This Time, She Seems a Little Smarter

Having finished whispering, Dongfang Yi returned to his role as a barista, picking up a white silk cloth and beginning to wipe a cup with a noble air of professionalism.

Kushida Kikyo remained in her seat after hearing the new secret, but her eyes gradually began to brighten.

At this very moment, her heart was burning with excitement!

Palette was one of the most popular cafes in the school! It was the kind of high-quality venue where everyone went to chat and play games when they had free time! Students came and went in an endless stream!

It could be said to be the best social hub on campus!

It was especially popular among the freshmen!

If it weren't for the fact that club recruitment had just ended yesterday, and the talented social butterflies among the upperclassmen were busy mentoring new members today, this cafe wouldn't be so quiet and peaceful—it would be as lively as could be!

So, was Dongfang Yi's secret useful to Kushida?

It was more than just useful!

She knew her own situation best; if she wanted to complete her grand mission of making friends as quickly as possible, she would inevitably need to find suitable places to dine, chat, and host parties with them, and Palette was clearly the most universal and perfect option!

If she could get a free serving of the latest pastry or coffee every day, it was no exaggeration to say that even in just a short month, she could save at least 5,000 points!

No one would ever complain about having too many points, right?

Besides, the senior had said he never lied, so this gift must be meant for her, Kushida...

Wait, he never lied?

Kushida Kikyo tilted her head like a cat, keenly sensing that something was off, though she couldn't quite put her finger on it.

Where could it be?

The girl couldn't help but recall the time on the bus when the boy had asked, "I haven't seen you before, are you a freshman?" which had led her to misunderstand his status and mistake him for an upperclassman.

Did he lie to her?

Kushida Kikyo asked herself.

Clearly, he hadn't.

Every word he said was correct, and even the sentences as a whole were flawless, carrying only their literal meanings.

So, had she been deceived?

Clearly, yes.

Otherwise, why would she have been bored enough to visit every single club booth in one go?

Building connections was about depth, not breadth; chatting with one friendly senior for half an hour was far more useful than spending ten minutes each with three strangers!

So now...

Kushida looked up at Dongfang Yi, who was maintaining an elegant posture behind the counter, and suspicion welled up in her heart.

A faint smile played on the boy's lips, and seeing her look over, he gave a playful wink, as if to say, "Look, aren't I good to you?"

He looked like a boy purely fishing for praise.

He looked quite sincere.

Charmed by Dongfang Yi, Kushida felt a little more at ease; getting a small cake every day shouldn't be anything...

A flash of insight struck the girl's mind.

Realizing she had been teased again, Kushida gritted her teeth and looked at Dongfang Yi: "Senior!"

"Hmm?"

"Senior only said that one small cake could be given away every day! But you didn't say the person receiving it would definitely be me!" Kushida stomped her feet in anger and pouted, "Senior, you're too cunning!"

Dongfang Yi raised an eyebrow, looking somewhat surprised: "Kushida-san actually figured it out? How clever, I thought it would take a little longer."

"You jerk!"

Kushida was furious, but there was nothing she could say.

After all, Dongfang Yi hadn't lied; the secret he told was indeed a secret, just one that was easily misunderstood.

She could only puff out her cheeks and glare at Dongfang Yi with wide eyes, her bright, beautiful pupils gradually welling up with tears.

Strangely, however, the usual hint of darkness and repression was absent this time.

She looked more like a child throwing a tantrum.

"Want a free small cake?" Dongfang Yi asked, looking unperturbed.

"Not at all." An angry Kushida turned her head away again.

At this moment, the girl had yet to realize that she had made a statement completely different from her usual self.

If you can't find the book title, try searching for the author; perhaps the name has just been changed!

"Is that so? Actually, if you want one, you can tell me in advance, and I can set one aside for you until you arrive." Dongfang Yi shrugged helplessly and feigned a sigh: "But in that case, it'll just have to go to someone else."

"If it goes to someone else, then... then let it go to someone else!"

The current little angel Kushida had a "nothing matters anymore" attitude of giving up.

The kind that wouldn't be fixed unless she was coaxed!

"Fine. I was actually going to tell you that the shop just got in some fresh blueberries and lemons, so tomorrow's new item is planned to be a large blueberry mousse cake. Come to think of it, those fresh blueberries are quite sweet." Dongfang Yi leisurely introduced his pastry-making plans for the evening.

"..."

Kushida Kikyo sat up straight, looking completely unmoved.

It's just a mere dessert; I can buy one myself!

"The manager said that since I make them better, he's handing the production over to me entirely. He even said that since it's a trial run, it doesn't matter if I waste a few ingredients."

"..."

Kushida's body trembled visibly, but she still managed to hold her position.

Senior definitely doesn't know how to make small cakes; he's lying again!

No, wait, he seems... incapable of lying. He has always told the truth...

No, he is lying! He's deceiving an innocent and ignorant girl like me!

"Come to think of it, I remember the manager also said that as long as the ingredient cost doesn't exceed 1,000 points, it's fine." Dongfang Yi continued his persuasion: "So I plan to be a bit more generous with the ingredients. It should be about a size larger than a standard cake, which would be perfect for sharing. However, since it's a prototype, I'll only be making one tomorrow to see how it turns out."

"Gulp~"

Kushida felt as if she had been struck by something.

It was as if a devil was singing in her ear, crooning that classic song, Only You.

Only... one! One that can be shared!

She couldn't help but imagine the envious gazes and words of praise from all her friends when she shared it with them!

The girl subconsciously pressed her legs together, her heart stirring with anticipation.

"Sigh, I wonder which young lady will be lucky enough to get it tomorrow." Dongfang Yi feigned regret: "That lucky person will probably become the most dazzling star in the room."

The... most dazzling star!

Kushida Kikyo turned back around, her smile cute and playful: "Senior~ actually, I love blueberries so much~"

Dongfang Yi tilted his head like a cat, blinked, and feigned confusion: "But just a moment ago..."

Kushida blinked, looking even more adorable: "That was just me being shy~"

"So, little Kikyo really wants it?" Dongfang Yi raised an eyebrow.

"Mm-hmm!" The little angel nodded like a woodpecker.

"Alright, I'll save it for you tomorrow." Dongfang Yi made a promise.

"But I'll be coming by many times in the future..."

The greedy Kushida began to play the victim.

"Is that so? And what do you mean by that?"

Dongfang Yi began to play the role of an oblivious, dense guy.

What hidden meaning? Don't talk to a dense guy about these things; he won't understand.

"Senior, you're so mean~ Actually, I've been spending quite a few points lately, but I love desserts so much, so I've been in a real dilemma~"

Kushida made her hint even more obvious.

"That is indeed a difficult situation. Is little Kikyo short on money?"

"Yes, I am."

"Well, I have some points here."

"Eh, that would be troubling you, Senior. I'd feel so embarrassed." Kushida acted coy: "How could I possibly take your points~"

"It's no trouble. Just write an IOU and calculate the interest, and I'll lend them to you. Just pay back the principal and interest in a month."

Dongfang Yi, the dense guy, never falls into a woman's trap!

You're worse than a beast, you damn Dongfang Yi!

Kushida trembled.

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