<Author’s Notes>

I just realized that I got the date of my reservation wrong.

Since Alice had prepared two sets of equipment to play catch, I handed the other set to the noble-looking couple and briefly explained how to use the gloves and ball.

Well, playing catch is, in essence, just throwing and catching a ball, so there wasn’t much need for a detailed explanation. They could jump right into it without any issues.

At first, the couple seemed a bit puzzled, but they quickly got the hang of it. Soon, they were playing catch without any problems, their faces reflecting a sense of enjoyment.

[……I see. This is quite nice. We haven’t had many chances to exercise lately, so it’s great to move around with my wife like this.]

[Indeed. It’s also great that it’s not too strenuous. We can chat while doing it, so it feels just right.]

It seems they had taken a liking to playing catch, and they were tossing the ball back and forth with visible enjoyment. For nobles, it’s probably rare to engage in such activities, so it must feel refreshing.

As I watched them play catch, a note was handed to me out of the blue. Upon checking, it was from Alice…… Fumu, I see……

[I’m glad you’re enjoying it. If you’d like, you can have the gloves and ball as a gift.]

[……We’re very thankful for that…… but is that really alright?]

[Yes, those aren’t that expensive. They’re tools used in baseball, and while they aren’t that popular here, you can find them if you search.]

Alice’s note had said, “You can give them the gloves and ball,” so I decided to give them as a gift. Although they aren’t particularly expensive, baseball seems to be a niche sport in this world, so getting your hands on such equipment might actually be somewhat difficult.

[Our heartfelt gratitude…… If it’s not too much trouble, may we introduce ourselves?]

[Eh? Yes, of course.]

Thinking back, I realized we hadn’t introduced ourselves to each other yet. Nodding, I watched as the man lowered his head deeply before speaking.

[My name is Klaus Scott. I’m a Count residing in the royal capital and currently serve at the royal castle. This is my wife, Forte Scott…… If it’s alright with you, it would be my honor if you would remember us couple in the corner of your memory.]

[It’s a pleasure to meet you.]

[I’m Miyama Kaito. It’s also a pleasure to meet you both.]

[I’m Illneeeeess. Along with Kaito-samaaaa, I look forward to knowing youuuu.]

I had suspected they were nobles, but it seems he’s actually a Count…… Thinking back, this might be the first time I’ve formally met a Count. Count Dukas was really Viscount Dunel…… I mean, I haven’t met any Barons or Marquesses either.

[I’ve heard many rumors about you, Miyama-sama…… There may not be much opportunity, but if you ever need our help, please don’t hesitate to ask.]

[Thank you.]

[Well then, we don’t want to intrude on the two of you any longer, so we’ll take our leave. As a small token of gratitude for your kind gift, we’ll send you something modest later on.]

Understanding that Illness-san and I were in the middle of a date, the Count Scott couple politely bowed once more before moving on.

……The me of that time never could have imagined it.

Not long after this, for some reason, a catch-ball craze swept through the nobility. In a magazine interview, the Count Scott couple were introduced as the trendsetters behind the craze. I was stunned when I read their interview, where they referred to the gloves I had given them as “a treasured gift from a very noble person”……

<Afterword>

Serious-senpai : [Well, from a noble’s perspective, I guess that’s not exactly wrong……]