Chapter 9: Since She Was Smiling, I’ll Call It a Success

The main dish was beef steak.

There had been four course options, including fish, but we’d unanimously agreed on the steak.

"So, why’d you drag me here?"

...Youta’s interrogation had begun.

His eyes remained fixed on me as he deftly sliced his meat with a knife.

"Do I need a reason to have a meal with a friend?"

"Coming from you, that’s not convincing. You live off instant food whenever you can, and the rare times you invite me out, it’s always ramen."

"Urk..."

I knew my excuse was weak, but Youta wasn’t cutting me any slack.

It was true—proper meals weren’t exactly common for me. Even though I lived alone, I had almost no experience cooking for myself.

My philosophy had always been: If my stomach’s full, that’s good enough. Calories first. Missing nutrients? Supplements could cover that. ...Come to think of it, when I’d told him that, his eyes had practically bulged out of his head.

"Besides, treating someone at a hotel like this? Doesn’t make sense. We’re not dating or anything."

"You’ve been looking out for me since the day we met. Consider this thanks for that."

"Haruto. You’re broke, aren’t you? Stop doing reckless stuff."

Ah, right. That was part of the backstory.

—If I remembered correctly, Kurosaki Haruto, this fictional persona’s details, had been decided by Leona.

To justify my lack of social skills, she’d gone with the tearjerker "his family’s dead, he’s all alone in the world." And to excuse any gaps in common sense, she’d made him dirt poor.

Parts of it were true, and Leona had called it "convenient," but now it was backfiring.

"A while back, you met a guy named Kongou, right?"

"Yeah... Your brother?"

"Not my brother. Anyway, he’s been sending me money. So I’ve got some to spare now."

"Then that’s even more reason to spend it on yourself, not others."

Youta was stubborn.

...Though that didn’t stop him from steadily clearing his plate.

"W-well, it’d be a waste not to eat something you’re being treated to!"

Noticing my gaze, Youta flushed slightly before shoving another piece into his mouth.

"Then since you’ve already eaten it, overthinking is pointless. Just enjoy it."

"...You’re weird, Haruto."

In the end, Youta polished off everything, even ordering dessert and coffee.

Honestly, his lack of restraint made me feel better too.

"Ahhh, I'm stuffed."

Youta narrowed his eyes in satisfaction, rubbing his stomach.

Honestly, this lunch had been surprisingly substantial despite its elegant plating. I wasn’t sure I could move anytime soon either.

"Seriously, you’re okay with treating me? …Not that I have the money to pay you back."

"Yeah. I got a discount since I know people here."

A lie, of course.

A few former members of the "Legion Brigade" had found work here, but they didn’t have that much pull.

The staff hadn’t been thrilled about two students reserving the entire place, but I’d bowed my head and pushed through. When I explained it was for Youta—for Luna—they’d jumped into action. Probably out of guilt.

Besides, the private booking had skyrocketed the price. No way Youta could afford it.

"Also… there’s something I want to give you."

Now for the main event.

This was the result of my research, guided by Hoshiko. A high-difficulty maneuver, judging by the reference materials she’d provided. The people in those books must’ve had nerves of steel to pull this off sober.

But the timing had to be now.

—Time to commit.

Snap.

With an overly dramatic flick of my fingers, a single employee appeared—one of my former subordinates. They bowed respectfully and handed me a lavish bouquet of crimson roses.

I cradled the blooms against my chest and murmured:

"Will you accept these?"

I didn’t really get it, but according to Hoshiko, this was the kind of situation any girl would love.

Silence swallowed the room.

"Pfft—"

The sound that shattered it was Youta’s laughter.

"Ahahahaha! What the hell is this?!"

She doubled over, howling, slapping the table between gasps.

"What’re you doing, Haruto?! This makes no sense!"

—Hmm.

Seems like a success.

Hoshiko’s expertise was undeniable. If even Youta—who was not a girl—was this delighted, it had to be foolproof.

"I’m glad you’re happy."

"I’m not happy! I’m laughing!"

A shame I couldn’t tell the difference.

But the objective was achieved either way.

Once the laughter subsided, Youta finally caught her breath.

"…Who told you to do this?"

"No one."

"Don’t lie so obviously. There’s no way this was your idea. …Though I guess you’re the only one dumb enough to actually go through with it."

Sharp as ever.

No point hiding it now. Might as well reveal my accomplice.

"Hoshiko. She helped me after I said I wanted to make you happy."

"You actually listen to Hoshiko? Look, she’s a dreamer—like, way off-base. She still buys elementary school shoujo manga magazines every month, and she’s in middle school."

Her expression was pure exasperation.

…For the record, those "reference materials" had been pretty interesting.

Despite Youta’s utter lack of faith in her little sister, this was undeniably a victory. Because—

"But it’s been a while since I’ve seen you laugh like this."

"…Huh?"

Ever since Youta became Luna, her smiles had been nothing but sneers or cold mockery. Not once in months had she laughed so freely in front of me.

The old Youta had been expressive, always wearing a gentle smile.

So this? Definite success.

"Wait… you reserved the whole place just to pull this stunt?"

"Yeah."

Her blue eyes wavered as I nodded, disbelief etched on her face.

"…You’re an idiot."

Her voice trembled.

Then, in the next moment, Youta’s expression softened into a smile—happy, yet somehow on the verge of tears—as she stared straight at me.