第１１８３堀：午前中の動きその１ (Part2)
"Alfin, I was just saying that it’d be tough for us to beat Yuki on our own. But I told her that with Tori and Kaya here, we’ll manage somehow."
"……I see. You’re right that it’s difficult. But we will manage."
"Exactly. We aren't participating just to lose, so we’re going to win, Alfin."
"Heh. I’m not worried about Kaya, but I do wonder if Tori and Kaya can really bring themselves to point a gun at Yuki-san in earnest. Anyway, here—your orders."
As always, Alfin had prepared the orders as if by magic, handing them over to the two of them.
"……It is precisely because I love him that I will go all out."
"That’s right. Yuki-san always pushes himself for our sake. We need to show him that we’re capable, too."
With those replies, the two immediately turned to serve the customers with their orders in hand.
"I see. It’s true that just being protected all the time isn't quite right, is it… Hm? Wait, so Kaya, you’re going to go after Yuki-san too?"
"Well, obviously. I’m going to make that guy eat his words for once."
"……Oh, is that the motivation? Well, that sounds like Kaya."
"What’s that supposed to mean?"
"Nothing at all. But why aren't the other members of the Holy Sword Users participating in this? You’re the only one, right?"
"Because if they just showed up, they’d get wiped out. We haven't exactly been practicing with guns. Honestly, I’m not even sure why I was the one chosen."
"Eh? So you’re just dead weight?"
As I pondered how to answer Alfin’s blunt question, Kaya returned.
"Kaya is not dead weight. I know she has been training properly."
"Eh?"
"Hmph."
"She isn't very honest, is she? But surprisingly, she studies guns and modern weaponry quite diligently. It’s not that the other Holy Sword Users don't, but Kaya has been studying seriously the whole time."
"Is that so?"
"It’s not like I was consciously trying to show off. If you want to beat Yuki and the others, you can’t do anything unless you know their combat capabilities. I’m just studying properly, that’s all."
That’s right. Our past failures were caused by relying far too much on Comet-san.
That’s why I decided to study not just the tools I use, but the strategies and mindsets behind them as well.
I won't fail next time.
"I see. So, is there really a chance of winning? What do you think, Tori?"
"Hmm. Honestly, it’s difficult with just us. But this time, every team is an enemy to everyone else. I think if we can successfully intervene while Yuki-san or Steve and his group are fighting someone else, we might have a shot."
"Ah, I see. When you put it that way, I suppose there is a possibility?"
"Well, Yuki and his group operate on a completely different foundation than we do, so they’ll probably pull off something outrageous we haven't even imagined. But we have three chances, so I figure we can gather information during those and somehow make it work."
I continued the conversation without letting on to Alfin that we were planning to collude between teams to corner Yuki and the others.
Yes, this was a strategy to prevent information leaks.
Yuki and his group might have anticipated this much, but there’s no need to go out of our way to spill the beans to Alfin and the others and put them on guard.
It’s enough if they just suspect we might do something.
That doubt itself creates an opening.
"I understand that you are looking forward to the afternoon, but it reflects poorly on the shop for the manager to be joining in on idle chatter. Could you please apply yourselves a little more?"
"Ah, sorry about that, Coral."
" " "Sorry." " "
Since Coral’s point was valid, we immediately returned to work.
"Alright, let’s work hard until the afternoon. I’ll make sure we report in and earn those points."
"Indeed. I pray that you may defeat your lord. For now, take these orders and the cleared plates."
" " "Yes!" " "
And so, we threw ourselves into our work, striving to gain an advantage for the afternoon’s battle.
Come to think of it, who is participating in the martial arts tournament this morning?
It seems Tori and the others are aiming for steady, reliable income.
As for how this decision will affect the final results, no one can say.