"Haa, I didn't expect to fall into this situation. But...it wasn't bad to be hugged by Zephyr-san.""I know right? I occasionally spurn Reglam-sama to do that, and it's really an incredible feeling. I always feel myself melting away at that moment. You really need to suppress the embarrassment and tightly grab hold of the situation then push away the extending arms. You get it right in your first attempt, Rina-san. Amazing."
"I'm so jealous of your love-love situation~. Ah, how I wish I could be hugged like that too~."
As the boys of the group were lining up in front of food stall, the girls had started engaging in chitchat, exuding an aura that would repel any boy's approach.
"Oh, they're back. —We're here, Zephyr-san~."
"Hey, thanks for waiting. This is your share, Rina."
I passed one of the crepes I was holding to Rina. Apparently, girls were reserved to wolf down the lunch, even if they're hungry and it was near lunchtime, in front of boys so after eliminating other options, we settled on it. Besides, it was recommended by Orihime-san.
Well, it was hardly enough for US boys, but recalling back, we really didn't have much opportunity to eat sweets like this. I guess this was the true charm of summer festivals—relishing on the stuff you typically do not.
Reglam and Mert, too, passed one of the two crepes they were carrying to Orihime-san and Misato respectively. Eating together while touring around the summer festival with girls. I guess it’s truly the scene of youth, eh?
"Reglam-sama, say ahhn~."
"!!"
Whoah. Orihime-san approached her fiance with a sweet crepe, sprinkled with—no, further dipped in an act of sweetness!
Rina was astounded, yet she watched the event with curious eyes. Though Reglam showed no reaction except staring at the crepe.
"You don't like it?" (Orihime)
"......No, I will have it. —Bite... sweet, but not bad." (Reglam)
"Heehee, it is. It's the source of strength for us girls after all. Now, you too, Reglam-sama. Please make sure to say ahhn too."
"......I will try. —Ah-hn."
"Ahhn. ......Ufufu, it tastes happiness."
So this was the soon-to-be couple huh. It was like I was watching a scene out of a love-comedy novel.
Man, who would have expected Reglam would do that so naturally. Maybe, Mert had the same thought as me as he murmured unwittingly.
"I didn't see this coming from him."
"So you also think so, eh. Mert."
"Zephyr, Mert. Err, I hope you keep this matter within yourself......please."
Ohh. I guess even the cool-headed Reglam could be embarrassed when flirting with his wife—ahem, fiance I mean.
Hmm, well, if he put it so, teasing him would be a bit bad. Alright~.
Nevertheless, it felt more like a display of their affection to me. What should I do with this nameless jealousy sparking within me?
My attention was taken away by my slight jealousy when I felt Orihime-san giving Rina and Misato a meaningful gaze.
What, what now? I wondered what was going on when Rina called out to me, her voice slightly high-pitched.
"E-Err, Zeprhyr-san......"
"Hmm? What's the matter, Rina?"
"You know, umm... that!"
"Y-Yes?"
Woah, woah. I felt myself being slightly taken aback as Rina approached me with intensity.
"I-If you don't mind, I-I would also like to try ahhn...I mean, try a bite."
"Ah, are you sure?"
"T-Totally! In return, I would like to t-try Zephyr-san's crepe."
Rina held the crepe she had toward me. Her choice of crepe was a simple crepe with strawberry, whip cream, vanilla ice-cream topped with chocolate sauce. And it seemed like she had already taken a few bites already. I mean, I have already eaten from mine as well. Aren't we choosing a high loop to jump through?
But...the act of feeding, the classic ahhn~, was quietly tugging the strings of my heart.
I quietly glanced sideward and saw Misato was already pushing her crepe toward Mert, saying ahhn. Eh, was that a fad between students? Something like if other's doing it, it wouldn't hurt to try out as well? Too sweet, too diabetic!
I am sure one or two complaints would have already come flying at me if Lana or Sierra were here, but they weren't. And it's a girl taking the lead. It would be a shame on me if I really decline here. Plus, I was already losing my dignity when a girl was taking the lead instead of me. Right, I must show I am just as attentive! You know what, I should take the lead here. Cast away any hesitation, me!
"Of course. Then I will do it first. Here, ahhn."
"Ehh!?"
Rina let out a stupified voice, her face dyeing in red glow.
My choice of crepe was whipped cream with custard as base, topped with banana and chocolate sauce. Rina's gaze fell into it and quietly stared at it for a moment.
She closed her eyes once, as if strengthening her resolve. for something
"(Girl should be brave, girl should be brave). Alright. Thank you very much, Zephyr-san. Then I shall take a bite. A-Ahnn."
Rina opened her small mouth and took a bite of my crepe as I held it in front of her. ......Woah, this was far embarrassing than I though. And, was it my imagintion? I suddenly feel like we're attracting gazes more than ever.
"I-It's delicious. Thank you. Well, then, I... I shall do that as well, Zephyr-san. A-Ahhn."
Was that gratitude filled ahhn?!
Crap. I think this is too bad for my heart. She looked so freaking adorable as she mustered herself to hold out crepe, her cheeks flushed red, and eyes shut from embarrassment.
I could feel my heart jumping wildly. My gaze fell to the crepe, missing the increasing gasp and gazes of the surrounding.
I acted rationally, making sure she didn't notice my fluster, and brought my mouth closer to crepe, and......took a bite on the part she had yet to eat. —Eh, what a wimp? Shut up. This is called modesty. Modesty.
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"Chewing, gulp. —Hmm, strawberry is also great. Thank you, Rina."
"L-Likewise! It's my pleasure if you're happy."
Is this what they call youth?! It's too sweeeeet! I really fear the way my heart was hoping it would leap out of my throat.
No, that can't do, Zephyr. Calm. Be calm. —Hmm? I suddenly felt some gazes on us as I regained my calmness, and it was coming from...right beside us.
Rina was tongue-tied, seemingly just realising the situation.
"W-Wahh, I can't believe...!"
"Fufufu, we watched everything, Rina-san. Zephyr-san."
"You know you could totally unsee it, Orihime-san."
"Heehee. But wouldn't it be unfair if only you managed to take a look at our moment?"
"If you put it like that......"
It seemed like there was no winning against Orihime-san when it came to this.
"Thank you for the meal. The glimpse of your youth was too sweet, too delicious. It really satisfied both my heart and soul."
"Hey, hey. Don't make it look like we're putting a show, alright!"
Look, Rina had even hidden her face behind her hands. Her whole face, till the root of her ear, was bright red like a tomato.
Atleast, I understand one thing about Orihime-san. She really was interested in the romantic situation of other people. I don't think I could win against her.
Hah, I plopped my head downward since I had no good way to retort. —Oh, wait. What happened to Misato and Mert? I glanced at their way and saw Misato's crepe sticking on Mert's face, creating a white pie.
Eh, what happe—....you know, never mind. I think I already have a guess.
Misato should have brought Crepe closer to Mert's mouth but in her overenthusiasm, she instead plastered it on his face. Umu, quite a common mistake I have often seen. Afterward...was the typical scene of Mert giving Misato's rabbit ear another 'ear-choke' move once he had wiped his face clean, followed by an 'ugyaa' cry escaping out of Misato's mouth.
Incidentally, It took me a while to realise it really didn't matter which part I ate in the end. After all, Rina was going to finish that crepe either way. Rina, too, eventually realised that fact and her face turned a deep shade of red, which was...too cute to be honest. Orihime-sam, who saw this, had a grin plastered on her face.