Chapter 2: Princess welcome party
“—Had quite the fun night, didn’t you?”
When I woke up in the morning, Aira-chan was standing by the bed, looking down at me with a sly grin.
“…Could you not start the morning with statements that could be so easily misunderstood?”
Still groggy from just waking up, I took a moment to process her words before responding.
Sure, from a certain perspective, you could say I was “having fun.”
After our date, Luna’s clinginess had reached new heights, and she’d kept snuggling up to me in bed, refusing to sleep for quite a while.
Her affection last night was even more intense than usual.
In the sense that I got to fully enjoy my adorable, affectionate girlfriend, Aira-chan’s comment wasn’t entirely wrong.
But if a third party overheard her words, they’d definitely assume something else happened.
And if that misunderstanding spread, who knows what people would say?
—Well, Aira-chan probably just wanted to fluster me right after waking up.
Though, I’m pretty sure she’s the mastermind behind last night’s escalation…
“How dull.”
“Don’t toy with your lady’s fiancé.”
Aira-chan pouted with dissatisfaction, and I shot back with a wry smile, deliberately using polite language.
Her fearless attitude never ceases to amaze me.
“Today’s Lady Luna’s welcome party, right?”
Completely ignoring my retort, Aira-chan tilted her head cutely.
She’s got quite the personality, this one.
“Yeah, it starts this afternoon. Honestly, being the only guy among a bunch of girls makes me pretty nervous.”
Even if it’s a friendly class, being the sole boy feels like stepping into enemy territory.
I couldn’t back out since they’d cornered me, and I do want to celebrate Luna’s welcome—but still, I can’t help hesitating.
“Lady Luna feels the same way.”
“Huh?”
Her unexpected words made me tilt my head in confusion.
“She’s accustomed to appearing in public and conversing with strangers, but she’s not used to spending time with peers her own age. Beyond her desire to be with you, Lord Seito, I believe Lady Luna wanted you at the welcome party because she feels uneasy.”
Aira-chan revealed the true reason Luna had invited me to the event.
Honestly, it hadn’t even crossed my mind.
Luna had seemed to get along with our classmates so quickly, always chatting with them with a bright smile.
Plus, as a princess, I figured she’d be used to social settings and handle them with ease.
“I see… That makes sense.”
When you think about it, being surrounded by people you barely know would feel daunting.
Even if we’d spent a week in the same classroom, that’s hardly enough time to truly know someone.
Aira-chan’s words shifted my perspective on the welcome party. I’d been thinking, Why me?—but if Luna was feeling anxious and relying on me, I wanted to step up and support her properly.
“—Now that’s a good look. As expected, he’s honest and dependable when it counts.”
“Hm? What’d you say?”
I noticed Aira-chan muttering something in English while looking at me, so I asked her about it, but—
“Oh, nothing. I was just saying how Lady Luna’s sleeping face is as adorable as ever today.”
Apparently, it had nothing to do with me.
As always, she’s Luna-first.
Well, that just shows how captivating Luna is.
◆
“—I’m off, Aira.”
After lunch and some downtime, Luna, now dressed in her usual refined casual clothes, gave Aira-chan a gentle smile.
We were about to head out, just the two of us, for her welcome party.
Though, knowing Aira-chan, she’d probably follow us discreetly.
The reason she wasn’t joining us openly was to avoid being spotted by classmates who might invite her to join. For Aira-chan, who wanted all the attention on Luna and for Luna alone to be welcomed, that wouldn’t do.
“Have fun, my lady. And Lord Seito, since you’re the only man there, please be careful not to get carried away and make a move on other women.”
Aira-chan flashed Luna an adorable smile before turning to me with a mischievous smirk.
“As if I would…!”
I immediately shot back in denial, but—
“Hehe, of course not. Lord Seito would never do something so dishonorable.”
Luna chimed in agreeably, but then she quietly took my hand.
It was a lover’s clasp—but, despite her words, it felt oddly like she was staking a claim…?
For some reason, I could almost see a dark aura lurking behind Luna’s smile…
“The date has made her possessiveness even stronger, hasn’t it?”
Aira-chan muttered something as she observed us, her tone calm and detached.
How can she look so uninvolved?
Thanks to her, I’m getting unwarranted suspicion thrown my way!
—Or so I grumbled inwardly.
“Of course I wouldn’t.”
Not wanting to let Luna stew like this, I flashed a smile and gently patted her head to soothe her.
“Ah… ehehe.”
Luna, who loves having her head patted, instantly rewarded me with an adorable smile.
The childlike grin she rarely shows in public but frequently shares with me when it’s just us (and Aira-chan) always makes me happy. It’s proof she trusts me, and knowing I’m one of the few who gets to see this side of her (aside from Aira-chan) gives me a sense of exclusive joy.
That aside, Aira-chan was nodding with satisfaction, but… did she plan this? Did she provoke me on purpose, knowing I’d end up patting Luna’s head?
With Aira-chan’s knack for reading people and predicting outcomes, it’s entirely possible.
“—Alright, shall we go?”
Seeing Luna’s content expression after more head pats, I took her hand, and we left the apartment together.
◆
“—Is this the venue?”
After getting off the train and walking for about ten minutes, Luna looked up at the café with an excited sparkle in her eyes, turning to me with a question.
It’s probably her first time at a place like this, and a welcome party from classmates isn’t something she’s experienced often, so she must be looking forward to it.
“Yeah, apparently it’s run by a relative of one of our classmates, and they’ve reserved it just for us.”
The details had come through a chat app, but one of our classmates had a relative who owned this café and arranged for us to use it. With twenty-one girls, including Luna, plus me and Ms. Sagami, that makes twenty-three of us—plenty of space, they said. They’re letting us use the drink bar for free as long as we place orders, which is a kind gesture, so the owner must be a generous person.
“Let’s head in, then.”
“Ah…”
As we moved to enter the café, I let go of Luna’s hand, and she let out a soft, wistful sound.
I wanted to grab her hand again right away, but she didn’t seem keen on showing her clingy side to others, so I steeled myself and held back.
Honestly, I was dying to pamper her right then and there.
“—Aren’t you two going inside?”
“—!?”
A sudden voice from behind startled me, and I whipped around.
Standing there was Ms. Sagami, wearing a gentle smile.
“Oh, hi, Ms. Sagami!”
“Hello.”
I quickly bowed, while Luna gave a graceful nod with a bright smile.
“Hehe… Hello. It’s been since yesterday, hasn’t it?”
Ms. Sagami returned our greetings with a warm, relaxed smile.
She’s always kind, but today her smile seemed even softer than usual.
Maybe it’s because of what happened with Mi-chan yesterday.
“Is Mi-chan doing alright?”
Feeling like it’d be awkward to end the conversation there, I asked casually, like making small talk.
“She’s so lively it’s almost too much to handle. She’s been clamoring to see her ‘big sister Lunara’ and everyone else, so I even considered bringing her today.”
Yeah, I had a feeling, but it sounds like Mi-chan gave Ms. Sagami a hard time after we parted ways.
Since we had to prioritize Luna, we had no choice but to leave Mi-chan with Ms. Sagami, essentially dumping the responsibility on her.
I feel really bad about that.
Still—her comment makes it sound like Ms. Sagami’s the one looking after Mi-chan…?
It nags at me a bit, but it’s a sensitive topic, so I can’t just ask.
“It would’ve been nice if you’d brought her…”
Luna’s voice carried a hint of guilt, likely picturing Mi-chan crying her eyes out.
Being so kind, she probably can’t bear to dismiss a young child’s wishes.
Even if today’s her welcome party, it’s clear she’d prioritize a little kid’s feelings.
“I’d have been relieved, but today’s Alford-san’s welcome party, after all. It wouldn’t do to let her steal the spotlight.”
Ms. Sagami shook her head with a resigned smile.
If Mi-chan had come, she’d probably try to monopolize Luna.
It’s easy to imagine Luna and everyone else prioritizing the young Mi-chan, which would derail the entire welcome party.
Ms. Sagami has a knack for slipping barbs into her gentle words, but in moments like this, she handles things with the maturity you’d expect from an adult.
“And don’t worry—I left her with my mother, so there’s no issue at all.”
…Well, yeah.
I’m sure having an escape plan helped, too.
If Ms. Sagami’s mother is Mi-chan’s grandmother, then it sounds like they don’t live together, judging by the way she said “left her with.”
“I feel like we did something awful to Mi-chan…”
“It’s fine. Just come play with her another time. How about next Monday?”
Ms. Sagami brushed it off casually, but she was quick to lock in a plan.
Next Monday—that’s tomorrow!
She must be eager to sort out Mi-chan’s situation soon.
Considering how attached Mi-chan was to Luna, I can easily picture her crying and throwing a fit, so I get where Ms. Sagami’s coming from.
“Lord Seito…”
“Oh, yeah, sounds good, right?”
Luna glanced at me, checking my reaction, so I flashed a quick smile.
I don’t mean to brag, but I’ve got pretty much no plans most days, and Luna keeps her schedule open for me.
So, playing with Mi-chan after school tomorrow should be fine.
Though, since it’ll probably be after Ms. Sagami’s done with work, it’ll be a bit later than right after school.
“Then it’s settled.”
Perhaps determined not to let us slip away, Ms. Sagami finalized the plan before Luna could even nod.
Despite her gentle demeanor, this teacher moves fast.
And just like that, it was decided—we’d be playing with Mi-chan tomorrow.
“—Oh, they’re here, they’re here…!”
As we stepped into the café, most of the girls from our class were already seated at the tables.
Or rather, I think everyone was there.
“Did we get the time wrong…?”
We’d arrived about ten minutes early, but it was clear the others hadn’t just gotten here.
The tables were covered with classic shortcakes—sponge cakes wrapped in whipped cream, topped with strawberries—alongside an assortment of chocolate cakes.
There were cheesecakes, roll cakes, and so many other varieties it felt like we’d stumbled into a cake buffet.
More tellingly, everyone already had drinks poured and set in front of them.
Even if they’d started pouring as soon as they arrived, with this many people, they must’ve been here for a while.
“Oh, no, it’s not that! We told Alford-san, Kiriyama-kun, and the teacher a later time on purpose. We wanted to get the venue ready, you know, so we could start right when Alford-san arrived.”
The one who explained was a cheerful girl with brown hair tied back in a ponytail—Sari Suzumiya-san.
To put it simply, she’s diligent, upbeat, and a social powerhouse.
The class representative for the girls, she can get along with anyone.
She probably took the lead to make sure Luna would enjoy herself.
“Thanks for the thoughtfulness, Class Rep. No wonder the place looks so amazing.”
Judging by the antique-style furniture, brick walls, wooden floors, and dim spotlights hanging from the ceiling, this café normally has a quiet, refined atmosphere.
But now, it had been transformed into a vibrant welcome party venue, adorned with origami and vinyl pom-poms covering the walls.
A large sign reading “Alford-san Welcome Party!!” was prominently displayed, with “Welcome to Class 1-C!!” written beneath it.
It might look a bit childish, but the enthusiasm to welcome Luna came through loud and clear.
It must’ve taken a lot of effort to set this up.
“But, was it okay to do all this…?”
I’m thrilled they’re welcoming Luna, but this is just a borrowed space.
Even if a relative runs the place, I worried it might be a hassle for them.
“It’s fine, it’s fine! I got full permission from my aunt. In fact, she was so excited she even helped out. This mountain of cakes? She went all out making them.”
The Class Rep gave a wry smile, gesturing toward the cakes.
I see—so it’s not like the girls greedily ordered a ton of stuff.
—Wait a second…
“Huh? The classmate with a relative who owns a café… that’s you, Class Rep?”
“What? Yeah, that’s me. You didn’t know?”
How would I? The message I got just had the details I passed on to Luna…
Oh, well.
I’m the only guy, so I wasn’t in the group chat with the girls.
“Haha, got it—”
[…]
I was about to nod to the Class Rep when I felt a tug-tug on my sleeve.
Looking down, I saw Luna’s hand gripping it.
When I met her gaze, expecting to see her pouting with puffed cheeks—instead, she was beaming at me with a bright smile.
But that smile lacked her usual warmth and gentleness, feeling almost… pasted on.
Oh, no… She’s hiding it because we’re in public, but she’s definitely sulking inside…
“Oh, uh, I’ve still got some prep to do, so I’ll head off!”
With that, the Class Rep flashed a dazzling smile and scurried away.
She probably picked up on Luna’s cryptic expression.
Her sharp intuition is part of why she gets along so well with everyone.
—That aside, wasn’t the Class Rep supposed to show us to our seats?
Since she approached us, I assumed that was the plan…
“For now, let’s sit down?”
Deciding it was best not to address Luna’s mood directly, I spoke to her with a smile.
There were clearly two empty seats at a six-person table, so that must be our spot.
I’d just guide her there.
“Indeed. Hello, everyone.”
Luna released my sleeve and turned a smile toward the group.
This must be how she charmed the public back home.
The girls, dazzled by Luna’s radiant smile, erupted into excited cheers.
…Even hiding her status, she’s insanely popular…
“—Luna, you take the middle seat.”
Since it was a six-person table, I had Luna sit in the center.
That way, I’d be at the edge, not next to anyone but her.
That should keep my jealous girlfriend at bay for now.
By the way, sitting on Luna’s other side, opposite me, is the Class Rep.
She’d made up an excuse about preparations to slip away, yet here she is, right next to Luna.
…Well, she probably reserved the spot beside Luna without expecting that to happen.
“E-Everyone except Alford-san and Kiriyama-kun will rotate seats on a time schedule, so keep that in mind.”
“Understood.”
The Class Rep, sounding a bit flustered, explained the plan, and Luna responded with an adorable smile.
I have to hand it to Luna for not directing her earlier jealousy at the Class Rep.
The reason they’re sharing four seats among everyone is likely because of Luna’s popularity.
Everyone at the welcome party must be eager to talk to her.
But since it’s not a standing buffet, everyone has to sit, which limits how many people can chat with Luna at once.
They don’t want to overwhelm the guest of honor, but it also wouldn’t do for a welcome party if only a few people got to talk to her. That’s probably why they couldn’t assign fixed seats.
Even so, I appreciated their kindness in keeping me next to Luna for her sake.
They could’ve had me rotate, too.
“I’m grateful for the thoughtfulness, but—”
I understood they were being considerate of Luna and me by letting me stay put, but leaving an extra seat open would mean more people could talk to her.
That’s what I was thinking, but mid-sentence, Luna suddenly gripped my hand tightly under the table.
In a lover’s clasp, no less.
It didn’t take much thought to figure out why she did it.
She wants me to stay by her side.
Maybe, like Aira-chan said, she’s feeling a bit anxious.
“—Sorry, never mind.”
Since Luna’s the star of this event, and I want to prioritize her feelings, I took back my words.
“…♪”
Clearly pleased that I’d backed off, Luna flashed a bright, beaming smile.
She was even humming softly.
…And she didn’t let go of my hand.
Is she planning to keep holding it through the whole welcome party?
No, surely she’ll let go when it’s time to eat, since it’d get in the way… right?
“You two, I’ll grab some drinks for you. What do you want?”
While I was distracted by Luna, a girl sitting across from us spoke up with a smile.
Since everyone else already had drinks, she must’ve been waiting for us.
Even Ms. Sagami had a cup of tea in front of her.
That woman’s as sharp as ever—when did she even get that…?
“No, it’s fine. I’ll go get them myself.”
In student gatherings like this, the drink bar’s usually the go-to.
But Luna’s probably never used a drink bar machine before.
Since she seems eager to experience typical student life, I want her to try even little things like this.
“Oh, you’re free to use the drink bar, but if you want tea or coffee, you can order from this menu. I mean, this is a café, after all.”
Having regained her composure, the Class Rep held out a menu.
True, since this is a café, ordering tea or coffee could be nice.
They likely pride themselves on those as much as their cakes, so they’re probably delicious.
And given Luna’s royal background, she might prefer tea.
Better ask her directly.
“Luna, what do you think?”
“Hmm…”
Luna glanced at the menu, looking thoughtful.
But soon, she turned her gaze to me.
“I’d like to try the drink bar.”
It seems she was curious about it herself and decided to go for it.
“Alright, let’s go get some drinks.”
“Ah…”
As I stood up, Luna’s eyes darted to our clasped hands under the table.
Her gaze then met mine, and with a reluctant expression, she slowly let go.
She probably didn’t want to stand up still holding hands to keep up appearances.
If she hadn’t let go, I would’ve, so the outcome’s the same.
But—her hesitant, endearing demeanor made me want to pamper her so badly.
No… Luna’s just too adorable. I’m dying to spoil her right now…
She’s trying so hard to hold back, so if I gave in and spoiled her, it’d defeat the purpose.
I’ll hold off until we get home.
And then, I’ll spoil her to my heart’s content.
With that in mind, I headed with Luna to the drink bar machine.
The whole time, I felt eyes on us from every direction.
Everyone, having finished setting up, was probably staring at Luna and me.
I wished they’d just chat among themselves until the party started—but given how much attention Luna attracts, that might be asking too much.
Especially since they all seem dying to hear about the “fiancé” thing.
“—Here, Luna.”
Trying to ignore the stares, I handed Luna a drink bar cup.
“Thank you.”
She gave me a bright smile as she took it, then turned her attention to the machine.
“So many buttons…”
Luna stared at the drink bar, letting out a small gasp of wonder.
It must seem novel to her.
“Yeah, there’s a lot. Anything you want to try?”
Finding her curiosity adorable, I asked.
“I’ve never tried any of these… Could you recommend something, Lord Seito?”
Luna looked up at me with a playful, almost coy expression, her cheeks faintly flushed.
She seemed to be enjoying this exchange.
Come to think of it, a foreign princess probably hasn’t had many chances to try the kinds of drinks regular Japanese people have.
Looking at the packages on display, it’s only natural to wonder, What’s this? What does it taste like?
“I’m gonna mix mine. That cool with you?”
“Mix… the drinks?”
Luna, unfamiliar with the drink bar, looks a bit puzzled.
It’s a little surprising.
“You know cocktails, right? Those are alcoholic, but you can make tasty combos with drink bar stuff too. I like mixing this White Water with melon soda.”
Drinking them separately is fine, but blending them creates something new and exciting.
Of course, it’s all about compatibility, and tastes vary. But this combo’s my go-to.
Not that I stick to it the whole time at a drink bar—I’ll switch it up for my second or third glass. It’s not a hard rule or anything.
“I see… What’s the ratio?”
Luna nods, seeming convinced, and asks about proportions.
She’s so earnest about these things.
“Whatever feels good, honestly. I don’t sweat it too much. Sometimes I go fifty-fifty, sometimes seventy-thirty, or even thirty-seventy. Wanna try half and half to start?”
Since Luna’s never tried it, she wouldn’t know what’s “best,” and making her choose might just stress her out.
So I let her know it’s flexible but suggest a starting point to keep it simple.
“Yes, let’s do that, then.”
Luna hesitates, glancing at the machine. “Um…”
“Just put your cup on the blue spot there. Oh, but grab some ice first.”
She seems confused by the four different slots, so I point out the right one.
But her cup’s still empty, so ice comes first.
“Ice…”
“Here, pass me your cup real quick. I’ll handle it.”
It’s just ice—I figure I can toss it in faster.
Luna hands me her cup with a smile. I drop in three cubes and hand it back.
“Thank you.”
Taking the cup, she beams and sets it on the blue-marked spot. She presses the button for the White Water package first.
As the white liquid fills the cup, Luna stares, completely absorbed.
It’s probably a novel sight for her. Even if Arcadia has machines like this, I bet Aira-chan’s the one who usually handles them, not Luna.
When the cup’s about half full, she switches to the melon soda button.
“Nice, looking good.” I hand her a straw. “Here.”
Seeing she’s got it down, I start prepping my own cup with ice.
“You can head back to the table if you want.”
“I’d rather stay with you.”
When I suggest she go ahead, Luna puffs out her cheeks slightly, giving me a pouty look and an instant reply.
What is this adorable creature?
My heart skips a beat at how cute she is.
Since her back’s to everyone else, they can’t see her expression—she’s probably letting her guard down because of that.
“…Those two totally forgot we exist, didn’t they?”
“They’re just casually flirting…”
“Alford’s too cute…”
“You can feel how much she’s into Kiriyama, like, radiating off her…”
As I start pouring my own White Water and melon soda, I can’t help but notice the girls’ stares growing more intense.
Maybe they’re thinking, Hurry it up already.
With that in mind, I press the button, silently urging the machine to fill faster.
---
“And with that, let’s kick off Alford-san’s welcome party!”
As soon as we sit down, the class rep takes charge, rallying everyone.
“Alford-san, could you say a few words?”
Smiling, the rep turns to Luna, clearly hoping for a speech from the guest of honor.
Luna returns a bright smile and stands gracefully.
Her gaze sweeps slowly across the room, taking in everyone’s faces, before she speaks.
“Thank you all so much for taking the time to gather here for me today. I’m truly grateful. I hope this is a chance to talk with each of you and get to know you better. Please, let’s make today wonderful together.”
With that, she bows deeply.
We’ve only known her a few days, but everyone’s probably picked up on how sincere Luna is.
Even though her speech is formal for a casual friend gathering, no one teases or interrupts.
Instead, they all smile warmly and clap.
Luna responds with a radiant smile of her own, sitting back down with calm poise.
“Now that we’ve heard from our star, let’s raise a toast!” the rep announces. “Everyone, grab your cups!”
At her cue, we all pick up our drinks.
Once she’s sure everyone’s ready, the rep grins and says—
“Here’s to Alford-san joining Class 1-C—cheers!”
She thrusts her cup skyward.
“Cheers!!”
Everyone follows suit, hoisting their cups high.
I do the same, but Luna… she raises hers more reservedly.
Her expression seems a bit shy, and she sneaks a glance at me.
She’s probably still not comfortable letting loose in front of others.
“There’s tons of cake, so dig in, okay? If you want something, we’ll grab it for you!”
“Thank you,” Luna replies to the rep with a smile.
Then, under the table, she quietly takes my hand.
…Whoa, hold up.
This girl’s planning to just roll with this!
She’s even squeezing my hand, all sweet and clingy…
The moment the party starts, she’s holding my hand like it’s no big deal.
I mean, we’re eating cake, so she can use her fork with her non-dominant hand, and drinking’s no issue either, but still—this is bold.
From the rep’s angle, if she leaned in, she might notice us holding hands… but maybe Luna’s enjoying the thrill of it.
And after the pressure Luna put her under earlier, the rep’s sharp enough to keep quiet even if she notices.
While I’m mulling this over, the girls across from us are fidgeting, staring at us.
They clearly want to ask something but seem to be debating who’s brave enough to speak up.
Then, as if on cue, they all turn their gazes to the rep.
…Me?! her expression seems to scream as she looks back at them.
But with a resigned sigh, she gives in and turns to us.
“So, um… we were wondering… could you tell us how you two got together?”
The rep clasps her hands, tilting her head slightly and glancing at us nervously.
It’s about what I expected—they’re curious about our story.
“Our… how we met?” Luna asks, her smile radiant.
She seems almost delighted.
Probably because she’s been dying to share it with someone.
“Just whatever you’re comfortable with,” the rep adds quickly.
The class president let out a relieved sigh, returning a smile.
This prompted Luna to glance at me.
She was probably checking with me, just to be sure.
“Yeah, it’s fine,” I said.
I wasn’t sure how much Luna would share, but knowing how sharp she is, I trusted she’d have a better sense than me of where to draw the line. She seemed eager to talk, so I decided to let her speak freely.
“Well…” Luna closed her eyes, as if reminiscing.
Our first meeting was only a month ago, but to her, it might feel like a distant memory. A lot had happened in Arcadia, and since coming to Japan, her days had been packed with meaningful moments. It was understandable if time felt stretched.
I glanced at her as she slowly began to speak, picking up my glass. As I took a big gulp of my drink—
“I was about to be taken away when Seito-sama saved me,” Luna said.
“ Cough! ”
Her blunt honesty caught me so off guard that I choked on my drink. The carbonation burned my throat painfully.
“S-Seito-sama, are you okay!?” Luna asked, leaning in with concern as I coughed.
She gently rubbed my back, her kindness shining through as always.
In contrast, my usually kind classmates seemed completely unbothered by my coughing fit. Their attention was entirely on Luna’s words, not me.
“Taken away? Like, you were almost kidnapped!?” one asked.
“Alford-san, were you okay!?” another chimed in.
They’d interpreted Luna’s words as an attempted kidnapping and were now looking at her with worry.
And honestly, who wouldn’t be concerned after hearing something like that?
“L-Luna, it’s fine… Just explain to everyone,” I managed, clutching my throat and urging her to clarify.
If she didn’t, this could spiral into a huge misunderstanding.
“Oh… Yes, I was fine. As I mentioned, Seito-sama saved me,” Luna said, flashing a smile at the group.
She didn’t deny the kidnapping part, though. I suppose explaining that she was being “retrieved” by someone might complicate things further.
“Kiriyama-kun, that’s so brave…” one classmate murmured.
“To Alford-san, Kiriyama-kun must be like a prince…” another added.
“So that’s why she calls him ‘-sama’!” a third exclaimed.
They seemed to believe Luna’s story without a shred of doubt, their eyes now fixed on me with something like admiration. I couldn’t help but look away, flustered.
This was getting way too embarrassing.
“Uh, look, I’d appreciate it if you didn’t make a big deal out of this. It really wasn’t anything special,” I said, forcing a sheepish smile as I tried to downplay it.
Being looked at like some kind of hero was overwhelming—I wasn’t cut out for that kind of expectation. And a prince? Definitely not.
“But that’s what he says,” a girl sitting across from us teased, tilting her head toward Luna with a playful grin. Her expression made it clear she didn’t buy my modesty.
Luna, smiling brightly, opened her mouth to speak again.
“Not only did he single-handedly defeat two massive, muscular men, but he also helped me escape, hid me for a while, and even took care of me,” she said.
“““““Whoa!!”””””
The girls let out excited squeals that echoed through the café. Apparently, everyone had been listening intently.
I knew Luna was honest, but this honest? She’s a smart girl, so I figured she knew what she was doing, but… wasn’t this going to make it harder to dodge questions later?
Still, seeing how happy Luna looked as she spoke about our first meeting, I couldn’t bring myself to stop her. It was like she was proudly sharing a cherished memory.
…Well, if anything goes wrong, I’m sure Aira-chan will handle it somehow.
“Taking on two huge, ripped guys without flinching? That’s insane!” one girl exclaimed.
“And winning? That’s, like, impossible!” another added.
“It’s love, isn’t it? Kiriyama-kun’s feelings for Alford-san must’ve worked a miracle!” a third declared.
While I mentally pawned the situation off to my overly capable caretaker, the girls had somehow reached an outrageous conclusion.
Our “how we met” story didn’t involve feelings or anything like that—had they gotten so caught up in the excitement that they forgot? Though, I won’t deny the “miracle” part.
“Kiriyama-kun, you’re not just a nice guy after all…” one said.
“He’s got such a gentle, herbivore vibe, but…” another trailed off.
“I’m starting to see Kiriyama-kun as a total catch…” a third admitted.
It wasn’t just the girls at our table—others nearby, who’d been eavesdropping, were reacting the same way. This was all so unfamiliar that I felt completely out of place.
Seriously, this is so embarrassing…
Also, for some reason, Luna had shifted from squeezing my hand to gently rubbing her fingers against mine. Her gaze was still on the others, so what was with this hand thing?
“Alford-san, you live next to Kiriyama-kun, right? Do you, like, hang out at his place a lot?” one girl asked, her curiosity piqued as Luna continued to toy with my hand.
“Hang out” was an understatement—we were practically together all the time. I wondered how Luna would answer this one. Surely, she wouldn’t just say that outright…
“As his fiancée, I spend time with him within the bounds of propriety,” Luna replied calmly, still rubbing my fingers.
It sounded like a natural lie, but it wasn’t technically untrue. She’d chosen her words carefully, letting the others interpret them as they wished. “Propriety” was vague enough to vary by person, and she was cleverly using our “engagement” as a shield.
“Oooh, so you’re together at night, too, huh?” one girl teased.
“Kiriyama-kun lives alone, right? Do you cook for him, Alford-san?” another asked.
Wait, how did they know I lived alone? Had I mentioned that?
I stayed quiet, observing Luna’s exchange with them, though I was a bit distracted by the class president muttering to herself, “Wait, if he was hiding her while living alone…”
She might’ve pieced something together.
Luna, meanwhile, shook her head sadly.
“I’m ashamed to admit I still can’t cook… Right now, Seito-sama is kindly teaching me, and we cook together,” she said.
“What!? Kiriyama-kun’s the one teaching you!?” one girl gasped.
“That’s surprising… Oh, but now that I think about it, he was super skilled during cooking class and made something delicious!” another recalled.
“What’s that!? So, despite how he looks, he’s actually a high-spec character!?”
Upon learning from Luna’s comment that I can cook, the girls reacted with the same exaggerated surprise as before.
I mean, I cooked perfectly fine during home ec class, so the fact that they forgot… does that mean I’m actually kind of forgettable? Sure, I’m not the loud, attention-grabbing type, but still…
Also, calling someone a “character” is a bit much. And “despite how he looks”? That’s kind of harsh.
I kept those retorts to myself, of course. I’m not clueless enough to say them out loud and ruin the mood.
Instead—
“Look, I can cook, but it’s just average stuff, okay?” I said, trying to temper their expectations with the truth.
Honestly, there’s no way I could make the kind of food Luna ate back in Arcadia. Those royal chefs in a super-rich, technologically advanced country probably whip up dishes beyond my wildest imagination. A regular high school student like me doesn’t stand a chance. I doubt I could even source the ingredients.
What I make is just standard home cooking, the kind you’d find in any normal household. The fact that Luna always eats it so happily, saying it’s delicious, is probably because she’s factoring in her feelings for me. Meanwhile, Aira-chan, who eats with us all the time, just munches away with her usual blank expression.
Though, to be fair, she does say the stuff Luna and I make together is tasty. That girl can somehow tell at a glance whether Luna was involved in cooking—it’s honestly impressive how capable she is in every way.
“—That’s what he says, but?”
The girl from before, clearly enjoying this game, asked Luna again in the same teasing tone, this time with even more playfulness.
“It’s very delicious,” Luna replied, her face lighting up with a beaming smile.
She looked like she was having the time of her life.
It was embarrassing, but seeing my adorable fiancée so happy warmed my heart.
“So, is this just Alford-san being biased toward her man, or is it actually that good—what do you think?”
“Gotta be the latter.”
“Definitely the latter.”
The girls sitting across from us answered instantly, grinning.
They were having just as much fun as Luna.
“By the way, Alford-san, you get this amazing expression whenever you talk about Kiriyama-kun. You can totally tell how much you love him,” the class president said with a smile, redirecting the conversation toward Luna.
All eyes turned back to Luna.
Seriously, they’re way too curious about her…
“To me, he is an irreplaceable person,” Luna said.
“““““Ooh!”””””
Her refined demeanor and radiant smile as she casually dropped such a lovestruck line sent the girls into another round of excited cheers.
You don’t often meet someone who can gush so confidently like that…
As for me, I was blushing so hard I thought my face might catch fire.
“They’re probably super lovey-dovey at home…!”
“You don’t show us your clingy side, but when it’s just the two of you, are you, like, all over each other!?”
“Come on, spill, spill!”
The girls’ excitement showed no signs of slowing down as they pressed Luna with question after question. Since Luna kept smiling and didn’t seem bothered, they were probably taking advantage of her openness to dig deeper.
Maybe it also helped that I—the guy who technically shouldn’t even be here—felt a bit out of place.
Come to think of it, I don’t usually join these kinds of gatherings, so maybe this is just what girls’ hangouts are like?
“Hehe, I’ll leave that to your imagination,” Luna said, dodging the question with a smile.
Under the table, her hand, which had been gently rubbing mine earlier, now switched to squeezing it softly.
She was probably trying to be affectionate again.
It was so cute that I could barely handle it. I just wanted to get home and pamper her already.
“Ugh, so cryptic!”
“That just makes me more curious…!”
“But, like, with Alford-san’s personality, I bet Kiriyama-kun’s the one who’s all clingy!”
“Oh, totally! Alford-san’s gotta be amazing at spoiling him!”
Luna’s vague response sent the girls into a frenzy of speculation.
Sorry, but Luna’s the one who’s clingy.
I thought that to myself, though I had to admit they weren’t wrong about Luna being good at spoiling people. She’s usually so refined and elegant, but with me, she’s adorably affectionate. She’s also a great big sister to Mii-chan.
That time at the amusement park when she let me rest on her lap? It was so calming. She’s naturally caring, so I bet she’d love spoiling someone—she just happens to need someone (like me) to spoil her too.
---
“So, Alford-san, have you been into anything lately?”
We were eating cake after chatting for a while when one of the girls suddenly asked Luna, as if the thought had just occurred to her.
Something Luna’s into… huh?
She’s really passionate about anime and manga, but she’s always loved those, so it’s not exactly “lately.” Maybe cooking?
No, that’s more about enjoying the time we spend making food together than the cooking itself.
So, probably anime or manga, right? But would a princess like her admit to that so openly?
As I pondered this, waiting for her answer—
“Lately, you say… Well, it might sound odd to call it a hobby, but… I’ve come to love lingering in bed,” Luna said.
Her reply nearly made me spit out my soda again.
I knew exactly what she meant, and it was not innocent.
But the girls didn’t seem to pick up on it at all.
“Wow, really? I wouldn’t have guessed! So you’re into napping, Alford-san?”
“Lazing around is the best, right?”
“Snoozing all day on a weekend? Absolute bliss!”
The girls eagerly interpreted Luna’s words in the most wholesome way possible, nodding in agreement.
I don’t often hear them talk like this, but apparently, a lot of girls love napping.
Except… Luna wasn’t talking about napping.
What she meant was that she loves cuddling up to me in bed. She even specified “lately,” and it’s true—every night, the moment we slip under the covers, she snuggles close, acting all clingy and refusing to fall asleep right away.
“…♪”
Luna, clearly enjoying the thrill of almost getting caught, started rubbing my fingers again with a mischievous smile.
She’s really going all out today…
Is it because Aira-chan, her usual chaperone, isn’t here?
I wondered about that, but instead of just letting her have her way, I decided to fight back and rubbed her fingers in return.
“Eek!?”
Caught off guard by my counterattack, Luna flinched and let out an adorable yelp.
“What’s wrong!?”
“Is something up!?”
“Was it a bug!?”
Naturally, her sudden squeak drew everyone’s concern.
I quickly let go of her hand to avoid getting caught, but I was stumped on how to play this off. Saying she got startled by a bug would be easy, but that might cause trouble for the class president’s aunt, who’d kindly lent us the café. Spreading rumors about pests in a restaurant would be bad for business, and I definitely didn’t want to do anything to hurt her trust.
So, how could I smooth this over without raising suspicion? As I racked my brain, Luna, her cheeks slightly flushed, spoke up with a shy smile.
“My apologies… My foot bumped into Seito-sama’s, and I got startled…”
She explained to the group, her embarrassment likely coming from a different source—but the girls’ faces lit up instantly.
“Getting all flustered just from your foot touching Kiriyama-kun’s? Alford-san, you’re too pure…!”
“She’s blushing! Oh my gosh, she’s way too cute!”
“All that from brushing against the guy she likes? I’m so jealous of Kiriyama-kun—she’s just too adorable!”
“I might have to start an Alford-san fan club!”
“She’s totally stan-worthy, right!?”
The girls were practically buzzing with excitement.
Luna’s shy reaction had clearly struck a chord with them. At this rate, it seemed like they’d believe anything she said or spin it in the most positive way possible.
That’s just how much charm and popularity Luna has.
But the class president, who was sitting right next to Luna…
“Haha…”
She scratched her cheek and looked away, pretending not to have noticed anything—though I was pretty sure she’d seen us holding hands before I let go.
She’s definitely sharp. The type who’d survive anything.
I was silently grateful that she didn’t call us out.
As for Luna, she started rubbing my hand again, clearly undeterred.
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