Chapter 8: Since It Was Meant to Be a Surprise, the Questions Were Ignored

The first weekend after the operation began.

The meeting point was Youta’s house.

I hadn’t told him much in advance—just something like, "Wanna grab lunch tomorrow?"

According to Hoshiko, the surprise factor was crucial.

"Girls can’t resist surprises!"

She’d insisted on it, but… Youta isn’t a girl.

Still, if his little sister says so, it must be true. Probably.

With an empty stomach, I sat slumped by the entrance in my sneakers, waiting for Haruto.

Not because I was too excited about eating with him or anything.

It’s just that Hoshiko’s been annoyingly hyper lately. On top of that—

"No snacking, Big Sis! You won’t be able to eat lunch!"

—she’d hidden all the snacks somewhere.

I was wearing a tracksuit.

Even the school skirt stresses me out—no way I’m dressing girly on a weekend.

Figured Haruto would drag me to some random ramen shop again, just like last time.

The guy’s the type who’d be fine eating cup noodles for every meal. Probably has something to do with losing his parents young, but still—there’s a limit. Is he even trying to stay healthy?

Right on time, the doorbell rang.

"Finally…"

I sighed and opened the door—

"……Huh?"

My brain short-circuited for a solid second.

"Sorry to keep you waiting."

"Uh… yeah."

Haruto strode in like it was nothing.

That part was normal.

But his outfit? Definitely not.

His crisp dress shirt was nothing like the one he wore to school. Over it, a jet-black tuxedo, complete with a perfectly knotted bow tie. And—were those gemstone cufflinks?

He looked like some drama protagonist about to attend a gala. I almost blurted out, "Who the hell are you supposed to be?"

"Let’s go."

"W-Wait, hold on—"

Too confused to process, I tried to stop him. Haruto just tilted his head.

"What’s wrong?"

Like I was the weird one here.

"No, no—where the hell are you taking me?!"

"You’ll see."

No room for argument. He grabbed my wrist.

…This guy gets weirdly pushy at the worst times.

Well, if we’re walking, it can’t be that far.

My expectations were shattered.

Why?

Because there was a taxi waiting outside.

He’d even called it in advance.

At first, I thought, "Yeah, no way he’d walk around town in a tux." But Haruto didn’t even flinch. If anything, I was the one embarrassed, standing there in my ratty tracksuit next to him.

"We’re here."

About thirty minutes later, we stepped out of the taxi.

"This place is…"

Shirasagi Lake—a small, supposedly scenic spot in Shirasagi City.

Despite the name, not a single heron lived there. A total fraud of a lake.

And towering beside it was our destination:

—Shirasagi Hotel, Égrete.

A historic hotel, and in a way, a place of memories.

Ever since we were kids, Hoshiko and I came here for birthday dinners.

I’d also visited as Luna a few times, thanks to Legion Brigade attacks.

Remembering the prices of the usual menu (not that we came often)—

"H-Hold up, I can’t afford this?!"

I yelped.

This place was a once-maybe-twice-a-year kind of splurge.

"Don’t worry. I’m paying."

"……Hah?"

That was not the response I expected.

This broke-ass guy?

I swallowed the words before they could slip out.

Haruto lived alone, pinching pennies so hard he barely covered utilities. No way he’d live in that dump otherwise.

The restaurant on the fourth floor? Even their lunch courses cost more than a high schooler’s fun budget. Pretty sure the cheapest set ran around four or five thousand yen.

There was no way Haruto had that kind of cash to throw around.

"I’m in a tracksuit. They’d be within their rights to kick me out."

A place this high-end had to have some dress code.

Not tuxedo-level, sure, but they wouldn’t be thrilled.

"Relax. That’s not an issue."

"Not an issue? I care. Other guests’ll stare, too."

"There are no other guests. I booked the place out."

"B-Booked out—?!"

"Called in a favor from a connection. And if you’re that bothered, they can lend you clothes."

……My jaw actually dropped.

In the end, I ended up changing into a formal dress.

The moment I stepped into the hotel, I felt so out of place I couldn’t stand it. I mean… a tracksuit? Really?

The staff member who helped me change even said—

"So you’re Hidaka-sama, the one Haruto-sama mentioned?"

…Haruto-sama?

Maybe she was the "connection" he’d talked about.

Her gaze carried a mix of emotions—interest, wariness, and a hint of suspicion. But honestly, I didn’t care. What bugged me was realizing Haruto had ties to people I didn’t even know about. It was irritating.

And what’s with the "-sama"? I get it for a first-time guest like me, but for someone he knows? Who the hell does this guy think he is?

"...What’s wrong?"

I must’ve been scowling while lost in thought. Haruto looked at me with concern.

Right now, we were seated at the restaurant on the fourth floor—a window-side table with a perfect view of the lake. Normally, this place would be livelier at night, but with the whole private booking thing, the emptiness felt oddly refreshing.

"Nothing…"

I deflected, spearing a piece of salmon with my fork. The burst of basil and tangy carpaccio sauce made my expression soften instantly.

Next, I took a bite of the onions and cucumbers. The crisp texture was irresistible.

…This is why it costs nearly five digits. Equivalent to three months of my allowance.

"Didn’t expect you to change, though."

Haruto brought it up as the plates were being cleared.

The dress I was wearing now was a deep blue, with only a modest white frill at the neckline—simple and understated.

I didn’t resist women’s clothes anymore.

Six months since becoming Luna.

I’d gotten used to it. No—forced to get used to it.

The terrifying part? Even my casual wardrobe at home had been completely replaced with women’s clothing.

Back when I transformed into Luna, my clothes would shift instantly. But now?

I wore skirts. I wore lingerie. By choice.

…It had been humiliating at first.

It felt like my identity as Youta was being shredded apart—agonizing in a way I couldn’t describe.

Haruto had seen me struggle through all of it. That’s why he called it "unexpected."

"I just didn’t want to embarrass myself. Could’ve at least told me where we were going."

"I do feel bad about that."

Watching him bow his head sincerely, I turned my gaze to the window. Shirasagi Lake glittered under the sunlight.

…Well, I do like high places.

Between the view and the food, my mood was steadily improving.

I leaned back, waiting for the next course.