It was the 25th of the Month of Earth. Three days had passed since the major event at Amalie-san’s birthday party, where Lilia-san had finally achieved her long-held ambition.
At the moment, I was facing a bit of a predicament. You see, during that party, Lilia-san had given me an incredible surprise by kissing me. That moment had made her feelings clear, and at the same time, it had allowed me to reconfirm my own. That part was fine.
The problem was that, in the three days since, not only had there been no progress, but things had become incredibly awkward. Since that day, Lilia-san had been actively avoiding me. Whenever I tried to strike up a conversation, she would hurriedly cut me off and scurry away to parts unknown.
The cause was obviously that kiss. From Lilia-san’s perspective, she had essentially confessed her feelings, and I knew her well enough to understand that she was currently in a state of utter, shy panic. Because I hadn’t given her a formal answer yet, she was likely feeling anxious and simply didn’t know how to act around me.
The real issue, however, was that she fled the instant I tried to bring it up. The conversation never moved forward; I wasn’t even given a window of opportunity to tell her how I felt. And she wasn't just avoiding me—she was making a full-on break for it. The second the topic even drifted toward the kiss, she would vanish from my sight with incredible speed. I was at a total loss.
"...And that’s the situation. What do you think I should do?"
"I see. So that was why Lili was acting so strangely back then... Hmm."
Sieg-san tilted her head with a troubled expression after hearing my story. I had decided she was the most reliable person in the mansion to consult, but even for her, this seemed like a difficult puzzle to solve.
"Knowing Lili’s personality, she’ll just keep running if you’re too forceful. On the other hand, letting things drag on like this is also... It’s a dilemma. However, I think a steady, grounded approach would be best."
"Oh? What kind of approach?"
"Yes, that would be—"
"I heard everything!"
"Whoa!?"
"...Lunamaria-san?"
A sharp voice cut Sieg-san off. I turned toward the sound to find Lunamaria-san leaning against the wall with her arms crossed. Why was she posing like that? And she could really stand to lose that infuriatingly smug look on her face... it was already starting to get on my nerves.
Lunamaria-san let out a wicked, mocking smirk and touched a finger to her forehead.
"It seems the time has come for me, the renowned Pilot of Love, to take charge!"
"Lunamaria-san, aren't you embarrassed to say things like that?"
"Why the deadpan reaction?! M-Miyama-sama... a good man is supposed to go with the flow in a situation like this, you know?"
"I-Is that so..."
Honestly, I didn’t think this self-proclaimed Pilot of Love was reliable in the slightest. She wore a grin as if she were savoring the drama, remained silent for an overly dramatic beat, and then nodded deeply at us.
"I have a great idea!"
"No, I'm good."
"Wait a minute?! Miyama-sama!?"
"So, Sieg-san. About that grounded approach..."
"And now you're just ignoring me!?"
I already knew whatever she had to say wasn't going to work. I could tell without even listening. Besides, the level of trust I had in Sieg-san compared to Lunamaria-san was night and day. Between the kind, sincere Sieg-san and the twisted Lunamaria-san, who lived to tease people, there was no question as to who I should be consulting.
Still, she seemed awfully confident. Maybe I should at least hear her out? I had absolutely no expectations, though. It was Lunamaria-san, after all.
"...W-What is it? I feel like Miyama-sama is insulting me terribly in his head for some reason..."
"Sigh... fine. Go ahead and tell me, just in case."
"I have prepared a spare key to Milady’s room right here—"
"Rejected. Thanks for your time."
"That was fast!?"
"...Luna, try to be at least a little serious."
Just as I thought—it was some nonsense about a midnight sneak-in. I was a fool for having even a shred of expectation. I decided to go back to ignoring Lunamaria-san and turned back to Sieg-san, who looked just as exasperated as I felt.
"Sieg-san, could you tell me your idea again?"
"Oh? Ah, yes. Well, it’s a bit of a cliché, but I think giving her a present would be best. It’s almost Lili’s birthday, so that should serve as a natural opportunity to talk."
"Lilia-san’s... birthday?"
Rather than the plan itself, the mention of Lilia-san’s birthday caught my attention, and I found myself asking for clarification immediately.
"Yes. It’s on the 7th of the Month of Wind, right before the Month of Light."
"Wait, isn't that very soon!?"
"Hmm, that is quite a good idea, Sieg. We were already planning a small party here at the mansion. If you were to give her a moving gift then..."
"...Are you still here, Lunamaria-san?"
I was exasperated by how nonchalantly she rejoined the conversation, but I had to admit the idea was solid. There were twelve days until the 7th of the Month of Wind, including today. If I prepared a gift by then, I’d have plenty of time.
Besides, Lilia-san was always taking care of me; she had even provided my formal wear recently. I had been looking for a way to repay her kindness. This was a way to create a chance to talk while also giving her a proper thank-you—it killed two birds with one stone.
"That really is a wonderful idea. Thank you, Sieg-san! I knew I was right to ask you!"
"I-Is that so? Well, if it makes you happy, then I’m glad too."
"Really, Sieg-san, you’re always helping me out..."
"That’s not true. If anything, Kaito-san is the one who is always helping me."
"...If you two are going to flirt, could you please take it elsewhere?"
Feeling genuinely grateful, I reached out and took Sieg-san’s hands. She blushed and gave me a shy, flickering smile. Watching her adorable reaction filled me with a sense of happiness—until I heard Lunamaria-san’s voice, sounding utterly fed up.
"Kaito-san, if there is anything I can do to help, please let me know."
"Thank you. That’s very reassuring."
"Well, I suppose it can't be helped... This humble Lunamaria shall put her all into this for the sake of Miyama-sama and Milady—"
"No, thank you."
"Wait a minute?! Miyama-sama, your attitude toward me is way too different from your attitude toward Sieg! Are your lovers really that important to you!?"
"Yes."
"Guh... M-Miyama-sama, you’ve certainly learned how to speak your mind."
Setting aside Lunamaria-san's suspicious offer of help, I had a plan thanks to Sieg-san. I decided to start moving toward that goal immediately.
Dear Mother, Father—Because of what happened before, Lilia-san and I have been missing each other lately. To resolve this and finally convey my feelings to her, I have decided to carry out Operation: Present.