﻿\setgamedatatitle("Margaretta_04")

\text("Caym")
Haa...
\endtext

\text
Realizing he'd let out a sigh without noticing, Caym
furrowed his brow.
\endtext

\text
Doing desk work under Risbell's watchful eye was
suffocating.
\endtext

\text
But if he didn't do it, the consequences would be scary.
\endtext

\text
So, he did it reluctantly. And the more he did, the less
motivated he felt... a vicious cycle.
\endtext

\text("Caym")
Tch... that Risbell. She could just do it herself without
asking for my approval.
\endtext

\text
On top of that, every time he tried to get with Margaretta,
something always got in the way.
\endtext

\text
―Why is it that nothing ever goes right?
\endtext

\text
―Did I do something wrong?
\endtext

\text
Those kinds of negative thoughts kept popping up.

\endtext

\text("Margaretta")
Oh, oh, for a Demon Lord, you sure look gloomy sitting here
in the tavern.
\endtext

\text("Caym")
Hm? Margaretta.
\endtext

\text
Caym, who was sitting on a stool at the counter, turned
around at the voice from behind.
\endtext

\text
There stood Margaretta, looking at him with a wry smile.

\endtext

\text("Margaretta")
Mind if I sit next to you?
\endtext

\text("Caym")
Yeah... do as you like.
\endtext

\text
He figured something would probably get in the way again
anyway.
\endtext

\text
Caym's instincts were sounding the alarm.
\endtext

\text("Caym")
Hm? Didn't you come here to drink?
\endtext

\text("Margaretta")
Uh, um! Haa! No, I just finished my shift too, so I'm
hungry.

\endtext

\text
On the tray Margaretta was holding was a steaming teacup and
a slice of cake baked a bit on the firm side.

\endtext

\text("Margaretta")
But I heard eating too much before bed isn't good for your
stomach. So just a light meal.

\endtext

\text
With that, Margaretta took a big bite of the cake.

\endtext

\text("Caym")
Heh, judging by how you usually talk, it's hard to imagine
you getting all soft over sweets.

\endtext

\text("Margaretta")
Nngh! H-how rude! I'm still a young woman, you know!

\endtext

\text
For once, Margaretta reacted flustered to Caym's teasing.

\endtext

\text("Margaretta")
What's with you? Do you have something you want to say to
me?
\endtext

\text("Caym")
Yeah, I do... but I'm on guard, thinking something's going
to interrupt us again.
\endtext

\text
Saying that, Caym shrugged his shoulders.
\endtext

\text
It seemed that after being interrupted so many times, he'd
become completely paranoid.
\endtext

\text("Margaretta")
There's no way that'll happen tonight. I did go out on my
own last time, after all. Sorry about that.

\endtext

\text("Caym")
Yeah, that's true. As a hired hand, I have to make myself
look good or it'll affect my evaluation.
\endtext

\text
Hearing the slightly sulky tone in Caym's voice, Margaretta
couldn't help but let out a wry smile.

\endtext

\text("Margaretta")
What's with you? When it comes to women, you're like a
stubborn little kid.
\endtext

\text("Caym")
Kids don't try to flirt with women.
\endtext

\text("Margaretta")
That's true... But why me? There are plenty of other good
women out there.
\endtext

\text("Margaretta")
Honestly, for you to want a rough woman like me who only
knows battle... you really have bad taste.

\endtext

\text
Muttering that, Margaretta washed down her cake with some
tea.
\endtext

\text("Caym")
That's not it. You just don't realize your own charm.


\endtext

\text("Margaretta")
Wha! Pfft! *cough*... Ch-charm!?

\endtext

\text
Caym's perfectly timed words made Margaretta choke in
surprise.
\endtext

\text("Margaretta")
That's why I say you have terrible taste.
\endtext

\text("Caym")
Not at all. You're the woman I wished for. That's all the
value I need.
\endtext

\text("Margaretta")
W-what are you―
\endtext

\text("Caym")
I'll make sure you understand just how charming you really
are.
\endtext

\text("Margaretta")
F-fine! I'll take you up on that!

\endtext

\text
Pressed by Caym and at her wit's end, Margaretta declared
loudly.
\endtext

\text
But as she stood up from the stool, she suddenly realized
something and hurriedly stopped Caym.

\endtext

\text("Margaretta")
Ah, ah! W-wait! Hold on a moment! I'm just off duty. I
haven't even washed up yet.

\endtext

\text("Margaretta")
C-could you give me a little time?
\endtext

\text("Caym")
Yeah, don't worry about it. I can't make it work tonight
anyway.
\endtext

\text("Margaretta")
R-really, is that so?
\endtext

\text("Caym")
Yeah. There are a few things I need to prepare first.

\endtext

\text("Margaretta")
I-I see...
\endtext

\text
At Caym's words, Margaretta let out a sigh of relief.

\endtext

\text
It seemed that when the moment actually came, her resolve
wavered.
\endtext

\text("Caym")
Anyway, I'll be going now. Until next time.

\endtext

\text("Margaretta")
Y-yeah, right.
\endtext

\text
Leaving the restless and fidgety Margaretta behind, Caym
left the tavern.
\endtext

\text("Caym")
(Heh, I'll make sure to prepare something she'll never
forget. Just wait for it.)
\endtext

\text
As he walked toward his office, Caym was working his brain
at full speed―something he hadn't done much during all that
paperwork.
\endtext