"Still..." Maaya's voice almost deflated as she nudged my leg as if telling me to stop doing something risque.
"Shh... You'll stand out more if you keep squirming," I interjected softly as I removed my hand from Maaya's hip.
However, instead of getting relieved, the girl looked at me and pouted at me.
What is it really? Is she or is she not happy that I pulled away?
Unfortunately, I couldn't know the answer to it anymore as the owner slid three steaming plates onto our table. The aroma of caramelized cabbage and seared pork belly hit us like a physical wave. Maaya immediately forgot her pout, eyes widening at the crispy-edged monstrosity before her.
Himeko happily watched her sister revel in the food before her.
"Ruki, isn't she adorable?"
Ah... And there's the doting older sister.
"Mhm. What will we do if she starts drooling?"
"Of course, you must wipe it, Ruki. I can't reach Ya-chan from here." Himeko giggled again as she picked up her chopsticks, her eyes sparkling with mischief.
I inwardly shook my head as I glanced at Maaya, who was already about to dig in. Her eyes were sparkling as she stared at her plate. Her chopsticks were trembling slightly as she tried to decide which part to eat first. The crispy edge? Or the fluffy center? Or the shrimp peeking out from beneath the bonito flakes? She looked like a kid who had just been given the biggest candy in the world.
Then, as though she recalled something, she turned to me abruptly, "F-feed me, shameless guy." Maaya's demand came out jagged, her chopsticks clattering onto the plate. Her cheeks burned hotter than the griddle as she added, "Properly. Since you made us run."
With her words, the other patrons couldn't help but focus on us before they started laughing softly. Maaya's cheeks flamed crimson as she glared at me. "Don't you dare laugh, shameless guy!"
"I'm not laughing. Look, I'm even smiling at how adorable you are," I said, picking up my chopsticks. The okonomiyaki steamed between us, its savory scent mingling with Maaya's embarrassment. She stiffened when I lifted a perfect bite, crisp batter, tender squid, and a curl of pork belly, toward her lips. "Here. Open wide. Ahh~"
With a look of utter embarrassment as the other patrons continued watching, Maaya leaned forward and took the bite. She closed her eyes as she savored the flavor.
"How is it?" I asked, lowering my chopsticks as Maaya chewed slowly, her eyelids fluttering like trapped butterflies.
On my other side, Himeko was also watching her sister but when our gazes met, she wordlessly communicated her own request. She didn't need to speak for me to understand. So, while Maaya was still savoring her bite, I turned to Himeko and fed her a piece as well. Her lips closed around my chopsticks with a soft hum of approval. The source of this content ɪs novel✦fire.net
The owner, wiping his scarred forearm with a rag, chuckled from behind the counter as he snidely remarked. "What a player."
Ignoring his words and the laughter coming from the other patrons, I continued feeding Maaya piece by piece. Each bite made her blush deepen, but she didn't refuse, her eyes darting between my face and the plate. Himeko watched with soft amusement, occasionally nudging me to feed her too, her bites smaller, savoring the spicy sauce with closed eyes.
In the end, my plate remained untouched while the siblings devoured theirs.
"Don't worry, Ruki. We're going to feed you next." Himeko whispered after another bite.
Maaya nodded vigorously, cheeks still stuffed with cabbage and squid, before swallowing hard. "Right. You have to be embarrassed too."
These two. Do they think they can take me down with just a simple public feeding display? Never.
"Alright. Do your best." I smugly replied as I continued to feed her and enjoy their reactions. Maaya's glare softened each time my chopsticks touched her lips, her defiance crumbling into flustered obedience. Himeko's giggles grew softer, more intimate, as she leaned into my shoulder between bites.
In the end, the other patrons also stopped paying attention to us. They're too old to be jealous and too hungry to be bothered.
Just . The first part of our short date ended without any interruption.
We left the okonomiyaki stand with Maaya still grumbling about not having enough yet. But when I said I was going to order her a takeout, the girl hurriedly stopped me.
She turned it around by saying, "Shameless guy, do you want me to be fat?!"
Mhm. Totally unreasonable. She's lucky I love her or else... Well, I'd probably just tease her more.
With our bellies full and Maaya's grumbling fading into contented sighs, we continued exploring the shopping street.
Eventually, Himeko pulled on my arm as she pointed toward a retro arcade tucked between a laundromat and a discount bookstore. Neon lights flickered weakly above its entrance like dying fireflies as kids and adults alike walked in and out of the place.
"Ruki, I want to play there. Can we?" Himeko looked up with sparkles in her eyes.
I have to admit. It was a rare sight to see her react . I mean, she's an introvert and except when talking about me or just spending our time together, she rarely expresses her desires outright.
"Alright. Let's go. What about you Maaya?" I said before checking on the girl.
Surprisingly, she was already staring at the arcade's prize counter where oversized plushies hung like executed criminals. Her eyes lingered on a lopsided alpaca wearing a crooked bowtie.
"I see. There's no need to ask then." With that, I brought the two of them to the establishment, still unbothered by the stares we were getting.
However, just as we were about to enter, I caught sight of the chauffeur scouring the shopping street for them with two other men whom I recognized from our last date at that old cinema theater.
They're quick, huh? Well, should we change our plan or...?
Nah. Forget it. The two like it here so… arcade it is. If they'll find us then… congratulations? We can probably hide somewhere inside or just ignore them. I'm confident in stopping them if they ever try to drag them away.