At the foot of the city wall, Filvis hesitated for a moment.
She instinctively glanced down at herself, then refused. "Making wine...? Sorry, I'm not interested in that sort of thing..."
Lefiya could tell that her fellow elf had no special feelings for Dionysus, her Familia God, so she gave up on that angle and switched to a young girl's coaxing instead.
"Stomping grapes with our feet sounds really fun, Filvis-san. Let's go together, okay?"
Her jewel-like eyes blinked up at her, and the golden-yellow-haired elf's voice became unexpectedly sweet and pleading.
Lefiya realized the young man was looking at her, and a hot flush rushed to her cheeks. Even so, she kept going.
She had no idea when they would meet again. That was why she had to seize this chance and create happy memories Filvis would never forget. As long as they had those memories and a new promise, the three of them would surely be able to laugh together and welcome a better future.
"Filvis-san~ Please~?"
Lefiya made full use of her youthful, pretty face, gazing at the black-haired elf with sparkling eyes.
"Guh..."
Filvis let out a soft sound, like someone who had already lost.
When such a pure and kind girl asked in that sweet, spoiled tone, it was simply unfair. Anyone with a normal heart would waver.
"B-but..."
Filvis could not think of a good objection.
This was only an ordinary chance encounter. It had nothing to do with battle, loyalties, or anything of that sort. From the moment the young man stopped her, Filvis had already lost her chance to escape.
Seeing the conversation bog down, Bell quickly stepped in to help. "You're heading back anyway, right, Filvis? Why don't we stop by on the way and take a look? Once we get to the shop, you can decide then."
It was a common negotiation tactic. It sounded like a temporary compromise, but the moment the other person accepted the suggestion, they had already conceded to putting the decision off.
After that, all he had to do was work with Lefiya, and persuading the stubborn Filvis would be easy.
"If that's all, then I can go..."
Filvis accepted the young man's suggestion.
"Yay! Then let's go!"
Lefiya happily raised her right hand like a child.
"I still haven't agreed..."
The corners of Filvis's mouth lifted as she walked beside the young man.
"Huh? Come with us~"
Lefiya kept coaxing her as they walked.
"So Lefiya-san has a side like this too..."
Bell walked between the two of them and murmured softly.
"Hiss... Don't suddenly say things like that, you permanently horny rabbit!"
Moonlight reflected the shadows of the three of them, quietly listening to the girl's embarrassed words.
Whether because the air had warmed or for some other reason, even the breeze brushing past their hair felt much warmer now.
As Filvis walked beneath the night sky, she suddenly realized something.
"Viridis and Cranel are lovers, but the way you address each other is rather strange."
Filvis knew that some lovers treated each other with formal respect, but between Lefiya and the young man, it did not quite feel like that.
"Huh? T-that's because..."
Lefiya frantically moved her right arm and lightly elbowed the young man.
"Filvis, how people address each other depends on the person. Actually, Lefiya-san really hates it when people other than elves call her by her surname."
Bell's words were not much of an answer.
Explaining his relationship with Lefiya would involve far too many things.
So Bell simply changed the subject, using Lefiya's dislike as bait to lure the black-haired elf in.
Just as he expected, Filvis took the bait.
"Is that true? Vi-Viridis?"
Filvis had always called both of them by their surnames, and she had not known about Lefiya's preference. Although she was a fellow elf, it might still affect Lefiya's mood.
"Ugh... Why do you remember that so clearly..."
Lefiya had not expected him to remember, word for word, the very first thing she had said when they met.
Did that not make it seem as if the young man had kept every part of her perfectly in his heart...?
That was so unfair...
Hiding the warmth in her chest, Lefiya pressed her lips together and replied, "It's fine if an elf calls me that, but... I'd like Filvis-san to call me by my name... Call me Lefiya..."
Hearing that, Filvis suddenly froze in place.
By the time she started walking again, a faint blush had appeared on her face.
"N-no. I can't."
Filvis's voice wavered badly.
"..."
Lefiya instantly lost some of her energy, like a deflated balloon.
Bell considerately slowed his steps and said, "Filvis, didn't you just think the way Lefiya-san and I address each other was strange? Now that you've rejected her request, does that mean the two of you aren't friends in your heart?"
Different forms of address reflected the distance between people.
Filvis had used that logic to question the young man and Lefiya, so Bell turned it back around to help the golden-yellow-haired elf achieve her goal.
"That's not what I think!"
Filvis answered at once.
The three of them had gone through a series of events in the Dungeon together. Judging only from the fact that she had entrusted her barrier Magic to Lefiya, Filvis had already come to see her as a trustworthy friend.
"U-um... Lefiya..."
Filvis voiced her trust.
"Mm!"
A smile bloomed across Lefiya's face.
Just that change in address made her feel as though the distance between her and Filvis had closed even more.
It was all thanks to the young man.
Just like the situation now, what connected the two of them was Bell Cranel's warmth and wisdom.
Thinking that, Lefiya unconsciously took a small step closer to the young man.
As she felt the refreshing breeze, she expressed her thanks in another way.
"In that case, how should Filvis-san address Bell Cranel?"
Lefiya asked meaningfully.
Filvis and the young man's relationship went beyond friendship. They were lovers who had confessed their true feelings to each other. Calling him only by his surname could certainly be called coldhearted.
"Uu..."
Filvis lowered her gaze to the ground.
No matter what the future held, her confession to the young man was something she could never defile.
Filvis's cheeks flushed red, and even her slender, new-leaf-like pointed ears were dyed with unbearable shame.
After what seemed like countless inner struggles, a murmur slipped from her cherry lips.
"Be-Bell..."
Filvis was utterly embarrassed by the belated use of his given name.
Before the young man could answer, she quickly swung back with a counterattack.
"Right. If Bell and Lefiya are lovers, then you two have to change how you address each other too!"