I left the management of the Nifty boutique entirely to Canaris, so I wasn't worried in the least. My involvement had been minimal—mostly just offering a few suggestions and consulting with Rosmiel and Elise about the finer points of the interior decor.
Still, even if I hadn't been deeply involved, it was technically my shop. I couldn't help but wonder how it was doing. Kuro told me the reservation lottery was seeing an incredible turnout. They were limiting the number of customers allowed inside to prevent overcrowding, but I still wanted to see the boutique in action, so I decided to pay it a visit.
While I was at it, I planned to check with Canaris about the reserved seating for the day I was supposed to visit with Kuro. I could have just asked her at home since she lives with me, of course, but since I wanted to check on the shop anyway, I figured I'd catch her while she was on-site.
On my way to the boutique, I happened to run into someone who looked vaguely familiar. It wasn't exactly a planned meeting; our paths just happened to cross as we approached from different streets, but I definitely recognized her.
She was an elegant woman with dark indigo hair that fell in soft waves. At a glance, she appeared to be around the same age as Aoi and Hina, but in this world, first impressions about age were rarely reliable.
She wore a dress-like outfit that radiated an aura of nobility. One look told me she was likely a high-ranking noblewoman. As for why she seemed so familiar... the answer came the moment I spotted the necklace she was wearing.
"Ah, excuse me, but are you the one who bought a cup from me back in the Arclesia Empire?"
Her hair had been pulled back under a hat then, so she looked different now, but only a handful of people owned prototype accessories made from Magnawell's scales. I was almost certain I was right.
She had been my very first customer, so she'd left an impression on me, though for a moment I wondered if she would recognize me in return. The woman immediately nodded and bowed gracefully.
"Y-Yes. I am still quite grateful for the wonderful purchase I made that day."
"I'm glad you remember. Ah, sorry, I haven't even introduced myself yet... I'm Kaito Miyama."
"...I am Elis Dia Hamilton, of the Hamilton Marquis House in the Arclesia Empire. I have heard much about you, Kaito-sama."
She really was a noble's daughter. Her maid stood a few paces behind her, clearly having no intention of joining the conversation. As soon as Elis and I began talking, she drifted even further back to wait.
"Um, would it be alright if I called you Elis? Please feel free to call me whatever you're comfortable with as well."
"The honor is mine. In that case, with your permission, I shall call you Kaito-sama."
Running into a semi-familiar face made it easy to introduce myself and strike up a light conversation. Elis had such a refined air about her. She was exactly what I imagined a noble daughter should be like. In a way, it was actually quite refreshing.
Among my acquaintances, she felt most similar to Amalie or Cattleya. Lilia didn't really have that noble daughter vibe—or rather, she wasn't very noble-like in a good way...
In contrast to my idle thoughts, Elis's heart was in a state of absolute chaos.
Ababababa! N-N-N-No way this is happening... I'm actually introducing myself to Kaito-sama... T-This is okay, right? He's the one who approached me first, so it would be the height of rudeness not to respond in kind. I'm making the right choice, I have to be! B-But I'm so nervous... This person has influence on par with the Creator God herself... I must make absolutely sure I'm not rude, not even by accident...
Perhaps as a result of her ladylike etiquette training, she maintained an ironclad smile, but staying calm while encountering a world singularity like me was a tall order for her.
As a noble, she naturally craved a connection with me, but the knowledge that terrifying beings might take action if she slipped up left her paralyzed with trepidation.
Meanwhile, Alice—one of the very beings the nobles feared—watched the interaction unfold from the shadows. Kaito-san really is as consistent as ever when it comes to unintentionally causing stomach pain, she thought, feeling a twinge of sympathy for Elis. Of course, the girl had no way of knowing that.
Serious-senpai: "There's no way this ends with just a greeting. This named mob young lady's stomach is about to be tormented even further. Ah, come to think of it, she has 'Dia' in her name. Is she related to the imperial family?"
???: "Distantly, but yes, she has imperial blood. By the way, the reason Laguna has 'Dia' as a middle name is because both Sinfonia and Arclesia already had them. The Arclesia Emperor at the time thought it would be better if the King of Hydra had one too, so he suggested she just use the Arclesian one. That’s how she ended up with it despite having no blood relation. Laguna intends to drop the name 'Dia Hydra' if she ever abdicates... though that day will probably never come."