“Haha, you two are really lovey-dovey.”
The cashier at the cake shop gave a knowing smile, completely unaware of the embarrassment on Aier’s face.
“Two cakes packed to go, that will be 2 silver coins in total.”
The cakes were quickly packed, and just as Aier reached to pay, Mary had already settled the bill with a swift motion.
“Huh? How can I let senior Mary spend…”
“Then you should give senior Mary a little compensation~”
Before Aier could react, Mary leaned forward and planted a quick kiss on Aier’s smooth forehead right in front of the cashier.
Cashier: Yay! A ship has sailed!
Aier’s pupils contracted sharply, as if she had been electrocuted, her whole body stiffening like a board.
No! Senior Mary… I, there are Spies nearby. If they see this, I’ll be… sob sob sob…
Aier’s face instantly flushed red. She snatched one of the cake bags from Mary’s hand, bowed her head, and dashed out of the shop.
Her heart was pounding in chaos as her eyes nervously scanned the surroundings, trying to spot any possible Spies, but unfortunately, she found nothing.
Sobs, I hope that scene just now wasn’t seen by any Spies… Aier prayed silently.
Mary smiled and followed behind her at a leisurely pace.
Just watching Aier’s shy expression made her feel like she was about to melt.
“So great~~~”
Mary’s eyes gleamed with a kind of infatuated light as she repeatedly savored the adorable image of Aier in her mind.
Her thoughts wandered endlessly, indulging in fantasies about Aier-chan.
But the next moment, seeing Aier rush headlong toward the academy, Mary snapped back to reality and reached out to grab the fleeing Aier’s hand.
“Hey, junior, you’re going the wrong way.”
Aier responded in a muffled voice, “The cakes are already bought… shouldn’t we go back?”
That kiss just now gave her a very bad feeling. Being with Mary was definitely too dangerous.
“If you’ve got the cakes, of course we have to go somewhere suitable to enjoy them slowly.” Mary smiled mysteriously, clearly not intending to let Aier off that easily.
“But…”
“What, you’re not even willing to give senior Mary a little face?” Mary squinted playfully.
Could Aier say “no” to that? Mary was the daughter of the underworld’s elite. If she got angry, who knew when Aier might end up sunk in the bay?
Life was really hard for her.
In truth, Aier understood that the choice had never been hers. Her remote control had been snatched away by several women, her body manipulated in every way.
Seeing Aier’s conflicted expression, Mary placed her snow-white hand on her shoulder.
“Don’t worry, it’s a super—awesome Coffee Shop! Nothing weird, I promise.”
Weird… That phrase sounded so familiar.
Had someone said exactly that to her not long ago?
Without another word, Mary pulled Aier’s hand again and confidently turned into the maze-like alleys of the Central District.
The route felt increasingly familiar to Aier…
Soon enough, the two of them stopped in front of a familiar coffee shop.
Aier glanced up at the shop sign:
「A Coffee Shop」
Aier: “…”
Ah haha, it really is here…
Countless unpleasant memories surged up, and her legs began to weaken.
“This is the place.”
Before Aier could say anything, Mary stepped forward and pushed open the familiar wooden door. The wind chimes hanging on it chimed crisply.
As before, the shop was almost empty.
Behind the counter, the woman known as the Marquis of Coffee, Latia, lazily flipped through a thick book, seemingly a yuri novel.
Her flaxen hair was casually pinned up, and the chestnut-colored dress highlighted her upright figure.
She looked up at the noise, her brown eyes sweeping over the room. Upon seeing Aier, a flicker of surprise crossed her gaze.
Then Latia’s eyes landed on Mary, and a mischievous delight immediately bubbled up inside her.
“Well, if it isn’t little Aier! You’re back so soon~ Looks like you really love your sister’s milk coffee.”
Latia covered her mischievous smile with the book.
Aier immediately felt her scalp tingle.
No… Sister, when you say ‘milk coffee,’ could you please not emphasize the first word so much and almost ignore the latter one?
“Do you two know each other?” Mary asked, surprised.
“Yeah, I just came here last Friday~”
“Heh~” Hearing this, Mary’s gaze toward Aier deepened instantly.
At this moment, Aier didn’t know what to say.
How did it turn out like she was caught cheating with multiple partners?!
Every time she was dragged here against her will!
Latia enjoyed watching the shifting expressions on both Aier and Mary, her mischievous satisfaction growing.
She stood up with a happy mood, her flaxen hair swaying lightly.
At 176 cm tall, her figure was upright like a slender bamboo stalk. Simply standing straight, she naturally exuded an elegant aura.
Unlike Sheir’s domineering presence, Latia felt like she would gently envelop someone, filling every gap softly and thoroughly…
Aier shook her head sharply, feeling that the more she thought about it, the weirder it got.
“All right, come on in and have a seat.”
Latia waved her hand toward the two at the entrance.
As Aier and Mary entered, in the shadowed street corner diagonally across from the coffee shop, an inconspicuous woman was quickly jotting something in a small notebook while secretly pressing a crystal-like stone to her lips, whispering softly.
Further down another corner, a blonde girl with high twin tails was walking briskly toward the coffee shop’s main door…
The two took seats side by side by the window inside the shop.
Latia paced over with long strides, her chestnut dress outlining her mature and alluring curves.
She stopped beside the table, brown eyes sparkling playfully.
“So, little Aier, what would you like to drink this time?”
“Well, um, I’m not really in the mood to drink much this time…”
Under Mary’s burning gaze, Aier felt uncomfortable all over, just wanting to keep things simple.
“Is that so? Then little Mary~ what do you want to drink?”
Latia asked Mary in a familiar tone.
Huh? So you two actually know each other?
Mary smiled gently, “Just a latte for me, and you can tell me how you two met. I’m quite curious.”
Though Mary spoke softly, Aier felt a chill run down her back for some reason.
Latia’s red lips curled into a smirk as she deliberately spoke vaguely, “Well, about that… it was quite a mess back then, had me cleaning up for ages~”
Aier’s pupils jolted.
Don’t say nonsense!
There was no mess at all!
Donna just spat out some coffee because it was too bitter!
Stop making it sound so ambiguous!
Sure enough, Mary’s tone suddenly turned meaningful upon hearing that misleading remark.
“Heh~~~ Is that so? Didn’t expect junior to be…”
Aier’s face flushed bright red as she angrily interrupted, “Madam, please don’t say things that cause misunderstandings!”