--Diner (Taverna) Lute.

　The restaurant is crowded at dusk.
　The swinging door at the entrance slams incessantly, and the sign girl, Anise, greets customers with a smile each time.
　The seats are filling up one after another, and it's a pleasant sight to watch as food and plates fly in and out of the kitchen.

　Tomorrow, the fighting tournament will begin.

　This was the only topic of conversation in the restaurant, which was familiar with sword fighting, and there was no end to the anticipation of who their hero Izuna Sienzan would be teaming up with.

　At the back of the restaurant, there was a single box seat at an angle that made it impossible to see where the customers were from the entrance.

　In most cases, Izuna Siyenzan was eating breakfast, lunch, and dinner at this seat, which was now tacitly regarded as the "official seat.

　But today, the seat was occupied by another regular and well-known figure in the arena.

"Hey. Mirabelle, I thought I ordered four skewers.
"......?　There's only three of us?
Yeah, there's another one on his way.

　Three skewers lined up on a plate on the table.
　The one who tilted her head was a girl who was busy helping serve.
　She is Mirabelle G. Gringott, a live-in diva who has been singing here more and more and attracting a lot of regular customers.

I'm sure you're right!　...... hehe.

　In the event that you have any kind of questions regarding where and how to use the internet, you can call us at the web site. I'm not sure if I'm going to be able to do that.

"...... Mirabelle. You've got sauce on your mouth, don't you?
I thought the manager made a mistake because there were only three of us and it was for four.
Did you eat?
I was so hungry!

　I was hungry!" Mirabelle cried, and Futa sighed, "You're still the same.

The manager told us to eat our bribes before we start work, didn't he?
I woke up right before the start of the day!
I woke up right before work!

　You really are." She slumped her shoulders and said, "It was delicious, I recommend it. ......" Mirabelle trudged back to the kitchen.
　I'm sure that after this, I'll be squeezed so hard that it will be deducted from my salary.

　It is a pasta that I am impressed with how she has lived her life.
　There was one girl who was watching the whole thing. Next to Futa, she giggled.

"Haha. You can have the maid's portion then.
I'm sure you'll be fine.

　Futa pokes Mirabelle's head as she turns around.

"Of course not, go get pissed off.
Ugh, life is hard. ......
Corona, you don't have to show kindness there.
But you see, I can't eat that many maids.
You say that, but...

　In the event that you're not sure what to say, the other girl looks at Corona as she reaches for the skewers.

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

　Or," she says, raising the corners of her mouth wickedly.

Or," she said with a wicked grin, "maybe this place isn't for you after all. You don't have to bring me here anymore, do you?
"Mmm. I don't think you need to say that.
Really?　You don't even know why Huta was reluctant to bring you here, do you?
"......

　Corona was not unaware of this.
　I'm sure that Pasta knows what she's talking about.

　There was nothing wrong with being nice to Mirabelle.
　It's just that in an outlaw place where strong-minded people gather, her behavior is not a positive thing.

　In fact, look who's still taking the brunt of it.

"That's why I didn't bring her, it's too much trouble. You should at least understand the person you are valeting. ...... Oh, or do you not understand yourself?
"Pasta, that's too much. I'm not.
I'm just saying that what you like about him and what he wants are two different things. If you don't get it, shut up.
"...... Moo.
I'm not moo. Nothing?　We've reached a conclusion now, right?　Since you won't be coming back, why don't you take your time and take a look around the store?
d*mn it!

　At that clear provocation, Corona stood up quickly.

　It's a good idea to have a good idea of what you're looking for.
　Pasta, still wearing his hood, just stares at her.

　Having attracted attention, she turned to Anise, who had noticed her raised hand, and said, "Skewers, please!

"Skewers, please!
Yes, yes!　One skewer is in!

　She laughed lightly with her cheekbones as Corona looked back at the pasta with a huff.

　I don't know, but I guess she passed.


　While Fouta breathed out a sigh of relief, Corona walked towards Anise without taking a seat.

　Futa tried to stop her, hoping that she wasn't really going to start a tour, but...

"Leave me alone.
No, no, but...
"You're not his guardian or anything. If he's in danger, just come out.
Even so... ......

　What's he going to do?
　Just as I was thinking that, it happened.

"Meido!　Focaccia set and a lamb pizza, please!
Who's that?
I'm the maid passing by.
A maid on the street. ......?　No, that doesn't answer the question. ......

　I thought I heard a strange voice.
　I'm not sure if you've heard of it or not, but I have.

"Sudden pizza from the sky!
"Whoa, whoa, whoa!　Who the hell are you?
I'm Pizza Mei-Do.
Since when does this place deliver directly from the vendor?

　It's going this way, that way, and that way.

Yay!　I'm not busy, so I'll just sing!
You should work too. Come on, the stage's not ready yet.
Oh, my God!

　Even the waiters, Mirabelle and Anise, looked at the maids with black and white eyes.

　I'm not sure what to make of it.

"You fit in surprisingly easily.
"Is this a good thing, ......?
"Well?
"Well?

　I look at Pasta and wonder if she's being irresponsible, but she just sits down with the pizza that just arrived.

There is no such thing as 'good' in this world. There is no such thing as 'good' in this world, only personal opinion. Maybe it's not a good thing for you, and maybe it's not a good thing for me. But well, ......, isn't that a good thing for him?
I'm sure you're right, but what if you get into trouble?
You'll have to work then, unemployed.
...... has a lot of spine.
When was the last time I didn't have a bone in my body?　...... Well, it's tempting to say. To you and to him.

　I'm not sure if it's a good idea, but it's a good idea. The owner of the store is looking at her with some satisfaction as she is cheered on and on and on.

What do you think is the biggest difference from a year ago?
"A year ago?
The biggest difference between when I didn't want to remember and now.
"Is that he's more positive about life at ......?
Huh. "I don't mind. That's fine, but ...... it's not. If you want to live, that means you can do what you want. It's not about the future or anything big like that. Today I want to eat fish, today I want to go out. ...... is a small thing.
"......

　Futa finally understood what I was trying to say and shut his mouth.
　The pasta continues in a tedious and lethargic manner.

I'm sure you're right. Of course not, you don't understand the degree of selfishness because you've never felt it before. That's why I don't like witches, they have no human sensibilities.
"...... Pasta.
I owe that guy a lot. ...... I don't think we're that bad of friends.

　I'm not sure what to say, but I'll try.

But it's still different. I don't think we're that bad together. How can you live like that and still care about people? Don't you think?
............ Still...
You know what I mean. I'm not trying to discriminate against him right now. It's you. It's not my place to interfere with that, but..."

　I'm not in a position to complain about Futa and Korona's relationship. I know that.
　Pasta and Corona, Pasta and Futa. And of course, Futa and Corona. Each of them should develop their own relationship.


　I don't care if it brings down or destroys either of us. It's the loser's fault. That's Beatrix M. Orba's value system.

　But at the same time.

But at the same time, it's no reason to discourage him from doing what he wants.
"If all Corona wants to do is fit in here. I don't know what I'm gonna do.
Why don't you just die?　Why do you have to be so short-sighted?　You're wrong. ...... I'm saying that your need to keep it all in a safe place is preventing him from doing what he wants to do. It's even more so because he knows he's being selfish.
But I don't want to hear that from you, ....... The girl I know is free.
"...... I caught you?　--I'm sure you're not the only one who has a problem with that. ...... But as I said before. What's the biggest difference between a year ago and now?
......
Was it really what he wanted to do when he came to me?
...... Now I'm doing what I want to do. So don't worry about it?
I'm not telling you not to worry. You just said that at home. If he's in danger, you can kill him or whatever you want. That's your choice. Don't lump him in with you, that's disgusting.
You really are .......

　Nothing," Pasta mutters as he sips his grape juice.
　You're really .

　I know I'm not a gala.
　You're not the only one with a problem," he says.

You're not the only one with a problem. It's not just you. But ...... you're the only one who can still do something about it.
"...... That's...
Because she's a witch. I've already given up on trying to correct her own nature with the logic of a sane person.
"I see.

　As she fluttered her hands away, it sounded as if she had an absolute view of her profession.
　And I guess that's not a wrong idea.

　If it were that easy to change the concept of "profession" and the circumstances that have taken root in the world. If it were so convenient, this world wouldn't have existed in the first place.

　The resignation in Pasta's eyes as she stares boredly at Korona.

　But she is the same girl who lived under the same roof with Korona and easily gave up the potion in a time of crisis.

　Both of them are pasta pomodoro.

　Both of them are Pasta Pomodoro, a girl who has given up on Corona's character, but still has a soft spot for her. That's why he's talking to her in that way.

　That's what Futa thought he was doing.
　But.

"Let's say, for example, that I make some concessions to Corona, as you say.
What?
"What?" "I'm talking about for example. ...... But in the end, doesn't that mean that Corona won't change?
"...... is stupid.

　That one word, "stupid.
　It's a good idea to have a good idea of what you're looking for.
　The eyes behind the hood were serious, and the hassle was gone.
　Instead, they looked a little more gentle and sad, and Futa rolled his eyes in surprise.

　Why does he look like that?
　The answer was immediately apparent.

"You're the one who took a witch who couldn't be helped by human logic and made her a better human.

　The name of that emotion is envy and expectation.

　Oh, I was wrong.
　She'd given up, sure. It wasn't about dealing with the witch. It's only about what she can do to herself.

"I'm not going to waste my time. ...... Yeah. Well, maybe that's in my best interest.　I don't know.
You're cute.
What?

　That's what I found myself saying.
　I can't help it. If you put it this way, the situation of the girl in front of me is not "normal" either. She was struggling in a world of profit and loss, and had no choice but to eliminate everything in order to survive.

　I could feel her putting her emotions on the account and caring for Futa and Korona.

Thank you. I'll try to figure out what she wants to do and what's holding her back so she can do what she wants.
...... Well, that's fine for now.



　Hmm," says Pasta with a sniffle.

"I just don't want to get into a situation where I can't watch, that's all.
Oh.
I doubt ...... really knows what he's talking about. I'll tell you one thing.
What's that?
Let's just say he's important to you.

　The question was unexpected.

　It's a question Futa can't answer.


"What are you to him?


　That's why he couldn't speak.