◆
“Now, Sanada. Let's go to the next one!”
“O-Oh.”
My hands were full of paper bags, a mountain of clothes that Kuonji had bought.
To think she’s still going to buy more after all this... High school girls are terrifying.
...Hm? Kuonji looks a little tired...
Her pace is dragging, and it feels like her tension has dropped compared to earlier.
I’m still fine, but... I guess it can't be helped.
“Ah—sorry, Kuonji. I’m a bit tired, so why don’t we stop by a café?”
“Eh? ...Ah, sorry. I didn't notice...”
“No, it’s fine.”
If I say I want to rest, Kuonji is forced to rest as well.
If I let her get any more exhausted, she might get grumpy... Yeah, I definitely want to avoid that.
I led Kuonji into Café Arsène, located on the first floor of the shopping mall.
The time was 17:00. It was a bit early for dinner, but... it would be a pain to eat later, so we might as well finish it here.
“Kuonji. I’m going to eat here, what about you?”
“I suppose... I'm hungry too, so I'll eat.”
“For me... I might as well go all out. The Beef Steak Pork Chicken Hamburger Set. Also, a large serving of rice. And gelato for dessert.”
“A-As expected of a high school boy...”
“Is that so? I’m actually holding back a bit. Oh, let's order the drink bar too.”
“Well, you do exercise, after all...”
She gave me an exasperated look. I don't get it.
By the way, it seems Kuonji chose the Hamburger Set with a small serving of rice.
From my perspective, I’m more worried that that’s all she’s eating.
I pressed the attendant call button.
After waiting for a short while—
“Thank you for waiting—... Huh?”
“Eh?”
“Hm? ...Ah.”
...Tsuchimikado?
Wearing the uniform of this café with her hair tied in a ponytail, Tsuchimikado looked back and forth between me and Kuonji with a stunned expression.
...You’ve got to be kidding me.
“T-Tsuchimikado. Is this a part-time job?”
“...Eh? Ah, yeah. That's right, but... are you two on good terms?”
Tsuchimikado had a bewildered look on her face.
Ah... well, since we’re always at each other's throats at school, seeing us out together... it's only natural she'd react like that.
How should I explain this?
Even if I make an excuse, I have to be in sync with Kuonji.
But can the two of us even do that...?
“Don't worry, Tsuchimikado-san.”
“Eh? What do you mean, Kuo-tan?”
Eh... Kuonji? Do you have a plan?
When I looked, Kuonji gave me a small nod.
If she has a plan, I have no choice but to go along with it now... I'm counting on you, Kuonji...!
“Sanada is just my luggage carrier today.”
“Luggage carrier? ...Ah, certainly, this amount is amazing. You bought a lot~”
She looked at the seven paper bags placed at our feet and seemed convinced.
Well, we certainly did buy a lot...
“I won a small bet, so I'm making him tag along as my luggage carrier. He's essentially a servant.”
“Who’s a servant?”
“Ah~~~ I see~”
“Don't you get convinced too!”
Well, I guess I can see why she’d be convinced after seeing our usual interactions.
“Ah, that's a relief. Then it should be okay~”
“...Okay? What is?”
“Hm~? Even if I enter a good relationship with Sana-tan, I mean~”
““........................ Huh?””
Hm? Eh? What? ...A good relationship...?
“If there's nothing between you two, is it okay if I apply?”
“A-Apply...?”
“Tsuchimikado-san, what are you trying to say?”
“Hm~? I. Said. ──To be his wife?”
…………………………………….
Wha!?!?!?!?
“W-Wait a minute...! You have your own Fated Person, don't you!?”
“I do~. But my Fated Person isn't normal, you see~”
“...Not normal?”
“That's right. My Fated Person and I are connected by a vermilion thread.”
Eh... Vermilion...!?
If I recall correctly, Vermilion is a rare color that only about 4.5% of people have.
It's supposed to mean excellent economic compatibility, where if you do something together, you'll never have to worry about finances for the rest of your lives.
To think Tsuchimikado was that color...
“I don't know if it's because of the color, but my feelings of love for that person are thin. That's why I want to marry someone I liked from the start.”
“W-Wait. From the start...”
“Hm? That's right, Sana-tan. Since that time you helped me... it's been all this time.”
Tsuchimikado Hiyori gave a mischievous grin.
“Sanada Akito-kun. I... l-o-v-e you♪”
She dropped the biggest bomb of my life──.
“............What is... that...”
Kuonji Riran muttered blankly.
I’m the one who wants to ask.
What the heck is this?
Leaving us with our thoughts slowed down, Tsuchimikado proceeded with the conversation in high spirits.
“Well, but Sana-tan probably has a partner connected by the Red Thread of Fate too, so I don't need an answer right away~”
As if suddenly remembering, Tsuchimikado operated her tablet, and her usual smile changed into a professional service smile.
“Customer, have you decided on your order?”
As if nothing had happened, she went back to her job.