"Don't sweat the small stuff!"
"The small stuff matters!"
Eriri Sawamura glared at Lin Zhi, baring her tiny canine teeth in frustration, her big blue eyes blazing.
Click!
Eriri froze for a second before lunging toward him, trying to snatch away the phone in his hand.
"Y-You… what do you think you're doing?!"
Lin Zhi dodged lightly, grinning as he waved his phone.
"Because when Miss Kashiwagi Eri gets all flustered and snarls like that, she looks really cute. How should I put it… like a little puppy with its fur all puffed up."
"C-Cute?!"
Eriri's eyes widened, her voice trembling as if she'd been struck speechless. Her fair cheeks instantly flushed red, like snow suddenly covered in a soft layer of rose petals.
"Yeah, exactly like that. Hold it—two more shots."
Click! Click!
"S-Stop it already!"
Eriri pounced again, grabbing at his phone.
She looked up, her delicate face still tinted with that faint, alluring blush, her sapphire-like eyes shimmering with unshed tears.
That expression—it looked as if she'd just been cornered into doing something indecent.
So timid. So defenseless.
Damn. Kashiwagi Eri, you're way too seductive!
Lin Zhi sucked in a breath and quickly handed her the phone.
"Hmph!"
A sharp little snort escaped her lips, followed by the series of beep-beep-beep sounds of photos being deleted.
Sigh… What a shame…
For some reason, Lin Zhi actually felt a pang of regret. The realization startled even him.
Why… why did he suddenly feel such a strong urge to tease her?
He glanced over. Eriri was still fuming as she furiously deleted the photos, but then she froze as if something had just occurred to her.
"What is it, Miss Sawamura… or should I say, Miss Kashiwagi?"
"Hmph!"
She shot him a fierce glare before tossing the phone back at him.
Then, sitting upright again, she fixed her gaze on him. "You're paying for today."
"Ahem. Of course."
"And one more thing…"
Lin Zhi looked up.
Eriri's cheeks flushed even redder as she turned her head slightly away. "Calling me 'Miss Sawamura' sounds weird. Just call me Eriri from now on."
He blinked, then smiled.
As expected of Kashiwagi Eri—what a classic tsundere.
He glanced around the café again and asked curiously, "So, Eriri, what were you looking at earlier?"
"I told you, I'm gathering inspiration!"
"Inspiration?"
"Look over there—see that maid with the ash-blond hair?"
"Yeah, I see her."
Following Eriri's pointing finger, Lin Zhi spotted a maid with long, silky ash-blond hair standing with her back to them.
"That's Nana-chan! She's super popular around here—probably the most famous maid in the entire district!" Eriri said excitedly.
Lin Zhi nodded again. Still, what did that have to do with her "research"?
Wait a second.
He suddenly grabbed her shoulders, staring at her in disbelief. "Don't tell me… you're planning to make her the heroine in your manga?!"
Kashiwagi Eri, you do realize your manga is R-rated, right?!
"I'm just borrowing her looks, that's all!" Eriri waved her hand dismissively, completely unfazed.
Just then, the first maid Lin Zhi met when he came in leaned over to whisper something to Nana-chan. The popular maid turned and looked right toward their table.
"See?! See?! She's super cute!" Eriri squealed, tugging on Lin Zhi's sleeve as her eyes sparkled, lost in her own little fantasy.
She really was cute, Lin Zhi admitted inwardly. But—hold on—she was walking straight toward them!
"Master, may I take your order?"
The maid, Nana-chan, had soft, ash-blond hair that fell smoothly around her face, a neat fringe to the left, and a side ponytail tied with a mint-green ribbon. Her amber eyes gleamed warmly, her expression gentle and inviting—a natural charm that made her instantly memorable.
All in all, she was the perfect example of a sweet, soothing beauty.
Order?
Lin Zhi glanced at the table and realized they hadn't ordered a thing—Eriri had only a single glass of lemon water in front of her. No wonder the maid had come over to remind them.
He turned back to Eriri, who was still off in her little daydream.
And judging by her dazed eyes and the blush deepening on her cheeks, Lin Zhi felt a wave of dread wash over him.
Kashiwagi Eri, please don't start fantasizing here!
"Eriri! Eriri!"
"Huh?!"
Startled, the blonde girl let out a sharp yelp, drawing everyone's attention in the café.
"…."
"Haha… ha… yes? What is it?"
Her face was as red as a ripe apple, and she couldn't bring herself to meet Nana-chan's curious gaze.
Nana-chan tilted her head, puzzled.
"Order! Order something!" Lin Zhi whispered urgently.
"Oh—right, order!"
Flustered, Eriri grabbed the menu, flipping through it with trembling fingers, her movements radiating pure nervous energy.
"I'll have… um… the Cow Latte, and a honey cake."
"Understood!"
Nana-chan noted it down, then looked at Lin Zhi.
He scanned the menu, but the ornate, floral design made it oddly confusing to read.
"I'll just have the same thing."
"Got it—two lattes and two honey cakes. Please wait a moment."
Nana-chan smiled warmly, her expression bright as sunlight, before turning toward the kitchen.
Lin Zhi followed her with his eyes, but then suddenly froze.
The café door had just swung open.
Someone rushed in, apologizing profusely to the first maid—probably the head maid, judging by her demeanor.
After a brief exchange, the head maid sighed and waved the newcomer deeper inside.
The newcomer straightened, visibly relieved, and walked further into the café.
Lin Zhi's eyes widened in shock.
No… it couldn't be.
"Aoyama… Nanami?!"
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T/N:
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