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Chapter 2099: Date Plan Execution ?
Chapter 2099: Date Plan Execution ?
Kaori had agreed to Kaito's suggestion and was on their way to the chocolate shop, but as they walked, her expression gradually began to change.
The reason was simple. People often say that a single street over can offer a completely different view, and this was precisely the case————- partway through, the scenery around them began to shift dramatically.
[……U- Umm, Kaito-kun? This is just my guess…… but isn't this area lined with high-end stores? C- Could it be that the chocolate shop run by your acquaintance…… is a rather upscale place?]
Indeed, compared to the street they had been walking on earlier, the shops here exuded a level of luxury that seemed far removed from what an ordinary person like Kaori would frequent.
The designs of the shops blended seamlessly into the city's atmosphere, but their facades and the goods displayed in their windows made it evident that these were high-end establishments…… It became clear that they had entered an area populated by shops that were not just luxurious but perhaps even higher-tier than the prestigious brands she had once visited in the Hydra Kingdom.
[That's right. My friend, Eris-san, is a marquis' daughter, and the shop is a members-only, high-end chocolate boutique. But don't worry; I have a membership card, so getting in won't be an issue, and the chocolate there is absolutely amazing.]
[Oh, right…… your social circle really is beyond anything I can comprehend. Casually mention things like "a marquis' daughter"…… To be honest, I was imagining something at the higher-end of department store food sections at best…… but this is clearly on an entirely different level. Honestly, I feel like shopping in a place of this caliber is way out of my league……]
Realizing they were headed to a store clearly catering to the upper class, Kaori muttered anxiously, her face pale and her stomach knotting with unease.
Kaori was an average citizen. For her, a high-end chocolate would be something priced at 3R per piece……roughly 300 yen in Japanese currency.
She had seen features in magazines that introduced stores catering to nobles, and she remembered the prices listed for their sweets———- amounts unimaginable to spend on confections. Even setting aside whether she could afford it or not…… she simply wouldn’t feel comfortable making such a purchase.Her apprehension grew as she worried about being an unwelcome presence in such a store. Just as her concerns were about to overwhelm her, Kaito offered her a reassuring smile.
[It’s fine. Since I invited you, I never intended to have you pay for anything in the first place. The chocolate here is genuinely delicious, so if there’s something you’d like, please feel free to choose as much as you want. I’ll take care of the payment.]
[Fguh…… Y- You’re acting like this again……]
Faced with his kind smile, tinged with a certain calm confidence, Kaori flushed red and found herself at a loss for words.
(Seriously, enough already! Why do you have to be so effortlessly cool all the time!?)
As Kaori silently screamed in her heart, Olivia began asking Kaito questions about the chocolate shop, to which he casually replied. Watching their interaction, Kaori felt a mixture of embarrassment and self-reflection swirling within her.
(Gununu…… Seriously, being around Kaito-kun makes it so obvious why he’s so popular. Normally, he’s kind and a little airheaded in an adorable way, but at times like this, he’s incredibly reliable…… Or maybe it’s thanks to that Sympathy Magic of his? When I’m feeling uneasy or confused, he picks up on it and steps in to help, and that gives me such a sense of reassurance. Plus, the contrast with how he usually is just makes my heart skip a beat……)
In truth, Kaito’s Sympathy Magic made him highly attuned to shifts in others' emotions. While it didn’t allow him to read minds, so misinterpretations could happen…… his ability to sense when someone needed support and step in without being asked was deeply appreciated.
(He does so many cool things that sometimes I catch myself wondering "Arehh? Is he trying to seduce me?"…… No, of course, I know he’s not actually trying to seduce, he’s just naturally like that, but still…… He’s like a reincarnated ladies’ man or something. And yet, he always acts like he’s "just an average guy if you exclude his social circle", but honestly, you’re good-looking, Kaito-kun!!! Maybe it’s low self-esteem, or maybe being surrounded by so many beautiful people has skewed your standards, but you’ve got this gentle, handsome vibe going on…… which is totally my type. When you smile at me like you did just now, my heart can’t handle it!!!)
Of course, Kaori herself knew these thoughts were unfair complaints, so she kept them to herself. Still, she felt as though she was being completely thrown off balance by her younger kouhai and couldn’t help but vent in her mind.
(Putting aside how he's occasionally putting me in these stomach-churning situations, he's almost too ideal…… Haahh…… Geez, acting all carefree…… You have no idea how much you’re making my heart race, do you? If you keep making me take you seriously like this, you’ll have to take responsibility, you know…… Seriously, this kouhai of mine is terrible for both my heart and my stomach.)
While thinking these things, Kaori tightened her grip slightly on the hand she was holding. Whether it was just her imagination or not, the hand in hers felt a little warmer than before…… as if something between them had changed ever so subtly.
<Afterword>
Serious-senpai : [Ghaak!? W- What the heck…… Pretending he's off to deliver a stomachache to Eris, while starting off by giving Kaori the stomachache, only to suddenly splash sweetness in!? And then, there's delivering the final blow to Eris…… S- So this is a master's triple body-stomach blow……] ??