Once Blossom’s performance concluded, I gave the Garapon lottery machine another spin.
"Sieglinde."
Oh, another one of my partners had come up right after Fate. Before long, Sieg arrived, escorted by Ein.
"Hello, Kaito. Happy birthday."
"Thank you. How are you finding the party, Sieg? Are you enjoying yourself?"
"Yes. Thankfully—or perhaps I should say somehow—I’ve been able to enjoy the food and the shows without any real trouble. Though Lili still seems to be having a hard time..."
"She’s busy acting as a judge right now, after all. Still, she looks fairly relaxed to me, at least from here."
"I suspect that while she’s judging, she doesn't have to worry about being cornered by famous figures or high-ranking nobles. Wouldn't you agree?"
"Ah, I see..."
Now that she mentioned it, the judge’s table might actually be a sanctuary for Lilia. She was flanked by her close friend Chronoa, the sociable Kuro, and Canalis—who stayed at my place and spoke with her often. For Lilia, it was probably a gathering of the few people she felt truly comfortable with.
"Still, if we're talking about who has it rough, it’s definitely you, Kaito. This party is on a staggering scale..."
"You're telling me. I wonder... is it going to be like this every year?"
"They went through the trouble of creating a literal world just for your birthday, so I imagine they intend to use it again."
"That makes my stomach ache just thinking about it. Though, I suppose this is better than causing an absolute panic back in Trinia. It's a trade-off, I guess."
"Hehe, true. Oh, I shouldn't keep you too long or the next talent act will start. Here is my gift."
Sieg held out a medium-sized package—big enough to hold clothes. It felt light and soft in my hands. A sweater, maybe?
"Thank you. Just from the feel of it, I’m guessing it's a sweater?"
"Close. To be honest, I didn't trust my own taste enough to pick something that wouldn't overlap with everyone else's gifts, so I went with something out of season. It’s a scarf."
My birthday was in the summer, during a relatively warm time of year. While the weather in Sinfonia was generally stable, the season for scarves was still months away. By choosing something out of season, she’d effectively guaranteed it wouldn't be a duplicate. She had a point.
"The design is similar to the one I use. They're from the same guild, so it’s the same brand."
"Matching items, then? It’s definitely not the season yet, but I can't wait to wear it."
"Ah... well, you see..."
"Hmm?"
Hearing my words, Sieg looked a bit bashful, scratching her cheek as her eyes darted away. She eventually gave a wry smile and explained.
"...It's not exactly 'matching' per se. It’s a pair item... a scarf for two."
"Oh, right. I think I've seen those before."
They were a staple of romance dramas and manga—one giant scarf intended to wrap around two people. That explained why the package was big enough for a sweater. I'd known about them, but I'd never actually seen one in person. It was an interesting gift, to say the least.
"Yes. I was going to buy a normal one, but I saw that at the shop and... well, I thought it would be wonderful if we could go on a date with us both wrapped in it."
"I've heard of them but never tried one, so I'm curious. And like you said, Sieg, a date like that sounds like it would be a lot of fun. It's a bit too hot for it now, but let's definitely do it once it gets cooler."
"I'd love that."
I caught her infectious smile and felt my own grin broaden. I was genuinely looking forward to it. Since we'd be bundled up together, maybe we could even visit a colder region like the Arclesia Empire. Either way, I was already excited.
Serious-senpai (Absolute Lovey-dovey Mode): "My friends, I love romance. My friends, I love fluff. My friends, I love sugary-sweet, lovey-dovey developments! (Wait, what?! Why is my mouth moving on its own?!)"
???: "...Is that so?"
Serious-senpai (Absolute Lovey-dovey Mode): "I love unrequited love! I love mutual pining! I love confessions! I love mixed baths! I love sharing a bed! I love lap pillows! I love dates! I love hugs! I love kisses! (Stop it, you idiot! Cut it out!)"
???: "..."
Serious-senpai (Absolute Lovey-dovey Mode): "In the meadows, on the beaches, at school, in the parks, at the cinema, at the amusement parks, at home, in the streets, in the bathrooms, and in the bedrooms! I love every conceivable romantic act performed in this world! I love the moment a man and a woman who were once mere friends suddenly realize their feelings! My heart leaps when they become awkward after realizing their love, or when they become conscious of each other over the trivialities! I love it when relationships that are 'more than friends but less than lovers' finally progress during events like Christmas or Valentine's Day! It makes my heart race to see them agonize for days over their preparations, only to turn scarlet as they finally hand over a gift or chocolate after nearly backing out! I love the first date after a couple officially starts dating! I am moved by how they become nervous the instant they are lovers, even though they have gone out together countless times before! The moment they finally steel themselves to hold hands is simply irresistible! Should they hold hands normally? Should they interlock their fingers? That subtle maneuvering born from mutual affection is the absolute peak of fiction! And when their conversations and events pile up until the atmosphere reaches its zenith, the resulting kiss scene sends me into a state of pure ecstasy! I love it when a relationship evolves into the nauseatingly sweet fluff of a doting couple! Watching them define each other's personal space as their own, snuggling together and talking as if it's the most natural thing in the world—it is truly exquisite! I love watching a rapid-fire succession of romantic events! While a single, delicately drawn scene is beautiful, it is the height of bliss to be whisked from one romantic depiction to the next in a whirlwind of heart-throbbing scenes! (This is definitely the work of that insane god!!)"
???: "...Is the absurd amount of dialogue part of the tinkering?"
Serious-senpai (Absolute Lovey-dovey Mode): "My friends, I desire lovey-dovey developments! Readers, you who watch this unfold alongside me—what is it you desire? Do you wish for more fluff? Do you wish for a romance so sweet it makes your teeth ache? Do you wish for the lovers to take the stage one after another in a relentless onslaught of affection?!"
Auditory Hallucination: "Lovey-dovey! Lovey-dovey!"
Serious-senpai (Absolute Lovey-dovey Mode): "Very well! Then lovey-dovey you shall have! We shall relegate the next talent act to a brief summary and move immediately to the next lover! (Gah?! No! Stop! Why are you skipping the break, you moron?!)"