Trouble at the Dinner Table???

 Once everyone got their food, it didn't take long for their hunger to override their natural senses. First to cave in was Maya, who couldn't wait any longer to devour her personal pot of pulled pork with Oyakodon on the side. One can argue that she hasn't eaten in weeks by how swiftly she was consuming her food.

 Gale was no far better, starting off slow before the taste hits her tongue. The near nostalgia caused her tail to tap the ground, slightly shaking the area around them due to its weight. Slowly but surely she began to eat at a faster pace, in coherence to her ravenous appetite.

 Ume was the most polite out of them, taking her time to savor the meal. Though, Gale's thumping tail caused her to slightly choke for a split second. It wasn't until she tried to take a sip of her tea that the shaking caused a fair amount to splash against her face, scalding the rodent.

 A sudden yelp caught the attention of her friends, ceasing their unsavory behavior to try and assist her. The only problem was that they forgot to ask for any napkins. With the staff still busy and the bathroom being a distance away, a tinge of panic befell the group.

 "Excuse me, but I couldn't help but notice that there seems to be a bit of trouble here." A tall birdkin resembling a secretary bird approached the party. His attire exemplifies regal nobility with the glistening, golden sashes that were strapped across his black gi.

 He took note of the troubled rodent and knelt down in front of her. "Just a moment. The pain will go away quite soon." Pulling out a handkerchief, he imbued the fabric with an ephemeral glow, coating it in a thin layer of what appeared to be solid water.

 One touch was all it took to calm Ume down as he continued to wipe her face. Once he was finished, Yua finally made it to the group with an alarming look on her face. "I-Is everything alright?!" Though it seems her worries were for naught.

 "Don't worry Miss. It only appeared to be a slight mishap, but it's all taken care of." The man stood to his feet, meeting eyes with the panicked Yua. One look was all it took to replace her distress with shock as she noticed just who the man actually was.

 "M-Mr. Shouji I-I-..." She couldn't formulate her words properly, fidgeting nervously as she tried to speak. However, the man only smiled and placed a hand onto her shoulder.

 "You're free to run along now. I'm sure it must get pretty busy in this establishment. Just, try to be more professional from here on out ok?" There was something strange about the way he spoke to her so casually, but those words sent butterflies through Yua's heart.

 She timidly blushed before heading off to take care of the remaining customers as Ume finally was able to open her eyes. "That really stung... Thanks for your help sir-." Upon realizing who the man was, she froze in place, tensing up as if she's seen some kind of supreme being.

 Her friends gathered around her out of concern as the man turned his attention towards them. "Was there something I miss?"

 "No no!!! Everything's fine... Just was a little caught off guard. That's all..." She tried to play it off, but the man took a better look at her, realizing something.

 "Ah~. Now I see it. You're the most recent Champion of the Tournament aren't you?" His expression turned into one of interest as he tried to step closer, but was intercepted by Maya and Gale.

 "Look buddy. We're grateful and all for helping out our friend, but that's about enough of whatever it is you're trying to pull here." She stood in front, facing the man with a glare as Ume started to panic.

 "That's enough Gale!" Ume mustered enough courage to shout at her friend.

 "You can't seriously be on this guy's side right?!" Gale was confused. She wondered what kind of influence this man could possibly have to affect the situation like this.

 "I'm sorry, but that 'man' happens to be the Twilight Prince! You can't just talk to them any kind of way."

 "And here I thought I did my best hiding the fact." The man scoffed to himself before taking a glance at the gi that Gale wears. There was a brief scowl, but his composure remained the same.

 "The flowers of youth are truly a sight to behold. Alas, I suppose it was my mistake for appearing as a brute. Maybe I'll take my chances and leave. It has been a delightful treat to see all of you."

 Just like that, he left the restaurant, leaving a sense of concern in the air as Gale turned to face Ume. "I suppose this is where I owe an apology of some kind huh?..."

 "sigh~... It's ok... Just try to be careful next time, but I do appreciate the incentive of standing up for me." Things soon went back to normal as the group went back to their meals while conversing with one another.

 Yua had made her rounds back to the group, taking up the dishes they were long finished with. "I do apologize for not arriving sooner... Even with a full staff, this place tends to have its hectic moments."

 She bowed in apology, but Maya waved her hand. "You weren't in the wrong. We are a bit protective when it comes to one another. Especially that one." She giggled pointing towards Gale.

 "Way to rub it in..." Gale snorted before kicking back in her seat, making an audible thump against the ground with her tail.

 Yua could only chuckle nervously as she listened to their slight banter. "Mr. Shouji normally doesn't come around here at this time. Guess something has happened at his estate..."

 This piqued the group's interest. "So you happen to know something about him? I may have a few ideas in mind, but I'd very much like to hear the dirt you got~."

 "Just give me a moment to finish my shift. It's better if we discuss matters away from the restaurant. Don't wanna give the place any bad vibes."

 Everyone agreed on the arrangement and within a few hours, the four left to the streets. Eager as ever, Maya prodded for information until Yua eventually gave.

 "It's more of a passing rumor; so only take this with a grain of salt ok?" Once everyone nodded, she continued. "Lately there's been a chain of disappearances over the past few years. It wasn't noticeable at first, but it certainly got a bit noticeable over time.

 What was strange was that the reports always came from a forest nearby his estate. Sometimes you'd find an item or two along the riverside but that's the least of concerns. What some suspect is that he has something to do with the disappearances or have a connection of sorts to the incidents.

 If you ask me, it's hard to say. Especially for a person of his status. Like think of what would happen if one of our own figureheads were part of something this heinous."

 Despite it all being a speculation, the girls couldn't help but to ponder the possibility. It definitely would spell calamity for not only the village, but the entire Eastern Hemisphere as a whole.

 "And here I thought he was trying to be some sort of playboy. We saw how you looked at him." Maya teased, causing Yua to redden in the face while looking away.

 "I mean... It's obvious he's handsome. I just don't handle men very well... He's a bit of a cassonova I admit. Even if he wasn't my type, it's just some sort of odd attraction that occurs naturally."

 As they discussed, they came across a local street performer, trying to make a living by playing their biwa near the central fountain. Both Ume and Gale stopped to listen to the performance while Maya kept Yua company.

 "The finals are right around the corner huh..?"

 "Yeah... The penultimate showdown to determine the next Champion is surely upon us."

 "You use a lot of big words for simple things you know that?"

 Ume giggled coyly in response. "Perhaps so. Though you admit it doesn't change the fact that we're still friends."

 "Heh. Suppose I am used to it by this point but say... About that whole 'Promise to the Stars' thing..."

 "Yeah???" Ume looked at Gale inquisitively.

 "It may sound a little cheesy, but I'd like for us to have something like that."

 "You mean that you'd like for us to be friends for life?"

 "Yeah... Friends forever..."

 They looked to the sky, watching the stars come out as the performer played a tranquil tone. It even caught the attention of Maya and Yua, who all assembled with the others to share the moment. It was this night that marked the beginning of a blossoming friendship.