After spending some time enjoying tea with Kuro, she eventually finished her cup, thanked Tiana-san for the Star Powder, and headed off to attend to her other plans. Once again, it was just Tiana-san and me.
Not wanting to sit around drinking tea indefinitely, I was about to ask Tiana-san if there was anyone else she wanted to meet, but she beat me to the punch.
"Hmm, there are certainly plenty of people I’d like to see, but you’ve already had quite a bit of tea and snacks, Kaito-kun. Just sitting here and continuing would be a bit dull, wouldn't it? If you're up for it, why don't we head over to Canalis’s place?"
"Ah, you mean the backyard subspace?"
"Yeah... it seems Electrone is there too, so I thought it might be perfect."
"Eh? Electrone-san is here too? Then, since we have the chance, let's head to the backyard subspace."
Tiana-san was truly a considerate person, naturally looking out for my well-being. To be honest, I had eaten quite a few sweets already, and I wasn't sure I could handle much more tea. Her suggestion was a relief.
We had been sitting for a long time, so it was good to move around a bit. I was surprised to hear that Electrone-san was visiting, but perhaps she had come to see Canalis-san or Nebula.
We stood up and made our way across the backyard. Since the terrace was already in the rear of the estate, it was only a short walk to the entrance of Canalis-san's special space.
I opened the Door to an Alternate Dimension and stepped through. I found myself in a grassy field with a building resembling a log house. It was a landscape I hadn't seen before; she must have expanded the area again.
Just as Tiana-san had predicted, Canalis-san was there... along with a person wearing clothes that shimmered in a chaotic array of colors. The catch was, she was currently missing everything from the neck up.
"Hello... Um, why is Electrone-san missing her head?"
"Outputting Greeting to my dear Kaito-sama... 'Hello, Kaito-sama! It’s wonderful to see you again!' Continuing, Outputting Response to query... 'My face was blown off by a Berserk Gorilla. Please wait approximately fifteen seconds for regeneration.'"
Despite being in a headless Dullahan state, Electrone-san managed to answer my question. I couldn't tell where the voice was coming from.
A Berserk Gorilla? Was that the person she had mentioned during my birthday party?
"...Um, did something happen?"
"No, no. Electrone just tried to play a prank and got hit with a counterattack. It happens all the time, so there’s no need for you to worry, Kaito-sama. Tahaa~ honestly, she’s just reaping what she sowed."
"A defense is difficult. It is true that this unit is entirely at fault... Since I am at fault, I ask that the silent intimidation be stopped. I swear not to fool around in Kaito-sama's presence. Next, Outputting Apology... 'Th-That was just a figure of speech, I apologize for calling you a gorilla... okay? Your smile is scary.' If you get serious, regeneration will take a long time, so I beg for mercy."
As she regenerated her face, Electrone-san spoke in a monotone that nonetheless carried a hint of terror. I followed her gaze and saw Tiana-san smiling serenely.
A-Ah... So the "Berserk Gorilla" Electrone-san kept talking about was Tiana-san?! She didn't seem the type at all, but Tiana-san was apparently overwhelmingly strong. It made sense that Electrone-san would be afraid.
Perhaps it was like Luna-san teasing Lilia-san and getting scolded in return. It felt like a bit of slapstick between close friends who understood each other's limits.
"Haa... really, Electrone never changes. She messes with me despite knowing I’ll retaliate. But well, I suppose you understand how I felt before now, don't you?"
"Outputting Affirmation... 'Yeah. I understand the feeling of being unable to suppress jealousy perfectly. I was so envious of your tea with Kaito-sama! I wanted tea time with my Oshi too!' I was beyond jealous."
So she had poked the bear because she was jealous of our tea time... I mean, I’d be happy to have tea with her whenever.
"If you just ask, I'll have tea with you anytime, Electrone-san. Actually, I was just talking to Tiana-san about this—would you like to join the tea party I'm planning to host soon?"
"!? Outputting Astonishment, Excitement, and Joy... 'Hawa-wa! My Oshi’s fan service is astronomical! The preciousness is overflowing—my heart has been seized, and I’m lost in a Heart-pounding Dreamland!!' It is an immense honor. I would be delighted to attend."
As always, she was someone whose energy shifted at an incredible speed. However, she was definitely happy, so I was glad I had invited her.
"Also, would you like to come as well, Canalis-san? You’re so reliable, and I’d feel much more secure if you were there..."
"Kaito-sama, there you go again, making me so happy. Tahaa~ how cool can you get?! At this rate, you could capture all three of us at once... or rather, pierce the hearts of all Three Gods in one go! I’ll happily join as well."
Counting them up, that made Kuro, Shiro-san, Elis-san, Chris-san, Olivia-san, Machina-san, Tiana-san, Electrone-san, and Canalis-san... nine people. I planned to ask Lilia-san as well, and since I wanted to keep it around ten, the roster was basically set. Maybe I'd reach out to Jutia-san and Ein-san too, since they were tea enthusiasts.
~Participants of the Tea Party Hosted by Kaito~
Kuro... Underworld King and Actual Top of the Demon Realm Shiro... Shiro-san Olivia... Pope Machina... God of an Otherworld Tiana... God of an Otherworld Electrone... God of an Otherworld Canalis... Former God of an Otherworld Lilia... Strongest Stomach Pain Warrior Elis... Hope of the Stomach Pain World Chris... Emperor whose amount of stomach medicine has increased lately
???: "...What a perfect lineup. I can feel the sheer determination to grind their stomachs into nothingness."
Serious-senpai: "Kaito... Since he's the host, he just picked whoever came to mind until the numbers were full without a second thought. This means Elis, Lilia, and Chris... are essentially being thrown into a Festival of Gods."