So, to keep their cats from fighting, they each put their cat on their lap, where they could keep it under control.

La Luna was behaving just fine, lying quietly on Itefeil’s lap and basking in the midday sun. The girl’s scent mingled at her nose with the sweet aromas of dessert and tea.

(No wonder they say girls are made of sugar and all things lovely. That saying really does ring true.)

La Luna was enjoying the beautiful girl’s soft lap and the midday sunshine, basking in how wonderful the world was. Across from her, Feilin was doing her best to hold back Black’s restless squirming.

“Black, settle down!”

“Meow! Meow! Meow!!”

Black squirmed wildly on Feilin’s lap, trying to break free of her hold.

“I’m sorry. I didn’t expect Black to react so strongly. I shouldn’t have brought La Luna along.”

Seeing Feilin like that, Itefeil felt terribly apologetic. Bringing La Luna along had set Black off, and now the two cats had interrupted what should’ve been a lovely afternoon tea.

“N-no, it’s fine, Itefeil. Don’t worry about it.”

Feilin gave Black a sharp knock on the head to make sure it understood how angry its owner was. Only then did Black gradually quiet down, though it still watched La Luna warily. La Luna completely ignored Black’s stare. Sure, she had been the one to start things by intimidating it, but the others couldn’t understand that. As far as they were concerned, Black had made the first move—and if the two actually fought, Black wouldn’t be the one in the wrong.

So La Luna thought as she stretched, then leisurely asked Itefeil for some dessert.

(Sunshine, a garden, a beautiful girl (?) having tea, sweets, and cute pets. How could this scene not make a perfect picture?)

“Itefeil, be careful. Cats can’t eat chocolate. If they do, they could die.”

Feilin saw Itefeil about to share some of her chocolate cake with La Luna and hurried to warn her. Itefeil was so startled that she quickly put the cake back.

“That’s true. Good thing I don’t keep any chocolate treats at home. It would’ve been awful if La Luna had eaten some.”

Itefeil patted her chest, still a little shaken. La Luna, on the other hand, didn’t mind. Ever since she’d learned to control her magic, if she ate something harmful, she could wrap it in magic and then find somewhere to relieve herself. As long as it didn’t touch her insides, she’d be fine.

Just then, Franny noticed that Itefeil seemed to be wearing something different from usual.

“Itefeil, is that a military uniform you’re wearing?”

The others also turned their attention to Itefeil’s outfit. They were used to seeing her in her usual police uniform, but this one looked like a uniform and yet somehow wasn’t quite one.

“It’s not a military uniform! I bought it at the Ghost Festival a while back.”

As she spoke, she set La Luna down on a chair, stood up, and twirled to show her friends the full design of the outfit.

“Oh, it’s really lovely! Is it by Revenant? The clothes they sell at the Ghost Festival are always so original.”

Feilin admired Itefeil’s military-inspired dress. The top looked like a stern, formal uniform, while the bottom was a very feminine Gothic miniskirt, complete with a split tail that swept back.

“But what made you decide to wear this all of a sudden? You usually just show up in your uniform without giving it a second thought.”

Franny gave Itefeil a mischievous poke in the waist.

“Got a man you like, hmm?”

“What does the man Itefeil likes look like, big sis? Introduce him to us next time!”

Miller gave Itefeil a mischievous look, while Feilin giggled beside them. Nivina, meanwhile, said with a perfectly serious expression:

“You’re underestimating Itefeil. She went on a mission with people from Woodpecker a few days ago. Maybe she’s fallen for some elite from the Empire?”

“Oh, so now you’re all making things up about me! Well, let me ask you this, Nivina. I heard Franny say you went hunting the other day. Tell me—did you go with some handsome stranger you’ve got your eye on?”

“Huh? Nivina went out?”

Miller stared at Nivina in shock. Feilin looked over too, surprise plain in her eyes.

“Objection! You can’t assume I have a male friend just because I went out!”

“Are you embarrassed? You totally are!”

“Hahaha…”

La Luna lay there quietly, soaking up the sunshine while the girls’ lively chatter about romance filled her ears. A gentle breeze drifted by, carrying the warm scent of herbs.

(Ah, what a peaceful day.)

Before they knew it, the whole afternoon had slipped away.

“That was such a lovely afternoon. If you get the chance, be sure to invite me again.”

In high spirits, Itefeil walked with the other four to the entrance of the Count’s manor.

“Happy times always fly by. Until we meet again, Franny.”

“Haha, don’t worry. This is only the beginning. I might have plenty more chances to come back to Sville City.”

Franny gave Nivina a warm hug.

“And you too, my little Miller. If any troublemakers give you a hard time, come find your big sis Itefeil. Don’t worry about bothering me.”

“If any bad guys come after you, I’ll send every last one of them flying!”

Itefeil threw a stylish uppercut toward Miller.

“Well, Miller and I should get going.”

Nivina helped Miller into her carriage. The two of them lived along the same route.

“What do you say, Itefeil? Want to ride back with me? I live a bit far from your place, but I can still drop you off part of the way.”

Itefeil thought it over, then declined Franny’s offer.

“There’s a stretch of road on my way home where things get a little unsafe at night. I’m not busy right now, so I thought I’d go check it out.”

Franny was stumped by that reason.

“Honestly, you’re unbelievable. ‘Workaholic’ was invented just for you, wasn’t it? It’s your day off! But fine—just be careful.”

“I will! Besides, La Luna’s coming with me, isn’t she? Feilin said she’s super strong!”

Feilin couldn’t help smiling at Itefeil’s words.

“No matter how strong she is, she won’t be able to save you if you get into danger. You still need to be careful.”

“I’m the strongest police officer in the city! Who could possibly do anything to the great Itefeil?”

And so the gathering ended with Itefeil boasting about herself……