The day of our departure from the city of Lukkos.
　I was carrying the luggage into Krua-san's carriage.

　The actual plan was to use the carriage to carry food and other items, and also to cook here before serving them.
　But, of course, we needed to carry a certain amount of cargo in the carriage for the part of showing it to those around us.

　I'll be helping Krua-san with that task as we head out in his carriage.
　Just like that, other merchants here are also carrying their belongings into the carriage, perhaps to head to Lukkos.

　I don't know any of them, but they are all going to be working for the city of Lukkos from now on.
　Thinking about that, I could sense a strange sense of unity.
　It was at that time.

''Just........!　Don't get in!

　A raspy voice rang out.
　The voice caused everyone to look at each other at once.
　There were two women over there. One was someone I had never seen before, but I knew the other one.

　It was Ristina-san.
　Ms. Listina seemed to have been slapped on the cheek by the woman, and she was holding her cheek.
　The woman glared at Ms. Ristina, breathing heavily, and got into the carriage alone.

'Well, wait a minute, Miss Kurutta!
'I'm sorry, but I don't have a seat for you. Well, I'll take your place.

　After a huff and a smile, the woman departed with the carriage.

　The remaining Ristina-san's expression grew grim. Her fists were shaking with a plump fist and she was glaring at them.
　I couldn't see the situation at all.
　The people who had been paying attention to Ristina-san also went back to their own work.

''Excuse me, Krua-san. Is it okay if I step away for a moment?''
'Yes, sir. We've finished loading, if you can come back before we leave.
I understand.

　With Krua's permission, I headed towards Ristina.
　Ristina-san's lips were pursed together, but when she noticed me, she looked at me as if she was surprised.

''........Ristina-san?''
'What?　Oh, isn't that senior Lelius?

　I looked up and saw tears in the corners of Ristina's eyes.
　When she noticed me, she scrubbed at her eyes.

'W-what's wrong?'
'That's the line over here. ........What's going on?　That woman who was just here, she was so swashbuckling.
That person is my senior.
...Senpai, are you from the play?
'Yes. I've always been the one who usually played the leading role... but after I became the leading role this time, my attitude suddenly changed...
So you're saying that they didn't even give you a ride in the carriage?
''........Yes.
What about the other carriages?
Well, I think they've already left.
''........I see. Then would you like to take a ride in our carriage?
'What?　........Come to think of it, Relius-senpai said he was heading there too, right? Da, are you okay?
He's a kind man, and I'm sure he'll be fine if you talk to him.
Oh, may I ask you for a favor?
Yes. May I ask you to follow me?

　Ristina exhaled in relief and lined up next to me.
　Then when I returned to Krua-san, she glanced at me.

Lelius-san, did you know each other?
'Yes. I understand that the circumstances have made it impossible for you to ride in the carriage, so is it possible for me to give you a ride here?
''Well yes. I'm sure you'll be fine.

　The moment Lystina-san heard those words, her eyes lit up.

''Ho, is it true!
'Yes, yes ... by the way ... what is your relationship with Mr. Relius?'

　Krua-san glances at Ristina-san.
　Me and Ms. Ristina?　It would be nothing more than a mere business associate.
　But Ristina's eyes narrowed in amusement. Then she hugged my arm.

'We're boyfriend and girlfriend!
'What?　Really?!

　Mr. Krua's eyes widen in surprise.
　What the hell is this guy talking about!
　I shook off Ristina's arm and smacked her once on the head. Of course, I added or subtracted.

　As I did so, Ristina-san's expression also softened a bit.
　.........Well, Ristina-san's expression is more suitable for this one, right?

''Krua-san, Ristina-san is a junior colleague at work. His character is the kind of guy who makes fun of people for a living.
What a terrible introduction. The only person I would make fun of is senior Lelius.

　That's why they're even worse.
　As I sighed in disgust, Krua looked at us intently.

''I'm Krua. I have a contract with Lelius-san as a merchant and craftsman. I look forward to working with you.''
"...merchants, contracts. You mean business associates?

　I returned the nod of my head to Ristina, who looked at me.

'Something like that.'

　Lystina nodded in agreement.
　Then she exhaled lightly and laughed.

'I thought Lelius-senpai had a girlfriend. I thought he'd beat you to it.
...ahead?　Oh, didn't you say you had a boyfriend before?
''Oh ... no, well, that's anyway. You mean you're not Lelius-senpai's girlfriend?
Yeah, well,

　After Ristina-san said it, she looked at Krua-san.

''Once again it's nice to meet you, Krua-san. My name is Ristina, I'm taking care of my seniors at Lelius-senpai's inn. It's nice to meet you.

　Who's looking after you........

''........Yes. A junior colleague at work, you mean.
Well, to a point, yes.

　Listina-san nodded, and Krua-san smiled as well.

''I understand. So, you want to take that lady in your carriage, right?
"...Yeah, well. If that's possible.

　I know I'm being reckless with Mr. Krua, too.

''Yes, it's fine. Originally, I was just putting my luggage on it, so it might be a little uncomfortable to sit on it, but.......
'I'm fine!　I look forward to working with you!
Sure. Nice to meet you, too.

　The two of them smile at each other.
　For now, they're going to get along just fine.