Miyanoshitas's birthday this year was on a weekday. Since there isn't much time after school ends, we woudn't be able to have a proper celebration. So, we decided to celebrate on Sunday, even though it's a few days early. "I'm sorry for the wait!!!" Miyanoshita arrived out of breath, but with a sparkling smile, as I chilled in front of the station. If she had a dog's tail, she would have wagged it vigorously. "We’ve got time before we’re due to meet; you don't have to hurry that much." "What are you saying?! Today, Yuuki-san is going to celebrate my birthday, right?! He's going to celebrate it, right?! It's only natural to hurry!" It seems that she said it twice because it's important. "Since we have time, let's take it easy." "No, taking it easy is such a waste. Let's spend a rich, sweet, and thick time together♪" "Phrasing!" "But even if we do it quickly, I don't mind. Let's do it more often in exchange." "I said, 'Phrasing'!" What's happening with the knowledge of recent elementary school students these days? Isn't there too much bias...? "What were you imagining? Did you imagine something inappropriate about a elementary school girl? How naughty♪" "Now listen..." "But I welcome it. ♪ If it's Yukki-san, I'll accept any type of play at any time. Oh, but I don't like painful ones. I still prefer the pleasurable ones♪" "Oh, I understand. You don't want to be celebrated. In that case, let's just end things here today..." "Ahhhh! Wait, please wait! I was wrong, and I'm sorry for taking the joke too far. Please don't end things so abruptly—it's too heartless!" Hehe. I may usually be the butt of the jokes, but today I have the upper hand. After all, I have the advantage of it being her birthday. ...However, there's not much to boast about in outwitting a little girl. It feels hollow. "Shall we get going, then?" "Yes!" It's a little past noon. First up, a late lunch. I've scouted out a restaurant renowned for its tasty cuisine and even made a reservation for today. Maybe I'm overdoing it for someone I'm not even dating... But to me, Miyanoshita is that precious of a friend. I'd like to treat her to a nice meal at the very least. We made small talk as we headed to the restaurant. "Wow... what a charming place. The flowers and decoration are so pretty!" "I'm glad you like it. It's quite popular with the ladies." "But, hmm... I'm not sure what kind of store is this? There is a hint of cheese aroma in the air." "It's a restaurant specializing in gratin. They offer a variety of gratins, and you can also choose your toppings quite freely." "That sounds like fun!" I've learned a lot from senpai and master at 'Amaryllis'. I should really thank them somehow next time. We each place our orders and start chatting casually. But whenever we chat, we inevitably end up focusing on a particular topic. "Yuuki-san, what's our plan for the next endgame content? We'll definitely tackle the normal version, but what about the high-level one?"

"Hmm... Next up is the three full-party 24-man raids, right? I get the feeling it's going to be quite the ordeal." "Gathering a steady group would be tough, wouldn't it..." "Exactly. It's hard enough to get 24 people together, so we might end up with a pick-up group or have to recruit. But I wonder if we can clear it with such a group." "Let's try it for a week and see how it goes. If it's doable, we'll push through. If not, we can always throw in the towel and try the abyss instead. They're unlocking up to floor 200 there, right?" "Yeah, that sounds like a plan." "Let's go with that." Our talks invariably drift towards FanNex. Miyanoshita and I are both hardcore gamers and big fans of FanNex. When we get into a casual conversation, it naturally steers this way. It's not exactly romantic, but... Nonetheless, it's a comfortable way to spend time. "Here's your order, sorry for the wait!" After a bit, the gratin we ordered is brought out. The cheese, piled on generously, has browned to a crisp, and steam wafts up gently. And it carries a fragrant aroma... Oh no, it looks incredibly delicious. "Waa♪" Miyanoshita's eyes were shining brightly as well. "Let's eat!" - "Let's eat!" Unable to wait any longer, both of us dug in our spoons into the gratin at the same time. We took a big bite of the steaming hot gratin straight away. "Oh♪" - "Oh♪" We exclaimed in unison again. The white sauce is rich but not too heavy, making it seem like one could eat it endlessly. The gratin is filled with large chunks, and eating it with the melted cheese is simply irresistible. "This is really tasty!" "Yes it is! Ahyaa!?" Miyanoshita gasped with short breaths, her eyes turning into X's. "Ow..." "Are you alright?" "I just ate it all in one go... Is my tongue burnt?" Miyanoshita became teary-eyed and stuck out her tongue to show me. A teary-eyed elementary school student. Showing her tongue. Somehow it's... I don't really understand, but i got a seriously criminal vibe from it. "I think it'll be okay." "Are houh shure?" "Yeah, it's fine." "Tshank god." Miyanoshita retracted her tongue and wiped the corner of her eyes with a fingertip. Is it strange that I'm getting excited here? Am I a pervert? I'm hopelessly perverted... I might even be a lolicon. "What's wrong, Yuuki-san?" "... I've come to a bizarre realization and now I just feel empty and sad." "???"