We moved through the bustling crowd, chatting animatedly as everyone enjoyed the festival in their own way.
"Well... I’m just glad the group isn't getting any bigger," I said with a small sigh of relief.
"Hahaha! In a venue this vast, the chances of running into another acquaintance are slim to none," Falce replied. "Truly, think of the astronomical odds such a meeting would require."
"Except that you were one of those long-shot encounters, Falce-san."
"You have me there," she admitted, looking a bit sheepish. "However, according to the map, the Middle Level is just ahead. I’m not quite sure what I should do... Unlike Tre, Laguna isn't waiting for me there. I have no desire to wander into the royal seating area, and I’d hate to be a nuisance by trailing along after you all indefinitely. On the other hand, if I’m left to my own devices, I will undoubtedly vanish into the crowd and never be seen again."
"Wait... Falce-san, were you actually reading that map?" I asked, the doubt surfacing before I could stop it.
"Now, now, let’s not be insulting. Even I can read a map."
"Then why do you get so lost?"
"I would dearly love to know the answer to that myself," she mused. "Perhaps it isn't merely a poor sense of direction. I suspect external factors—a curse, perhaps? Though what benefit an expert capable of cursing me undetected would gain by making me lose my way is quite beyond me."
Falce-san was the type to get lost on a straight, hundred-meter path—a level of directional incompetence that defied logic. Honestly, I wondered if "directionally challenged" was even the right term anymore. As she suggested, "cursed" felt far more accurate.
At any rate, despite her lack of an internal compass, she apparently could understand a map. Why she still ended up lost remained a complete mystery.
While I was tilting my head along with Falce-san over this absurd riddle, a familiar voice suddenly called out.
"Kaito-san? And... Tre and Falce? That's an unexpected combination. And as usual, Cento and Cien are nowhere to be found."
"Oh? If it isn't Hika—I mean, Noin. What a coincidence. And the person with you is..."
"Eh? This little shrimp is Falce? How? Did I miss the memo about High Elves shrinking as they get older?"
"Good heavens! I am stunned to my very core," Falce exclaimed. Her tone was as verbose as ever, but her face was the picture of pure shock. "To think we would have a reunion after a thousand years in a place like this... I can't believe it. You were actually alive, Hapty?"
The newcomers were indeed the duo of Noin and Hapty. They must have exchanged Hummingbird contacts during their last meeting and arranged to come together.
Falce-san seemed even more staggered than I was. After Noin and Hapty gave a brief explanation, Falce-san's shock gave way to a look of genuine joy at the reunion.
"I see... truly, fate works in mysterious ways," Falce said. "I am amazed you two are here. Given the scale of this festival, I suppose it shouldn't be a surprise, but seeing you two walking side-by-side after all this time is a feeling I find difficult to put into words."
"Personally, I'm more shocked to see a shut-in like Falce out here," Hapty teased. "Did you finally decide to become an outdoorsy person while I wasn't looking?"
"Don't be ridiculous. I am a shut-in to my very marrow. Laguna practically dragged me here, then abandoned me for official business. I was literally wandering aimlessly until Miyama Kaito-kun found me. Looking at the result, however, I suppose I should be grateful to chance. It allowed me to see my old friends again. In that regard, I owe Kaito-kun my thanks as well. Though, of course, I was already grateful to him for finding me when I was lost..."
"Ugh, you still talk in the most tiresome way possible," Hapty groaned, cutting her off. "Is this what happens when you spend too much time in social isolation?"
"And you remain as merciless as ever," Falce replied with a wry smile.
Just then, Noin turned to me.
"I think I understand the situation. In that case, Falce, why don't you join us? We were planning to visit Laguna later anyway, so the timing is perfect."
"Oh, that is a marvelous suggestion! Miyama Kaito-kun, and everyone else—thank you. You were a tremendous help. I shall find a way to repay this kindness later."
"Don't worry about it at all," I replied.
For Falce-san, who had been worrying about what to do at the Middle Level, Noin’s offer was the perfect solution.
I was happy for her, but I couldn't help but reflect on the fact that I had already run into five acquaintances before we’d even reached the Middle Level. Seriously, what were the odds?
Appearance 4: Noin
Since they were finally able to get in touch, she invited Hapty to come along. She is delighted that the former party members might actually be able to gather after all this time. Regarding Tre, she heard from Kaito that they planned to meet Cento and Cien at the Middle Level, so she left her in Kaito’s care for now.
Appearance 5: Hapty
Participated because Noin invited her. She’s currently wondering if it would be unethical to resell God Realm Limited Items from the Middle Level, or how else she might turn a profit at the festival. She has yet to run into Fia (Temp).
Serious-senpai: "They really are just popping up one after another. But if we keep this tempo—one appearance per chapter followed by an exit—it might be a good way to give everyone a bit of the spotlight."
???: "Well, no matter how you look at it, there’s definitely another encounter flag ahead."