CH 67

67 – Snow Games (Vivi)

Fourth up was Vivi.

「Now then, what, pray tell, do you think of me?」

Vivi’s question was probably aimed at me. But, there were people who answered before I could.

「A pervert who started wearing modified skimpy uniforms rather than formal uniforms ever since reuniting with Sir Rain.」said Eleanor.

「I think about how you utilize your own subordinates for personal use~」said Louto.

「How unfair it is that I can’t leave my post, but you can let your lackeys handle a job so you can go meet with Sir Rain.」said Lejie.

「One who thinks that being the only dark brown-skinned one of The Seven Maidens is somehow an identity.」said Florence.

「Uh, uhm… Your ability to gather information is incredible but there are times when you go “Wait, you already knew that?” in surprise, I guess.」said Monana.

「I heard that you made Rain ingest an overabundance in sweets, causing him to gain weight. How wicked.」said Madge.

「You girls… Just think of all the rumors that will spread throughout the capital tomorrow.」 said Vivi, angrily, as her cheek twitched.

Even though they say what they think, I see no signs that the Seven’s friendship is breaking down. Actually, saying things so bluntly is proof of how deep their bonds are, I think.

「Madge, me gaining weight was my own fault. But it is right that, when I think of Vivi, I think of sweets.」

「Exactly, Hero Rain! That is the right answer!」 Vivi folded her arms and nodded vigorously.

「People who have seen snow have most likely also thought this… “That looks delicious!” Today, I shall make that dream a reality!」

Vivi prepared a table out of nowhere and placed a mysterious device on it. It was a pedestal where an empty bowl is placed.

A planer blade, a space that looks like it could be used to set up or affix something, and a disk with a handle are visible.

「This is called an ice-shaving machine! You set the lump of prepared ice here and…」 Vivi grabbed the handle and turned it round and round. I couldn’t believe it. It’s like the ice turned into fluffy snow and poured into the bowl. The kids resounded with excited “Ooh~” sounds. My eyes couldn’t help but be drawn to it.

「Incidentally, even though snow appears pure white, it is actually dirty, so please do not put natural snow in your mouth even by mistake. Turning that into dessert is absurd, so do be careful.」

Warned Vivi, to which all the children obediently replied「Okaaay.」

「Good children.」

There was a small snowy mountain formed in the bowl.

「We’re just getting started!」

Lined on the table were containers filled with colorful liquid.

「It’s called ice syrup, but you can choose your favorite flavor and put it on. And with this…the shaved ice is complete!」

The kids rushed to the table.

Vivi looked at me; but when I nodded, she understood that to mean “Prepare the kids’ portions first”. Everyone had their own favorite syrup poured on the ice, then they used a spoon to carry a scoop of it to their mouths.

「It’s so cooold.」「So sweet~」「My tongue’s the same color as the syrup!」went the kids. Looks like fun.

「I have also prepared hot beverages so that your bodies don’t get cold.」

She’s thoughtful. She prepared a variety of hot drinks, from sweet ones to tea. Following Eleanor’s snow, the shaved ice brought back smiles to the children’s faces.

「Here, Hero Rain.」 Vivi presents me with a bowl filled with pure white shaved ice.

「Thanks. Now, what syrup to put on it…」

Also, for some reason, all of the Seven are staring at me intently. While wondering about that, I confirm the types of ice syrup.

The purplish-red one seems to be sweet and sour. I guess the white one is condensed milk? So, the orange is citrus flavored and the dark purple one is…grape? There are a bunch of syrup colors like yellow, black, or blue that I can’t even begin to imagine what flavor they are. All seven varieties look so inviting.

…Wait… Seven? Could they be…? and just as I was about to arrive at something…

「I recommend this.」 Vivi points to the red colored syrup.

「Oh, guess I’ll try that then.」 I choose the recommended syrup and put it on the shaved ice.

I heard Eleanor and the gang go「Not fair!」「You coward!」「That’s against the rules!」for some reason.

Vivi flashed a wicked smile at her friends. While absent-mindedly watching them, I carry a spoonful of shaved ice to my mouth. The moment I put it in my mouth, a feeling of coldness spread throughout my body. That was just for a moment; in the next, the ice melted within my mouth and flowed down my throat. The syrup envelops the tasteless ice, providing enough sweetness to tantalize the tongue.

「Delicious.」

Hearing me mutter that, Vivi smiled happily. 「I’m glad. Here.」 She handed me a steaming cup. It was filled with a slightly bitter drink. It offset the sweetness in the mouth just enough to make me want another bite.

「Th-that’s right, Hero Rain. Would you…like a bite of mine as well?」 Vivi’s shaved ice had a thick layer of white ice syrup.

「Are you sure? I was curious about it.」

I was gonna use my own spoon, but before I could do that, Vivi scooped a spoonful with her own spoon and brought it to my mouth. …Something like this happened before.

「O-open wide.」 Vivi’s face was bright red. I guess this is fine, so I open my mouth.

「Aah.」 I make sure the spoon is in my mouth and then close it. The spoon pops out of my mouth.

「Mn! This syrup is so sweet!」

「Fufufu, isn’t it?」

『…Vivi, did you just put that spoon in your pocket? Aren’t you still using it?』 said Mika.

「I have no idea what you mean.」 replied Vivi.

『Do you realize how blatantly wrong that sounds coming from the Chief intelligence officer?!』

「You’re under arrest.」 said Madge, and retrieves Vivi’s spoon as she twists Vivi’s arm behind her back.

「Ow ow ow! What are you doing, Madge?!」

「Just what plans do you have for keeping away the spoon that touched the inside of Sir Rain’s mouth? Suspicious.」

「These are false accusations! I just happened to think that I should use a new spoon…!」

「Is that so? Then I suppose there would be no problems with letting me take care of it since it is just a spoon that holds no significant value.」

「What?! And what do you plan to do with the spoon that was in Hero Rain’s mouth?!」

「…Nothing.」

「You looked away! You looked away just now!」

「That’s just your imagination.」

「Do not think that you can fool the eyes of the Chief intelligence officer!」

「I’m not thinking that, Chief Pervert Intelligence officer.」

「Do not add disgraceful words to a person’s position! You…Silent Pervert Assassin Madge!」

「…In any case, I will look after this spoon.」

「This is oppression!」

「No, it is not.」

Mysterious sparks were flaring between the two of them.

「Now, now, calm down, you two. By the way, Madge. About that spoon…may I buy it at an asking price?」 said Florence.

「I refuse. You should learn that there are things in this world that cannot be exchanged for money.」replied Madge.

「That’s right! It is naive to think that money can solve everything!」

「Fufu, it appears you have been told off, my lady.」said Celine.

「Gr, grrr…」 Florence was bending her closed fan.

In the end, I never understood what they were fighting over. I just wondered if I could have more shaved ice while staring at the empty bowl.