Although they had been eating for some time, Hoshimori Shion’s face was still flushed.
During the cultural festival, reciting that incantation hadn’t felt embarrassing. After all, she had performed the action dozens, even hundreds of times, and had become numb to it. But truly, thinking back on it now, it was… it was…
So awkward! It felt like the embarrassment reached the heavens!
“It wasn’t that I deliberately chose this place. I just wanted to see how the maids in Tokyo compared to ours,” Igarashi Rie said with a raised eyebrow. “As it turns out, our maids are definitely cuter.”
Rie looked up and smiled at Shion. “Don’t you agree, Hoshimori Maid Leader?”
“You’re so mean, Senior!” Shion blushed as she teased.
Rie found it amusing to tease Shion and took a sip of her coffee.
Ugh… why is this so bitter! Rie barely managed to keep from spitting out the coffee.
Shion pushed two sugar cubes across the table to Rie. “This coffee is so bitter… It’s just the plain coffee or bitter coffee we talked about. I don’t know why they call it American coffee.”
Rie knew Shion had a sweet tooth and that she wouldn’t be able to stomach such a bitter drink.
“I’m sorry, Shion.” Rie apologized. “At home, I don’t drink coffee often, and when I do, it’s always prepared by the butler. This American coffee… it’s just bitter coffee, and I didn’t know it had that name.”
“It’s okay…” Shion added sugar to her coffee and took another sip, finding it much more palatable this time. “It’s better than the instant coffee we had at the cultural festival.”
Rie smiled and used a spoon to scoop up a piece of beef, offering it to Shion.
Shion took it without hesitation, swallowing it in one bite.
….
Despite the bitter coffee, they managed to fill their stomachs.
However, Shion didn’t dare to pay the bill or even calculate the cost. The mere sight of the total made her feel PTSD. So, Rie paid for everything.
Indeed, living in Tokyo required the support of a wealthy lady!
“We took the subway all the way from the station to Shibuya,” Rie said, looking at her phone while sitting on a bench in a small park. Shion held a milk tea that Rie had just bought, sipping it contentedly. The milk tea was much better than the coffee! Shion sucked out a small pearl, soft and chewy. The girl couldn’t help but smile with satisfaction.
“Hehe, this is highly rated online. How is it? Good, right?~” Rie playfully wiped Shion’s nose. “Actually, I’ve been thinking of opening a milk tea shop in town. It would definitely be popular with the girls.”
“Well, it’s definitely popular with me!” Shion said.
“But drinking too much of it will make you gain weight.” Rie glanced at Shion again.
Shion almost spat out her milk tea but managed to hold it in. “I, I only drink it occasionally, just this once…”
Tokyo’s subway stations were very densely located, with one almost every few steps. Currently, the two girls sat on a bench in a small park next to a subway station, deliberating on how to get to Shibuya.
Let’s just start walking!
….
“It’s so crowded!” Shion felt like she was being crushed into a can of sardines on the packed subway.
Subways were indeed convenient, but walking from here to Shibuya was a long distance. The subway tickets were expensive, and after waiting for two trains, they could barely squeeze on, ending up in an extremely crowded car. Although the subway’s air conditioning was strong, it barely countered the heat from the crowd’s exhaled carbon dioxide.
Shion was pressed against the edge of the subway door, with Rie’s arms wrapped around her to protect her. This gave Shion just enough space to reach her phone in her skirt pocket. Rie leaned against the crowded people, not needing to hold on to maintain her balance.
However, being in such close contact with so many people was extremely uncomfortable for the usually poised and mannerly Rie.
Shion also reached out her left hand, hugging Rie’s waist, allowing both of them to stand more securely.
But Rie’s expression looked pained, her teeth clenched tightly.
With her enhanced perception, Shion immediately sensed something was wrong.
A man in a suit standing next to Rie kept his eyes averted, but his hand moved unnaturally, rubbing against Rie’s back, slowly sliding downward.
Shion’s gaze sharpened.
This was a typical subway pervert in Tokyo. The girls had actually encountered one, and he was even dressed in a suit, appearing to be a respectable salaryman.
What a hypocrite, disgracing ordinary workers! Shion thought.
Shion’s arms, which were hugging Rie, swiftly acted. Before the man’s hand could slide any further, Shion scratched his hand deeply.
The man recoiled in pain, pulling his hand back. He stared at his hand, which now had several deep red scratches, one even bleeding.
The man glared at Shion, but Shion’s right hand was already holding her phone, taking a photo of the “criminal.” She opened her photo album and waved it in front of the man, causing him to panic.
Shion fixed the man with a fierce stare, her lips moving.
“You better behave.”
Although Shion didn’t actually speak, her intimidation was effective.
The subway had just arrived at the next station. Although Shion didn’t know if the man had reached his stop, he fled the car in a hurry, creating some space around Rie.
“Igarashi Senior, it’s okay now,” Shion patted Rie’s back and whispered in her ear.
Rie leaned her head against Shion’s shoulder. Despite Rie being half a head taller, this position seemed to give her a sense of security.
“Do you remember, Shion, when we first met? You stood in front of me like this to protect me.”
Rie lifted her head, her eyes slightly red.
Shion nodded quickly. “Of course, I remember. It was our first meeting with you, Senior.”
“Even though I’m the senior, I was really scared just now and didn’t dare to resist… really… thank you, Shion, for protecting me.” Rie wiped her eyes and spoke softly.
“Don’t worry, Senior~” Shion reached up and ruffled Rie’s hair. “I’ll protect you.”
Rie nodded and gently kissed Shion’s forehead.
Like a butterfly landing.