in front of Motosuke.

I'm counting on you.
Copy that.

　One step, two steps.
　There is a short distance between his table and the entrance.
　While he took a step or two with his shoes, the situation inside the restaurant was changing slightly.

"What's with you guys? What's wrong with you people?

　The customers frowned at him, and the people who came in looked at him with annoyance.
　Then, without a second thought, he waved his right arm away.

What?

　Scream.
　The man sniffed, lightly stroked the cuirass on his fist, and said.

"Bring her out.

　The men follow him into the store, one after the other.
　No wonder Motisuke called them "many".
　There was no limit to the number of men who came in, and even after there were over twenty, there seemed to be more people outside.

"Oh, it's a woman. ......

　The customer who held her cheek, bleeding, glared at him.
　Perhaps annoyed by his gaze, the man tried to kick him again, but another female customer defended him.

"This time, Izuna-san is going to beat you!

　This was the man who had been drinking with a smile on his face.

　Come to think of it, the first man was also the one who had been so happy when Futa had praised Izuna.

　Futa's eyes narrowed and he stepped forward from among the customers.

　The next thing he knew, Pasta was nowhere to be found.
　He must have gone to get Izuna. He's as shrewd as ever.

"What the hell, b*tc*?

　You're probably a reasonably skilled warrior.
　And he understands the power of numbers.

　Not near the entrance, but inside the store, forcibly.
　Then they move to surround the customers, men and women.
　The scene looked very familiar to me, as if I were watching a wild animal hunt.

　His strong upper body and the scar on his cheek.
　He looked as if he would be blown away if struck, just like the other customer. I can't blame the customers for being reluctant.

　They're too much for them.
　At least, the people behind them are reasonably experienced, though not as experienced as the man at the front.

　The only people who can deal with this kind of thing are those who are not overwhelmed even by him.

"Stop it.

　There was no need to say anything clever.

　As he stepped out in front of them, Futa drew their attention at once.
　He held a short club in his hand, which he used to tap them on the shoulder, and they looked up at him, glaring menacingly.

What, you want me to do the same to you?
Don't be a prude, just give me the girl and I'll get you out of this.
Get on with it. Or else.

　And then he signals to his men in the back.
　A moment later, one of the tables is smashed.
　A scream goes up.

　Futa squinted and shook his head.

"Back off, boys.

　"Back off, you guys," he told the customers, but some shook their heads as if upset.

"No, no, no, not you.

　"No, not you.

"Are you sure?

　One stands up, looking determined.

"I'll ...... cover you for a bit, ......!

　But Futa gives a small smile. But Futa gave a small smile and shook his head without looking back.

"Enough.

　He's a cool, irreverent champion, oddly enough.

"Ha. ......

　The man in front of you laughs as if he's mocking you.

I'll show you how to use your numbers to your advantage, then!

　Instantly, the men jump on Futa.
　They raise their clubs, their fists, their leaps, their feet, and...




"Identification: Motisuke. We are now in a combat stance.




　Everyone stops moving.

　It's as if time has stopped.

You can count on me.

　You can count on me." Futa raised the corner of his mouth and flipped them all off with a single cleave of his foot.

"Aaaaahhhh!
"Geez. "Gofu......
The leader's eyes widened.

　The man who seemed to be the leader widened his eyes.
　I'm not sure what to do.

I'm not sure what you're talking about. The training is lax.


What-- what the f*ck did you do?
I don't know. You don't look like you've ever been beaten up before, and that's hard to handle.

　You've never been beaten up before.

That's all I need. I'm good at one-on-one.
"Many to two. Correct me if I'm wrong, Futa Pomodoro.
"Two against many.

　A young voice behind them.

　The men turned to see the girl in the air, her red eyes wide open, looking at them all.
　The gushing string of letters was very hard to read from this distance.
　Even so, they must have known that she was doing something.

"That kid...

　The men who raised their voices stopped moving.

　I'm not sure what to do.

What's the matter? We seem to have the advantage in numbers. It's just two against one all over again.
This-- Hey, in the back!

　If any of the warriors had seen this scene, they would have laughed.

　At any rate.
　The combination of Futa Pomodoro and Motisuke was too vicious.

　We can't be barking about the advantage of numbers now.
　But they don't have that kind of brains.
　They jumped at me, hoping to crush me somehow.

　The only thing that bothered me was that the people outside had probably gone behind the diner, but I knew there was no back door.

"What's going on?

　And then, a voice came from the kitchen.
　The owner of the restaurant, who seemed to have heard the commotion, came running out with a delicious pizza in his hand. He must not have noticed it while it was cooking. As if to apologize to him, Futa lowers his eyebrows.

The owner thrusts his thumb up in the air, "I'm sorry, old man--I'm going to break something!

　The shopkeeper stuck his thumb up in the air.

"Just what we needed from the government!
You're breathing good air!

　Futa laughed in response to the shopkeeper's smile and, with a burst of energy, stabbed one of the men through the ceiling.

My father has given me permission. Let's go as fast as we can.
"d*mn ......!　You bastards!

　The numbers never diminished. 5, 6, 7.
　The men who jumped at him were thoroughly countered and blown away by Futa.
　Occasionally, a man who ignored Futa and tried to harm a customer would not move an inch, and the next moment, Futa's heel would pierce him.

　The next moment, Fouta's heel stabs into the ground.
　The guests, who had been nervous at first, gradually regained their composure.

We're almost there!　Let's do it!
I'm going to call the guards!
"I'm as strong as that guy.

　"I'm as strong as him!" and so on, and the boosted morale would rather upset the foreign enemies.
　If you can't take advantage of your numbers, it's over.

　It was at that moment that Futa was about to kick the last remaining leader away.

　A loud, dull explosion sounded like the earth shaking.

　It came from behind Futa, towards the kitchen, and he turned his head.

"You idiot!

　It's a good idea to have a good idea of what you're looking for.

　The man's kick to the back of the gaping maw was snuffed out by the no-look Futa, but that was it. The man laughs at Futa's concern for the bard girl's safety.

Ha-ha-ha-ha!　What does it matter if there's only one way in?　Just build it, just build it!
"Is that explosives?

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

That's right!　We've got plenty of these!　While you're sitting here, your friends are coming from the back.




"Whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa.




　A young man with pasta on his shoulder and a girl in his arms.
　A young man with pasta on his shoulders and a girl in his arms appeared at this moment, as carefree as if he were stepping through a store door at lunchtime.

"Izuna!
"Izuna!

　The man's eyes widened at the sight of the unharmed, unconcerned man.


Why did ...... the wall have to be blown out?
Yeah, it blew up. I'm not stupid, I know. I'm not stupid, I know.　It took all of us to block the wall. Just ...... think I'm gonna die from that?
I'm not .......

　You'll be able to find a lot of people who are interested in this sort of thing.

I'm not sure what to make of it.


What the f*ck are you doing?
Whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa.

　Putting the girl down on the table, Izuna scratches his head.

You can't beat me, and now you're challenging me?

　I'm sure everyone knows what those words mean.
　The man who bit his teeth took a step or two back.

"Report.

　He muttered to himself as if to drown out the frustration of defeat.
　He left the fallen behind and disappeared behind the swinging door.

I can't let him get away.

　A hand tugged at Futa's sleeve as he tried to chase after her.
　I'm not sure what to do, but I'm going to do it.

It's okay. Because.
"Because?
"Because you've got this much mouth.
That's an awful thing to say.

　It's true that if you look around, you'll see men lying on the ground. There were about thirty bodies folded on top of each other, barely able to fit into the small store.

　Some of the men said they had gone to call the guards.
　With the fact that there was a commotion, the guards would be able to protect the store.

　Futa exhaled, and looked around again.

"You're so cool, Izuna!
"But don't tell me you're stronger!
But don't tell me Futa's stronger!　Futa was strong, but you're better than that!

　Izuna was surrounded by the crowd, yelling and screaming.

　I'm sure you're not the only one.
　I thought I did pretty well this time, but...

　--It's not that I wanted praise. I didn't mean to misunderstand that. It's just that Futa somehow felt the difference between him and that guy.

　In fact, that dare alone seemed to have taken everything away from him.

　He wondered if he needed to say something clever even in front of the enemy.

"Well, it was cool, wasn't it?

　When I looked down at the voice, I saw a girl with her hands on her hips laughing.

"Really?
What's a heel doing surrounded by people? Are you okay with this?
Oh yeah. ......

　I'm not sure I understand.
　If you're okay with this, then I'm okay with it.

Thank you for your help!

　And then .
　I bowed my head, and my ponytail swayed.
　Futa rolled his eyes at the unfamiliar hairstyle, and looked up.

　The one who looked up was the one who started this whole thing.

"Oh, oh.

　Her clear, beautiful voice resonates well in any place.
　The guests surrounding Izuna turned around and smiled at Futa.

No, thank you for your help, Futa!
You may not be too happy about it!
You should at least accept my thanks!
"......

　--Cool and irreverent.
　Not at all. Not as cool as at the Colosseum. They just didn't think that Huta would be happy to be thanked and surrounded and praised.

　Still, they were grateful enough to thank him in a forceful way.
　Since Futa didn't show any pleasure in their gratitude, he naturally received less praise, saying, "If I can't get my benefactor to be happy.
　However, this does not mean that more people will think badly of him.

　Rather, it is because of this attitude that - unlike the Colosseum - the cheers do not disappear. Inevitably, in times of adversity, there will be people who support him.

　I'm not saying that the 20 people in this small store are the whole world, but he doesn't know at that time that Futa was steadily and surely gaining "fans".
　The only one who knew and smiled was the girl next to him.
　That's fine, for now.

"Well, then...

　In the midst of the commotion of this shop.

"Well, then," she said, "while the guards are here, let's hear what's going on.

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








"Pasta Pomodoro.
"What is it?

　The girl came up to Izuna, pointed to her shoulder and said.

"That's where Mochisuke is.
Oh yeah. ......

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