It took a great deal of deliberation. And the conclusion I came to was that Abydos wouldn't fall into ruin just because I delayed things by a single day.
But my conscience ached. Quite a lot.
I had unconsciously harbored the vague thought that once Sensei arrived, he would take care of all the troublesome things from now on. In reality, however, my personality was such that I couldn't just accept a situation like that nonchalantly, which made it difficult to stand back with my arms crossed.
While they were over there inhaling sand in the desert and accumulating combat data against Binah, the thought of me spending a sweet, lovey-dovey time celebrating my lover's birthday... was not an easy one to swallow.
So, after much thought, I sent Hina a message first. I asked if she had any plans for the evening, and when she thankfully said no, a surprise trip to Gehenna was decided on the spot.
I had checked beforehand, and knowing that Hina didn't have an oven at her place, I bought two 200g cuts of beef tenderloin instead of the tomahawk I had originally planned, along with some vegetables to go with it. And in addition to the gift I had intended to give her, I also bought a cake from Mill-Feuille and headed for Gehenna.
It was just past 5 PM when I arrived in Gehenna. Without delay, I went straight to Hina's empty house.
I took out the meat, patted it dry to remove the excess moisture, coated it with olive oil, seasoned it with salt and pepper, and set it aside. Then, I accessed a recipe site I often rely on with my phone.
It was my first time pan-searing a tenderloin steak, so I read through the recipe several times just in case. I wanted to prepare some candles as well, but since the plan was so sudden, I couldn't manage to get that far.
After setting the meat aside, I was about to ask Sensei for an update on their situation when I paused. I have no memory of giving him my Momotalk ID, so why on earth is he saved as a contact? What is this...?
For a moment, I felt a chill that could rival a horror movie, but I quickly shook it off and sent the message. What could I do about him already being in my contacts? Honestly, I knew this would happen sooner or later.
I waited for a while, but there was no reply, so I passed the time by checking other Momotalk messages that had come in.
And then, just as it was nearing 6 PM, I heard the sound of the front door opening. Hearing the noise, I headed to the entryway to see a weary-looking Hina taking off her boots. She looked up at me and blinked, as if she couldn't believe her eyes.
"Welcome home, Hina-chan☆"
"Mika? Why are you... here..."
"Nnngh, I'll explain in a bit. Go hurry and change into some comfy clothes."
After sending the bewildered Hina inside, I started preheating the frying pans. I took out two pans, drizzled them with oil over high heat, and waited. I had already prepared everything for the steps after searing the meat.
Once the pans were properly preheated and smoke began to rise, I placed the first cut of meat on one of them. To get it somewhere between medium-rare and medium, which is Hina's preference, I decided to cook it for two minutes on each side. Mine would be cooked a little longer, at two minutes and thirty seconds.
I tossed in butter and rosemary, then continuously basted the steak with the oil using a spoon. After searing the front, back, and sides, I wrapped the steak in foil to rest.
As I was repeating the same process, Hina, wearing a white, frilly one-piece nightgown that gave off a more innocent vibe than the cute pajamas she usually wore, came up beside me and spoke.
"Um, Mika. Am I remembering the date wrong?"
"Hm? No, that's not it. It's almost ready, so just wait a little longer."
After finishing my steak, I wrapped it in foil as well, then tossed asparagus, mushrooms, and onions into the pan.
Hina, perhaps feeling awkward just standing there, looked around for something to do, but I had already finished setting the table long ago.
The way Hina looked dejected after realizing that was just so adorable. This is why I especially love taking care of Hina.
I finished cooking, plated Hina's portion first, and set it down in front of her. Honestly, I was worried I might have messed it up, but at least from the outside, it looked perfectly fine.
Then again, if you just follow the recipe, things usually don't go wrong.
I prepared my own plate, placed it across from Hina, and sat down. For something decided so suddenly, it didn't feel too bad... right? I hope so.
"Actually, this is my first time cooking a steak... so I'm not sure how delicious it'll be. Yep, but it looks pretty decent, doesn't it?"
"...Mika, sometimes I think you're far too modest."
"Hmm?"
"Never mind, it's fine if you don't know. W-Well... I'll dig in."
"Yep, yep. Enjoy☆"
I had taken out some steak sauce just in case, but seeing Hina's expression after she cut a piece and brought it to her mouth without any sauce, it seemed it wasn't necessary.
Seeing the look on her face as she diligently chewed, this was clearly a success. It felt like if I studied the recipe a bit more, I could make this for myself whenever I felt like it.
And sure enough, when I cut into the steak in front of me and took a bite, it felt like this wasn't just a success, but a grand success. Cooking it wasn't that difficult in the first place, so maybe the recipe was just that good?
"Mmm~!"
The steak melted in my mouth. It was so good I was already looking forward to next year when I could pair it with wine.
"How is it, Hina-chan?"
"I think anything you make is good, but..."
"Hmph. I'm happy to hear that, but still. There must be a little more of a critique on the dish, right?"
"Mm... isn't that something you should hear from Haruna? I... can't really think of anything other than that it's delicious..."
"Ahaha! Just hearing it's delicious is more than enough! I think it's about time you memorized the saying, 'Hina-chan's praise is enough to make even Mika dance.'"
Well, since she's clumsy at expressing her feelings, each little compliment feels all the more precious.
"Anyway, this steak, I don't know who made it, but it's truly the best. Yep, I think Hina-chan needs to praise it a whole lot more, don't you?"
"...I think it's the best. If I could eat food you made every day, I'd have nothing more to wish for."
"...Ngh."
Ah, this is... what should I say... a moment that makes me resent our social positions a little. We can't live together, but still. As long as we're in charge of Gehenna and Trinity, 'every day' is a bit of a stretch.
Maybe after we graduate.
"So, the reason you came today... something's happening tomorrow, isn't it?"
"...Hina-chan, really, beating me to the punch like that makes things difficult for me too. It was already a delicate topic to bring up, and not even giving me time to prepare is a little mean."
"I'm sorry, Mika."
"No, no, it's absolutely not something for you to be sorry about! U-Um, you've heard about the Sensei from SCHALE, right?"
"Yes, roughly. The fact that the General Student Council President personally appointed him as the advisor for the Federal Investigation Club means he's essentially inherited all of her authority and influence. It would be wrong not to know that."
"That Sensei is currently in the Abydos Autonomous District to help with their problems. And last night, a friend of mine in Abydos asked me for help."
"...I think I know why you came so suddenly. Did you feel guilty?"
"Ahaha... not guilty, exactly. It's just that my conscience is pricking me a little. My friend and Sensei are struggling in the desert, while..."
"Stop, Mika. You only have to say that much."
Hina cut me off, put down her silverware, and reached out her hand. I took it, and she smiled faintly as she spoke.
"I won't say I wasn't upset, or that I'm not disappointed. That would clearly be a lie. Honestly, there's a part of me that wants to whine and ask if you can't just close your eyes and give me one day. But... I don't want to blame you for something like this."
"I'm sorry, Hina-chan. You must have been looking forward to it."
"But you came to see me today. There's no need to put too much meaning on a birthday, Mika. It's a day that only comes once a year... but it's also a day that will come many more times in the future we'll spend together."
I don't know how Hina's tiny hand can feel so big. There should be a limit to how mentally mature one can be.
"A date on a birthday, and a date on a random day a week later. There's really no difference between them. If it's a matter of feeling special with someone you like on a special day... then yes, maybe it wouldn't be so bad to decide that my birthday this year is today."
"...Pfft. Hina-chan, you don't have to go that far. As a substitute, though, how about the two of us go on a trip somewhere later?"
"I say this every time, but... as long as I'm with you, I'm happy with anything, Mika. There's only the difference between something a little less special and something more special. So, about what you're doing tomorrow. Would it be okay if I went with you?"
"...?"
My mind went blank the moment I heard Hina's words. No, why is she actively seeking out trouble?
"Um, it's going to be a pain, you know?"
"Do I have to explain it again...? That would be even more of a pain..."
Only then did I feel like I was beginning to understand what Hina meant when she said she was happy with anything as long as she was with me. I was once again reminded of just how much she likes me.
"Ihaha... A date in a desert where a sandstorm is raging. This is truly the worst."
"Then... shouldn't we just make the best memory before we go...?"
"Hm?"
Hina slightly averted her gaze and spoke in a voice that was barely a whisper. I could clearly feel her fidgeting with our clasped hands.
"Today... um, sleep here..."
...Hina. You don't actually intend to go with me tomorrow, do you?
***