I opened Tre-san’s envelope alongside Fia-sensei. The message card inside mine bore the exact same instructions.
"Decide the payment with a game of rock-paper-scissors! *Open envelope number six once you have left the restaurant."
I see, so it was going to be rock-paper-scissors... I could practically feel the waves of joy radiating from Fia-sensei. If this favored anyone, it was definitely her.
For someone who had been on the ropes until a few moments ago, this was the ultimate opportunity for a turnaround.
"Rock-paper-scissors, huh? Well then, let's do exactly as we're told..."
"Hold on a second, Fia-sensei. If we play a normal game, the odds are stacked way too high against me, don't you think? With your reaction speed, you could easily change your hand after seeing what I throw."
"...Well, I suppose that’s true. There’s no helping the gap in our physical abilities."
It was a valid concern. Given my relative lack of dynamic vision and speed compared to her, a standard game would be a losing battle—anyone who had witnessed the absurd Rock-Paper-Scissors Tournament at the festival would know that.
Even if we agreed not to change our moves mid-throw, I would have no way of knowing if she actually cheated or not. I could have asked Alice to referee, but that wouldn't necessarily give me an edge either.
"How about we try this instead?" I pulled a memo pad and pen from my Magic Box, tore off a sheet, and handed it to her. "What if we write our choices on paper and reveal them at the same time?"
"...Fair enough. That would be equal. All right, Miyama-kun, I’m throwing paper."
She really was something. Declaring her hand like that was a psychological tactic designed to counter the luck-based correction of Shiro-san’s Blessing. It was a clever move on her part, but ultimately, it would be in vain.
"I see what you're trying to do, Fia-sensei, but don't worry. As far as rock-paper-scissors is concerned, Shiro-san’s Blessing doesn't apply."
"Oh? Is that so?"
"Yeah. I had to play against Aoi-chan and Hina-chan once, and I asked Shiro-san to adjust it so it wouldn't be unfair. There won't be any supernatural luck helping me here."
"...Understood. Then it’s a truly fair match."
I wasn't lying. I really had asked for that adjustment, which meant that in a standard game, I had no guarantee of winning.
Accepting my explanation, Fia-sensei turned away to write on her paper. I did the same. After a moment, we both finished and placed our notes face-down on the table.
"...You took your time, Miyama-kun. Were you really that conflicted?"
"Well, knowing the bill is on the line makes you think twice. But let's cut the small talk and finish this."
"Right. And if it's a draw?"
"Then we rewrite them."
"Got it. Here goes... One, two, reveal!"
We flipped the papers simultaneously. I had paper; Fia-sensei had rock.
"I win," I said.
"Gah... I-I lost..."
Fia-sensei hung her head in frustration. I picked up the check with a triumphant grin.
"...So frustrating... Wait, what's this? Miyama-kun, why does your paper have creases? Why did you fold it and then open it again... Ah!?"
She muttered to herself before her eyes widened in realization. She’d figured out the trick I had set.
"You... you did it! You cheated, didn't you!?"
"Now, whatever could you be talking about?"
"Don't play innocent! Those folds in the paper... You wrote down all three options on different slips and 'drew one at random like a lottery,' didn't you?! Shallow Vernal-sama’s Blessing might not work on rock-paper-scissors, but it does work on a lottery... That’s how you did it!"
"Impressive, Fia-sensei. You're exactly right. Though, for the record, I didn't break any rules. Neither of us said we weren't allowed to pick our hand that way."
I let a smirk play across my lips. Everything had gone exactly as I’d planned.
"I proposed this format specifically because a standard match would have been a coin toss even if you didn't cheat. By turning it into a lottery, I created a situation where my luck correction could take effect."
"Gu... gununu..."
"And that's not all. I only mentioned the Blessing not working on rock-paper-scissors to distract you from the possibility of a lottery. The moment you agreed to these terms, your defeat was guaranteed."
"Funuuuu... You're a bad boy, Miyama-kun!"
Realizing she’d been outmaneuvered by a superior strategy, she looked utterly defeated.
"It was a good match, but I take the win this time."
"Ugh, so annoying! Don't think this is the end. I might have lost today, but I'll pay you back double next time!"
"And I'll just beat you again."
I gave a fearless laugh while she pouted, and before long, we both broke into giggles.
"...Seriously, what are we doing?" I asked.
"I know, right? Getting this worked up over who gets to pay for lunch... it's just absurd."
"Well, it was fun in its own way."
"It really was. Miyama-kun, thank you for the meal."
"You're welcome."
We laughed together once more, and after I finished the payment, we walked out of the restaurant together. I had a feeling that this silly battle had brought me just a little bit closer to Fia-sensei.
Serious-senpai: "What’s truly insane is that they aren't fighting to avoid paying. They're competing over who gets to pay..."
???: "Well, I suppose they really are cut from the same cloth after all."