Happy Valentine's Day!
It's been a while, Captain.
...Hubble.
Hehe. Have you been well?
Though it seems I must begin with an apology the moment we meet again.
I'd hoped to offer you the finest entertainment when you returned to Deep Field...
Yet once again, you've been caught up in an unfortunate incident. I truly have no excuse.
...An incident?
Yes. That magician is a longtime business partner of mine.
She was so talented that I overlooked some issues with how she treated our guests, but...
I never imagined she'd steal the golden chocolate, let alone cause such chaos.
Perhaps... she came into contact with the Void without my knowing.
The Void?
Yes. The Voidborns aren't the only threat.
A power that can alter the body and twist the mind through mere contact...
That is the Void.
Now that you mention it... I sensed something dangerous during that last fight.
So in the end, she wasn't just an illusion after all.
In any case, it was truly unforeseen.
The losses are staggering... The club's operations will be disrupted for some time.
Hmm.
A magician who drew out people's hidden desires, and Hubble, who uncovered people's desires to sate her thirst for knowledge.
They certainly made a well-matched pair.
But...
I see distrust in your eyes.
Captain, if you suspect that I was behind this—
I don't think that.
She was probably telling the truth about her losses. The club's VIP guests were valuable assets to Hubble.
Would she really put those guests in danger just to complete the golden chocolate?
Thank you for understanding. You're as thoughtful as ever, Captain.
But it seems you haven't entirely withdrawn your suspicion of me.
I had urgent business. That's all.
Captain, are you saying...
That this shady character just sat back and watched it all unfold?
It's just a guess for now, but...
The magician's theft of the golden chocolate was something even Hubble hadn't foreseen.
But she'd realized what was going on the moment the magician made off with it.
She already knew the moment it was taken...?
That's outrageous! Then she could have dealt with it right away, before things got out of hand!
Exactly. But she didn't.
Then Frey had shown up at the club.
And Hubble had learned that Charlotte and I had arrived to look for Frey.
She must have thought that if she let the magician's rampage run its course just a little longer...
...An excellent guess.
But... it's only a guess.
...Ah, really... That one cuts deep.
Still... today, I have no choice but to accept defeat on those terms.
For the fact that the club's security was a mess...
Once again, please accept my apologies.
I truly am sorry, Captain.
What you desire, you win through games.
That's the rule of Club Deep Field.
And this game, too, had to be counted as Hubble's loss.
Of course, I was curious what the magician had seen in me, but...
It was my fault it was my fault it was my fault...
Getting her to talk right now seemed out of the question.
So... we can go back now, right? All the misunderstandings are cleared up?
Even Lady Frey's bunny girl outfit—
Charlotte! Keep quiet about that for now!
...As you wish.
What may I offer you? Club Deep Field's finest service—
No, nothing like that.
Come and get it! Only a few left of my Valentine's Premium Chocolate!
Chosen by Hubble, owner of Deep Field, as the finest chocolate of the century!
Buy some, give it a try, and if you're interested in this chocolate business, come see me about investing!
L-Lady Frey! Why do I have to be a salesgirl too?!
And dressed like this?!
Hang in there, Charlotte! There's only a few left!
Look, here's what we earned today, and here's the record of investment inquiries!
With this much, next month's supplies for the Knights are covered!
Ugh...! Really? You can't go spending it somewhere else to reinvest...!
Understood, Lady Frey? Please say you understand!
Ugh... Nag, nag...!
After selling off the very last chocolate, we left the club.
On the way out, every guard in the club stood in a line and bowed to us at a perfect ninety degrees.
Phew... It's been a while since I've breathed the air up here.
I feel like I can finally breathe again...
Good work, both of you.
You must be more tired than we are, Captain!
That's right. A lot happened, but...
Thanks to you, Captain, it all ended on the best possible note.
The two of them paused for a moment and looked at me.
Hm! Ahem!
If something like this happens again...
...I'll be one you can trust and rely on so much more!
That's the kind of Grand Master I'll become!
...And the next time I start a new business, I'll be sure to contact you first, Captain.
That way, Charlotte won't have to worry about me so much.
If anything, I'm the one who should be thanking you two.
A lot had happened, but because these two were with me, it all ended with smiles.
And...
...It might not have been such a bad event after all.
Huh?
Is that so?
Yeah.
The two of them stared at me, puzzled.
...I wondered when they'd notice they were still wearing their bunny girl outfits.
By the way... The golden chocolate really was just a legend, huh?
Nothing happened even after the Captain ate it, after all.
It was just really tasty.
...Hmm, I see.
However!
Frey suddenly stepped in front of me and held something out.
My Valentine's Premium Chocolate is sure to taste far better than that!
Please, have some, Captain.
Valentine's Day has its...
...Traps, you know. To stay safe, you'd best hold on to the one I give you.
Ah! Me too! I have one for you too!
I-It's the same chocolate as Lady Frey's, but...
Please accept my Valentine's chocolate too!
...
Inside the boxes they handed me was chocolate so sweet-looking it was almost too much to look at.
After everything chocolate had put us through... more chocolate...?
Please accept it, Captain.
Happy Valentine's Day!
No...
No more chocolaaate!!
...And so, an unforgettable Valentine's Day drew to a close.