"Shinji, let's go on a date."
One night, Arcueid suddenly barged into Shinji's room and said something completely unexpected.
Shinji: "..."
Although they had spent quite some time together by now, and he had somewhat gotten used to the princess's whims and randomness, this sudden idea left him momentarily stunned.
"What did you just say? Can you repeat that?"
"I said let's go on a date. I want to try it."
"Alright, I'm sure I didn't mishear."
Shinji pressed his forehead with his hand.
"What made you think of that?"
"I overheard someone outside talking about it. It sounded fun—so, Shinji, let's try it, okay?"
Arcueid tugged on Shinji's hand, almost like a little girl begging for a treat.
"Listen, typically, a date is something that couples do."
"Isn't that perfect? Boy—"
Arcueid pointed at Shinji with one hand and herself with the other.
"—Girl—friends. We're already friends, aren't we?"
"I can't believe I'm losing to you in such a spectacular fashion. I should've used a different language. Alright, let me rephrase it: dating is something only lovers do."
"Ah, lovers, I know that."
Arcueid clapped her hands happily.
"That's when a boy and a girl like each other, right? Hehe, no problem. I like you, Shinji. Don't you like me?"
"No—"
He only got one word out before he couldn't continue.
Arcueid was the type of person who would shine brightly with the smallest bit of encouragement. To keep her from going overboard, Shinji had learned that he needed to constantly burst her bubble. The best response here should've been "I don't like you."
That was what Shinji intended to say. But as he looked at her face, so close and full of innocent joy, he found himself unable to say it.
"'No' what?"
"No, of course, I like you."
If I didn't like you, I wouldn't have kept you by my side.
If I didn't like you, I wouldn't have easily promised to help you kill Roa.
"Then it's settled!"
Arcueid cheered, her mood soaring. She was the kind of person who could get upset over the smallest thing but also become ecstatic from just one sentence from Shinji.
"But what exactly do you do on a date? I have some knowledge about it, but only in theory. I don't know what to do. Shinji, do you know?"
"I do know, but... it might be a bit boring."
Shinji thought back to his past life experiences and sighed. While humans were very enthusiastic about it, to someone like Arcueid, it might seem like a pointless waste of time.
"It's fine if it's boring."
Arcueid's excitement hadn't wavered.
"I just want to try it."
"Then let's do it tomorrow. And remember to wear your favorite outfit."
"Eh? Why tomorrow? Why not now?"
"Because I'm not familiar with the area yet. I need some time to figure out where would be good for a date—and besides, most places aren't open at night."
I'm not about to take you to a love hotel, Shinji thought quietly to himself.
"During the day, huh? Okay, I'll try my best to hold out and not get knocked out by the sun."
Arcueid pumped her fist energetically.
"Good luck with that. I'm heading out for a bit; I'll be right back."
"Where are you going?"
"To the front desk of the hotel and maybe the convenience store nearby, to see if I can find a map or something."
"I'm coming with you. It's boring to stay here alone."
Oh, right. It was nighttime, the time when she was most energetic.
◇◇◇
The next morning, just as the sun rose, Arcueid barged into Shinji's room again.
"Wake up, time for our date!"
"It's still early, still early. Let me sleep a little longer."
Shinji groaned lazily, face-down on his bed.
"You can't sleep! If you fall asleep, I'll end up wanting to sleep too." Arcueid said as she pulled on Shinji's arm.
"I've been holding on all night, you know."
"Alright, alright, I'm up."
With the energetic princess stirring things up, Shinji's last bit of sleepiness was completely banished. He opened his eyes and sat up in bed.
Then, he saw her—wearing her usual white, round-necked top and dark long skirt, no different from how she normally looked.
"Didn't I tell you to wear your favorite outfit?"
"I am! This is my favorite outfit. It's loose, comfortable, and easy to move in. Other clothes have too many pointless designs. They're easy to ruin, and I don't get why humans like them."
"Because humans think those clothes look better. We're visual creatures."
Arcueid pouted and grumbled reluctantly, "Fine, I'll go change."
"No, forget it. I told you to choose your favorite. Besides... you're already beautiful. If you wear something even prettier, it'll be too dangerous."
Arcueid froze.
"Huh? What did you just say?"
"I said forget it. Wear whatever you like."
"No, no. What did you say after that?"
"I said you're already beautiful, so—"
"Wait, did you just say I'm beautiful?"
Arcueid interrupted eagerly.
"Uh... did I just let that slip?"
"Say it again, Shinji! Am I really beautiful? Come on, say it!"
Shinji didn't answer immediately, so Arcueid kept pestering him until he was completely exasperated.
"Fine! Yes, you're beautiful, okay? By human standards, you're very beautiful. Are you satisfied now?"
"Really?"
"Really. Haven't you noticed how people stare at you when you're out in public?"
"I haven't noticed."
Arcueid shook her head nonchalantly.
"I don't know them, so why should I pay attention? Hehe, as long as you think I'm beautiful, that's enough."
"Yeah, yeah, I think you're beautiful."
"How about compared to your sister? Or compared to Fujino? Or compared to Kirie?"
"..."
Now this was a dangerous question.
"Uh, you're all equally beautiful."
"Liar."
Arcueid pouted again.
"Your sister told me that when you lie, your eyes wander."
"Why are you always so sharp at moments like this?"
Shinji's expression froze. As expected, deep down, even someone as innocent as Arcueid had a bit of cunning in her.
"Humph, so you were lying after all. I want to hear the truth. Come on, Shinji, tell me the truth."
Arcueid persisted, refusing to let it go.
"The truth is... they're prettier."
"Your eyes are wandering again. You're lying! You promised not to lie!"
"When did I promise that?"
"A long, long time ago, back when we first met."
"Uh... I think that might've happened."
"So, tell me the truth now, okay?"
"Fine, you're prettier."
Though his voice was small, Arcueid heard it. She smiled brightly, her expression full of joy.
That smile was so radiant, it reminded Shinji of the sunlight streaming in through the window.
She was supposed to be the princess of the moon, but she seemed to match the sun so perfectly.
Shinji couldn't help but squint slightly, reaching out toward this woman who seemed to carry both the light of the sun and the moon.
"Let's go. Time for our date."
"Yeah."