"Squall. Squall Meusel."

Squall-san, is it? I'll definitely not forget about that.

"Thank you very much! And goodbye!"

"Yes. Goodbye, Orimura Ichika-kun."

I hurried to the restaurant, taking care not to let my suit crumple.

--Huh?

"Did-Did she just say my name...?"

Just when I was thinking about this, the elevator arrived.

Ah! Got to get to Houki fast!

◆

"..."

At the most inner table of the restaurant, sitting at that place and looking down at the night scenery was a restless Houki.

The reason she was anxious is the clothing she's wearing now.

"Our shop requires females to wear dresses."

Having been told to do that, Houki could only borrow a dress from the shop. As expected of female superiority in today's society. Men would be told to go buy it, and women can borrow the dresses inside the shop.

(It-It's not too weird, right?)

Houki was wearing a white dress, and the luxury showed more of the refined lady's image.

The last time she wore a dress was while doing the Cinderella fight during the school festival.

During that time, she was so focused on the right to live with Ichika that she didn't realize that the light and fluffy thing called a?dress?wouldn't calm her heart down.

(As expected, the kimono's still the best.)

That high performance costume's Number 1 in the world, at least for me.

Just when Houki was thinking about this, a voice came from behind, calling her.

"Sorry for being late, Houki."

"You're too slow, Ichika! What were you—"

She wouldn't feel good if she didn't rant off. Just when Houki was about to stand up, turn around and throw a tantrum—the world suddenly stopped.

"Yo."

Dressed in a tuxedo, Ichika was standing there.

He was dressed completely in black, and the suave coolness around him was undoubted.

(So-So handsome.)

Houki wanted to complain, but those thoughts were gone like the wind.

Staring blankly at Ichika, Houki was handed a bouquet.

"Please accept this."

"Are these...roses...? And they're all red..."

She received the bouquet of flowers for the first time in her life (and the red ones the girls always dreamed of). At this moment, Houki seemed to see a huge dream as all sorts of confusing thoughts rushed into her head.

(Ichika was late, I was angry, unable to calm down. Ichika finally came and suddenly gave me roses.)

She was completely lost.

Blank, Houki just stood there. The waiter in the gentleman's attire came to talk to her, and she sat down.

"Then, welcome, and enjoy the special dinner of this restaurant."

The duo who were greeted respectfully greeted back half a moment later.

"Then, please allow us to serve the meal according to the menu. Since both of you are underaged, we can't provide alcohol or the likes, but we can provide mineral water for both of you."

Ichika and Houki were really tense, and they nodded their heads in agreement without knowing what was going on.

The explanation then continued for a while, and both of them were finally released from the waiter. They couldn't help but sigh.

" 'Saying that we came to the right place', that's just inappropriate."

"That's right. This isn't a restaurant we should be at."

Looking around at the other tables, it seemed that they were all adults. And they were more like adults of the upper class of society instead of being just normal adults.

(Speaking of which.)

Houki put the bouquet of flowers on the table, and turned to look at Ichika, who was dressed in the tuxedo.

Ichika now looks more mature than usual. Basically—that's right, it's great.

(Why? Why is this guy so suited to wear men's clothing...)

It was the same with the butler outfit during the school anniversary. Anyway, he's just very suited to formal clothing.

(Do-Do I look bad?)

She lowered her head to look at her dress.

As expected, anything other than the kimono couldn't calm her down. It didn't look like it suited her that well.

"..."

She was somewhat depressed.

"Houki."

Lowering her head subconsciously, Houki anxiously lifted her head up as Ichika called her.

"This dress—"

"!"

*BKU!* She curled up.

What if he says that it's weird? What if he says that it doesn't suit me??Thinking about this, her heart felt like it was going to leap out.

"Not bad. It suits you well."

"Ah..."

--*DOKI!*

Her heart pounded hard.

"Is-Is that so? That's good."

She acted like it was nothing and coughed.

But the heartbeat that was left in her chest felt like it was going to burst out, and Houki could feel her face turning red.

(The dim lights help me a lot.)

After this, dish after dish was served, and yet she didn't feel the taste.

Actually, it was unbelievable that the food could even go through the throat, as Houki's heart had been beating wildly because of Ichika in front of her.

"But this is really a top-class restaurant. Each dish's so delicious."

"Is-Is that so?"

--Huuh? Who'd know how they taste like? It's all because of you, Ichika!

Thinking about this, Houki stared at Ichika.

"Hn?"

"Su...!"

What's wrong??Facing Ichika's smiling face, Houki's ears got red.

Ichika's so handsome, so cool, I can't even look at him straight now.

(Now's the only chance! I'll confess!)

Overcome by the impulse of wanting to pass her feelings, she couldn't bring her courage out. Anxious, Houki tried to encourage herself as she picked the glass cup on the table and drank the contents.

"I-Ichika!"

"What is it?"

"I-I—"

A sudden surge of excitement and pressure caused blood to rush up to Houki's head.

Her heart felt like a damaged engine going overload. It was impossible to stop it.

(Say it! Say it!)

She clenched her fists until the fingers dug into her palms, and she didn't care even though it was hurting her.

"I, well, I—"

Like! Just when Houki was about to say it, she suddenly went limp.

"...Huuh?"

The world spun around her.?What's happening? What's going on?—just like that, Houki's consciousness went out like a TV with the plug pulled out.

"Hey, Heey, Houki?"

Seeing Houki suddenly collapse on the chair, Ichika anxiously asked. But he couldn't do anything opposite the table, so he stood up and moved to Houki.

"Houki, what's wrong? Hey."

"Funya...Ihikaa..."

"Wah! What's wrong? Why do you reek of alcohol!?"

"Heh...what's going on..."

Her speech slurred, Houki swayed and leaped at Ichika.

"I'll teach you. I'll teach you!"

"Uwa! Idiot, stop it! Hey, stop hitting!"

"Nyahahahaha..."

Seeing this somewhat strange scene, the waiter hurriedly came over.

"Dear customer, what happened?"

"No, I'm not too sure. She became like this after drinking water."

"Water? Excuse me?"

The waiter took the empty cup and sniffed inside.

"Who-WHO SERVED WINE TO THIS CUSTOMER!"

"Wine?"

"Syake—"[7D 22]

"It-It was me!"

"YOU AGAIN! HOW MANY TIMES DID I TELL YOU NOT TO MESS THE ORDER!?"

The young man lowered his head and bowed as he faced the lecturing waiter. Houki was completely drunk, and Ichika just sighed.

◆

It's like a dream.

I'm waiting for a certain someone in the wide flower field.

A precious someone.

No, I knew who I was waiting for—a prince.

"—"

Someone called my name.

And I answered.

"Come up."

The Prince lifted my arm and guided me onto the horse.

I was carried by the Prince in front of his chest, and my chest felt like it was playing a tune.

"Shall we go?"

To where? I didn't ask.

Anywhere. To the ends of the world.

Anywhere will do as long as I'm with you.

"..."

I held onto the Prince tightly.

The warm, existent heartbeat was pure, undiluted happiness.

"Houki."

Gyaahh, the wind blew.

◆

"Fufufufuufu..."

GYAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHH!!!

"GUEEEEH! HOUKI, STOP IT! MY NECK'S ABOUT TO BREAK!...GUUEE!!"

Carrying the completely drunk Houki, I walked all the way back to IS Academy.

I'll return the dress next time.?I told the restaurant staff, and came out. However, it's still a heavy journey.

(Besides, I'm in a tuxedo. And Houki's in a dress...)

It can't be helped if someone asks us which party did we come back from.

And Houki continued to smile as she slept, and the surrounding eyes would look at us.

"Haa...a lot of things sure happened today. I'm so tired..."

But never mind. It's not like I felt any worse.

(Houki looks beautiful in a dress.)

Considering that she's leaning on my back and sleeping, Houki let out stable breathing.

My childhood friend, who gave a completely refreshing charm after changing clothes, really looks cute to my somewhat biased eyes.

"...Ichika..."

"Hm? Are you awake?"

"Uu."

Nope. She's still drunk. Speaking of which, maybe she's all dizzy now.

"Anyonya."[7D 23]

"I don't understand what you're trying to say."

"Funi."

"Do you want some water?"

"...Syuki."[7D 24]

Hn? What do I need to take note of?[7D 25]

"Houki."

"...Suu..."

Ahh, she fell asleep again.

Really, you.

...

......

.........

"Then, Takatsuki-san. I'll leave her to you."

Finally making my way to the first year dorm of IS Academy, I brought Houki to her room and left her with her roommate.

Most likely, there'll be gossip of me carrying Houki back. I tried my best to avoid a few people, but some girls caught me.

Thinking about this, as I walked out, I met Chifuyu-nee.

"What's the matter, Orimura? Why are you dressed like this?"

"Erm, I went to watch a musical."

*PAK!* My brain got smashed by the karate chop.

"Oww!"

"Who are you trying to fool?"

How does she know?

(Huh, more than that. Isn't there something I need to ask?)

Luckily, there's no one else on the corridor.

I walked to Chifuyu-nee and asked sternly.

"Chifuyu-nee."

"Call me Orimura-sensei."

"Erm...it's about family..."

It's hard to say it out.

Having been abandoned by our parents, we siblings have always treated family matters as taboo.

But even so, I had to ask.

"Well, is there anyone else...in the family...other than us...?"

"..."

Chifuyu-nee's expression changed.

I got overwhelmed by the suffocating tension.

"Like, an imouto, or something..."

"Nope."

"No? But..."

--Someone who looked just like Chifuyu-nee existed.

"You are my only family."

"Bu—"

Seeing that I intended to inquire until the end, Chifuyu-nee walked away with large strides.

That back figure of hers indicated that this is the end of the conversation.

"..."

I'm unable to understand at all, and I remained rooted to the spot even after Chifuyu-nee escaped my vision.