Intuition and Encounters

“【日】Number Two, what do you think?” I mumbled, chewing on some macadamia nuts, as I sat on the edge of the bed, asking my laid-back fiancé for his thoughts.

The first time I encountered that first-year student was on a Tuesday. He had been a huge help in calming down the restless Xiaobai. While the students watching might have only seen him as someone with exceptional athletic abilities, the power, speed, and stamina he displayed that day were almost at the limits of human capability, almost certainly confirming that he wasn’t human.

Though he seemed friendly, given our current situation, he had become one of the individuals we were wary of.

In the following days, I had investigated information about him through various channels, but these only revealed his public image. The reliability of this information for us was quite questionable.

“【日】I think we can rule him out as a suspect.” Mingdao sat up from the bed, taking some of the macadamia nuts from my hand and starting to eat them.

“【日】But there’s a high chance he isn’t human, or at least not entirely human, right?” I countered. With all this information, he should have realized he wasn’t ordinary.

“【日】Yes, but the likelihood of him being our enemy is low.”

“【日】Why’s that?”

“【日】Intuition……”

*Swoosh—*

Hearing this, I snatched the macadamia nuts back from his hand….

Be serious, will you! Even if you apologize with your hands together, it’s too late!

“【日】You’re only good at battle intuition, aren’t you……” I glanced at him with a mocking look. Intuition…… you think the trouble I’ve had because of your “intuition” is little? Who was the fool who dragged me into the men’s bath with a “definitely right” look on their face?!!!

“【日】I’m sorry, I want to eat the nuts!”

No! Please don’t make that pitiful, abandoned cat face! As my fiancé, act more like a man!

*Stare—*

He looked up at me with teary eyes, like a child who had done something wrong….

“【日】Hmph——” I won’t give them back! I won’t!

*Stare—*

Tearful…… this time, he was completely like a child. Don’t…… I’m starting to feel guilty…..

“Wuu—*

Fine!!!

“【日】G-give you back, you glutton……” I blushed and turned away, shoving the macadamia nuts back into his hand.

Don’t only act like this in front of me…… try acting like this in front of Leidi and the others. No, only in front of me would be better! Only in front of me is acceptable!!!

“【日】Haha, Ruka, you’re being too paranoid, huh? Ow! Ow! Ow! Ow!”

Damn you, don’t act like you’re doing me a favor!

“【日】Who’s to blame for that?!!!” This time, I mercilessly pulled his face left and right, making it look like an octopus. Seriously, give back the guilty feeling you made me have just now!

If it weren’t for you doing reckless things without thinking, would I need to do this? It’s exhausting to be constantly on guard against an enemy whose whereabouts are unknown!

“【日】That was all for you, you know!” He mumbled with his mouth full, though I could understand him.

For, for me, he caught all the monsters in Japan, all of them…… for me, he did these stupid things……

I, I know! I know you care about me, that you love me! So it’s my fault for being loved by you! It’s all my fault!

“【日】This time, I won’t hold it against you, but next time, think a bit more……” For some reason, my face flushed with embarrassment, and I released the hand that was pinching his cheek. I gently massaged it instead. Ah—— who told me to fall for you? Damn it!

“【日】I know…… Hey, are you going to investigate that first-year student again today?” He covered my hand, which was caressing his face, and gently squeezed it, asking me this.

“【日】I plan to visit the store he runs at home. I should find something useful.” I awkwardly pulled my hand away from his face, stood up, and prepared to leave.

“【日】Should I come with you?” I knew you would say that. En.

Still……

“【日】Stay here and protect Xiaobai and Leidi. I can handle it on my own.” I turned my back to him, using the opportunity to cool down my flushed cheeks.

Don’t be overprotective, you know. I’m not that weak.

————————————————————————

“【日】Ah…… seriously……” I stared blankly, comparing the picture on my phone with the scene before me. I must have followed the navigation correctly, right?

Is this really the same store……? Only the name is the same…… and that “Beethoven” that looks bloody is supposed to be like that……? This isn’t a patisserie; it’s a haunted house?!!!

“【日】Excuse me, is this the patisserie ‘Beethoven’?” I tapped a girl standing in the surprisingly long queue and asked, emphasizing “patisserie” three times.

“【日】Yes, it is. Is this your first time?” She glanced at the picture on my phone, seeming to understand something.

“【日】This patisserie’s interior design changes according to the theme of the sweets being served. The one on your phone is from a month ago, the ‘Burning Alps’ theme. This one is ‘Come to my grave, and I’ll give you the finger!’ theme. And……” The girl before me, with sparkling eyes, explained this bizarre patisserie in great detail. It was truly bizarre……

Is the owner of this patisserie crazy……? What’s with this naming style? And changing the store design for different sweets? That’s too selfish! They must be ridiculously rich! This is a prime location!

I apologized to the girl who had explained so much and joined the long queue……. Regardless, I should just go inside and see.

….

……

Damn…… though the sun wasn’t too bright, I waited for over an hour to get in! I should have brought an umbrella! And to avoid being cut in line, I didn’t even go to the restroom! Seriously! If the sweets here aren’t good, I’ll definitely leave a bad review online!!!

Wuu—— I’m about to burst! Tell me where the restroom is in this store!

————————————————————————

“【日】Phew—— I’m still alive.” I let out a small sigh at the sink. I was this close……

“【日】Hey~ Beautiful lady, we meet again.” A familiar voice came from beside me. A pick-up line? In front of the restroom? That’s a bit tacky……

Huh? Wait a minute!

This magnetic, middle-aged voice is……?

I turned around in shock.

“【日】Uncle?!”

How did the talent scout from the “SHINING PRODUCTION” agency end up here?

“【日】You remember me? I’m honored.” Uncle smiled and motioned for me to go to the store to talk.

We found a graveyard-themed booth and sat across from each other, on gravestone-shaped, backless chairs……

Not to mention the taste of this store’s decor, but the execution is truly impressive! The props, the smell, everything is done to create a real atmosphere!

Especially this moss growing on the “gravestone.” It feels wet and slippery, just like the real thing!

……Huh?

Wet and slippery……

….

……

This is actually real moss!!!!!

Is he that meticulous?!!! Amazing! Maybe I can expect great things from their sweets!!!

“【日】Uncle, are you here to eat sweets too?” For now, let’s suppress my amazement and talk to Uncle, or it would be rude.

“【日】If we’re talking about the results, yes. There are stars that shine brightly in this store too.” Uncle held up a fist with only his thumb sticking out, horizontally pointing to the unseen “graveyard” behind us.

“【日】Who did you scout this time? I’m curious.” With Uncle’s eye for talent, he must have found someone remarkable. And no, I’m not just humbly bragging about myself~

“【日】He’s a handsome guy, like a ‘prince,’ just as his name suggests.” Uncle smiled, leaning on the table with his fingers interlaced, clearly satisfied with the person.

But……

“【日】Umm……”

I felt like I had almost forgotten something important…… This patisserie is run by that handsome first-year student (though not as handsome as Mingdao), and his name does contain “Prince”……

“【日】Excuse me, are you ready to order? Huh?! Senior?!”

The first-year, dressed like Mr. Goodra, appeared…… kicking away Cao Cao……

“【日】Do you two know each other?” Uncle looked at us in surprise.

“【日】He’s a first-year student at my school……” I explained with a wry smile.

I never expected to meet him directly like this……

“【日】That’s quite a coincidence. Tell me the name of your school? There might be unexpectedly many stars there too.” Uncle’s intuition is really unsettling…… the actors in our school’s drama club are all handsome and beautiful, after all……

“【日】It’s called Aoyama Academy.” Mr. Goodra smiled charmingly and answered Uncle.

It’s that smile that got you scouted, isn’t it? A natural leading man face, loved by girls……

Of course, my Mingdao is more handsome than you!

“【日】Hmm—— let me check. Oh? Isn’t that a school in Kyoto? Quite far from here……”

Uncle, you’re moving too fast……

“【日】Yes, I have to take the train very early every day.” Mr. Goodra scratched the back of his head, looking troubled.

Wow…… you must be sleeping in the train car…… huh? Your family’s so rich, you don’t even take a private car? It’s impossible that you can’t afford a driver! This decor is definitely super expensive!

“【日】Huh? Does that mean your family lives near here, Senior?” Suddenly remembering something, Mr. Goodra turned to me.

Why did the topic shift to me……?

“【日】No, I’m just here for a weekend visit. Leidi’s family is the one nearby.” I lightly waved my hand at him.

Um……

….

……

Why did I say that out loud? He might still be an enemy! Am I an idiot?!!!

“【日】Oh? So Colt’s sisters live nearby? That’s surprising.”

Mr. Goodra smiled at me with narrowed eyes. Is it just my imagination, or do I feel a chill?!!!

Xiaobai, Leidi, I’m sorry! I’ll apologize a million times when I go back home!!!

You have to forgive me!!!!!