The stall with Amel-san was turning out to be quite a success. We had a steady stream of customers, and even though the festival had only just begun, we’d already managed to sell a respectable amount of merchandise.
The chunibyo goods were striking enough to catch people's eyes at a glance, drawing them in with their eccentric designs. Because we’d set the prices so low, people who had loosened their purse strings for the festival were happy to pick things up on a whim.
"It’s going well. At this rate, we might actually clear out a good portion of the stock."
"It seems the masses are indeed drawn to the deep darkness. Seeing the number of our comrades increase brings me great joy."
To be honest, I suspected they were buying them because they were funny or worked as amusing party favors, not because they thought they were actually cool... but I suppose some things are better left unsaid.
I’d already cleared the low pricing with Alice. In fact, Alice didn't seem to care about the piddling profits of a festival stall in the first place. She’d told me that as long as we covered the base costs, it was fine, so we were selling everything at nearly wholesale prices. That affordability was likely another big factor in our brisk sales.
Still, since we weren't positioned right next to the Central Square, the pace was manageable. We had a constant flow of people without it becoming overwhelming. Just as I was thinking that, a familiar voice drifted over to me.
"There sure is a lot of booze around here~"
"Looks like there are a lot of Dwarven stalls. You carry alcohol at your place too, don't you, Kaori? Maybe you should stock up on some new inventory?"
"Ah, no... I’m actually a bit traumatized when it comes to ordering alcohol. But Shige-san loves the stuff, so maybe I should pick up something as a souvenir. Oh, that shop over there looks interesting... and... weird?"
"Huh? What's wrong... Oh?"
Sure enough, I found myself looking at Kaori-san and Akane-san. They must have come to enjoy the festival together. Even so, running into them in a place like this was quite a coincidence.
The two of them noticed me as well. Their expressions shifted to shock before they made their way over to the booth.
"Well, if it isn't Kaito. You're running a stall here too, not just back in Symphonia?"
"Yeah, a friend invited me to help out. What a coincidence. I didn't realize you two would be here at the Founding Anniversary Festival."
"Akane and I were both originally summoned to the Arclesia Empire, you see. We were talking about the old days and got excited, so we decided to come check it out together. I never dreamed we'd run into you here, Kaito-kun..."
After exchanging friendly smiles, Akane-san glanced at Amel-san and tilted her head. She turned back to me with a questioning look.
"So, Kaito... just which big shot is this one?"
"This is Amel-san. She's the Leader of the Winged Race."
"............Seriously? You... are you for real?"
"I'm pretty sure the Winged Race doesn't interact with other races at all... and you're running a stall with their leader? I swear, this boy lives in a completely different reality than the rest of us."
Seeing the two of them looking genuinely stunned—and Kaori-san actually clutching her stomach—I felt like I should offer a retort, but I decided it was more important to introduce them to Amel-san first.
"Amel-san, these two are former Hero-roles from the same world as me. This is Kaori Mizuhara-san and Akane Mikumo-san."
"Oh? Are they also people of the otherworld, just like my sworn friend? That is a rare encounter indeed. I see... I can sense a peculiar magic power within them. So they, too, are guided ones... Then allow me to present my name. I am Amel, the Jet-black Wings that Lead Those Who Dwell in the Sky—and his sworn friend."
"……I-I see."
Amel-san's dramatic introduction left Kaori-san looking slightly bewildered, while Akane-san’s cheek twitched in a silent grimace. She probably had a desperate urge to poke fun at Amel-san's peak chunibyo behavior, but given Amel-san's status, she was clearly forcing herself to hold back.
After a moment of visible inner conflict, Akane-san leaned in close to me, whispering so the others wouldn't hear.
"Sorry, but I have to ask... Kaito, when the hell did you become best buddies with the Leader of the Winged Race?"
"……Apparently, we knew each other in a previous life."
"Why!? Even if you had a previous life, it would've been in a different world entirely!"
"Don't look at me..."
"What else am I supposed to do?! I can't exactly pick a fight with the head of the Winged Race, so my only option is to grill you! Honestly, why is it that every time we see you, you're hanging out with another VIP? Are you trying to kill our stomachs with stress?"
I could only manage a wry, helpless smile as Akane-san skillfully delivered her whispered complaints. To be fair, she had a point. It felt like every time we ran into each other, I was in the company of a different high-ranking figure. I really couldn't argue with her.
Serious-senpai: [W-What is this?! Given the timing of these two appearing, the Megiddo arrival flag has been firmly planted! It's a Great Stomach Pain Chain where one stomach ache triggers another!]