Outaishihi ni Nante Naritakunai!! Chapter 344

"The match ends tomorrow…"

Everybody saw off the last customers. Tomorrow is finally the voting day.
In this one week I did everything I could. Considering the number of customers, we should have an overwhelming advantage.
We also had a lot of repeat customers, so I'm confident. Still, since nothing is certain, I'm assailed by anxiety.

"… Yup. I'm sure it'll be alright."

As the owner I can't be anxious. My anxiety will spread to all employees. If I assume a confident attitude, everybody will be able to welcome tomorrow with peace of mind.

"Okay… Let's keep at it. Everyone, start cleaning up."
"Mm? … Is it closed already?"
"Eh?"

Let's move on. When I thought so and addressed everyone, I got an unexpected response from another direction.
When I hurriedly turned in the direction of the voice, I saw a man wearing traveling clothes.
He had black hair and was wearing something like a turban that was coming undone.
His soft looks felt like they'd be liked by women. He wasn't very tall, but because of his good posture he didn't seem short either.

"The showdown of Irvine cuisine vs original recipes of the Japanese café. I hurried here after hearing the rumors, but…"
"Err, we just saw off the last customers…"

One of the male employees replied in my stead. While listening to the explanation, the man smoothly unwound the turban on his head.
There was a large scar on his forehead. Seeing it, I thought, "Ah."

―― He's from Tarim.

The characteristic of men from Tarim is a forehead scar. Having remember that, I surveyed the man talking to the employee.
I'm sure he had a long journey behind him. The light-brownish travelling clothes are slightly dirt all over. A sack is hanging from his shoulder, swollen from being fully packed. He probably has travelling necessities inside.
He has leather boots on his feet, but they're quite damaged.
He must've travelled without using transfer gates. His appearance suits a traveler.

"… We're closed for today. Therefore, we can't give coins for tomorrow's match. Even so, if you're okay with it, please eat… You've been travelling for a long time, right?"

When I told him that, the employee who was explaining to the man asked me in astonishment.

"Master? Is that alright?"
"It is. As long as we don't give him a coin, it won't be against the rules. Besides, I'd feel guilty turning away a traveler who came all the way from Tarim. He specially came to Wilhelm. I want him to eat something delicious."

When I explained, the man suddenly looked at me.

"You can tell I came from Tarim?"
"Y-Yeah. By your scar… Perhaps you were hiding it?"

Being a country that advances south every winter, Tarim is naturally disliked in Wilhelm. So I thought he didn't want his Tarim origins known, but the man denied.

"No? I'm not particularly hiding it. But I'm surprised a young girl like you knows about it."
"Young… I'm eighteen though…"
"Eighteen? You look younger."
"… Please take a seat."

I wanted to complain, but the other person was a customer, so I endured.
Normally I'd leave serving to others, but he is a foreigner, so he doesn't know my face. Since I don't have to worry about him making a fuss that I'm the Crown Princess, I judged that there was no problem if I served him.

"We intended to close, so we can only serve what's left. Is that alright with you?"
"I don't mind."

The man who flopped onto a chair looked awfully self-important. No, rather than self-important, his attitude looked very natural, like he was accustomed to it.

―― Perhaps he's an important person in Tarim.

Then, did he come to Wilhelm for an enemy inspection? While thinking about various things, I brought him today's last joyo manju. I'm quite confident in the pure white manju. When I served it together with hot genmaicha, the man opened his eyes wide with a, "Hou."

"It's the first time I see it."
"Certainly, please give it a try."
"I will."

The man picked up the manju without hesitation, divided it in half, then tossed one half in his mouth.

"… Hum, I've never tasted anything like this in Tarim. But it's not bad. I like this taste."
"It's wonderful that it suits your tastes."
"This genmaicha is also quite rich. Both are addictive."

While nodding many times, the man ate the whole manju. He also drank the tea, then made a satisfied face.

"… It was delicious."
"Thank you."

I smiled at his heartfelt voice. Customers saying, "Delicious," gives chefs strength.
When I grinned, happy to be praised, the man looked around and asked.

"Where's the chef who made this confection?"
"Eh?"

Apparently, he's looking for me. When I tilted my head wondering why, the man said.

"I want to thank them directly. Please call them."
"Aah, it's that. It's me, so it's fine. I'm happy you said that it was delicious. Thank you."

When I came forward, the man looked at me in surprise.

"You are? The chef who made this?"
"Yes. All the Japanese confections original recipes are registered under my name, and while I'm not really the investor, the owner of this Japanese café is me."
"Come to think of it… At first an employee called you master. So it's like that…"

The man nodded like he was convinced, then again talked to me.

"I'm Harold. You're skilled. If you like, won't you become mine?"
"Huh?"

When I stared at that man - at Harold wondering what he was suggesting, he said.

"I've been thinking of returning to my country soon. You'll be a good souvenir if I bring you back. I won't let you suffer any inconveniences. If you like, I can make you one of my wives."

I scrunched my eyebrows at the words one of my wives.
Come to think of it, Tarim practices polygyny, so a man can marry any number of wives depending on his assets. It's different in Wilhelm, but as he's from Tarim, it's not a rude proposal.
I understand that, and I understand that every country has a different common sense, but I can't accept it at all… And last but not least. I'm married.
I have my beloved husband Freed, so any other man is out of the question.

"… I refuse either. I'm married."

When I refused with a serious expression, Harold made a surprised face.

"Hou? So you're married! That's good!"
"Why did it turn out like this?"

Wouldn't you normally give up with that?
I thought so, but Harold cheerfully said.

"Aren't married women most exciting? You take your time, slowly draw her to yourself, and eventually make her abandon her husband. That's the best moment."

When I understood he was seriously saying that, I shuddered.
Polygyny isn't the problem here. This man is simply a horrible womanizer.
I understood that from his last words.

"… That's a fundamentally different way of thinking from mine. I don't think a day will ever come when we understand each other, so I'd like to decline after all."
"You shouldn't blindly reject things. How about you try it once and then decide? I'm the type that won't bind you, and Tarim is a good country. I think you'll like it too."
"I love my husband, so I can't agree."
"I don't think a side dish is bad once in a while."
"I don't want to upset my stomach."
"It'll be alright. Isn't everything an experience?"
"Have it alone. I'm unsuited for it."
"Well, don't say that."
"I'm saying that I refuse though?"

Even though I rejected him so clearly, Harold didn't withdraw. Seeing Harold wooing me, the mood of the employees around worsened.
It's a perfect explosive situation. While I was thinking that I have to do something, a harsh voice resounded.

"Cut it out."

At the same moment somebody hugged me from behind. I froze for an instant then relaxed from the familiar scent and sensation.

"Freed…"

It was Freed who hugged me. It was closing time, so he must've come to pick me up. Freed was looking at Harold with a chilly expression. Speaking of Harold, he blankly looked at Freed who suddenly intruded… Then his face sparkled like he understood.

"What! It's you, Freed. I didn't recognize you immediately with that black hair. It's been a long time. Has it been since the international conference last year?"
"Eh!?"

I stared at Harold as he spoke familiarly. Freed told him without concealing his displeasure.

"Same to you. Why are you here asking my consort to be one of your wives, Eighth Prince of Tarim?"

Chapter end