The lunch that Ayame bought for us was a rather hearty sandwich packed into a box.
We decided to take a lunch break for two as Ayame took over the bill.
However, we can't leave this place, so we have to sneak around while sitting in the back....

''Huh........''
Are you still depressed?
Because....
What's wrong with that? That's why we're having lunch together.
Yeah, but...

Well, it certainly doesn't feel like a festival........
If you eat with such a sad face with your eyebrows knitted together and the corners of your eyebrows lowered, then the delicious food won't taste as good.

''Oh, this is good!''
...ahhhhh...
You'll have one there too... ahhh.
Oh. Hmm... It's good.

I'm feeling a little better, huh?
He went out of his way to change his seating position, and he's just leaning in.
As it was, we were eating our sandwiches in a relaxed manner while watching everyone's backs working, and suddenly Sorte stood up.

''Lord, Lord!　Stand up for a minute!
What's going on, huh?

Solte points to one side when the hand that isn't holding the sandwich is pulled and urged to stand.

'There it is!　Stage!　Look at the stage!

Stage?
I can certainly see it from here but oh, there's some kind of girl standing on the stage.
She's holding a ... a spear?
Will they be performing?　And just as I was thinking, it was.

'Cui!'

A high-pitched sound that I remember hearing somewhere echoed around the stage.
And everyone within reach of that sound turned their eyes to the stage.

''Was that........the 'Harpuer's Crying Flute'?''
'Yes!　That's right!　This time we have the real Harpure Orchestra coming to town!


They have feathers sprouting from their arms and shoulders, and long tail feathers can be seen under their skirts.
And every time they wielded their spears, they made a beautiful sound, and the melody played with the performance was magnificent.

Sorte is looking at the girls with enraptured eyes.
Apparently, what Solte wanted to see with them was the performance of this Harpuer's band.

''Great........''

As well as the sounds they make, their performance is a sight to behold.
........especially the fact that they wear skirts.
They must be top-notch in battle as well.
You can see a glimpse of them up to the very edge of their thighs from earlier, but you can't help but see the cloth inside.


Eventually, the girls finished their performance and got off the stage, and the area was filled with applause.
The people in line at my stall were clapping as well, and even though the shop had temporarily stopped functioning, not a single complaint was expressed.

''Huh........it's lovely after all....... The overlapping of sounds, the collaboration with the performance.......all of it is top notch.......
Indeed..... That was a brilliant performance.
You bet!　I wish I could have seen it with the Lord!　The real Harpuea performers are still awesome!

Sorte is in a state of excitement.
He's waving his arms around and crying with joy, and he's excited as if his wish had been granted.
Solte was certainly right, it was awesome.
But.

'But if you're going to look at them one by one, Sorte was still more beautiful.

Solte, who blurts out, turns red in the face like Miserable earlier.
It is such a change that you can't help but check to see if steam is coming out of your head.

''Pah...!　Meow, I'm talking to you, meow!　That's not........they're professionals over there!
Still, Sorte was more beautiful.
Huh, hey.... Thank you very much.

It seems to be so confusing that it became an unintentional term of respect and even lowered its head.
It's a good idea to be able to have a good idea of what you're looking for, but it's not a good idea to have a good idea of what you're looking for.

It's a good idea to be able to have a good time. Isn't that cheating?
Oh, you understand Mizera?　Sorte-tan is always so sneaky.
'Well..... I should have replaced the two of us. That depression tricked me.........
Let's not do Mr. Solte tonight.
Hm. Just let the dog go on his quest.

A mumbled, quiet voice can be heard casually from the front.
I guess they can't speak loudly as they are serving customers.
Unfortunately, it seems that White was also just guiding the line, and things are going pretty badly.

''Hmm........Lord. More, pet me.

Without knowing it, Sorte lets out a sweet voice.
Each time she does, the invisible pressure from the front increases, but the damsel in love doesn't notice!

It's not easy.
These girls are in love with you. They deserve better.
But I don't think that's true. But that's not something most men would know about, so I'm afraid you'll get stabbed anyway.

You know, because of you guys, we can't even sit in a chair, we're eating with a crate as a chair.
I'm not going to tell you to get out of the way, so will you please shut up for a minute?

My Lord?
No. Look. I think it's time for a change of lunch, don't you?
'Yes, but ... just a little bit more. Right?

I have a weakness for this face...
OK.
We'll figure out the rest later.
For now, let's have plenty of cute faces to beg, and plenty of cute soltes to rub their heads against!


Uppu.........I'm not going in........
For some reason, I decided to take lunch with all of them after that.
I thought it was time efficient, but they unanimously decided to go with this.

From all of us. Mm-hm. From everyone.

These sandwiches, each one of them is quite hearty........
Misela was shy about doing them, so I ate them even though I thought they might be a bit tight........

But.... you know. She wanted to do something, and she was disappointed.
So I begged her to do it.

...you're a man.
Hmm. Man.
I think he's just an idiot.


There's a scene where I have to answer the girls' expectations........
But I can't do it anymore.........

''Lord, are you okay?　Can I get some water?
'Ugh I just need a little...'

I want to push away the solids in my stomach.
I mean, I want to lie down.........
I want to get comfortable, even though I'm afraid that the gastric juices might back up.........

'You want to lie down?　In that case, you'd better get your right side down. You'd better keep your head up so it doesn't back up...

And gently lowering my head to my lap, Aina's kindness stings....

"I'm sorry, Aina........ I don't think I can accept Aina's ahhhhh.......
What? Well, you get the benefit of the doubt.

Aina gently places her hand on my head and strokes me gently.

'Aina can have dinner too, you know.
'I got one, so I'm fine. Anyway, my lord has worked hard this time, so it's okay to get some sleep, okay?
'Oh no I can't just sleep here when everyone else is working...'
You'll forgive me. I didn't get to have a festival date with my Lord. And besides, my lord had a hard time with it, so he can't complain if it takes a little longer.

Aina says the last part a little too loudly, but there didn't seem to be any complaints from everyone up front.
It's more of a giggle or a tic-tac-toe... they seem to be working more crisply than before.

'Here. You can sleep a little..... But you don't know if you're a cow, do you?
Be nice to me when I'm a cow.
'Yes. I will still love my lord when I am a cow.

I didn't expect that back and my face got a little hot as I stared blankly at him.

'Oh. Did I beat my lord today?
'Yeah. I guess I'll lose I'll love you too, even if Aina is a cow.
'....Are you saying that because my breasts are as big as a cow's tits?
Yeah. I can milk it for you.
And you're a dairy cow...

We both chuckle and I gently close my eyes.
Then Aina gently pats me on the head.

'Good job. 'My lord,'

Oh, good job Aina, too... I was going to reply, but it was too comfortable and thanks to the late nights I stayed up last night, I fell asleep in no time at all.



Mmm-hmm!　It would only take me a couple of minutes.
Even so, I regained my strength and energy, and was filled with motivation to do the work I was about to do.
However, the number of customers is still enormous.

But what a sight to behold.... I was going to get a cotton candy when I had a free hand, but that's not possible.
That's right. You are still capable....
I won't do it.
I didn't ask for it. I'll let him say he wants to come voluntarily.
''Hm. Come to think of it, he's also a candidate for Warawa's son-in-law. I'm sorry. I forgot to tell you.
'Do you decide on a son-in-law based on a battle of wills?　Ha, that's a lot of legalese.
"Not a spiral?　And I don't care who my son-in-law is. It must be the favorite.
''Well, we are both very far removed from the political aspect of our existence. If that's the case, I suppose it's okay to take my son-in-law. I'll put him on the short list.

I'm saying something selfish behind my back, but ignore it, ignore it.
There's no way I'm going to leave her alone right now.

'I got two!'
Yes, ma'am. You've got two for me. Thank you for waiting.

Fortunately I haven't gotten any complaints from customers about 'slow' or 'long', but I guess it's just a matter of time........
I can see here and there that the kids are starting to get tired of waiting in line....
And to be honest, at this rate we're going to run out of materials........
It's a painful thing to have to apologize for having to stand in line for so long.

Hey, young man. The show is going great.
'Oligor?　I'm sorry, but I don't have time for you.
'That's terrible........ I'm here to save your brother now, remember?　This is where you should hold me in a sobbing hug and bring me into the dark.

Why do I have to bring you into the dark?
And don't you dare make that crude face!　It will diminish your cool image from yesterday, though.

I'm already.........sleepy........

Uh.... well, Meira...?
I have terrible dark circles under my eyes and my cheeks feel a little bit sunken........

'I hate festivals.......I hate festivals.... I didn't enjoy it at all........work, work, work.......
Hey, you okay?
Oh...................... It's okay..... But, please, could you take me to the hot spring?
Oh, yeah. All right. I promise you, I promise...

When I reply that, Meira smiles thinly........
What in the world happened.........

Let's get some work done!

After clearing his throat, Oligor pulls out the microphone he used on the day of the opening ceremony and turns to the people in line.

'Ahhhh. I'm pleased to announce that the cotton candy sold at this stall will be joining the ranks of Ains Hale's famous products!　Meira has negotiated the route of purchasing the ingredients, so from now on they will be sold on a daily basis in Ains Hale!　So you don't have to be today to eat it!'

The material supply route... that's why Meira is so mangled!



'Meira, you know. Based on the amount of pomegranate I've wholesaled, she said we'd run out of stock if we didn't, so she scrambled.
I did my best....

Meiraaaaahhhh!
Oh, you'll have to go to the hot springs later to relax!
I'll give you my SPECIAL massage if you want!

Perhaps hearing Oligor's voice, quite a few of them are leaving the line.
People from other countries and other territories, and people who want to be the first to eat today and get in on the trend are still left, but if this is the case, I think we can handle it today.