So, an after-school date

We passed! Hooray!

Well, I did get a perfect score. In magic power and practical skills, that is.

Come to think of it, we didn't have a written exam… is that okay? Meh, whatever. They said we can start attending tomorrow anyway.

They even issued us student IDs. Using magic to capture your image for the photo—Academy City really is on a whole other level tech-wise. Nice.

"Man, Lakto-sensei was a great teacher, wasn't he?"

"Yes, he was. He didn't really pry about my appearance either."

"Though I think he could've been a bit more flustered at how cute you are, Dea-kun."

"What would even be the point of that?"

I just wanna show the whole world how adorable my Dea-kun is! Ahaha.

"Alright! Then let's head out for an after-school date and grab some snacks!"

"A-an after-school d-date? Um, yes. I'd love to."

"Karina-sama. Here is information about nearby food stalls. I'll return the carriage, so please enjoy yourselves—just the two of you with Dea-ojousama."

"How thoughtful. It's almost like you're a capable, talented maid or something."

"I am a capable, talented maid, though?"

I gratefully accepted the info. Ooh, there's a whole food stall street! And it's close, too. We've gotta check it out.

"Aww, I wanna go eat around with Dea-kun-chan too, Anego!"

"Sorry Arthur, this is a date. I'll bring back souvenirs, so forgive me?"

"! Okaaay. I'll be waiting!"

And so, I headed out to the food stall street with my adorable Dea-kun, cheeks flushed a lovely shade of pink.

Haah, seriously—how much would I normally have to pay for a uniform date with such a cute girl? I'll happily cover all the expenses today!

"I wonder if there's something like, y'know, a drink that'd go viral with schoolgirls?"

"Viral? I definitely don't want to drink something crawling with viruses."

"I don't wanna drink that either! That's not what I meant! Like, something that looks cute and gets you all hyped up?"

"I see. But Onee-san, isn't this more your thing?"

What Dea-kun pointed at was a skewered meat stall.

Yes, I love it!! The sweet and savory glaze wafting through the air smells incredible!

"… But! Today is a uniform date! I want to consume something cute and girly!"

"Cute and girly? Um, then how about that?"

What Dea-kun pointed to next was a marshmallow-on-a-stick stall. And quite the line had formed, too.

Oho, mostly schoolgirls in line! This is definitely cute and girly!

"Ooh, a marshmallow stall! Yeah yeah, this feels right!"

"Shall we line up then?"

"Yeah! Let's line up!"

Waiting in line like this is also part of the date experience. You could even say the conversation while waiting is the main event.

"So marshmallows exist outside of what Rena makes, huh."

"This is my first time seeing one too. I didn't know there was a stall like this."

"Huh, really? You weren't interested before?"

"No. I frequented this food stall street while staying at that house, so I would have noticed if it had been here."

I see? So it must be a relatively new stall then.

Just as I thought that, I overheard conversations around us.

"I'm so excited for the marshmallows! I wonder what they taste like."

"I heard they're fluffy and super sweet!"

"Huh? I heard they're crispy and chewy, though."

"Yesterday was their first day, right? Lucky girls who ate on opening day."

"We're not too late, though. Still riding the cutting edge of trends. Plus the vendor's hot—total eye candy."

… Oh, so yesterday was their grand opening. That's not just relatively new—it's brand new.

I peeked ahead to make sure the owner wasn't Rena, but it was some handsome elf guy.

Well, having a good-looking vendor for a stall like this is definitely a plus. Gets people talking.

"Maybe Rena sold them the recipe?"

"Selling recipes. That's a thing too…!"

"People in Academy City love new things, so I think this'll be popular."

Bet she'll sell the tapioca milk tea recipe next or something. Well, I don't really know about that stuff anyway, and if it becomes a popular stall, I can just go buy some.

… Wait, but I'm a merchant, so shouldn't I be on the selling side? N-no, while I'm in Academy City, I'm a student! It's a moratorium! It's totally fine not to work—studying is my job!

The line moved quickly, though people kept lining up behind us with no end in sight.

Our turn came around soon enough.

"Next young lady, please. Oh, you're cute! I'll throw in an extra!"

"Oh, thanks!"

"If you lightly toast it, it gets crispy! Give it a try!"

He stabbed an extra marshmallow onto my skewer. Score.

"Ehehe. He said you're cute, Dea-kun."

"Onee-san, he says that to every female customer. In other words, this is just the default."

"! You're especially cute, young lady! Beautiful silver hair like the moon! It was love at first sight—double service for you!"

"Eh?"

"Also, here's my contact info."

"… Eh?"

"I'm serious."

Dea-kun got two extra marshmallows added. Complete with a contact card and a wink.

Too beautiful! The other customers can't help but be jealous of Dea-kun!

"… Uuu…"

Dea-kun's face flushed crimson as he froze up. Should he clear up the misunderstanding and reveal he's a guy, or just slip away quietly and let them keep thinking otherwise? That conflict was probably racing through his mind. I love this. So cute. Mine, though—not giving him up.

Alright, alright, let's move along now that we've made our purchase. I tugged his hand.

"Damn, that girl really is too cute, isn't she? So refined, too."

"Yeah, right? The human next to her looks kinda slutty, which makes her stand out even more. Can't blame him. She's cute."

"She's wearing a fancy school uniform—maybe that's why he's interested? Well, I'll admit she's cute."

"She's got that 'I wanna keep her at home' kind of cuteness. Hah hah."

Hey, you guys! You get it, right?! So cute! Also, Dea-kun is MINE!!

… Oh crap. I forgot to buy souvenirs. Well, they're just for eating, so I guess I can duplicate some.