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“…So this really is a cafe, huh?”
“Hmm, were you doubting me, Arje-chan?”
“Well, looking at how you’re dressed, most people would probably think of a traditional teahouse rather than a cafe.”

I said nothing more and simply began eating.
A mound of chicken rice topped with a soft-boiled egg. The classic omurice. I scooped up a corner of it and brought it to my mouth.

…Ah, it’s delicious.

The chicken rice was well-seasoned without being greasy. The onions and bell peppers had a nice texture and were cut into pieces that didn’t overpower the dish.
The egg was sweet, and along with the aroma of butter, it enveloped the chicken rice just as it looked.
Aside from the red ketchup that read “Make a joke here” in what looked like Republican language, it was a perfect omurice. “Here”—where exactly?

“It’s delicious!”

While I ate quietly, still in a state of surprise, Kuzuha-chan was stuffing her face with the omelet rice, clearly enjoying every bite.
Her cheeks were puffed out like a hamster’s rather than a fox’s, and her eyes were sparkling. Kids really do love omelet rice, huh?

That said, my heart was dancing just as much as hers. In the Kingdom, they apparently eat bread, so rice wasn’t served.
Even with the seasoning, the texture and the natural sweetness that comes from chewing are unmistakably those of rice. Though not quite as much as Kuzuha-chan, I found myself naturally eating more and more.

Satsuki-san looked back and forth between the two of us, smiling happily.
Satsuki-san doesn’t eat much for her size. Her golden mound was a size smaller than ours, and she’d already given about half of it to Kuzuha-chan.

“It makes me happy to see you both enjoying it so much. Arje-chan, do you like it too?”
“Yes. It’s delicious.”

True to its name as a café, the flavor is flawless. Though the “ketchup” writing is a bit odd.

“See, see? After all, whole hearts and souls are put into making it…by Iris-chan!”
“Huh? So Satsuki-san didn’t make it!?”
“Iris-chan is the one who makes the dishes we serve at the shop. I’m in charge of the staff meals—or rather, our daily meals—and the shop’s sweets.”
“Oh, I see…”

Kuzuha-chan, who, given the flow of the conversation, had apparently assumed the omelet rice was Satsuki-san’s handiwork, made a slightly awkward face.

It’s true that the ketchup lettering is clearly a prank—which is very Satsuki-san-like—but Iris-san is actually pretty much the same way. In this regard, at least, the two of them are strangely similar. I guess you could say they’re on the same wavelength.

Fumitsuki-san shot Satsuki-san a slightly sidelong glance but ignored it and kept eating. I suppose this is just business as usual.
Iris-san hasn’t shown up yet, but she’s a typical vampire. To avoid sunlight, she’s probably eating in the back.

“Now then, Fumi-chan. I’m going to prepare for tomorrow, so could you please take this over to the Merchant Guild for me?”

After they finished eating and Fumitsuki-san had cleared the dishes, Satsuki-san pulled a few bundles of paper from the cleavage of her blouse.
I couldn’t see what was written on them. Fumitsuki-san took them, gave them a quick glance, and said,

“A request for road repairs, is it?”
“Yes. A few spots that caught my attention while riding the carriage back and forth from here to Sakurazaka.”
“You’re so thorough, Onee-sama.”
“It’s more comfortable for the traveling merchants if the roads are in good condition. After all, it’s thanks to them that we’re able to procure our supplies. Can you handle this for me, Fumi-chan?”
“Sure thing, leave it to me!”

Fumitsuki gave her chest, which was noticeably smaller than Satsuki-san’s, a firm pat and walked toward the back of the shop. She was probably getting ready to go out.
Something about that conversation had caught my attention, so I decided to ask Satsuki to elaborate a bit more. With that in mind, I spoke up.

“Um, what exactly is the Merchant Guild?”
“It’s a trade association where many traveling merchants are registered. Since they travel across countries and villages to do business, it’s dangerous, so they have a gathering to share information.”
“……Can I tag along too?”

What comes to mind is the person who first took care of me when I first arrived in this world.
Zeno Kotobuki. He was the one who carried me all the way to Arlescha right after I was reincarnated, and took care of everything—from meals to clothes and travel money—along the way.
A debt of gratitude I promised to repay someday, if I ever could. I’d been wondering what to do since I didn’t know if I’d ever see him again, but if such an organization exists, there’s a good chance Zeno is registered there too. It’s worth checking out.

“I think that’s a good idea. Fumi-chan will probably show you the way.”
“Alright. I’ll ask her.”
“Umm, Arje-san? What can I do for you?”
“There’s someone I’d like to repay a debt to. He’s supposedly a traveling merchant, so I thought if I went there, I might find out where he is.”
“That’s very important. I’ll accompany you as well.”

It’s none of Kuzuha-chan’s business, but she seems determined to tag along.
She’s a bit noisy, but she’s not a bad kid, so I guess it’s fine. Since I’ve been with her this whole time anyway, it’s starting to feel natural for her to tag along…

“Satsuki-san. Could you take care of Behaki for me? I’ll pay you, including for the meal.”
“No, it’s fine. I was the one who invited you to dinner, so you don’t need to pay.”
“No, but—”
“It’s fine! Just so you know, once Satsuki-chan gets like this, there’s no way I’ll take your money! I’m confident in my ability to outlast anyone in a standoff. So choose: either stop trying to pay, or let me hug you so tight on my lap that you won’t even want to pay anymore. Go on!”
“Ah, well then, I’ll take the kindness.”
“What!? Could you drag this out a little longer!?”

I feel like this might count as a favor, but in her case, she’s just happy that I’m paying her any attention at all, so I guess it’s fine.
Still, I figured it would just get more and more annoying the longer I kept it up, so I called it quits. She looked really unhappy about it, but hey, it’s a hassle.
In that sense, she’s a strange person. She naturally does things for me without expecting anything in return, and she doesn’t make me feel like it’s a burden.

“I leave him in your care, Satsuki-san.”

Whether or not Fumitsuki-san will show me the way is another matter, but I’m already set on going there. Even if she doesn’t guide me, I plan to find the place on my own.
The promise we made to repay each other someday. If I don’t fulfill it, I’ll have to keep thinking about it forever.
Even if the clothes and accessories he gave me are long gone.

“I hope you’re able to meet your benefactor successfully, Arje-san.”
“I hope so, too.”

Said the girl who ruined the gift from that benefactor, though she didn’t mean any harm, so I decided not to mention it.
I want to get this favor out of the way quickly so I can take a nap.