After my date with Isis-san concluded, I normally would have headed straight back to the Central Tower for dinner. However, since I had promised to eat with Lilia-san and the others today, I sent word to Kuro and the rest of the group before making my way toward our meeting spot.
As I stepped out of the Central Tower, a familiar figure was already there waiting for me.
"Oh, Lunamaria-san. Did you come all the way here to meet me?"
"Yes. The popular restaurants are quite crowded, so I had Milady and the others head on ahead of us."
"I see. Thank you."
"Think nothing of it... By the way, Miyama-sama?"
"Yes?"
After I offered my thanks, Lunamaria-san gave me a smile that seemed to say it was no trouble at all. Then, her expression shifted into something uncharacteristically solemn as she spoke.
"I have been meaning to ask you something for quite a while now..."
"What is it?"
"Why... do you still call me 'Lunamaria-san'?"
"Huh?"
The question, delivered with such a serious face, was entirely unexpected. I stared at her, blinking in confusion, as I waited for her to continue.
"In the six months since Miyama-sama arrived in this world, I believe I have 'devotedly attended to you' as an honored guest."
"No, I have absolutely no memory of that."
"And thanks to those efforts, the bond between us should have become quite intimate by now!"
"..."
Hey, don't just ignore me, you no-good maid. Setting aside the question of whether we're intimate or not, I have zero recollection of being "devotedly attended to." If anything, you've spent every possible waking moment trying to tease me! You've definitely set me up more than a few times!
"And yet... I still feel a wall between my heart and yours, Miyama-sama!"
"Actually, as we speak, an even thicker wall is forming in my heart. It's getting much higher, you know?"
"I say this myself, but I pride myself on having supported Miyama-sama through numerous trials. We have faced hardships together; I consider our relationship to be that of comrades-in-arms."
"Seriously, what kind of presumptuous role are you trying to force yourself into? That's entirely your own self-delusion."
"However! Even so! There remains a great wall between us!"
"..."
She wasn't listening to a word I said. It was like I wasn't even part of the conversation. This no-good maid was dodging every single point I tried to make.
I was utterly exasperated, but judging by her behavior, she wasn't going to let this go regardless of how much I denied her claims. I let out a heavy sigh and gave her the opening she was looking for.
"Fine. In the end, what is it you're trying to say?"
"I am so glad you asked! What is lacking between you and me... is quite simply how we address one another!"
"Sigh..."
"Kusunoki-sama and Yuzuki-sama call me 'Luna-san' with such affection, and yet Miyama-sama is the only one who still uses 'Lunamaria-san.' Don't you think this is a matter that requires immediate correction?"
"Well... it's just... I don't really feel close enough to you to use a nickname..."
"Excuse me, Miyama-sama? I've been letting it slide, but you've been dropping some rather vicious insults lately, haven't you? It's not like I'm immune to being hurt, you know!"
So, in short, she wanted me to call her Luna-san? I had complained reflexively, but it wasn't as if I actually disliked her.
She might be a hopeless person who put far too much effort into messing with people, but she had her reliable side, too. When I was seriously troubled, she was always there to listen and offer sincere advice.
"I understand. Fine. From now on, I'll call you Luna-san."
"Y-Yes. That is exactly what I wanted."
"Why are you looking away?"
"N-No, it's just... hearing you actually say it is a bit... a little embarrassing."
Despite being the one who demanded it, she actually looked shy now that I’d said it. Luna-san turned her head away, her cheeks tinged with a faint blush. I'd suspected it for a while, but was she actually surprisingly bashful?
"Well, I know I said some harsh things... but I do trust you, Luna-san."
"I-I see..."
"I think I just end up being blunt because you're so easy to talk to. I'm sorry about that. I'd be happy if we could keep being friends."
"N-No, well, I knew you were joking, so there is no need to apologize. I-I don't dislike Miyama-sama either. In fact, as a person, I think quite highly of you... I feel reasonably favorable toward you, even..."
"..."
"Why are you laughing?"
When I expressed my feelings straightforwardly, her reaction was exactly what I’d expected—maybe even more so. Luna-san became flustered, stammering about how she didn't dislike me. Seeing her react like that made a smile spread across my face, which earned me a suspicious look.
"Don't tell me... did you do that on purpose?"
"No, well... it's just that you have some pretty cute sides to you, Luna-san."
"Y-You...! You're teasing me! You played with my pure heart! Since when did you become such a wicked man!?"
"Consider it my usual retaliation. Though, the part about trusting you was true."
"G-Grrr..."
I laughed again at the rare sight of Luna-san looking genuinely frustrated, then I began to walk.
"Come on, Lilia-san and the others are waiting, right? Let's hurry."
"Ugh... T-This humiliation... I will definitely pay you back for this one day."
"I'll look forward to it."
"Kuuuuuuu!"
Biting her lip with a bright red face, Luna-san followed after me. Seeing this different side of her was actually quite fun. I was a little worried about the inevitable counterattack, but for now, it was fine.
Dear Mother, Father—She is a prankster with plenty of flaws, but in the end, I think of Luna-san as a precious and reliable friend. I'm a bit nervous about the retribution that's surely coming my way, but I think this kind of relationship isn't so bad.
Serious-senpai Act 3: "Humans grow by facing hardships... Yes, even while being swallowed by a raging wave of sugar, I shall return again and again! Having gained even greater power!!"
[Serious-senpai has evolved into Serious-senpai Act 3] [HP increased by 500,000] [Attack Power increased by 20] [Defense Power increased by 20] [Serious Power 'decreased' by 2]
Serious-senpai Act 3: "...Eh? W-Wait a second... that last part... huh?"