Alice gave Shallow Vernal a look of sheer exasperation. The Creator God was currently asserting her dissatisfaction, complaining that she hadn't shared a properly romantic moment with Kaito when she presented her gift.
"I mean, is it really that big of a deal? If you want to get lovey-dovey with him, you can just do it whenever you want after the party's over."
"You only say that because you've already flirted with him to your heart's content..."
"I wasn't flirting! If anything, I was the victim here—I was the one he took the lead with!"
"I have nothing but envy for you. Should I perhaps cross-examine you on why you didn't dodge? After all, you could have easily sensed his intent and stopped it if you wanted to."
"W-Well... I suppose your point is worth considering, Shallow Vernal-sama."
To put it bluntly, Shallow Vernal held all the cards. There were very few beings in existence who could actually argue with her.
Furthermore, Machina was fully in agreement with Shallow Vernal. Even if Kuromueina and Alice wanted to admonish her, they were in a weak position to do so; they had indeed experienced romantic moments themselves, and having that pointed out silenced their objections.
At that moment, Canalis, who had remained silent until now, finally spoke up.
"Hmm. I follow the logic, and I can't say I don't understand why Shallow Vernal feels it's unfair... But what do you actually plan to do about it? We could have her give another gift, or go back in time—there are plenty of ways to handle this."
"Indeed. That is precisely the opinion I seek. The agenda for this emergency meeting shall be as follows: Determining the best method for Lilia and me to be lovey-dovey with Kaito-san."
"Honestly, I wish you’d just do whatever you want... I mean, wouldn't it have been fine if you just included Kaito-san in this Time Stop Exclusion and flirted with him then?"
Alice muttered with an expression of total apathy. She felt that since Shallow Vernal could carry out almost any method she chose, she should just go ahead and do it on her own time.
As the meeting participants realized they needed a concrete proposal to satisfy Shallow Vernal, Electrone—who had been speaking with Machina—raised her hand.
"As this unit is technically an outsider, would a proposal be permitted?"
"I do not mind."
"Then, outputting confirmation... I wish to confirm first that Shallow Vernal does not necessarily wish to give a gift a second time, nor are you strictly bound to the act of gift-presentation itself. Rather, you are dissatisfied that other lovers shared romantic moments while you were left out. Thus, it would be acceptable as long as you can share such a moment within the context of Kaito-sama's birthday party, correct? Requesting response."
"Yes, that is correct."
When Shallow Vernal nodded at Electrone's summary, the android followed suit before continuing.
"Then, outputting the proposal... In that case, how about scheduling breaks? Considerable time has passed since the party began, and although Kaito-sama can choose when to receive gifts and has access to food, I believe he is experiencing fatigue from remaining in his seat as the guest of honor. Therefore, if we establish periods of fifteen or thirty minutes for him to rest in a separate room, Shallow Vernal and the others could spend time with him there. This would allow Kaito-sama to recharge while simultaneously satisfying your demands. The breaks could be divided into several sessions to accommodate multiple individuals. How is this?"
"...You are a truly magnificent god. I hereby grant you permission to visit Trinia periodically from this day forward."
"!?"
Electrone's proposal was, in a sense, the optimal solution. Kaito still had many more gifts to receive, so it was actually better for him to have scheduled breaks.
By arranging for him to rest in a separate room, Shallow Vernal and Lilia could join him there. For Kaito, being with a lover he trusted would make it easier to relax, and for Shallow Vernal, the opportunity to spend a significant amount of time alone with him was a perfect compromise.
Furthermore, this setup favored the timid Lilia as well. She would feel much more at ease in a private setting away from the public eye.
Since the plan offered significant benefits for Kaito as well, neither Kuromueina nor Alice had any reason to object. It was a remarkably precise proposal. Shallow Vernal nodded with an air of great satisfaction, and the proposal was effectively passed then and there.
As for Electrone, the recipient of this sudden and monumental reward, she wore an expression of the most profound shock she had displayed all day.
Serious-senpai: "The fact that lovey-dovey scenes are now a certainty has me shaking, but at the same time... is this really okay? Are we about to see an Awakening Berserk Gorilla?"