"Hey~, don't you have any mo~re delicious alcohol??"

Her face flushed, she pestered the man.

"Take it easy... What kind of drink do you want?"

"Mmm, I want something sweet~"

"Sweet, huh... Unfortunately, we're all out of the fruit-infused wine (Glühwein)."

A sweet, fine liquor, a specialty of this region. I feel like I've heard something like that in the past. Remembering this, Koai asked the man.

"I heard before that a drink called... Opa? has a uniquely sweet and delicious flavor. Do you not have any?"

"You mean Ope? Around here, they make Mavroda... a purple Ope. But these days, only human nobles and the rich can drink that."

"So those, too, are all for the humans?"

"...Yeah."

"I don't like it. I don't like it at all."

How infuriating. That the weak should indulge in such luxury.

Koai was on the verge of recalling the dark malice that had occasionally dominated her thoughts in the past. But she quickly heard her companion's voice, and Koai forgot it.

"No sweet stuff~? I haven't had enough to drink and you don't have any!?"

"I told you, you've had too much, little lady."

"It's fine. If she says she wants to drink, let's let her drink."

That's right, I'll make her happy... and just watch her enjoying herself. Surely, that will be more fun for me, too.

"Tell me where someone around here who might have it lives."

"Are you planning to break in and steal it?"

"That would be a hassle. I'll just openly take it, by force if necessary."

The man gave a bitter laugh, trying to cover it up.

"Ahem... Are you serious!?"

"If this girl says she wants it, then I want to let her drink it."

Those were Koai's true, unfeigned feelings.

"Hmph, hahaha, you've got a pretty face, but you're sure fearless."

The man laughed, looking a little pleased.

"On the opposite side of the ruins from here... there's the magistrate's mansion. They shouldn't have finished transporting this year's brewed portion to the feudal lord yet, so there should be some left at the mansion."

"I see. That's helpful."

"Haven't had enough, haven't had enough, I haven't had enough so I'm waiting~"

"Let's go."

Koai took her hand and helped her to her feet.

"Where to next? Karaoke?"

"To a place with sweet, delicious alcohol."

"Hey, you two."

"What is it?"

"This might be a strange substitute for the bar tab, but can I ask your names?"

"My name is Koai."

"? Isn't that the name of the Demon Lord from the fairy tales? Well, I won't pry."

A fairy tale, what could that mean? Koai felt a faint doubt, but decided it was something she could look into later.

"This girl is Mayumura."

"N-no, that's not my name~"

"No, you, a moment ago you were definitely Mayumura Yung—mmph!"

Her hand, having somehow moved behind Koai, was pressed firmly against her mouth.

Hot. Her hand is hot. Feeling it makes my heart pound.

My heart pounds. As I become aware of the heat of her hand on my mouth and the pounding in my chest, my heart begins to race. Pounding and then racing, my chest is at once restless and flustered.

Heat travels from her hand to my face. It should be hot, yet I feel shivers running through my body, as if in defiance of the heat. What is happening?

I don't understand. The heat is spreading to my head, and I can't think straight. But I want to feel this just a little longer.

Koai remained frozen.

"Ah-aha, right, my name is, um... well... I'm called Snow."

"Mmph!? Mghh."

"Ahaha, well then, see ya, mister~"

Koai was dragged outside by her.

"Come again. Let's talk over a drink."

"People who are about to do something bad shouldn't just casually give their real names, you know~"

"Is that how it is?"

Perhaps because her hand had let go for a moment, Koai's mind and body had regained their composure.

"We're going to steal some alcohol, right? We're totally villains."

The two of them joined hands once more and walked toward the magistrate's mansion.

"Still, this is one crazy dream~"

A dream, huh.

"Having a handsome older sister and being an alcohol thief is super fun, but the booze is nasty! It's so nasty!"

A dream, huh. That might be it.

For her, this is an unknown world, and for me, this is a world where I shouldn't exist.

But being in this world with her makes it feel pleasant for that reason alone.

A dream, huh. If so, this must be a very good dream. Thinking this, Koai's heart felt very warm.

A path that is chilly and dark when alone becomes a gentle scene when there are two.

Enveloped in this gentle scenery, the two approached a building that looked like the magistrate's mansion.

Beside what looked like an entrance gate stood guards holding rod-like objects. From their posture, she could sense neither magical power nor skill.

"S...now? Well then, shall we go?"

As long as they don't target her, there shouldn't be any particular problem.

"Um... ah, that's right! Yes, as you wish, big sister."

"......What was that?"