That was supposed to be the end of the extension.
On the way to a restaurant I’d looked up in Kuro’s food guide, Serious-senpai suddenly came to a halt and began shouting at the void.
"No, what do you mean, 'extension of the extension'?! It looked like things ended perfectly with the last one! What more do you want me to do?!"
"…Serious-senpai, what’s wrong all of a sudden?"
"Kaito, this is bad. The world is still demanding something from us."
"…Something? Like what?"
My current impression was that she had simply started spouting nonsense again, but she seemed incredibly earnest about it. I had no idea what exactly she was seeing, but I could tell that some kind of unexpected situation was unfolding.
"It’s probably that. Based on how things are flowing… it’s a Date!"
"…I—I see. Well, since we’re going to eat together, I suppose you could call it a Date in the broader sense of the word."
"Damn it, world! Just how much do you intend to make me suffer?! …Ah, wait. It’s not that I hate going on a Date with you or anything; it’s a completely separate matter, so don’t get the wrong idea!"
"Ah, okay."
She was saying all this with a look of pure desperation, but before we even got to the part about "wrong ideas," I didn't understand the situation at all. Still, the way she rushed to add that clarification made me feel that she was fundamentally a good person.
"Anyway, for now, is it alright if we just head to the Tandoori Chicken Shop?"
"Ah, right. That’s perfectly fine. Sorry for stopping."
"No problem. Well then, shall we go?"
As usual, her emotions shifted at the speed of a Jet Coaster. She had been fuming just a moment ago, but now she had switched gears as if nothing had happened.
"…By the way, I’ve been wondering. Serious-senpai, you’re the Incarnation of Seriousness… essentially a materialized concept, right?"
"Indeed. I am the one who loves seriousness and is loved by seriousness—the serious among the serious. I am the King of Serious, Serious-senpai. What of it?"
The word "serious" was starting to lose all meaning, but I had the feeling that if I actually tried to interrogate her logic, I’d be the one losing the argument. I chose to push past it and ask my next question.
"I mean, can you actually do anything special? For example, can you make other people act serious?"
"Hmm… Well, if I had to say… maybe complaining about Heartwarming or Lovey-dovey developments while praying for a Serious Development?"
"…Isn't that just someone watching Television? Do you have any, you know, special abilities?"
"I have an extensive knowledge of trivia!"
"Wait, isn't that just a regular person?!"
Not only was that my impression, but even after asking her directly, she seemed to have zero "serious" elements. How could she call herself the serious among the serious in this state? In a way, that groundless confidence might be her greatest strength.
"Oh, and I can spit sugar, or undergo Sugarification… I can pretty much transform into any kind of sweet. I’m not sure if that qualifies as a special ability or just a weird part of my biology, though."
"…Instead of the Incarnation of Seriousness, aren't you just the Incarnation of Sweets?"
"It’s not like I can transform whenever I want. It’s more like… when I witness a Lovey-dovey Development, the Serious Factor in my body triggers a rejection response and mutates me… or something like that."
"You don't even understand your own biology?!"
Her existence was so vague and full of mysteries that asking questions only made things more confusing. It seemed even she was in the dark.
"…Sigh. Well, if you don't even know yourself, I guess there’s no helping it."
"Urgh… I’m sorry for being such an unreliable Serious…"
"No, no, it’s not that you're unreliable… It’s true that you're a strange person and a bit of a mystery, but I can tell you're a good person. Honestly, I quite like you."
"Wh—Wha?! Y-Y-You… D-Don't say such ridiculous things! D-D-Don't think you can conquer me so easily!!"
"No, I didn't mean it in that way…"
"But well, in deference to your courage, I wouldn't mind going to a cafe or a Date after our meal! I’ll even permit skinship up to a certain point! But keep it strictly all-ages!!"
"…Ah, okay."
Was it just my imagination? Although I hadn't intended it that way, seeing her reaction made her seem so incredibly easy that I felt like she’d cave if I just gave her a little push.
Well, she really was a strange person… but one way or another, she was interesting to be around. I realized once again that I didn't dislike her at all.
???: "…"
Serious-senpai (Captured): "Wh-What’s with that look…?"
???: "No, it’s just that I finally understand the meaning of that label next to your name… Honestly, it’s rich coming from me, but… you’re way too easy."