I eventually managed to pacify Jutia-san, even while we remained the center of attention. I watched with a fond smile as she cradled the tin of tea I’d given her with visible delight, then took a sip of my own.
For now, I decided to ignore the surrounding gazes. I could feel an atmosphere of "So that's the rumored..." lingering in the air, but no one seemed bold enough to interrupt while I was speaking with three of the Seven Princesses. I figured I would just stay here and talk with them until the excitement settled down.
"Oh, that's right—I brought some sweets, too. They’re chocolates made from cacao grown in my backyard."
"Chocolates? Til loves chocolates!"
"A question... In other words, Kaito, do you have cacao trees in your backyard?"
Erial-san’s skepticism was perfectly valid. Even as the words left my mouth, I found myself questioning what kind of household grew tea and cacao in their backyard, but I decided not to dwell on it.
I pulled a large box of assorted chocolates from my Magic Box. Both the packaging and the confections themselves were of a quality that wouldn't have looked out of place in a high-end chocolate shop, a testament to the skill and perfectionism of Illness-san and Nebula.
"Oho? What a coincidence. I actually brought some chocolates as well. They’re very, very delicious, I tell you!"
"Oh, those look quite expensive. May I try one?"
"Go right ahead! You’re more than welcome to eat as many as you like. I’ll take one of your chocolates in return, Kaito..."
By pure chance, Jutia-san had prepared chocolates as well. They were presented in a black box and looked undeniably high-end.
I placed my assortment in the center of the table, and we swapped, each trying one of the other's chocolates. The moment Jutia-san took a bite, she froze as if time itself had stopped.
"...Jutia, what’s the matter?"
"This is bad, this is really bad... These are far, far better than the ones I brought. Even though the flavor is incredibly rich, it doesn't linger on the palate, so it doesn't interfere with the tea at all. It’s amazing! To think that chocolates with such a bold profile could pair this perfectly with tea..."
"I-Is it really that good? Kaito-kun-san, can Til have one too?"
"O-Oh, of course. Please, Til-san, Erial-san—help yourselves. Eat as much as you like."
Jutia-san’s reaction was intense. It was true that these chocolates were a perfect match for the tea. It was a strange sensation; the chocolate had a distinct, deep flavor, yet as Jutia-san noted, it didn't clash with the tea's profile in the slightest.
Then again, Nebula had grown the cacao, so I was certain there was something special about the cultivation process as well.
"Hawawa, this is incredible! I thought so with the tea, too, but these chocolates are also the best things I've ever eaten!"
"Delicious... In other words, they are very tasty. A supreme masterpiece... In other words, I agree with Til. These are the best chocolates I have ever had."
"Thank you. But the ones you brought are very good too, Jutia-san."
"Hmm, true, true, they are quite delicious, but when you consider the pairing with tea... they just can't compete with yours. To think such chocolates even existed... it’s truly a shock, I tell you!"
As expected of the tea and cacao Nebula had raised with such care. All three were full of praise, and I couldn't help but feel a sense of pride. I hadn't actually done anything to help grow the ingredients, of course, but it still made me happy to see Nebula's work being appreciated so highly.
"Kaito-kun-san, Kaito-kun-san! If you like, please try the snacks Til brought, too—I made them with fruit from my own fields!"
"Dried fruit? That sounds lovely. I'll have some."
"Here you go!"
The dried fruit Til-san offered was also superb.
"I also brought... In other words, I have snacks I prepared as well. A unique item... In other words, a slightly unusual type of cookie."
"Oh, the faint, gentle sweetness is wonderful."
The cookies Erial-san had prepared were quite thin. At first glance, they reminded me of carbonated rice crackers. They had a mild, soothing flavor—the perfect sort of treat to enjoy during a quiet afternoon.
We continued to chat for a while longer, enjoying each other's company while we shared our thoughts on the various sweets.
Serious-senpai: "It's so heartwarming. Is there no serious plot... There isn't, is there? I knew it."
???: "Now, now, Serious-senpai, don't look so miserable. I'm sure something good will happen eventually. Though it won't be a serious plot..."
Serious-senpai: "You just completely denied any good things in my future..."