The restaurant Alice had reserved was located on a slight rise within the capital. In this particular district—or perhaps the entire surrounding area—not a single street stall was in sight. The atmosphere was so quiet and refined that it was hard to believe the Founding Anniversary Festival was currently in full swing.
"It’s surprisingly peaceful here," I remarked.
"This is the high-end shop area, frequented mostly by the wealthy," Alice explained. "Street stalls are prohibited. Because the citizens have a lot of political power in the Hydra Kingdom, people often mistake it for a bastion of equality, but the wealth gap is actually quite pronounced. They have decent welfare systems to prevent slums from forming, though."
"I see. Well, I suppose that’s inevitable. In an innovative nation where entrepreneurship is so active, there’s bound to be a divide between those who strike it rich and those who don't."
It stood to reason; not everyone could be a winner. A disparity in wealth was only natural, so it wasn't particularly strange to see a luxurious district like this.
The Hydra Kingdom seemed to attract a vast number of tourists, and I recalled that Laguna-san had put a great deal of effort into tourism, even going so far as to build artificial beaches. Looking around, the High-end Shop Area appeared to be meticulously designed as a premier destination, complete with beautifully paved roads and stylish streetlamps.
After taking in the sights, we stepped into the restaurant and were guided to a window table with a spectacular view. Alice had already handled the reservation, so our menu was set. When the waiter asked about drinks, I decided to order a red wine that complemented the restaurant's sophisticated air.
Heh. I’ve visited enough high-end establishments by now to think of myself as something of a connoisseur... but that would be a lie. Honestly, I can’t tell the difference in quality unless the vintage is on some transcendent level like Shallow Grande.
"Still, don't you think sitting across from each other and toasting with wine feels like a real adult date?" Alice asked.
"It definitely feels like something straight out of a drama. It might be a bit of a cliché, but I suppose there's a reason people love it."
"Exactly! A high-rise restaurant with a night view, an elegant dinner, and then—a surprise gift!"
"You really do love those tropes, don't you?"
"Now, now, Kaito-san. Don’t underestimate me. Just how many years do you think I've spent being a hopelessly awkward virgin? Since I’ve only ever experienced romance through fiction, my head is filled with nothing but the classic clichés. I’ve always longed for them."
Alice had a deep-seated love for romantic, traditional scenarios. Setting aside the fact that she usually got so flustered she couldn't handle them calmly in practice, she often took the initiative to experience the situations she had long admired—this restaurant being a perfect example.
"...Oh, but you seem much more composed than usual tonight," I noted.
"Fufufu, well, it's like this. When I think about what’s coming after this, this dinner is nothing at all. Or rather... I’m desperately trying not to think about the rest of the night. I’m pouring every ounce of my mental energy into that, which has ironically made me very calm for the present."
"..."
I considered calling her out as she gave me that Doyaaa Face, but I had a feeling that if she actually became conscious of the reality, she would lose her ability to function. I decided it was best to keep my mouth shut. After all, she had been panicked enough to physically dig a hole and try to bury herself earlier. Her current "composure" was merely a pitiable bluff born from a desperate refusal to look ahead.
Still, I felt a bit bad for her. Because Alice was so hyper-aware and nervous, I found myself feeling remarkably relaxed. It’s a strange phenomenon—seeing someone even more panicked than you makes you regain your own cool.
"Well, unfortunately, I don't have a surprise gift for you," I said.
"Ahaha, honestly, I’d be shocked if you actually had something ready."
If I had known we were going to end up in a situation like this, I might have prepared something, but since I’d had zero prior information, my hands were empty. Alice knew that, of course, and she gave me a cheerful, wry smile.
As if timed perfectly, our food began to arrive. True to the high-end setting, it was a French-style course meal served in elegant stages.
Alice didn’t gorge herself like she usually did. Instead, she used her knife and fork with refined, graceful movements. Her sophisticated manners were genuinely beautiful, and in the soft light, she seemed far more adult than usual.
Finally, just as we finished the delicious meal and were enjoying a bit of post-dinner wine while waiting for the fireworks, a waiter approached. They were carrying a lovely cake adorned with crackling culinary sparklers.
"...This is a surprise cake for Alice-sama, from Kaito Miyama-sama."
"...What?"
Alice stared at it blankly, but I was just as stunned. A surprise I knew absolutely nothing about had suddenly materialized under my own name. Wait... what? How is this happening?
Serious-senpai: "They used the kanji for Kaito's name instead of just the phonetic katakana. On top of that, taking the lead to support Alice's romance like this..."
Machina: "Heh. She really is a high-maintenance best friend..."
Serious-senpai: "I knew it was you!"