Return.

Chapter 2

[In the courtyard.]

Shylock: It may be a little lonely with this many people going to the salon.

Shylock brings his mouth to a close around his pipe.

Akira: Ah…

He exhales white smoke that transforms into the shape of a butterfly. The butterfly sparkles, smoke tinged with light.

The butterfly flies off as if late for a destination, a trail of glittering dust left in its wake.

Akira: Shylock, what was that just now…?

Shylock: It was an invitation. Come now, let us follow it.

[In the dining room.]

We followed the lone butterfly and arrived in the dining room.

Rutile, Figaro, Cain, and Chloe are in the dining room. The butterfly is perched upon Rutile’s shoulder.

Rutile: Wow, so pretty and sparkling! Where did it come from?

Figaro: That butterfly, it’s got a hint of Shylock in it.

Rutile: It’s Mr. Shylock’s?

Chloe: Oh! It’s the Master Sage! Shylock:, Murr, and Shino, too!

Cain: The Master Sage is here? I knew Shylock and Murr were with him, but Shino is an interesting surprise.

Akira: Actually…

While everyone high-fives Cain, I explain the situation briefly.

Chloe: Oh…! I’d like to go to the salon as well!

Chloe: I was wondering the best way to repay you, so seeing the people there might help me come up with something.

Cain: I’m in. I’d like to repay you with something sure to make you happy, yeah?

Rutile: I would be happy to join you, as well!

Figaro: And what about me?

Rutile: Although I have never had a complaint about Dr. Figaro’s hospitality…

Rutile: If it’s for the purpose of having a relaxing time at the salon, then I think it’s fine? We all need time to relax once in a while.

Figaro smiles.

Figaro: Yes, I agree. Well, I’ll also have a chance to entertain the Master Sage, so I’ll be sure to observe and learn while taking my time off.

Figaro gives a pleased nod.

Chloe: Shylock, would you let me make outfits for the event?

Shylock: I could not wish for anything more than to wear your garments at the salon. Thank you as always, Chloe.

Chloe: I wonder what sort of outfit we’ll wear this time, I’m getting excited just thinking about it!

Shylock: This amount of people should be enough. Shall we make our way there as soon as everyone is ready?

Shylock: Master Sage, please look forward to everyone’s hospitality, yes?

Akira: Yes!

[In the main hall]

A few days later…

We find ourselves readying ourselves to travel to a salon in Western Country.

The group we amassed days before fill the hall as we enter.

Akira: Everyone looks amazing in their outfits!

Chloe: Ehehe, thank you. Shylock told me about the features of the salon, so I went with a more sophisticated theme.

Chloe: I had Shylock take a look at the design a few times; he helped me a lot!

Rutile: I love this outfit. I can feel your attention to detail in both the colors and detailed embellishments.

Cain: Yeah, it’s not only stylish, but my mobility is great in it as well!

As I look over and admire their outfits, my eyes widen in surprise as I notice an unexpected visitor amongst them.

Akira: Mithra...! You came!

Mithra: Rutile was going, so I had no choice but to accompany him.

Mithra: Goodness… Please stop taking that man to places surrounded by suspicious rumors.

Akira: Suspicious rumors…?

Chloe: Oh, yes! Rustica told me that if the manager, who adores gossip, isn’t impressed with you, they won’t let you leave.

Murr: There are rumors like that! They say the manager is so moody, that when he’s in a bad mood, he’ll turn everyone into wild animals!

Figaro: The cooks are said to love to entertain, they’ll sometimes serve food while dancing, even occasionally doing somersaults, apparently.

Shino: If you can’t finish your food, you should take it home with us. It’d make a good souvenir.

Akira: There seems to be all sorts of rumors…

Shylock: Rest assured, Master Sage.

Shylock: Not just anyone can enter the salon. It is likely someone that came here told others of their experience, and from there, rumors began to spread.

Shylock: It is by no means a place that will harm you. Those around us respect and entertain one another, and in turn, learn to be hospitable.

Shylock: It is sincerely a place where those who wish to please their loved ones can gather.

Chloe looks surprised.

Chloe: That’s right…! Sorry, I didn’t mean to say something that would scare you.

Chloe: I’ll try my hardest to study the hospitality shown so that I can please the Master Sage!

Akira: Thank you so much! I’m really looking forward to it.

Figaro: Your clothes are always made with the wearer in mind, you’re already plenty hospitable, Chloe.

Chloe: Y-You think so? Thank you, Figaro!

Rutile: smiles.

Rutile: I’ll do my best to provide exceptional hospitality to the Master Sage!

Mithra: I find it hard to believe that the hospitality of the West will be at all straight-forward. You should think about your own safety.

Rutile: Come on, I can tell that even you, Mithra, are already starting to have fun.

Shylock smiles as he watches us in our excitement surrounding this unknown place of our wildest imaginations.

Shylock:: What sort of place is a salon littered with various rumors? What flavor of hospitality can make someone else truly happy, I wonder?

Shylock: Let us see for ourselves. Here, Mithra. If you would.

Mithra: 《Arthim》

Akira: Whoa..!

As I pass through Mithra’s Door to Space, my eyes meet with a mysterious room filled with blue roses.

Blue roses line the ceiling and the floor is covered in blue, rose-shaped cushions. The same roses are everywhere you can see.

???: This is my salon, I wish you all a warm welcome.

???: Those attending with their loved ones, and those that hold their precious existence within their hearts – both are my beloved guests.

I look in the direction of the voice and see a lady standing before us in a blue gown.

To my surprise, her hair and eyes are also a deep blue. Her hair reaches her shoulders and is adorned with a large, blue rose ornament.

Shylock: It has been a while, Rosa.

Rosa: Indeed, a few hundred years. Nice to see you once more, Shylock.

Akira: (So this is the rumored manager…)

Rosa: I am honored to have you here, the Master Sage and all his wizards.

Rosa’s deep blue eyes have an uncanny beauty that would make one think they are an illusion, yet a familiar warmth lingers in her gaze.

Akira: It is a pleasure to meet you, as well.

I bow my head to her in greeting. Cain proceeds next to her.

Cain: Rosa, I’m Cain. Sorry to interrupt so quickly, but would you please shake my hand?

Cain: I’m a little blind. I can’t see someone until they touch me. Of course, not to force you to…

Rosa: Oh…

Cain, smiling wide, juts out his hand.

But Rosa just blinks, her blue eyelashes fluttering, hand squeezed close to her chest. Shylock laughs at her.

Shylock: If you may, please take his hand. He’s a kind gentleman, I can assure you.

Rosa: Yes, well…

Rosa: It’s been so long since I’ve shaken hands with someone.

Prompted further by Shylock, somewhat awkwardly, Rosa reaches forward and gently touches the tips of Cain’s outstretched fingers.

Cain’s eyes finally meet hers.

Cain: Ah, beautiful blue eyes. It’s good to see them.

Cain: Nice room, by the way. Are the blue roses a speciality of yours?

Rosa: Quite… Blue is a special color to me, not only just for roses. Surely it is how it reminds me of a precious little one…

When I suddenly glance over to her, I see that she’s holding a figurine in her hands. She grasps it close to her chest, as if it’s of great importance.

Cain: Heh. It’s rare to see a blue monkey figurine like that. Even the eyes are blue.

Chloe: Such a glossy surface… This little guy is made of porcelain!

[Sound of cymbals crashing.]

Cain: Uwaa!?

Shino: Hey, I thought that it was made of porcelain, but it just crashed its cymbals.

Rutile: It climbed up Ms. Rosa’s arm! Hehe, it’s like a real monkey.

Figaro: Hm, she’s using her magic, isn’t she?

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