B Is for Business... and Bunnies
Walking into the lobby, I noticed guards hurrying back and forth.
They were moving about noisily, discussing something among themselves with serious expressions.
What's going on...?
Noting the unusual bustle, I headed deeper inside and heard people laughing and chatting.
Someone dressed in white and a matching white mask was putting on a magic show.
...That will be all for this little taste of the show.
The main performance will take place in the hall shortly. I do hope you'll all attend.
If that was just a taste, the full show should be quite something.
Speaking of which, is what we've heard true?
The rumor that this year's Deep Field Valentine's event will unveil the legendary golden chocolate?
Indeed it is. I'll be revealing it during my performance.
The chocolate was created long ago by an obscure pastry chef who spent a lifetime perfecting it.
Legend has it that it can fulfill every desire of whoever eats it.
Haha, surely that's nothing more than a legend?
Well, aren't you interested in finding out?
What you truly desire, what you long for.
Whether the legendary golden chocolate might grant you what you seek.
Come to the show, and you'll have your answer.
The magician gave a theatrical bow and was turning to go... Only to stop short directly in front of me.
Oh, I didn't see you there. I nearly committed the discourtesy of walking into you.
I hope you're looking forward to the show.
With that, the magician turned and walked away.
Was it my imagination, or had there been something chilling about that gaze...?
Did you hear that, Captain? Golden chocolate that makes your wishes come true!
Unveiling a treasure as precious as that... Clubs for the upper class are just one surprise after another!
Deep Field's Valentine's events have been wonderfully entertaining every year. I'm sure this year's will be spectacular as well.
The Timed Chocolate Fashion Show two years ago was particularly memorable. They showcased outfits made from fast-melting chocolate.
And then there was last year's Slippery Chocolate Party, where everyone covered themselves head to toe in nothing but premium chocolate. Hehe...
D-Did you just hear that, Captain...?!
...Uh-huh.
As I briefly tried to picture what those events from the past two years must have been like...
A familiar voice from across the room pulled me back to reality.
Only here, only today! Get yours at an incredible price!
Have a taste, then pick some up for yourself!
And if you like it, don't hesitate to invest in me!
Because there's no way my Valentine's Premium Chocolate could ever fail!
Is that... Frey?
What's so special about it compared to other chocolate? You see...
Conventional measures of quality simply can't explain my chocolate.
It has a certain flair unique to high-end brands, you might say.
It even has a slightly rough texture that prioritizes impact over a polished finish.
...Huh?
M-My lady! Wh-What are you doing in such an immodest outfit?!
Ch-Charlotte...?! How'd you find me?
A few days back, I was working out how to put my incredible business idea into practice.
Just then, I managed to get my hands on a membership here.
It would have been a shame to waste the chance. Where better to look for investors?
Ugh... Oh please!
What on earth is this business you've come here alone to pursue?!
Could you please stop making trouble for once?!
Tr... Trouble?! Just who do you think you're talking to!
I'm only here to seek out investors!
Why would you come somewhere like this to find investors?!
Hmph. Just look around. Can't you see for yourself?
This club is reserved for high society. It's where all of NOA's wealthy people gather.
Tell people here you have a business that's guaranteed to succeed, and they'll obviously line up to invest.
A business that's guaranteed... to succeed?
That's right. My Valentine's Premium Chocolate.
...And how does that qualify as a business that's guaranteed to succeed?
Captain, Valentine's Day is a day for lovers.
On a day like this, there's one thing every couple wants. And "Didn't you get enough already?" is no excuse to leave your partner unsatisfied.
You know what I'm talking about, right?
Obviously, it's se—
That's right, it's chocolate!
Hold on... What were you trying to say?
I-It's nothing!
Never mind...
...Anyway, chocolate is said to have drawn countless people into the trap of love.
On such a day, couples hope to make each other fall more deeply into love...
...Or rather, into the trap. And they'll think no price is too high for chocolate if it helps them do so.
And when that chocolate carries a luxurious label like premium?
Bingo. That makes it a business that couldn't fail if it tried.
Well, that's a terrifying idea to build a sales pitch around.
What's more, the uniform provided here helps me promote it. That's two birds with one stone.
Actually, make that three! Selling the prototypes is also helping pay for future production!
They happened to have a vacancy on the club's bunny girl staff.
They promised same-day cash payouts and guaranteed high pay!
The terrifying speed at which she put her plans into action made my head spin a little.
So, to sum it up... You're taking advantage of Valentine's Day to sell chocolate at a high price?
I... think so...?
Th-That's not all!
Look at the guards. Don't they seem unusually busy?
It was something I'd noticed on our way inside.
You see, the club was planning to reveal something called the golden chocolate during a magic show.
Oh, we heard about that on our way in.
It grants whatever you want... Something miraculous like that, right?
Exactly. According to the rumors, that golden chocolate...
...It's nowhere to be found at the moment.
So it's... gone?
Yes! You could say this is a tremendous opportunity for me!
A crowd comes to see the golden chocolate, only for it to fail to appear...
That's when my Valentine's Premium Chocolate makes its entrance, taking the place of the missing golden chocolate!
Yeah, yeah...
I see you have your doubts, Captain.
Fine, then. I'll let you have a box to try. Try it yourself and tell me what you think.
Frey handed me a box from the pile of chocolates stacked beside her.
I expect you to judge it as objectively as you can.
Understood? You absolutely, absolutely do not need to worry about hurting my feelings!
O-Okay...
A little taken aback, I flipped open the lid of the chocolate box Frey had given me.
*Clack*
I had expected ordinary chocolate. What I found inside, however, was...
...Oddly colored chocolate with some of its squares colored yellow.
H-Huh?
Is it supposed to be yellow?
C-Certainly not! Let me give you a proper one. Just hand that back.
Hmm... What could have caused it to become yellow?
I had the Valentine's Premium Chocolate made at a factory that also produces various other snacks.
The machinery probably malfunctioned and caused something to rub off on it.
To have defects in the prototypes of a luxury product... This is a fatal misstep.
It was hard enough to secure the contract. So few places agree to small runs over a short period...
I'll return this myself and insist on a refund.
Frey began collecting the boxes of chocolate.
No need to ask whether she could really call it a luxury product after outsourcing the manufacturing...
*Sigh*... Well, at least nothing happened. Let's head back now.
What? Aren't you here at Deep Field for the games?
Certainly not! You had me worried sick!
Just then, a number of guards walked up to us.
Our apologies, but we'd like to conduct a quick identity check. We ask for your cooperation.
Wh-What?! Us? Oh, no, wait...
Ahem! Were those words addressed to... t-to us?
Yes. An important item has gone missing, and we're conducting a search.
We need your cooperation in locating any suspicious outsiders.
I suppose that confirms the rumor about the missing golden chocolate.
Ahem.
I stepped forward, feeling my shoulders lift a little higher with pride.
I'm well acquainted with Hubble, the owner of this club.
Check the VIP list. My name should be there.
Is that so? Please excuse us. Let me check the list right away.
May I confirm that you are Captain?
Mm.
Rather than speak, I gave a small nod.
...Yet there was something strange about the way the guards were acting.
They shuffled through the lists they held, murmuring something to one another.
...Is something wrong?
Well, we couldn't find you on the VIP list...
And your name isn't on the regular membership list, either.
B-But the doorman let us through at the entrance when he heard the Captain's name!
We'll establish that once we've looked into it properly.
Since other guests are present, you'll have to come with us for a moment.
...Ms. Hubble has stepped out to attend to an urgent matter.
...Huh?
So stop bluffing and come with us.
You're not welcome here if you're not on the list.
Before I knew it, guards had poured in from all directions and surrounded us.
All the more so when a thief is on the loose right now...!