Dereliction of duty · 90 years in the new calendar

Flo: Huh?

Xus: ...Flo?

Since that day, the two have still kept in touch with each other, such as the borrowing and copying of books some time ago.

The number of times they have met can be counted on one hand, not to mention that the place they met at this moment is neither the home of either party, nor the disbanded Demon King Palace that they used to work together.

A dim sum shop in the corner of the city.

To be precise, neither of them went in yet, they met at the door.

Flo: Morning, good morning?

I didn't expect to meet you here.

Xus: Ah, me too.

——This store is opened by an acquaintance of mine, and he has good craftsmanship.

Flo: Really.

I have been here several times, but I haven't greeted the owner too much.

With his current state of struggling to speak...it is difficult to get along well with people.

There is not much need to talk when shopping, and you can get by without talking and just paying the bill.

Flo: ...

The shopkeeper here seems to be...

Just talking at the door is both blocking the way and attracting attention, so the two talked in a low voice while walking slowly into the store.

It was neither early nor late, between breakfast and lunch, and there were not many guests inside.

Flo: At first... I remembered it from looking at famous brands.

It was the first time I saw him at the banquet half a year ago.

After all, it has nothing to do with me, so the impression is very shallow.

Seeing and hearing the arrival of the two, someone standing at the front cast a glance.

He stopped halfway through the polite and procedural sentence, and turned... shy?Scratching his head, shyly said:

Norn: Ah, Xus...

good morning.

Xus: Hmm.

Are you free right now?place an order.

Flo can't remember clearly, but it seems that he once or twice mentioned lightly that this person named Norn had taken care of Xus when he was young.

First of all, counting from the time when Flo formally met Lord Xus, the interim period was less than a year, during which he had never seen any contact between the two.

Then, even in normal speech, Master Xus didn't seem to mention this person at all.

Norn: Orders...

……

I see, deliver it tomorrow, or tonight?

Flo: Huh?

(Did they talk just now?)

He didn't hear Xus request, and Xus was not in front of the counter but by his side.

In other words, there is a certain tacit understanding between them, and they can understand each other's intentions by saying one or two key words.

To be honest, I'm a little envious.

Flo can't help but imagine that there might be a future where he can tell Sui everything he wants to express with a single look.

…For some reason, the scene was a bit scary, so he calmed down and thought it was better not to.

Norn: Same as last year?

Xus: Whatever you want, you can do it.

Norn: Hey, anyway, the person who gave the gift is you in name.

…Please forgive me, I just want to bake my bread and cake in peace.

Flo: ...

That, presumptuously?

Xus was about to go to the counter formally, when he was summoned, he remembered to give Flo an explanation.

Xus: Tomorrow is... Zor's birthday.

……

Don't say it.

Flo: Huh?oh oh……

Although he wanted to ask "what's there to hide", but he looked a little... weird and serious, which made it difficult for Flo to ask.

Interestingly, the shopkeeper-like character who looked timid and soft-spoken, took Xus' place at this moment and answered for Flo:

Norn: Are you... Flood? Flo right?

——This guy has a small circle of friends.

The birthdays of the four of them are very close to each other, too often, so it's very boring to celebrate, but——

Xus: Norn.

Norn: ...Woo.

Cough, cough hum.Well, this guest.

——What is your demand?

Flo: I don't know.

Let me first, just take a look.

Unlike Master Xus' purposeful visit, Flo just wants to buy some main food or dessert.

The size of this store is only medium, but the products inside are also dazzling.

The dessert area is better. If you go to the bread side, you will easily be captured by the warm atmosphere and don't want to go away.

It's still winter outside, and although it hasn't snowed today, it's still cold enough.

Over there, Master Xus wrote the order information, so the shopkeeper took the time to come out.

Norn: Shhh, I wasn't done just now.

——Xus, he is not interested in talking about it all the time, and he doesn't want to celebrate.

As a result, I have never forgotten it every year, and I am super attentive.

He looked radiant, as if he was completely different from when he was facing Xus.

Did something happen between them so that their mutual attitudes changed?

There's room for speculation, but Flo isn't too interested in it today.

Flo: ...Master Xus, before, was he a very cold person?

Ah, I just thought of it by accident, nothing special.

Norn: ...

Is it cool?

It's quite cold.

...Yes yes yes, exactly the same as you "now".

Ah, sorry.