第１０８７堀：本人の気持ちは大事 (Part1)
The 1087th Ditch: Their Own Feelings Matter
Side: Yuki
I only meant to check on Coral, so why has it turned into such a commotion? Well, it didn't seem like it would escalate into a major problem, and I confirmed that Kirika also deemed intervention unnecessary, so I just called out to the two people present. While I was doing that, the person I came to see emerged from the shop.
"Honestly, you two are overreacting. He merely reached for my backside, didn't he? Causing a fuss over every little thing will only trouble Alfin, the shop owner." The one who stopped them was Coral, dressed in a uniform. Yes, that troublesome Dragon is, for some reason, currently working at Alfin's shop. I was surprised when I first heard about it, but since having the will to work isn't a bad thing, I've let her continue. Besides, Alfin can handle someone like Coral without any trouble. Anyway, that aside, I'm being ignored. A little louder, once more...
"Hey! Queen Miyabi, Gaul, Coral!" It seemed they finally noticed me, and the High Elf and Dragons turned my way. And Coral, for some reason, calls me 'Master' because she has Steve as a subordinate. While that's a term a vassal would use, and it feels a bit problematic in various ways, if she herself wants to call me that, there's no point in correcting her, so I've said nothing. Or rather, trying to uncover the 'truth' behind it seems like nothing but trouble, so I'll put it off for later.
"I came to check on you, Coral, but it looks like you're having a tough time." I offered words of comfort to Coral, as it seemed she had been sexually harassed. Though, she herself didn't seem to mind it at all...
"Ah, it is quite difficult. I never imagined it would take so much effort and time just to make a single sweet. But if those delicious sweets await me at the end, then it is no hardship."
"No, I wasn't talking about making sweets. I meant the sexual harassment, you know?"
"Hmm? Sexual harassment? What is that? It was merely a hand reaching for my backside, wasn't it? I wasn't attacked, so there's no need to mind such a thing, is there?"
Ah, as expected, she doesn't care at all. Coral, in her human form, is a stunning black-haired beauty, as one might expect. She possesses a certain degree of common sense for living among humans, but her personality leans more masculine, and she apparently doesn't mind being touched. She even wrestled with Steve over clothes while completely naked and unfazed, so perhaps her mind simply doesn't register such things. Well, in her Dragon form, she's always naked, isn't she? Wait, am I the strange one for minding? No, no, she's in human form now, so she should adopt the corresponding common sense.
"Well, if you're touched and do nothing, some people might misunderstand it as acceptance. Especially between men and women."
"Ah, so it's that kind of problem. Hmm, I have no interest in reproductive acts for now, so I shall avoid such behavior."
"Yeah. Please do that."
She's so straightforward, just like a Dragon, I suppose. As we were talking, another person emerged from the shop.
"Coral. Are you okay? I heard you were sexually harassed... Huh? What's everyone doing here?" Alfin tilted her head, noticing us in front of the shop. Well, it's certainly understandable to be puzzled when such a group gathers in front of a shop.
"Ah, don't worry about it. There was a pervert, so Queen Miyabi and Gaul simply punished him."
"I see. Thank you both."
"No, Alfin, there's no need for thanks. We merely protected our friend."
"Yes. We simply protected our friend. And, we came here to eat cake, so may we place an order?"
"Of course. Coral, please handle the reception."
"Yes. Leave it to me, Manager. Come, let me show you to your seats."
Oh, she's actually working properly. No, I had already received reports that she wasn't causing any trouble, but seeing it with my own eyes is still surprising. A Dragon as a waitress, huh? As I was thinking that, Coral, who was supposed to be guiding Queen Miyabi and Gaul, returned to the storefront...
"So, what did you, my Master, come here for?"
"Ah, I also have business with Coral."
"Huh? With me? But I'm working."
Yes, that's right. You're working now. Even I find it hard to use my authority to force someone working so diligently to take a break.
"Oh, why don't we just relax and eat until Coral's shift is over?"
"Yeah~ Let's eat cake~"
"We shall eat!"
"Indeed. Let's have our tea here today."
"Sounds good. I haven't had my break yet either."
"Yes. I want to eat Alfin's cake."
"Big brother, no?"
I'm not so heartless as to ignore the opinions of these little ones, who are looking at me with sparkling eyes full of anticipation. ...Surely, in a shop, I won't be forced to eat cake until I die. My wallet's contents are finite, but... yeah, it's fine. It's not a place that allows post-payment. Alright, convinced of my chances of survival, I decided to proceed.
"That's right. Alfin's shop, she said, expanded from just a sweets shop to include a cafe serving light meals. Perhaps I should take a look." Indeed, the shop Alfin prepared to mitigate the damage she inflicted upon us was surprisingly prosperous, eventually even adding a cafe. Behind the scenes, Kirika's intelligence unit apparently found it easier to gather information there. Well, I suppose it's a case of 'love what you do, and you'll do it well'? If it were to go badly, it would be the manifestation of hell.
As I pondered such things, I was led by Coral into the cafe, where a warm space, primarily featuring wood carvings, unfolded before me. Its concept seemed to be aimed at women, with tables that weren't the usual inorganic square ones, but finely carved round tables paired with antique-style chairs.
"Huh. They're surprisingly dedicated."
"Hmm? I heard that you, my Master, prepared this shop?"
"No, I merely provided the budget. This is Alfin's shop, after all, so I didn't interfere unnecessarily. The ones involved here were Ratz, Eris, and Milly, I believe?"
"We were involved too. To decide which products to offer in the shop."
"That's right~"
"We worked hard and ate a lot."
"...Yes. So, so much. We truly ate a lot. Honestly, I thought I would die from all the sugar."
"...I never dreamed a day would come when I would hate cake."
"Ahahaha..."
"Eating so many sweets made me happy."
I see, Shera, Dressa, and Vilia also apparently experienced a 'sweets hell'. Or rather, to have experienced that, to know what it entails, and still come here... that's truly incredible.