Conflict can spark from the most unexpected places. Even among friends, clashing over the smallest things is a fairly common occurrence.
Indeed, our little skirmish broke out the moment we finished lunch.
The three of us had consulted a guidebook and ended up at a restaurant specializing in dishes made with Wyvern meat. Wyvern meat is high-end, but not prohibitively so; it's a popular choice for those looking to treat themselves. If the Red Dragon meat I'd had before was the equivalent of highest-grade A5-rank beef, Wyvern meat was more like high-quality domestic beef—excellent, but lacking the designer label.
With Bell and Rin in tow—especially Bell, who had a bottomless pit for a stomach—we had prioritized quantity over pedigree.
We finished our meal in the VIP seat that had been prepared for us as usual. I felt awkward about accepting a free meal, so I was just about to stand up and settle the bill properly when the first shot was fired.
"Oh, Miyama-kun. Let me handle this."
"Eh? No, please, it's fine. This one is on me."
"..."
"..."
At that moment, I heard the metaphorical starting gong ring in my head. Fia-sensei—being cut from the same cloth as I was—must have heard it too.
Thus, the fierce battle between me and Fia-sensei began.
"I'm a man, Fia-sensei. I'd like to maintain at least a little dignity in a setting like this. Call it a matter of pride."
I opened with my first move—a jab centered on my masculine pride. It was a classic, well-worn opening, but one with a proven track record of success.
Fia-sensei didn't miss a beat. She returned my jab with a calm, knowing smile.
"No, no. In situations like this, the elder should be the one to pay."
As expected of Fia-sensei. She understood exactly which cards she held and played the perfect one to parry my attack. She was a formidable opponent.
"But Bell was the one who ate the lion's share, wasn't she? It wouldn't be right to let you cover her tab. As her owner, it's my responsibility to pay."
I shifted my angle. Since Bell’s portion accounted for the vast majority of the bill, using my status as her owner made for a logical, hard-to-refuse strike. It was a heavy straight punch following my probing jab. Now, how would she respond?
"Miyama-kun, you helped me so much recently. It feels a bit pathetic that this is the only way I can express my gratitude, but I really want to repay you, even if it's only in some small way."
"Guh..."
She brought that out now? The "debt of gratitude" argument was a high-power move, likely the strongest card in her hand. A standard rebuttal wouldn't cut it. Even if I argued that I hadn't wanted anything in return, she would just double down on the fact that I had saved her. If I tried to argue based on my wallet, she’d counter with her feelings. I was being forced onto the defensive.
Damn, she was tough.
"If we're talking about help, I'm the one who's always relying on you, Fia-sensei. You've taught me so much, and I'm still grateful you gave Lilia-san and me the chance to go on that trip."
I had to counter by bringing up my own debts, but my words lacked her momentum. I was purely in damage-control mode, hoping for a opening.
"I'm glad you feel that way, Miyama-kun. But really... reconciling with Chrome-sama meant the world to me."
"I only gave you a nudge. Reconciling with Kuro was your own doing. What I did was trivial."
"Perhaps. But I couldn't find that 'trivial' nudge on my own for years. That is why I have more gratitude for you than words can say."
"I only did what I wanted to do. It was just a selfish whim; I wasn't looking for a reward."
"Even if it was a whim, it doesn't change the fact that you saved me."
"Kh..."
It was a fight on the edge, like walking on thin ice, and my disadvantage was clear. I was being completely pushed back, driven to the point where I was forced to use the weak arguments I’d already dismissed. Fia-sensei’s lips curled into a smirk. I was out of cards. I was about to be overwhelmed.
"There you go. That's the exact amount. Thank you!"
""Wait... what?""
"How long are you two going to keep this up? I've already settled the bill, so let's get moving."
""Eh?""
An ambush. A sudden intervention by a third party. While Fia-sensei and I were locked in our verbal duel, Noin-san had quietly stepped away and handled the check. She looked at us with an exasperated expression.
"This one is my treat."
""Ah... yes. Thank you for the meal.""
Once the payment was made, there was no going back. We had both lost. Fia-sensei and I slumped our shoulders in disappointment and thanked Noin-san properly. As I watched Noin-san walk out of the restaurant, I caught Fia-sensei's eye.
"A draw, then?"
"Indeed. But I won't lose next time."
"Me neither."
"Fufu."
"Ahaha."
Before I knew it, Fia-sensei and I were sharing a firm handshake. Precisely because we recognized each other as worthy rivals, we wore smiles of mutual respect. There was a certain bond there—one only understood by those who have truly clashed.
Dear Mother, Father—just as I suspected, Fia-sensei is exactly my type... and a master of the craft. Though the tides of battle were turning against me, in the end, the first showdown between me and Fia-sensei ended in a draw.
Serious-senpai zero: "Wyverns are usually pretty strong monsters, right? Maybe not last boss material, but they've got mid-boss potential... yet here they are, being sold as common food. They're basically commodities..."
Wyvern-senpai: "Tell me about it!"
Serious-senpai zero: "We've both got it rough, huh?"
Wyvern-senpai: "I mean, I only ever show up as edible meat... and I'm still treated like garbage... but seeing the word 'Wyvern' actually appear in the main story still makes me a little happy, even if it's pathetic."
Serious-senpai zero: "I feel you."