After providing Ein-san with the tea samples and securing her help with the promotion, I decided to pay a visit to Jutia-san. She was every bit as much of a tea enthusiast as Ein.
In the past, I’d traveled from the Spirit Forest near Rigforresia using Jutia-san’s teleportation magic. However, her actual home—like the residences of the other Seven Princesses—was situated within the Central Great Forest of the Demon Realm. To get there, I set my sights on Yugfressia first.
Things would have been much simpler if I’d registered Jutia-san’s home in my teleportation tool. But since I’d always traveled directly from the interior of her house via magic both coming and going, I hadn't had the chance to register it. I certainly couldn't just register the inside of someone's private space without their permission, so the location remained unsaved.
I reached out to her via Hummingbird instead, arranging for her to meet me. I didn't have to wait long at Yugfressia before she appeared.
"Thanks for waiting, thanks for waiting! I'm here to pick you up, ze-i!"
"Thank you, Jutia-san. Sorry for the last-minute request."
"No, no! Don't you worry about that. Kaito is always more than welcome, ze-i! Now then, now then, we’re starting to draw a crowd here. Shall we head back to my place?"
"Yes, please."
At my nod, Jutia-san reached out and touched me lightly. The scenery shifted instantly, and I found myself inside the familiar interior of her home—a space that felt more like a chic wooden cafe than a typical house.
"Welcome, welcome! I'm just so happy you came to visit, ze-i! And, and... well... uh, no..."
"Hmm? Something on your mind?"
"Ah, sorry, sorry! I know it’s terribly unrefined of me, but I’ve been feeling a little restless. You see, you see... um, I’ve heard rumors—well, more than rumors—that Kaito is starting a black tea brand. And since Kaito is so kind, I couldn’t help but wonder if maybe you’d brought a new sample like last time... No, if Kaito had brought it up himself, that would be one thing, but it’s wrong of me to jump the gun like this. Honestly, I really am just happy you came to visit. But, but... I can’t help but get my hopes up. I’m sorry for being so greedy!"
She looked genuinely apologetic as she confessed her high hopes for the new tea.
Honestly, compared to Ein-san—who had practically launched a frontal assault the moment I arrived—Jutia-san was so incredibly reasonable that it was almost shocking. She had likely known about the new brand from the beginning, just like Ein. Yet, she hadn't breathed a word about it until now, not even in our messages on Hummingbird.
Even though she was so excited that it made her act a little strangely, she would have kept her feelings in check if I hadn't prompted her. It really showed her maturity—she was truly a person of high character.
"Haha, don't worry. Just as you hoped, Jutia-san, I came today with samples of the tea leaves and sugar cubes. I actually have a favor to ask you regarding the brand, but there’s no point in making you wait. Here, these are for you."
"Thank you! Oh, I really am sorry for acting like I was pressuring you. But, but... I’m just so happy, ze-i!"
"I'm glad. There's a memo from Nebula in there as well, so make sure to take a look at it."
"I will, I will! Now, Kaito, why don't you take a seat right there? I’ll brew some tea using these leaves immediately."
"Thank you."
Jutia-san was clearly overjoyed, and in her excitement, she seemed incredibly adorable—an effect only amplified by her small stature. I felt a gentle smile tugging at my lips as I took my seat, settling in to wait for the tea she was about to prepare.
Serious-senpai: "By the way, hasn't he received that recognition inhibition accessory yet? The one he mentioned when I asked about it before?"
???: "The plan was for him to get it during the hot spring trip with Shallow Vernal-sama, so shouldn't it be coming soon? It seems the last one was considered a separate occasion... Though Kaito-san probably would have preferred to have it back during the Founding Anniversary Festival..."