One-way traffic

It wasn't just simple food; they even prepared many desserts.

Using the ingredients from Uruk, combined with Hatsune Miku's knowledge of various Western desserts learned in the modern world—what kind of magical chemical reaction will this combination produce?

The answer was immediately obvious.

"Come on everyone, this is a brand new dessert that Hatsune Miku and I made together."

Various cakes and pastries, as well as a very large cake, were placed on the table by the two of them.

"Waaaaaah...!"

"Did you two do all of this?!"

Just one glance was enough to leave Fujimaru Ritsuka and Matthew speechless.

It can no longer be easily explained by the word "virtuous and capable".

Both Hatsune Miku and Siduri possess incredibly strong culinary skills, so if the two of them team up...

This is truly a combination that surpasses even the strongest level!!

"How about it, Miss Anna? Would you like to try some?"

Siduri picked up the large cake she had just prepared and placed it in front of Anna, who looked the youngest among them.

The girl was slightly taken aback and swallowed.

"...I don't really like sweets."

Despite saying that, her little feet kept swinging back and forth on the table, and she couldn't help but clench her hands together.

"Just, just one piece... um... it should be okay."

So, under everyone's joyful and happy gaze, Anna took the piece of cake that Siduri handed her and took a bite.

—The delicious taste and flavor instantly rushed through my whole body.

"Woo..."

"How does it taste? This is a butter cake that Hatsune Miku and I made together. It's one of the finest desserts in Uruk."

With an expectant expression, Siduri gently asked Anna a question.

"that…"

Anna looked a little shy.

She lowered her head slightly, and even her voice became very soft... almost only Siduri could hear it.

"After that, could I... keep a piece?"

"Of course you can, but you should eat it all before noon, otherwise it will spoil."

"Um…!"

She's really cute... Anna.

Hatsune Miku, standing to one side, smiled gently as she looked at Anna, who was happily eating her cake.

Simultaneously.

"Speaking of which, Miss Hatsune... is Mr. Accelerator alright?"

"Eh?"

"It seems like... he hasn't eaten anything since nightfall, has he?"

Siduri said with some concern, after all, Accelerator was the only one who didn't join in the entire banquet... and didn't even eat a single thing.

"Hmm...that person is indeed someone who makes me feel a little uneasy."

Ushiwakamaru couldn't help but say this after recalling what Accelerator looked like when he first saw him.

"Although he doesn't have a fierce aura, this is the first time I've met someone like that. However, I think there shouldn't be any problem enjoying this feast with everyone, right?"

"That's what I think too... Everyone here is a respectable person, and I would be happy to dine with that white-haired man."

"If you don't get enough nutrition, you'll have problems fighting during the day, right? You need to take care of your health."

The three Servants, despite having only met Accelerator for a short time, were already considering his needs.

For a moment, Hatsune Miku felt overwhelmed with emotion.

"Well, actually, it's not a problem. Although that person is a bit shy and reserved, I think we can all get along well like we do now sooner or later if we give him a little time!"

After all, Accelerator is that kind of person, so it's not surprising that he doesn't fit in at such a formal occasion.

But what truly moved Hatsune Miku was that everyone here... didn't have the slightest bad impression of her.

Whether it was Miss Ushiwakamaru, or Benkei and Mr. Leonidas, everyone was simply trying to accept him gently; there was no malice whatsoever…

"Um... Miss Hatsune, please allow me to ask a question, if I may be so bold."

At that moment, Fujimaru Ritsuka couldn't help but raise her hand.

When asked in front of Hatsune Miku, she thought for a moment and then asked this question.

"—You and that Accelerator guy, um, are you two... lovers?"

"—Huh?"

A snap—the sound of the machine shutting down seemed to echo in my mind.

In that instant, Hatsune Miku felt her cheeks turn bright red.

"Huh?! Hatsune Miku-san—are you alright?!"

"Your whole face is red... Do you have a fever?"

"Hahaha! No, no, I guess it's just that my innocent and cute girlish heart is acting up!"

"Merlin, you should just shut up. If you don't speak, no one will think you're mute."

Following Merlin's quirky remarks, Hatsune Miku quickly adjusted her mindset.

Although I felt my cheeks were flushed no matter what.

"Well, this... um... I'm not quite sure either..."

"Not quite sure? Is it more than friends, but less than lovers? Or perhaps a closer relationship? Or maybe they've already taken advantage of each other—Pfft!!"

Before Merlin could finish his sentence, Anna kicked him away.

"Ahaha... Senior, I feel a bit awkward asking this kind of question all of a sudden..."

"I'm so sorry! It was my fault, please forgive me, Hatsune Miku!"

"Pfft... It's okay! You don't need to make such cute gestures, Fujimaru-san~!"

Seeing Fujimaru Ritsuka kneeling on the ground in a strange posture as if atoning for something, Hatsune Miku couldn't help but laugh and said something.

Thus, the first banquet belonging to the Chaldean Embassy was spent in a joyful atmosphere filled with laughter.

————————————————————————————————————————

So, as mentioned before.

Accelerator turned around and saw a figure walking towards him.

"It is you."

I see... That's how it should be, isn't it?

The real enemy had been following him all along from the beginning, and then came to Uruk, intending to launch an unprecedented sneak attack on Accelerator in the night!

…It's not that kind of boring and clichéd development.

The red-haired girl who came up from the first floor to the roof was wearing special clothes and a scarf around her neck.

Fujimaru Ritsuka.

The girl looked at him with curiosity, probably just wondering why he hadn't gone downstairs to eat with them.

"Um, Mr. Accelerator..."

Fujimaru Ritsuka cautiously looked at the first person and spoke softly.

"We've saved some food for you."

"what?"

"Well, as for the food, since it was carefully prepared by Miss Siduri and Miss Hatsune, I feel it would be a real shame if you didn't eat it..."

Seeing the girl's conflicted and fearful tone, Accelerator clicked his tongue helplessly.

"I'm just not hungry. I'll go over and eat by myself in a bit."

"I knew it... that's how it is."

Fujimaru Ritsuka breathed a sigh of relief.

She glanced in their direction slightly, and cautiously approached...

"...What are you doing?"

"Eh? Um, that—I just..."

I'm just worried you might get angry because of my sudden approach—how could I possibly say something like that!

But that's exactly how Fujimaru Ritsuka felt. The person in front of her... although she couldn't tell whether he was male or female, his essential aura still gave off an undeniable sense of oppression.

This sense of oppression was almost becoming a symbol, so Fujimaru Ritsuka was very afraid of herself. If she were to get too close... she might get a severe scolding.

If Accelerator knew these thoughts, it would probably only make him more speechless.

"May I... sit here?"

"I'd like to ask, what's wrong with that?"

Ugh... I feel so stupid for asking that question!

Fujimaru Ritsuka nodded quickly in acknowledgment, and then sat down on the edge not far from Accelerator.

There were only two people on the rooftop.

Fujimaru Ritsuka sat on the edge of the roof, while Accelerator stood with one foot on the edge, casually sipping his coffee.

…coffee?

"Huh? Eh—?! Coffee in Uruk?!"

"What's the big deal? It's not like you didn't bring modern things here."

The first person curled their lip in boredom, which made Fujimaru Ritsuka feel that her reaction was too stupid.

Waaah, I shouldn't have been so stupid... Could it be that my judgment was flawed simply because the other party was too intimidating?

Fujimaru Ritsuka felt utterly lost, both internally and externally.

Originally, after everyone had finished dinner, she was thinking of visiting Accelerator on the rooftop. After all, he had spent the whole night alone, and it would be really inexcusable not to come and see him.

As a result... looking at it this way, things have completely changed into the current situation.

The girl kept a distance from Accelerator, as if she was deliberately avoiding him... but that was actually just an unconscious reaction!

"Well, that..."

No, I'm going to get so embarrassed if this keeps up.

Fujimaru Ritsuka quickly started thinking of topics that could ease the tension.

"Accelerator is really amazing. Not just Enkidu, he could even rival Gilgamesh..."

"Those two guys weren't using their full strength; it's too far from being a match for them."

Okay... that eased the tension a bit.

Fujimaru Ritsuka gradually intensified her efforts, trying to reconcile the atmosphere of the conversation between herself and the other party.

She gradually began to explore the issue further.

From Accelerator's perspective—

'...What on this little girl's mind all this time?'

This is Accelerator's reflection after subconsciously reading what the other person is thinking, given his ability to read mental vectors.

Chapter 597 The Man Who Fell into the Underworld