How on earth did things end up like this?
At the table, Beta, Alexia, and Yukina Himeragi exchanged looks.
When Beta looked at Alexia, her expression was outwardly respectful, yet filled with disdain beneath the surface, like she was looking down on an ignorant insect. That wasn't surprising. Both of them were schemers, and people like that naturally clashed.
But when she looked at Yukina Himeragi, her gaze turned a little strange. There was a sense of "just as expected," as if she were comparing her against some information to confirm her identity. Mixed into that was a trace of envy, almost tipping into jealousy.
Strange. How did Beta even know about Yukina Himeragi?
Alexia, on the other hand, looked at Beta with outward arrogance but inward rejection.
That wasn't surprising either. Beta was clearly the more dangerous schemer, and Alexia instinctively wanted to keep her distance, wary of being played.
As for how Alexia looked at Yukina Himeragi, there was scrutiny there, along with a faint hint of hostility.
Compared to the other two, Yukina Himeragi was the most straightforward. Her gaze only held curiosity and a bit of discomfort, probably just a touch of feminine jealousy at work.
Stare…
Oh right, almost forgot about you, the background girl with long flaxen hair.
Sensing the resentment behind him, so dense it almost felt tangible, along with those eyes locked tightly onto him, Cid turned around and met Sayaka Kirasaka's gaze.
The woman in front of him was the real heavyweight, the only one here focused entirely on him, her eyes filled with both hostility and resentment. For a moment, he almost thought she had come looking for revenge.
Fortunately, there was no hatred or killing intent in the emotions she was giving off. Otherwise… no, better not think about that. Going further would just be reading too much into it.
Still, what exactly was going on with this woman?
Hostility and resentment, yet no hatred or killing intent. It made it feel like he had somehow taken something extremely important from her in a way she could not even argue against.
…Forget it. No point thinking about it.
Watching the scene unfold, Cid fell into thought.
It seemed Yukina Himeragi had suddenly barged in and said something that broke the stalemate between Alexia and Beta.
"Cid-senpai, what a coincidence. We meet again. Can I sit here?"
Even though she phrased it like a question, Yukina Himeragi had already pulled out a chair and sat down.
The flaxen-haired background girl who came in after her also found a seat. Judging by the timing, she must be the friend Yukina Himeragi mentioned earlier. Since he had already erased the memory of the name she told him, he would just keep calling her the flaxen-haired background girl for now.
So… why has it turned into this?
Why are all of you just staring at each other without saying a word?
It has been almost an hour. The sandwiches are gone. Are you not embarrassed at all?
My wallet is practically empty from feeding you all. If this keeps up, I will have to use the money I earned from Alexia today.
Awkward? Of course it is awkward.
Alexia was in a terrible mood.
What is that idiot elf across from me trying to do?
Was it not just that you suddenly ran to the port to get ahead and grab the intel early?
Did you really have to drag Pochi into this? Do you even realize what we are doing right now? If Pochi gets exposed, he is as good as dead.
Besides, I have my reasons. My royal sister is arriving this afternoon. I do not have time to wait for you to finish shopping before handing over the intel, and I definitely do not have time to sit here playing a staring contest with you.
And what about that clueless princess across the table? Why are you not making a move? Are you not in a hurry?
Beta wanted to punch Alexia.
You usually argue with me so fiercely, but now that someone new shows up, you do not dare say a word? A woman like you really does not deserve to stand by Shadow-sama's side.
Now hurry up and step in so I can confirm whether the intel Gamma gave me is true or not.
Who are these two…? Why do they know Cid-senpai? Are there women around Cid-senpai that I do not know about?
Yukina Himeragi was rather innocent. Right now, she was only regretting how impulsive she had been.
Seeing that earlier scene, her mind had gone blank and she just rushed in without thinking.
What should I do? I was supposed to show Sayaka around Itogami Island, but now I have ended up wasting time because of myself. I wonder if Sayaka-chan is going to be upset.
All three of them were full of questions. Each wanted to be the first to speak, but under the tense atmosphere, it felt like whoever opened their mouth first would lose.
"Hey, you scumbag, don't point that disgusting gaze at me. A guy like you must be thinking something perverted."
At the critical moment, the flaxen-haired background girl stepped in and broke the stalemate. Cid had to admit, his impression of her improved slightly.
Thanks for saving my wallet and cutting down expenses for my Shadow activities.
Of course, appreciation is one thing, but calling me a scumbag without even paying for your food still pisses me off. From now on, I'm calling you the flaxen-haired narcissistic woman.
"Sayaka, don't be so hostile toward Senpai. I'm sure he's not a scumbag, and he wouldn't have any ill intentions toward you, right, Senpai?"
Before the person directly accused by Sayaka Kirasaka could even respond, Yukina Himeragi stepped in to defend him.
"No… Yukina, just look at the two women beside him, and the atmosphere between them. No matter how you look at it, this guy doesn't seem like someone you can entrust your life to. He looks exactly like a scumbag!"
Backstabbed by her own best friend, Sayaka Kirasaka immediately grew flustered. She pointed at Beta and Alexia, who had somehow drawn close together and were whispering about something, as she argued back with Yukina Himeragi.
"Entrust my life… S-Sayaka, y-you've misunderstood. I don't have those kinds of feelings for Senpai. It's… it's still too early for that."
As if she hadn't heard anything before that phrase and only caught "entrust my life," Yukina Himeragi's face instantly turned red. Her eyes drifted downward to the side, her gaze unfocused.
Seeing her like that, Sayaka Kirasaka was completely stunned and froze on the spot.
"Hello, I'm Natsume, a novelist. Natsume is my pen name.
You two may have misunderstood something. I'm Cid's friend, but I only met him today under the identity of Natsume."
Suppressing the urge to let them continue speculating about her relationship with Cid, and to avoid being reduced to a mere supporting heroine in Shadow Chronicles, Beta began her introduction.
No matter what, she could not let her own actions interfere with Shadow-sama's plans.
"See, Sayaka? I told you Cid-senpai isn't that kind of person. You just guessed wrong."
As if she had heard something that pleased her, Yukina Himeragi smiled even more brightly.
"Th-then what about her? What's her relationship with this man?"
Seeing Beta clarify things, Sayaka Kirasaka pointed toward Alexia, who had been quietly watching from the side.
"Hmph."
Unlike the friendly Beta, Alexia responded with nothing but a cold snort.
"Her name is Alexia Midgar. She's the second princess of the Midgar Kingdom from World No. 3, and also your senpai, Yukina.
Don't mind how she's acting right now. Maybe her mental state is a bit off today. Normally, Alexia is actually quite friendly."
"Enough, Pochi. There's no need to introduce me to these two commoners. They're just commoners. I have no interest in knowing them.
I was going to spend some time with Pochi, but since there are commoners here, forget it. Staying with commoners only wastes our time."
"Uh…"
What is wrong with this woman now? She's completely messing up her character. Where did this third-rate villain script come from?
From what Cid knew, Alexia usually came off as cold at most, not like this, acting like some brainless third-rate villain.
"I'm very sorry. I apologize on Alexia's behalf. She isn't usually like this. Perhaps, as Cid said, she's just in a bad mood. I hope you won't blame her."
Beta stood up, her face showing embarrassment for her friend.
"There's no need to say so much to these two commoners. Let's go. We still have important matters to discuss."
Speaking in an extremely rude and arrogant tone, Alexia stood up and prepared to leave.
"Um… I'm really sorry."
After briefly putting on a conflicted expression, Beta quickly followed behind Alexia as they left the café.