After my date with Isis-san, I normally would have gone straight back to the Central Tower for dinner. However, I have promised to eat with Lilia-san and the others tonight, so I will head there after letting Kuro and the others know.

  As I walked out of the Central Tower, I saw someone familiar who had probably come to pick me up.

  [……Arehh? Lunamaria-san. Did you come all the way here to pick me up?]

  [Yes, popular restaurants tend to get crowded, so I’ve told My Lady and the others that I would fetch you first.]

  [Ahh, I see. Thank you.]

  [No…… By the way, Miyama-sama?]

  [Yes?]

  When I thanked her, Lunamaria-san smiled as if to say not to worry about it, before her expression changed to something serious and spoke.

  [……I’ve been meaning to ask you something for a long time……]

  [What is it?]

  [……Why is it that you still call me “Lunamaria-san”?]

  [……Huh?]

  The words that she seriously said weren’t something that I had expected. With a puzzled expression on her face, I waited for Lunamaria-san’s next words.

  [In the six months since Miyama-sama came to this world, I have been treating you as an important guest and have been “devoting my everything” to you.]

  [……No, I don’t remember you doing that.]

  [After all these times, Miyama-sama and I should have been closer!]

  […………………]

  ……Oi, don’t ignore what I’m saying, you useless maid. Putting aside whether we have become closer or not, I don’t remember you devoting anything to me, you know!? If anything, you were the one who was trying to tease me every chance you got! I mean, you even set me up a couple of times already!!!

  [And yet……. I still feel as if a barrier within Miyama-sama’s heart was blocking me!]

  [……Right now, more walls are forming around my heart, you know? It’s even getting taller, you know?]

  [“I have supported Miyama-sama in many situations”, if I may say so myself. We have taken on many challenges together, and I am even proud to say that we are comrades-in-arms.]

  [No, like I said, why the heck are you all brazenly putting yourself in such a position…… Seriously, you’re the only one who thinks like that, okay?]

  [But! However! There’s still a big wall between us.]

  [………………….]

  She’s not listening to me at all!? Why the heck were our conversations not connecting with each other at all!? This useless maid is freaking evading everything I’m saying!

  This is really astounding, but from the looks of it, she probably wouldn’t listen to me even when I deny things.

  Letting out a big sigh, I then told Lunamaria-san what I think she wanted me to say.

  [……So, in the end, what are you trying to say?]

  [I’m glad you asked! All I wanted from Miyama-sama is that…… putting it simply, to talk about your way of calling me!]

  [……Huhh.]

  [Even though Kusunoki-sama and Yuzuki-sama affectionately call me “Luna-san”, Miyama-san still calls me “Lunamaria-san”…… Isn’t this something that should be corrected immediately?]

  [……No, I mean…… I don’t feel like I’m affectionate enough with you that I would call you by your nickname……]

  [Wait right there, Miyama-sama? I’ve been trying to ignore it for a while now, but you’ve only been throwing a lot of insults at me though? It’s not like I wouldn’t get hurt no matter what you say, you know!?]

  In short, what Lunamaria-san is trying to say is that she wants me to call her Luna-san? No, well, I did reflexively complain…… but it’s not that I don’t like Lunamaria-san.

  She is a hopeless person who does everything to tease others…… but she’s dependable, and on the times when it seriously matters, she will be cordial and give you advice.

  [I understand. Well then, I’ll call you Luna-san from now on.]

  [……Y- Yes, that’s what I wanted.]

  [……Why are you looking away?]

  [N- No, it’s just that actually hearing you call me that…… m- makes me a little embarrassed.]

  Even though she was the one who requested it herself, when I called Luna-san as such, she turned away with a slight blush on her cheeks, seemingly feeling embarrassed.

  Fumu, I’ve been thinking about this for a while…… But could it be that Luna-san is actually a shy person?

  [……Well, I’ve certainly been saying mean things to you…… but I’ve always been relying on you, Luna-san.]

  [I- Is that so……]

  [I felt so close with you that I couldn’t help acting unreserved. I’m sorry about that. I hope that we will continue to get along.]

  [……N- No, well, I know that you’re just joking, but there’s no need to apologize. I- It’s not that I don’t like Miyama-sama either…… No, ermm, I rather have high praise in your personality instead…… m- making me feel favorable towards you……]

  […………………]

  [……Why are you smiling?]

  When I straightforwardly conveyed my favorable feelings for her, it was just as I expected, or rather, even more than I expected…… Luna-san flusteredly told me that she didn’t dislike me.

  Amused by her reaction, a smile appeared on my face, to which Luna-san frowned upon.

  [……Could it be…… that was on purpose?]

  [No, well, how should I say this…… Luna-san has a pretty cute side in you huh?]

  [Y- You…… You’re just playing with me!? You’re just playing with my innocent heart!? Since when have you become a bad man like this!!!?]

  [It’s just payback for your usual teasing…… Well, what I said about me relying on Luna-san is true though.]

  [G- Gununu……]

  After chuckling at Luna-san’s unusually vexed expression, I slowly started walking.

  [……Come on, Lilia-san and the others were waiting for us, right? Let’s quickly go.]

  [Kuhh…… I- I will definitely…… pay you back for these humiliations someday.]

  [I’m looking forward to it.]

  [Kuhhhhhhh……]

  Biting her lower lip with her face bright red, Luna-san started walking after me. It was kind of fun to see a different side of her than usual.

  Well, I’m kinda scared of her counterattack that’s waiting for me later……


  Dear Mom, Dad————– She likes to play pranks, and has a lot of bad qualities…… Even with all these things, I consider Luna-san to be an important and dependable friend. Well, I’m worried about the retaliation that will come someday because of this, but well————– I guess a relationship like this isn’t so bad.

  **********