I was Caught up in a Hero Summoning, but that World is at Peace (WN)-Chapter 2265: Miyama Kaito’s Birthday Celebration Party Continues ⑨

The hidden talent show had turned out to be quite the elaborate affair. Since Alice had emphasized "unexpectedness" as a key judging criterion at the start, the performances truly lived up to the "hidden" in hidden talents, featuring skills so surprising that no one could have imagined them beforehand, making it all genuinely entertaining.

Following the manzai comedy routine by Dr. Vier and Funf-san, the next performer was none other than Bard-san, the captain of Archlesia Empire’s Knight Order. To everyone’s astonishment, he chose to showcase kendama, a toy brought over from another world. And…… he was insanely good at it.

Then, after that hidden talent performance concluded, I spun the garapon again for another round of gift-giving……

<ALICE>

Oh, another one of my lovers, Alice’s name came up next. With this, all of my lovers had now taken their turns.

"Oh my, it’s my turn now. Well then, as for the commentator’s seat…… Kuro-san, can I leave this to you?"

"That’s strange, you just glanced at me like you decided I wasn’t fit for the job? Not that I mind, it’d just be a hassle if you actually did ask me to do it……"

Since this took place during a break in the hidden talent show, there wasn’t much actual commentary work to be done, but still, it wouldn’t do to leave the seat empty, so it seemed she was leaving it in Kuro’s hands.

Fate-san, who sat beside her, would no doubt grumble and avoid the task, an accurate assessment, really.

[And so, Kaito-san, it’s my turn. Well~~ I ended up being the last one among your lovers. Was that the plan? Did you want me to be the grand finale?]

[No, I just figured you looked really busy with commentary……]

[Ahhh, and so I ended up last because of that…… but if you were thinking that way, isn’t being the last actually kind of meaningful? Ahh, I see now. Kaito-san, you were secretly thinking "Wow, it’s nice having all my lovers go in a row like this!", weren’t you?]

[I mean, yes, I did think that.]

[And thanks to that ultra lucky streak of yours, I got picked right after as well!]

Come to think of it, when Illness-san had been chosen earlier, I had thought something like "this is kind of nice, having all my lovers show up one after another", so maybe that did influence things…… Now that she pointed it out, it made sense.

[Well anyway, Kaito-san…… Happy birthday. Here’s your gift.]

[Thanks…… That’s a pretty big bag.]

[Yes, but the contents aren’t anything special. Just a matching set of clothes and shoes tailored to your taste. I made them myself and used high-quality materials, but the design is pretty standard. I figured, with all the eccentric gift-givers around here, someone should give you something simple and normal.]

[Makes sense. Honestly, that kind of thing is easier for me to accept and enjoy.]

He had already experienced more than enough special moments today, so something practical and down-to-earth, like the outfit Alice prepared, was both easier to receive and more useful.

Well, knowing Alice, she had probably factored all that into her decision too, but either way, it was a thoughtful and appreciated gift.

[……By the way.]

[Wait a second, Kaito-san. Isn’t this weird? It’s not like we originally had to do something special just because we’re lovers, right? Kuro-san did something weird during the exhibition match, and then Isis-san got all emotional and followed suit, and now it’s turned into this whole "do something special if you’re a lover" thing, but there had never been a rule about that!]

[You’re panicking so obviously right now……]

[Come on, Kaito-san, you know how I am……]

[Yes, and at this point I’m wondering when you’ll finally get used to it.]

Alice was, by her own loud admission, absolutely terrible at romance. She was prone to flustered reactions and easily embarrassed by anything resembling romantic gestures.

That didn’t mean she disliked such things though. In fact, she was quite the romanticist at heart. She probably liked doing lover-like things, in theory.

But despite all we had done together by now…… she still reacted this way every time… Just as I was thinking that, Alice let out a sigh, so exaggerated and obvious that it was practically comical.

[Haaah…… Kaito-san, I’ve said this many times before, but please don’t underestimate just how much of a sh*tty noob I really am in love.]

[And why do you sound so proud to declare that you’re worse than expected……? So, does that mean you’re not doing anything special today?]

[Ugh…… N- No, well, um, I am your girlfriend so…… It’s not like I’m refusing or anything, it’s just…… I need to prepare myself mentally, or maybe the timing just isn’t right, or——— mmpf!?]

Things were getting a bit too noisy with all her flustered rambling, and at this rate, she was bound to keep coming up with excuse after excuse, dragging it out until it was time for the next hidden talent performance, so I decided to just act myself. Taking a cue from what Illness-san had done earlier, I leaned in quickly and gave her a light kiss.

[W- W- W- What was that for all of a sudden!? And seriously, aren’t you always way too aggressive only with me!?]

[Well, you always dodge these kinds of situations like crazy……]

[Bfuhh…… I- I mean…… it’s embarrassing……]

It’s not that I intentionally take the lead with her, it’s just that if I don’t, nothing ever happens. With Alice, things only move forward if I push them myself.

She was now protesting with a bright red face, but honestly…… if she had really wanted to avoid the kiss, it would’ve been easy for her. Dodging something like that would be child’s play for Alice. The fact that she didn’t means the answer is already clear…… Of course, if I pointed that out, she’d only get even more flustered and probably start panicking, so I kept quiet…… Still, she really is as adorable as ever.

<Afterword>

Serious-senpai : [Guaaaaah, so it did switch back after all!? What the heck is that mode, I'm basically just self-destructing!!! D*mn it…… N- No, but still, all the lovers are taken care of now, so the crisis is over…… Eh? Wait, what——— my body’s moving on its own again……?]

? ? ? : [Because you just had to raise a flag……]

Serious-senpai (Absolute Lovey-Dovey Mode) : [Comrades! Can we truly say we’re satisfied with this outcome? Can we honestly claim that we’ve done everything there is to do? ……No! Absolutely not! As was depicted in the story, the lovers who gave presents and engaged in special acts did so starting from the Kuro – Isis arc. Those who gave their gifts before that didn’t! In other words, isn’t there still something left to be done!? ……(Hey, you've gotta be kid…… What are you trying to go back for againnnnnn!?)]