The high-end cafe we planned to visit was located in the same district where I’d purchased my outfit for the Six Kings Festival and my formal suit for Mitsunaga-kun’s wedding. Lined with shops frequented by the nobility, the entire street exuded an air of elegance, right down to its neatly laid cobblestone paths.
It felt a bit like a high-end shopping district in Ginza—or at least, that’s what I imagined, never having actually set foot in one myself.
“I don’t find myself on this street very often,” I remarked.
“I suppose not,” Illness-san replied softly. “With so many luxury boutiques, it isn’t really the sort of place one visits on a whim. Most people likely decide which shops to visit or what they intend to buy before arriving...”
“Yeah, that makes sense. The vibe here is different from somewhere you'd go just for window shopping. It definitely feels like you need a plan before you show up.”
While there was no rule saying you had to make a purchase just to enter, the boutiques possessed a certain "high-end store aura" that made casual browsing feel a bit daunting. In truth, most of the clientele were quite wealthy, and perhaps the lack of casual window shoppers helped preserve the refined atmosphere.
“Kaito-sama... the future site of the Nifty store is just a short walk from here. Since we are already out, would you like to see it...?”
“Oh, that sounds like a great idea. We can adjust our path to the cafe a bit to pass by it.”
It was a lucky coincidence; a slight detour on our way to the cafe brought us to the future home of Nifty. Since Canalis-san was handling the construction, the building itself could be erected in less than a day. The plan was to finalize the interior layout with Anima and Caraway before actually putting the structure up.
When we arrived at the site, I was impressed by the ample space. It offered a wonderful view of the Royal Castle and was situated in a prime spot—just off a main thoroughfare but far enough from the heavy carriage traffic to remain peaceful.
“This really is a fantastic location. It stands out, and the view is beautiful.”
“It truly is... it seems they’ve secured an excellent spot for us...”
“Definitely. Oh, that reminds me—I know you've been working on various projects with Nebula. How is that going?”
“Let me see... lately, we have been discussing the possibility of trying glasswork...”
“Glasswork? That sounds like quite a challenge.”
They had moved from woodworking to pottery, and now they were venturing into glassware. Knowing what Nebula and Illness-san were capable of, I was sure the results would be spectacular. I imagined glass cups would be lovely; glass always seemed best for iced tea or other cold drinks. I made a mental note to ask for any surplus pieces they might have.
“The idea had come up before...” she explained. “However, glassmaking requires significant space. And because the process can release harmful fumes... we felt it wasn't suitable for the backyard. But now, Canalis-san has offered to create a dedicated space for us... so I am currently consulting with Nebula about it...”
“That makes sense. If anyone can conjure up a workshop, it's her. You'll be able to create larger pieces that weren't possible before. It really opens up a world of possibilities.”
“Hehe, indeed... It might be fun to try something on a larger scale... It seems that lately, crafting has become quite the hobby for me...”
“And why not? Everything you and Nebula produce is incredible. I always look forward to seeing your latest creations.”
“If you say so... then I am very happy...”
Illness-san and Nebula often showed me what they’d made or gave me gifts, so I genuinely looked forward to it. Above all, they both seemed to be having so much fun that just watching them was heartwarming.
“Just out of curiosity, what do you want to make first?”
“Let’s see... I think I would like to start by making a vase...”
“That sounds lovely. A glass vase would be beautiful, especially for displaying your favorite roses.”
“Yes... so, when the first one is finished... I would very much like to give it to you, Kaito-sama, along with some roses... Would you be willing to accept it...?”
“Really? You're sure you want me to have your very first piece?”
“Yes... I want you to be the first person to receive one... and... I think the process of making a vase while keeping you in my thoughts... would be a very happy experience for me. It is a bit of a selfish desire on my part...”
“In that case, I'd be honored.”
Watching Illness-san smile so happily made me break into a grin as well. It was perhaps a bit self-serving, but I found myself looking forward to the day they started their glasswork even more than before.
Serious-senpai: “...It’s going to be three roses, isn’t it? She’s going to give him three roses... Dammit... the future is sweet.”
???: “Could you stop using weird expressions like ‘the future is sweet’?”