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Looks like they set up a temporary stage. Not sure which band is performing on this street though.

Don't you think that's much more interesting than some barbecue? Look at all the people there - what if that's some famous musician...

Hey, who hit me?!

Watch out.

Ah, uh.... Um, th-thank you...

Woah, that's rad! They're way too awesome! !

I've never heard this band before! The scene here is even better than I imagined...

I knew I made the right call. Enjoying some good music is way better than barbecue in the middle of the summer! I don't know when they're releasing their next album, but I'll definitely buy it!

I see how it is. You're just not into barbecue...

You only now realize...?

Alright, let's drop it. By the way, where's your purse?

...Huh?

I could've sworn I had it with me...

Are you looking for this?

Eep!

What have you done? How could you just strike me like that?! Gyaaaaaaaah, my arm! Aaaargh!!

Stop your sniveling. It's not broken.

I hate noise. Should I shut you up some other way?

(Gurgles strangely as if his throat is being pinched)

Here.

Oh, my purse!

Two watches, four wallets, and a woman's bracelet. It seems that being immersed in music can indeed cause one to let her guard down. Everyone is alike in that regard.

It must've been quite easy to get your hands on these things. Otherwise, you wouldn't have the gall to do it again and again.

Wh-what are you talking about?! These are mine! They belong to me...

Rubbish.

Your slipshod lie is an utter waste of my time.

Y-yeah! That clearly is my purse!

Huh? There really are thieves running around? Maybe those black suits back there were chasing after thieves!

Black suits? They are not so well-intentioned.

Make sure to hold on to your things. If there is nothing else, I need to bring this one to his other victims.

Wh-wh-wh-what are you talking about?! What victims?!

Let me go right now or I'm reporting you to—

Silence.

Gyaahhhh! !

Um, Mister, of course, we believe you're in the right, but how do you know where these other victims are?

How could you find them?

...People like these often wait in places where crowds gather, specifically targeting foreign tourists before making off with their ill-gotten gains.

This is a repeat offender.

I made sure of this when I saw him strike the second time. I then followed him for five blocks to find his group's hideout.

Don't act so surprised. You'll be able to see the others soon, at the police station.

The one with the scar is your leader, right? He was pretty capable, and took me a bit of time.

...You even caught Old Tom? Tch... Should've said so earlier. All right, if you're that capable, I'll give up this time.

Heh, you've been caught, and you're still talking big?

Siesta is our city. What the hell do you know? So what if I'm caught? I'm just gonna get locked up for a bit...

You piece of... Forget it, there's nothing worth saying to someone like you. Hey, Mister. I really can't thank you enough.

Don't worry about it.

Ah, wait, wait up! Where are you going?

I don't need any reward.

I was simply on the way to help my friend sort out some trouble. Just took a little detour.

Don't say that! Let me show some appreciation!

Besides, you're pretty cute. Want to get barbecue together?

I heard there's a stall with a line around the block, the food there is supposed to be amazing. Since we're on vacation anyway, how about heading down together to give it a try? I'll treat you~!

Wait a second... Didn't you just say you weren't into barbecue??

That was a totally different situation though?

That should wrap it up for this batch of customers. Do we still have time? Also, the fire's starting to die down. I need to add more charcoal.

I got you! Watch this!

Is this the barbecue stall everyone's been talking about? Hm, I must say, this does look quite promising.

But, the charcoal you're using...

Haah? Wait up, who the hell are you? Stop messing with my stuff!

Hold up, that weapon of yours. I swear I've seen it before... Lemme think... Eyy, no, no hints! I know I've seen you somewhere before!

Nnnnnnngh... Aren't you the one following the Doctor around a while ago? Ah, no, that's not right. That guy doesn't look like you. 'cept he was wearing a black cloak, and his sword wasn't that long.

I got it! You're the guy who was running circles around the deck yelling his head off, right?! I knew it! I'm sure of it! The one time that mean lady from Yan ran out screaming all those bad words, she was scolding you, wasn't she?

Ifrit, the one running around was Mr. Elysium.

I actually remember what he was yelling: 'I'm the one who drank your smoothie!'

Miss Leizi was upset with him because she left the smoothie in the refrigerator.

Why was he yelling something like that then? Makes no sense. If you're gonna do something bad, why shout it out to everyone?

And how'd you find out anyway, big-ears?

Because he and I were betting on whether the next operator to pass would be male or female. He lost.

I was the one who passed by.

The hell? And I get treated like a kid?

Sorry to interrupt, but your meat is about to burn.

Had you turned it over thirty-six seconds ago, you might've still been able to achieve a medium-well state. If you turn off the heat now, you could still have a chance to save the flavor.

Also, if I'm not mistaken, the charcoal you just added to the stove is damp, and within the next ten seconds, there is a 73% probability that it will explode.

Hmm, considering the current state of the smoke and the attendant sparks, I'd have to increase that probability by ten percentage points.

Uhh...

Uhh...

Uhh— Pffffff! *cough* *cough* Pffff! Pffff!

Damn it, why does this busted old stove just decide to explode? Can't you control it a little better? I barely gave it any heat at all!

*cough* *cough* Sorry, it's my fault. I shouldn't have tried to do that after all. I thought it'd be fine if I just helped grill something...

Huh? Nah, you didn't do anything wrong.

I'm very sorry, Ifrit, Mr. Thorns. And to all our guests as well. I will compensate you for your losses.

...I'm not going to hold you back any more, Ifrit. It's all you now.

In other words, you're quitting? Just giving up?

No. It's not that I'm giving up, I just don't want to cause any more trouble.

This wouldn't be the first time, or the second. It's the same as when I was on the ship. Every time I enter the kitchen, there's always some kind of accident. Every time, without fail...

Then, try again.

...Eh?

If there's something you don't know, go learn it. If you fail once, fail a second time. If you fail a second time, fail a third time. Now that you know the cause of the accident, avoid it next time.

Compensation is unnecessary. Accidental explosions of this magnitude occur all the time, and are insubstantial.

Ifrit, I...

How long are you going to slack off?

Huh? Huh?

I said, how long are you going to slack off?! C'mon, damn it! Hold this! I wanna get the stove set up again!

Stop gawking and get back to work already! You're the one who ran over here asking to help out, so don't you dare think of slinking off!

Hurry it up! Once it's done, you grill the next batch of meat. I'll change the charcoal!

Me? Are you sure?

Got a problem? Nobody ever said you can't. Or, did you decide that yourself?

Tch, what a pain. This box is buried so damned deep in the sand, and it's so heavy you can't even dig it out.

Hey, where's the pepper? Why the hell is there no more pepper? Argh...! This is pissing me off!

Excuse me, I've heard of some delicious barbecue being sold here. Would you happen to know where that is?