Chapter 82: The Naive Spy

The "Grand Alliance," as Kenji has dubbed it, changes the dynamic at school. Rina and Haruka now move with the unified purpose of generals planning a campaign. Their lunch table conversations are a flurry of technical jargon and strategic planning. They are a formidable, terrifying force.

Then back to school next day.

My own life, however, is complicated by the third point of my personal love-triangle-of-doom: Aiwa Matsuki. She is exactly as I remember her from the store: quiet, shy, and sweet. She is a calming, normal presence in my chaotic life. But the mystery of the pendant is driving me crazy.

I decide to do some "reconnaissance." During a quiet moment in class, I lean over to her desk.

"Hey, Matsuki-san," I whisper.

She jumps, startled, then gives me a small, shy smile. "Yes, Hinamata-kun?"

"This is going to sound weird," I start, trying to sound casual, "but are you… interested in cosplay?"

Her eyes widen, and a faint blush creeps up her cheeks. "Oh! Um, not really. I mean, I think it is very beautiful. I admire the artistry from afar. But I am not nearly talented enough to do something like that myself."

She is so earnest, so humble. It is the complete and utter opposite of the cold, supremely confident LUNA. My brain relaxes. It was a stupid theory anyway.

"That makes sense," I say. "It is just, I went to this big convention on the weekend, the Winter Comicon."

"Oh, that sounds fun," she says politely.

"It was crazy," I continue, deciding to lay my trap. "There was this one cosplayer there, her name was LUNA. She was incredible. On a whole different level. Her costume had these glowing wings and everything."

I watch her face carefully for any reaction. She just looks at me with wide, innocent eyes, her expression one of polite interest. "Wow," she says. "She sounds amazing."

"Yeah, she was," I say, leaning in a little closer, "but the weirdest thing was her costume. She was dressed as a Moon Elf Queen, but she had this one accessory, a little star-shaped pendant. It looked exactly like the crest from 'Starlight Paladin.'"

At the mention of the show, her eyes light up with that familiar, genuine spark of passion. "Really? From 'Starlight Paladin'? That is my favorite!"

"I know, right?" I say, excited that she gets it. "Is that not a weird detail for a Moon Elf costume? I cannot figure out the connection."

She just gives me a thoughtful, innocent look. "Maybe she is just a big fan of the show, like us?" she suggests. "Even amazing artists have their own inspirations."

Her answer is so simple, so logical. It makes perfect sense. LUNA is just another fan, a very talented, very wealthy fan who incorporated a tribute into her design. My convoluted, secret-identity theory suddenly seems ridiculous.

"You are probably right," I say, feeling a little foolish. "That must be it."

I lean back in my chair, the mystery solved. Aiwa Matsuki is just Aiwa Matsuki, a sweet girl who happens to like the same anime as me. And LUNA is just LUNA, a ridiculously talented cosplayer who also happens to like the same anime. There is no connection.

Aiwa gives me a small, relieved smile and turns back to her textbook, her face still slightly flushed. She has just successfully lied directly to my face, her secret identity completely intact. And I, her naive, clueless classmate, have just given her the perfect cover story, gift-wrapped and delivered with a bow.