On the nineteenth day of the water month, I was walking with Black on a path I was recently familiar with.

'I'm sorry, Black. Things ended up being so hectic that I didn't get to hear about Alice's plans.
Nope. Tomorrow I'll go with Zechs to Lilia's with Zechs so you can always go after that.
Thank you.

　Yes, currently me and Kuro were walking to Alice's general store.
　I had said before that I was going to introduce her to sell bedding for magic tools, but I forgot to ask her about Megiddo and some other things, so I forgot to ask about Alice's plans.

　When I told Kuro about it last night when he came to my room as usual, he offered to make time today to go with me.
　
　I need to create a stable source of income soon and then let him calculate his income and expenses and be careful....

　As I was walking alongside Black on the street, I suddenly remembered something, so I decided to ask him about it.

"Oh, that's right. There is something I wanted to ask Black.
"...what?　For me?　Hmmm, I see, Kite, since you saw me in Hexenbiest mode, you're curious about who I am!　Okay, now I'll give you a little service and a hint...
What's your favorite food, Black, besides baby sponge cake?
What does it mean?　No, no, no, Kite, that's not what you should be asking now!　Now is the time to use the 'who are you' line.
No, no, I don't think I'll be using it for much longer.
What?

　What can I say, I'm not sure if Black wants you to hear about who he is after all, or if he doesn't want you to hear about him.
　What I'm sure of is that even if you do, it doesn't mean you're going to tell me everything.

You need to be more interested in me, Kite!　I'm sad!
No, you're asking me what I like because you're interested.
Mmmmmm....

　Black's cheeks puff out like a hamster in response to my words, as if he couldn't think of a counter argument. What can I say, he's usually cute and not scary at all.
　But I used to be swept up in the past, but lately I'm starting to feel that I have the luxury of being able to get the upper hand in conversations with Kuro.

So, what is your favorite food after all?
.........mmmm......other than baby sponge cakes, maybe a pudding?
'Well, what was it?　Special deluxe pudding à la mode, was it?
''Ah~ That's the one Ayn made for me before.

　 He's still a cheat.

'But, Kite. Why did you suddenly ask me what I like?
"Oh, no, no, we went out together the other day, you know, on a date! --oh, yeah. When we went on a date, you said I'd ask you out this time.
Yeah, you said that.
So.........I wish we could go eat something Black likes or something, just for reference.
Mr. Kite.

　Hearing my words while feeling somewhat embarrassed, Black is silent for a bit, then smiles like a flower blooming.

'Yes!　I'll look forward to that........let's go!
'What?　Wait, Black!　Hands!
We've been through this before. I don't care, I don't care, I don't care.

　I followed, laughing happily as I watched Kuro, who was giggling and pulling my hand in a giggling manner as he proceeded, and I followed, aware that I was smiling at nature.





















　I walked into Alice's grocery store, which I was getting used to seeing by now, and there was the usual stuffed cat there.

'Aya?'　Mr. Kite?　Welcome! I still have some 'just in time' money left this time!
Well we can talk about that later.
...What?

　What do you mean "last minute"?　You made that much money last time and you've already spent that much!
　 I'll give you a lecture later but first, let's talk to Black...

You must be Alice. Kite told me all about you.
"...Heh?　Huh?　
Yeah, nice to meet you.
One moment, please...

　Alice, who was in her usual good mood, is aware of Kuro's presence when he speaks to her, and she makes a move that is upsetting enough to be recognizable even in her costume.
　

''.........Um, I'm sorry.
I won't kill you!

　Even Alice, as expected, doesn't seem to joke around like she usually does when dealing with Black, the Dark Lord, and apologizes with a stiff and nervous look on her face.
　Still, she only wore her opera mask, but........

''Well, can I get on with it and see the magic tool?''
'Yes, sir!　Over here, this way.
"...Hey, I don't want the stuffed one, I want the one made out of bedding...
Oh, yeah, that's right.

　Unusually, Alice seemed to be temperamental, and that one wasn't a blur, but a plain mistake.
　Alice hurriedly brought something made out of a futon this time, properly.

　I'm sure you have a good sense of style, and the design of the bedding is also very elegant, as would be expected from a nobleman's house.
　I'm sure you'll be able to find a way to make it work.

''........It's an amazingly beautiful jutsu. It's sophisticated and lean...............................you have an amazing magical skill.
Oh, no, no, not at all.
'Yes!　With this kind of work, we could sell it right away would you mind if I stock it at my place of business?
Yes, it's a pleasure.

　Apparently Black spoke highly of the magic tool and told me that he would stock it.

''Can this be mass produced?''
'Yes, sir!　I thought we could have a large number of them in a few days...

What?　I, 10000R?!

　To my surprise, Kuro seems to purchase bedding at more than three times the cost of materials. I wonder if he can sell them for that kind of money.
　Then, as if sensing my doubts, Black smiled lightly.

I'm sure there aren't a lot of magicians in the demon world who are able to set up a magic formula of this magnitude. You're going to be able to find out if this is the right size for you.　I'd also like to make a low-cost sleeping bag type for adventurers and the general public, but can we make that over here?
'Oh, yes. Sure.
''Yeah, well, as far as that sleeping bag is concerned, I'll pay you fifty percent of the net profit for being the inventor and I'll have a representative of the Chamber of Commerce come over some other time to make a formal contract.
Fifty percent?

　What can I say, what can I call it, Black proceeded to speak crisply and quickly put together a business meeting.

''Ah, um........Pluto-sama?''
Yeah?
Well, I'm afraid that's a pretty good deal for me.
"I'm here to introduce you to the one and only Kite. I'll give you a service.
Oh, thank you.
Yeah. Well I'll have them come back with the contract in about four days, if that's okay with you?
Yes, sir.

　Apparently, Black is willing to sign a contract that's quite favorable to Alice, considering that it was introduced by me.
　I'm really grateful for that.......I'll have to thank Kuro again.

　Dear Mom, Dad--I visited Alice with Kuro. The conversation went swimmingly, and the deal seems to have been settled.