To an outsider, we might have looked like a "couple in love," but in reality, there was nothing sweet about the atmosphere.
After all, just a little while ago, she was unilaterally beating up adventurers under the guise of a "lecture"... Frankly, if I'm seen as being in the same category as her, I'm done for.
"Hey darling, hurry, hurry! Where is it, that sweets shop?"
"Don't rush me. It's almost here. Look, it's just past the left turn on the main street."
Sheena, rushing in the direction I pointed, was looking around the shops like a child.
It was this shop I brought Lilia to before. I never expected I'd be bringing Sheena here next.
As I was thinking about that, I saw a cute wooden sign in a secluded street.
The shop's name was written in pale pink letters, and a sweet scent wafted from the entrance.
"Oh, this is it? Hehe, it's a surprisingly cute shop! You like cute places like this too, darling? You have a cute side to you."
"I just want something sweet."
Saying that, I opened the door, and the usual sweet scent of vanilla and baked goods tickled my nose. Just entering the shop makes me feel a little relaxed; that's the charm of this place.
"Welcome... Oh, Setsu, hello."
Sylvie, the owner, poked her head out from the back. She's a cheerful and warm-hearted woman who has helped me before.
Sylvie's gaze shifted to Sheena, who was holding my arm next to me.
"Oh my, you've brought another lovely girl today. It seems like she's different from the girl you came with before... Hehe."
"Ah, she's been following me around a lot lately. Please don't mind her too much."
Seeing Sylvie chuckle, I returned a slightly wry smile.
"Hehe, please take your time. What will you be choosing today?"
"Actually, I'm a little interested in the new item..."
As I answered while looking at the menu board, my eyes landed on the "Citrus and Berry Two-Layer Mousse Cake" pop. The visual of what looked like juicy fruits packed tightly, and the refreshing appearance was enticing.
"Oh, that looks good... Yeah, I'll have that. For herbal tea... Can I get a citrus mint blend?"
"Of course! As always, I'll make the refreshing scent a bit stronger."
While Sylvie was taking notes, Sheena was sniffing around the showcase. Her eyes were completely sparkling, and she was almost entirely consumed by the atmosphere of the shop.
"Haa... Everything looks so delicious... It's hard to choose... But I'll have this 'Rich Gateau Chocolat'! And just give me a recommended herbal tea."
"Gateau Chocolat, got it. For the herbal tea, let's see, how about a blend of rosemary and spices with a little depth? I think it will go well with the sweet chocolate."
"Sounds good, I'm looking forward to it."
Sylvie said, "Okay, please wait for me," and disappeared into the back.
Sheena and I decided to sit at a table in the back of the shop and wait.
A few minutes later—what was brought was the mousse cake with its beautiful layers, and Sheena's Gateau Chocolat. Both had a delightful visual that stimulated the appetite.
In addition, fragrant herbal tea was poured into glasses and lined up. The steam gently rising from the table carried a refreshing aroma.
"Oh... It would be great if I could take a picture or something."
Technically, cameras exist in this world too. But they aren't as compact as they were in my previous life.
While muttering such things, I stuck my fork into the mousse cake and scooped up a bite. The top layer was a refreshing citrus mousse, and the bottom layer was a pink mousse with a tangy berry flavor. When I put it in my mouth, the flavors of each layer combined to create a refreshing sweetness.
Hmm... It's delicious. The slightly bitter citrus and the tangy berries mix together perfectly. It's not too sweet, and the aftertaste is light. This would go perfectly with herbal tea.
When I took a sip of herbal tea, mint passed through my nose. It felt like it lightly reset the sweetness of the mousse that remained in my mouth.
"This shop's sweets never disappoint."
As I was nodding in satisfaction, Sheena was on the other side, meltingly devouring the Gateau Chocolat. The way she was entranced by the moist and rich chunk of chocolate was almost annoyingly happy.
"Wawa, what is this! The chocolate melts on my tongue... It's not just sweet, it has a deep richness, and there's a hint of adult bitterness... Yeah, yeah, I love this kind of thing!"
While I was dumbfounded by Sheena, who was licking her lips, I tried to focus on my mousse cake. But I immediately felt Sheena's gaze.
"Hey darling, that looks delicious too, doesn't it? Give me a bite. Oh, you want to try this too, right? Don't be shy."
To Sheena, who was saying that with a smile, I gave an ambiguous reply.
"No... I want to enjoy this one, so I'm fine with yours."
"Ehh, but if we exchange, we can enjoy both flavors! Come on, aah."
Saying that, Sheena wasn't pointing the fork towards me, but rather, she was opening her mouth and waiting with eyes full of anticipation. It was as if an infant was saying, "Give me food."
...Ah, I see, she wants me to put my mousse cake in her mouth. Honestly, annoying...
When I tried to ignore her and stuff my own cake into my mouth, Sheena puffed out her cheeks and raised a sulky voice.
"Geez, darling's so mean. I even said 'aah'. Stingy."
Well, even if you say stingy. Is there a problem with me eating my own cake that I ordered? As I was thinking that, Sheena leaned her upper body forward.
...Chomp.
—Huh?
"Hey, you just took my cake without asking...!"
Before I could finish, the mousse cake that was on my fork disappeared into Sheena's mouth. Moreover, she was firmly holding my fork.
"Mmm... Hehe, citrus is good after all. It's delicious! And I even got an indirect kiss with darling..."
"What indirect kiss?"
I was dumbfounded by Sheena, who brazenly stole and ate my cake. Or rather, I was getting subtly irritated.
Even so, Sheena was grinning and satisfied. She was even licking her lips.
"Okay, then as a return, I'll let you eat my Gateau Chocolat too! Here, say 'aah'?"
Sheena put some rich chocolate on her fork and moved closer.
"No... I've had that cake before, so I'm good."
"Ehh, are you going to ignore me? I'm going out of my way to feed you. Hehe, I like that cold side of you, darling."
Sheena didn't seem to be forcing the fork closer, and rather, she was enjoying me refusing.
While glancing at such a satisfied Sheena, I was slowly finishing the rest of my mousse cake.
The refreshing scent of the post-meal herbal tea tickled my nostrils and washed away the sweetness in my mouth.
These small luxuries are the best things for me, who ended my previous life as a corporate slave. This shop's sweets are the best after all. Only Sheena's excessive tension—is unnecessary though.
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