After handing the coffee samples to Amel-san, I only had Frea-san and one more person left. Since I had already confirmed the schedule, it seemed like the last person I’d visit would be Frea-san.

And so, I came to see the other person on my list, but this was the first time I’ve come to this place. It was one of the trade cities between Symphonia Kingdom and Hydra Kingdom, and although it was easy to get to from the Royal Capital’s Teleportation Gate, it was still the first time I’m visiting this city.

[Errr…… It should be this way.]

Following the notes prepared in advance, I walked along and soon spotted a building about twice the size of a typical house. The sign read “Mikumo Trading Company” in the local script.

Yes, this was Akane-san’s trading company’s base. Unlike other companies, Akane-san’s is a mobile trading company, so this base mainly functions as an office and warehouse, and they don’t sell products directly from here.

[Ohh, you’ve arrived. Didn’t get lost, did you?]

[Hello, Akane-san. No, this was almost straight out of the Gate…… However, I didn’t expect you to wait outside for me.]

[Well, you are an important guest…… Other than that, I just didn’t have much work today and was bored. It’s those times when we’re waiting for the arrival of ordered goods~~]

[I see……]

[Well, let’s not stand around talking here. Come on in, I’ll show you to my office.]

Exchanging a few words with Akane-san, who had been waiting for me outside the building, I followed her inside. The atmosphere inside was that of a mid-sized wholesaler’s office, with people who seemed to be company members bustling around.

[Oya? For the Chairman to be bringing in a man…… Could her spring have finally come? It’s a miracle, so don’t let him slip away.]

[Stop with the strange misunderstandings, he’s a guest…… Wait, the heck do you mean by miracle? I’ll tell you this now, but the only reason I haven’t had any romantic involvement is because I’ve been focused on work. If I wanted to, I’d be extremely popular, you know? My charm is off the charts!]

[……I see, otherworld men have quite the terrible taste huh.]

[……Oiii, you lot! Since this idiot seems to have the time to tease the boss, pile up the work on her!]

[W- Wait, Pres!?]

[Kaito, this way.]

Right after entering the building, a woman at the reception desk started chatting with Akane-san, and they exchanged lighthearted banter.

[Geez, doesn’t it feel like just about everyone here lacks proper respect for the President?]

[Doesn’t that just mean Akane-san is approachable?]

[Good grief, if these guys were just running off their mouth, I’d fire them on the spot, but most of them are annoyingly competent……]

With a wry smile, Akane-san led me to her office, and I couldn’t help but smile as well. It was a small trading company, and the number of staff members was low, but just like how Frau-san is with her, everyone here had a family-like atmosphere, and the mood in the office was bright and pleasant.

Just like that, we walked a bit further and entered a room at the back of the office. It was a simple room with a set of reception sofas and a work desk, where we happened upon Frau-san placing something on Akane-san’s desk.

[Hello, Frau-san…… what are you doing?]

[If it isn’t Miyama-sama, good day…… Ahh, well, a new magic tool has just arrived, and I was thinking of letting our respected President try it out……]

[That’s the magic tool you install in showers, isn’t it? If you activate that here, I’ll dock your pay based on how much of the desk gets wet…… Ahh, Kaito, have a seat on that sofa.]

After a lighthearted jab at Frau-san, Akane-san gestured for me to sit on the sofa, which I did.

[Kaito, would you like something to drink?]

[Ahh, actually, that’s related to why I came by this time…… I was asked to promote a new coffee blend from Kuro’s trading company to some acquaintances, so I brought some samples.]

[Ahh, I see, so that’s what it is…… In that case, why don’t we brew some of that new blend? I’ve heard of the coffee from Kuromu-sama’s place, but I haven’t had it much myself.]

[Arehh? Really? I heard from Alice that Akane-san is a coffee lover though……]

[Yeah, well, it’s true that I drink coffee often. But you see, our trading company also deals in coffee, and we get ours from a different company, so I don’t have many chances to drink Kuromu-sama’s coffee. Her company mainly sells through their own stores and doesn’t do wholesale selling to others.]

[Ahh, I see……]

Now that she mentioned it, it made sense. Akane-san’s trading company is more like a wholesaler, primarily sourcing goods from various other companies and stores to sell in places where there’s demand. So, she probably drinks coffee from her own suppliers most of the time.

[Fumu…… Let’s go with this one. Frau, could you brew this?]

[Understood.]

Even so, it seemed she was knowledgeable about coffee. After lightly checking the aroma of the samples, she selected one and handed it to Frau-san, showing that she’s knowledgeable about coffee.

<Afterword>

Serious-senpai : [The other one is Akane huh. Yeah, I can certainly see her more of a coffee person than a tea person.]