We turned onto West District Street, chatting as we walked. Despite her refined poise, Aria-san seemed to visit the city often. She was quite knowledgeable not just about the capital, but about regional towns as well.
"Oh, so such a dish actually exists?" I asked.
"Yes," she replied. "It is a regional specialty rarely found outside a few cities in the Western Region of the Kingdom of Sinfonia. It tastes wonderful, but the preparation is so labor-intensive that it isn't particularly suited for selling in places with a high volume of customers."
"That makes sense. In a busy spot, turnover is everything. Unless it's a high-end restaurant, but I suppose local soul food doesn't usually fall into that category. Every dish has its own ideal way of being sold."
"Quite right. Everything has its place, as they say. Even with black tea, the most important thing is brewing it to suit the environment and the individual."
Her constant use of black tea as an analogy certainly spoke to a high-class upbringing, but she was a bright, calm person, and I found her remarkably easy to talk to.
Just as we neared our destination, a stiff breeze kicked up. It wasn't anything major—just a gust funneled between a few large buildings—but it was enough to lift Aria-san’s bangs. For a split second, I saw one of her eyes. It was a stunning shade of crimson, like a ruby. More importantly, seeing even half of her face provided a massive jump in information compared to when it was entirely obscured.
Wait, is she... Alexandra-san? No, her hair was completely different, and the vibe wasn't the same. Besides, I’d only spoken to Alexandra-san briefly at the Maid Olympia when I’d been drafted into acting as a Special Judge. I couldn't be sure.
And then there was her voice. Alexandra-san’s voice was cool and dignified, whereas Aria-san’s was gentle, refined, and oddly soothing.
Was there magic to change only one’s voice? Or was she just a look-alike? That seemed more plausible. Maybe a sister? Regardless, if she was Alexandra-san or just someone who happened to look like her, she was clearly traveling incognito. It would be boorish to pry, so I decided to stop worrying about it.
"Kaito-sama, is something wrong?"
"Ah, no, sorry. Just lost in thought. More importantly, it's that place over there, right?"
"Yes, we’ve arrived. It looks like we missed the lunch rush, so it’s fortunately quite empty."
The destination shop really felt like a fast-food joint for commoners. The interior wasn't particularly large and felt a bit cluttered, but that only added to the junk food charm. It had an inviting, savory atmosphere that was a far cry from high-end restaurants.
Between Lilia-san and everyone else around me being part of the high-society set, I rarely got to visit places like this. I was genuinely looking forward to it.
"I like this atmosphere. It’s far from sophisticated, but everything necessary is right where it needs to be. There's a playful touch to the layout, and the aroma is certainly promising."
"Yeah, that fried food smell is great. Fried chicken, maybe?"
Even though her face was mostly hidden, I could tell Aria-san was sparkling with excitement. Her tone also carried a hint of energy, making it clear she truly loved these kinds of shops.
We walked into the shop and headed to the counter to order before taking our seats—a standard fast-food format.
"I’m going to order fried potatoes, nuggets, and a cola. What about you, Kaito-sama?"
"...Wait, they have cola here?"
"Yes. Apparently, it was introduced by a Former Hero-role. I don't know if it's identical to the version from your world, though."
"I see. In that case, I’ll have the same as you."
"Very well. Let’s get the large size for the potatoes and nuggets and share them."
I couldn't believe cola existed in this world. Then again, craft cola can be made by hand. If you know the ingredients and the process, it probably isn't that difficult. I liked this shop already. Looking at the menu, they even had burgers. I wasn't hungry enough for a full meal now, but I’d have to come back for one later.
Serious-senpai: "Magic to change one's voice... But wouldn't Kaito's blessing nullify that? Does that mean she really is a different person?"
???: "No, for instance, if it isn't magic but a 'Species That Can Change Their Voice' or some kind of racial trait, it won't be nullified. Besides, compared to the beginning, the Magic Nullification by Shallow Vernal's Blessing has been improved through repeated, fine-tuned updates. Even Humanization Magic stays active now, even if Kaito-san touches the person."
Serious-senpai: "I see... So it's been adjusted as long as it isn't a threat to him."