We don’t want to talk about our love lives with her.

You can call us wimps, but it's not like we don’t want to get along with Mikana.

[. . . . . Youki] (Raven)

Raven who walked next to me said in low voice. Did he came up with a good idea?

[What is it?] (Youki)

[. . . . . What what kind of relations.h.i.+p do you have with Cecilia?] (Raven)

[You are asking that now !?] (Youki)

[Aa. . .] [Raven]

I know you are curious but I think is not the right time for that. He is rather always going in ‘my-pace’ mode.

Well that’s what I like about him, let’s explained it brieftly.

[For now our relations.h.i.+p is just a friend] (Youki)

[But. . . .the person you like is Cecilia right? . . . . also this time you wanted to buy a presents to make up with her right?] (Raven)

[Yes that's it!] (Youki)

[I see. . . are you allright?] (Raven)

[What is it suddenly?] (Youki)

 [Umm. . . I know Cecilia is nice to everyone but when she is angry. . . . No, is nothing!] (Raven)

Did he remember somehing? Raven stops the words that he was about to say and averts his eyes.

I wonder if something happened when they were in the Hero party.

Since Raven would likely not do anything bad, probably the other two poeple did something to Cecilia. But I’m pretty sure it's Yuuga who did it.

[It’s OK Raven, it’s not the first time I've made Cecilia angry and she usually just gives me a cold gaze] (Youki)

[. . . . Because you love her so it’s not a problem for you, but what about her?] (Raven)

[ . . . . . ] (Youki)

This is not a problem, right?

Suddenly I feel uneasy. Come to think of it I often acted stupid in front of Cecilia.

Ah this is bad, just thinking about it make me depressed. . .

[Youki!] (Raven)

Raven called my name when I fell silent with an anxious expression. Thanks to that I came back to my sense.

[. . . . Are you alright? . . . . I’m just worried about you, sorry] (Raven)

[No it's fine, I was just a little lost in thought] (Youki)

[Is that so. . . I'm really sorry if I said something strange] (Raven)

[Hahaha. . .] (Youki)

I laughed dryly as to try and not make Raven worry. I can’t do anything about it right now.

n.o.body besides Cecilia herself will know how she thinks about me It somehow became gloomy, let’s changed the mood.

[Don’t worry Raven, I’m alright!] (Youki)

I decided to say it in normal voice rather than a low voice.

[. . . .But now I feel it's not alright in a different meaning] (Raven)

[Hmm. . . what is it?] (Youki)

I don’t understand what's that mean. I’m not depressed anymore, and my mood is also getting better. I’m in no condition to be worried about it.

[. . . . . No, is nothing. At least you’ve cheered up] (Raven)

[Is that so? Then let’s get back to the main topic] (Youki)

[ . . .?] (Raven)

Raven tilted his neck to the side.

Originally I didn’t intend to talk about my relations.h.i.+p with Cecilia, there is something more important right now.

[Eh !? this is about what are we going to do with Mikana] (Youki)

[. . . . Oh I see] (Raven)

Ravens expression changed like feeling a bad omen. Probably he just noticed our current situation.

[Mikana has found out various things about me so I don’t mind it, but Raven would be different. What are you going to do if she barrages you with questions and what if she finds out about your unrequited love with Happiness] (Youki)

His expression turned worse.

Raven should know more about Mikana than me and how troublesome it will be.

[. . . . . Youki, you just don’t need to say anything (Raven)

[That’s naive, she will keep asking me and if I stay silent I can imagine that she will ask you directly, Raven] (Youki)

[. . . . . To be honest I’m not confident I can stay quiet if Mikana keeps pressing me] (Raven)

[That’s why we need a solution. Ah. . .  be glad Raven I have found a good idea] (Youki)

I smiled mischievously.

As expected I can think clearly again once my mood changed.

But I tend to take strange poses to look cool when I get excited.

[. . . . .Really?]

[Leave it to me! Let’s put the strategy into action, but first. . .] (Youki)

I tell Raven about the strategy that I had thought up.

After that we ran to Mikana because she said we were too slow.

Finally we arrived at the restaurant Mikana recommended after walking for a few minutes.

[We have arrived. Delicious food, stylish atmosphere, also a friendly clerk. Now let’s enter!] (Mikana)

Once we go inside, it indeed has a stylish interior as Mikana said. There is also a good smell coming from the food. However rather than a place for two men can come, the atmosphere of the restaurant is a place fit for a couple to come on date.

Even with everything, we aren’t feeling excited a bit.

And again. . . to have come all the way here just to hear our story. . .

[Welcome, three people is it? Please come this way!]

The clerk guided us to our table, I sat on a chair and then winked at Raven.

Raven which noticed my wink nodded.

Mikana, we won’t let you do as you please!

We started the strategy that we had arranged beforehand.

[Now, I want to hear various things from you guys. . .] (Mikana)

[Excuse me, I want to order!] (Youki)

[Wait, listen to what I say. . .] (Mikana)

We ignoored Mikana and gave our order to the clerk that rushed over to us, I selected ten dishes from the menu. Since Raven doesn’t talk, he had ordered eight dishes by pointing his finger at the menu.

[Hey !? how much you guys want to eat?] (Mikana)

[Well it’s because we are boys, also we are very hungry. Right, Raven?] (Youki)

[ . . . . . ] (Raven)

Raven noded.

Of course this is not the amount we normaly eat, it’s just part of our strategy.

[Fwuu. . . oh well. As for me is. . .] (Mikana)

It seems Mikana doesn’t intended to eat and only ordered a drink.

She probably only wants to hear our story in the first place.

After a few minutes, Raven and I haven't spoken a single word. We just slowly eat our food.

[. . . I don't  think you guys have any intention to speak with me at all] (Mikana)

Mikana seem to be amazed with our behavior.

We don't stop our hand and just continue to slowly eat our meal.

This is the strategy I came up with, because we're not supposed to talk when eating we can buy some times with this. Trully a perfect strategy.

[Fwuuh. . . I was just thinking about telling you an interesting story about Priest] (Mikana)

My hand that wasn't supposed to stop has stopped when I heard Cecilia name.

A story about Cecilia?

I want to hear it. . . a story about Cecilia that I don’t know.

I can’t stop once I think about it.

Ten dishes that I had planned to be eat slowly has been accidentally finished in less than twenty minutes.

The strategy has failed !!

[Thanks for the meal!] (Youki)

I’m so full and it’s quite painful after I finished eating ten dishes.

Raven had an amazed look on his face when he looked at me.

I know what you want to say, but I want to hear the story about Cecilia.

Well there is no excuse that the strategy had failed.

[I think that the swordsman is still having a meal, Now you tell me first!] (Mikana)

I faced Mikana who had a triumphant look on her face, even if I speak about myself I will never speak about Raven. Raven was eating the remaining four dishes desperately while watching me and Mikana alternately.