"But why are you hiding from her?"
Seeing Nagiri Mana's lonely figure, Anne asked, unable to empathize.
At this moment, Mana's previously unusual gentle gaze faded, and she unconsciously closed her folding fan, only sighing softly as she watched Erina's disappearing figure.
"Ten years of separation."
"How am I supposed to face her?"
Nagiri Mana's entire body trembled uncontrollably, and her bright eyes, as brilliant as the starry sky, instantly lost their luster.
She truly hadn't expected to encounter her daughter when she visited the Izakaya tonight!
Feelings of longing and sorrow surged from her heart.
"Mana-sama, I believe she will forgive you and understand your pain all these years."
Anne comforted and encouraged her.
Mana shook her head slightly upon hearing this, and replied in a hoarse voice, "No, reuniting at a time like this would only ruin her good mood of wanting to taste Sosuke's cooking at the Izakaya. I… I can't bear for her to suffer because of me!"
"But… Mana-sama, haven't you thought about yourself?"
Upon hearing this, Anne was shocked.
But at the same time, she also felt very confused.
Nagiri Mana's maternal love was clearly great and fervent.
She was very afraid of death, afraid that the curse of the God Tongue would lead to her starving to death!
But if it were for her daughter, even if it meant a hell that would cause her immense suffering, Anne absolutely believed that she would jump into it without hesitation.
Nagiri Mana did not answer Anne's words.
And seeing her so dispirited, Anne could only sigh softly and say, "Mana-sama, since you don't wish to see her for now,"
"Then let's rest our feet at Spring Fruit Pavilion Restaurant next door."
"Although this restaurant is closed now, with our status as executives, I think the proprietress probably won't refuse us."
"Alright, let's go to Spring Fruit Pavilion first."
Nagiri Mana's voice was slightly choked as she spoke.
Finally, the two of them headed towards Sonoka's Spring Fruit Pavilion Restaurant.
…
Immediately upon entering.
The interior environment of the Izakaya stunned Erina.
Immediately after, she saw Sosuke, who was wiping the counter with a clean cloth.
Staring blankly at that handsome face, Erina felt a flutter in her heart at this moment.
This feeling had existed before.
But ever since returning from Akihabara, it had become increasingly strong, so much so that she almost constantly thought of Sosuke and longed for the dishes he made.
Clearly, these unusually distinct thoughts often troubled her, sometimes even causing her to toss and turn sleeplessly.
Perhaps for her, whose emotional experience was like a blank slate, she still couldn't understand...
What this would mean.
"You're here?"
Looking up at Erina, Sosuke said gently.
"Yes, I… I'm here again."
Upon hearing this, Erina unconsciously clutched the hem of her dress and replied with her head down.
And this brief conversation between the two gave Hisako a feeling of a beloved wife just returning home, greeted warmly by her husband!
…
Undeniably, her busy schedule had kept Erina from visiting the Izakaya often during this period.
But gradually, she realized that she truly couldn't leave Sosuke, couldn't leave this Izakaya.
As long as she could come here, she would be very happy, all her worries would magically disappear, and she would even anticipate what new dish Sosuke might bring her?
Truly, this kind of joy.
She had never experienced it at Totsuki Academy.
"What are you thinking about?"
Just then, Sosuke came to her side, gently patted her shoulder, and asked curiously.
Erina slightly recovered, moved the hand from her shoulder, and replied grumpily, "I finally made it to the Izakaya, and you… you're treating me so coldly?"
Sosuke:???
With a face full of question marks, he began to stare intently at Erina.
He hadn't carefully observed her just now, but now he noticed that she was indeed a little different tonight.
The white dress she wore had a light, sheer texture.
The starry, shimmering satin was tied into a bow, and the golden belt at her waist resembled butterfly wings, gently fluttering with the breeze.
Such a uniquely styled dress truly matched her innate noble temperament perfectly!
"Nice dress."
"Indeed, cute girls look good in anything!"
Finally, Sosuke, who had fully processed it, could only offer a compliment.
"Sosuke, you don't know that before Milady Erina came to the Izakaya,"
"She spent over an hour, trying on dozens of clothes non-stop, and finally chose this dress after layers of selection."
Hisako interjected from the side.
"Hisako!"
Upon hearing this, Erina's face turned red, and she immediately glared at her.
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