Our errand to buy ingredients in Rigforresia went smoothly. While I was at it, I tried sending a Hummingbird to Rei-san and Fia-san, but unfortunately, they weren't around.
As for other mutual acquaintances Kuro and I had in the Kingdom of Sinfonia, there was still Ryze-san. However, when I checked with Orchid via Hummingbird, it turned out he was in the middle of a meeting. I decided against dropping by, figuring it was better not to disturb him.
Thus, we left the Kingdom of Sinfonia and headed for the Arclesia Empire. Our goal was to visit Chris-san, whose name had come up earlier in our conversation.
Even though we were arriving completely unannounced, we were granted entry on sight. I supposed that was the power of being one of the Six Kings—talk about a Face Pass.
"Chrome-sama! Welcome. It is wonderful to see you."
"It’s been a while, Chris. Sorry for dropping in while you’re in the middle of work."
"Not at all. For you, Chrome-sama, there is always a Grand Welcome."
We were led to the office, where Chris-san greeted us with a smile that looked surprisingly innocent compared to her usual composed self. The deep affection she felt for Kuro was palpable, making for a truly heartwarming sight.
"Pardon the intrusion, Chris-san."
"Miyama-sama, you are welcome as well. I apologize that I cannot provide a more formal reception on such short notice."
"No, please, don't give it a second thought."
After finishing her greetings with Kuro, Chris-san turned to me with a warm smile. Interacting with her like this made me realize just how much closer we had become compared to when we first met.
"Please wait a moment while I have tea and refreshments prepared. We have some sweets made from fruit that Raz-sama shared with us the other day..."
"Does Raz-san visit here often?"
I asked since a familiar name had cropped up, and Chris-san nodded with an amused smile.
"Yes. In fact, Raz-sama is the one who visits most frequently."
"Chris and Raz have been close friends for a long time," Kuro added.
"Oh, come to think of it, you two were paired up for karaoke at my birthday party, weren't you?"
"That is correct. She is very dear to me. Though, to be fair... I cannot think of a single person who is on bad terms with Raz-sama."
"Ahaha, that's because Raz makes friends with anyone instantly," Kuro laughed.
She was right; Raz-san’s social skills were truly extraordinary. She might have appeared innocent and free-spirited on the surface, but she also possessed a kind, considerate side that genuinely cared for others. She proactively reached out to everyone she met; she was a total Communication Monster.
"Now then, Chrome-sama? I understand you have something you wish to consult me about?"
"Yeah. Actually, Kaito-kun and I are currently exploring new possibilities for Baby Castella. We've been asking various people for their opinions. Chris, do you have any ideas?"
"The potential of Baby Castella... I see. That is quite a daunting challenge. Baby Castella is already a culinary work with a high degree of perfection. Any attempt to modify it risks degrading that quality... To find new possibilities while mitigating that risk..."
Chris-san was fundamentally serious and a good person at heart. Despite our sudden visit and the bizarre nature of our question, she was giving it her full, earnest attention. Of course, her respect for Kuro played a role, but I suspected she would have treated the question with the same gravity if I had asked it alone.
"...It may be a mundane suggestion, but perhaps you could try changing the shape? I believe the form of the Baby Castella that Chrome-sama usually enjoys is a masterpiece of design, balancing portability with ease of consumption."
"...I see. Because it’s so well-established, we might be stuck with fixed preconceptions about it."
"Precisely. By modifying that aspect, you might discover an entirely new potential. I apologize; that is all I can offer."
"No, it was very helpful. Thank you."
It was a surreal sight: one of the Six Kings who ruled the Demon Realm and a monarch of the Human Realm engaged in a dead-serious debate. They weren't discussing the fate of the world or complex geopolitics, but Baby Castella. It felt bizarre, but I supposed it was a bit late for me to start worrying about that now.
"I agree. Changing the shape also changes the mouthfeel. In terms of variety, I think that would be a pretty big shift," I added.
"Exactly! It’s just as Kaito-kun says. The usual Baby Castella is perfected, sure, but that doesn't mean it’s the only absolute answer. Just realizing that is a major breakthrough."
"If I could be of assistance, then that is all that matters... However, um, Chrome-sama? May I ask one thing?"
"Hm?"
While Kuro was in high spirits after receiving such insightful advice, Chris-san voiced her question with a hint of hesitation.
"...U-Um... why exactly are you searching for the possibilities of Baby Castella?"
"I suppose it’s because Baby Castella is there."
"..................I see."
Chris-san’s expression flickered several times—a rare sight for her—before she finally nodded. She was likely doing everything in her power to swallow her confusion and provide a polite, neutral response.
"Oh, come to think of it, Miyama-sama. I understand you’ve become acquainted with Kaori-san. In the letter I received from her recently, she wrote about you with great excitement."
"Ah, that's right, you two are friends. Kaori-san mentioned that she could never quite hold a candle to you, Chris-san."
"If you mean Kaori-chan... let's see, she was the Hero-role from the generation before Seigi-kun, right? Now that you mention it, I think Raz mentioned becoming friends with her recently as well."
Kuro seemed to have met most of the former Hero-roles and appeared to know of Kaori-san. However, she didn't seem to know what she had been up to lately; she looked quite intrigued when Chris-san and I told her that Kaori had opened a restaurant in the Friendly City a few years back.
"I’d love to visit later. I want to rewrite the Friendly City Edition of my Food Tour Guide anyway..."
I felt a slight pang of worry for Kaori-san’s stomach.
Serious-senpai: "Oh, that’s actually a surprise. Since she writes a guidebook, I just assumed she’d know about it."
???: "She probably would have known in another few years. Even though she updates it periodically, she doesn't check every single new shop immediately. Ultimately, Kuro-san’s Food Tour Guide is just a hobby..."