Tohka: Damn Ellen! I'm Going to Beat Her Up!

Qian Huanyue had not felt such terror in a long time. It was like when the always-serious math teacher from elementary school suddenly broke into a cheerful smile one day and tap-danced in front of the students.

And her current mood was just like those students'—

She put away her umbrella and walked out of the shrine, arriving at the intersection.

Tohka before her was like a wild gust of wind, fiercely pulling her into a tight embrace.

Crack.

Had she just heard some terrible sound?! That had definitely come from her body, right?! Definitely, right?!

Kids ate a lot, and they were pretty strong too.

That snarky thought flashed through her mind. Qian Huanyue restored the smile in her eyes and looked at Tohka with a warm gaze. Since they were so close, she could even catch the faint scent of bread on her.

She reached out and stroked Tohka's head.

Come to think of it, she had left without saying goodbye first. Tohka must have been worried.

"Mm, I missed you so much, Huanyue." Tohka burrowed into the hair on Huanyue's left side, sounding a little spoiled.

"I missed Tohka too, but..." Qian Huanyue sighed helplessly. "Could you loosen your hug a little? I'm... having trouble breathing."

"Okay!" Tohka obediently released her. Her large purple eyes looked at Qian Huanyue, filled with a clear desire for praise, as if they were saying, See how obedient I am?

Perhaps she had caught the head-patting bug today, because Qian Huanyue smiled especially sweetly. Soft words fit for coaxing a child, like, "There, there~ Tohka is such a good girl~," naturally slipped from her lips.

Tohka's head was covered by that soft palm and gently stroked back and forth. She narrowed her eyes in satisfaction.

She had looked wary and aloof at first, but after getting close to someone, she was like an Akita that could no longer show much aggression toward familiar people. It was as though an invisible dog tail was wagging behind Tohka right now, and she clearly enjoyed having her head patted.

"Hehe..." Tohka let out a foolish but satisfied laugh.

Looking at such a simple and easily pleased Tohka, Qian Huanyue suddenly wanted to soothe her stomach with delicious food.

"Want to go get some sweets?" Qian Huanyue recalled the shop she had passed on the way here, where the second item was half-price. The original prices were reasonable too, and she happened to have a twenty-percent-off coupon.

"Sweets?!" Tohka's eyes lit up, but then she paused. Looking somewhat worried, she said gloomily,

"Huanyue—Shiori has seemed a little unhappy lately. If a friend isn't happy, then food doesn't taste as good."

"Hm? Shiori has been unhappy lately? Then how about we pack some sweets for Shiori and Kotori afterward?"

Qian Huanyue made an OK sign, her tone light.

Her tone had indeed been a little harsh when she left that day. She should buy some sweets to make it up to her.

"Really?! That's great!" Tohka immediately cheered. "Huanyue is the best! Then let's hurry! I want to try everything in the shop that looks tasty."

Qian Huanyue began calculating whether the 10,000 yen in her hand would be enough for one meal for Tohka.

They took two seats at a table inside.

Qian Huanyue looked through the menu. Everything among the desserts at the front was normal, but the row near the end... things like natto pudding, salted fish parfait, and locust chocolate.

...Gasp!

Qian Huanyue sucked in a cold breath.

How could such bizarre food exist? It was revolting. If she had to describe it, eating it would be like going through hell.

Who would ever order food that made people lose their appetite at a glance?!

She immediately picked up her pen and, without hesitation, completely crossed those scalp-tingling options off the list just from seeing their names.

She did not want to see Tohka eat something strange and make an expression that questioned the meaning of life.

"Tohka," she said, lifting her head and speaking very seriously to Tohka, who was staring eagerly at the strawberry parfait on the next table, "when we order later, only choose the things I've checked off, okay? The others... well, their flavors might be a little unusual. They aren't suitable for a first try."

If even the normal desserts here did not taste good, then Qian Huanyue could basically declare that she would never enter this shop again for the rest of her life.

Though Tohka did not quite understand why, she trusted Qian Huanyue completely and immediately nodded hard. "Okay! I'll listen to Huanyue!"

Tohka was a little embarrassed at first, but gradually let herself go and started eating.

With every serving, she asked Qian Huanyue whether she wanted any, then picked out a portion and put it onto Qian Huanyue's plate.

Though Qian Huanyue was happy that Tohka still remembered her when there was food around, she felt so stuffed that it seemed one burp would make the food slide right back out of her esophagus.

"...Urp... ugh..."

"Tohka!" Qian Huanyue finally could not take it anymore. Looking at her with a pitiful expression that was almost tearful, she said, "I... can't eat anymore."

At that moment, Qian Huanyue's purple eyes glistened. Under the shop's gentle lighting, they were like violets touched by morning dew, looking especially pitiable.

She even unconsciously pouted a little. Paired with that delicate face, it was devastatingly effective.

Even the most hard-hearted person would not be able to help glancing over upon seeing Qian Huanyue make such an expression.

Tohka, who had been about to share some chocolate lava cake, froze with the cake knife raised in her hand when she saw Qian Huanyue looking on the verge of tears.

Tohka's purple eyes widened slightly, and a clear flash of panic passed through them.

"S-Sorry, Huanyue!" Tohka immediately pressed her hands together. Like a child who had made a mistake, her voice was full of anxiety and apology. "I didn't mean to! I just... I just wanted you to try some too..."

"It's okay. I know Tohka meant well." Once her goal had been achieved, Qian Huanyue casually evaporated the tears at the corners of her eyes with spiritual power.

Her voice was still soft and syrupy. "It's... it's okay now. As long as Tohka enjoys eating, that's enough."

"I-I won't give you any more! I'll eat all of this myself!" Tohka hurriedly promised, even moving the food from Qian Huanyue's plate back to her own side.

Qian Huanyue returned to normal. "Tohka, you have to finish everything." After all, it was all money. As long as it was all eaten, it would not feel wasteful.

"Okay!" Tohka nodded vigorously, fighting spirit blazing in her purple eyes. "Leave it to me! I definitely won't waste anything!"

This time, she ate even more intently, savoring every bite. Her face overflowed with an incomparably satisfied and happy smile, and she made pleased sounds like, "Oooh!"

Qian Huanyue propped one side of her face up with one hand and leisurely sipped the Darjeeling from the shop. At least for now, tea was still something she could get down.

When the last piece of cake disappeared into Tohka's mouth, she happily patted her still-flat stomach and let out a blissful sigh. "So good... I ate everything!"

"Tohka, you're amazing." Qian Huanyue offered praise at just the right moment and handed her a tissue.

Tohka took the tissue and wiped the corner of her mouth, then looked at Qian Huanyue with sparkling eyes. "Next time, can we come together again?"

Qian Huanyue smiled and nodded. She got up to pay, watched the 10,000-yen bill get taken away, and silently did the math in her head, only to find that there was still quite a bit left over.

She bought some more sweets and had them wrapped in cute packaging.

The owner kindly rounded down the bill and gave them several extra puddings.

Tohka and Huanyue each carried some as they walked out of the shop. Tohka's amethyst-like pupils looked somewhat downcast, and her lips moved slightly. "Huanyue, did I eat a little too much? That thing called 'money' is very precious to people."

From Qian Huanyue's reaction earlier and the change the owner had given them, she seemed to have vaguely realized the value of "money."

Qian Huanyue stopped walking and turned to look at the uneasy Tohka, understanding at once.

"Eating a lot is a good thing." She shook the bag of puddings in her hand. "Look, nothing was wasted. The food wasn't thrown away as kitchen waste. It all went into Tohka's round little tummy. I think they'd be very happy, to be loved and treasured by Tohka like this."

"Really?" Tohka lifted her lowered head, her expression slightly flushed.

"Well, really."

"Really really?" Tohka pressed again as if seeking confirmation, unconsciously stepping a little closer.

"Pfft!" Qian Huanyue could no longer hold back her laughter and burst out laughing right there on the street. "Hahaha... hahaha..."

"What?!" Tohka's face turned red. Somewhat embarrassed and annoyed, she stomped her foot. "Don't laugh!"

"S-Sorry... but Tohka, you're just too cute... hahaha..."

"Hey!"

"I mean, I've had some especially bad luck lately." Qian Huanyue reined in her laughter, and her tone turned gentle.

"Spending time with Tohka has made me feel much better."

When Tohka heard that, the embarrassment and annoyance on her face quickly faded, replaced by concern.

"Bad luck? Did something bad happen to Huanyue?" Her brows knitted slightly. "Did someone bully you? Tell me, and I'll beat them up!"

Qian Huanyue did indeed cover her face with one hand, putting on a tearful look. "Boohoo, Tohka, I was bullied."

"Who?!" An invisible aura seemed to rise around Tohka, and her purple eyes turned sharp.

"Boohoo, anyway, I was bullied so badly that day. She... she was super strong, super fast, and looked really scary!"

"Ellen..." Tohka quietly spoke the name, but seeing how "sad" Qian Huanyue looked, her desire to protect her surged to unprecedented heights!

Damn Ellen! She actually dared to bully her best friend!

"Don't be scared, Huanyue! I don't know where Ellen is, but if she dares to appear before you again, I'll definitely teach her a hard lesson for you! I'll beat her to a pulp!"

"..."

Qian Huanyue could not say anything at that moment. If she spoke again, she might very well give herself away.

Hold back your smile, Qian Huanyue!

Tohka, if the plot where you get captured by DEM hasn't been butterfly-effected away, I'll definitely come save you immediately.