"Yui, you okay?"
Mio smiled at Yuigahama, whose face had gone slightly pink. You didn't need special observation skills to see that Yui was embarrassed.
She must've heard that little girl's innocent comment from the next table.
"I'm... I'm fine." Yui gripped her fork nervously, unconsciously pushing food around her plate.
Only couples did the whole indirect kiss thing, right? She and Mio had just shared a taste of each other's food. That didn't count. Besides, they were both girls.
...Right?
Thinking about it made Yui remember what the little girl had said—something about her older sister.
Could girls become a couple too?
Without meaning to, Yui glanced at Mio sitting across from her. If she could have a girlfriend like Mio... actually, that didn't sound so bad.
Wait—what was she even thinking?!
If she were in her room right now, she'd be burying her face in her pillow already.
Yuigahama Yui took a deep breath. Before she could fully collect her thoughts, she heard Mio's voice suddenly ring out: "Yui, you weren't just thinking about that indirect kiss thing, were you?"
"No, I wasn't, I didn't." Yuigahama Yui nervously employed the triple denial.
"Yui, has anyone ever told you that you look really cute when you blush?"
"Eh!?"
Looking at the smile on Mio's face, Yuigahama Yui couldn't tell for a moment whether she was being serious or just teasing.
"Okay, no more teasing. Let's finish lunch quickly and continue shopping."
"Mm."
Though Yuigahama Yui had already adjusted her emotions, when she looked at Mio, some subtle thoughts still involuntarily surfaced in her mind. Perhaps she'd need a bit more time to fully recover.
Of course, it was also possible she wouldn't recover at all.
Who knew?
After finishing lunch, the two continued their unfinished shopping spree. Unsurprisingly, Mio once again became a dress-up doll.
Fortunately, this afternoon Yuigahama Yui had slightly restrained her excitement. After browsing several clothing stores, she only made Mio change outfits fewer than thirty times.
By the time they emerged from the last clothing store, both Mio and Yuigahama Yui were carrying several bags.
Mio glanced at her wallet. Although these clothes weren't particularly expensive, after this shopping trip, she'd already spent a good chunk of her pocket money. It looked like she needed to find a way to earn money quickly.
The tasks were so difficult to complete—if she really didn't need the money, she definitely wouldn't have chosen the pocket money option.
After storing their purchases, they went straight to the movie theater entrance at the shopping center. Looking at the movie posters on the wall, Yuigahama Yui asked curiously: "Mio, what kind of movie do you want to watch?"
"A romance or a horror film."
"Let me see... there's actually a horror movie with pretty good reviews showing right now. Want to go see it?" Yuigahama Yui asked for Mio's opinion, both expectant and a bit nervous.
What could Mio possibly object to? Only horror films or romance movies would allow her to shamelessly hold Yuigahama Yui's hand for the entire duration of the film. Since Yuigahama Yui had already made a choice, why wouldn't she go along with it?
Having made their decision, they grabbed tickets and drinks, rested briefly, then followed an usher into the theater.
While the previews were still running, Mio closed her eyes and started adjusting her mindset.
Actress mode: activated.
As the advertisements on the big screen disappeared and eerie background music began playing, Mio opened her eyes just as the movie started.
Unlike her composed demeanor before entering the screening room, Mio's eyes now showed a mix of fear and anticipation. Her alluring lips were pressed together nervously, and her body unconsciously leaned toward Yuigahama Yui. Her slender, delicate hands lightly grasped Yuigahama Yui's sleeve, as if this would make her feel more secure.
Feeling the tug on her clothes, Yuigahama Yui instinctively glanced at Mio and realized that Mio actually looked even more scared than she was.
And for some reason, she felt that Mio looked inexplicably cute right now.
The cuteness even slightly diminished the tension brought by the horror film.
She leaned close to Mio's ear and asked quietly: "Mio, are you very scared?"
The sudden voice startled Mio, who had been focused on the big screen. Those clear eyes even began to mist over, as if she was about to cry at any moment.
"So cute," Yuigahama Yui whispered in a voice only she could hear.
"Don't suddenly talk in someone's ear like that. You almost scared me to death just now." Mio said nervously, clutching her chest.
"Sorry, I just wanted to tell you that if you're too scared, you can hold my hand."
"Eh? Is that really okay?"
"It's fine, I'm actually pretty scared too."
With Yuigahama Yui's permission, Mio didn't hold back and tightly grasped Yuigahama Yui's hand.
Feeling the strength transmitted through her hand, Yuigahama Yui could now confirm that Mio was genuinely terrified.
Even though she was so scared, she couldn't help but want to watch. That felt pretty similar to herself.
Just as Yuigahama Yui's thoughts began to wander, a ghostly shadow suddenly flashed on the big screen. Mio immediately turned her head and buried her face in Yuigahama Yui's shoulder.
"Yui, I don't think I want to watch anymore," Mio said in a muffled voice.
"Then... should we just leave?"
"Forget it, we came all this way, let's keep watching a bit longer." After saying this, Mio slightly opened one eye, secretly peeking at the big screen. At the slightest disturbance, she would immediately bury her face back in Yuigahama Yui's shoulder.
As time passed minute by minute, when the movie was more than halfway through, time stopped. At the same time, the system's surprised voice echoed in Mio's ear: "Task complete. The host's conquest rating with Yuigahama Yui has increased by 3 points."
"Host, your acting skills are quite impressive. Why weren't you more popular before transmigrating?"
"If I had this face, guess whether I'd be popular or not?"
It was also thanks to her decent acting skills that she could maintain a lukewarm career. If her acting had been any worse, she probably would've only gotten minor roles.