A Date at the Supermarket

“Senior Sister… please don’t say such strange things out of nowhere…” Zhuang Xun muttered as she pushed the shopping cart, her gaze fixed on a stack of boxed eggs in the distance. The price seemed acceptable.

No sooner had the words left her lips than Shen Xian, standing beside her, gently bumped her shoulder with her own arm. “But I’m just stating facts! We’re in the same study group, you know. This is crucial for our final grades…!”

‘……’ Zhuang Xun had almost forgotten they were paired up for that specific class.

Zhuang Xun picked up a carton of eggs, placing it carefully into the cart, then turned her head to look at Shen Xian. Her senior was biting down on a lollipop; the cat ears, though partially hidden by the hood of the outfit she’d borrowed, twitched slightly.

So, so adorable!

Shen Xian licked the lollipop and asked, “Why are you staring at me? Do I have something on my face?”

“Senior Sister…”

“Hm?”

“Where did you get that lollipop?”

“From the gashapon machine by the entrance. I got two,” Shen Xian said, pulling another lime-flavored lollipop from her pocket and offering it to her. “Want one?”

Lime flavored… a candy that tastes just like Senior Sister’s pheromones…

Zhuang Xun stared at the candy, her expression remaining stoic as she nodded slightly. “I want it.”

“Alrighty.”

Zhuang Xun reached out to take it, only to watch as Shen Xian unwrapped the lollipop herself and brought it right to Zhuang Xun’s lips.

“Open up. Ah—”

Zhuang Xun’s mind went blank, her mouth falling slightly agape in surprise. Shen Xian gently placed the lollipop in her mouth, standing before her with a wide, beaming smile. “Is it good? This flavor?”

The fresh taste of lime, mingled with a hint of sweetness, filled her mouth. Looking into Shen Xian’s light pink eyes, Zhuang Xun saw her own dazed expression reflected back. She abruptly snapped back to reality and nodded quickly.

“It’s delicious.”

‘Could all of this truly be real, and not a dream?’

“Good, then.” Shen Xian twirled the lollipop in her own hand and returned to Zhuang Xun’s side. She reached out and tugged on Zhuang Xun’s sleeve. “Little Zhuang Xun, should we have curry tonight?”

“Curry?” Zhuang Xun followed Shen Xian’s gaze to a sign for discount potatoes. She pondered for a moment, then suggested seriously, “How about curry omurice with a hamburger patty on the side?”

“Yes! Oh, right…” Shen Xian stood on her tiptoes and whispered into Zhuang Xun’s ear. “I need to use the restroom.”

Zhuang Xun nodded.

Shen Xian continued, her voice low, “My tail is starting to feel a little uncomfortable… You go pick out the potatoes first. If you’re unsure, just wait for me here. I’ll be right back.”

She really doesn’t need to tell me the details! Zhuang Xun screamed inwardly. Outwardly, she remained expressionless. “Okay, I’ll wait for you here, Senior Sister.”

Shen Xian smiled. “Open your mouth.”

Zhuang Xun was confused but complied. As she moved her hand to take the lollipop out of her mouth, Shen Xian’s hand brushed against hers. Shen Xian smoothly took the lime-flavored lollipop from Zhuang Xun’s lips.

Shen Xian blinked, looking utterly innocent. “I wanted to taste that one. Is that okay?”

Countless thoughts of the words ‘indirect kiss’ began floating through Zhuang Xun’s mind.

“As an exchange, would you like to try mine?” Shen Xian offered her own half-eaten lollipop to her junior.

“……”

‘This… I really must be dreaming, right?!’

“Are you unhappy?” Shen Xian asked, tilting her head.

“No.” Zhuang Xun quickly took the lollipop from Shen Xian’s hand and put it into her mouth.

“That’s good then.” Shen Xian licked the lime-flavored lollipop she had taken back, then offered it to Zhuang Xun once more.

Zhuang Xun stared at the candy, momentarily stunned. Is Senior Sister disgusted by me? But she just licked it… if she was truly disgusted, she wouldn’t have done that, right?

As Zhuang Xun’s mind spiraled, Shen Xian’s voice rang out again. “Hmm… I thought about it, and I really shouldn’t take a lollipop into the restroom. Little Zhuang Xun, could you hold both of them for me? Or just eat them?”

With that one sentence, all of Zhuang Xun’s dark thoughts vanished. She took the lollipops and said earnestly, “I understand. Please be careful, Senior Sister.”

Shen Xian’s cat ears twitched in a playful greeting. “Of course, don’t worry!”

Why isn’t she back yet? Zhuang Xun stared at her phone. Ten minutes had passed, and there was no sign of her.

She looked at the lonely carton of eggs in her cart, then scanned her surroundings. She had planned to wait so they could pick out potatoes together, but it had been so long. Had something happened? Just as she was about to call her, a woman and a child walked past.

The child said excitedly, “Mommy, there’s a fox with moving ears over by the strawberries!”

Zhuang Xun’s heart leaped into her throat.

The mother replied, “That’s not a real fox, dear. That’s just a young lady wearing a costume.”

“That older sister is so pretty, and her outfit is so cute! I want one like that too!”

“Alright, if you win first prize in your competition, I’ll buy one for you.”

Zhuang Xun didn’t stay to hear the rest. She hastily pushed her cart toward the fruit section. Halfway there, she spotted a familiar hooded figure.

“Wow, these strawberries look so sweet…” Shen Xian was intently examining the various boxes, swallowing hard as she looked at them.

Zhuang Xun took a deep breath to steady herself before walking over. “Senior Sister.”

“Ah?” Shen Xian looked up. “Why do you sound so out of breath?”

“…I’m not.” Why can’t Senior Sister, who is usually so perceptive, see that I’m just worried about her?

Shen Xian held a box of strawberries. “Liar. Should we buy a box?”

“Okay.” Zhuang Xun took the box and placed it in the cart.

Shen Xian looked into the cart and gasped. “Why is there still only one carton of eggs? Wait a minute… what time is it?” She pulled out her phone. “!!!”

Shen Xian’s face flooded with apology. “I’m so sorry, Little Zhuang Xun! When I came out of the restroom, I heard someone say the strawberries were amazing. I didn’t realize I’d been standing here so long…”

Zhuang Xun shook her head. “It’s fine.”

“Are you angry?”

‘……’ She was a little frustrated, but mostly relieved. In a crowded place like this, she couldn’t help but worry. But when she saw Shen Xian’s ears twitching nervously under the hood, her frustration evaporated. She felt completely “purified” by the sight.

Such a cute person is my Senior Sister… I really want to marry her…

“I didn’t mean it, can you forgive me…?” Shen Xian used her usual cooing tone, showering Zhuang Xun with pleas.

Zhuang Xun swallowed hard and looked away. “I know. I’m not angry.”

“Then shall we go pick out potatoes together?” Shen Xian asked, taking the lead.

Zhuang Xun followed. Shen Xian leaned close, snatching the handle of the shopping cart from her and flashing a beaming smile. “Looking at us like this, it really feels like we’re on a date.”

“Sen-Senior Sister… what did you just say?” Did I hear that right?

“Eh? I said we look like we’re on a date!”