“Um, I now understand the reason you are so familiar with Elena-san, due to this situation. You were very considerate towards someone of my low status.”
“With how things are, it seems you two could become close friends?”
“……”
Luna’s gaze conveying [It’s because of you who don’t understand] does not reach Byleth, who is smiling.
“Huh? Ignoring me!?”
“Sorry. I was lost in thought for a moment. By the way, there’s something I need to report to you.”
“Hmm, sounds like you’re thinking about something difficult… Wait, report?”
“Yes. I plan to attend the dinner party Miss Elena invited me to. So please take care of me on the day.”
“Oh! I’m looking forward to it.”
Indeed, Byleth had been waiting for an opportunity to ask if Luna would attend.
There was one concern.
“…You’re not too surprised. You know that I usually declined such a gathering, don’t you?”
“Elena told me. Luna will be attending.”
“Huh.”
“She’s sticking to her word, isn’t she?”
“Just one thing, could you tell me… why she said I would attend? Did you hear that?”
Luna, showing signs of agitation, spoke with a tense voice.
With her golden eyes shaking, she looked up at him with an upward glance.
Why did someone other than herself say she would attend? There was only one reason.
“I heard about it, but I didn’t understand the details because it was an analogy.”
“An analogy, you say.”
“If Luna wants to hear too? I can’t tell you accurately, but I remember it roughly.”
“Yes, please.”
[I didn’t understand the details]
With just that one phrase, Luna, enveloped in a feeling of relief, quickly regains her composure.
At that moment, Byleth tells the analogy.
“Well, it seems that at this dinner party, Luna’s favorite thing will be prepared. But it’s in a state where a third party is targeting it, and they plan to take it away on the day of the dinner party.”
“I see. That’s terrible of the third party.”
“Ah. Now that you mention it, that might be true. It would be better if they shared it. Using a knife or something.”
“…”
“Huh? W-What? That look…”
As soon as he finished speaking, Byleth asked fearfully.
With eyes that seemed to say [You really don’t understand anything], Luna, who had changed her gaze to a chilling one.
“D-D-Did I say something weird? Me…”
“No. If you think about it carefully, there’s nothing wrong with what you said. I’m sorry.”
“Oh, really? So if we negotiate, things might go in a better direction.”
What the two are imagining is completely different. However, by chance, what they’re saying is also correct.
“Anyway, it’s a good analogy.”
“Hey, can you tell me what Luna likes? You’ve given me hints about things other than books, but I can’t think of anything.”
“…Are you curious?”
“Yeah. And it’s embarrassing. I’ve been involved with Luna so much, and I didn’t even know her favorite thing.”
It’s natural to think like this.
Elena, who has little to do with Luna, knows what Luna likes.
On the other hand, Byleth, who should have a deep relationship with her, doesn’t know what she likes.
“To be honest, there’s nothing to worry about. When you feel that way, you become a victim.”
“A victim… am I?”
“Yes. (Falling in love) A victim. That means it’s difficult to guess what I like so much.”
She added a nuance quietly and said it with a serious face, leaving further words.
“…But even I, who defended you, became a (intoxicated) victim.”
“S-So? There are so many victims…”
“There’s no damage done. Um, sorry. The conversation got off track. Let’s get back to the original topic.”
Thinking it might get lengthy, Luna cuts in early.
“I’ll tell you about the previous matter if you’re willing to exchange information with me.”
“Information exchange?”
“Exactly. I’ll tell you about the [things I like] you heard about. In return, you’ll answer my questions.”
“Oh, that sounds good! I think it’s a great suggestion!”
Her proposal is about getting to know each other.
There’s no reason to refuse.
“So how should we proceed? I’m fine with either.”
“Then, if you don’t mind, may I ask the questions first?”
“Of course. Go ahead.”
And so, the information exchange begins in the library.
With a relaxed attitude… no, with anticipation, Luna casually averts her gaze from Byleth, who seems relaxed, and her heartbeat quickens as she asks her question.
“…What kind of woman do you like?”
“Huh?”
“[Huh] is not an answer. I’m not saying anything surprising. I’ll be answering about [liking] too.”
“Uh, well, it’s just that it’s a bit of a surprising question.”
Byleth’s heart is briefly disturbed, but he quickly regains his composure as he looks at Luna’s calm demeanor.
He furrows his brow as he thinks.
“What kind of woman I like…”
“Please refrain from giving the clichéd answers like [kind].”
“Hmm…”
With even more difficult conditions added, he groans.
“…”
“… “
He thinks for a while.
After a moment of pondering, preceded by an “um,” Byleth answers with a sheepish smile, as if trying to hide his embarrassment.
“Well, let’s see… I like someone who’s natural. Ahaha…”
“Is that your honest answer?”
“Y-yeah. It might sound sarcastic coming from me, but there aren’t many people who treat me as an equal because of the Marquis’s pedigree… And there are also bad rumors about me, so most people seem to be fear me…”
“Being feared is a good thing, isn’t it?”
This world is a class-based society.
Being feared is a sign of having a firm position.
Luna’s words are correct. It’s obvious, but Byleth’s values are different.
“Well, yeah, that’s true, and I have to accept it as inevitable… But it feels uncomfortable to be kept at a distance.”
“… “
Luna blinks at his reason. She doesn’t move a muscle, as if she doesn’t understand.
“Y-you know, I know I might be saying something strange… and something luxurious. But, this is who I am. I want to get along with everyone regardless of their status.”
This statement will likely make him many enemies. Of course, it’s something he can’t say publicly.
But, because it’s Luna, he can express himself freely.
“So, I want someone who treats me naturally without worrying about my status.”
“I see.”
Byleth is unaware.
This is the second time Luna has heard these words.
Then, what about the first time? If asked, it would have been just a few tens of minutes ago.
(Because Byleth is weird, he’d be happy if you didn’t worry about his status.)
Yes… this advice Elena gave as she left the library is identical.
“…You’re really a weird one, aren’t you? It’s like you’re asking me to be rude to you.”
“It seems fun, doesn’t it?”
“Yes. Fear wins.”
“Hehe, a sharp comeback.”
Byleth laughs. And Luna, trying not to look at him, seems to be closing her eyes with joy.
It’s just like him.
“So, since I’ve finished answering your question, is it Luna’s turn?”
“Understood.”
“What does Luna like?”
[nod]
She answers that question with a slight nod.
She had decided on her answer before Byleth asked.
Luna answered in her own way.
Looking into his eyes, she answers, “[It’s right in front of me…].”
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(……I figured this is how it would go.)
Since I had anticipated this development, I didn’t feel tense.
I answered while looking into his eyes,
“It’s right in front of me.”
Honestly, anyone would probably figure it out if I did something like this. Maybe some would even consider the possibility…
But he did not betray my expectations with his actions.
After looking dumbfounded, he turned around as if following my gaze.
(……Sigh)
Even though I was looking right at him, why did it end up seeming like my gaze went right through him?
While I wasn’t quite prepared for being found out, which is troubling, this reaction doesn’t make any sense to me.
“Eh? Something in front of Luna…it’s not a book, is it? Elena said it’s not a book.”
“Yes, it’s not a book.”
“Hold on a sec, let me think for a bit.”
“……”
(You’re serious, but you’ll never guess right.)
As soon as you turn around, you’re completely off the mark from my “likes.”
Certainly, humans aren’t “things.” It’s inappropriate to fit “things I like” onto a person, but if rephrased, it becomes appropriate.
(…He really doesn’t have a clue. The concept of himself being the answer.)
Now that I know this, I can anticipate what his next answer will be.
The moment I make my prediction, he lets out a startled voice.
“Oh! Could Luna’s ‘like’ be the bookshelf!?”
(My prediction is) correct.
“All right! I got it! But yeah, it makes sense. Without a bookshelf, you can’t organize books, so it naturally becomes something that people who read like. And since it’s hard to share, it makes sense for the third party mentioned in the example to want to monopolize it!”
“Great insight.”
“Haha, with that hint, I think everyone would get it, right?”
(…)
(Even with receiving that hint, the person who completely doesn’t understand is right in front of me.)
I want to tell that clear-faced person.
(He hasn’t realized the sarcasm at all.)
Though there’s reasoning behind the bookshelf being a preference and intelligence that can be tied back from the metaphor, he…
He’s truly, incredibly troublesome…
It wouldn’t be surprising if he misunderstood it as a joke.
Because of this, unable to notice others’ kindness, rumors may have spread about him from the opposite sex… I can’t help but imagine.
“Oh, by the way, I forgot to tell Luna something.”
“What is it?”
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