early in the morning
　Somebody gently opened the door of my room.

"Yasilo... I'll go in..."

　He swoops into the room and calls out in a slightly hoarse voice.
　The door closes quietly with a bang...

"Aesthetica..."

　He sticks his head out of bed and looks at his face through a gap in his eyelids.
　His bright red hair is swaying in the dark.

"... crawling at night?"
"Time to get up!"

　Hahaha! What a fool! It's still pitch dark outside!
　It is a luxury inn in the twenty‐four wards. Glass windows provide a good view of the outside even from the inside.
　The color of the sky peeping through the curtains was that of the night. It's not even

"You said you'd get up early to meet the malt maker, didn't you? That's why you got on the train in front of course.

　That's true, but...
　Apparently, koji craftsmen get up earlier than Jeanette.
　It's time to go to bed, isn't it?

"I wonder what kind of baba it is... to get up so early..."

　It's hard for young people to get up early.

"Keep your temper. I'm getting up earlier than you are."
"You got Natalia to wake you up anyway, didn't you?"
"Sweet, isn't it? I'm a man of good self‐management. I wake up naturally when I want to."

　How do they get up in a world where there's no alarm clock?
　I don't even hear the alarm bells ring.

"Didn't you wake up with all your might to see my sleeping face?"
"Buck, are you stupid!? Well, who's your sleeping face..."

　While I'm talking to others, my body continues to complain of fatigue and I can't get up easily.
　I've been lounging around in the comforter.

"Are you a cat?"
"Why, since early in the morning, 'cute and cute.' That's too complimentary."
"...your brain seems to have an incomprehensible structure."

　I don't think there's a lot more cute than a cat lounging around on a futon.
　Then my free translation should not be so wrong.

"If you don't wake up too late, I'll peel off your futon."
"I'll take off all my clothes before you do that."
"Hey!? Stop impersonating me!? You know, I can't!"

　It sounds like pretending to be it.
　The Japanese are the kind of people who want to do it when they are told not to do it.

　Estella can't take off her futon if I strip her naked.
　It's exactly 'Cutting the flesh and cutting the bones…A big strategy to protect the futon~'

Dear Estella,

　Without a sound of footsteps, Natalia appears behind Estella.
　I couldn't even hear the door open.

"Did Natalia come, too.
"Yes, wait for my turn at night."
"I didn't come crawling at night!"
"Well, I'll go ahead,"
"You won't let me!"

　They grapple near the entrance......oh, no!

"Here, boys," Be quiet! I won't be able to sleep."
"I'm here to wake you up!"

　come up to the futon with one's arm
　It's not good! You have to take off all your clothes!

"Wait, Estella! I'll take it off now!"
"Can you take it off?"

　And a comforter ruthlessly ripped off. It's cold.
　Oh, my God! Have you forgotten that Magda disliked you for doing this before?
　He doesn't grow up.

"He doesn't grow up."
"Will you not be rude to me while looking at the same time.
"Yes, Mr. Jiro,"

　Rarely in this way, Natalia escapes Estella.

"Mr. Estella is growing up properly."
"Natalia..."

　Estella looks deeply at Natalia's back, standing protecting herself.
　My red eyes are a little noisy.

"Mr. Estella, who wanted to see the sleeping face of the opposite s*x, got up before I woke her up, sneaked out of the room so that she wouldn't notice me, and exploded her prejudiced disposition to the fullesthe said.
"Oh, my God, my God!"
"You have become a grown-up, Estella!"
"It's not a bad reputation, it's a bad reputation, Natalia!"
"Interested in sleeping faces of the opposite s*x!"
"I feel bad about that expression of 'the opposite s*x'!"

　Yup.
　For the time being, I understood very well that Natalia had no intention of protecting Estella at this time of year.

"Natalia, don't stir me up like that."

　You should stay quiet in the morning.

"So don't get so angry, adolescent girl."
"Don't stir it up!"

　Estella puffs up her cheeks after being teased down by me and Natalia.His face turns red, perhaps out of anger or embarrassment.

"I've been trying to tell you. Estella's red hair makes her look like an octopus and interesting... ...as beautiful as a crimson rose, Estella."

　a white blade twinkling in the darkness of the night
　Estella began to flick the knife. It's dangerous to stir up further.
　Why is the knife twinkling in the pitch dark room? Are you sure?

　Having escaped the difficulty with his splendid speech skills, I gently took back the stripped comforter...wrap it up.

"I won't let you sleep!"

　Estella makes you feel as if you are spending everything on meeting a koji craftsman.
　I was forced to wake up and wipe my face with a wet towel.
　a tub and towel filled with water provided in the room This is what the inn prepared me to use for washing my face.
　. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

"Well, let's get dressed and get together in front of the inn. Assunt will come to pick you up soon, so let's join them and go see the koji craftsman."

　Describing her plans for the rest of the day, Estella room.
　I guess you're telling me to change my clothes.

"... so will you leave, Natalia?"
"No, don't worry,"
"Ester! Forgotten!"

　Seeing off Natalia, who is being taken back to Estella at a tremendous speed, locks the door. Well, how did you unlock Estella?
　Picking?

　Quickly change clothes with vague thoughts like that.
　I was told to change into a nightclothes when I met a koji craftsman, saying that it would be rude to wear a wrinkled dress.
　Put your bedclothes into your bag and wear your usual clothes. It's cold.
　When I was a student, the landlady put my clothes in a kotatsu and warmed them up before I woke up...

　Recalling such a nostalgic thing, I dressed myself up.






"Good morning," It's a refreshing morning."
"...if only I could see your face."

　In the cold, windy city of the night, Assundo turns to us with a stifling smile.
　By the time we left the inn, Assunt was already waiting. ... he's full of spirit, too.

"I'm going to the room where the koji craftsman is located, but I'm sorry, but I don't want to be noisy, but please walk."

　The sound of the carriage seemed to be disturbing, and we had to walk to the room.
　I don't think it'll be too noisy if I slow down... well, it's early in the morning, and I can't help it.

"Well, I'll show you around,"

　Assault still leads us down the dark road.

　It seems that the koji factory has a considerable amount of land on the east side of the city.
　a rice malt factory with facilities for processing and development
　It is said that only the koji craftsmen and a limited number of people can enter the place called "muro."
　The room where koji is produced must control the temperature and humidity as well as the bacteria brought in from the outside completely, and cannot enter or exit without reason.

"And will you let us in?"
"No way. We'll have a meeting in another building by the room."

　The room, which is also a treasure trove of trade secrets, seems to be on high alert.
　Well, I don't mind if you go in because there's nothing interesting about it.

"I don't think you'll be forced to eat beans again as soon as you get to the room."

　In fact, it had already been after I had been shoved beans at the inn. This time it was coffee beans.
　I don't want any more baggage.
　The least salvation was that Maul gave me a certificate of tax exemption along with a letter. Now, the beans we have are treated as gifts to the nobility of the twenty-ninth district, and are free of taxes.

　...this kind of injustice goes through in BU.
　The structure is likely to be bribed.

"Don't worry about it,"

　Ascent says as he walks, turning his face only this way.

"You don't have to worry about pushing beans at the koji craftsman's place."

　Oh, that's what I' I think you're talking about bribes...

"The koji craftsman is the most important person who creates the city's assets, so he is exempt from bean-related obligations."
"It looks like bribes are rampant,"

　Power exempts you from your obligations.
　There are going to be a lot of people who want to get under the umbrella of those in power and escape their troublesome obligations.

"Hmm... the system must be convenient for those in power. That person would raise money...it wasn't something I would talk about in front of Estella."
"That's a bad reputation, Assunt," Then it sounds as if I were a wicked nobleman fiddling with the institutions for money."
"Of course our beloved lord of the Forty-two Wards is an exception. It's different from those who are money-why don'
"... you have no heart,"

　Assund, the head of the Guild's lowermost branch of the 42 wards, and Estella, the lord of the 42 wards, who used to prey on the 42 wards for their own advancement. I was acting for him at that time.
　They are walking shoulder to shoulder, sarcastically speaking. for a new business in order to share the benefits of

　People change when they change.

"What's the matter, Mr. Jiro?" What are those two?"
"No, it's kind of strange to see two people walking side by side, having had a lot of trouble..."
"Wait a minute, Jillo,"
"I can't leave it alone,"

　Estella and Assent look back at the same time and flock to me at the same speed.

"It's this line that got me into trouble."
"I don't mind declaring before the Spirit that no one was more troublesome than you,"

　They both look sour about what they are dissatisfied with.
　Is this the only one who has suffered the trouble?
　If it had not been for you, I would have made a living off the spices by now.
　Well, I might have spent the money gracefully somewhere else.

"If you think about it carefully, I haven't made any 'money' in this city yet."
"I think we're making more than enough profit. Yangdalitei is always thriving."
"That's Jeanette's profit. I'm only paid for one person."

　I don't earn any extra income that makes me feel like I've made a profit when I get it."I have contributed so much, but I don't live in a mansion, and I don't have a beautiful woman to attend to... it's kind of unreasonable."
"Oh? I think there are always beautiful girls around you."
"Assent... you don't seem to understand the meaning of the word correctly."

　Oh, my God!
　That kind of liberal arts is weakened by the fact that all the money is spent on accounting. He didn't even understand how to enjoy the play. They are probably less sensitive. a lonely fellow

"Do you mind? "Samurai" means that your breasts touch whenever you want!"
"No, not at all."
"Mr. Yashiro, I think you should start studying the language again."

　I was met with a fierce backlash.
　Why?
　Isn't that how powerful people can always squabble? That's the way the world!

"Well, let's get on with this conversation and make money for everyone. to the point where Mr. Jiro is convinced."

　Assunt smiles as if he had put the story together well.
　That's why I want to make a lot of money by myself.
　What, "everyone..." You have to keep all the profits to yourself to feel superior.

"May I give you an objective impression?"

　A little distance from the three of us, Natalia says in a detached voice.

"I feel very sorry for the koji craftsman who had to negotiate with the top three koji artists in the 42 wards."
"'Who is the top three crooks!'"
"They are the three men who are good at dealing with each other with their heads and mouths."

　Well... I can't deny it if you say so...

"I don't like being tied up like these guys."
"I'll give you back exactly the same,"
"No, no. I'm the only one."

　Sparks flutter between us.
　...they put themselves on the shelf, how dare they?

"The blackest of these is Estella!"
"It's you, Jillo,"
"Mr. Jillo, I suppose,"
"Well... but the dirtiest thing about money is Assunt, isn't it?"
"That's... Uh... Draw with you!"
"No, not as much as Mr. Jiro."
"I'm the most popular, right?"
"I am the lord,"
"I have established trust with many people as a merchant,"

　These guys.........
　Don't have a good personality, really.

"Ladies and gentlemen,"

　Natalia, who was staring at us in a third-party position, takes a piece of high-quality paper from her pocket and points it at us.

"Among them, I am the most popular."

　The paper was the latest issue of an information paper published in BU.
　...I understand you are popular with BU...

　When I glanced through it, I saw another Natalian-inspired illustration in the fashionable "Fashionable Girl!" corner. . . .

"...this is Natalia, right?"
"It certainly looks very much alike, I mean, Mr. Natalia herself."

　As Estella and Assund put it, Natalia was clearly depicted there.
　It's not a woman with a Natalian atmosphere as it used to be, but a woman's hairstyle, eyes, and standing posture that'

"I guess this is what happened when I tried to gather the elements of popularity, perhaps... well."

　Natalia's nostrils are puffing out.
　You're getting carried away as much as you can, aren't you?

"What do you mean... by chance?"
"No..."

　"Last time, ""Natalia-like Girl"" was depicted in the information paper, and a similar girl appeared, causing a sensation like ""That cool girl actually existed!"", and Natalia's eyewitness information was gathered, and as a result, the equation of ""Cool Girl = Natalia"" was established, and Natalia's standing was published."

　Or maybe the guy who drew this illustration met Natalia somewhere.
　... Natalia fever. I didn't expect it to settle down in time, but I didn't know it was going to be upgraded... but it's almost like naming.

"Yasilo,"

　Natalia quietly hands over the information paper.
　Then, with a big smile on his face, he says something like this.

"You don't mind signing it for me?"
"I don't want it!"

　Someone, drag him off the 'tune'! He rode too much into the 'tune'!

"...I bought it before I knew it, like this."
"At dinner last night," I kept it in my pocket to show it to you at the right time."
"I wish I had kept it secret..."

　Estella wails with an expression of anguish as if she had been bitten down by a bitter insect.
　I don't know... I'm not jealous of him, but... I want to be on it to silence him! I feel like I'm losing, and I'm so nervous!

"Well, let's go,"

　Natalia stands in front of us, leading the way, gracefully, unaccompanied and full of grace.
　Is he a master of getting carried away?

"Follow me, three mouths,"
``Well, it's a duel, let's do it!'

　With just one word, the unity of our three mouths was solidified.
　Who is the three mouths!?

"Hey, Estella. You better appeal to the BU guys and drag Natalia out of her seat!"
"What!? Bo, I can't!"
"It's all right, you're beautiful!"
"What!"
"It's not the time to make a strange noise, Mr. Estella! If you go back to the Forty-Second Ward, you can get beautiful girls together with Mr. Jiro's messenger, but we must silence that mouth as soon as possible! We don't have time!"
"But... I think I can do it... Do you think I can do it, Jillo?"
"If you put on makeup, you can see each other well!""Well... just,"
"My heart..."
"Are you going to end up there!"
"No, Mr. Estella! This is just a matter of generalization, representing the opinions of men and the majority of people, and I am not particular about the size of my chest!"
"My daughter-in-law is a poor baby."
"You've never seen it before, Mr. Yashiro! Please correct it!"
"Non-cold milk".
"...I can't argue with that, but...."
"Now! That's no time for arguing! We must unite for the overthrow of Natalia!"
"Yes,"
"Yes,"
"'We three mouths!'"
"...you're all very good friends."

　Hey!
　Natalia smiles with a relaxed smile on her face...!

　If only Magda were here now... he'd make the most of his cuteness and appeal to the whole BU ward.........oh, don't get carried away with Magda too......then Jeanette...no, the only way to destroy the current "Adult Cool Girl" craze is to hit the opposite "Cute Soft Girl" craze! Then Magda... wait! You know, there's a cute, fluffy, strongest girl in the 42nd leg!

　It's Milly!
　If you bring Milly, she will become popular in no time with her innocent cuteness and hard work!
　And Milly doesn't get carried away, and she's stress-free as well!

　But Milly is a weak pusher... I'm not going to go all the way myself, so it's hard to turn the current boom upside down unless you get a bite from over there...oh!

"Oh, wouldn't the whole "BU" block be severely Lolicon?!?"
"What kind of curse is that!"
"Yes! Will you give lectures in each district with Javier as a lecturer?"
"If you infect the population with a serious disease, a full-scale war between 'BU' and the outer city will break out!"

　d*mn it!
　That Lolicon Woodman is of no use when it comes to the right time!"

"Javier's fool!"
"You can say whatever you want to say to the leaders of the other wards,"

　Isn't he just an Ossan guild leader in a big guild that has a bit of influence over the whole district? You need to refrain from something.

"...I don't think it'll be easy for us to turn the matter upside down unless we're fully prepared."

　Ascent says, clapping on the abacus.
　...what were you calculating on this topic?

"Ladies and gentlemen, it's not good to waste your time on trifles. Let's hurry and come."
"'Whose fault!'"

　Natalia still in triumph.
　-- I'll let you bark at me some time!
　Wash your head and wait!

　......don't lick your mouth!

　Who are the three mouths!?
　... d*mn, you kind of like this phrase.

　However, we didn't want to waste our energy on stupid things from the beginning of the morning, so we headed to the malt factory as fast as we lost our time.

　The sky begins to faintly whiten, until we can recognize each other.
　When dyed blue early in the morning, a person's face feels more mature and calm than usual.
　The thin, white-breathed estella looked prettier than usual, tinged with quiet blue.

　If you hadn't said anything, you'd be beautiful.
　Well, that's Natalia, too. ... in the case of Natalia, it would be more appropriate to say "beautiful woman, please don't speak."

"I see. That's the koji factory."

　At the tip of Assund's finger a large structure appears.
　Buildings line up behind a high wall surrounding the site.

　It reminds me of a Japanese company's production plant.
　I wonder if the car and electronics factory was a single town on the premises alone.
　There were stalls, ATMs, and hospitals and playgrounds.

"You're as fine as a Woodman's Guild,"
"The Forty-second Ward,"

　Estella breathes at its grandeur.
　The Woodman Guild Headquarters, where Javier is located, is much bigger than here. It's a big tree with dozens of meters to handle.

　But it's a good match against the Guild of Woodmen in the 42nd leg, which Imelda manages.
　Anyway, it's too big.

"...it must be hard to break in."
"If you enter outside the main gate, you will be severely punished without any questions and answers."

　... oh my gosh!
　Are you in Secom?
　That's too bad.

　I took a quick look at the building, which is said to be perfectly secure... and noticed something.

"You mean no one can enter this building, can you?"
"Yes, of course," This is a treasure trove of secrets. Not only that, but we also handle very delicate malted rice, so if it is possible to destroy it, the amount of damage is endless."

　The damage would be enormous enough to make the twenty-four wards tilt.

"...so if I see such a fellow, should I speak to him?"
"What!"

　In the direction I'm pointing, the other three look at me all at once.

　way ahead of us
　a few dozen meters before the main gate
　There was a figure trying to hide behind the building and peek into the koji factory.

"A suspicious man...."
"Suspicious,"
"I'm suspicious,"

　Everyone agrees.

　This dark, early‐morning figure peeps into the grounds.
　I'm nothing but a suspicious person.

　"It seemed as if I was trying to hide myself from the main gate, and I could see it clearly from this side."

"What shall I do?"
"... for now... ...let's get closer."

　When I asked, Estella made the decision.
　I have only one partner.
　Here are Natalia and Estella.
　I'll keep up with it in the event of things. When it comes to the crunch, Assault can be used as a shield."...Mr. Jiro. Your thoughts are oozing into your expression. -- don't you think?"

　Assunt takes a slight distance from me.
　He's a sharp fellow.

　That's why we keep a reasonable distance and approach suspicious figures.
　An industrial spy trying to steal a trade secret... or a sabotage agent...

　The distance shrinks and the outline of the figure becomes clear.
　20 meters... 15 meters... 10 meters...
　Fortunately, there is no sign that they will notice us.
　He is staring intently at the main gate.

　and when the figure was approaching so close to him.

"What...?"

　Estella cried.

`--?!?'

　When I hear the little voice, the figure in front of me looks back in a flustered manner.
　The figure with a look of astonishment and impatience... was obviously a child.
　a thin, unreliable, smart but weak boy

"...Children?"
"Well,.........."

　We had imagined industrial espionage, and we stared at the boy, who was stunned and trembling.
　And we are dumbfounded again when we hear what the boy says right after.

"What are you guys!? Are you suspicious?"

　. . . . you!?


　This koji factory... I'm beginning to feel like there are a lot of things going on.