Rah-chan's outrageous words caused me to mist out the water in my mouth.

　In front of me was Ra-chan, smiling at me.

　While I cough, Sherka and Eric are frozen in place with their mouths open.

　I feel the same way. When have I ever kissed Ra-chan?

　Even though the two of us aren't that far apart in physical age, we're far apart in mental age.

　Even if you don't care about physical age, I don't think it's a good idea for a 7-year-old boy and a 4-year-old girl to kiss.

　Moreover, the other party is the daughter of a duke family. It's not a joke.

　When did they really kiss?

　I don't have any idea, though.

　While I was desperately searching my memory while I was sweating coldly, Shelka started to move.

''Hey, is that true?　Rana?

　You're kidding, right?　Shelka asks Ra with an expression on her face.

'It's true!'

　To which Ra-chan replied with a carefree smile that seemed to open up a flower.

''No, that's not--''

You!　Such a thing against such a childish girl!

　I'm about to hurriedly deny it, when Eric points his finger at me and calls out in an accusing voice.

　The volume of his loud voice gives me one less opportunity to defend myself.

　d*mn, these things get nastier and nastier the later they get, so I'm going to have to assert my opinion sooner rather than later!

'You're telling the truth!　If it were true, I'd be doing something for free!

　Perhaps inspired by Eric's words, Shelka lifted her corner of the eye and ate at us.

　See, it's gotten complicated.

　I answer desperately, even as Sherka grabs me by the chest.

'I didn't!　I didn't do that!

But you said Rana did it!

"Calm down," as a four-year-old would say.　There must be some mistake.

　I talk to her slowly, as if I were telling her off.

　Hearing those words, Sherka's hand relaxes for a moment, but when she rattles off her body, she says this.

''So you're trying to use that as an excuse to get away with it!

How can that be?

'What guts!　Are you still a man?　You missed it!

You shut up already!　This will only make things more complicated!　Laaa?　We didn't kiss, did we?

　I ask Ra with a generous look on my face.

　I know, I know. I just wanted to look good, didn't I?

　With that, Sherka and Eric's eyes are also drawn to Ra-chan.

　In response, Ra-chan dropped a new bomb.

'I did it from Al, okay?

　Ra-chan tilts his head slightly, as if he's asking what's obvious.

''Alfried you ah!

　Eric was about to say something complicated again, and I tried to hurriedly deny it, but Shelka shook my chest so hard I bit my tongue.

'Oh, oh my God, you!　You did this to yourself?　It's true!　Hey!　Answer me!

　Shelka starts to scream out in hysterics, but I can't answer her, as I've bitten my tongue and am in agony.

'Somehow answer me!

Well, wait. You shake him so much I can't talk to him!

　I guess my words were a surprise to her, but Sherka slowly lets go of my hand.


'....Speak quickly.

　The way he looks at me is no longer that of an iniquitous man.

　I said as I straightened the clothes I was pulling on.

'First of all, I didn't kiss Rah-rah. Now I'm going to ask you some questions to clear up that misunderstanding.

　I walk up to Ra-chan and sink down to meet her gaze.

　Ra-chan doesn't seem to understand the gravity of the situation and smiles happily.

'Rah-chan?　You say we kissed the day we first met?

'Yes, it is!　That was fun!

　Rah replied cheerfully, shaking her twin-tailed hair.

'Mmmm. That was fun. When was the last time you kissed me specifically?

　I asked with a smile, and Ra stared straight up at me with a sadness on my face.

'Yeah?　Al, remember?　I gave it to you because Al seemed to want it...

　At that moment, I hear the metallic sound of knives and forks being picked up from the table from behind.

　I can feel the killing intent binging around my neck.

　........is it all right if we get out of here now?

　You're not going to be able to get out of here. It's got transposition magic. You'll be back in the comfort of your own home.

　That's what's going through my mind.

　This is not good. You don't know what they will do to you if you run away from here.

　You need to make sure you're okay before you leave.

　Remember, it's me. I'm going to be accused of coercion and I'm going to be branded as the one who asked you to kiss me.

　I don't know if there was anything I ever wanted that day from little Ra.

　We met on South Main Street and I ate a cookie and I was thirsty........


　

Maybe it's that vegetable juice thing, Ra-chan?

'Yes!　That's right!

　At this, Sherka and Eric seemed unable to follow the conversation and froze with knives and forks in their hands.

''........What do you mean by that for a minute?''

I'll tell you what, why don't you just put the blade back on the table?

Oh, my God, I just don't know.

　He smiled bitterly and returned his knife and fork to the table.


　Seeing this, Eric put them back as well.

　Utterly mischievous. How much easier it would be for my mind if I could just let it flow like that.

　Anyway, I tell Sherka and Eric, who are ready to listen to me calmly, the details of what happened when I met Rah-chan in the royal capital.

''What.......you meant the indirect kiss.......''

　Shelka holds her chest as if relieved and breathes.

'What ... well then, say so quickly.

'You're talking out of turn and that's what got us into this conversation!

Isn't an indirect kiss a kiss?

'It's lip to lip. It's very different from an indirect kiss. Indirect kisses are much lighter. But that doesn't mean it's something you should be doing casually either, you know?


"Eric. Let's leave this to Shelka and we'll go away.

'Right. If I'm here any longer, I might get some awesome questions... By the way, are you sure there's no mayonnaise?

　A misunderstanding because of a young girl.

　The incident that occurred because of that ended with Sherka continuing to desperately answer Ra's questions.



　× X X X



　A room in the Duke of Leengrande's mansion.

　The room is furnished with a variety of high-class furniture, and a small chandelier with a suspicious flame illuminates the room.

　In truth, it would be more convenient to use a magic tool, but this is from the taste of its owner.

　A girl sits on a luxurious chair in the center of such a room.

　She brushes off her glossy red hair and listens to the report while sipping on her steamy tea.

I'm sure you'll be able to find out more about it. Please see the details there. I'm sure you're exactly what the lady expected.

　The one with the voice was wrapped in black all over, but she was so supple and rounded that she was instantly recognizable as a woman even without hearing her voice.

　She spins her words nonchalantly to the principal, knees to the ground.

''Moreover, it seems that the Lazares Chamber of Commerce has been very active lately. I'm not sure if it's just a matter of time before we see another one. We are currently investigating.

Well, thank you. Let me know as soon as you find out anything else, okay?

　She replies, putting down her cup of tea.

　Carefully, without making any clinking noises.

　The woman in black replied briefly to that, and with a smooth motion she went up to the ceiling and disappeared.

　No noise came from the ceiling, of course, and it was impossible to tell where she disappeared to.

　She picked up the papers in such a natural manner.

　If it was someone that even she could perceive, she would immediately cut it off.

　Otherwise, she would never be able to serve as a shadow.

''.........Huh, maybe I'll show up at the party tomorrow. I'm sure I'll meet some interesting people.

　The flames from the chandelier bewitched that smile of hers.