Amaterasu-san and Mana-san arrived at the stall. Amaterasu-san’s distinctive attire drew its fair share of looks, but since the surrounding crowd was thin, it didn't spark a major commotion. They walked right up to the shop front.
"Hello. As I mentioned the other day, I have come to make a purchase."
"Hello, Amaterasu-san, Mana-san. I have ordinary Baby Castella and chocolate-filled ones. Which would you like?"
"Um, let me see. In that case, one... no, please give me two of each."
I wondered if she meant one for Eden-sama and one for herself. For a split second, it looked like Mana-san glanced at Amaterasu-san before changing her order...
As I started bagging the Baby Castella, I felt a strange, uncomfortably heavy gaze on me. I looked up to find Mana-san staring with a... terrifying smile.
There was nothing inherently wrong with her face—she was a lovely woman and the smile itself was technically perfect—but I felt as though I could see a predatory snake looming behind her, narrowing its eyes at its prey. It should have been a normal smile, but it carried a thick, murky sensation. Perhaps I was just overthinking it.
"Haaah... my belov—Gah!?"
"Eh?"
Just as she opened her mouth to speak, something struck her head with a heavy, dull thud.
"Whoops, my apologies. My guide sign happened to hit you. Terribly sorry about that, customer."
The apology came from Alice, currently disguised in a cat kigurumi. Wait... wasn't that just a normal wooden sign a second ago? When did it transform into a giant hammer?
"M-Mana-san, are you all right!?"
"Y-Yes. I’m perfectly fine... please, don't pay it any mind."
Mana-san stood up with a strained smile, lightly rubbing her head. Given that she was Amaterasu-san's assistant, she must have been far stronger than she looked; despite being walloped by a massive hammer, she didn't seem to have taken any real damage.
"...Alice, what are you doing?"
"Nothing at all. The signboard just happened to make contact. A total accident."
"Yes, yes, it was just a mishap! No need to worry at all!"
No matter how I looked at it, the hit was intentional. But since Alice was insisting on it—and the victim, Mana-san, was agreeing with her—there wasn't much I could say.
"Are you two... acquaintances by any chance?"
"Hmm, well, we actually met briefly a while back through Eden-san. I’ve never met Amaterasu-san before, though."
"We have different duties. Previously, when I... er, when Kaito Miyama went to the beach, Eden-sama provided the ingredients. I was the person who delivered them. We became quite close then."
"Ah, I see. Now that you mention it, I remember that."
Alice had mentioned that Eden-san provided the ingredients for our trip. I guess the courier was Mana-san. Even though someone like Eden-san could probably create things on the spot, there were apparently strict contracts between her and Shiro-san that made things complicated.
"W-Well, as long as you aren't hurt, that’s what matters."
"You’re actually worried about me!? Haaah... as expected, you’re just so cu—"
"Whoops, my hand slipped."
"—!?"
"M-Mana-saaaaann!?"
Just as Mana-san started to say something again, Alice swung the "guide sign" hammer with a direct hit. The impact made a sound that no human body should ever produce.
That was a serious blow! Is her neck even still attached!?
"A-Alice, what is wrong with you!?"
"I couldn't help it. My hand slipped."
"No, it clearly didn't—"
"Her hand slipped! Even I saw it! It slipped perfectly, so everything is fine!!"
"I... uh..."
It looked like she had intentionally bashed Mana-san’s head with all her might, but since both Alice and the victim were adamantly claiming it was an accident, I was too bewildered to argue.
What on earth is this scene? I feel like I'm losing my mind. Well, if they say they're okay, it's probably best to just drop it.
"...Right. Well, Amaterasu-san, sorry for the wait. Here are two of each."
"Thank you. Mana, take these."
"Yes. Here you go, Mana-san."
"Thank you so much! Good luck with the stall!"
"Y-Yeah, thanks."
I didn't understand what was happening, but I knew thinking about it would only give me a headache. I watched them leave—Mana-san waving contentedly and Amaterasu-san bowing deeply—with an expression I couldn't even begin to describe.
Serious-senpai: "I see. Since her body was built to be weak, it can be restrained with physical damage..."
???: "And as usual, Alice-chan handles the follow-up. Alice-chan is so capable. Kaito-san really should give Alice-chan a reward."
Serious-senpai: "Stop sockpuppeting yourself."