"Junior-kun, you really can't stand being at a disadvantage, can you? To think you'd be so heartless as to do something so cruel to a cute girl…" Kasumigaoka Utaha said, her long lashes trembling as she softly dabbed at her eye, pretending to wipe away nonexistent tears.
She looked utterly pitiful.
"Oh, really? Then I'll just eat it myself," Kanade replied, entirely unfazed. He pulled his hand back, making a show of getting ready to eat the takoyaki.
"Hmph." Utaha huffed softly before lunging in a flash, taking a bite of the takoyaki before he could.
With her personality, there was no way she'd let food right in front of her go to someone else.
After savoring the bite, she licked the corner of her lips and winked at him playfully. "I want more~! Feed me, Junior-kun~!"
Kanade's mouth twitched, but he kept his expression neutral. "Let's wait until we're at the restaurant, shall we? We're already attracting a lot of attention."
He was used to Utaha's antics and immune to her teasing, but the same couldn't be said for the bystanders. Some salarymen nearby were openly gawking at the pair, their eyes practically bulging out of their sockets. While no one dared to approach, the persistent stares were annoying enough.
Utaha, however, didn't seem to mind at all. She was accustomed to being the center of attention wherever she went. Besides, with Kanade sharing the spotlight, it felt even less noticeable.
"In that case… lead the way, Junior-kun," she said, extending her hand toward him.
Having done this before, she felt no hesitation or awkwardness this time.
Kanade glanced at her, momentarily puzzled by her gesture. But he quickly caught on and let his lips curve into a slight smile before taking her hand.
"It's my honor, Senpai," he said, his tone light but teasing.
He wasn't one for public displays, but if they were already attracting attention, why not go all in and crush any lingering fantasies from their onlookers?
As expected, once he took her hand, the number of prying gazes noticeably decreased. He even caught a few people clenching their fists in frustration, as if lamenting their inability to switch places with him.
It was almost too funny.
"Senpai, you have such a twisted sense of humor," Kanade muttered as he leaned closer.
"Right back at you, Junior-kun," Utaha retorted, her eyes sparkling mischievously.
She didn't care about the onlookers' opinions. Resolving their gazes was just a bonus; her real goal was entirely personal.
The two soon reached the family restaurant they had chosen. They pushed open the door and settled into a cozy, more secluded corner. Before long, a server arrived to take their order.
"Anything you'd recommend?" Kanade asked after glancing over the menu.
"How about the couple's set? If you have a bigger appetite, you can add some side dishes," the server suggested with a polite smile.
Kanade nodded. He didn't bother correcting the misunderstanding. Being mistaken for a couple was so common when he went out with someone that he'd grown tired of clarifying.
"What do you think, Senpai?" he asked.
"I'm fine with anything. You decide," Utaha replied with a small smile, resting her chin on her hand as she gazed at him.
Taking her response as agreement, Kanade pointed at the menu and said, "We'll have the couple's set and add this side dish combo."
"Understood. Anything else?"
"That'll be all. Oh, and please bring us two glasses of iced water first," Kanade added, glancing at Utaha for confirmation. When she nodded lightly, he finalized the order.
"Got it. Your food will be out shortly," the server replied before leaving.
Once they were alone, Utaha chuckled knowingly. "Junior-kun, you really don't mind, do you? Lying so effortlessly in front of strangers…"
Kanade blinked, then quickly understood her implication. Instead of getting annoyed, he simply shrugged.
"There's no need to explain every little thing. It's not like we're coming back here again. Why bother caring about what they think?"
Besides, trying to clarify might just make things worse. He'd learned that lesson the hard way before.
"Tch." Utaha pouted slightly but didn't press the issue further.
The two idly chatted while waiting, and soon their food arrived.
During the meal, Utaha refrained from her usual antics. She understood that pushing too far could ruin the mood. With her smaller appetite, she finished eating quickly and wiped her mouth with a napkin before propping her chin on her hand again.
She had no habit of reapplying makeup after meals. In fact, she rarely wore makeup at all unless she was meeting her editor, in which case she might dab on some lipstick.
Some people are just naturally beautiful, she thought smugly. No need to overdo it.
"..."
"If you're that bored, Senpai, why not read a book or scroll through Twitter? Staring at someone will just make them uncomfortable," Kanade said as he cut into his steak.
"Oh? So you're one of those people who can't handle being watched while eating?" Utaha feigned surprise.
"..." Kanade swallowed his bite and replied flatly, "I feel like you're being rather rude. Should I point that out, or will you admit it yourself?"
"I'm simply making an honest observation. If you're reading too much into it, that's on you, Junior-kun." Utaha's tone was playful, her expression sly.
"Truly honest people don't feel the need to say they're being honest," Kanade retorted, shaking his head and speeding up his pace.
Even he couldn't completely ignore her constant gaze.
Satisfied with her small victory, Utaha said nothing more but kept her eyes fixed on him. If anything, her gaze grew even more intense, her smile growing slightly wider.