A Fanbook!?
After that, I had Mr. Dasher and the pastry chef taste-test the sweets that pair well with green tea, steamed buns and dorayaki.
As a result, both of them asked for the recipes, so I requested that my mother, the one who handles our family’s business dealings, be contacted.
"Ah, Young Lady Joan, truly, thank you for everything. We’ve been struggling lately, unable to come up with any new menu ideas. This has been such a help, thank you so much."
"No, thank you. I just barged in and made suggestions out of nowhere, so I’m really glad you accepted them… By the way, how’s Alisha doing?"
"Oh, she’s doing well, too well, honestly. She’s already in her first year in the civil officer course, but she’s still as restless as ever… I just sent her a message, so she should be on her way here."
A little while later…
Knock knock knock. "It’s Alisha."
When Alisha stepped into the private room, she looked quite a bit taller than when I’d last seen her. Her large eyes widened even more when she spotted me.
"Alisha, do you know this young lady?"
"Of course, Father! She’s a hugely popular senior at the academy!"
"“Huh?”"
Both Mr. Dasher and I froze at that unexpected response. When I glanced over at Martha, she gave a knowing nod for some reason.
"Father, remember the story I told you about my favorite book, The Four Sisters of the Knight Department? She’s the senior who inspired one of the main characters!"
"O-oh."
"Yes! Joan Lampail, the model for the third sister of The Four Sisters of the Knight Department!"
"‘……’"
Wait. What? Favorite book? Model? What is happening right now!?
"A-um… what exactly is this Four Sisters of the Knight Department?"
I was terrified to ask, but I couldn’t help it.
"Yes! The Four Sisters of the Knight Department is about the eldest, Heart, beautiful and brilliant; the second, Dia, a hard worker but a bit clumsy; the third, Spade, boyish and athletic; and the fourth, Clover, quiet and laid-back but sharp-tongued when she speaks! It’s the story of those four working together to become knights!"
"Ah… I-I see…"
Alisha’s enthusiasm made me take an unconscious step back.
So their names are card suits…?
Come to think of it, didn’t Amy make playing cards out of her past-life memories when she was bored? I still remember how shocked I was when I found the cards and reversi board…
As I tried to mentally escape from reality, Alisha suddenly glared at her father.
"Father! You knew Young Lady Lampail personally!? Why didn’t you tell me!?"
"Eh? Ah, um, well… sorry?"
Ahh… Mr. Dasher crumbled under his daughter’s pressure and actually apologized.
"Um… Alisha?"
"!! Lady Lampail knows my name!? Is this a dream!? … Ow! Nope, not a dream! F-Father! Father! I’m so happy!!" Slap slap.
"Ow, ow! Alisha, calm down!"
"Ah!? I can’t believe I just acted like that in front of Young Lady Lampail… how embarrassing!"
Her face now bright red, Alisha sat next to her father, staring down at her lap.
"Hey, Alisha? Don’t you remember me? We’ve met before."
"Huh?"
"Does the phrase Divine Pegasus ring a bell?"
"Eh!? You mean, that adventurer back then…? Big Sis Joan?"
"That’s right."
"But… an adventurer… and also a noble daughter of a margrave family…?"
"Ah, yeah. I’m the eldest daughter of the margrave family, but I also work as an adventurer. Right now I’m in the knight course, though."
"E-eh!? Ehhh!?"
It took her a while, but eventually Alisha calmed down.
"I-I’m so sorry…"
"It’s fine, really."
"But still, I’m so shocked… I can’t believe I actually know the model for The Four Sisters of the Knight Department!"
"Haha… um, where exactly is that book being sold?"
"At the dorm cafeteria! And recently, they’ve also been selling character portraits!"
"C-character portraits!?"
"Here!"
Alisha pulled both a book and a portrait print from her Magic Bag.
"You carry them around with you…?"
"Of course!"
The portrait she showed me depicted the four “sisters” posing with swords, it was basically a bromide.
I flipped through the book a little and realized, it was basically a fanbook. A doujinshi.
Then I saw the names on the back cover, and froze.
"‘REBE & Miu? … Wait. Rebe and Miu!? You’ve got to be kidding me! And the artist… Koshi!? That Koshi!?!"
You three, my classmates, what the hell are you doing!?
"I-is it still on sale?"
"No, it sold out not long after release thanks to word of mouth. The portraits too, they go for premium prices now."
"I… see. And when did this all start?"
"Right after the winter break ended!"
"Excuse me for interrupting, Young Lady, but that book is available at the mansion as well."
"What? Why!?"
"I don’t know all the details, but it seems the author and artist brought it to Madam to ask permission before publishing."
Rebe, Miu, Koshi…
You went to my mother for permission, not me?!
When did this even happen? During winter break? Oh no… when I was away in Norden, wasn’t it!?
"I… didn’t know anything about this… Where is it now?"
"I’m aware of copies in the servants’ dining halls across the estates, but I’m unsure about elsewhere."
"Across the estates? Even in Phantasmo?"
"Yes, that’s correct."
"You’ve got to be kidding me…"
"Umm, Young Lady Joan, are you all right?"
Mr. Dasher asked gently, worried about my soul, which was halfway out of my body.
"Y-yeah, somehow… Just a bit too shocked."
"Um… may I ask something? Would it be all right if we made and sold sweets themed after The Four Sisters of the Knight Department? I’d like to create desserts that match each sister’s favorite tea."
"Ah~ umm, that’s not something I can decide myself. Could you please propose it to my mother?"
"Of course!"
Next to him, Alisha looked ready to explode just from the idea of sweets themed after the “four sisters.”
When I get home, I’m calling seniors and Belle immediately.
What do you think about this chapter?
