After dancing with the girls until they were all satisfied, I succeeded running away by saying I wanted to see my companions.
"Stuffef~?"
"Pochi's stomach is full and round nanodesu."
"It was truly delicious. I won't ever forget the taste of the whole roasted Ecu."
The beastfolk girls are relaxing with satisfied faces in one section of the buffet space in the center hall.
I was interested in the whole roasted dish that sounded like the name of some currency, but there was nothing left. Truly regretful.
"Master, you're late."
"Nn, tardy."
"Welcoming Master's return."
While listening to Arisa and Mia, I drink the fruit juice that Nana gave, quenching my throat.
"Welcome back, Master. Although there's only a few, I've put aside various dishes."
"Thank you, Lulu."
Receiving the plate from Lulu, I enjoy various tastes.
As for the whole roasted Ecu that Liza highly praised, it tasted slightly gamey with rich flavor that was unlike of beef or pork, and there was also the chewiness that she liked.
Since it seems that it was Liza who suggested the dishes on the plate, I also thanked her for it.
Feeling full, I decided to take a walk in the garden to help digest the food.
The dance is nice and all, but I take everyone for a stroll until the shining flowers path.
I saw Zena-san on the radar, having come to the party hall. Let's meet her there after taking a lap back.
Checking on the map, it looks like she's with Miko Auna-san, Earl Seryuu's daughter.
"Hey, isn't that Mito-cchi?"
Where Arisa pointed, Hikaru was standing alone in the flower garden while looking up at the sky, looking like she was enduring not to cry.
"Mito."
"Ah, Ichi--Satou."
When our eyes meet, Hikaru made a forced smile.
"Did something happen?"
"Un."
Hikaru shakes her head to my words.
"Were the king's family being mean to you?"
"Ahaha, nope. Everyone is a good child."
Hikaru laughed and denied Arisa's question.
However, it seemed her smile was forced, she quickly stopped laughing and looked languid again.
"But, they are all really good children, it makes me remember Sharlick-kun and the others--"
--Hikaru who was able to cry muttered.
I hug Hikaru's head, and let her cry as much as she wants.
Sensing the scene, Liza took the girls besides Arisa to the nearby arbor.
It seems Arisa is on a monitoring duty so that there won't be a strange mood happening between Hikaru and me.
I felt the presence of the wind when I was calming Hikaru.
It was not a poet, it was probably the wind magic [Wind Search].
"Ah, Zena-san and Liza-san."
And then, Zena-san appeared from the arbor when Hikaru had wiped her tears.
"Satou-san... Huh? You're with Mito-san today?"
"Yes, she was feeling unwell from the crowd, so we were just enjoying the night wind for a bit."
Right, I introduced Hikaru as my childhood friend to Zena-san.
It seems Zena-san had left the earl and Auna-san in the hall to search for me alone.
Liza who found Zena-san showed the way here.