Leisurely Dessert Time

"Hey, Archer, do you really like fruit?"

Having confessed his feelings, Tsukahara Meiji could finally speak to Archer a little more relaxedly.

In fact, aside from saving Archer from her [loneliness], Tsukahara Meiji's lack of skill in dealing with spiritual bodies was also a significant reason. Come to think of it, on the night he summoned a Servant, he had already started to feel a bit cowardly in the quiet forest late at night.

For someone like him, if someone suddenly whispered in his ear during broad daylight, "Master, I have something to report," he would have been scared to death.

It was much better with a physical form.

As a result of feeling at ease, this man, who was naturally easygoing, gradually started talking more.

Especially a lot of pointless chatter.

His previous statement, no matter how you looked at it, seemed like a man with ulterior motives trying to trick an innocent girl for his own gain...

However, in reality, facing Archer calling the waiter for the fifth time and ordering the fifth completely different fruit tart, Tsukahara Meiji finally couldn't hold back and asked.

"Fruit? I like it."

Unbeknownst to him, Archer had no hidden intentions. As she put a strawberry into her mouth, she generously admitted it. The taste of the sweet fruit brought a happy blush to her already beautiful face, making her even more charming. The pink juice stained her lips, making them, which were already glossy, appear like morning roses. Tsukahara Meiji blushed at the sight.

However, her words did not carry a sweet tone despite the syrupy juice; they were plain, as if she had just drunk tap water.

As if it were none of her business, she finished the strawberries in a few bites, without any shyness in her words. Even though she had just asserted that [Servants are not human], this legitimate [Servant] was sitting in a human dessert shop, eating human desserts, and eating them quickly and in large quantities...

"In my era, fruit was hard to come by, especially fresh fruit—I ate a lot of nuts, but they're dry and can cause internal heat if you eat too many, and they can't compare to fruit at all. Oh, right, Master."

As Archer explained, she popped two peach slices into her mouth. Seeing her cheeks puff up like a hamster's, yet still speaking clearly, one could only say that a Servant is a Servant, truly extraordinary. Anyone else might have babbled incoherently or even choked on the juice, leading to an awkward situation.

Attracted by her teasing words, Tsukahara Meiji's dark eyes reflected her serious face.

"If I'm maintaining a physical form, then call me [Loxia]. 'Archer' can easily attract the attention of enemies, and 'Robin Hood' doesn't sound like a woman's name."

As she said this, whether it was an illusion or not, Tsukahara Meiji felt a faint blush appear on Archer's face... it then disappeared, leaving only the calm and intelligent beauty quietly lowering her head, continuing to focus on her food. Her long, brown hair cascaded down like a waterfall, obscuring her face.

Could it be...

"Could it be, your real name?!"

"What do you think? In the spy profession, there's no such thing as a real name. Any identity is me."

Archer Loxia deflected all of Tsukahara Meiji's questions with a mysterious and sweet smile. As if to change the subject, she said with a tone of great emotion, "This is the only thing I envy about you, Master. In my time, even nobles couldn't enjoy fruit every day, especially such fresh ones."

Archer Loxia said this, picking up a cherry from the fruit tart. Its small, rosy shape was very appealing. Archer Loxia examined it repeatedly, as if it were not food, but an exquisite jewel.

Seeing this, a scene flashed through Tsukahara Meiji's mind like lightning...

"Hey, Archer, it's not relevant, but do you know how to play with a cherry using your tongue?"

"Play?"

The verb clearly gave

Archer a sense of bewilderment. She considered it carefully, and as if in a daze, seemed to understand something. She pulled the cherry stem and put it in her mouth. In no time, when she stuck her tongue out like a puppy, the slender cherry stem had already been tied into a heart shape.

Tying cherry stems with one's tongue was a surprising yet utterly useless skill.

"Like this?"

Archer Loxia asked, blinking her moist eyes.

"Ah, no... I mean, using your tongue to lick it, to make it roll on your tongue without falling off."

"..."

This nonsensical request was actually because Tsukahara Meiji suddenly remembered a classic scene from a certain manga, a crucial detail where the protagonist discovered that a teammate had been impersonated by an enemy.

However, for someone who hadn't seen the manga, the request was indeed nonsensical, wasn't it? Archer's beautiful face clearly showed her unwillingness.

"Master, please do not play with precious food."

Ah, he got scolded...

Tsukahara Meiji lowered his head with a wry smile, not daring to look at Archer's imposing demeanor.

Right, right...

Archer is [Robin Hood], the righteous thief who robs the rich to help the poor. As a thief, she definitely couldn't be wasteful, right?

Ahahaha... It seems I accidentally touched her sensitive spot...

Tsukahara Meiji could only show a tearful, ugly expression in his heart, regretting what he had done, getting too carried away...

But...

This isn't necessarily all bad, is it?

Being respectful is indeed good; politeness always brings considerable points on the first meeting. However, when interacting, if both parties are too respectful, it can create a special sense of unfamiliarity.

From this perspective, Tsukahara Meiji's foolishness was actually beneficial for their future interactions, which is what the ancient Chinese called [breaking before establishing], although he himself didn't realize it.

"I'm sorry, Archer... Loxia, yes, it was my fault, please forgive me..."

Tsukahara Meiji apologized in a low voice. Without the arrogance of a magus, Tsukahara Meiji didn't think there was anything wrong with apologizing to his Servant. Archer Loxia hadn't recovered from his desecration of food. The young girl clasped her arms, her chestnut-colored hair casually draped over her pure white sportswear. The stark contrast in colors gave her an aura of purity amidst filth.

"Then, Master, give me this, and I'll forgive you."

"Okay, okay... Uh... [Colossal Fruit Parfait]?!"

Tsukahara Meiji couldn't help but swallow as he looked at the exaggerated photo and even more exaggerated price on the bill.

He took back his earlier thoughts; the Archer wasn't angry, just wanted to taste a bit more.

Looking at the milky white ice cream on the photo, which could only be described as "colossal," with various fruits and dessert decorations creating a vortex of sweets, just looking at it made his mouth feel sweet and cloying.

Then he looked at Loxia's expression, which conveyed a mix of playfulness, anticipation, pride, and a hint of mischief.

(Ah, I've been tricked.)

A somewhat helpless thought crossed Tsukahara Meiji's mind. Fortunately, Karl had prepared plenty of funds for him before he left.

However, he had to admit that beautiful girls got a bonus no matter what they did. Even though he'd just been tricked by the Archer into ordering that ice cream, which was colossal in both appearance and price, Tsukahara Meiji only felt that the Archer, who loved sweets and fruits, was adorably in line with a maiden's sentiments. He didn't feel she was a detestable exploiter at all.

If it had been anyone else, Tsukahara Meiji probably wouldn't have skimped on his own meal expenses to treat them!

Master and Servant spent a relaxed and pleasant time together.