Published: September 10, 2025
This is a story slightly before “13-17. Royal Capital Sightseeing, Downtown Edition (3).”
This is Satou. When I think of cherry blossom viewing, I imagine spreading out a blanket from early morning to save a spot, gathering with close friends to appreciate the blossoms while enjoying delicious bento and drinks.
But sometimes, like grandparents do, it might be nice to quietly savor the world of wabi-sabi—taking a peaceful walk together while admiring the cherry blossoms.
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“All right, cheers!”
“Cheers!” “Cheers!” “Cheers!” the group echoed.
In a park in the Royal Capital where cherry blossoms were in full bloom, Arisa raised her glass energetically and led the toast.
Of course, everyone except me was drinking cherry-colored fruit water or sweet soda—not alcohol.
Zena’s squad, who usually serve as our guards, had been called to Count Seryu’s mansion in the Royal Capital since morning and weren’t here. Miss Karina couldn’t join us either as she was attending social lessons to prepare for a large ball held soon.
So, only the usual members were present.
“The cherry blossoms are beautiful, aren’t they?”
“I heard the Royal Capital’s cherry trees were propagated by grafting branches from the royal cherry tree in the Royal Castle.”
Though the royal cherry tree in the Royal Castle visible in the distance hadn’t fully bloomed yet, the blossoms in the park were certainly at their peak.
Around us, several groups had spread out their mats in various spots, enjoying their own hanami gatherings.
“Pochi, start with the fried chicken!”
“Pochi, stop~?”
Just as Pochi was about to squeeze lemon juice on the fried chicken, Tama quickly stopped him.
“That’s not allowed?”
“Lemon makes it all ‘nyu!’ so it’s forbidden~.”
“But it’s tastier and refreshing with lemon, you know?”
Tama and Pochi were having a conversation like a typical izakaya “fried chicken debate.”
It seems Tama—or catpersons in general—aren’t fond of citrus juices.
“Pochi, luckily there’s plenty of lemon. Squeeze it on the fried chicken on your own plate.”
“Yes, understood.”
Pochi, mediated by Liza, piled fried chicken on his plate before squeezing lemon on it.
The moment lemon was squeezed, Tama retreated into the shadows.
“Fried chicken is good, but rice balls are the best~”
Arisa boldly grabbed a giant seaweed-wrapped rice ball with her hand and stuffed it into her mouth.
There were normal bite-sized ones available, so why choose that big one?
“The simmered dishes are delicious.”
“This shiitake simmered dish is my specialty.”
“Mm, I’ll try it.”
Mia accepted the offered shiitake simmered dish.
Lulu’s simmered dishes were really tasty.
“Master, I must report the sandwiches are delicious too.”
“There are so many varieties; it’s hard to decide which to eat first.”
Nana was choosing sandwiches while holding a glass of fruit punch.
“Shrimp is hari...?”
“Ashipara (… ) meat rolls are also tasty!”
“No, nothing beats the depth of yakitori.”
“I also report the chicken wings and chicken drumettes are delicious.”
Nana’s “chicken drumettes” referred not to flowers but to fried chicken drumettes.
“I also report the larval forms want to eat too.”
—Huh?
I thought a child from another group had wandered over, but that wasn’t the case.
“Dryad?”
“Yoo-hoo!”
A green-skinned little girl waved from a cherry blossom branch overhead.
It seemed the surrounding groups couldn’t see her.
“Welcome. Won’t you eat with us?”
“No, I don’t want human food.”
The dryad jumped down from the branch, and I cast an illusion to disguise her as an ordinary child.
“More importantly—”
The dryad hugged me and said, “Mucchuu,” puckering her lips like an octopus and pressed her face close.
“Arisa-chan, ironclad guard!”
“Guard!”
Arisa and Mia, our ironclad pair, stepped in and stopped the dryad’s inappropriate advance.
“Blocked~”
The dryad waved to Mia saying, “Yoo-hoo, Little Child.”