落とし穴５５堀：何を飲もうか？ (Part1)
Pitfall 55: What should I drink?
What should I drink?
Side: Firia
"Hafu... it’s cold."
The season has fully turned to winter.
The end of the year has passed, New Year’s has come and gone, and the biting cold has truly arrived.
In just the past few days, the temperature has plummeted, and Weed, now blanketed in thick snow, has turned completely white.
"It’s cold, isn't it?"
"It really is."
"Indeed."
"Yeah."
"……Cold."
School is out for the day, and I’m hanging out with Vilia and Hiiro.
Lately, I’ve only been showing my face at school two or three times a week, so we don’t get much time together.
That’s why I like to spend time with my good friends like Vilia and Hiiro, asking them about what’s going on at school, but……
"It’s just too cold. Let’s go to a café today."
"Yeah. I think that’s a good idea. It’s so cold I’m going to catch a cold."
"Agreed. Let’s head to a café."
"Yes. That sounds perfect."
"A... café?"
"Never heard of it. What’s that?"
Nyu?
Ah, come to think of it, Vilia and Hiiro don’t know what that is.
"Um, it’s a shop where you drink tea."
"Yeah. They have snacks and stuff, too."
"Like they said, it’s a place to enjoy delicious tea and sweets."
"It’s the light-meal shop that Yuki-sama has been talking about for a while. The goal is to chat and relax there."
When we all explained it like that, the two of them looked a little uneasy……
"Um…… wouldn't a shop like that be expensive……?"
"My allowance is already low this month."
They said that.
Yeah. I get it.
Usually, you’d think it’s expensive. But, hey, there’s no way a place thought up by Brother would be pricey!
Well, Ratz-aneesama and Milly-aneesama mentioned he’s building a high-end one too, but let’s ignore that for now.
"It’s fine. Brother said he’d provide things at a reasonable price."
"I’ve been there before, and it’s not that expensive."
"That’s right. It’s about the cost of two slightly fancy snacks, I suppose?"
"About that much. But since we invited you, we’ll treat you."
Just as Shera said. We’ll pay for the two of them.
"Oh, no, that’s……"
"Yay! My allowance is low, so that’s a huge help."
"Hey, Hiiro! You need to manage your allowance properly……"
"Vili-onee, you’re noisy…… It can’t be helped that I spent a lot during New Year’s."
Yeah.
That really can’t be helped.
When you’re eating all sorts of delicious food at the stalls, your allowance disappears in a flash.
That’s what I think, but I also understand why Vilia, as the older sister, is scolding Hiiro.
……Unyuu, what should I do?
Aslin, Labyris, and Shera don’t know how to chime in either, so they just watch as Hiiro gets lectured.
It would have been fine if Hiiro had reflected on it and teared up, but she doesn't seem particularly bothered.
……Lately, Hiiro seems to be going through a rebellious phase, trying to distance herself from Vilia.
While I was thinking about that and watching their exchange……
"Hm? What are you all doing in this cold? Planning to play?"
Brother showed up!!
"Ah, Yuki-oniisama…… um, well……"
Vilia started fidgeting in a way that was easy to read, and Hiiro’s face lit up instantly……
"Yuki-onii! Vili-onee is bullying me!"
She said that and jumped at him.
Naturally, Brother scooped Hiiro up without any trouble.
……That’s not fair.
"Bullying? Vilia is? There’s a reason for it, right?"
"Yes! Exactly! Hiiro said her allowance for the month is already low, so I was just telling her to manage it properly!"
"Is that so?"
"……New Year’s is to blame."
Hiiro wouldn't lie to Vilia or Brother, of course.
She looked away and confessed honestly.
"Haha. I see. You end up spending a lot during New Year’s, don't you? Well, you understand where Vilia is coming from, right?"
"……Yeah."
"Then, just say you’ll manage it better next time. Vilia isn't against you spending money, right?"
"Ah, yes. It’s just that seeing the allowance Yuki-oniisama gave us being wasted is…… well, you know."
"I don't think you need to be as strict as Vilia, though. It’s good to spend your whole allowance while you’re a kid and experience the misery of being dead broke."
"That sounds nice."
"I’ll pass on that."
They both denied it in unison.
Come to think of it, both of them lived in the slums and were in situations where they had no money for a long time.
They know the value of money well.
"Anyway, leaving the allowance talk aside, were you planning on going somewhere to eat?"
"Ah, yes. We were thinking of going to a café."
"I see. That might put a dent in Vilia and the others' allowances. Alright, I was thinking of relaxing a bit myself. Let’s go to the café on me."
" " "Yay!!" " "
Brother is so kind, as always.
……?
Huh? Come to think of it, isn't someone missing from Brother’s side?
"Cleena-san!! Even if you are a doppelganger, what were you thinking, abandoning Yuki-sama’s guard duty!"
"……I acknowledge my mistake. However, I did not abandon it. I was researching in the library with Yuki, and before I knew it, Yuki was gone."
"That’s because of your reading addiction, isn't it!!"
"Nn. Affirmative. As expected of my husband, he sees through my habits well."
"Everyone can see it!!"
Ah, the guard sisters weren't there.
Today, it was Samantha-aneesama and Cleena-aneesama.
"Brother, you shouldn't worry the sisters so much, you know?"
"Yeah, that’s not good, Brother."
"Indeed. Perhaps a collar is necessary?"
"A collar……? Let’s consult with Narjia-san about that."
"Eh? Eh!? A collar for Yuki-oniisama!? T-that’s, no…… right?"
"……Vili-onee, you’re a pervert."
After that noisy reunion, we arrived at the café without further incident.
"It’s kind of stylish."
"……It smells like bitter coffee."
"Haha, is the scent a bit too strong for Hiiro? Well, they have sweet drinks too, so it should be fine."
It seems the scent of coffee is a bit too mature for Hiiro.
It’s the kind of drink suitable for fine ladies like us.
"It really does have a lovely coffee aroma, doesn't it?"
"Nn. And it’s not just one or two scents; you can smell various beans. This is a café. ……I always thought drinks were strictly forbidden while reading, but my resolve is wavering lately……"
"Well, if it’s not a precious book, why not read in a relaxed position? They say coffee and tea can help with concentration, too."
"That’s true. I do enjoy tea while reading. I do feel like I can concentrate better."
"Nn. That’s good to know. I’ll try it sometime."
We all sat at an empty table, chatting about trivial things.
"Yuki-sama, welcome. And welcome to everyone else as well."
"Thanks. How is it? It’s been about two months now, right?"