Well, you know.

　Lace slings her bag over her shoulder and gets ready to go. Rotia, who is watching it, has a dissatisfied look on her face.

''Are you really going...?''
'Yeah. It's past noon, and you'll have a better number of customers.
Still, it's a pain in the ass to be alone...

　There's only one reason why Rotia would hold Wraith back. Wraith understands that, but he can't take off today's errands.

''Well, good luck.''
'Oh...'

　As Wraith throws it out, Rotia reaches out a hand hidden in her sleeve, making a pitiful sound. The wish was never going to arrive, and the door was closed with a light bell sound.

''Good.''

　There's a reason why Lace went out of his way to leave the store to Rotia alone. The place they're headed to is Daisy's store. Why is it Daisy's shop? The reason is because I want to ask her some questions about her long time living in the capital.

　It's not a question about the management of the store - but about the King's Festival.

　It had been about a week since my previous date with Raffy. The last time, Wraith had the bitter experience of not being able to lead Raffy, a woman, at all, shamefully.

　The idea is to use that reflection to make the next date at the festival as successful as possible. However, it's impossible for Wraith to do it alone. A cooperative partner is essential.

　That's where Daisy's presence came into play. At first I thought of Sylvia and Amelia as an option, but my intuition told me not to do it, so I obeyed.

　That left me with Daisy and Nicola. However, she and Nicola were not close enough to discuss these things with each other, so Daisy was the one who was finally chosen.

　I have to gather information from her and make a plan before the day of the festival. Determined, Lace reaches the familiar Daisy's shop.

　She opens the door and walks in - and for some reason, Sylvia is there. She can't believe her eyes and freezes at the entrance.

'Ah, Mr. Wraith.'
"...why is Sylvia here?

　I'd say it was the worst timing. I'd gone all the way through the shop to come here to discuss the festival with Daisy alone, and now, of all things, Sylvia was here.

　Now, if they were to meet outside of this place, there was still nothing wrong with that. Or rather, Sylvia and Daisy shouldn't even know each other in the first place.

　Wraith pretends to be calm so that the upset doesn't show on her face for now.

''That is........''

　Sylvia is grinning and enjoying herself more and more. As far as I'm concerned, when you have this kind of look on your face, you're thinking about nothing. I know that much from our relationship so far.

''I don't know what it is, but they want me to help them with something.

　Daisy, who had a boring look on her face before Sylvia, replied. However, she didn't immediately understand the meaning of the words. Wraith turns his gaze to Sylvia, the person who asked him to ask for an explanation.

'Well, yes. Wraith-san, you and your sister promised to go to the festival together, didn't you?''
Yeah, you did.
''It's just that it can't be helped, but Wraith-san isn't very familiar with the festivals in the royal capital. At this rate, it will be difficult for her to lead her sister around the festival in a good atmosphere.

　Sylvia holds up her index finger and asserts that with a lively expression on her face. She didn't say anything wrong, so Wraith was not allowed to argue with her.

'There, sir!　We thought we'd help Mr. Lace with his date!
Yes....

　It was said with sparkling eyes, but Wraith could not help but have a bad feeling about it. Or rather, although the construction says it's for Wraith's sake, it looks like Sylvia herself is only enjoying this event.

　Seeing the Wraith who is not in a mood to get into it, Sylvia's lips twitched.

''What is it, then, Wraith-san, are you okay with this all by yourself?
'No, well, that's certainly going to be tough, but...'

　Yes, one is tough. That's why he had come to ask for Daisy's help. Daisy, the one person Wraith had come to ask for help, was listening to the conversation unfolding in front of her, seemingly uninterested.

'So, what do you want me to do, after all?'
'As you heard. Help Mr. Lace and I support my sister's date!
Why do I have to be...
When you know Mr. Wraith, you're inevitably limited...

　After being told something sober and hurtful, Wraith half-heartedly laughs.

''Wraith, were you dating an S-class adventurer in the first place?''
'No, it's more accurately pretending to be together. To get the same S-class adventurer who likes Raffy to give up.
What's the situation with that...

　Daisy holds her temples and sighs one. It's obvious that she's not going to get on board by any means.

'Well, if you can't do it, Daisy, you'll have to ask Amelia next...'
Eh....

　Sylvia's words cause Wraith to look as if he had been sentenced to death. No, for Wraith, it's practically the equivalent of a death sentence.

　When it comes to Sylvia and Amelia, they will struggle to cause extra events in that way. That much must be avoided in order to keep the peace.

'Daisy, please!　I'm asking you for the rest of your life...!
Why are you so desperate too...
This is a matter of life and death for me...!

　It's almost a plea. I can't pretend to be something I'm not.

"Huh ... okay, I get it. I'll help you at least a little bit.
'Thank you!　It really helps!

　I felt saved from the bottom of my heart. Now I could avoid only the worst patterns.

'It looks like we've got the story straight. Well then, let's get ready for the festival!

　Sylvia, who seems to be having the most fun of all of them, looks motivated. There's no other way left but to follow her.

''For now, we're still in business, so you can talk about that later.
Oh, I'm sorry...


　*****


　The business hours of Daisy's shop were over and the three of them went into a suitable restaurant for dinner as well. When they ordered and the food was ready, Sylvia gave them a big smile as if to say she had been waiting for them.

''Well, let's change our minds and proceed with our preparations!
I don't know much about the festival, though.
Yes, so let's start with the knowledge.

　This is a large annual festival held throughout the capital. It's an event that brings the city to life with all kinds of stalls.

The name of the festival is the 'King's Dragon Festival', which is named after the country's symbol, the crystal dragon. "The name of the festival is 'King's Dragon Festival', a reference to the symbol of this country, the Crystal Dragon.
Oh, the Crystal Dragon.

　Wraith had seen or touched her up close and personal in the matter of the nomination request. With such a beautiful figure, many people would be looking forward to seeing it.

''The Crystal Dragon will appear at the beginning of the festival, so let's see it first with my sister!
Where are you coming from?
'You know the place where we went to see the dragonwheel. I come to that square every year.

　It's a square with a large fountain in the center. It's also the place where Lace was almost cheated out of his money. That means it is also the place where Rotia was cheated out of her money at the same time.

　There would certainly be enough space and it would be a good place to gather people. First they would have to see the beautiful crystal dragon there to start the festival.

''After we see the crystal dragon, let's go through the festival in order from there. However, we can't go around to see everything, so I've picked out my recommendations!

　Since the festival is held throughout the entire King's Capital, it could be a marathon if you wanted to go all the way around. Or maybe it's possible for Raffy alone, but it's impossible for Wraith, an ordinary person, to do it.

　That's why Sylvia, who has experience in the "King's Dragon Festival," came up with a plan for Wraith. Looking at her who seemed confident, Wraith felt an indescribably bad feeling.

''First, the food and drink zone!　There are many food and drink stalls near the South Gate. If you find something here that interests you, buy it and fill up your stomach in moderation. There's no point in eating so much that you can't walk,

　He holds up his index finger with a bleep and advises.

　The festival is all about the various foods that line the stalls. The "Royal Dragon Festival" uses a variety of ingredients brought in by the dragon carriage, and there are also a number of rare dishes from other countries.

　The best way to enjoy the festival is to see it in person and pick up a food you like.

"If you continue north from the south gate, the next stop is a number of game stalls. You can easily play games using magic, so have fun with your sister!

　Sylvia has stars in her eyes as she gives a thumbs up. What she's saying is still normal. The Wraiths have no particular objection, and they listen to Sylvia's story maturely as useful information.

''If you continue all the way north and pass through the amusement-type stalls, you'll come to a place where various trinkets and other items are sold at the end.

　Sylvia glanced at Wraith and said so. The point is that he wants me to buy something here. Seeing that she is grinning while putting one hand over her mouth, perhaps she wants me to buy the last thing she said?

　Lace scratches his cheek with an indescribable expression.

'And at the end of it all, we watch the fireworks go off in the sky in a quiet place across the street... and the distance between us as we get closer. Their fingertips touching each other.
'I think it's good except that the premise that it's pretend is missing. Also, you're too excited, Sylvia.

　If they are real lovers, it might be a moderately good plan. But since Wraith and Raffy are pretend, it's only a matter of time before they expect a romantic atmosphere there.

　It's not going to be the kind of development that Sylvia is expecting. At best, it ends with pure enjoyment.

''So, the plan may be good, but what am I supposed to do?

　Daisy hasn't had much of a turnout so far. She's skeptical about what she's been called in for, but Sylvia smiles wryly at her, telling her she's asked well.

'It's, you see, support on the day. No matter how much we plan, there are always unforeseen circumstances. If that happens, we will be there to support you in the shadows!
Sounds like a pain in the ass, that role...

　It may be a perk for Sylvia, who enjoys this situation, but for Daisy, who isn't much interested in it, it's just a hassle. If Wraith hadn't asked me to do this, I would have refused immediately.

''Wait, does that mean you're going to follow me on the day of the festival...?
Yes, I'm going to do that without getting caught.

　Sylvia speaks clearly while smiling smugly. However, it's a development that Wraith would like to avoid if possible. It's no different than a public execution to be seen by an acquaintance, even though the situation seems to be tense just for the sake of it.

''No, as expected, that's....''
'Don't worry, he said, we'll take care of it!

　It seems like Wraith is no longer going to arrive no matter what he says. I mean, he's saying what the plan is or that it's for Wraith's sake, but 90% of what he really wants to do is just to openly watch Wraith and Raffy.

　That means he probably has to go on a date with Erial, Sylvia and Daisy watching him. I'd like to ask what the situation is.

''Well you don't have to do anything extra for me,''
It's not worth it.　I'll do my best for Mr. Wraith and my sister, of course!
..........

　Wraith glanced at Daisy without thinking about it. She sighed quietly and nodded slowly. Daisy will do her best to be Sylvia's stopper.

　It would be quite a tough part of the role, but I don't want Sylvia to cause a strange event. It's not a good idea to pretend to be your lover, who is using up all of your energy, and I don't want it to become any more difficult than it already is.


I'm on it!

　Sylvia, with her innocent smile, looks black just now.

　All Wraith can do is pray that nothing will happen. Although she hoped that she would be able to finish the 'King's Dragon Festival' normally, Wraith couldn't get rid of the anxiety in her heart.