A Confession from a Drunken Girl
Like a wild beast lurking in the darkness, it is preparing to launch an attack from another direction!
Shizuku quickly adjusted her breathing rhythm and pressed the CAD button on her wrist to begin another procedure—
"Multiple Observation"
This is a technique that the Saegusa Family excels at, and it's also the method that Mahiro once taught her to prioritize when encountering enemies.
No matter what kind of enemy you are facing, the top priority is to pinpoint their location.
In this way, no matter what kind of attack the other party launches or what actions they take next, you will have the capacity to react.
But the problem is--
"... Nothing at all?"
It was indeed completely empty.
The passersby had all scattered, leaving her alone on the street in the residential area; there was no one else in sight.
And so, Shizuku remained frozen in place for nearly ten minutes.
Sudden.
Clatter--
A faint sound of footsteps came from behind.
"..."
Shizuku remained silent, then turned and swung her arm, the movement accompanied by a whooshing sound.
A young girl studying abroad alone across the ocean naturally needs to learn some self-defense techniques.
However, this attack didn't seem to be enough for the attacker.
With a snap, her slender wrist was firmly grasped by a large hand.
The girl instinctively tried to struggle and call for help, but when she turned around, she froze.
A faint smile appeared on the corner of Sanwu's mouth.
"... This isn't my imagination, is it?"
Of course.
Appearing behind the girl was Yotsuba Mahiro, who had rushed over. He had come straight to America after school.
"I wanted to surprise you, but you wanted to send me away as soon as we met."
Mahiro chuckled and released the girl's wrist.
Shizuku didn't argue, but calmly remarked, "It's your fault, Mahiro -kun, for suddenly appearing under these circumstances."
Mahiro chuckled, then glanced at the time and breathed a slight sigh of relief.
"Thank goodness, I made it in time."
At first, Shizuku didn't understand, but after a moment she suddenly realized and asked in surprise, "You came all this way just for this?"
Of course.
The "this" they were referring to was, of course, Valentine's Day.
Although it's already over there, thanks to the 16-hour time difference, it's not over yet on the USNA side.
"It's not because Shizuku-kun is all alone overseas and doesn't have any familiar friends around, so I specially came here on behalf of my friends to spend Valentine's Day with you."
"... Actually, there's no need for that. The journey is too long, and I'll be going back in March."
Shizuku wanted to say that, but before she could speak, a shadow suddenly loomed over her, and Mahiro's coat was fastened around her shoulders, hanging on her exposed, rounded shoulders.
The coat was a bit too big for her petite frame; it was even long enough to cover her hips.
It's like a skirt.
"Judging from your outfit, Shizuku-kun, you must be a runaway princess, right? If such a beautiful princess were to be kidnapped by those USNA men, I'd be heartbroken."
Kitayama Shizuku: "..."
This time, she didn't respond; she simply lowered her head and tugged at the edge of her coat.
So warm...
The face hidden beneath her long, gray hair was as ripe as a red apple.
"Thanks..."
After a long while, the girl finally managed to utter this sentence.
"I'll thank you later; I have another gift for you."
"Huh?"
The girl looked up in surprise, and then saw Yotsuba Mahiro's hand reaching towards her chest.
It's not that I'm going to do anything to her there; after all, it's so flat, there's nothing to touch.
Instead, she gently lifted the front of her dress and, through the thin fabric, secured a cross-shaped brooch.
It is made of gold, but it is decorated with many silver vines, and the tips of the vines bloom with buds made of rubies.
But the most captivating feature is the blue gemstone set in the center of the cross.
The light shimmered gently under the streetlights, making it look as if a small fish was swimming inside—it was quite beautiful.
"What a beautiful brooch."
Do you like it?
"Yes, I like it very much."
"That's good."
Mahiro smiled with satisfaction, but his gaze subtly fell on the gemstone in the brooch.
This gemstone is, in a sense, indeed made from living things.
I just caught it ten minutes ago; it's the last "parasite."
He originally intended to eliminate it directly, but this "parasite" actually cried and begged for mercy!
It says it has no ill intentions towards humans; it was simply forcibly summoned by them, but unable to exist in the material world indefinitely, it uses this possession method to prolong its existence.
It just wanted to live, not die.
Therefore, Mahiro did not kill "it" and instead conceived the idea of making "it" into a gift for Kitayama Shizuku.
They used the gemstone's structure to trap it inside, and then applied a mental interference spell to the outside. Anything that dared to try to break through the gemstone's structure would be captured by the spell and forcibly put into a deep sleep.
The consequence of falling into a deep sleep is, of course, death.
Of course, in order for this little thing to survive in the material world, he also infused the gem with a lot of Psions, that is, magic.
However, it is not permanent and requires periodic refilling.
This can also be considered a test for this "parasite".
Although this "parasite" wasn't entirely willing, and still keeps saying things like he's the real devil.
"Since Mahiro gave me a Valentine's Day gift, I should reciprocate."
Shizuku looked up at him calmly, her tone composed and her gaze serene.
"Come with me."
As she spoke, she took his hand and led him to the other side of the street.
Welcome!
"Hello, I'd like a chocolate."
Shizuku pulled him along, rushing to a shop that specialized in selling chocolates, with a sign that read "Godiva."
Not only is the shop luxuriously decorated, with bright lights reflecting off the ivory-white floors and walls, but you can also see the chocolate handicrafts through the outside windows.
Not to mention the rich aroma of cocoa that greets you as soon as you enter.
The chocolates for sale were displayed like jewels in different counters.
The prices are also very reasonable for the shop, with the cheapest starting at $120 per pound.
That's a bit outrageous.
Is this the kind of place someone like me should be visiting?
Yotsuba Mahiro's eye twitched slightly. You see, he came to USNA entirely by smuggling himself in, not by plane, but by using flight magic combined with what appeared to be teleportation magic.
Aside from the hassle of visas and passports, the main reason he didn't want to waste money on airfare was...
And just as he was lost in thought...
Shizuku and the shop assistant began negotiating again.
"Excuse me, miss, what kind of chocolate would you like? All the chocolates here are Belgian brands..."
"Please give me the best."
Kitayama Shizuku interrupted the shop assistant's introduction and arrogantly requested the highest-end type.
The shop assistant was naturally pleased with such a customer and smiled slightly:
"Okay, I understand. Miss, you and this gentleman are a couple, right?"
"Yes, that's right. We're a couple, and I want to give my boyfriend chocolate."
As she spoke, Shizuku, seemingly to confirm this, hugged his arm tightly, and there seemed to be a hint of elation on her usually expressionless face?
Unfortunately, my chest is too flat, so I didn't feel much.
"In that case, I recommend this one to you, Miss—"
The shop assistant led them to a display case and introduced it, saying, "This is chocolate that was once supplied to the Belgian royal family in the last century. In addition to using the finest quality cocoa beans, it also contains the best nuts and a touch of Napoleon cognac and Dom Pérignon..."
I don't understand Korean.
Having no knowledge of chocolate, he felt like he was listening to gibberish as the shop assistant explained things to him.
Only Kitayama Shizuku was gently pinching her chin, looking quite thoughtful, nodding slightly as the shop assistant explained things, seemingly understanding but not quite.
To be honest, his serious expression, combined with his blank and expressionless face, actually makes him look quite cute.
"Okay, I'll take this one. Please wrap it up for me."
Thank you for your patronage.
After receiving the chocolate from the clerk, I handed it directly to him.
"Here, this is a return gift, my favorite chocolate."
Without the slightest shyness or blushing, everything seemed perfectly natural to Dou.
The shop assistants nearby offered them their heartfelt blessings, instantly elevating the emotional impact!
"Although I didn't make it myself, I hope you won't mind."
Shizuku added this sentence.
But the question is, how could anyone find fault with it?
Even if they weren't handmade, the sincerity is still evident. Keep in mind that each of the twenty chocolates in the box is worth four figures, almost the same price as gold.
That's outrageously extravagant.
She truly lives up to her reputation as the daughter of the Kitayama Family...
Chapter 108: A Drunken Girl's Confession (5.5K)
"Tia!"
Tina?