I’ve entrusted the operation of Nifty’s store to Canalis-san, so I don’t have any worries. My involvement was limited to offering a few opinions and consulting with Rosemary-san and Elise-san about some fine interior decorations.

Still, even though I haven’t been deeply involved, it is my store…… so I am curious about how well it’s doing. According to what I heard from Kuro, the lottery for reservations has a high competition rate, and though they limit the number of people entering, preventing any major overcrowding, I wanted to see the store while it was in operation, so I made my way there.

I also plan to check with Canalis-san about the arrangements for the VIP seats on the day I’ll be going with Kuro…… I could ask her at home since she’s there, but I wanted to see the store, so I decided to ask the Canalis-san here.

On the way to the store, I unexpectedly ran into someone familiar. Well, it wasn’t exactly a meeting, more like bumping into each other while coming from different paths…… but I definitely feel like she’s someone familiar.

She had dark blue, almost indigo, slightly wavy hair and carried an elegant aura. At first glance, she seemed around the same age as Aoi-chan and Hina-chan, but in this world, first impressions regarding age can be unreliable.

The clothes she was wearing also had a dress-like style, giving her an overall noble appearance. Just by looking, it was clear she was probably a noble lady, but why did she seem so familiar…… I figured it out when I saw the necklace she was wearing.

[Ah, could you be…… the one who bought my cup in Archlesia Empire?]

At that time, she had her hair tied back and was wearing a hat, so her current appearance felt different, but since there aren’t many people who own the prototype accessory made from Magnawell-san’s scales, I was sure it was her.

While I clearly remembered her as my first customer, I briefly wondered if she’d remember me. But the woman immediately nodded gracefully and bowed her head.

[Y- Yes, I am deeply grateful for the wonderful purchase I made back then.]

[I’m glad you remembered that time. Ah, sorry, we haven’t been introduced to each other, right? I’m Miyama Kaito.]

[……My name is Eris Dia Hamilton of the Hamilton Marquisdom from Archlesia Empire. I’ve heard about Miyama Kaito-sama.]

As I thought, she really is a noble lady. The maid standing behind her didn’t seem intent to join our conversation and had been waiting in the background since Eris-san and I started talking.

[Errr, you mind if I call you Eris-san? You can call me however you find comfortable.]

[That would be my honor. In that case, if you would permit it, I shall call you Kaito-sama.]

Though I unexpectedly ran into her, she was someone I had met before, so we naturally introduced ourselves and chatted a bit.

Eris-san had a refined air about her, embodying the exact image of a noble lady…… which felt rather refreshing in a way.

Among the people I know, her atmosphere might be similar to Amalie-san or Cattleya-san…… Lilia-san, well, doesn’t really give off that strong of a noble lady vibe———— in a good way, of course.

While Kaito was leisurely reflecting on their encounter, Eris’ mind was in complete turmoil.

(Ababababa, f- f- f- for a development like this to happen…… for me to exchange introductions with Kaito-sama…… T- This is acceptable, right? After all, it was Kaito-sama who introduced himself first, so it would have been extremely rude if I hadn’t returned the introduction. I think I made the right choice…… but still, I’m so nervous…… He’s someone with influence comparable to that of God of Creation-sama…… I mustn’t make even the slightest mistake in my manners……)

Thanks to her noble upbringing, Eris kept a flawless smile on her face, but it was nearly impossible for her to remain calm after unexpectedly encountering the World’s Singularity, Kaito.

As a noble, of course, she deeply desired to form connections with Kaito, but the mere thought that any wrong move could stir the immensely powerful beings backing him was enough to make anyone feel daunted.

One such figure feared by nobles, Alice, who had been observing the entire exchange, was silently thinking, “Kaito-san, as usual, unintentionally causes people so much stress.”, while feeling a bit sympathetic toward Eris. However, there was no way Eris could have known that.

<Afterword>

Serious-senpai : [But this doesn’t seem like it’ll end with just a simple greeting…… which means…… This now-named mob lady is gonna end up with more stomachaches. Ah, speaking of which, she had “Dia” in her name———- does that mean she’s related to royalty?]

? ? ? : [She’s a distant relative, but she does have royal blood. As for why Laguna-san has “Dia” as a middle name, it’s because when she became King, both Symphonia and Archlesia had that middle name, and the Emperor of Archlesia Empire at that time suggested that it would be good for Hydra’s King to have it too. So, even though they had no blood connection, Laguna-san ended up with the same “Dia” middle name. Well, Laguna-san had mentioned that if she ever steps down as King, she plans to drop the “Dia Hydra” name…… but well, yeah, I don’t think that day’s coming anytime soon.]