"So, I believe Mr. Ryuto is my true friend, no matter what Mr. Ryuto thinks, at least that's what I think."

"Is that so..."

The other party was too self-absorbed, leaving Ryuto a bit speechless.

"But... this is just my wishful thinking, maybe Mr. Ryuto doesn't see me as a friend..."

With that, Delance Anna lowered her dim gaze.

"..."

You know too, I thought you didn't have this self-awareness.

Although he really wanted to say that, seeing the other party like this, Ryuto just couldn't bring himself to say it.

So he could only say...

"No, Miss Anna considers me a friend, it's my honor."

He comforted in this way.

It feels so insincere.

"Is that so? It's great that Mr. Ryuto doesn't mind."

As she said this, Delance Anna clapped her hands, wearing a contented smile.

Hmm...

Suddenly, a strong sense of guilt arose...

"However, I have a personal request, I don't know if Mr. Ryuto would agree, after all, we haven't known each other for long..."

Her voice grew quieter as she continued, until it faded away completely.

"A request? What is it?"

It's better to clarify here, after all, the lessons of history are painful, Ryuto doesn't want to repeat the same mistakes, hmm...

For some reason, he thought of a dreadful nemesis, so Ryuto hurriedly stopped himself.

"It's... I hope Mr. Ryuto can address me as 'Anna.'"

"Um... about that..."

Seeing Ryuto hesitating, Delance Anna looked disappointed as she lowered her head.

"Is it really not possible after all..."

"No, it's not that it's not possible... it's fine, no problem."

Although a bit puzzled, Ryuto eventually agreed.

If his father were to see this, I guess he wouldn't take it lying down.

"Is that so? That's great, but I hope that Mr. Ryuto and I can be equals."

"Equals?"

"Yeah, because, friends should be equal."

"Well, I guess you're right. So, how should we proceed?"

"Since it should be equal, we should start with addressing each other. So, if Mr. Ryuto addresses me as Anna now, I should also directly address Mr. Ryuto by his name. But, this must be with Mr. Ryuto's consent..."

"..."

Geez, isn't this a bit too much for a request? Aren't we equal already?

I mean, isn't this a bit too pushy?

"Is it really not possible after all...?"

Muttering so quietly, Delance Anna once again lowered her head in disappointment.

Geez, here we go again, this is a blatant threat, hmm...

But not agreeing isn't an option, just as I said earlier, maybe her old man will take me out, after all...

He seems very fond of his daughter.

...

"...It's fine, no problem."

In the end, Ryuto compromised.

"Well, that's great, Mr. Ryuto, no, it should be Ryuto."

And in the next moment, she was immediately beaming with a smile.

...

They say women change their minds faster than flipping a book, believe it or not, I do.

After all, there's a living example right in front of me.

Well, let's change the subject, switch up the mood.

"Oh, by the way, I haven't seen your mother since earlier, not even at dinner, is she just not home right now?"

"Well..."

Upon hearing this, Delance Anna's eyes dimmed once again.

"..."

Huh? What's going on? Although a little baffled, he still wanted to say something.

Did I accidentally step on a landmine again?