The restaurant Fia-sensei and I entered was casual yet refined, with a peaceful interior that felt quite welcoming. The food was delicious, and the meal passed pleasantly as we shared lighthearted conversation.
However, as we neared the end of the meal, the air grew heavy with tension. A prickling sensation radiated from Fia-sensei, who sat before me with a serene smile. I was likely projecting a similar aura myself.
Yes, we both understood. The time for battle was nigh. Her presence was truly something to behold; even without thinking about it, I knew Fia-sensei was a formidable foe.
We had once clashed fiercely during the Six Kings Festival. Back then, Noin-san's interference had left the outcome unresolved, but I had essentially considered it a defeat. In a sense, this was my chance for vindication.
Yet, as I rose to meet this challenge, my mind was remarkably calm. I felt composed, even relaxed. Conversely, I could sense a fair amount of agitation coming from Fia-sensei.
"That was wonderful, wasn't it?"
"Yes. As expected of a place with a high rating from Kuro, it was a hit."
"Chrome-sama is quite the gourmet, after all. Well then, it looks like we've both finished, so perhaps we should head to the register... I'll pay this time. Noin ended up covering the bill during the Six Kings Festival, and I haven't had a chance to properly thank you yet, Miyama-kun."
In that instant, a battle gong echoed in my mind. Fia-sensei had made the first move, playing her strongest card from the festival as her opening gambit to settle the match immediately.
I see. It was a powerful card, indeed. Back then, I’d had no way to counter it, and without Noin-san's intervention, I would have been defeated on the spot.
But that was only because it was "then." At the time, the incident involving her was still fresh, and using "gratitude" as a weapon was an overwhelmingly potent strategy.
Now, however... things were different. Fia-sensei was feeling the pressure. The fact that she had played her strongest card so early was proof. She realized it too. The power of the cards in our hands today was nothing like before.
"Actually, I'd like to take care of the bill today. Think of it as my way of thanking you for that business in the God Realm."
"Ugh..."
Exactly. I might have been helpless during the festival, but now I possessed my own card of gratitude. And I wasn't finished.
"Besides, you've looked after me so much, Fia-sensei. You celebrated my birthday with me, and you even came to my housewarming party. Please, let me return the favor on an occasion like this."
"Ngh... N-No, I was one of the people who enjoyed the housewarming party..."
"I was just happy you were there. And for my birthday, you rushed over on such short notice and even helped get the ingredients for the food. I truly can't thank you enough."
"Gnuuu..."
Yes. In terms of raw card power, I held an overwhelming advantage. Even if we both played every card in our hands, I would win by a landslide.
To finish the match, I played that exceptionally powerful card of gratitude—three times in a row. I could feel Fia-sensei's despair. A Triple Strike of high-value cards. Even if she could nullify one with her own gratitude for that previous incident, she had no way to withstand the remaining two.
Fia-sensei's expression twisted. She couldn't even manage a rebuttal. She was likely searching desperately for a response, but there was no need to wait for her to find a move.
With a smile of certain victory, I reached for the bill—
"...Wait."
"!?"
What? Don't tell me she can turn it around from this position?
"Heh... Hehehe... You made a mistake, Miyama-kun."
"What do you mean?"
"That Triple Strike was a bit too much... It’s strange, isn't it? You had an overwhelming lead. If you had fought a war of attrition, you would have won eventually. So why did you dump all your trump cards right here? Miyama-kun... are you in a hurry to settle this?"
"..."
Had she noticed? In the middle of being backed into a corner, she had found the one path to a counterattack.
"Tell me, Miyama-kun. Big Sis Tre's envelope said to open it once we finished eating, didn't it? Well, let's check it before we pay. Look, there might be instructions on who's supposed to pick up the tab or something."
"Ugh..."
I should have expected nothing less from Fia-sensei. She had forced me into the exact scenario I wanted to avoid. Tre-san's envelope did indeed specify that we check it once the meal concluded.
The problem was the timing: "once the meal is finished," not "after leaving the shop." By setting that specific window, there was a high probability that the instructions concerned the payment.
That was exactly what I wanted to bypass. With my superior cards, I could win a normal fight. My plan had been to settle the bill first, then open the envelope and play it off: "Oh, there were instructions on how to pay? Well, I already took care of it, so no harm done." I had unleashed all my power to secure a quick victory.
Instead, my blitzkrieg had reminded her of Tre-san's orders. Things rarely went as planned. Tre-san's instructions were the ultimate wild card, and I didn't consider them favorable in the slightest.
I didn't know if this would actually help Fia-sensei; the instructions might not even mention the bill. But she had successfully dragged a guaranteed victory back into a toss-up.
"...You really are a tough opponent, Fia-sensei."
"Miyama-kun, you're strong. You are undoubtedly the most formidable foe I've ever faced... but I can't afford to let myself lose so easily."
Serious-senpai: "Seriously... Why is it that the most intense psychological drama since the start of Part Two is a fight over who gets to treat the other!?"
???: "Kaito-san really has a knack for projecting a 'strong-character vibe' in the most ridiculous situations."