I met up with everyone in a room in the royal castle and left the castle without further ado.

　When I looked at the sky, the sun was shining.
　White clouds were slowly swimming in the blue sky.

''Nnya... It's a nice day today.

　Kanade, walking next to me, stretched gingerly.
　She seemed vaguely happy, her tail wagging.

''Hmmmph~''

　Sora and Luna were humming in sync.
　Since they are of the spirit race, they must like the warm sunshine.
　When I see them like this, I think they're twins.

I'm sure you're not the only one. Do you have any more time after this?

　Tania, walking on the other side of the street, asked me that question.

'Time?　Of course there is but what's going on?
'There's a part of me that needs you to go out with me. Of course you won't say no, will you?
Yeah, sure.
Okay, then, one for one.
I'll show you... okay?
I do!

　Nina and Tina on top of her head come around in front of me and say cheerfully.
　The two of them are totally the best of friends.

　But still.........
　Where would you like them to go out with you?



----------



　The place we were led to was a small dining room.
　It is not a place that is integrated with the inn, it is only serving rice.
　For that reason, it is a somewhat pricey place.

　For some reason, I was made to wait outside the restaurant.
　Everyone entered the restaurant and I could hear some kind of happy voice.

　What is this all about?

Hey, Rain.

　As I wondered, Kanade came out.

'I'm all set!　Well then, come on in.
'Oh, yeah...'

　I walked into the store, with Kanade pushing me back....

"Grade A promotion....
""Congratulations!"

　Pamphlet!　And the crackers rang out.
　Confetti fluttered through the air.

　I roll my eyes in surprise at the suddenness of it all.

''Uh, is this...?''
'Congratulations on Lane's promotion to A-Level...'

　Kanade says with a smirk.

'My...?'
We were all talking about how we've had a lot of things happen to us, but we've made it through, and we want to celebrate that.
So, why don't we have a surprise party?　That's what we were talking about.

　Tania added.

'I see, you went out of your way for me...'

　I looked at everyone and they smiled back at me.
　Seeing those smiles gave me an indescribably warm feeling.

　After the last incident....
　Once again, I felt the happiness of having everyone around me.
　It's nice to have friends.
　I really feel that from the bottom of my heart.

Thank you. I'm glad you're here.
Mwahhhh. Surprise!
Come on, Rain. The star of the show should take a seat. There's plenty of food and drink waiting for you.
Eat up!

　Sola and Luna led me to take a seat.
　The preparations were already complete and there was a lot of food laid out on the table.
　It looks like a jewelry box with all the colorful dishes prepared.

'Congratulations once again, Rain's husband!
Congratulations.
Thank you.

　I asked Nina to pour me a drink and take a sip.
　As if on cue, everyone else began to eat their food and drink as well.



----------



'Huh, I'm so full...I can't eat anymore...'

　With a very satisfied look on her face, Luna leaned against the back of the chair and rubbed her stomach.
　Looking at her sister like that, Sora sighed as if she was dumbfounded.

''Utterly, you spoiled sister........Rain is the star of the show today, right?　Where are the messengers who forget that and work so hard to drink and eat?
I'm here!
You're a stupid little sister...
"Foolish sister!　What's that power word?!
Well, it doesn't matter, does it?　I'm glad you're thinking about me, but it's more fun when we're all rattling around together.
It's Rain!　I was hoping you would say that!

　Luna happily bashes us on the back with a bash.
　Is she a little drunk?
　My cheeks are red.

　I've heard that the spirit race is good at drinking....

"Whoa!

　There were several empty liquor bottles lying next to Luna.
　Too many to count.
　After drinking this much, as expected of the spirit race, Luna would get drunk as well.

''Nyaah... The food and the alcohol are both delicious!　I'm going to order some more!
Oh, Kanade. Canade, can you get me one as well? A beef steak, a lamb steak and a pork steak for three people each.
Tania, you eat a lot of food. We can't lose to you!　This body can eat, so if you don't take advantage of an opportunity like this, you're missing out on a lot of food!
There's a lot of food and it's all delicious.
Nina, you need to eat more! We know you can grow up, so make sure you get plenty of nutrition while you can!
Is that...?
'Yes!　So, from here to here on the menu, additions and more!

　It's been a really long time since I've been in a place like this, so everyone was smiling and enjoying themselves as much as they could.
　That's fine but.....

Hey, Sora.
Yes, what is it?
Everyone's been ordering in, but are you sure the bill is...?

　Since it's a surprise, I'm not paying for this place.
　Basically, I've got the wallet in my hand, but...
　These days we all have a certain amount of money for each of us in case something goes wrong.
　Even if we put that amount together, I don't think we'd be able to pay this much...
　Well, if it's not enough, I can pay for it.

'I see, you're worried about that. Then there's no problem. I've received a lot of money from the state for the last one........no. I received a nuisance fee.
I'll stop asking after the fumigation.

　Sola was very chipper.
　I was more impressed than dismayed.

'Let me tell you something, I didn't use any illegal hands, did I?　It's what that princess has offered to do.
Sarya?
'I want to apologize for any trouble I've caused you.... You said so.

　I don't think it's Lady Sarya's fault, but....
　Well, it would be rude to return it now, so I'll take advantage of the favor.

"Hey, hey, Rain.

　Kanade, with a slight tint to his cheeks, called out to me.
　I can smell the alcohol.
　He seems to be drunk in his own right.

''You were talking to the king, weren't you?　What did you talk about?
Ah.

　I'm still curious, right?

　Well, I was originally going to talk to everyone at the right time, so there's nothing wrong with talking about it...
　The content is just what it is, and I'm curious about my surroundings.

　I looked around the store lightly.
　The store is rented out, and there are no customers other than us.
　It seems that they're trying to impress us, and the clerk is basically waiting in the back.

　Well, I guess this is okay, huh?

Actually....
Actually?
'Will you be the next hero?　He asked me to join him.
'Hmmm, nyah. To the brave....?

　The Kanade yelled in surprise....

But I said no.
""Eeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!"

　Next, everyone else, except Nina, was surprised.