"Ahh…so, you heard that, huh? Well, yeah, I meant that, too. No sense in lying. Could you blame me though, looking back?" (Mizuki)
Ilina sighs, and there's a regretful look on her face. She shakes her head.
"No, not really. I'm sorry for how I treated you initially. I hope you'll forgive me." (Ilina)
"I already forgave you. For what it's worth, I may have meant it at the time, but it's also true that I don't feel that way anymore. I now think your personality is quite likeable." (Mizuki)
Hearing that, she seems relieved, and she smiles at me more genuinely.
"I'm glad to hear it. So, what made you want to put yourself out here like this tonight?" (Ilina)
"That's simple, I wanted us to be friends, with real trust between us. I was tired of how tedious our little verbal sparring matches were getting. You're much too good at them, you know? I'd like it if I could just be painfully direct with you, and you with me. That would make my life easier. So, what do you say?" (Mizuki)
Ilina looks surprised, then amused, then a little embarrassed.
"Oh, so you think I'm clever, do you?" (Ilina)
I roll my eyes at her and smirk.
"Oh yes, extremely clever. So, tonight, and at your direct prompting, I've called you smart, beautiful, and personable. Tell me, how long do you plan to shamelessly fish for compliments? Or are you just dodging my question." (Mizuki)
Instead of getting flustered like I expected, she shrugs and smiles.
"I wasn't trying to dodge the question. I say sure, let's be friends. I'm just trying to understand better." (Ilina)
Now it's my turn to look confused. Ilina seems like she's curious.
"Uhm…understand what exactly?" (Mizuki)
"Well, if you think I'm beautiful, have a great personality, and am clever, and you want to be my friend, how could you not have any romantic feelings for me?" (Ilina)
Ilina's holding my gaze with a level of composure uncharacteristic of her. Her expression is one of amusement and curiosity, but she also shows a trace of embarrassment. Is she trying to make fun of me right now? I'm kind of impressed.
"Oh, a reasonable question. I guess that I do have romantic feelings for you, but I'm just not pursuing them. Perhaps that's a better way of putting it?" (Mizuki)
Ilina's eyes go wide in surprise, and I see slight color in her cheeks again.
"Mizuki, did you just confess your feelings to me like it was nothing!?" (Ilina)
"Well…yes, and no? If you're asking if that was a love confession, then no. If you are asking if they were my feelings, they were true, and I said them to you, then yes. I'm confused why you're so surprised? Isn't enjoying someone's company and appearance the definition of romantic feelings?" (Mizuki)
She's now shaking her head at me in disbelief. She also looks conflicted.
"Mizuki, how do you expect us to have a normal friendship after saying such a thing!?" (Ilina)
"Well, the same way I expect Nina not to fly into a jealous rage, even though she knows that I find you attractive. I'm not going to pursue a romantic relationship, and you have no romantic feelings for me. Ergo, neither of us wants anything more than a friendship. So, why should we not be friends?" (Mizuki)
The mention of Nina comes as a shock to Ilina, and she looks bewildered.
"Wait, is that why Nina has been so aggressive towards me!? I just thought she didn't like elves or other women or something!" (Ilina)
"Yup, that's pretty much it. She thinks you're 'too familiar' with me and are harboring romantic feelings. Speaking of which, could you do me a favor and explain to her that's not the case? I'd really appreciate it if we can all get along. We've made so much progress here tonight, and her paranoia will make our relationship difficult." (Mizuki)
Ilina looks troubled, but she's a little embarrassed as well. Eventually, she responds softly, without her previously frantic tone.
"Mizuki, me talking to Nina about you isn't going to fix her paranoia, because…I'm not sure if she's wrong." (Ilina)
Oh, you have got to be shitting me. Nina is avoiding my gaze, and she's blushing slightly.
"You're one fickle elf, Ilina. What the hell do you mean!? You're not sure if you have romantic feelings for me? An hour ago, you didn't even trust me!" (Mizuki)
Any embarrassment on Ilina's face vanishes, and it's replaced with pure annoyance. She responds with her voice slightly raised.
"Fickle!? What, so you are allowed to develop feelings for me on the same time frame, but I'm not? I'll remind you, between the two of us, I'm the one not already romantically involved with someone else, so I can feel however I want! The last one that should be annoyed here is you, Mizuki!" (Ilina)
Oof…the truth hurts the worst. I give Ilina an apologetic smile, and I direct a placating gesture her way. Her eyes narrow at me as I respond.
"Okay, you're totally right. That's my bad. We can't help how we feel, after all, what matters are our decisions. So, just tell Nina you wouldn't ever pursue a romantic relationship with me. I mean your people would never accept it, Nina's already in my life and isn't going anywhere, and I'll only live like a hundredth of your lifespan, so you have several good reasons!" (Mizuki)
Her eyes seem to become sad at the mention of my lifespan. Had she really not considered that? She nods solemnly.
"That's all true…but it might not matter, either. Sure, we'll never be a couple, and there's no way you'd be the only person I'm ever romantically involved with. However, if I really am interested in you that way, ignoring it would cause me regret later. I'm not sure I care if Nina is with you – it'd be hypocritical of me to monopolize the romance in your short life while knowing it won't be the same for me." (Ilina)
That's…a lot to take in.