The red was there.

　A scorching sun star lay large on the horizon, staining the sky as if begging to be burned.

　Perhaps the heavens wished to bring mercy to this scene.

　The hoarse earth seems to be content with whatever water it can find to quench its thirst. A pile of wreckage. Dead and dying as far as the eye can see. The scorching evening sun seemed to have sucked the blood out of the wilderness.

　I was standing alone in that hell.

　All alone, wiping sweat from the sweltering heat.

　The red was blood that would disappear with a wipe.

　Oh, if there is a God in this world, I wish I could ask him.


　--What did I do wrong?














　--Taverna lute.

　I walked down a narrow alley, relying on a simple map and the directions of passersby.
　When I looked up, I could finally see the round sign that seemed to be my destination, and the bustle of happy people clearly visible through the swinging door.

　I thought it must be a good restaurant, but at the same time, I couldn't shake the feeling of being out of place.

　If I were to dine alone, I would probably avoid this restaurant after a bit of deliberation, but it was the rendezvous point designated by the person I had promised to meet today.

　I put a little strength into my reluctant legs and stepped forward.

　As soon as I heard the rusty bell ringing, a girl in a bandana, who seemed to be the shopkeeper's daughter, greeted me with a smile in response to the sound of a visitor.

Welcome!　You're new here!　Your seat is--
Oh, no, I'm...

　Before I could even tell her that I was meeting someone.
　Two golden tassels peek out from behind the girl.

Two tufts of gold.
Oh, you're .......
This way, this way.

　She beckons a little. The look on his face is so happy, like he's in a good mood.

It's your friend?　That means ......".

　The girl behind me said, and the girl who looked like a shopkeeper nodded in agreement.
　Then she looks at the young man from top to bottom, as if licking him.

I'll remember ...... what you look like!
Yeah, ...... why, ......?
"That's the duty of the person in charge of my store, isn't it?

　Mysterious thumbs up.
　I don't know why, but the maid girl behind me sticking her thumb out in the exact same outfit, combined with the fact that she didn't seem to be able to keep up with the atmosphere from the very beginning, was amazing.

"Well, well, well, let's not stand around talking, please come to the living room.
We don't have anything like that in our house.

　I don't know if the maid is a waitress or not. I wondered if the maid was a waiter or something else, but when I saw that she was bringing in the food, I thought she might have specified this place because it was her restaurant.

"By the way, how long are you going to help me with the store?
"Feeling good!

　It was a difficult store for a first-timer.

"This is your seat, gentlemen.
Thank you, .......
Take your time.
And you?
I have work to do.
Yeah, ......?

　I was shown to a box seat in the back, hidden from the entrance.

　He was stunned to see a maid who was not a waitress, and she continued to serve him.

"Well, yeah. "Well, yes, there are days like that.
I don't have enough life experience to let that slide. ......
I was like that a year ago.

　I looked back and saw a sympathetic gaze.
　I was sitting with a tall young man, and.

I see, you're ...... hmmm ......?
"Who are you, you little hooded thing?
Oh, my sister.
Oh, my sister." "There's another thick one popping up .......

　A small girl with a big attitude faced a familiar young man.
　You'll be able to find a lot more than just a few of them, but you'll also be able to find a lot more than just a few of them.

　He said, "You can sit here.

　I sat down in front of the two siblings who were sitting side by side.
　I don't know what's going on, but I'm the one who is being silenced for what I've done.
　Between embarrassment and ingratitude, ingratitude still just barely outweighs the embarrassment, so I have no choice but to turn to them again.

I'm Pasta Pomodoro. I'm Pasta Pomodoro.
"Don't you want to introduce the menu?
The pizza here is good, but the pasta not so much. And that's the name.
I don't know what that is.
Well, yeah. I sympathize. I'm not trying to psychologically attack you, so I'm sorry, but you have to accept me as I am. I'm Futa Pomodoro.
Tomato siblings: ......



　I put my hand on those red eyes and moaned and squirmed.
　The young man, Futa, took a little pity on him, wondering if he already had a headache.
　I'm sure you'll be able to understand why.

"Well, ...... well. I understand. I'm Libra. Libra Robinson. I'm a lowly assassin.
Humbug, huh? The second in command of the orchestra is a humble one.
"......

　Libra's eyes narrowed at the girl's words.

"...... What does this mean?

　I'm being set up?　I'm sure you'll be able to figure it out.

"Sorry. That's just the way he is. I'm not trying to be a dick about it. I only just found out I'm number two too.
Huh, ......, you've got a nasty sister, .......
I think so too.

　If you agree, Pasta will sniffle next to you.
　She probably thought it was just a light initial greeting.
　If you're not sure what you're looking for, you can always ask her.

"Here, I don't know what it is, but pizza.
Yeah, .......
Corona, don't let the first-timers in. ......
It's okay, the maid's never been here before.
"What's okay?

　Libra's heart was screaming.
　She wondered if she was having one of those common dreams that stick in your memory.

...... yuck.

　But my stomach was honest.
　The taste of the pizza was indeed excellent, and Libra was left with a very unpleasant feeling.

So ......

　After chewing the pizza and finally feeling comfortable, Libra started to talk.

"What exactly are we going to talk about in this discussion?
The first thing I wanted to do was to see who you are.

　I'm not sure if you'll be able to do this, but I'm sure you'll be able to do it.

It's a good idea to have a good idea of what you're doing. What I thought I should tell you is the purpose.
"...... purpose?　Is that mine?
No. Yours and ours.
What do you mean, "......"?

　I'm not sure. Still, because I didn't understand it, I could understand why he wanted to talk about it first.
　It would have been embarrassing to suddenly be told this before the game.

　As I waited for her to say something, she continued.

I heard from Futa that you're a good fighter. I don't know anything about that. I don't really care about that. But it's whether or not you're a good fighter."
As a swordfighter. ...... Oh, I see. You're saying that depending on how I do it, I might not be able to beat my enemy.

　Even if you are a skilled assassin, if you specialize in assassination, you will be useless in sword fighting. After all, killing is defeating.
　Libra knew that much.

　But Pasta shook his head loosely.

"There are more important things than winning and losing.
"......?　You're a sword fighter?
Because you're a swordfighter. What do you mean?　No matter how many times you win, it doesn't matter if you get booed.
...... Oh, I see. Oh, that's possible, isn't it?
Yeah. Have you ever heard of the Colosseum in the Principality?
It's famous. I know it exists. I've never been there.

　I've never been there," said Libra with some emotion.
　I've never been to the Colosseum," Libra said with some emotion.
　However, judging from the way he spoke, he had never heard of Futa's bad reputation.

　He is an ace of a group of assassins who have been fighting on the battlefield.
　So maybe he is not familiar with such entertainment information.

"Well, that's why. That's why you and Futa need to team up and become popular.
"...... I see. That's a perspective I never had. It was nice meeting you today.


"...... You're so honest. You should learn from him.
"You're on the hook for this.

　Pasta muttered, a little impressed.
　I'm not sure what to say.

　In the event that you've got a lot more than one, you'll be able to take a look at a few of them.

It's a good idea to have a good idea of what you're looking for.
"Hmmm?　...... Then.

　I'm not sure if this is a good idea or not, but it's a good idea.

I'm not sure if this is a good idea or not.
The branch has already been set up at .......
Bring me some food and drinks. Don't worry about the money.
Hi.

　It's Libra who panics at that casual remark.

"No, I'm not really.
"I'll pay for it today. Don't worry about it.
...... Why are you so upset?
For a lot of reasons. Well, it's basic business. I don't care if we're talking or not, you and Futa should get to know each other.
"Well, that's resolute .......

　I'm not sure what to say, but I'm going to say it.
　I'm sure you'll be happy to hear that.

I thought you were supposed to keep your emotions out of business.
I do. I'll cut anyone off anytime. ...... But not you. "Didn't we learn the hard way last time that emotions are necessary in sword fighting?　If it's a tag-team match, you're supposed to feel like you're sharing the victory.
You're such a jerk.

　I don't know where that tag match lesson came from.
　Even Futa knew where that tag match lesson came from.

　"Our victory" was the first time he'd ever seen it.

　That's why Futa's cheeks relaxed. Was it dismay or happiness?

　I'm not sure if it's because I'm not a fan or because I don't want to be.

I understand. I also think that trust is important in my job. Let's talk about it, shall we?
"Yes. Just take care of the matter at hand ...... and then we can talk about whatever you want. For example, why do you want to do sword fighting?

　She says with a provocative smile.
　Libra and Futa. If you ask them what they want to do, they'll probably be more excited about their pre-fight microphone performance. Pasta tells herself that it's a calculating feeling.

　It's a bit frustrating to admit that you yourself are attracted to the sword fighters who are sharing such "feelings" with each other.

I'm not sure what to say. I'm not sure what to make of it.
"...... me?
Yeah. You.

　That was an unexpected comment.
　Libra looked up to see a cocky little girl with the corners of her mouth agape.
　In a short time, he knew that she was a smart and witty girl.
　In a way, she was a good match for her brother who seemed to be weak in such areas.

　However, from what I saw of her, she seemed to be preparing for her brother in various ways and did not seem to be reaching out to Libra.

　That's why she answered my question with a simple answer.

"You wanted to play sword fighting, didn't you?　Isn't that what you've always wanted?
"Yes, that's what I meant. Really, there is no lie in that.
"You could have gone to the Colosseum in the Duchy for ......, but you chose King's Landing. No?
That's...

　I'm not sure what to say.
　I'm sure you'll be happy to hear that.

　I want to stand on the stage of sword fighting one last time.
　Why did he choose the kingdom instead of the duchy?

　The girl's eyes narrowed as she looked into Libra's.

"It's not because it was close or anything?
"Huh. Is that what you think, Futa?
No?　No? - No, it's just that it's the closest road to his parents' house.
...... You're such an idiot.

　I'm sure you'll be able to understand why.
　You can find a lot of people who have been in the business for a long time, but you can't be the only one.



　It's not that I have anything against you.
　But...

You're going home, aren't you?
Yes, that's right.

　Futa had told me that Libra Robinson, a retired hit man, was returning home to take over the family business after her father's death.
　I'm not doubting that.

　In fact, that's why.

There is no way I would compromise such a big decision just because it was on my way home. Am I right?
...... You believe me, don't you?
For example, is he already wanted in the Principality and can't be reached?　I'm sure you'll be able to understand that.　I'm sure you'll be able to understand that I'm not here for the sword fighting. ...... All of this is a bluff, and I'm not here for the sword fighting.

　I've thought about it," Pasta says.

I've been thinking about it," Pasta said, "but I'm not sure if someone like that would use the sword as an excuse to stick around after running into Futa. And then I saw you today and made my decision.
"...... I see. Thank you.

　I'd like to be on the sword fighting stage.
　Pasta assumed that this feeling was not a lie.

　If there was something wrong with his words or actions...
　He had planned to ask Futa to give up on the tag match and just stick with the commentary.

　But Pasta knew that was not the case.

　For some reason.

When I said we might get booed for winning... You imagined it. --And you wanted to do something about it. That's enough.
Why?
No one who wants to be on the swordfighting stage wants to be booed. And especially if you're a guy who's had enough of fighting. If you're longing for the happiness that comes with winning the ...... championship, you don't want the bashing that comes with victory. It's a natural feeling.

　It's rare to go into an arena for the sake of proving that you can fight without a job," Pasta smiled mockingly.

I just figured that if that was the natural feeling that came out, then it wasn't a lie.

　But that doesn't mean that I can't trust him to do the right thing. Even so, I bought his enthusiasm enough to allow him to team up with Futa to compete.

　If that's the case, then I have some idea why he came to King's Landing.

　So this is the final confirmation.
　In other words, this question is a kind of touchstone.

"You took the Kingdom Spectacle over the Principality Colosseum. Why is that?

　If he has a convincing reason for this, he deserves to be trusted.

　That's what Pasta asked, and Libra replied.


"I was going to go to the Colosseum, like you said. But...

　He tells her that he was told.

"The Spectacle of the Kingdom is hotter than the Colosseum right now.
So. ...... Hmm, that's why I'm on your side.

　The spectacle is more fun than the Colosseum.
　The spectacle is more fun than the Colosseum, and you can have a fight to remember.

　That's what he's standing here for.

"......, huh?

　It's not easy for Futa, either.
　How happy he was to be told that the place where he stood at the top was hotter than the Colosseum.

But, Mr. Pasta. But, Mr. Pasta, what makes you think that?
It's no big deal.

　Pasta laughs at the simple question, brushing her short hair away.

It's because I'm paying for it.
".................. Mr. Futa?
I'm serious. We don't pay for it, the house doesn't pay for it, he pays for it.
Yeah, .......

　Once again, the irreverent cross-legged "manager" laughs.

"I told you. I told you, it's on me."


　On that day, there were two men who were being bought lunch by a girl who was not yet a year old.





　And the next day.

　--The next day.