We’ve already suffered the loss of Suzu, a precious sacrifice. Despite the terrifying presence of an Evil God and vampires from another world, the town of Traage was exceptionally peaceful everywhere. If anything, people were surprised to see Tsubaki-sama walking around town normally, and even more so when S-Rank Adventurer, I, and Silvia were beside her, causing a slight commotion. However, such events could still be considered peace.
“It was like that in the Western Continent, but it seems that in the Eastern Continent, where our base is, we’re becoming more recognized,” said Kelvin.
“Hmph, it’s too late to remember my face now. I knew the strength of Kelvin and Silvia long ago, even before they became S-Rank Adventurers,” replied Tsubaki.
“Tsubaki-sama, please don’t say things like a veteran fan… And Kuon, don’t draw your newly bought sword in town. If Tsubaki-sama weren’t here, you would have been arrested several times already?” Kelvin admonished.
“Ah, but the hamon was so beautiful~” Kuon replied.
Kuon reluctantly returned the sword to its saya with a click. By the way, Kuon is currently penniless, so Tsubaki-sama had gifted her the sword with her own money, and it was a fine weapon. I repeatedly told her it would be troublesome later, but in the end, the oddly defenseless Kuon was overwhelmed by Tsubaki-sama’s insistence. At this point, there’s nothing I can do. Well, I can at least cheer her on, telling her to repay the favor she received.
“Hmm, it’s about time we should see Emma. Actually, there she is,” said Kelvin.
“Let me see?” Silvia peered in the direction Kelvin pointed.
“…Why is she already slurping udon?” Kelvin questioned.
“It’s a disguise I devised. Yes, she’s completely blended into the town’s scenery. No one will notice her. It’s perfect, very natural,” said Silvia.
Kelvin thought that Emma’s red hair was quite conspicuous in Traage, and she seemed to be attracting attention from people around her. Perhaps she realized this later, or maybe she couldn’t refuse Silvia’s plan, as her cheeks seemed slightly flushed. He figured it was the latter, as Emma seemed to be weak to Silvia when it mattered.
“Let’s go join her quickly for Emma’s sake. I’m starting to feel a bit sorry for her,” said Kelvin.
“I’m a little surprised that Kelvin would say that. Was the lookout duty that dangerous? I didn’t sense anything of that sort from the target,” Silvia asked.
“It’s not in that sense… Anyway, let’s go quickly,” Kelvin insisted.
And so, we (un)safely managed to regroup. Incidentally, Emma’s udon was overcooked because she had been lingering with a single bowl for a long time. It was a double tragedy.
“Ugh, it was a bit too much to make a single bowl of udon last for so long… Before that, I seemed to be quite conspicuous…” Emma lamented.
“Emma, I think it’s fine to just say if something is impossible,” Kelvin advised.
“Perhaps soba would have been better? There are good soba places. Shall I introduce you?” Silvia offered.
“No, no, it’s not about that— Wait, that’s not important right now. Emma, where is the target?” Kelvin asked.
“Huh? Ah, yes. It’s that shop,” Emma replied, pointing.
Kelvin peered in the direction Emma pointed— Wait, doesn’t that say “Yakitori”? The red lanterns hanging in front of the shop seemed to clearly display that. “Maria? Adams-san? I know you called it a drinking party, but it’s supposed to be a place for discussion, right? You’re not just thinking about drinking, are you?” he thought.
“Oh, the person we’re meeting has entered that shop. Quite good taste,” Tsubaki commented.
“Hmm, that shop just recently opened. They sell grilled chicken skewers. You might think, ‘Skewers aren’t rare!’ but that would be a mistake. The skewers here are grilled over charcoal and are fragrant. Also, the seasoning is unique. They have a wide variety of parts,” Silvia explained.
“Ah… Do they sell them with salt or sauce?” Kelvin asked.
“Wh-!? As expected of Kelvin, you’re so knowledgeable…! You are indeed Mel’s fiancé…!” Silvia exclaimed.
Kelvin didn’t know about his past life, but he had knowledge of Japanese food culture. Still, what did she mean by “comrades”? Well, he sort of understood.
“Yakitori is delicious~ I like ‘kimo’ and ‘zuri’~ And ‘bonjiri’ too!” Tsubaki said.
“Wh-h-h-h-h-!? How do you know the names of yakitori dishes…! And you’re using terms I don’t even know…! Are you a regular yakitori enthusiast…!? But I’ve never seen your face before…! Wh-why…!?” Silvia stammered, uncharacteristically flustered. Could it be that she’s a regular at this shop?
“Sorry to interrupt your thoughts, but let’s go inside first. We can talk later,” Kelvin said.
“Eh? Um, wait, Kelvin-san!?” Emma exclaimed worriedly.
Kelvin thought it would be faster to introduce them than to explain, even though Emma seemed to be in a hurry. It was unexpected that they had become such a large group, but if they were having a drinking party, then they would face it with a banquet style! With that mindset, he opened the sliding door and went in first. Wow, the interior was more like a bar than he imagined. And there was the grill he expected. In fact, the level of reproduction as a yakitori restaurant was high. “This shop was probably built by someone who transferred from the modern world, wasn’t it? Enka-like music is playing from somewhere.”
“Welcome. You’re Kelvin-san, right?” The shopkeeper, who was grilling skewers behind the counter, called out his name.
“Ah, yes. That’s right,” Kelvin replied.
“Is that so? Go to the room in the back. Your acquaintances are waiting,” the shopkeeper, a bald man with a *hachimaki* (headband), indicated with his gaze. Hmm, his sharp eyes looked good. “Is the shopkeeper also a transfer student? Could he be strong?” Kelvin had a mountain of questions but held back his tears.
“Thank you. Well then, excuse me—”
“Thanks~ I’ll have a draft beer for now! Eh, you don’t have any? Then, sake it is!” Tsubaki declared.
“Hmm, I’ll have the usual mountain of skewers for now,” Silvia ordered.
“Shopkeeper, excuse me. Prepare some ‘kimo’, ‘zuri’, and ‘bonjiri’,” Tsubaki added.
Kelvin thought they were ordering too quickly. “Can’t you at least wait until we get to the room?”
“…Tsubaki-sama, are you incognito?” the shopkeeper asked.
“I am. Pretend you didn’t see me,” Tsubaki replied.
“You didn’t have to come at a time like this… If Kage-danna scolds you, it’s not my fault!” the shopkeeper warned.
“Tch, you’re noisy! I don’t care, just let me do as I please for now!” Tsubaki retorted.
Kelvin was still bothered by the fact that the shopkeeper was talking to Tsubaki on equal footing, but he persevered. He wondered if Adams and the others were drinking quietly. Worried, he opened the sliding door and peeked inside.
“I want to see a cool moment of Adams-chan~ Go on, a shot! A shot!” Tsubaki cheered.
“Gulp, gulp, gululu… Phew, this much is no problem,” Adams grunted.
“Woohoo! You got this!” Tsubaki exclaimed.
And there were Maria in a kimono and Adams in a *happi* coat. They were drinking terribly.
“Hey, hey, what are you guys doing while I was picking flowers! No, no, chugging is bad for your health! Oh, my? Kelvin-chan?” A woman appeared from beside Kelvin.
“…H-hello,” Kelvin replied.
It was Gordiana, dressed in a gorgeous *oiran* (courtesan) style, who had appeared so dashingly from beside him. “This is bad. I feel nauseous even before eating or drinking…” Kelvin thought.
