"Shinji, let's go on a date."
One night, Elquet broke into Shinji's room and said something inexplicably.
Shinji: "..."
Although they have been together for quite some time and I am somewhat accustomed to Her Royal Highness the Princess's willfulness and eccentricity, I was still stunned for a moment when faced with such a sudden whim.
"What did you say? Can you say it again?"
"I said go out with me, I want to try dating."
"Okay, I'm sure I heard it right." Shinji pressed his forehead hard, "How did you come up with this?"
"Someone just said something outside that sounds very interesting - hey, Shinji, let's try it, okay?"
Elqui held Shinji's hand and acted like a little girl.
"I said, although it's not specific, dating is something that only happens between boyfriends and girlfriends."
"Isn't that just perfect? Male—"
Elquet pointed at Shinji with one hand and at himself with the other.
"—Female—Well, if we're friends, we've been friends for a long time."
"I was defeated by you so beautifully. I shouldn't have used Chinese. Let's put it another way. Lovers, this is something that only lovers can do."
"Ah, I know about lovers." Arquette clapped his hands, "It's the kind of relationship between a man and a woman who likes each other, hey, that's no problem, I like Shinji, doesn't Shinji like me?"
"No-"
He had just said one word when he couldn't continue.
Elquet is the kind of person who shines brightly with a little sunshine, and you have to constantly oppose and attack her to ensure that she does not cause trouble. So the most appropriate answer at this time is "I don't like it".
Shinji was planning to say that, but when he saw that face so close to him, that innocent smile, he really couldn't say it.
"No what?" Her Royal Highness the Princess urged.
"No, how could that be."
If I didn't like you, I wouldn't keep you around.
If he didn't like you, how could he easily promise to help you kill Luoa
"That's OK."
Elquet cheered. She was just like that, she could get angry over the smallest things, but also get excited over a word from Shinji.
"But what should I do if I'm on a date? I know about it, but I only know the words and don't know how to do it. Shinji, do you know?"
"I know, but... it might be boring."
Shinji thought about his past life experience and sighed. Although humans are very enthusiastic, it may be a meaningless waste of time in the eyes of non-humans.
"It doesn't matter if I'm bored." Elquet was still in high spirits, "I want to give it a try."
"Then tomorrow. Well, remember to wear your favorite dress."
"Eh? Why tomorrow? Can't we do it now?"
"Because I'm not familiar with this place yet, I need time to research where to go on a date - and besides, many places are closed at night."
I can't take you to a love hotel, I'm not that cruel - Shinji said silently in his heart.
"During the day, well, I will try my best to endure and not be defeated by the sun." Elquet waved his fist powerfully.
"Come on then, I'm going to go out for a while and will be back soon."
"Where to?"
"The hotel front desk and nearby convenience stores, see if you can find a map or something."
"I'll go too. It's boring to be alone."
I almost forgot, it's night time now, when this guy is most energetic.
◇◇◇
The next morning, just after dawn, Elquet broke into Shinji's room again.
"Wake up, date."
"It's still early, it's still early, let me sleep a little longer." Shinji lazily lay on the bed.
"You can't sleep. If you fall asleep, I'll want to sleep too." Elquet said, while reaching out to pull Shinji's arm, "I've been enduring it all the time."
"Okay, okay, I get it."
After being driven away by the energetic princess's noise, Shinji opened his eyes and sat up from the bed.
Then he saw Elquet, who was no different from usual, wearing a white round-necked shirt and a dark long skirt.
"Didn't I tell you to wear your favorite dress?"
"Yes, this is my favorite. It's loose and comfortable, and easy to move around in. I always feel that other clothes have too many meaningless designs and will be damaged if you are not careful. I don't know why humans like this."
"Because humans think it looks better this way. Humans are visual animals."
Elquet whimpered twice and said reluctantly: "I know, I'll go change."
"No, forget it. I asked you to choose your favorite. Besides... you are already very beautiful. If you put on beautiful clothes, it will be too lethal."
Elquet's body trembled: "Huh? What did you say?"
"I said forget it, wear it if you like."
"Behind, behind."
"You are already beautiful, and—"
"No, did you say I was beautiful?" Arquette interrupted impatiently.
"Uh..." How could I tell the truth
"Speak up, Shinji, am I really beautiful? Hey, Shinji."
Shinji didn't say anything, but Arquette kept urging him, which made him feel annoyed.
"Stop making so much noise, but I admit it. From a human perspective, you are beautiful, okay?"
"real?"
"Really? Don't you notice that many people look at you on the street?"
"I didn't notice." Elquet shook his head. "I don't know them, why should I pay attention? Hey, Shinji, just think I'm beautiful."
"Ah, I think you're beautiful, too."
"How do you compare to your sister? How do you compare to Fujino? How do you compare to Kirie?"
"... "
This question is heartbreaking.
"Yeah, just as beautiful, just as beautiful."
"You're lying." Elquet pouted, "My sister told me that your eyes will wander when you tell a lie."
"Why are you always so sharp at times like this?"
Shinji's facial muscles stiffened instantly. As expected, the natural cut was all black.
"Humph, you are lying to me. I want to hear the truth. Tell me, Shinji."
Arquette began to make trouble again.
"The truth is, they are better looking."
"Your eyes are wandering again, you're lying again! You promised not to lie."
"When did you agree on that?"
"A long, long time ago, when we first met."
"Uh..." It seems that's the case.
"Then tell the truth?"
"You are more beautiful."
Although the sound was very small, it did not escape Elquet's ears. She laughed very happily.
That smiling face was so bright that it reminded people of the sunlight shining through the window.
She is obviously the princess of the moon, but she is so compatible with the sun.
Shinji narrowed his eyes involuntarily and reached out his hand to the woman who had the brilliance of both the sun and the moon.
"Let's go on a date."
"Um."