落とし穴１１６堀：夏の再建計画 (Part1)
**Pitfall 116: Summer Reconstruction Plan**
**Summer Reconstruction Plan**
**Side: Kagura Kamishiro**
"……I don't want to go back."
I mutter this while staring at my empty glass.
"No, no, Kagura. It’s our job, after all..."
"That’s right, Senpai."
"Honestly, you. Are you still hung up on it?"
The ones firing back these responses are Mikos, Solo, and Enora.
"……*Sigh*. For now, why don't you order something else? If you do, you can stay in the café longer."
"……I suppose you're right. Excuse me. One iced coffee and a buttermilk cookie, please."
"Coming right up. Understood."
As soon as I place my order, the waitress responds promptly.
"Wait, that’s not it! I don’t want to go back to Baide simply because there aren't any shops that serve coffee and cake this delicious. It’s not like I have any ulterior motives for wanting to stay in Weed, okay?"
"Yeah, yeah."
To their dismissive replies, I toss the remaining ice from my glass into my mouth and crunch down on it...
"Ugh. Setting Solo and Enora aside, aren't you unhappy too, Mikos? You’re separated from Yuki."
"Mikos-chan is honestly surprised you’d blurt that out so easily. As for being separated from Yuki-sensei, it’s unavoidable due to work, so I wouldn't say I’m 'unhappy' about it. Besides, Yuki-sensei answers whenever I contact him. And from Mikos-chan’s perspective, travel between Baide and Weed isn't restricted, and I can come and go from the shops easily. Why are you so desperate, Kagura?"
"Now that you mention it, that’s true. Lord Yuki is very considerate of us, isn't he? He’s even gone out of his way to make the environment in Baide as comfortable as possible. What exactly are you dissatisfied with?"
"Th-that is..."
Once they put it that way, I can't find a rebuttal.
I mean, I can't exactly tell them that I’m just lonely because I can no longer see the face I used to see every single day...
Besides, that was my only real excuse to talk to Yuki!
And this is the first time I’ve heard that Mikos was keeping in touch via Call!
Well, knowing Yuki’s personality, he would naturally answer if I just reached out, but saying I just want to hear his voice... that’s too embarrassing.
"Good grief, Kagura, you’re more of a maiden in love than even Mikos-chan. You just want to be by Yuki-sensei’s side forever, don't you?"
"I don't know much about it, but they say love is blind, right? Kagura’s motivation is incredible when Lord Yuki is around. Now that it’s the opposite, your energy is so low it’s easy to tell."
"Eh? Really!?"
I didn't think I was being that obvious about my happiness or my mood swings!
"Um, well, even from my perspective, it’s very easy to tell. When Yuki-sensei is here, you always have a beautiful smile, and when he’s not, your face is quite stoic."
"Eh? Is that so?"
"Wow. You didn't even realize? Shall Mikos-chan show you personally? A collection of Kagura-chan’s expressions, captured with the digital camera Yuki-sensei entrusted to me!"
"Why are you managing data on me so specifically!?"
"Well, it’s only natural for a reporter, isn't it? I have everyone else’s, too. Anyway, forget that, look."
The photos Mikos shows me are neatly divided into a beautiful woman with a lovely smile and a cool, beautiful woman. The only difference is whether Yuki is standing next to me or not.
"Blatant. There’s no way you can deny it now. Though, I think it’s a bit much that Lord Yuki hasn't noticed."
"Nah. That would be impossible for Yuki-sensei. Smiling is the default state when she’s in front of him."
"Ah, I see. And with a beautiful wife and many children, he’d never dream that Kagura has feelings for him."
"Guh!?"
"S-Senpai!?"
My heart hurts!! Is my love destined to never bloom!?
"Like this, Kagura is quite anxious, but Mikos, why aren't you? I think the competition is pretty stiff, you know?"
"It’s not actually like that. Mikos-chan and Kagura-chan are in a cooperative relationship with the wives, so as long as Yuki-sensei gives the okay, it’ll be fine."
"Oh? So you’ve already talked it over?"
"Yep. So, I’m not really in a rush. Besides, Mikos-chan couldn't possibly try to make a move during such a busy time."
"Like a cat in heat."
"Aggh!?"
"S-Senpai, stay with me!!"
As we were fooling around like that...
"Customers. There are others in the shop, so please keep it down."
" " "We’re sorry." " "
We immediately apologize to the waitress, Lari, who scolded us.
"Well, love is difficult, isn't it? Personally, I recommend just going for it once."
"Lari-san!?"
"Yeah, yeah. Kagura, you’re so innocent. As an apology for teasing you, this is on the house, so feel free to agonize over it to your heart's content, young one."
With that, Lari-san brings us extra iced coffee and sweets for everyone.
"Eh!? Surely this is too much..."
"It’s fine. I know that the world is starting to revolve around Weed. You’re the ones working hard to make that happen. Let me at least do this much. Besides, this is a treat from the manager, so don't worry about it. You come here often, after all."
"The manager, too?"
When I look toward the counter, the manager, who had been polishing a glass, gives us a slight nod.
"Wow. How dandy. If Yuki-sensei weren't around, Mikos-chan might have fallen for him."
"Don't say silly things, let’s just be grateful and enjoy it."
"That’s true."
"Wow, these sweets aren't even on the menu. Are they a trial run?"
As we all stare at them with sparkling eyes...
"Oh. Good timing, I’ll take that."
Suddenly, someone appears from the side, snatches my iced coffee, and drains it in one go.
"Wh-!? What are you..."
I’m about to yell at the thief, but as soon as I see who it is, I shut my mouth. Because standing right in front of me was...
"Phew. That brings me back to life. Huh? But you’re not supposed to chug iced coffee, are you? Oh well."
Standing there is...
" " "Luna-sama!?" " "
Yes, it is Luna-sama, the highest-ranking goddess of this world.
"Hey, Luna. Just because we’re acquaintances doesn't mean you can just snatch someone else’s drink."
"Ah, sorry, sorry. I had a sudden surge of work last night, and I haven't had a drop to drink or a bite to eat since. Here, use this to pay for the extras and Kagura’s share. Oh, and bring me some lunch, whatever is fine."
"Yeah, yeah. You still never cook for yourself, do you?"
"Because the food here is tastier."
"……I’m grateful that you praise our shop and are a loyal customer, but something about that feels wrong."
"That’s just how it is. It’s important for women with husbands and children to cook and nurture love, but I don't have anyone like that, so this place is fine."
"*Sigh*, same as ever. Then, is that all for your order?"
"Yeah, please."
"Understood. Please wait a moment."
Just like that, she’s enjoying her life in Weed with a surprisingly casual attitude.