Chapter 34: Melon Soda Floats

Chapter 34:
Melon Soda Floats

On that day, the siblings found themselves walking side by side in a corner of the Sand Nation.

“Brother, I think you’re being far too shy,” said the young woman wearing a magic-infused coat to shield her skin from the sun’s scorching heat.

She was Renner, princess of the Sand Nation and younger sister of the man next to her, Shareef.

“I-I know, but…we’re talking about a princess of the Eastern Continent! It’s going to take many preparations to get her to leave her home and come all the way here as my bride. That’s why I decided to start things off by sending an envoy over to the Empire to request an alliance and trade,” Shareef attempted to explain himself to one of the very few people in the nation who spoke straight with him on topics such as these.

Renner shook her head. “That’s not what I’m talking about. I’m specifically talking about you, Brother. I just don’t feel like you’re really trying to win her heart. It’s all well and good that you’re trying to deepen the ties between our nations. I even think taking her as your bride to prove those ties are real is a logical idea. It’s certainly not a bad deal for the Empire when you think of it as a chance to strengthen their ties to our royal line. It’s not as though you’ll be able to wed her until she’s recovered from her illness anyway. But here’s the problem, Brother: As I’m sure you’re more than aware, our nation is just another prominent one here on the Western Continent, while the Empire is top dog on the Eastern Continent. The difference between our power and influence is massive. If the princess personally turned down your offer, that would be enough to axe this whole thing. That’s why you should try and get close to her now, before she recovers.”

Unlike other noblewomen her age, or even the servants of the inner palace, Renner’s brother was knowledgeable in all manner of things, making him fun to talk to. She enjoyed this time with him, even as she tried to guide his hand.

When it came to marriage between royalty, especially in the case of a prince and a princess, the benefits to both nations were a top priority. How either party personally felt didn’t even factor into the equation. Yet at the same time, if their feelings were viewed too lightly, the marriage would be naught but misfortune for both. That was why it was so important that both parties worked hard to love one another. This was Shareef’s biggest problem. While all number of women had approached him over the years, he had personally never chased after a partner himself. Renner was more than aware of this.

Unlike Shareef, who was born from proper royalty, Renner’s mother was the court mage who had worked in the palace, and she eventually won the affection of the king, becoming one of his concubines. The Sand Nation was a place where, with enough talent in the ways of the magical arts, one could rise to glory and honor regardless of birthright or gender. Renner’s mother was born as a low-class noble but had learned the ways of magic directly from her great-grandmother, who was a changeling. As a result, her magical talent and wealth of knowledge outdistanced those around her and led to her appointment as the court mage. It was there she won the heart of the king and ultimately gave birth to Renner, accomplishing what some would refer to as true social success.

As the court mage, she had also taught both Renner and Shareef magic. The two had grown up together learning under the same teacher, and they were as close as could be.

“Ah, we’ve arrived,” said Renner.

Their destination was a black door with a cat illustration on it, suspiciously sitting out in the middle of the desert, almost like some sort of mirage caused by the burning sun up above.

“Shall we?”

“Let’s. It’s far too hot out here during the day.”

The pair opened the door and were greeted with the familiar ringing of bells and a cool blast of air.

“This place is always so nice and cool!” Renner said joyfully, as she followed her brother through the door.

“Welcome!” said the master.

“Greetings!” replied Renner. “Thank you kindly in advance.”

Beyond the door was a room as cool as the evening itself. As expected of someone of her status, Renner switched to a slightly more feminine, dignified tone in response to the master.

She was more than aware her generously proportioned feminine body and facial features were best received when she acted this way. She wasn’t ignorant of how the world worked.

Renner stopped her brother just as he attempted to relocate to a table far in the corner, instead pointing at one near the spot his beloved princess usually chose. “Now then, it looks like that table is open, Brother.”

“A-ah, that it is,” Shareef stammered.

“Excuse me, pardon.”

And so, the princess and her brother made their way through the other populated tables and reached their seats.

“Welcome! Here’s our menu.”

“Many thanks,” said Renner to the demon waitress wearing an otherworldly outfit that showed off her slim legs.

The royal siblings took a pair of menus and gladly received the cups of ice water the young lady brought them. After the waitress parted ways with their table, Renner switched her tone back to her usual one and spoke to her brother, her eyes not once leaving the menu in front of her.

“…Hmm, looks like your beloved princess isn’t here yet.”

“Yeah, you’re right,” Shareef replied calmly, flipping to the drink tab of the menu. “Do you know what you’re getting, Renner?”

“Wait just a moment. Hrm…”

Shareef was ready to order the usual, while his little sister battled with her own indecisiveness. That said, she still had a general idea of what she wanted. It was a drink she could only find here.

Hrm, what kind of soda float should I have today?

Soda floats were a dessert as well as Renner’s absolute favorite drink. It was also the source of much frustration every time she visited Nekoya.

The carbonated drinks are ginger ale, cola, orange, grape… No, melon is the only right choice here!

Renner ran her finger across the plethora of carbonated drinks on the menu, each capable of sending a unique shock down her throat. When ordering a soda float at Nekoya, one could choose whatever combination of drink and ice cream one wanted. The problem was that there were so many options, and almost all of them were great.

Today… Hrm. Let’s go with vanilla soft cream.

After a bit of puzzling, Renner settled on melon soda and soft serve. Among the various potential item combos, this was one of her favorites.

“I’m ready, Brother.”

“Excellent. Pardon us! We’d like to order!” Shareef called out to the waitress.

“Okaaay! What would you like?” Aletta asked.

“I’ll have a coffee float with ice cream. Make the cafa extra sweet, please.”

“I would like a melon soda float with vanilla soft serve, thank you.”

“No problem! They’ll be right out!” The waitress nodded her head and disappeared into the back to let the master know. It wasn’t long before she returned with the drinks in hand.

“Sorry for the wait! Here’s your coffee float and melon soda float.”

She placed the beautiful glass cups on the table with a light thud.

It’s gorgeous, Renner thought.

The insides of the transparent glass reminded Renner of the palace garden. The juxtaposition of the lush green drink and white soft cream atop it was nothing if not stunning.

“Please enjoy!”

The waitress gave her usual line and disappeared to help the other customers. Upon seeing her leave, Renner immediately grabbed the spoon sticking out of the soda float.

First thing’s first…a bite of the soft cream.

Renner had an order to things, so she started with taking a bite of the frosty, white treat at the very top of the glass. She pierced the soft, slippery mountain of cream with her spoon and brought it to her mouth.

Mm. This soft serve stuff really is delightful.

Renner’s smile deepened as the frosty flavor and aroma filled her mouth. The so-called “ice cream” that Shareef brought her some time ago was delicious and varied, but soft cream was far superior as far as she was concerned.

Unlike ice cream, soft cream was both soft and smooth, just as the name implied. It didn’t take much for it to start melting. Even when paired with the otherworldly ice that didn’t leave behind water once it vanished, soft cream couldn’t survive a trip home. In other words, it could only be eaten at this restaurant. And since ice cream could be ordered as takeout, Renner made it a point to choose soft cream to go with her melon soda float every time.

Mm, mm. Next is the soda.

After taking a bite of the soft cream, Renner turned her attention to the straw sticking out of the cup. She sipped on it lightly, drawing out the green liquid from within the glass. Her mouth was overwhelmed by the refreshing sweetness of the soda. Unlike the soft cream, the melon soda’s flavor reminded her of fruit, as its intense sweetness danced across her tongue.

Aaah… It’s as amazing as always. Brother’s missing out by not trying some for himself.

Renner let the melon soda splash back and forth in her mouth while she eyed her brother sipping his coffee float next to her. Shareef wasn’t particularly fond of carbonated drinks. According to him, he just couldn’t grow to like the shocking flavor that came with them. After he ordered it the one time, he never ordered it a second. In fact, the first time Renner visited the Restaurant to Another World, he actively prevented her from ordering a cream soda just out of initial curiosity.

If anything, it’s the combination of sweetness and bitterness in cafa that I find questionable.

On the other hand, Renner was not a fan of cafa, the Sand Nation’s most popular beverage. She just couldn’t make it past the drink’s bitterness. The “coffee” served at the Restaurant to Another World was the same sort of beverage, so she had never ordered the coffee float that her brother so adored.

Now then, it’s about time to dig in.

Only after experiencing both the soft cream and the melon soda on their own terms did Renner truly begin digging into the soda float the way it was meant to be enjoyed. She took a bite of soft cream and immediately followed that up with a sip of melon soda. The soft cream’s smooth sweetness and the melon soda’s more shocking sweetness fused together in perfect harmony.

Yeah, that’s the stuff.

This combination of flavors was the true appeal of the soda float. Renner took a moment to treasure it before going for the final piece of the puzzle.

Gotta save the best for last.

This final item was key to completing the drink known as the soda float. Just above the melon soda was a thin layer of crushed ice that served as a platform for the soft cream to float atop of. Renner used her spoon to scoop some of it out from under the icy confines of the soft cream and took a bite. The bits of ice tasted like a mix between the soft cream and the melon soda, while also maintaining its icy texture. It was chaos of the best kind.

The soda float experience is only complete after all three flavors have been tasted properly!

Tremendously satisfied by the fusion of flavors, Renner finished her melon soda float and placed her spoon down.

At that very moment, the door to the restaurant opened, announcing the arrival of a new guest. Shareef’s body locked up. It was clear to Renner who the guest was.

“Welcome!” the waitress called.

“Why, hello, Aletta!”

The young lady had an elegant presence to her yet was still graceful and kind even when addressing those who were technically “below” her. She was the object of Shareef’s affections; the imperial princess herself, Adelheid.

“Renner!” she said. “My friend, it’s been quite some time!”

Adelheid greeted the Sand Nation princess, one of the very few friends she had her age, with a big smile.

“Indeed it has!” Renner answered, then elbowed her brother. “Come now, Brother.”

“Y-yeah, um. Well, I’m glad you look well.”

The fact he was able to deliver a single line was progress, all things considered.

Renner asked, “Would you care to sit with us? I’d love to hear all about the Empire.”

“Oh, it would be my pleasure! Pardon me.”

Adelheid’s expression brightened at the invitation by one of the friends she had made in the Restaurant to Another World, and she naturally sat down next to her. This placed her directly across from Shareef, whose expression grew even more anxious.

“I absolutely must order a chocolate parfait today.”

“Then I’ll have a cola float. Is that okay with you, Brother?”

“C-certainly. Have what you want. I’m feeling a bit chilly, so I’ll take a Vienna coffee.”

Geez, Renner thought. If he was even half as dignified as usual right now, he’d have no trouble winning Adelheid’s heart.

She silently laughed at her older brother.

Well, I suppose it’s a minor miracle that he can even exchange words with her now. That’s progress.

Renner continued thinking to herself, exchanging words with Adelheid, the young woman who could potentially become her future sister-in-law.