第１２３４堀：動き出す大国 (Part2)
"I hope the student exchange program becomes official and settles things down. Now, let's finish the selection process quickly and get to the curry."
"Curry again...? We had curry today, didn't we?"
"Indeed. I could eat curry for all three meals. I make sure to eat my salad, so there are no nutritional concerns. Well, ramen is hard to pass up, so I suppose twice a week for ramen is acceptable."
"What a biased diet..."
"Hey, that’s just the ideal. If I were to actually order that, the head chef would get sulky, insisting I eat other dishes too. Of course, I enjoy those as well. That is precisely why we shall indulge ourselves today."
Yes, if we head to Weed, Aslin and Firia will be delighted to prepare a delicious curry shop meal or something homemade.
If it’s homemade, I shall naturally assist with the cooking.
Ah, it had been a while since I last cooked when I visited Weed, but it was quite enjoyable.
Much like Yuki, I find great pleasure in the culinary arts.
With that, we wrapped up the rock-paper-scissors tournament and departed for Weed.
Thanks to diplomatic privileges, we were spared the standard immigration screening.
It is a wonderful thing to be able to enter a country with such haste.
"So, Your Majesty, what shall we do now?"
"Hmm. I’m heading to the inn for a bath first. What about the rest of you? You are all aware that Weed is safe, aren't you?"
"Yes. Everyone plans to move according to their own objectives, provided you grant permission, Your Majesty."
"Hmph. You’ve all been thoroughly influenced by Weed. Just make sure you don't cause any trouble. We are about to hold a conference to establish 'common sense' for the Intercontinental Exchange Alliance. Anyone caught acting like a fool during such a time will have their head removed from their shoulders, understood?"
When I declared this and glared at them, everyone nodded firmly.
Even if they were feeling giddy and letting their guard down, I was relieved to see they hadn't forgotten their pride as members of the Zuraburu Great Empire.
"Good. Then, I grant you permission to act freely. See that you respect the curfew."
"Yes!"
They replied in unison and headed off toward their respective destinations.
Now then, off to the inn for a soak...
"Oh, it's Yupi-chan and Show-oneechan."
"We've found you!"
"Oh, I’ve been spotted."
"Greetings to you both."
"Hello!"
Ah, as expected of my friends, they are simply adorable.
My heart is healed.
"So, how did you manage to find us so quickly?"
"We got a notification that you’d entered the country!"
"Ah, I suppose that makes sense."
Of course. Since a foreign dignitary—no, a head of state—had arrived, it was inevitable that word would reach Aslin and the others involved in the nation's administration.
"What will you do now? If you’d like, Firia and the others can show you around."
"The plan was to head to the inn for a bath first."
"An inn, you say? And you intend to bathe there? What about a super sento? Would you prefer to relax somewhere without other customers around?"
"That sounds nice. I am in the mood for a leisurely time today, but something different from an inn's bath would be welcome."
"In that case, you can come to our house!"
"Hm? Aslin and the others' house?"
Perhaps I was getting senile; at first, I couldn't quite grasp what they meant.
However, upon reflection, I remembered that Aslin and the others' husband is Yuki.
Which means...
"Yuki's house?"
"That's right! We’re using a large inn, so it has a huge open-air bath!"
"There are even waterfall baths and footbaths where you can relax."
"Ah, that sounds lovely. I’ve experienced it myself before."
"What!? What do you mean by that!!"
I couldn't help but raise my voice at Show's unforgivable bombshell.
But, who could blame me?
When did she stay at the home of Weed's sovereign!? And I never received a report of such a thing!!
"Um, Rurua invited me and I couldn't refuse... they said it was part of a medical treatment."
"How enviable! I’m going too!"
"Alright, let's go!"
"Let's go!"
And so, I found myself enjoying a luxurious open-air bath at Yuki's home.
Having Deryu and Milly there to share some sake was a pleasant bonus.
It seems a bit of drinking is permitted if it's at one's own residence.
Hmm, I really must have a bath built in my own castle.
There is no way I could pass up such a delightful opportunity.
It is proof that both Yupi and Show are becoming well-accustomed to Weed.