One quiet afternoon, with the warm sun streaming through the windows, I stopped by Alice's general store to relax. Sitting before us were the production samples of the Magic Spinning Tops—the same ones we had played with during the Six Kings Festival.
It seemed that after two years of refinements since the festival, they had finally established a mass-production system. A merchant guild that specialized in toys was slated to release them in the near future.
"I really thought the Seditch Magic Tool Trading Company would be the one handling them," I remarked.
"A different guild has more pull when it comes to toy-related products. Well, that one belongs to Kuro-san as well, though," Alice replied.
"As expected of the King of the financial world..."
"Word is she created yet another new merchant guild recently, too."
"Again?" I asked as I accepted the tea Alice handed me.
I knew Kuro’s reach was vast. She was a billionaire at the absolute pinnacle of global commerce, personally owning assets equivalent to ten percent of the world's economy. When you factored in the rights and properties held by her various guilds, her true wealth was staggering beyond measure.
And now, that same tycoon was apparently starting something new.
"Yes. Whether it’s because Eden-san started placing split bodies in this world or because Shallow Vernal-sama negotiated for it... the restrictions on using magic tools to reproduce otherworld goods—specifically mechanical products—have apparently been eased. She founded a merchant guild specifically for otherworld items on the very evening that news went public."
"...She's far too efficient."
"She’s been picking out promising candidates from the group she gathered through the new Technical Intern System and recruiting them for the new guild. It wouldn't surprise me if she makes an offer to Akari-san and Kazuya-san once they finish their internships. Being from the otherworld, they have a natural edge when it comes to those kinds of products."
"I see..."
Since Kuro loved nurturing people above all else, starting a new guild likely served as another way to do just that. I nodded along to Alice's explanation as I sipped my tea.
It was a wonderfully peaceful time, so much so that I felt a slight drowsiness begin to creep in.
"...Still, this shop is technically open for business, isn't it?"
"A bit late for that, isn't it? Don't you think it’d be more unnatural if the place was actually thriving?"
"Well, when you put it that way, I suppose you’re right."
I looked around the empty shop, which as usual lacked any sign of a customer. We were sitting side-by-side on chairs at the counter. It probably wasn't my imagination that tea and sweets graced this counter far more often than any actual merchandise.
As I passed the time in leisure, Alice suddenly spoke up.
"...Ah, that reminds me. Kaito-san, I have something I'd like to consult you about."
"Consult me? You? That's unusual, Alice."
"Well, you see, a best friend of mine—no, the one who isn't Iris—said she wants to hang out with me and Kaito-san together. Just the three of us."
"Come to think of it, I'd heard you had another best friend, but I don't think I've ever heard the details."
"Yes, well..."
"I don't mind at all, but... why do you have such a conflicted look on your face?"
I was genuinely interested in meeting anyone Alice considered a best friend, and hanging out as a trio sounded fine to me. Nothing about the request seemed out of the ordinary, yet Alice looked visibly troubled.
It wasn't that she seemed to dislike the idea, but rather... she looked like she was anticipating a massive headache.
"You see, that friend of mine is being difficult again. She’s going on about 'maintaining her dignity' and insists on making sure her true identity doesn't get out. I told her she doesn't have any dignity left to speak of, but she’s incredibly stubborn about it..."
"Hide her identity? What do you mean?"
"She seems to have already taken measures... Shall we give it a try? My friend's name is—, but did you catch that?"
"...No, I didn't hear the name at all. It was just a blank."
"...As expected. I suppose the quality remains even when the vessel is worn. The effect works even on you, Kaito-san. Anyway, she's a handful like that. What do you think?"
"I mean, so far my only impression is that she’s someone with a lot of power. I don't see a problem with it."
"She’s the — of —, but..."
"Wait, what was that?"
"I thought so. You can't hear that part either... Good grief."
I was a bit confused. From where I stood, there wasn't anything particularly problematic. She seemed to be a being of great power, but knowing Alice, it wasn't surprising she’d have such an acquaintance. If she wanted to hide her identity, I assumed she had her reasons. I wasn't entirely sure how the meeting would work, but if the only issue was not being able to hear her name, I could live with that.
Up to this point, I still couldn't see why Alice looked so reluctant.
"Do you really not want to do it, Alice?"
"It's not that I don't want to... It's just that I know I’m going to have to be the one to hold her back, and that’s a real pain. But she’s been building up a lot of frustration lately, so I figured this is better than having her run wild when I’m not looking. Sigh... I'm already exhausted just thinking about it."
"...R-Right?"
Her choice of words made me incredibly uneasy. To be honest, she seemed more apprehensive about this than she had been about me meeting the Ten Demons. Just what kind of person was this best friend of hers?
Serious-senpai: "...Hey... Explain yourself, you traitor... I am currently... on the verge of losing my cool."
???: "...Could you stop acting like you're usually calm?"
Serious-senpai: "So, let me get this straight. This is going to be like that time with Lilia—starting as a group outing and then turning into an individual date? Is that the deal?"
???: "I'm not Alice-chan, but yes, that's the gist of it."
Serious-senpai: "...Go ahead and run wild to your heart's content, Machina. I'm done."
???: "Please stop placing such terrible curses on me."