Parfait Fantasia
As I was getting ready for training early one morning, Ceres came to see me.
I'll be stepping out for a bit.
Stepping out?
Ceres showed me the twin swords she always wielded.
Even the best blades need maintenance.
A blacksmith who used to work at Raven Wall happens to be in NOA right now.
He's been taking care of the Western Liberators' weapons since the days of the former commander.
He left the West due to age, but I'm going to ask him for help.
You don't have to come with me.
I'm just dropping the swords off, so I'll be back before morning training starts.
You sure you can manage alone?
Lydia usually guides you, doesn't she?
Captain... do you think I'm a child or something?
Sure, I may not be used to big cities yet.
And yes, Lydia usually shows me around.
But that doesn't mean I'm some fool who can't find her way around!
...Now I'm even more worried.
There's no need to worry! I'll go and come right back. Just wait here.
I'll be back soon.
With that, Ceres left...
And didn't return even after the entire morning session had passed.
I should go look for her...
After asking around, I finally found Ceres at Cafe Strega.
She was practically pressed against the window, intensely staring at the strawberry parfaits the customers were eating.
Ceres...?
...
Ceres!
*Gasp* C-Captain...?!
W-what are you doing here? Do you have errands too?
You weren't back for ages, so I came looking.
Ages...?
I was just on my way back and took a little peek inside...
Just a tiny look, that's all...
It's almost noon.
...
What?
*Ding*
Excuse me...
Would you like to come in?
You've been staring through the window for three hours...
For three hours?!
You're one of the Journey participants, right? Come in, come in!
N-no, I—
Here you go! Our cafe's signature dessert!
A strawberry parfait!
A towering parfait loaded with strawberries and whipped cream was placed in front of Ceres.
W-wait... I didn't order anything...
That's fine! It's on the house.
Just think of it as our way of wishing you well on your Journey.
You clearly love our parfaits, but you've been holding yourself back again and again for the sake of your Journey training...!
She wasn't entirely wrong.
Enjoy it and good luck on your Journey!
With a dazzling, irresistible smile, the owner walked away.
...
C-Captain...
You... eat it...!
Me?
Yes... Because I can't...
So I want you to eat all of it for me...
I'll just watch...
Which would probably be even worse torture.
You want... me to eat it too?
Because it'd be rude to reject the owner's kindness...?
Kgh! Saying that just makes it harder to refuse!
Overdoing restraint isn't healthy either.
At this rate, Ceres would be stuck thinking about parfaits for a while, just like after she had that Aurora Ade.
Didn't you say you had one once before?
W-well, yes, but...!
...
I-it looks bigger than I remember. Even the cream smells richer than I expected...
...Did it always look like this up close?
Besides, I can't finish this all on my own.
Still... once it enters my body, th-there will be no going back...
Help me, Ceres.
K-kgh...!
...I-if it's a cry for help...
...Then maybe just a taste... might be okay...
...
This is... I mean...
This is just one bite to accept the owner's kindness and broaden my cultural understanding of NOA!
...
...I have no choice!
Exactly! No choice!
All right. I'm... ready!
Whew...
...NOM!
...!
S-so sweet...!
It's cold and sweet!
The cream just melts on my tongue...
And the strawberries still shine through! Both are sweet, and both are delicious!
Even as she talked, Ceres kept digging in with her spoon.
...You really cleaned it up fast.
...Yeah.
...
So? Did you enjoy it?
Huh?
All we did was eat dessert at a cafe.
It's just one of many little pleasures people indulge in every day.
Sometimes taking time to relax like this...
Can be a good thing.
Is that so...?
...It does leave a certain sense of contentment.
Feels like the tension in me has eased a bit.
...Hmm.
I always thought that the moment I tasted NOA's sweet desserts, my blade-sharp resolve would dull...
And that I'd... lose control of myself.
What do you think now?
...My head feels clearer, actually.
Strangely enough, I feel more energized.
...Mm!
All right!
What's done... is done!
And it was really good!
So I won't have any regrets, I'll roll this morning's missed training into this afternoon's session...
And give it my absolute all!
That's the spirit!
Fueled by a good mood, Ceres threw herself into afternoon training.
With the extra effort, we kept going late into the night, and the results were better than ever.