Read Novel Full Chapter 2401: Spreading Aftermath ②
Chapter 2401: Spreading Aftermath ②
As expected of a seasoned merchant with countless battles behind her, Akane-san exuded a pressure that seemed impossible for her small frame to produce, but after a moment, her expression softened slightly.
[…Well, it’s not like I came here to scold you this time, Kaito.]
[Arehh? You didn’t?]
[Yeah. I mean, if you trace the cause of this mess, and a few other ones, it often leads back to you…… But if you ask me whether that makes it your fault, well… I’d have to tilt my head and think on that one.]
It didn’t look like she was transitioning into a lecture after all. Akane-san’s face relaxed, and with a somewhat exasperated expression, she continued speaking.
[Remember how we ran into War King-sama during Archlesia Empire’s Founding Festival? That whole thing gave both me and Kaori stomachaches…… But then again, could that have been avoided if you’d been more careful, Kaito? Not really.]
[Well, yeah. That was really just a matter of ridiculous timing. It’s not like Kaito-kun invited us to your shop or called out to War King-sama. I mean, sure, you could say that Kaito-kun’s the type to attract that kind of crazy coincidence, but still…… it was me and Akane-san who decided to go to the Founding Festival in the first place. It’d be unfair to blame you for that.]
[Exactly. It’s not like Kaito’s aiming for trouble, nor is there any malice behind it. If we’re talking about right or wrong, Kaito hasn’t done anything wrong. This time’s probably something like that too, I figure.]
The conversation shifted to one that seemed to defend me, and I felt a small sense of relief, until Akane-san suddenly cut her words short, pointed sharply at me, and declared:
[But still, when you think about all the people, myself included, who’ve had to deal with stomachaches because of this guy’s antics, I figure someone’s gotta scold him every once in a while. So I figured I’d do it, just for form’s sake.][I see……………..… yeah, Akane-san, I think you could stand to scold him a bit more firmly.]
[Kaori-san!?]
Ah, cr*p, this was one of those no-allies situations…… It had become a perfect two-against-one setup, and I couldn’t help but feel miserably cornered.
Also, I had more than a few things come to mind that made it hard to argue back.
As I was thinking that, Kaori-san gave a wry smile and spoke.
[……Just kidding. But really, Kaito-kun, you’re unbelievable sometimes. I still get nervous thinking that someday, out of nowhere, you’ll show up at my restaurant bringing along some incredibly important person again.]
[…………….…]
[……Hmmm, Kaito-kun? Why did you just avert your eyes so awkwardly? That’s rude, you know. Come on, look at me. Let’s talk properly, depending on what you’re hiding, I might end up being the one to scold you instead of Akane-san…… So tell me, why did you react like someone with a guilty conscience just now?]
She had every reason to ask that. I did, in fact, have something in mind. Or rather, someone, Magnawell-san. To be fair, it had only happened yesterday, and I simply hadn’t had the chance to tell her yet. I was going to explain it properly.
[……Well, I was planning to tell you soon, but…… Magnawell-san heard some things from Megiddo-san and, umm, seems to have taken an interest in your restaurant…… So, I promised to show her around next time…….]
[………..…]
Upon hearing that, Kaori-san covered her face with both hands and looked up at the ceiling.
[You’re trying to bring another of the Six Kings here. Even setting aside Phantasmal King-sama, if Dragon King-sama shows up, that’s already half of them! Wait, are you seriously trying to completely gather all the Six Kings or something!? Kaito-kun, I think you’re misunderstanding something here, my place is a diner! A diner! It’s not supposed to be the gathering spot for the rulers of the Demon Realm, you knoooow!?]
[Um, errr, how should I say this…… Ah, here, this tea helps with stomachaches.]
[You gave up, didn’t you? You just totally gave up! From experience, you’ve already accepted that somehow, in the end, all six of them are gonna show up anyway, haven’t you!? So you’ve decided to stop resisting and start treating my stomach instead, haven’t you!? ……Thanks for the tea though!!!]
I handed her a can of MK Blend HS I’d bought from Canalis-san. Kaori-san, half in tears, perfectly read my state of mind while yelling her complaints.
Considering what happened with Lilia-san, I really do get the feeling that, somehow, I’ll end up bringing all of them sooner or later. I honestly have no idea how I’d even manage to bring someone like Lillywood-san, who doesn’t even eat or drink, to her restaurant…… but somehow, I can still see it happening.
And even as she shouted, Kaori-san still remembered to thank me for the tea in the end, that’s just so like her.
As I was thinking that, Akane-san patted me on the shoulder with a sigh.
[……Kaito, next time I’ll buy you a dictionary. Seems like the one you’ve got is defective, missing words like “restraint” and “moderation”. I’ll make sure to write them in big red letters right on the cover.]
<Afterword>
Serious-senpai : [So far, the ones who’ve already visited her restaurant are Kuro and Megiddo, and if we count that guy who’s constantly by Kaito’s side, we can probably include Alice too. Now he’s planning to bring Magnawell, and since he got a control accessory from Canalis for Isis, if he ever decides to take her to some restaurant, Kaori’s place would obviously be the top candidate…… meaning the flag for Isis showing up is already raised as well. Honestly, if Lillywood ever ends up with even the slightest reason to visit, we might actually see a full Six Kings complete set…… Come to think of it, Kaori’s the only one in this world who owns trees that grow yuzu and sudachi, isn’t she……]