Riveria set down her pen and closed the report book with a sigh. "Finally, it's all completed," she turned to look towards the clock hanging on the wall. "It's about time for lunch as well."
"Then shall we go?" I asked, extending my hand towards her. Riveria held it without hesitation and got up from the chair.
We walked through the corridor and reached the mess hall. I pushed open the doors, our hands still linked together. Loki was eating her food with lazy enthusiasm, but went completely still as soon as she noticed us enter.
Every head turned.
Conversation died.
Loki sat at the center table, mid-bite, her fork frozen halfway to her mouth. She stared at our joined hands like they were personally offensive.
Then she swallowed. Stood. Knocked her chair backwards with enough force to startle half the room.
"SO YESTERDAY WASN'T A DREAM!" Her voice could have shattered glass.
Riveria's hand moved to her temple as if to stop a coming headache. "Oh no."
"FUCK YOU, ARIN!" Loki pointed at me with her fork like a weapon. "WHY DID I TRY TO BE UNDERSTANDING?! WHY DID I THINK—EVEN FOR ONE SECOND—THAT I COULD ACCEPT THIS SHIT?!"
"You... didn't try to be understanding though—"
"ME NOT KILLING YOU ON THE SPOT WAS ME BEING UNDERSTANDING, YOU WOMANIZER!"
"That's a pretty screwed definition of understanding."
"HA?! THEN DO YOU WANT TO DIE?!"
"No thanks, I'd rather be alive and spend my time with the girls." I smiled without thinking. "In fact, I was just planning to meet Ryuu—"
"Y-YOU BASTARD!" Loki's voice rose to a shriek that probably echoed through the entire manor. "ARE YOU TRYING TO RUB IT IN MY FACE NOW?! MY PRECIOUS FAMILIA MEMBERS! STOLEN! AND YOU'RE BRAGGING ABOUT IT?!"
Her body quivered, her slitted eyes glistening with what might have been actual tears of rage and betrayal.
Riveria's hand moved to her temple. "Arin, I think it would be better if you leave now. Before she finds something sharper than a fork."
I nodded and backed toward the door, ignoring Loki's blood-curdling wails as she tried to literally lunge at me, only to be restrained by multiple familia members. I made my escape with dignity intact and life preserved.
________________________________________________________________________________________________
"Damn, she really is crazy," I muttered, wiping nervous sweat from my forehead as I walked through Orario's streets. "Now what? Maybe I should find Ryuu." A grin spread across my face. "I wonder how flustered she'll get."
As if summoned by my thoughts, I spotted her—white sleeveless shirt, brown pants, combat boots, blonde hair catching the afternoon light. She moved through the crowded street with that alert awareness she never quite turned off, her gaze sweeping the area even though she was off-duty. People nodded respectfully as she passed, murmuring "Gale Wind" with admiration.
"Ryuu."
I called her name, not expecting her to be so startled. She let out a startled squeak, spinning around; her blue eyes met mine for a short moment. We stared at each other. Her eyes widened. Then color flooded her face, spreading from her cheeks to the tips of her pointed ears. I half-expected her to combust.
"Are you okay, Ryuu?"
Ryuu took a deep breath and nodded, "Y-Yes, I'm fine. I was simply startled."
"I see." I smiled. "On patrol? You should be resting after the expedition."
"I'm not on duty today. Goddess Astraea gave us all time to recover." She looked away. "I just... needed some air. Some time away from Alise and Kaguya's teasing."
Understanding dawned. "Ah. They're not letting you live this down, are they?"
"Not even remotely," she said with a sigh.
"Oh…then do you want to walk around the town together?" I extended my hand towards her. Ryuu reached out, her hand hovering near mine hesitantly. So I took the initiative, gently grasping her fingers and intertwining them with mine.
"Let's go now," I said, and we started walking through the city. As we walked, I caught fragments of her muttering: "...so forward... in public no less... what if someone sees... this is..."
"Ryuu, you know this isn't the first time we've held hands, right? And we are adults."
"The context is entirely different now!" She protested, but her grip tightened on mine. "Before we were just... and now we're... the implications are..."
"The implications?"
Her face went scarlet. "We're... we're officially courting. Everyone knows. When people see us holding hands, they'll think... they'll know..."
"That we're together?"
"Exactly! It's so... so visible!"
Yup, I don't understand what the problem is, but if she is uncomfortable then… "Is that so? Then should we not hold hands?" I suggested.
"No!" she cried in panic, only to notice my teasing smile, and she looked away shyly, putting her forehead against my shoulder and hiding her face. "...you are a bad human, Arin."
I laughed, unable to contain it any longer. Ryuu, hearing my laugh, turned her face away with a huff. "Hmpth! I won't talk to you anymore!"
"Okay, okay, I was wrong, Ryuu, forgive me. Oh, right, how about we go to the cafe? The one that makes amazing apple pie?"
Ryuu glanced my way, "Really?" I nodded enthusiastically, she sighed before agreeing, "fine I forgive you, but I want the biggest apple pie on the menu."
"Of course, anything you want."
We made our way through the city streets, hands still linked despite—or perhaps because of—Ryuu's continued embarrassment. The afternoon sun was warm, the crowds light enough to navigate comfortably.
Eventually, we reached the café near the central fountain.
The café was a cozy little establishment with ivy climbing up its stone walls and colorful flowers in window boxes. The outdoor seating area had small round tables with checkered tablecloths, each shaded by a large cream-colored umbrella. The gentle sound of the fountain nearby created a peaceful atmosphere that contrasted beautifully with the bustle of the city streets.
"Here we are," I said, guiding Ryuu to a table with a perfect view of the fountain. I pulled out her chair.
"T-Thank you," she said softly, sitting down while still holding my hand, only releasing it reluctantly when I moved to sit across from her.
A cheerful waitress approached almost immediately, her eyes widening in recognition. "Oh! The Gale Wind! And—" Her gaze shifted to me, and her expression brightened further. "—Astralis! What an honor! We don't often see such renowned adventurers dining together!"
She clasped her hands together, barely containing her excitement. "The heroes who slayed the dragon! Everyone will be so thrilled to know you visited our humble establishment!"
Ryuu's face immediately flushed crimson. "P-Please, Maria, we're just here for—"
"Oh, of course, of course! Forgive my excitement!" Maria's knowing smile suggested she understood perfectly well what was happening. "What can I get for you two lovebirds?"
"Oh! We're—!" Ryuu started to protest, but I smoothly interjected.
"The biggest apple pie you have, please. And two cups of your finest coffee."
"Make that apple pie à la mode," Ryuu added quietly, and I grinned at her sweet tooth showing through her embarrassment.
"Wonderful choice! Coming right up!" Maria winked at us before heading back inside.
Once Maria was gone, Ryuu let out a long breath, her shoulders relaxing slightly. "You really are easily flustered," I said, reaching across the table to retake her hand.
"I am not!" she protested, even as her face proved otherwise. Then, more quietly: "...It's just strange. Being so open about it in public. Everyone seeing us together like this."
"Does it bother you?"
"No." She said it immediately, firmly. "Not at all. I want to be able to hold your hand in public. To go on dates without hiding." Her thumb traced small circles on the back of my hand, unconscious, the way she did when thinking. "It's just... new. I'm still adjusting to everyone knowing. To being so... visible."
I squeezed her hand gently. "We can take it slow if—"
Her smile was shy but genuine, and it made my heart skip.
"No," she interrupted, meeting my eyes. "I don't want to hide. I'm just... getting used to it, that's all."
"Tell me about it," I said with a soft laugh. "This morning I had Loki trying to stab me with a fork, and now I'm here with you, enjoying the afternoon sunshine. Life has a funny way of balancing out."
Ryuu's expression softened with concern. "Is Goddess Loki truly upset? I know she can be... dramatic, but..."
"She'll come around eventually," I assured her. "Riveria seems to think she just needs time to process everything. Though I might avoid the mess hall for dinner tonight, just to be safe."
A small smile tugged at Ryuu's lips. "That would be wise."
"What about you? How is everything with the girls?"
Ryuu gave an exhausted sigh, "Everything's fine, they just tease at every chance they get. Especially Kaguya. That's also why I was roaming around alone."
I laughed lightly, "Don't worry, I am sure they will drop after some time."
"I highly doubt that," she said. Just then, Maria returned with a tray, setting down two elegant teacups and a truly massive slice of apple pie topped with vanilla ice cream. Ryuu's eyes widened at the size of it.
"I may have... underestimated how big 'biggest' would be," she admitted, looking at the dessert with a mixture of delight and concern.
"We can share if you want," I offered.
She considered this for a moment before nodding. "That would be... nice, but you don't like sweets that much, do you?"
"True, I'm not a huge fan of sweets, but that doesn't mean I hate them. So we can share."
I picked up a fork and cut off a small piece, making sure to get both pie and ice cream. "Here," I said, holding it out to her.
Ryuu stared at the fork, then at me, her face turning crimson. "A-Arin, what are you doing?"
"Feeding you?" I said innocently, though I knew exactly what I was doing.
"That's—! We're in public! Everyone will see!"
"So? We're dating, remember? This is normal couple behavior."
"N-Normal?! This is— this is—!" She seemed unable to find the words, but after a moment of internal struggle, she leaned forward and accepted the bite, her eyes that were closed tightly from the embarrassment changed as she savored the taste. "Mmm..."
The soft, content sound she made was absolutely adorable, and I couldn't help but smile. "Good?"
She nodded, swallowing before opening her eyes. "Very good. But now..." She picked up the other fork and cut a piece, holding it out to me with a determined, if embarrassed, expression. "Your turn."
My heart did a little flip. "Ryuu—"
"Fair is fair," she said firmly, even if her hand trembled slightly. "If you can feed me, then I can feed you. That's... that's what couples do, isn't it?"
The word "couples" from her lips made something warm bloom in my chest.
I leaned forward and accepted the bite, never breaking eye contact with her. The pie was delicious, but the way Ryuu looked at me—with such a mixture of embarrassment, determination, and affection—was even sweeter
"You're right," I said after swallowing. "It is very good."
Her smile could have powered the entire city.
We continued like that, taking turns feeding each other and occasionally breaking into shy smiles and soft laughter. The world around us seemed to fade away, leaving just the two of us in our own little bubble of happiness.
"This pie really is amazing," Ryuu said contentedly, taking another bite.
"Almost as sweet as you," I said with a grin.
She nearly choked on her tea. "A-Arin! Don't say such embarrassing things!"
"What? It's true."
"That's not the point!" She covered her face with one hand, but I could see her trying to hide a smile. "How can you say such things so easily?"
"Because they're true?" I offered innocently. "Besides, your reactions are adorable."
"Now you're just trying to fluster me on purpose!" she accused, her voice lacking any real annoyance.
"Maybe a little," I admitted with a chuckle. "But can you blame me? You're even cuter when you're embarrassed."
"S-Stop it!" she protested, "Now, you are behaving like Kaguya!"
"Hey now," I protested. "There's a crucial difference between Kaguya and me. When I tease you, it's because you're adorable. When she teases you, it's because she's evil."
A small, dangerous smile crossed Ryuu's face. "Funny. Kaguya says the exact same thing about you."
I gasped in mock offense. "She does not!"
"She does. Word for word." Ryuu's smile widened. "You two are more alike than you think."
"Take that back!"
"No," she said primly, taking another bite of pie with entirely too much satisfaction.
We finished the rest of the pie in comfortable silence, occasionally catching each other's eyes and smiling. When the last bite was gone, Ryuu let out a satisfied sigh.
"That was perfect," she said.
"The pie or the company?" I asked playfully.
She pretended to think about it. "Hmm... the pie was quite good..."
"Ryuu!"
She laughed that genuine laugh that I had quickly become addicted to. "I'm teasing. The company was... very good too."
"Just 'very good'?"
"Such greed is unbecoming," she said with mock severity, though her smile betrayed her as she reached for my hand again.
"Too bad! I am the greediest person alive!" I declared with an exaggerated villainous laugh.
Ryuu shook her head, with a helpless smile on her face. "What am I going to do with you?"
"Love me despite my flaws?"
She blushed hard, giving light punches on my shoulders. Her actions made me laugh at how adorable she looked.
She is just so cute! I thought while continuing to receive those punches that were starting to hurt.