25th day of the Earth month. It’s been three days since Lilia-san achieved her long-cherished dream at Amalie-san’s birthday party.

  I’m in a bit of a pickle at the moment…… That is because at the party, Lilia-san kissed me, which was very surprising, and I was able to reaffirm my own feelings at the same time as I knew how she felt. At that point, it was good.

  ……The problem is that after three days, not only has there been no progress with our relationships, but there has been no progress…… It seems that it has made our relationship quite awkward.

  Since that day, I don’t know if I should say that Lilia-san has been avoiding me or not…… When I talk to her, she flusteredly put an end to our conversation and goes away.

  If I had to guess why, I’d say it was because of that kiss…… Because for Lilia-san, it’s like she’s already confessed her feelings, and I can understand why the shy Lilia-san is that flustered.

  Currently, I’m in a situation where she isn’t responding to me, and I’m sure she’s feeling anxious and doesn’t know how she should treat me.

  However, the problem is that when I try to talk to her about it, she runs away immediately, so the conversation never progresses and there’s no chance for me to express my feelings.

  Moreover, she isn’t just lightly avoiding me, she straight up dashes away…… Just a slight hint of that topic peeking out, she would disappear from my field of sight with frightening speed…… I’m feeling troubled.

  [……So that’s how it is, but what do you think I should do?]

  [I see, so that’s why Lili was acting strange at that time…… Hmmm.]

  Hearing my story, Sieg-san tilted her head, looking troubled.

  I consulted Sieg-san, thinking that she was the best person in this mansion to ask for advice, but it really doesn’t seem to be easy to do.

  [With Lili’s personality, she’s probably run away even if you pushed her….. Though I say that, that doesn’t mean you can just let this drag on and on…… She might be troublesome, but there’s a really steady method through this situation.]

  [Ohhh, what kind of method is that?]

  [Yes, that is——- [ I have heard the situation! ] ———!?]

  [……Eh? Lunamaria-san?]

  Hearing a sharp voice interrupting Sieg-san’s words, when I looked back at the source of the voice, there stood Lunamaria-san…… Why is she leaning against the wall with her arms crossed? Also, I don’t know why you have that smug smile on your face, but stop that, it’s kind of irritating me……


  Lunamaria-san, who suddenly appeared, spoke with a nasty grin on her face, lightly placing her finger on her forehead.

  [……Let this Pilot of Love guide you through this sea of predicament!]

  [……Lunamaria-san, aren’t you ashamed, calling yourself that?]

  [Why did you calmly tsukkomi!? M- Miyama-sama…… A good man would go with the flow here, you know?]

  [I- Is that so……]

  To be honest, I don’t think I can rely on this self-proclaimed Pilot of Love at all, and after silently letting out a smile that really seemed to put on airs, she greatly nodded and turned towards us.

  [……I have a great idea!]

  [Ah, no thanks.]

  [Wait right there!? Miyama-sama!?]

  [So, Sieg-san. The steady method you’re talking about……]

  [You’ll just ignore me!?]

  ……That’s most probably because what she thinks wouldn’t work. I don’t need to hear about it anymore.

  Also, there’s simply a difference in my trust between Lunamaria-san and Sieg-san…… I don’t even have to think about which one to consult between the kind and sincere Sieg-san or the twisted Lunamaria-san, who teases people so much that it feels like it’s her purpose in life.

  But well, she seems to have lots of confidence in her idea…… So if it’s just listening, I guess that should be fine? I’m not really expecting anything from her answer though…… I mean, that’s Lunamaria-san we’re talking about here.

  [……I- I wonder why? I somehow feel like I’m being spoken ill of within Miyama-sama’s mind……]

  [……Huhh… Fine. Then, please let me hear your idea just in case.]

  [I’ve brought the keys to My Lady’s room, so you——- [ Rejected. Thank you, next. ] ——– Isn’t that too fast!?]

  [……Luna, can’t you be a bit more serious……]

  Suggesting me to go night-crawling, I knew that she would be suggesting a stupid idea…… It was stupid of me to think that there’s even a chance that she would make a serious suggestion.

  Deciding that I should ignore Lunamaria-san once again, I called out to Sieg-san, who is just as dumbfounded as I am.

  [Sieg-san, can I ask what your suggestion is again?]

  [Eh? Yes, though I say that, my suggestion is normal…… I think you should give her a present. It would be Lili’s birthday soon, and I think it will be enough of an opportunity to talk.]

  [……Eh? Lilia-san’s…… birthday?]

  I couldn’t help but ask back because I was more interested in what Sieg-san said, being that it would soon be Lilia-san’s birthday.

  [Yes, it’s on the 7th day of the Wind month, the month before the Light month.]

  [……Isn’t that real soon already!?]

  [Fumu, that’s a pretty good idea, Sieg. We’re going to be having a small party at the mansion, and you can give your present at that time……]

  [……You’re still here huh, Lunamaria-san.]

  Although I was dumbfounded since Lunamaria-san still joined the conversation, I felt that it was indeed a good idea.

  Including today, there are only twelve days until the 7th day of the Wind month…… I think that’s plenty of time enough for me to prepare my present.

  Besides, Lilia-san has always been a big help to me, and she even gave me that formal suit the other day…… I was just thinking about getting her something in return…… Since it would give me a chance to talk to Lilia-san and thank her, I think it was like killing two birds with one stone.

  [It certainly is a really good idea…… Thank you, Sieg-san! I’m really glad that I consulted Sieg-san!]

  [I- Is that so? I- If you’re glad about that, then I’m happy too.]

  [Sieg-san has really always been helping me……]

  [That’s not true. I’m the one who’s always being helped by Kaito-san instead.]

  [……If you’re going to flirt, could you please do it somewhere else?]

  Feeling really glad that I consulted with Sieg-san, I held her hand, and Sieg-san bashfully smiled at me, her cheeks blushing red.

  When I was feeling somewhat happy seeing her cute actions…… I heard Lunamaria-san’s voice, sounding somewhat amazed.

  [Kaito-san, if there’s anything I can help you, please tell me anything.]

  [Thank you very much. Hearing you say that feels really reassuring.]

  [Well, I guess it can’t be helped…… for Miyama-sama and My Lady’s sake, this unworthy Lunamaria would also pitch in and……]

  [No, thank you.]

  [Wait!? Miyama-sama, isn’t your attitude to me different from your treatment with Sieg!? Is your lover that important!!!?]

  [Yes.]

  [Guhhh…… M- Miyama-sama has already come to say such things huh.]

  Putting aside Lunamaria-san’s dubious offer of cooperation, thanks to Sieg-san’s help, I’ve decided on an objective and I will now try to work towards it.

  Dear Mom, Dad——– Because of what happened before, it seems that Lilia-san has been deliberately ignoring me. In order to solve this problem, and in order to convey my feelings to Lilia-san——– I’ve decided to carry out “Operation: Present”.

  **********

  {Author’s Notes}

  The theme of Lilia’s arc is that Kaito will do his best for Lilia.

  Starting from the next chapter, Kaito will go around to find Lilia’s birthday present.

  Serious-senpai: [……Not like it matters…… coz in the end…… it will always have a happy ending.]

  T/N: 79/237