The fifth ward of the Imperial Capital.

The cafe was located a short distance from the road leading to the international harbor.

I had imagined the cafe would be a small place, but it was surprisingly large.

It was a two-story building made with earth and wood walls that cleverly incorporated elements of eastern and western architecture. It must have been the property of a wealthy merchant.

A sign hanging from the eaves of the shop reads "Cafe Black Cat Pavilion."

A female doll was having her cheeks pinched underneath the sign.

Haizakura: "I'm shorryyyy...!"

The girl pinching Haizakura's cheeks was a slightly older-looking doll.

She had sleek black hair that was tied up in a ponytail.

"Th-That's probably enough..."

It seemed like the girl knew how to pinch without causing any real harm, but I stepped into the middle anyway.

Haizakura: "Th-This is Usami-san, short for Usa-san!"

"You got them backwards, but close enough."

Haizakura: "And this is my senpai..."

She turned to smile at me before Haizakura could talk.

Haizakura: "If we were to discuss that it would take a while... it's a very very complicated situation."

She was mumbling and fidgeting.

"Seems that Haizakura dropped her money."

Haizakura: "Myu!"

"So, she had to get a job at the bakery."

Haizakura: "Myu myu!"

"She worked really hard to get this bread, so please don't be angry with her."

Haizakura: "Th-That's right! All's well that ends wel- Myu!!"

Haizakura: "I'm shorry!!"

She gave Haizakura a flat stare and continued to pinch her cheek.

Haizakura: "I don't know... probably when I was playing with Shano-chan before I left...!"

Karasuba let go of the other girl's cheeks and looked behind her.

Right where the sun was shining under the eaves was a single black cat curled up and asleep.

Apparently, the cat is Shano-chan.

She reached under the cat and lifted her up.

The cat's eyes remained closed as she was lifted up, her body stretching out as she was held up under her front legs.

Haizakura: "Aaah!!"

Haizakura checked where the cat had been sleeping and then shouted.

A small envelope had been under the cat.

Haizakura: "The money!"

"Haha... to think it'd be in a place like that."

Haizakura: "Yeah, that cat!"

Haizakura smiled warmly.

Haizakura: "Myu!"

Haizakura: "I'm shorry!!"

She was once again having her cheeks pinched and kneaded like mochi.