Chapter 1842: Golden Encounter ⑩

Chapter 1842: Golden Encounter 10

The shopkeeper, who seemed to be riding along my and Aria-san's antics, with the same empty smile he had before, dramatically stated.

Since he's gonna be like that, I decided to go along with it and let out a bold smile.

[What would you like to order?]

[Half-and-half.]

[Hou, for you to know about our hidden menu I see you aren't an ordinary laddie.]

Yes, this is a way to solve Aria-san's problem This restaurant doesn't have it on the menu, but if you ask for it, you can ask for two different stick snacks with each being half the size.

The only thing to keep in mind is that the price is usually 3R per stick, but if you order half-and-half, it would cost 4R. Also, even though he said it was some secret menu, if Aria-san and I hadn't started talking like that, I think the shopkeeper would have suggested that instead.

In my case, I only know about it because it was explained in Kuro's eating guide.

[Half-and-half, two different tastes at the same time and the amount is the same as one. It sounds like a dream come true but not everything in this world is that sweet. Normally, one can enjoy a stick snack for 3R, but by ordering half-and-half, you can enjoy it for 4R. The risk of having that part of the menu exists after all So, what would you have?]

[We'll have two half-and-halves, one chocolate + caramel, and one plain + strawberry.]

[No hesitation Your guts, I like it. In consideration of your determination, laddie, I'll give you one suggestion.]

[Suggestion?]

The shopkeeper is surprisingly easygoing, and with us getting swept up in the atmosphere, it kinda feels like we're making some kind of deal but we're just buying snacks to eat while walking.

[Yes, ordering two sets would normally be 2R If you show the guts to pay for the lady's share, I'll let you have it for just 7R How about it, loverboy?]

[Fuuu I was planning on doing that from the start.]

Exchanging our wrappers of half-and-half flavored stick snacks, we took our bites, and then handed them back to each other. The chocolate and caramel-flavored stick snacks were sweet and delicious.

[The plain and strawberry flavors were also delicious. It's kind of enjoyable how the same stick snack can seem totally different depending on the flavor, doesn't it?]

[Indeed. Ah, the chocolate and caramel flavors were delicious too. Thank you.]

[No, no, it's me who should feel sorry for going along with my whims]

[Aria-san?]

After receiving her chocolate and caramel stick snacks back from me, Aria-san stiffened for a moment, then shifted her gaze between the wrapper of the stick snacks and me is how her facial expression seemed to suggest. Although her eyes were hidden by her hair, I could probably infer that she was making such eye movements.

[Kaito-sama, I would like you to listen without getting angry if possible]

[Yes Is something the matter?]

[Ah, no, my mind was completely drawn to the taste of the stick snacks and hadn't even considered that what we did just now would be an indirect kiss. If you're uncomfortable with it, I apologize.]

[Ahh, about that. No, I wasn't really paying much attention to it either, so it's fine. Rather, I should be the one asking Aria-san that, are you uncomfortable with it?]

[It should depend on the other party, but I don't have a problem with it this time. I apologize for not realizing it though.]

[No, don't worry about it.]

It seems like she isn't really unconcerned about indirect kisses, but her mind had instead been focusing on the taste, and it just didn't occur to her. I can't shake off the feeling that she might be a bit lax in her guard, but at least it's a relief that things didn't get awkward between us.

<Afterword>

Serious-senpai : [To think they'd have an indirect kiss on the first day they met What speed A terrifying character seemed to have emerged.]