I had finished handing out Tre-san’s share, and with the assistance of Funf-san and Zex-san, the teleportation magic tool was completed in record time. Since I was already at Kuro’s castle, I decided to see if any of my other acquaintances were available so I could pass out more of the bounty.
"Hawa-wa! This Riple is absolutely delicious!"
"It’s a good one, isn't it? I've taken a real liking to it myself."
"Yes! This variety is often grown in the western Arclesia Empire. It’s different from the type I grow, but these are wonderful too!"
I had used a Hummingbird to check Raz-san’s schedule, and since she was free, I’d headed over to her plantation to drop off some Riples. She was delighted, and her adorable reaction was enough to soothe my soul just by watching her.
"Your Riples have that crisp sweetness and perfect balance, Raz-san. They're incredible in their own right. But I’m impressed—you can tell exactly where these came from just by tasting them."
"I love fruit, so I can usually tell! There are so many different types of Riples. Some are red like mine or these, but some stay green even when they’re fully ripe."
"I see. You really know your stuff."
"Ehehe, I just happen to be well-informed. But these really are very, very delicious. I’ve taken a real liking to them!"
"I got them from a girl named Marie at the Rich Baron House in the Arclesia Empire. According to her letter, they aren’t sold in many places yet, so they’ve ended up with quite a surplus."
"Oh, that sounds awful. Before you introduced me to Kaori-san, I had way too much Rice-san and didn't know what to do with it, so I know exactly how she feels."
Come to think of it, she had mentioned being buried in a mountain of rice before I introduced her to Kaori-san. Even for a private business, Kaori-san ran a restaurant—the amount of rice needed for her set meals was on a completely different scale compared to a single household. I remembered how happy Raz-san had been afterward, saying Kaori-san had "bought so much."
"If you know anyone who likes Riples, would you mind telling them about these? I’m sure Marie-san would be thrilled if her sales picked up."
"Of course! I have tons of friends, so I'll make sure to introduce them to everyone!"
"Thanks. I appreciate it."
It might only be a small start, but if this led to a boost in sales, it would be worth it. I decided I would casually mention the Rich Baron House's plantation to every acquaintance I shared the fruit with.
As we were talking, a familiar, bright voice rang out.
"Raz-sama! I’ve come to pla—oh! Kaito-kun-san is here too!"
"Ah, Til! Welcome, welcome."
"Hello, Til-san. What a coincidence."
It was Til-san. She and Raz-san were as close as ever and spent a lot of time playing together. After a quick greeting, I explained that I’d brought some Riples as a gift.
"If you’d like, please have some, Til-san."
"Thank you! I love Riples, so I’m very happy!"
"Til, I have some slices already prepared over here. Try them!"
"Okay! Here I go... Oh!? Hawa-wa! These are absolutely delicious!"
Her reaction was a carbon copy of Raz-san’s. It was genuinely endearing; the Raz-and-Til duo was so consistently cute in their movements that watching them was incredibly relaxing.
"Marie from the Rich Baron House is a friend of Kaito-kun-san’s. It sounds like they’re having a hard time selling their fruit, so Raz wants Til to help tell your friends about them."
"Yes, leave it to me! I have tons of friends, so I’ll give Marie-san's Riples a proper introduction!"
Til-san readily agreed to help with the advertising. Like Raz-san, she was incredibly social and had a vast network, so I felt I could really count on them. I stayed for a while longer, enjoying the pleasant conversation with the two of them.
Stomach Pain Devil: "Daini-daa!"
Serious-senpai: "Hey, stop that. That's the kind of flag that keeps going for 5-consecutive Blows..."
???: "Raz-san (tons of friends) and Til-san (tons of friends)... popular products are inevitable now. Anyway, setting that aside, look at the cover of Volume 10 of the comic... Good heavens, what's this? An unbelievably beautiful girl is gracing the cover! We have no choice but to buy them in bulk!"
Serious-senpai: "...I have witnessed a terrible case of sockpuppetry. Though, well, I do personally appreciate the sense of seriousness on this cover."