Chapter 4
“—Suu… suu…”
A few hours had passed.
Lying down must have made Luna sleepy, and now she was fast asleep, her soft, adorable breathing filling the air.
I gently stroked the head of my sleeping princess, soaking in her cute sleeping face.
In short, it was a moment of pure happiness.
“—Luna-sama is asleep, I see,” came a voice from above, startling me.
“—!?”
I looked up to find Aira-chan peering down at us with keen interest.
She’d apparently come back without a sound and crept up on us.
She was probably just curious to see Luna’s sleeping face.
“You could’ve said something when you got back… I wouldn’t have jumped,” I said.
“Just to be safe,” she replied.
Safe?
Safe from what?
Was she doing some kind of surprise check to make sure Luna and I weren’t up to anything weird?
The thought crossed my mind, but I didn’t have the guts to ask her directly.
And honestly, she probably wouldn’t answer even if I did.
“You haven’t eaten dinner yet, right?” I asked.
“No, not yet,” she confirmed.
“Alright, just give me a bit, then. I think Luna will want to keep sleeping for now.”
It had only been about an hour since Luna fell asleep.
Waking her now might be tough on her, and since there was no urgent reason to, I wanted to let her rest for another hour or so.
“That’s fine. I’m not particularly hungry,” Aira-chan said.
“Got it, thanks. Oh, but I’ve got something for you,” I added.
“…?”
As expected, she had no idea what I was talking about, tilting her head with a puzzled expression.
Trying not to wake Luna, I carefully disentangled myself and slipped out of bed.
“I’ll grab it quick. Come with me.”
I left the bedroom, and Aira-chan followed silently.
I led her to the living room and pulled a box out of the fridge.
“Food?” she asked.
“Yeah, cake. We brought some back from the welcome party.”
There’d been leftovers, so we all took some home.
I’d made sure to grab a share for Aira-chan since she hadn’t been at the party and didn’t get to try any.
Though, when I went to get some, the class president insisted I take more, so I ended up with four pieces—one each for me and Luna, and two for Aira-chan.
“We were gonna eat them together after dinner, but since you’ve got two, you could have one now if you want. Which one do you like?”
The box held the classics: shortcake, chocolate cake, cheesecake, and a tart.
I didn’t know Aira-chan’s preferences, but with this variety, there had to be something she’d enjoy.
“…I don’t need any,” she said, shaking her head.
“Huh?”
“I’m sorry, it’s not that I’m refusing, but…”
Seeing my confusion, she looked unusually awkward, averting her gaze.
It was the first time I’d seen her like this.
“Do you not like sweets or something?” I asked.
She didn’t seem to be rejecting it just because it was from me, so I wondered if there was a reason she couldn’t eat cake.
But she shook her head again.
“No, it’s not that. In Arcadia, guards are forbidden from eating sweets,” she explained.
“…”
So, I wasn’t wrong—there was a reason she couldn’t eat it.
As royal guards, they probably have rules about controlling desires or something like that.
“What about alcohol? Is that banned too?” I asked.
“I’m too young to drink anyway, but for those who do, the punishment is far harsher than for sweets,” she said.
Yup, that confirmed my guess.
But something didn’t add up.
I mulled over the inconsistency.
“In that case, please share my portion with Luna-sama,” Aira-chan said with a cute smile, stepping back.
I didn’t know if she actually wanted to eat it, but her refusal felt a little lonely.
More importantly, I doubted Luna would want me to just let this go.
“Is that rule something only the guards know about? Like, it’s self-imposed, and the royals aren’t aware of it?” I asked.
“No, the royals know as well…” she replied, sounding unusually hesitant.
I grinned.
Exactly what I thought.
“Cool, then I think it’s fine for you to eat,” I said.
“…”
Aira-chan, sharp as she is, probably realized what I was getting at.
She fixed me with a look that practically screamed, Don’t say it.
Sorry, but I’m gonna ignore that.
“When we got the cake, Luna was there, and she didn’t stop me—in fact, she was all for it. If a royal’s okay with it, doesn’t that make it fine?”
That was the thing that had been bugging me.
If Luna knew Aira-chan wasn’t supposed to eat cake, she would’ve stopped me.
At the very least, she would’ve mentioned it.
But she didn’t, and she was even excited when I said I’d get some for Aira-chan.
I bet Luna wanted Aira-chan to have cake—to enjoy sweets.
“Luna-sama… is a kind person. I can’t take advantage of her generosity…”
Aira-chan looked down, rubbing her left hand with her right.
She was choosing to prioritize the guard’s rules over her beloved Luna’s words.
But she was clearly torn between her duty and her master.
So, I decided to give her a nudge.
“So, you’re saying you’re gonna ignore Luna’s kindness?”
“…”
I deliberately phrased it to put her on the spot, and she shot me a look loaded with unspoken words.
Her eyes carried a much darker emotion than before, and I couldn’t help but give a nervous laugh.
Yup, that’s terrifying.
This girl’s definitely the type you don’t want to piss off…
Honestly, I regretted not waiting until Luna was awake to have this conversation.
But it was too late now, and bringing it up later would probably make her even angrier.
No turning back.
“Luna wants you to eat it, you know?” I pressed, despite the almost murderous glare she was giving me.
But—
“Using Luna-sama as leverage? You’ve got some nerve,” she said, her entire body radiating a pitch-black aura, like she was unleashing the darkness in her eyes.
The overwhelming intensity made me take a step back.
“You’re that mad!?”
“It’s utterly infuriating,” she replied.
Apparently, using Luna as an excuse had touched a nerve.
Now that I thought about it, it made sense—Aira-chan treasures Luna, so of course she’d get mad if I used her as a reason.
“Sorry, I didn’t think it’d upset you that much… I just really wanted you to try it…”
In the tense, throat-drying moment, I managed to get my feelings out.
I figured staying silent would only make things worse.
And that choice seemed to be the right one.
“…Haaa…”
Aira-chan, who’d been staring me down, let out a long sigh after hearing me.
The dark aura vanished along with it, so her anger must have dissipated.
“Aira-chan…?”
Just in case it was a trick to lower my guard, I cautiously called out to her.
“It’s true that Luna-sama didn’t object and likely wants me to have it. I understand that,” she said reluctantly, sitting down in front of the cake.
She was still upset about me using Luna as an excuse, but she seemed willing to eat.
“For real…?”
“I don’t want to see Luna-sama’s sad face,” she said.
In the end, it all came back to thinking about Luna…
I felt a bit guilty for exploiting that.
“By the way, you said alcohol carries a harsher punishment than sweets, but that means sweets still come with some kind of strict penalty, right? Just not as bad as alcohol. So, what happens if you eat them?” I asked, something about her phrasing nagging at me.
She’d brought up sweets when talking about alcohol, saying it was “harsher than sweets.” If sweets only led to a regular penalty, she would’ve said “more than sweets,” not “harsher.”
So, her words implied that while the punishment for sweets was lighter than for alcohol, it was still severe in its own right.
Of course, I could’ve been overthinking it.
But Aira-chan shook her head.
“It’s a secret,” she said.
Guess she wasn’t going to tell me.
That just made me more curious, though…
One thing was clear: she didn’t deny the strict penalty, so eating sweets probably did come with some serious consequences.
“Well, we’re in Japan, so maybe you don’t need to worry about it. Luna didn’t tell you to eat sweets back in Arcadia, right?”
If Aira-chan was eating the cake to avoid making Luna sad, she’d likely have made the same choice in Arcadia.
More importantly, I couldn’t imagine Luna deliberately putting Aira-chan in a tough spot when she couldn’t help herself.
“Indeed… she never once suggested it,” Aira-chan confirmed.
“Right, so now that you’re living in Japan, I think she’s saying you don’t have to stress about it,” I said.
“When in Rome, do as the Romans do,” as they say. Rules that matter in Arcadia don’t necessarily apply here.
Luna seems to want Aira-chan to live like a regular student, not just a guard—she’s said something along those lines before.
“You make it sound so simple…” Aira-chan sighed, looking a bit gloomy.
Despite her young age, she carries a lot of responsibility, so she probably can’t just brush it off.
“I don’t know what Luna’s planning for the future, but if she chooses to stay in Japan, you probably don’t need to worry about it at all. If that happens, you wouldn’t go back to Arcadia, right?”
“My place is by Luna-sama’s side,” she said.
Yup, exactly what I expected.
There’s no way she’d leave the side of the person she cherishes most.
Luna might change her mind someday, but if she stays in Japan, Aira-chan should feel free to live a little more freely.
Other guards might return to Arcadia, so I can’t say much about them, but Aira-chan’s different.
“So, which one do you want?” I asked again.
“…I’ve never eaten any, so I don’t know…”
When I brought up the cakes again, she stared at me.
Since sweets were forbidden, she probably hadn’t had any growing up, so she couldn’t even guess what they’d taste like.
Her stare likely meant she wanted me to choose.
“Have you ever had chocolate?”
“No,” she said, nodding firmly.
That’s pretty surprising for someone from a place like Arcadia, where food culture is so advanced…
“Since it’s your first time, how about a classic shortcake?”
Chocolate can be hit-or-miss for some people, so I suggested the most standard cake.
…Though, to be fair, chocolate cake and cheesecake are classics too.
If she’s fine with super sweet stuff, she can have the chocolate cake after dinner.
‘Picking based on general logic rather than your own preference is so like you, Seito-sama…’
“Huh?”
“Nothing,” she said, shaking her head when I reacted to her quiet mutter.
But… did I catch a glimpse of a smile just now?
“…What?”
She narrowed her eyes at me, clearly displeased that I was staring.
Guess staring at a girl’s face too long isn’t the best move.
Still, I couldn’t shake my curiosity…
“Nah, it’s nothing. Hang on a sec,” I said.
To avoid getting scolded for staring, I switched gears and grabbed a plate for the cake.
Carefully placing the shortcake on it, I handed it to her.
“Thank you…”
Aira-chan thanked me and stared intently at the shortcake.
Despite everything, she seemed genuinely curious.
I handed her a fork, and she peeled off the plastic wrap, staring at the cake again.
She didn’t dig in right away.
“What’s up?”
“Well… now that I’m about to eat it, it feels like it takes some resolve…”
Resolve?
Because of the rule thing, maybe?
“No one’s gonna snitch on you,” I reassured her.
She might not like the idea of me having leverage over her, but like I said, we’re not in Arcadia.
As long as Luna’s okay with it, it shouldn’t be a big deal.
And even if it was leverage, I’d never use it against her—Luna would hate me if I did something that low.
Plus, if anyone tried to make a fuss about what she does in Japan, Luna would probably have her back.
Aira-chan had nothing to fear.
“I’m not worried about that. I’m simply hesitant about eating the cake itself,” Aira-chan clarified.
Apparently, I’d misunderstood. It wasn’t about the rules—she was just nervous about the cake itself.
Maybe it was like facing something unknown, making her tense?
Since she’s never had sweets or chocolate, she probably has no idea what to expect from something sweet.
“Gulp…”
In a rare moment, Aira-chan audibly swallowed.
It wasn’t the sound of someone eyeing a delicious treat—it was the sound of swallowing nerves.
To think that someone as flawless as her would get anxious about eating a cake… It was almost too surprising.
But seeing her like this, she suddenly looked like the young girl her age suggested.
I decided to stay quiet and let her gather her resolve.
“…Itadakimasu,” she said after a few dozen seconds, her determination set.
Perhaps because I’d handed it to her, she used the Japanese phrase before slowly piercing the cake with her fork.
She cut a small piece, lifted it with the fork, and brought it to her mouth.
“—!”
The moment she tasted the cake, Aira-chan’s round eyes widened dramatically.
It must have been quite a shock.
“How is it?” I asked.
I could tell without asking, but I couldn’t resist wanting to hear her thoughts directly.
At that, she slowly opened her mouth.
“I knew about it in theory… but it’s truly delicious…”
Her cheeks flushed slightly with warmth as she let out a sigh of amazement.
She must have really liked it.
“Glad to hear it! There’s more, so feel free to dig in,” I said, relieved and happy to see her reaction.
If that wasn’t enough, I’d gladly give her mine too, since this was her first time trying something like this.
Right now, I just wanted her to enjoy eating it.
“…”
Having taken a liking to the cake, Aira-chan dug in silently.
Her eyes sparkled like a child who’d just gotten a present, and her usually expressionless face softened with a smile that made her earlier stoicism seem like a lie.
Sure, she could be a little intimidating and mysterious at times, but right now, she was like an adorable little sister.
I could see why Luna doted on her so much.
“Oh… it’s gone…”
Aira-chan had been so absorbed that she finished the shortcake in no time.
She stared sadly at the empty paper liner left on the plate.
I never would’ve dreamed I’d see her make a face like this…
“You don’t have to look so down. There’s more cake, you know. You can even have mine if you want,” I said.
Her dejected expression was so cute—she looked like a little kid—that I couldn’t help but pat her head gently.
“Mmm…”
As I stroked her head, Aira-chan squinted contentedly.
But the second I did it, I regretted it.
Sure, she looked like a little girl, and I’d acted on reflex, but this was Aira-chan.
With her usual dignified air, there was no way she’d be okay with being treated like a child.
Plus, they say a girl’s hair is her life—touching it so casually was a mistake.
Bracing myself for the inevitable iron-fisted punishment, I froze.
—Well, that sounds dramatic, but really, I was just paralyzed with fear.
But then—
“…♪”
Instead of getting mad, Aira-chan’s cheeks softened, and she looked pleased.
Her squinted eyes weren’t angry—she was like a cat, just like Luna when she’s content.
…Wait, is she actually…?
Between enjoying the head pats and eating the cake so happily, Aira-chan was showing a surprisingly age-appropriate side.
I guess I’d been drawing some unfair lines in my head about her…
“Oh!”
Suddenly, she seemed to realize something, her face shifting to a startled expression.
“…”
Her cheeks flushed slightly, and she shot me a half-hearted glare, as if trying to cover up her embarrassment.
What is this adorable creature?
“Uh, sorry about that?” I said, quickly pulling my hand back and apologizing before she could get upset.
I didn’t have the nerve—or the shamelessness—to keep patting her while she was giving me that look.
“It’s rather improper to touch a woman other than Luna-sama so casually,” she said, narrowing her eyes with a hint of displeasure.
But her cheeks were still red, so it felt more like she was hiding her embarrassment.
At least I wasn’t sensing the murderous vibe from earlier.
“Yeah, that’s fair,” I agreed.
“Yes, please be careful, as it might make Luna-sama jealous. Above all, don’t do it where she can see,” Aira-chan said, raising her index finger and emphasizing the point earnestly.
Luna would definitely get jealous.
She’s been quick to get possessive over anything involving Aira-chan and has even been suspicious before.
If she’d seen what just happened, she’d absolutely be pouting right now.
That’s probably why Aira-chan was warning me.
—But saying “don’t do it where she can see” almost sounds like it’s fine as long as Luna’s not around…?
…Nah, that’s probably me overanalyzing.
“Got it, I’ll be careful,” I said.
I don’t want to make Luna jealous, and I’d rather not be misunderstood, so I’ll avoid doing it in front of her.
Honestly, I don’t plan to do it at all… but like just now, I can’t completely rule out acting on reflex…
“As long as you understand,” Aira-chan said, her gaze shifting back to the cake.
She clearly wanted to eat more.
“Go ahead and have some. Here, it’s not exactly an apology, but you can have mine too,” I said, offering her the box.
“…Thank you,” she said.
She seemed to accept it readily this time.
As she ate, her face lit up with that same blissful expression whenever she took a bite.
—Seeing her this happy, I kind of want to take her to the class president’s café… but with people around, that might be tricky.
So, I decided I’d buy her more cake another time.
---
“Alright, I’m heading back to the bedroom,” I said with a smile, after rinsing off the plate Aira-chan had used.
“I’m sorry for making you wash it, Seito-sama…”
“It’s fine, it’s no trouble. Besides, I’ll be washing dishes after dinner anyway,” I reassured her.
We’d be eating soon, so there’d be more dishes then. I’d give it a proper wash with soap later.
Cooking and cleaning were mine and Luna’s jobs, so this was just part of the routine.
“You’re quite unusual, Seito-sama,” Aira-chan said suddenly.
“R-Really?” I replied, a bit flustered but returning a smile.
She looked away briefly, as if unsure, but then fixed her gaze on me.
“Even though I’m Luna-sama’s attendant, you could leave your personal matters to me. Yet not only do you handle them yourself, you even try to look after me, an attendant. You cook our meals too…”
For Aira-chan, who’s spent her life serving Luna, being taken care of probably feels strange.
For me, though, being waited on would feel way more uncomfortable…
“Well, part of it is that Luna enjoys doing things like cooking and cleaning,” I said, explaining our dynamic.
Every day, Luna looks forward to cooking with me, and that includes cleaning up afterward.
So, it’s not that Aira-chan can’t help—it’s just that Luna and I handle it.
Also… I’d never say this to her face because she’d probably get mad, but Aira-chan’s three years younger than me, so she sometimes feels like a little sister.
I’d rather take care of a younger kid than have them take care of me.
‘Truly an unusual person…’
For some reason, Aira-chan stared intently at my face.
But then—she quickly turned away with a huff.
“I’ll go check on Luna-sama,” she said.
She was probably going to see if Luna had woken up.
Luna’s not exactly a morning person—or an after-nap person—so I doubted she was awake, but Aira-chan couldn’t just leave her unattended.
“Oh, I’ll come too,” I said.
I wasn’t going to start cooking until Luna was up anyway, and her sleeping face is so cute I wanted to stay close.
Plus, I’d probably end up lying down with her again.
Aira-chan didn’t mind me tagging along, and we headed to the bedroom together.
On the way—
“By the way…” Aira-chan started.
“Hm?”
“It’s a bit late to mention, but… I ended up eating three cakes, so there’s only one left for Luna-sama. Won’t she… get upset?”
“Upset? Why would she?”
Luna’s portion was still there, so I didn’t see the issue.
She’s not the type to be greedy about food, and even if Aira-chan had eaten everything, I doubted Luna would get mad.
“I think she probably wanted to eat with you, Seito-sama,” Aira-chan explained.
“…Aira-chan, I’m stepping out for a bit,” I said, realizing my mistake.
Aira-chan was right—if Luna ended up eating cake alone, she’d definitely sulk.
I’d completely overlooked that…
---
“Mm… nnh…”
When I got back from the convenience store with a pack of two cakes, I found Luna sitting on the sofa in the living room, rubbing sleepy eyes and dozing off.
Aira-chan stood beside her, likely the one who’d woken her.
“I’m back. Did Luna just wake up?” I asked.
“Yes, that’s right,” Aira-chan confirmed with a nod.
Luna reacted to my voice, turning her drowsy eyes toward me with a happy, sleepy smile.
“Seito-sama… welcome back…”
“Hi, Luna,” I said, returning her smile as I put the cakes in the fridge.
Then, I felt something warm press against my back.
“Luna…?”
“…”
Turning around, I saw Luna hugging me from behind.
No response—just clinging.
“She’s still half-asleep, so her clingy switch is probably flipped,” Aira-chan explained, watching us.
Her gaze flicked to the cakes I’d just put in the fridge.
She must’ve realized there was one for her too.
Honestly, I wondered if eating four cakes in one day was bad for her, but Luna had a few today too, and some people go wild at cake buffets, so I figured it was fine once in a while.
Especially since this was Aira-chan’s first time trying cake.
“Luna, wanna come around here?”
It’s hard to pamper her when she’s hugging me from behind, so I nudged her to come to my front.
Even half-asleep, she moved quickly for this, stepping in front of me and wrapping her arms around me like it was second nature.
“Like this?”
“Hehe…”
When I hugged her gently and stroked her head as usual, her face melted into a blissful smile.
She really loves this.
“You’ve gotten quite good at that, haven’t you?” Aira-chan teased.
“Nah, it’s not like that…” I said, giving a wry smile.
Sure, I’d gotten used to petting her head.
I do it every day, so it’s only natural.
But—Luna’s so adorable and such a master at being affectionate that my heart still races every time.
I just hide it on the outside. Inside, I’m a mess.
If Aira-chan weren’t here and I didn’t know Luna wanted to wait until marriage, I might lose control and pin her down.
“…♪”
—Wait.
Is it just me, or is she suddenly looking a lot more awake?
As I watched Luna, happily soaking up the head pats, I couldn’t shake the feeling her consciousness had quietly returned.
---
“…”
“Aira? Is something wrong?”
During dinner, Luna noticed Aira-chan eating much slower than usual and asked with concern.
Aira-chan glanced at Luna, looking awkward.
—Whoops…
I knew exactly why Aira-chan was eating slowly and started panicking about how to explain it to Luna.
In hindsight, Aira-chan’s small frame means she doesn’t eat much despite her incredible abilities.
Eating three cakes and then jumping straight into dinner was probably too much for her.
She was so cute that I got carried away letting her eat, but I should’ve stopped her after the first one for her sake.
I doubted gentle Luna would get mad, but I needed to figure out how to explain this without upsetting her.
Aira-chan seemed hesitant to speak up, her gaze wandering—an unusual sight.
And no wonder.
Even if I’d cooked alone, this meal was made with Luna too.
There’s no way she could say she was too full from cake to eat what her master had prepared.
“Luna, can I talk to you for a sec?”
Since I was the one who got Aira-chan to eat the cakes—and caused this whole situation—I decided to explain.
That way, Luna was less likely to get upset.
But I couldn’t sugarcoat it.
If I didn’t say anything now, we’d move on to eating cake together later, and Luna would definitely notice that Aira-chan’s and my cakes were different.
If I tried to hide it now, it’d come out then, and that’d probably make her even angrier.
With someone as kind as Luna, honesty seemed like the best approach.
“What is it?”
Luna shifted her gaze from Aira-chan to me, tilting her head curiously.
“So, you know how we brought cake back from the café?”
“Yes, we’re eating it later, right?”
It was obvious she’d remember, but Luna hadn’t forgotten about the cake.
In a way, it might’ve been better for Aira-chan if she had forgotten.
“Well… while you were sleeping, I let Aira-chan eat some…”
“…”
When I confessed, Luna silently turned her gaze back to Aira-chan.
Aira-chan nodded slightly, looking guilty, as if bracing herself for a scolding, shrinking like a child in trouble.
Luna’s silence was kind of intimidating.
“Um…! It’s not Aira-chan’s fault—she only ate because I pushed her to, so if anyone’s to blame, it’s me…!”
Since I was the reason Aira-chan ate, I hurried to clarify.
Honestly, if I hadn’t been so insistent, she wouldn’t have touched the cake.
If anyone was getting in trouble, it should be me, not her.
“I believe you prepared two cakes for Aira, right, Seito-sama? Did she eat both?” Luna asked.
“Well, yeah—”
Three cakes were gone, but Luna wouldn’t know if I said I ate one of them.
I started to nod, thinking I could cover for Aira-chan, but behind Luna, Aira-chan was frantically shaking her head.
It was like she was desperately telling me not to lie.
“Uh, I mean, she started with one, but since it was her first time trying cake, I let her have her second one and mine…”
Aira-chan had been so adamant about stopping me that I figured lying here would be a bad move.
So, I told the truth, but—
“Indeed. If it were only two, given how much Aira usually eats, she’d still have room,” Luna said.
Seeing Luna’s cheerful smile sent a chill down my spine.
No wonder Aira-chan was so desperate to stop me.
Luna clearly knew exactly how much Aira-chan usually eats and figured two cakes wouldn’t affect her dinner.
In other words, lying would’ve been pointless—she’d have seen right through it.
…Does one extra cake really make that much difference?
Pondering that, I stared at the princess, who was still smiling brightly.
“…Luna, are you mad?”
Despite her cute smile, I felt an odd pressure and cautiously asked.
“Yes,” she replied instantly.
Not even a “no, I’m not mad”?
“Luna-sama, I’m so sorry…”
Aira-chan bowed her head, shrouded in a gloomy aura.
It made sense—her master had just admitted to being angry.
“No, I’m the one who pushed Aira-chan to eat, so please don’t be mad at her…!”
I’d used Luna’s name to convince Aira-chan to eat the cakes, despite her saying sweets were forbidden. And I’d encouraged her to have the second and third ones too—she didn’t deserve to be scolded.
“Seito-sama…”
Maybe because I was defending her, Aira-chan looked at me with rare, teary eyes.
Being scolded by her master was clearly hitting her hard.
Like I’d thought earlier with the cakes, she had an age-appropriate side to her.
Maybe her usual blank expression was a way to hide that vulnerable, childish part of herself.
“Of course, I won’t yell or punish anyone,” Luna said, surprisingly calm and composed despite being unused to situations like this.
As she said, Luna’s not the type to shout, and she’d never punish Aira-chan, whom she adores.
But—her preamble made me uneasy.
“Meaning…?”
I was scared to ask, but I couldn’t ignore it, so I urged her to continue.
“I’ll simply give a warning. I’d thought I might say this one day if I had children here in Japan, but I never imagined I’d have to say it to Aira,” Luna said, turning her gaze to Aira-chan.
Aira-chan froze under Luna’s stare, like a frog caught by a snake.
She’s usually playful and teases Luna, but when Luna’s seriously scolding her, she can’t keep up her usual attitude.
Looking at Aira-chan, Luna spoke slowly.
“Listen, Aira. There’s nothing wrong with eating cake. We’re in Japan, so I don’t believe Arcadia’s rules apply here.”
As expected, Luna had wanted Aira-chan to enjoy the cake.
She emphasized it deliberately, even though no one was misunderstanding, probably to make it easier for Aira-chan to have sweets in the future.
But her words continued.
“However, eating snacks or cake before a meal is not okay. And eating so much cake that you can’t have dinner? That’s absolutely unacceptable. Do you understand?”
Luna made it clear she was upset, speaking gently but firmly, like a parent teaching a child.
Watching her, I couldn’t help but think she was like a mom.
She’d even said earlier that she’d expected to say this to a child, not Aira-chan.
“I understand…”
Aira-chan, still shrinking, nodded quietly.
She’d only gotten carried away because it was her first time with cake—normally, she wouldn’t do this.
She wouldn’t make the same mistake again, so Luna probably wouldn’t say more.
Of course, I needed to be careful not to repeat this mistake either.
I mean, it was my fault she ate before dinner in the first place…
Luna probably knew that too.
Without me, Aira-chan wouldn’t have noticed the cake, and she’d never have eaten something forbidden in Arcadia on her own.
I thought that was the end of it—but Aira-chan seemed to have another concern, glancing nervously at Luna before speaking.
“Um… you’re not mad that I ate Seito-sama’s cake, are you…?”
She seemed to think Luna might be upset about that too.
It’s true Luna cares a lot about me, so it wasn’t an unreasonable worry…
“I don’t believe Aira would demand Seito-sama’s cake herself, and I understand why Seito-sama would want to share with her, so I won’t say anything about that. It would be dismissing Seito-sama’s feelings otherwise,” Luna said.
As expected, Luna was kind.
Her tone suggested she wasn’t thrilled, but since I’d wanted Aira-chan to eat, she let it slide.
Seeing Aira-chan’s adorable reaction made me want to share again, and if Luna had scolded her here, Aira-chan might’ve hesitated to accept from me in the future—so I was glad she didn’t.
“…That said, I did want to see Aira eating the cake,” Luna added, suddenly puffing out her cheeks.
She must’ve been curious about Aira-chan’s reaction too.
Was that part of why she was a little grumpy?
“Uh… I bought more cake for me and Aira-chan earlier, so you can still see her eat,” I said, bringing up the cakes to clear up her misunderstanding.
It’d change the mood, and I was genuinely glad I’d gone to get them.
“Oh, really…! As expected of Seito-sama…!”
It seemed Luna had been sulking about missing Aira-chan’s cake moment, because her face lit up instantly.
That wasn’t why I’d bought them, but it worked out perfectly.
In contrast, Aira-chan’s expression darkened slightly.
A bead of cold sweat slid down her face as she glanced at the side dishes she was eating.
I could guess what she was thinking.
She was already struggling to eat dinner—there was no way she had room for cake afterward.
They say dessert’s a “separate stomach,” but that’s just a figure of speech.
It means you might feel like you can handle dessert even if you’re full from dinner, but if your stomach’s truly packed, it’s not happening.
Still, with her master wanting to see her eat cake, Aira-chan wasn’t in a position to refuse.
But leaving her side dishes to make room for cake? Luna would never allow that.
In other words, Aira-chan’s fate was to force down her dinner and the cake.
That’s… kind of harsh.
“But since she already ate three, maybe it’s better to skip it today?” I said, trying to steer Luna away from making Aira-chan eat more.
If I could change her mind, that’d be ideal…
“No, I think it’s fine. It’d be a problem if she ate like this every day, but once in a while is okay. There are people who eat tons at cake buffets, after all. Since it’s Aira’s first time, there’s no issue,” Luna said.
My hopes were dashed as Luna, smiling brightly, blocked Aira-chan’s escape route.
She’d said almost exactly what I’d thought earlier, so I couldn’t argue.
I don’t think she meant it as punishment… or am I overthinking?
Luna was looking at me, so she probably didn’t notice Aira-chan’s distress.
Maybe I could reduce her side dishes instead…
“Alright, I’ll take some of Aira-chan’s side dishes. That way, she can—”
“No, that’s not allowed…!”
“—!?”
When I reached for Aira-chan’s struggling side dishes, Luna suddenly raised her voice to stop me.
I looked at her, startled, and saw panic on her face.
Did I say something wrong…?
“Indirect kisses are off-limits! I won’t allow it! Absolutely not…!”
Luna rattled off her objections, leaning in close.
Her intensity was overwhelming—she meant every word.
“L-Luna…?”
Her fervor made me instinctively step back.
But Luna closed the distance, peering into my face.
“You’re my fiancé, Seito-sama, so you can’t have indirect kisses with other girls…!”
This princess really has a strong possessive streak, doesn’t she?
Now that she mentions it, eating Aira-chan’s half-eaten food would count as an indirect kiss…
If Luna’s jealous even of Aira-chan, it’s no surprise she’d hate the idea.
Still—
“Forcing Aira-chan to eat isn’t good either, right…?” I said.
I figured gentle Luna would understand—there’s no benefit to making someone eat when they can’t.
Sure, athletes building their bodies might push past their limits as part of training, but Aira-chan’s not like that.
…Well, she’s kind of special in her own way.
“I-I’ll eat it…!”
Desperate to keep me from eating Aira-chan’s food, Luna pressed a hand to her chest, insisting.
Is it that serious…?
“Luna, can you really handle it?”
Like Aira-chan, Luna’s a light eater and only prepares what she can manage.
Taking on Aira-chan’s leftovers on top of that seems like a lot—especially with cake coming up afterward.
It’s not much different from Aira-chan’s situation.
“Luna-sama, that’s too much…”
Aira-chan, reluctant to let her master eat her leftovers, tried to stop her.
She’d probably rather force herself to eat than let Luna do it.
But Luna wasn’t backing down—or so I thought, until she suddenly froze, as if realizing something.
Then, she started thinking.
No, more like hesitating?
Her expression seemed to betray confusion, as if she wasn’t sure she should go through with whatever she was considering.
What’s going through her head? I waited for her next words.
Finally, she spoke slowly.
“Th-Then… how about you eat mine, Seito-sama…?”
Her face turned beet red as she offered me her half-eaten side dishes.
She was saying I should have an indirect kiss with her, not Aira-chan.
“Are you sure…?”
Seeing her blushing furiously, eyes practically spinning with embarrassment, I double-checked.
We’d shared chopsticks before, so this wasn’t that big a deal in comparison.
But Luna probably wasn’t used to letting someone eat her leftovers.
Her red face likely came from that kind of shame.
“It’s better than you eating Aira’s…!”
Convinced I’d eat Aira-chan’s food if she backed down, Luna seemed determined to stand her ground.
What should I do…?
I glanced at Aira-chan, hoping for her usual reliability, but since she was kind of the cause of this, she looked just as lost.
Luna’s offering her food instead of eating it herself probably means she wants me to have it—and since I was planning to eat Aira-chan’s anyway, maybe I should just take Luna’s.
“Alright, I’ll have yours then,” I said, trying to act casual with a smile so they wouldn’t worry.
“Ah…!?”
But the moment I took it, Luna let out a sound like she regretted it, her embarrassment winning out.
“Should we stop…?”
Her face looked pale, so I checked again.
I wasn’t trying to force her, and I didn’t want her to feel sick over it.
“Uh, um, well…”
Luna’s eyes darted around, clearly unsure herself.
In the end—
“Ugh…!”
As if battling within herself, her eyes welled up with tears.
“Whoa, you don’t have to cry…!?”
“I’m not crying…! I’m just embarrassed…!”
Apparently, the shame of letting me eat her leftovers had pushed her past her limit.
She hadn’t even reacted this strongly to standing in front of me in my shirt or just a towel, so this must be a different kind of embarrassment.
“If you want to stop, we can stop,” I said gently.
I didn’t want to make her cry, and there was no need to force it.
We could just eat the cake tomorrow.
But—
“I-It’s fine… We’re practically husband and wife… I can handle it…”
With tears in her eyes and a flushed face, Luna resolved to go through with it.
…She’s putting effort into the wrong thing…
I thought it, but I didn’t dare say it.
“Okay, I’ll eat then,” I said.
Not wanting to drag it out and make it harder for her, I moved to take a bite.
Just then, Luna placed her hand over mine, stopping my chopsticks.
“W-Wait…!”
I thought she’d made up her mind, but she was still hesitating.
Changing her mind after committing must mean her embarrassment was overwhelming.
“Should we call it off?”
It was the same pattern as before, but since she stopped me, I had to ask.
Luna let go of my hand.
“Since we’re here… let me…”
She picked up her chopsticks with her right hand and her plate of half-eaten side dishes with her left.
Her intention was obvious without asking.
“Aira-chan’s watching…?”
“It’s fine, she won’t mind…”
Apparently, Luna wanted to feed me herself.
She’d done it when we were alone before, but not since Aira-chan started eating with us…
Being watched felt way too embarrassing, so I glanced at Aira-chan.
She was looking down, nibbling at her food, avoiding our eyes.
Normally, she’d probably stare on purpose, but today she was being considerate.
—Or maybe she knew I wouldn’t go along with Luna unless she looked away.
What a sharp kid.
“Alright… go ahead,” I said.
It was embarrassing, but Luna was already enduring a lot of shame.
Backing out to stay in my comfort zone wouldn’t be fair.
So, I let her take the lead.
“Ah… okay, here—open wide,” she said.
When I opened my mouth, Luna’s eyes lit up with a happy squint as she fed me a bite.
Since she was using her chopsticks—well, you get the idea.
‘You two flirt so naturally…’
As Luna fed me, Aira-chan muttered something under her breath.
Was she annoyed?
Also—
“Aira-chan, since Luna’s eating for you, you don’t have to force yourself, okay? We’ve got cake later,” I said.
Aira-chan was still slowly eating her side dishes.
Since we hadn’t told her to stop, she probably felt like she had to keep going.
“But I can’t let Luna-sama eat for внимательно…”
Since we’d decided without checking with her, Aira-chan resisted.
Letting her master clean up her mess was probably unthinkable for her—normally, it’d be absurd.
But this was an exception, and we needed her to see it that way.
“Aira, if you eat, I won’t have enough for myself,” Luna said.
Only Luna, her master, could sway Aira-chan.
She knew that and stepped in without me saying anything.
As Luna said, she’d calculated giving me her portion while taking Aira-chan’s.
If Aira-chan kept eating, Luna would end up with less than her usual amount, leaving her hungry.
—Well, we’ve got cake, so we can adjust things there, but I didn’t need to say that out loud.
“Very well…”
Seeming to make up her mind at her master’s words, Aira-chan hesitantly offered her side dishes.
Luna took them and looked at me expectantly.
She probably wanted to feed me herself.
“Should I let you feed me?” I asked.
“Yes…”
When I checked, Luna nodded shyly, her eyes warm with anticipation.
Her lack of stubborn pride in moments like this—being honest about what she wanted—made things easier for me.
I took Aira-chan’s plate from Luna, along with the chopsticks she’d been using.
I moved to feed her a bite slowly, but—
“…”
Luna didn’t open her mouth, as if waiting for something.
“Uh…?”
Confused why she wouldn’t open up, I tilted my head, chopsticks hovering awkwardly.
But Luna didn’t explain.
She just stared into my eyes, her gaze full of expectation.
“If you don’t open your mouth, I can’t feed you…?”
“That’s close, but not quite…”
She sounded a little disappointed at my words.
What’s “close”?
Is she expecting something specific from what I say?
I thought so, but I wasn’t sure what she wanted.
She wouldn’t want me to stop feeding her, right…?
“Perhaps, like Luna-sama did earlier, she wants you to do the same, Seito-sama…”
As I floundered, Aira-chan—who’d been looking away—offered a hint.
Even without watching, she seemed to understand Luna’s actions perfectly.
I’d thought Luna might get annoyed at Aira-chan for giving a hint since she wanted me to figure it out, but she just kept looking at me expectantly.
Actually, her cheeks seemed redder, and her eyes glistened more, like her anticipation had grown.
She must think I’d get it now, thanks to Aira-chan’s nudge.
I recalled what Luna did earlier.
It wasn’t anything complicated.
She’d just fed me.
The key wasn’t the action but what she said.
Her saying “close” when I spoke confirmed it.
And then it hit me—what she was waiting for.
Given Luna’s romantic streak and how much she loves moments like this, it made sense she’d wait for me to say it.
“Here… open wide…”
Feeling my face burn with embarrassment—I wasn’t used to this—I said what I thought she wanted.
And Luna—
“Open wide♪”
—she opened her mouth happily, just a little.
This princess is so clingy sometimes, it’s like she’s attacking my mental defenses…
I thought it but kept it to myself—she’d get hurt if I said it out loud.
At least her mood’s back to normal.
---
“I’m back,” Luna announced.
After dinner, she and Aira-chan had gone to her place to bathe, and now she was back in my room.
As usual, she was dressed casually in one of my school shirts—her classic boyfriend-shirt look.
It seemed she’d changed in the bedroom before coming to the living room.
“You’ve totally made the boyfriend-shirt thing a habit, huh…”
Thanks to that, my self-control’s gotten a lot stronger.
…Though my heart still races like crazy.
“Hehe… I am your fiancée, Seito-sama…”
Luna always seemed extra cheerful when wearing my shirt.
She must love it—and feel happy doing it.
That’s probably why she wears it every night.
Honestly, her unguarded look—both innocent and unintentionally provocative—makes my heart pound, but seeing her so happy in my clothes warms me too.
So, I don’t tell her to stop.
Though, I’ll admit, it’s tough knowing where to look sometimes.
“You’ve already bathed too, right, Seito-sama?”
Usually, while Luna and Aira-chan bathe at her place, I shower here.
She knows that, so her asking must mean something’s up.
“Yeah. Wanna head to bed if you’re sleepy?”
“Maybe she’s tired,” I thought, but—
“No, I’m fine. We still have to eat the cake,” she said.
Guess I was wrong.
I’d hoped to lighten Aira-chan’s load after she struggled with dinner, but no luck.
Still, dinner was less than usual for her, and she’d enjoyed the cake earlier, so maybe she’d eat it happily.
“Then what’s up?”
“Well…”
When I asked, Luna started fidgeting, pressing her index fingers together.
Her face was red—she was about to ask for something.
I glanced behind her.
Aira-chan stood there, as usual, the earlier tension gone, back to her normal self.
When she caught my eye, she looked up diagonally, like she was thinking.
That’s her tell for when she’s about to say something unhelpful.
She’s probably cooking up something unnecessary.
And then—
“Luna-sama wants to start bathing with you, Seito-sama,” Aira-chan said.
“Don’t just casually lie like that!”
Aira-chan smirked, bringing up bathing together again, and Luna instantly shut her down.
These two never change, do they?
“A lie… is it?”
Aira-chan tilted her head cutely, blinking innocently at Luna.
Luna caught her breath for a second before responding.
“W-What’s that supposed to mean?”
For some reason, Luna stammered and looked away.
It was like she was admitting she had something to hide.
She’s so clever but terrible at lying.
“In your heart, you do want to bathe with him, don’t you?”
“~~~!”
Aira-chan pressed relentlessly, and Luna’s face turned crimson, letting out a wordless squeak.
Bullseye, apparently.
“Luna…”
“It’s not true…! Seito-sama, it’s not like that…! I’d never think something so improper…!”
When I said her name, Luna rushed toward me, desperate to explain.
It felt less like she was worried about a misunderstanding and more like she was trying to cover something up—but maybe I’m reading too much into it?
“You’re his fiancée, so there’s no need to hide it, is there?”
“Be quiet, Aira…! You’ll make Seito-sama misunderstand…!”
Aira-chan kept pushing, and Luna, still beet red, snapped back cutely.
She’s set on saving adult stuff for after marriage, so she’s probably resistant to the idea of bathing together.
Naturally, I’m not mentally prepared either, so even if she asked, I couldn’t just say yes.
That said… as Aira-chan pointed out before, Luna has come out in front of me in just a bath towel…
That was pretty bold too, wasn’t it?
“It’s okay, I’m not misunderstanding,” I said, pushing those thoughts aside and gently patting Luna’s head to calm her.
Honestly, seeing her so flustered made me think she might’ve been considering what Aira-chan said—at least a little.
But saying that out loud would only corner her, not help.
After all, with her strong sense of propriety, she’d probably turn me down even if I suggested it.
…She is proper, right?
The memory of her in a towel or sleeping next to me every night in my shirt made me a little less certain.
“Thank you, Seito-sama…”
Relieved that I was on her side, Luna sighed and relaxed.
But behind her, Aira-chan was staring at me, clearly unimpressed.
It felt like she was saying, Don’t dodge it.
I get that Aira-chan wants Luna and me to grow closer, but jumping to something like this feels like skipping too many steps.
We’re still students, and our relationship’s just getting started, so there’s no rush—we can take our time building it.
…Though, if someone called me a coward, I couldn’t exactly deny it.
I thought Luna might scold Aira-chan afterward, but she didn’t say anything.
Probably because she was afraid of digging up more or getting called out again.
---
“By the way, what was it you wanted to say earlier, Luna?”
As I set the cakes on the table, I brought up the topic Aira-chan’s interruption had derailed.
“Eek!?”
Unfortunately, I’d spoken just as Luna was lifting a cake to plate it, and she fumbled it in surprise.
The cake…!
Aira-chan, who’d been eagerly awaiting the cake with sparkling eyes, swiftly slid her plate under the falling dessert.
It was a lightning-fast move—her first serious one in a while.
She must really care about that cake.
“Thank you, Aira…”
“No, it’s part of my duty,” Aira-chan replied, handing the plate with Luna’s cake back to her with a smile.
Since it was Luna’s cake she’d caught, it made sense.
But then Aira-chan fixed her gaze on me.
Since she and I were splitting the two-pack from the convenience store, she was probably waiting for her share.
Or maybe her eyes were saying, Hurry up and give me mine.
“Sorry for startling you, Luna,” I said.
I felt bad about keeping Aira-chan waiting, but I needed to apologize to Luna first.
“N-No, it’s fine…”
Luna’s face was red, and she looked away.
She didn’t seem fine at all.
Whatever she’d wanted to say must’ve been something big to fluster her this much.
“Should I not ask?”
“Ah…”
When I offered to drop it, her eyes wavered.
“No, I… I’d like you to hear it…”
So, she did want to ask for something.
Her eyes had shaken because she thought I’d back off and not listen.
“Got it. What is it?”
I smiled to make it easier for her to speak.
“…”
But Luna looked down, fidgeting with her fingers again.
It seemed hard for her to say.
“Take your time,” I said.
Not wanting to rush her, I plated Aira-chan’s cake first and handed it to her, then prepared my own.
Luna kept fidgeting the whole time, but—
“That’s… not fair…”
When she looked up to say something and saw our cakes, her cheeks puffed out slightly.
Uh, what?
“What’s not fair…?”
She was clearly sulking, but I had no clue why, so I asked, puzzled.
Luna’s eyes darted between my cake and Aira-chan’s.
“Sharing a cake from the same pack is something lovers do… Shouldn’t I be the one sharing with you, not Aira…?”
Oh, I get it now.
Luna was upset that I’d shared the two-pack with Aira-chan instead of her.
She’s as jealous—or possessive—as ever.
But that’s kind of cute too.
“Here, Luna-sama,” Aira-chan said.
Ever perceptive, she’d already figured out why Luna was jealous.
She’d moved closer and offered her cake to Luna.
Not to give it away, probably, but to trade.
But Luna—
“But this cake was specially given to us by Suzumiya-san…”
—she hesitated to swap.
Kind, earnest, and considerate, Luna didn’t want to dismiss someone’s goodwill.
She must’ve felt it was wrong to give away a cake the class president had given her to Aira-chan.
Which makes me wonder what that says about me, since I gave mine to Aira-chan without a second thought…
Luna probably wasn’t thinking that far, though.
“I think as long as we enjoy the cake, the class president won’t mind,” I said.
She knew we’d taken some for Aira-chan too.
Luna and I had already eaten plenty at the café, so even if Aira-chan ate all the take-home cakes, the president wouldn’t care.
If anything, she’d be thrilled to hear Aira-chan enjoyed them.
“Really…?”
“She’s kind and thoughtful, so she won’t sweat the small stuff.”
That’s why she was chosen as class president in a class full of good people.
“I see… Thank you, Aira,” Luna said.
Convinced, she set her cake on the table and happily took Aira-chan’s.
But Aira-chan looked even more delighted.
She grabbed the café cake Luna had left with a cheerful grin.
Since she’d loved the café’s cakes earlier, she was probably thrilled to have another.
Maybe Aira-chan wanted the swap even more than Luna did.
“Hehe… sharing with you, Seito-sama…♪”
Luna looked plenty happy too, so it was a win-win.
“Um, Seito-sama… could I ask for something…?”
Just as we were about to eat, Luna—who’d been gazing at her cake with joy—spoke up.
She fidgeted, looking up at me with expectant eyes.
It seemed she’d made up her mind.
“Sure, what is it?”
Thinking it might be another “open wide” moment, I asked casually.
But Luna’s request blew my expectations out of the water.
“Could I… sit on your lap…?”
Yes, her request was to sit on my lap.
“Your lap!? Like, on my legs!?”
“Yes…”
Her voice was barely a whisper as she nodded slowly.
She wasn’t joking.
Normally, I wouldn’t have freaked out this much.
But right now, Luna was in her boyfriend-shirt look.
Her legs were completely bare from the thighs down—no fabric to cover them.
And me? It’s September, still warm, so I’m in shorts.
If she sat on my lap, our bare skin would touch directly.
Her flawless, smooth thighs against mine.
Just imagining it was overwhelming.
“Did Aira-chan put you up to this…?”
Whenever Luna says or does something wild, Aira-chan’s usually behind it.
So, I asked, but—
“Perhaps one day we’ll need to have a long talk about how you feel about Luna-sama, Seito-sama,” Aira-chan said, giving me a meaningful look before flashing a cute smile.
It was a heartwarming smile, but for some reason, cold sweat ran down my back.
I must be picking up something close to killing intent.
So, this wasn’t her doing.
“Then… you came up with this yourself, Luna?”
“I’ve… always dreamed of it…”
It was another thing she’d wanted to do with a lover.
As that lover, I couldn’t refuse.
Or rather, I wasn’t foolish enough to pass up something this precious.
But one thing worried me…
“Uh, I won’t get in trouble for this, right…?”
Just to be safe, I checked with Aira-chan, who seemed to know these things.
“As her fiancée, there’s no issue. As long as you take responsibility, that is,” she said with a sly grin.
It felt like she was implying, You know what happens if you don’t.
This girl doesn’t hesitate to throw around threats…
“Alright… come here, Luna,” I said.
I sat on the sofa and spread my arms to welcome her.
Since she’d brought it up before eating, she probably wanted to eat the cake on my lap.
“Ah… hehe…”
Luna smiled happily and settled onto my lap.
The warmth and weight were—frankly—overwhelming.
Above all, her skin against mine felt incredible.
“I’m so happy…”
As I was hyper-aware of her thighs, Luna—who’d sat sideways so we could see each other—leaned her head on my shoulder, beaming.
I’m glad she’s happy.
My heart’s pounding so loud it might explode, though.
Right in front of us—
She was quietly eating her cake, but her expressionless face made it impossible to guess what she was thinking.
Maybe I was off-base—maybe she was thinking, Ugh, lovebirds, go explode.
…Nah, probably not.
She wouldn’t know a phrase like that.
Even I only know it from old manga or anime.
That aside, was Aira-chan eating so calmly because Luna was here, unlike her joyful reaction earlier?
“Muu…”
As I glanced at Aira-chan, a sulky noise came from the princess on my lap.
Looking down, I saw Luna puffing out her cheeks, glaring at me with discontent.
Apparently, she didn’t like me looking at another girl in this situation.
“Sorry, I just got distracted because Aira-chan was staring,” I said.
Instead of making excuses, I told the truth and patted Luna’s head.
With someone as honest, kind, and considerate as her, I always thought sincerity was the best approach.
“Mmm…♪”
Whether it was my honesty or the head pats, Luna let out a happy sound.
Her eyes squinted contentedly as she pressed her cheek against my chest.
Guess her anger’s gone.
“Luna-sama, you’d forgive anything if Seito-sama spoils you, wouldn’t you?” Aira-chan said with a wry smile, clearly having thoughts about the scene.
As she said, Luna seems to forgive easily—almost too easily—when I pamper her.
“Well, she’s always been kind,” I replied.
So far, the only time Luna shows darker emotions is when she’s jealous.
And even then, it’s usually aimed at me or someone else—mostly Aira-chan—but it’s never harmful, just cute sulking to make her point.
Her kindness probably keeps it at that level.
“That’s what they call being whipped, isn’t it?” Aira-chan teased.
“That’s not quite it, is it…?”
I think it’s just Luna being kind.
Also, how does she even know a phrase like that?
They’re really fluent in Japanese.
“Then, perhaps a pushov—”
“That’s way off…!”
She’s gonna get in trouble with Luna if she says that…!
Or so I thought, but Luna was too focused on the head pats to hear us.
She was even happily nuzzling her cheek against my chest.
“Pfft…”
Aira-chan smirked triumphantly, as if she’d planned it all.
This maid really does whatever she wants.
I’m honestly impressed she doesn’t get scolded more…
“Oh, the cake…”
Snapping out of her clingy daze, Luna glanced at the table.
Noticing the cakes had gone from three to two, she turned her gaze to Aira-chan.
“…”
“Urk…”
Under Luna’s sad eyes, Aira-chan swallowed hard, looking guilty.
Luna’s silence seemed to corner her even more.
—Yes, Luna had wanted to see Aira-chan eat her cake, but she’d been too caught up cuddling to notice, missing it again.
“I’m sorry for eating ahead…”
Unable to escape Luna’s sad stare, Aira-chan bowed apologetically.
“I don’t think it’s something you need to apologize for…”
Feeling bad for her, I jumped to her defense.
That made Luna turn her silent, sad eyes on me, stirring a pang of guilt.
“We didn’t tell her to wait, and, well… she ate while we were… you know, being all lovey-dovey, so it’s not her fault, right…?”
Saying “lovey-dovey” out loud was mortifying, but I chose words to lift Luna’s mood, trying to convince her.
Plus, it was true.
With us acting like that in front of her, Aira-chan probably wanted to distract herself by eating.
“I didn’t say anything…”
Luna pressed her face into my chest, rubbing it back and forth.
It’s cute, but… what’s this about?
It doesn’t seem like her mood’s fixed.
“How about I buy more cake tomorrow?”
I couldn’t see her face, but she seemed to be sulking, so I stroked her head gently and made a suggestion.
Her face lit up instantly.
“You’re right…! Let’s buy some tomorrow after hanging out with Mii-chan…!”
She must really want to see Aira-chan eat cake.
Smiling brightly, she nodded eagerly.
I wasn’t sure how long we’d be with Mii-chan, but if the class president’s café was open, we could get cakes there—if not, the convenience store would do.
—Though, judging by how Aira-chan ate just now, I had a feeling Luna’s expectations might not be met.
Speaking of Aira-chan, she sighed in relief as Luna’s mood improved.
For now, things had settled nicely.
—And afterward, Luna fed me cake on my lap with an “open wide,” and I returned the favor, careful not to drop her, making us even more lovey-dovey.
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