In Lilliwood’s castle, located in the forest city of Yugfressia within the Demon Realm, five women—Camellia, Rosmiel, Tiltania, Erial, and Jutia—had gathered as their work schedules happened to overlap. They were currently sitting around a table, enjoying a casual tea party in their free time.
“Come to think of it, Kaito’s black tea brand... Nifty opens its first store today, doesn't it?”
“Oh!? Was that today? When I met Kaito-kun-san a month ago and he said it would be ‘a little while longer,’ I thought he meant in about ten years.”
“Well, ten years might feel like a short wait to us, but Kaito-san is a human, after all.”
As Jutia suddenly recalled the news, Tiltania replied with a look of genuine astonishment. Camellia could only offer a wry smile as she pointed out their differing perceptions of time. In truth, the youngest among the five gathered there was well over 15,000 years old, so their sense of time was understandably broad.
“I expect it will be incredibly popular... I mean, Nifty has been the talk of the town lately, so the shop must be packed, right?”
“I wonder. It seems to be a high-end boutique, so they might be keeping a strict limit on the number of guests allowed in at once...”
Rosmiel spoke softly in response to Erial. Incidentally, among the group, only Jutia had actually entered the reservation lottery for opening day. Three of the others knew the shop was opening soon, but none realized the date was today.
“It sounds like it’s a massive hit, ze-i. I entered the lottery myself, but I couldn't get a spot for the first day. The earliest I could book was two months from now, ze-i.”
“Ayaya, is it really that full?”
“The last time I checked, I believe it was booked solid for the next four months.”
“Oh, so it’s basically right away then. Til has wanted to visit for a while, so I’ll have to make a reservation for next time.”
For Tiltania, four months was hardly a wait at all, and she didn't mind the delay. However, she was well aware of her own forgetfulness; Tiltania pulled a notebook from her pocket and made a point to write down that she needed to apply for a Nifty reservation.
“Jutia-san, since you applied for the lottery, were you really hoping to go on opening day?”
“No, it wasn't quite like that, ze-i. Thanks to Kaito, I can buy his products directly, so I’m not in any rush. I was just interested in the cafe itself and wanted to see it, but it didn't have to be the first day, ze-i.”
“Til wants to go too, but I’ll be patient and wait until I can get a spot.”
Jutia was a big enough fan of Nifty to be considered a regular supporter, but because she could buy tea directly from Kaito or Anima, she felt no pressure. She was perfectly happy waiting for her reservation in two months.
Then, Rosmiel spoke up hesitantly.
“Um, well... I have one of these. If you all want to go, do you want to come with me?”
“I didn't know those existed... I mean, a Priority Reservation Right? Where did you get that, Rosmiel?”
“Well, Kaito-kun asked me for help with the store's interior. He wanted to use roses, so I provided some dried flowers and herbariums. He gave me this as a thank-you gift. It's a right that lets me book a table on any day I want, as long as I let them know ahead of time.”
Rosmiel produced a small card labeled "Priority Reservation Right." True to its name, it granted the holder the ability to secure a table on any chosen date. Rosmiel possessed a refined artistic sense; the herbariums she had gifted Kaito and the art pieces she made as a hobby were exceptionally stylish. To Kaito, she was a vital consultant for the brand's aesthetic. When Kaito had sought her advice on putting a personal touch on the store's decor, she had provided several small interior decorations for the tables and shelves. The priority pass was his way of showing his gratitude.
“I see, I see! I didn't know such a thing was out there. That’s great! Why don’t all five of us go together? Would it be okay for five people?”
“Y-Yes. I was told there wasn't a strict limit on guests. A huge group might be a problem, but I’m sure five is fine.”
The others nodded at Jutia’s suggestion. Since they had already gathered, they began coordinating their schedules to make the trip together.
Serious-senpai: “I see, a Priority Reservation Right... If we're talking about people Kaito would consult for business, Elise has to be one of them, right? She probably has one too.”
???: “Well, that girl is a die-hard coffee lover, so she probably won't be rushing to a black tea shop. Still, she’s dutiful to a fault; since she received it, she’ll probably make an appearance at least once...”