"Didn't you just say that dress was only 'not bad'?" Ai asked, surprised when Hiko said he still bought the dress. "I want to try the Matcha Cookie Frappuccino."
"Hmm, I understand… You find a seat first, I'll be over in a bit."
Hiko told Ai to go ahead. He studied the menu for a while before ordering from the shop assistant. "I'd like a Matcha Cookie Frappuccino and a Vanilla Frappuccino, both Venti. And then this, and this… Thank you."
After ordering the drinks, he looked at the display case and the menu again, comparing them as he decided on some desserts. This was his first time here, so he wasn't familiar with the place.
"Please wait a moment, your order will be ready shortly. While you wait, you can take a seat, and we will bring it over…" The shop assistant smiled, handed him the order number, and said to Hiko.
Once he finished ordering and got the receipt, Hiko went to find Ai.
"So why did you buy that dress? You didn't say it looked good, so it shouldn't have been worth it," Ai asked again after Hiko sat down in front of her.
"Actually, I thought it was pretty good. It just didn't 'wow' me. 'Not bad' for me is actually within the range of a compliment," Hiko explained.
"Eh? So 'not bad' is a compliment?" Ai was slightly surprised by Hiko's explanation. "Why didn't you just say 'pretty good' or 'looks good'?"
"Because I didn't want you to buy it in the first place. If I had praised it, you most likely would have bought it," Hiko thought to himself. What he said aloud was, "That's just how I usually talk."
"Is that so? Hiko-kun is really shy," Ai said with a smile after learning the reason.
"Shy? That has nothing to do with me, okay?" Hiko retorted.
"Please enjoy your drinks and desserts, both of you." The shop assistant brought their order on a tray to the table, set the items down, and left. A moment later he returned with more desserts, placed them down, and left again.
"Why did you buy so many desserts?" Ai looked at the cakes and pastries that almost filled the table.
"Because we'll be staying here for a long time." Hiko had noticed the dark clouds outside begin to drizzle after he placed the order.
"Even if we're staying a bit longer, you don't need to order so much…" Ai's tone carried a little regret.
"They've already been brought out, so just enjoy them slowly." Hiko unwrapped his straw, took a sip of his drink, then picked up a cookie in front of him and started eating.
Ai sighed, setting only a matcha cake in front of her. "This is all I need; I can't eat the rest."
"No way! I can't eat all this by myself, it'll make me burst!" Hiko pleaded with Ai.
Just now, besides ordering small desserts, he had also ordered several cakes.
Although the cakes here weren't whole cakes, only slices, a large Frappuccino was already filling, and with so many sweets added, it would be difficult to finish them all.
"You go ahead and eat."
Ai cut a small piece of cake with her fork and knife and tasted it.
"Don't be shy! The order was placed for both of us. Please, don't make me get fat!" Hiko clasped his hands together and begged Ai.
He was trying to use reverse psychology to ease her reluctance and shyness.
Although this situation had been intentionally created by him as an opportunity to feed Ai.
That was why he specifically ordered more. But in reality, even by himself, he could finish everything he ordered, it would just leave his stomach uncomfortable.
"Since you're asking me so earnestly, I'll help you out again." Ai saw Hiko's serious request and agreed.
"Great!" Hiko quickly divided the cakes and desserts on the table into two portions.
"I don't want to eat this much!" Ai saw how he divided the food and quickly stopped him, pushing most of it back to his side. She only kept one extra cake and two small desserts. "If you push me any more, I won't help you at all."
The rain outside gradually intensified at this moment, as if it were about to pour down.
"Alright then… Sigh, I knew I shouldn't have ordered so much. After I finish eating, I'm afraid I won't be able to walk." Hiko sighed dramatically, trying to coax Ai into taking more.
"I really can't eat that much. It wouldn't be good if I ate too much and gained weight." Ai firmly resisted the temptation of the desserts.
It wasn't that she didn't like them; it was just that she had to consider her figure now and couldn't afford to gain weight. Otherwise, if she had to lose it later… that would be too terrifying.
"It's a good thing it's raining right now, otherwise…"
Hiko sighed again, then took another sip of his drink and cut a small piece of cake with his fork and knife to eat. The taste was pretty good.
"Otherwise what?" Ai thought Hiko would finish his sentence, but after waiting a while, he still didn't. "If you talk like that, not finishing your sentences and then running off, you'll get beaten up sooner or later."
"Otherwise, I wouldn't feel comfortable staying in the shop for too long. I'd have to wait for some digestion before I could move." Hiko continued making up a story.
He hadn't actually thought about the plot just now.
"Is that so? Hiko-kun is indeed very shy." Ai propped her hand on the table, watching Hiko opposite her.
"Shy? I'm not shy at all." Hiko cupped his chin with both hands, holding up his face like a flower, and met Ai's gaze.
"Hiko-kun, you're so childish." Ai saw through his intention, he wanted to prove he wasn't shy through eye contact.
"Childish? No, I'm admiring your beautiful face." Hiko tried to tease Ai, wanting to make her blush.
"Thank you for the compliment." Ai picked up her straw, took a sip, and continued to meet Hiko's gaze. After a moment of thought, she said, "Hiko-kun, your face is a little red, you know~"
"No, it's not. I just feel a little hot, that's all." Hiko, still holding his face, replied, "But I do see your cheeks flushing, with an expression of unspoken affection. Have I captivated you?"
He tried to launch another verbal attack.
"My face is still cool. Don't you believe me? Touch it!" Ai wasn't about to back down and started playing a game with Hiko: whoever broke first would lose.
"Oh, by the way, when you said, 'Shy? I wouldn't be shy at all,' isn't that a classic tsundere line?" Ai also launched an offensive. "So, Hiko-kun is actually someone who gets shy easily and has a difficult personality like a tsundere? If Hiko-kun really is a tsundere, then that would be so interesting."
"I'm definitely not a tsundere."
Hiko immediately retorted. He withdrew his hand and reached toward Ai, saying, "Didn't you want me to touch your face? I'll touch it now and see if your cheeks are hot and red."
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Hiko x Ai - 68: So Big
Hiko x Ai - 69: Sleep
Hiko x Ai - 70: Accident
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