"Lord Phaeton," Vivian calls to me across the table.
I wanted to clear my thoughts a bit with how much Wise has been on my mind, and Vivian asked if I wanted to go and get some coffee with her from across the street.
"Hmm?"
"Something seems to be bothering you," she noted.
"Bothering me? No, I'm fine," I lied.
"..."
Judging from her silent and blank expression, I didn't convinced her in the least.
"W-what?"
"Lord Phaeton, you do know you can tell me anything, right?" Vivian reassured.
"O-oh course," I smiled nervously as I took another sip of my latte.
"Then, please. I would like to help if something is bothering you," she spoke sincerely.
"Well, umm…"
Yeah, there's no way I can come out and say, "I have a crush on my older brother. That's all."
"Is it perhaps a crush?" she guessed.
"W-what?" I'm of course astonished by how easily she was able to read me.
"It would seem I have hit the mark," Vivian remarked, clearing her throat, "It is okay. I fully support your pursuit of romance, Lord Phaeton."
I was honestly taken aback by what she said. I thought Vivian had a huge obsession with me that was also romantic.
"...Really?" I asked.
"Yes. I'm going to guess you thought I would be more jealous at such a revelation?"
"A little, yeah," I chuckled and scratched my cheek.
"I'm happy being your loyal best friend, Lord Phaeton," Vivian smiles affectionately at me, "While it would be more ideal if I were your lover as well, I'm more than happy to see you in love with the person of your choosing."
"Thanks, Vivian," I was genuinely touched by her words.
"Of course. Now, who is the lucky person to have captured your heart?"
"Uhh…"
Now I'm at the really difficult part in this conversation.
"What's the matter?" Vivian asked.
"I…can't really say," I admitted.
Ignoring my latte cup now, I begin to fidget with fingers instead, thinking of a way I wouldn't have to tell her I had a crush on Wise.
"Oh, is it perhaps a sort of forbidden love?" Vivian accurately guessed, making me flinch in suprise.
"I see," Vivian took note of my reaction, "Is it perhaps the other Lord Phaeton then?"
"...!"
Before I could make an effort to hide my reaction the second time around, it was already too late since Vivian noticed immediately.
"So I am correct," Vivian smiles, pleased that she was able to deduce my love interest just from my body language, "Then please know you have my full support, Lord Phaeton."
"Wait, really?"
The negative reaction I was expecting didn't come to fruition.
"You don't find it weird or gross or anything?" I asked her.
"No," she stated simply, "If anything, I couldn't have asked for your crush to be more perfect. My two Lord Phaetons, becoming one intimately!"
Vivian declared enthusiastically.
"Oh god," I grabbed my coffee cup and tried to hide my beet red face with it.
Suddenly, my cellphone rings from my handbag.
Wise was calling me, as noted from the caller ID.
"H-hey, Wise," I answered, just to compose myself.
"Hey, Belle. Are you busy right now? I could use some help with a new shipment of videos we just got."
"Oh! Sure, I'll be right there!"
"Lord Phaeton, if I may," Vivian proposed, "This is the perfect opportunity for you to become closer with other Lord Phaeton."
"Huh? How?"
"Leave it to me!" she enthusiastically assured.