513-I want to grow old






 The tit-for-tat situation between Ms. Agni and Ms. Pandora was settled with the appearance of Mr. Ozma.
 Ms. Pandora was taken to Alice's alter ego, and Ms. Agni was persuaded by Mr. Ozma to leave.
 After Agni-san left, Ozma-san bowed his head lightly to me, scratching his head with a bitter smile.

'No, I'm sorry, Miyama-kun. Agni-chan is a nice girl, but she has a tendency to get a little hot.......I hope she's not hurt or anything?
I'm fine.
'That's good to hear. I'll make sure to say something to Agni-chan from your uncle's side, and I hope you'll continue to be good to her.
Yes!

 Hmm.....After all, Ozma-san is a cool, mature man.
 He really has the air of a relative's uncle, with a sense of ease and warmth, and as a man like him, I admire him a lot. I wish I could become a mature man like him.

Speaking of which, why are you here, Ozma-san?
''Oh, I actually had to wait for Miyama-kun on the first floor of the central tower, but I felt Agni and Pandora-chan's magic, so I thought it might be possible.''
You wanted to see me?
'Yeah, well, to be exact, it's more like for the Phantom King than for Miyama-kun, isn't it?'
For Alice?

 Apparently, Ozma-san came to visit Alice on an errand. Is it a nuisance to ask her to go all the way through me?
 It's only been a short day since I met Ozma-san on the first day of the Rokkou Festival, but he's been a big help to me by giving me advice and following up with me, so I want to help out as much as I can.

''........Actually, one of my uncle's acquaintance's children wants to participate in the Rokugan Festival. If possible, I'd like to prepare an invitation for him, but it would be in the form of an additional guest in the middle of the invitation, so I came to ask his permission.
''Hmmm.......Doesn't that mean you can't participate as Ozma's companion?
'Oh, uh, come to think of it, you didn't mention it. My uncle is more of an operator than a participant, so he doesn't have an invitation.
Oh, I see, Alice.

 Ozma-san tells me with an apologetic expression, but it doesn't seem to be a particularly unreasonable request. No, of course, it might increase the work of Alice, who would be managing the participants, but at worst, she could be treated as my companion, so I decided to ask her.
 When I called out to her, Alice immediately appeared and, out of nowhere, took out an invitation to Iron Rank.

''Yes, yes, I understand,''
"I'm sorry for the trouble, Phantom King. Well, the boy's name is...
"'Mr. Flamea, a dwarf tribe living in the Archlesian Empire,' you say. Yes, please, here's your invitation.
''....Hahaha, no, it's as good as the Phantom King. Thank you.

 Alice prepares the invitation faster than Ozma-san can tell the other person's name. As usual, her foul information ability.........really great.

''If you want to thank me, go ahead and thank Kite, frankly, if you had come without going through Kite, I would have refused because it would have been too much trouble.
''That's right.......Miyama-kun, you really saved my life. Thank you.
No, no.
I don't know if it's enough to thank you, but if you'd like, I'd like to have this.
...What's this?

 After thanking me with a kind expression, Ozma-san took out a slightly larger paper bag out of nowhere and held it out to me.
 When I took the paper bag while tilting my head, Ozma-san told me while lighting a cigarette in her mouth.

'....That's the coffee you like. It's ready to drink just by pouring hot water into it. I've prepared a little extra, so you can drink it with your friends.
'Thank you! I'm sorry I made you feel so uncomfortable.
I'm the one who asked you to do this on such short notice. I'm really grateful for your help........If it's alright with you, Miyama-kun, let's go out for a drink together next time. Of course, it's your uncle's treat.
'Oh, yes! By all means.

 Hmmm, I think Ozma is a true handsome man who can say thank you without hint of humor. It may be because he seems like a reliable adult, but the way he invites you out is also cool.
 Perhaps the reason why he didn't serve the coffee first is because he didn't want it to become a condition of exchange? 

Well then, Miyama-kun. I know you have a lot of friends and acquaintances, but I hope you enjoy the remaining Sixth King Festival.
Yes!
Yeah, I'll see you later.

 With a gentle smile on her face, Ozma lightly patted me on the head and then waved one hand as she left. The way she left was also very picturesque, or rather, the back of her trench coat fluttering in the wind is super cool.
 ........Maybe I'll try wearing a trench coat one of these days, too?

''Well no, I don't think a trench coat would look very good on you, Kite.
I had an inkling that I'd be able to do that.

 Dear Dad and Mom - I really admire Ozma for his cool words and gestures, not for his simple facial features or anything else. To be honest, I can't say I can see myself becoming that kind of person at all in the future, but if it comes true, I want to grow old like that - cool, someday.