Whether our departure followed Pattern A or B, there probably wasn't a world of difference between them. Given how packed the Founding Anniversary Festival was bound to be, coordinating a meeting at the venue would have been nearly impossible; meeting up beforehand was essentially a necessity.
Of course, if anyone could find a way to meet up under any circumstances, it was Shiro-san, but our current arrangement wasn't particularly out of the ordinary.
We finished our delicious breakfast and chatted for a bit until the time felt right to move.
"It’s almost time for the opening. Shall we head to the venue?"
"Yes. Indeed, the timing seems perfect."
Shiro-san nodded at my suggestion and stood up. In an instant, the table and chairs vanished, and our preparations for departure were complete.
All that was left was for Shiro-san to teleport us to the venue... but she simply stood there, staring at me with no sign of actually initiating the magic.
As a side note, traveling on my own was out of the question. The Sanctuary was under a powerful Teleportation Interference effect, rendering standard teleportation magic tools useless. While the Gate Magic Tool in my room could bring me to the Sanctuary, it only functioned as a return trip; it couldn't be used to go anywhere else from here.
"...Um, Shiro-san? Are we not leaving?"
"We are, but haven’t you forgotten something important?"
"Eh? Something important?"
What could it be? Nothing came to mind immediately. However, based on my experiences with Shiro-san thus far, I had a nagging suspicion she was about to say something strange.
"I haven’t received my Going-out Kiss yet, so I cannot depart."
"...Huh?"
So that was it. I see, I see. As far as tropes went, it was a classic... but was I allowed to object? Wasn't that something usually reserved for when one person was leaving and the other was seeing them off?!
At the very least, it wasn't the kind of thing you did when you were about to head out together.
"Hmph, is that so?"
"Well, I feel like you're picturing a newlywed life rather than a cohabitation scenario, but as a situation for leaving the house, it is definitely a classic. It’s just... it doesn't really fit when we're both going together."
"I see. Even 'going out' has various conditions depending on the circumstances. This is quite difficult."
"It is. Well then, now that we've cleared that up, shall we go?"
"No. I haven’t received my Going-out Kiss yet, so I cannot depart."
...Something was wrong. We were looping. I had just explained why it wasn't appropriate for this situation, and Shiro-san had nodded as if she agreed.
So why were those exact same words coming out of her mouth again? What was that "I see" for if she didn't intend to change her mind?!
"I fully understood what you were trying to say, Kaito-san. Including the fact that it isn't strictly appropriate for this situation."
"Eh? Then..."
"That is one thing, but my desire to kiss you is another. Understanding your logic and choosing not to kiss are two separate issues."
"..."
I was certain my face currently defined the word "speechless." Her response—one that completely lacked logic and simply bulldozed through everything with sheer force of will—was almost refreshing.
She understood my point perfectly, but she wanted to kiss me regardless. When she put it like that, I didn't have a leg to stand on.
"..."
"...Er, well, then... excuse me for a second."
"Don’t stop at a second. Please, take as much as you like."
"No, a second is plenty..."
Faced with Shiro-san’s expectant gaze, I admitted defeat. I placed my hands on her shoulders as she requested, leaned in, and gave her a light kiss that only briefly brushed her lips.
If we were calling this a Going-out Kiss, this was probably the right amount... Besides, kissing Shiro-san always felt way too good. If I didn't go into it with a firm resolve of when to stop, I’d lose my self-control, and that would be dangerous.
"Is there really a need to stop? These lips are yours to do with as you please, you know?"
"...L-Let's just go already!"
"Very well."
The way she said things like that with a perfectly composed face was both her greatest charm and her most terrifying quality. Still feeling the heat in my cheeks, I set off once more with Shiro-san, bound for the Hydra Kingdom and the festivities awaiting us there.
Serious-senpai: "Wh-What a surprise attack. She’s going full throttle right out of the gate... As I thought, this woman is dangerous..."