Hot Spring Water Flows Behind the Culture Hall

Radness, Alice, and Cosette—the Traffic Light Trio, regulars of the Nyx Inn—slipped out of the lecture hall while their last class of the day was still underway.

They had put in an appearance for attendance and then vanished. In a word, they had pulled what students called a ditch.

It was the first time the three of them had fled together, and their hearts hammered as if they might leap out of their chests. Even so, they couldn't help themselves, not even if they were caught and marked absent. Blow Deblique, proprietor of the Nyx, the man whose potatoes soothed their exhausted souls, had said he was opening a booth to unveil a new menu...!

They all but ran until they were clear of the school, and the moment ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠they passed the rear gate they let out a deep sigh of relief.

"I'm so excited!"

"What do you think the boss is going to make?"

"Right? He wouldn't tell us a thing. Said it was a secret right to the end."

"He isn't just going to sell potatoes again when we get there, is he? We basically wagered our history grades on this..."

"No way. He would never. The boss has never once let us down!"

Spoken with such absolute certainty, the words left the other two no choice but to nod.

The weather had turned sharply cold. Alice, hands jammed into her pockets, breathed out a ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠white plume.

"Haa... it's freezing."

"I cannot believe it's only November."

"There's a tea stall over there. Should we have a cup before we go?"

Cosette's tone was careful. Radness and Alice's brows drew tight, and they shook their heads at once.

"You want to go somewhere else before the boss's stall!?"

"That's blasphemy, Cosette!"

"You're right. I wasn't thinking. Sorry."

Cosette put on the face of a soaked puppy, and not long after, they had already arrived at Capall Central Academy.

"Wh-what is that?"

The first thing to catch their eyes, of course, was an adorable little white bear cub playing with a ball up on a rooftop.

"It's so cute!"

"I'm sure of it!!"

"Of what?"

"The boss has to be there. That thing's magic."

"Oh! You're right."

Cosette pushed her glasses up as she said it, and they hurried toward the bear so fast they were nearly out of breath.

True to a festival, the academy was packed wherever they turned, as if all of Caipol had come out.

Radness, walking at the front, called back to the other two in a bright voice.

"Th-there he is!"

At last Blow Deblique came into view, raising flames over the meat. Their faces, however, soon collapsed into despair. The line was longer than they had expected.

"The line's longer than I thought."

"I knew it would be like this, but still..."

"Where should we start?"

What caught their eyes then was the enormous oak barrel across from Blow's booth, steam pouring up from it.

"Wh-what's that?"

Without anyone suggesting it first, they went over and peered inside.

What lay within was a scene they could hardly believe belonged to a school festival booth. People sat facing one another with their feet in a channel of water, and white vapor rose from it. Water from the inlet ran straight down and spilled naturally out to the outside.

"Ahh, I'm melting, I'm melting!"

The bright voices of the people soaking their feet carried all the way to them. Cosette couldn't hold back.

"L-let's start here! It's cold outside."

"We can't just—! It's Senior Jane."

Jane being there meant it was one of Blow's booths. They didn't hesitate. They went straight in.

Warm air off the hot water filled the interior, and with it came the smell of roasted potatoes—their favorite—washing over their noses.

"It's warm..."

"You're here?"

Jane, in short sleeves, came over the moment she recognized them. The three bowed as one.

"Senior! Hello!"

"Did you come right after class? Hmm. No. The time..."

"We came before class ended!!"

"We ditched!!"

The moment she heard it, Jane—a former model student—pressed her mouth into a flat line. Alice clenched both fists and showed them to her.

"At our school, the three of us are number one, right?"

"Among the first-years?"

"Haha! I knew it!"

Whatever had them so pleased, they slapped their palms together.

Herbena, who had been quietly watching from behind, murmured to Skadi in a voice that was barely there.

"Cute."

The trio's gaze shifted, and they hurried over and bowed just as they had to Jane.

"Ah! Senior Herbena! Senior Skadi! Hello!"

Herbena had her hands in some kind of tub. Violet light flickered from it now and then, so she was clearly working magic. Everyone was looking that way with interest when Jane thrust something like a spatula inside and immediately scooped up ice.

Alice, startled, whispered in Cosette's ear.

"Senior Herbena... I think she's making ice."

"Using the top mage like that. The boss is really..."

While the two were talking, Skadi came over and held out a register.

"Write your names here and come back in a bit. Lucky you made it before we closed the ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠list."

"Yes!?"

For a moment they refused to believe what their eyes were showing them. Above the spaces where their names would go, countless names were packed in tight.

"There's a twenty-minute limit, but people clear out faster than you'd think. Look around, or go eat something at the booth out front and come back."

Watching the people up front melt into drowsy bliss as they warmed their feet, the three wanted nothing more than to do the same. They had no choice, though, but to write their names in the register.

Remembering the flames Blow had been raising earlier, Cosette asked Skadi.

"Um, what's the name of the dish the boss is making?"

Skadi glanced at Herbena.

"Westriver pork grill and mussel stew, I think."

"Westriver? Isn't that Senior Herbena's family name?"

"The Young Master must dote on Senior Herbena an awful lot!!"

"Putting her name on the food! He must think of her as someone really special!"

The moment Jane heard the fuss, laughter nearly burst out of her, and she clapped a hand over her mouth. Herbena's face flushed, and she cried out at them in shock.

"Wh-what kind of nonsense is that!"

Skadi put on a sly look, smacked Herbena on the rear, and said,

"Why are you scolding our cute juniors, Herbena?"

"Ugh, wh-what did I even— And why did you leave out that the stew has your name on it!"

"Eh, I forced my way into that one."

Skadi said it without a shred of shame. Then she took the register from the trio, who were watching the mood, and told them once more.

"If you've signed, go out and come back. Give it about an hour."

"Yes, Senior!"

Once they were outside, they launched into a discussion as systematic and formal as magic-school students ought to be.

"All right. Alice, you get in the donut line. Cosette and I will line up on the boss's side."

"Should we?"

"I want to stand in the boss's line."

"You can't even talk to the boss. Why would you?"

"I can still look at his face."

Alice said it with a pout. Cosette answered with a look that said there was no helping it.

"Then rock-paper-scissors?"

"Yeah. Loser goes to the donuts."

The result was Alice's defeat. Shoulders slumped, she took the donut line, and the other two headed for Blow.

After some twenty minutes of waiting, Radness and Cosette finally reached the front and called to him, delighted.

"Boss!!"

"Oh, you came?"

"Of course we had to! You're doing business."

"Really? Thanks for coming all this way. Stop by the restaurant later and I'll take extra care of you. Where's the yellow-haired one?"

"Alice?"

"Yeah."

"Alice went to the donut line!"

Blow nodded and pointed at the menu.

"Aha, is that so? So, what can I get you?"

"Two pork grills and one mussel stew, please!"

"Okay. Coming right up. Rowbedi, you heard?"

"Yes!"

Rowbedi, who had joined them at some point, quickly set out the mussel stew and the meat and held them out.

"Enjoy."

"Yes, Senior! Thank you for the meal."

They took the food carefully and had only just stepped out of the line, swallowing hard, when Alice came over with an armful of donuts.

"They must be seriously sweet. Everyone who ate them was talking about nothing else."

"Then let's save those for last and start with these."

The weather was cold, so they naturally tried the mussel stew first. At the warm, clean flavor, gasps slipped out of them with no one going first.

"It's really unusual! The mussel flavor is stronger, I'd say?"

"Seriously—ah, we should've ordered two...!"

While the two of them held a very serious discussion of the mussel stew, Radness, who had tried the meat first, lit up and quickly held out the plate.

"This is insane. The char... it's ridiculously savory."

"Yeah?"

After the meat, they couldn't hide their happiness. Every member of the booth watching them wore a satisfied smile.

Capall Central Academy was the largest academy in the city, and its festival offered just as much to see and do. After a quick tour of the exhibitions and even a booth where they drew one another's faces, the three hurried back to the rear of the Culture Hall, where Blow was.

Radness checked their number and ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠came back calling to the other two in a bright voice.

"Oh, we're almost up."

"Hmm, there was a tarot place over there. Want to go later?"

"I saw it when I walked past. They said it's reservation only. Too many people."

"For real? Then I'll ask if we can book for tomorrow."

Cosette, who had been deep in thought, asked them cautiously.

"Should we have donuts one more time later?"

"Keep that up and you'll spend your whole allowance and starve all next week."

"Probably."

The strength went out of Cosette's voice. Then Skadi's hearty call carried from far off.

"Radness!"

Seeing the three come running, Skadi smiled and held out a menu.

"It's you. Take your pick."

"We have Caipol ale all the time, so let's get two lemonades and one wine-ade and share."

"Let's."

Skadi passed the order straight to Jane, who was making the drinks, and before long the cups were in their hands.

"Ah, it's cold!"

"Take the cups and sit in those three seats. Obvious, but take your socks off."

"Yes, ma'am!"

They answered at once, went to the seats Skadi had pointed out, and sat facing one another—two on one side, one on the other. Heat rolled off the bath. Alice carefully lowered her feet into the water.

"Ow!"

The sharp sting of the temperature difference made her hesitate. Skadi, behind her, burst out laughing and patted her back.

"Leave them in a moment and you'll be fine!"

Alice slowly put her feet back in. Warmth traveled up from her toes and climbed, little by little, all the way to the crown of her head. Their eyes went soft, a flush rose on their faces, and Alice carefully took a sip of the lemonade she had set down.

"Haa, it's really refreshing."

"My whole body feels like it's unwinding."

"I almost feel guilty. Drinking something cold in winter..."

"Honestly, that makes it better."

They didn't bother holding back the laughter as they soaked their feet and tasted their drinks. Jane sidled over and held out roasted potatoes.

"S-Senior! We didn't order these."

"Mm, it's on the house."

At Jane's shy smile, the three's faces bloomed, and Radness looked at her with sparkling eyes.

"Senior Jane, really! Your face is pretty, and your heart is even prettier!"

Almost before the words were done, Skadi's voice cut in.

"Hey! You lot—am I better, or is Jane better?"

"Huh?"

"Uh... uhh..."

"Herbena's here too."

"Why am I being dragged into this all of a sudden?"

Herbena narrowed her eyes. Jane, mouth gone flat, shook her head.

"Skadi really is such a child..."

"Bwahaha! Hurry up and answer, juniors!!"

Skadi said it with her arms folded, and by then everyone inside the booth was watching with interested faces. Alice spoke first, cautious.

"Senior Jane."

"What!"

Skadi's head tipped sideways, as if she had no intention of accepting the result. Cosette, reading the room, answered at once.

"I-I think Senior Skadi is the prettiest!"

"Bwahaha! You've got an eye!"

"I pick Senior Herbena."

Hearing Radness answer last, Herbena stared at her, then asked,

"...You didn't pick me out of pity, did you?"

"No!"

"She probably just gave you extra points for being good at magic."

"Skadi!"

"I'm serious!! You're truly beautiful."

The Traffic Light Trio were freshly, profoundly grateful that there were three of them.

They were smiling at one another, well satisfied, when Blow came into the booth and asked Skadi,

"Going well?"

"Oh! It's Boss Blow!"

"From the looks on your faces, it's running better than I expected."

"Jane's doing all the hard parts, so. Oh, right—Senior Yulia's coming tomorrow."

"Ah... is she?"

"Yeah. Said she'd stop by while she's at it. She wants to see her retainers' exhibition too."

"Then I should drop by the exhibition for a bit tomorrow myself."

Blow rubbed his chin as he said it. Jane came up and whispered,

"Young Master, the waiting list is almost full."

"The water's coming through fine?"

"Yes. And I think the profits are going to be really good."

"Same on the other side. Let's settle everything together tomorrow night."

"Yes, understood."

Herbena, who had been watching from the side, quietly approached and held out a lemonade.

"Have this."

"Oh, did you mix it yourself?"

"Yes. You've been working. I thought you might not have had a chance to drink anything."

"Looking after me? What's the occasion?"

"You only ever scold me..."

Hearing that, Blow stroked her hair, drained the lemonade, and immediately gave her a thumbs-up.

"It's good. Thanks."

"I'm glad."

Herbena smiled. Blow looked around the interior once more, then held the cup out to her.

"I should go."

"Right away?"

"It's so warm in here I want to stay."

"That's true. At least soak your feet before you go."

"Can't. Melo's working that hard over there too. Jane, finish up well!"

"Yes."

With that, Blow was gone. Skadi poked Herbena in the side as she watched his back.

"What!"

"We're out of ice."

"...You could do it."

"I can't draw it as clear as you can. Please, Herbena."

"Haa. Fine, fine."

At Skadi's shameless plea, Herbena headed back to the ice tub. Skadi glanced once at Jane, who was diligently going over the books, then sneakily took a few swallows of the wine that went into the wine-ade.

There were people in the main plaza, but most of them were hitting the rear gate and coming back, so the place was quieter than its name suggested.

"This won't do! The sales..."

Delter, who had claimed the best spot of the lot, looked once at the customers and the ledger, then tore at his own hair and shouted. His servants stood around him with grim faces.

A clerk who had been minding the counter outside rushed in and called to him.

"Lord Delter! The head of the house has arrived."

Delter hurried outside. There stood Victor Zayd, his father and head of the house, in the traditional robes of Parso with linen wrapped around his head, wearing a thoroughly displeased expression.

"Delter, it's quieter than I expected. It was nothing like this in your brother's day."

"I'm sorry."

Victor's eyes went to the bear far off atop the Culture Hall, and he pointed.

"And what is that bear? Did the school put it up?"

"That is..."

Thinking this was his chance, Delter condensed everything that had happened and reported it. Victor, who had been listening in silence, went rigid at the part about Cunsai.

"What? A beastkin? You're certain of this?"

"Yes. But his partner is a noble, so..."

"A noble? What are you talking about?"

Delter explained what Blow had done to him the last time. His eyes were so full of grievance that tears even gathered in them. Victor listened in silence, ground his teeth, and let out a heavy sigh.

"...If he's a noble, there's nothing we can do about it right this moment."

"Is there a way, sir?"

"What do you take this father of yours for?"

Victor was one of the men who led the Caipol merchants' association, so Delter's question was, in truth, a foolish one.

"You there."

"Yes, House Head!"

"Tell Lord Bruno I have something urgent to say to him."

"Yes, understood."

Viscount Bruno Hart, lord of Eastpol, on the outskirts of Caipol. At the sound of that name, a thin, mean smile settled on Delter's face.