I pondered our situation as we strolled through the Lower Level. We hadn't been at the White God Festival for very long, yet I’d already crossed paths with three people I knew.
"You’d think it would be harder to run into acquaintances in a crowd this big," I remarked.
"...No, to be honest, it just feels like the usual Miyama-sama to me. See? Milady and the others are taking it in stride."
"So they think this is just par for the course... By the way, shifting gears for a second, I realized you're always wearing that maid uniform, Luna-san."
"Well, as a matter of fact, I am a maid."
I understood the logic, of course, but Illness-san—who was also a maid—wore casual clothes on her days off. I even remembered seeing Luna-san in private clothes once when I ran into her in the city and visited her home. She’d been wearing something casual, and she’d had a fairly good sense of style. Yet, she’d worn the uniform for both the Treasure Tree Festival and the Six Kings Festival.
"Is it a personal policy? Like, do you feel you have to wear it when you're out with Lilia-san?"
"No, there’s no specific reason. It’s just... well, it’s the outfit I spend the most time in throughout the year, so it’s what I find most comfortable."
"Ah, I see."
It was probably like how some students stayed in their school uniforms even after getting home. I thought I could understand that sentiment.
"Besides, since Milady is dressed as she usually is, it feels natural for me to remain in my uniform. You’ve seen them once before, Miyama-sama, but my own clothes tend to be quite rugged."
"I remember. They were stylish, for sure, but the vibe was definitely different from Lilia-san’s."
"Exactly. Of course, I could always just buy something in a different style... If you're so inclined, would you like to buy some for me, Miyama-sama?"
"Do you want me to?"
"...Now that you mention it, you are incredibly wealthy, aren't you?"
Luna-san chuckled happily at my response. Personally, I wouldn't have minded at all if I ended up buying her something. She had helped me out in countless ways, so a few outfits felt like a small, almost inadequate way to say thanks. If only she didn't have such a mischievous side, I could probably express that gratitude more directly.
"My, my. As expected of the heartthrob who charmed my two best friends in the blink of an eye; your words are on another level. Are you planning to woo me at this rate and go for the full set?"
"I have a feeling that if I actually tried, I’d be able to seize the initiative from you in a heartbeat."
"...Please refrain from such realistic analysis. In truth, the gap in our experience points is simply too wide. It puts me at an overwhelming disadvantage."
"I wonder if experience points are really the only factor here."
"...What is with that knowing look in your eyes...?"
To me, Luna-san felt similar to Alice. She was perfectly fine as long as she was the one playing around and "attacking," but she was weak when the tables were turned. In fact, despite her acting like a precocious girl and teasing me, her reactions to Noah-san suggested she was actually quite innocent.
"...Ugh. What is this feeling? This unpleasant sensation that I absolutely cannot win... I'm calling a truce."
Luna-san looked around as if searching for an escape, but everyone else was occupied with their own conversations. Realizing she had no backup, she eventually raised both hands in a gesture of surrender, her face a mask of resignation.
"Fair enough. Oh, look, Luna-san—there's a roasted marshmallow stand. Want some? I’m pretty sure you like marshmallows."
I didn't actually want to tease her any further, so I accepted the truce and changed the subject, pointing toward a stall that had caught my eye.
Luna-san let out a soft sigh. Her expression was a complicated mix of frustration, exasperation, and a hint of genuine enjoyment.
"...Honestly, you’re becoming a very difficult person to tease. Of course, I’m the one who doesn't think that's necessarily a bad thing..."
"Luna-san?"
"No, it's nothing."
I asked her to repeat herself since I hadn't caught it, but she just insisted it was nothing. Then, she flashed a smile that felt a little younger and more vulnerable than usual.
"...Well, since the opportunity is here, shall we go buy some? I’m sure a playboy of Miyama-sama’s caliber would never dream of inviting a lady only to make her pay her own way."
"You never miss an opening, do you? Fine, fine. Since I’m the one who invited you, of course I'm treating."
"As expected of Miyama-sama. Such kindness... the heart of the unworthy Lunamaria simply won't stop throbbing."
"You’re being way too dramatic."
"Hehehe."
Her mischievous laugh felt softer than usual—so much so that it actually made my heart skip a beat.
Serious-senpai: "...Could you stop with the sudden sweet and sour moments? For me, it’s like being slapped across the face out of nowhere..."
???: "And what about these sudden lovey-dovey developments?"
Serious-senpai: "That’s like having a freak meteor fall on your head. And if I may add one thing... freak meteors fall quite often in this series."