The Sleeping Beauty’s Thorns

“So Xiaobai actually brought out the vouchers…”

Hiding far behind the lengthy queue, Colt cautiously watched Xiaobai, who stood further ahead. She had initially worried about Xiaobai not having enough money, but it seemed her concerns had been entirely unfounded.

“It feels like… there are fewer people queuing today, doesn’t it?” Sister Ruka, standing behind Colt, murmured with a hint of confusion.

“Huh? Fewer? Really?”

Colt glanced at the queue again. Under the relentless, scorching sun, this line would surely take at least half an hour to get through. It already felt incredibly popular. ‘Could this dessert shop truly be so amazing?’ she mused.

However, upon closer thought, it made sense. The shop had not only been featured on television, but its vouchers were also awarded as second prize in a significant competition. Most importantly, Colt herself had tasted the skull-shaped chocolate.

Its popularity was certainly not impossible to understand.

“Leidi, do you really think Ping-chan is here just for dessert?” Sister Ruka whispered into Colt’s ear, giving her a gentle pat on the shoulder.

“Given the current situation, it’s really hard to say…” Colt responded to Sister Ruka with a wry smile.

‘Perhaps Xiaobai is actually here to find Princess,’ she mused.

After what felt like an eternity, Colt and Sister Ruka, both squirming uncomfortably from holding it in, finally stepped inside ‘Beethoven’.

‘Oh my heavens—where is the restroom? I’m about to burst!’ Colt thought frantically.

****

“Leidi, should we split up to find Ping-chan?” Sister Ruka asked as they left the washroom.

“No, there’s no need for such trouble,” Colt replied, shaking her head gently.

She already had a plan.

“Handsome Mr. Gudela, could you tell me where our lovely Sleeping Beauty is currently throwing a tantrum?” Colt murmured, subtly following behind him. She boldly drew a large cross on the back of his cape. ‘There’s no way he could miss such a blatant provocation, could he?’ she mused.

“I was just lamenting the absence of the dark princess,” Mr. Gudela said, his ancient yet dignified cape swaying. He turned to them, revealing a smile that also bared his fangs.

‘So this guy is here,’ Colt thought. ‘Prince Aoyama, the incredibly handsome waiter.’

“Then, where is my sister?” Colt asked, meeting his red, contact-lens-enhanced eyes with a playful smile. “Depending on your answer, our visits to ‘Beethoven’ might inexplicably increase.”

“Oh? That would indeed be quite something,” Mr. Gudela responded with a witty chuckle. “If two princesses deigned to frequent ‘Beethoven’ to pass the time, I imagine our humble sales figures would rise to a point that would make my boss smile uncontrollably.”

He opened the menu in his hand, offering what Colt considered a rather good condition.

“The awakened Sleeping Beauty is surrounded by thorny red and black rose vines. Getting pricked can be quite painful. So, how about we invite her to witness a magnificent fireworks display, created with a magical flame that won’t harm a princess’s delicate skin?”

“That sounds quite appealing,” Colt replied, her gaze lifting slightly, a subtle smirk playing on her lips. “Then, what should this magical flame be exchanged for?”

‘Now, let’s see his performance,’ she thought.

“A princess’s smile is quite sufficient,” he said, closing the menu with a satisfied air, his eyes narrowed in a charming smile.

“A satisfactory answer, plus ten points,” Colt declared.

After a light round of applause, Colt took Sister Ruka’s hand and walked away.

“The honor is all mine, my princesses,” came his usual sweet words from behind them.

‘He seems more likable than before,’ Colt mused.

“Leidi… what were you two talking about?” Sister Ruka asked, scratching her cheek awkwardly, clearly embarrassed. “Where is Ping-chan now?”

‘Eh?! She didn’t understand?’ Colt thought, feeling a little surprised.

“Just like the description of Xiaobai, she’s in a place with thorny rose vines,” Colt explained. “All the private rooms here have distinct styles, right? We just need to find one with a similar theme.”

Colt knew their conversation had been full of double meanings, perhaps a bit too cryptic.

“Leidi, you’re really so clever…” Sister Ruka sighed. “I feel like I’ve completely lost.”

‘This is probably the slight reluctance of a senior, I think I can understand,’ Colt mused.

“Not at all,” Colt said, shrugging her shoulders and offering a wry smile as she looked back. “There are some areas where I could never surpass Sister Ruka. In fact, I have no chance of winning at all.”

“Oh? Really? What is it?”

“For example~ this right here, isn’t it?”

Colt’s slender finger pointed towards their chests, which were utterly incomparable. ‘Surely Sister Ruka wouldn’t misunderstand such a blatant hint?’ she thought.

“Hehe… well, if even this were to be surpassed by Leidi, I think I’d definitely hide under my covers and cry…” Sister Ruka responded with a small joke, her expression gradually brightening.

‘Speaking of which, Xiaobai and I also had a falling out over the issue of chests. How ridiculous,’ Colt reflected.

“Ah! Leidi, look at that castle up ahead! Do you think Ping-chan might be in there?”

Colt refocused her gaze forward. Sister Ruka was pointing to a private room styled like an old, dilapidated castle—its walls covered in thorny rose vines.

‘Haha, it certainly does give the impression of a Sleeping Beauty lying within,’ Colt thought.

She gently pushed open the castle-like door. And sure enough—

“How did you two get in here!”

Upon seeing them, Xiaobai hastily removed the spoon from her mouth and, propping herself on the table, stood up in astonishment.

“Don’t you want us to apologize?” Colt asked.

“That’s right, Ping-chan, please forgive us,” Sister Ruka added.

Pulling out chairs that resembled stone, Colt and Sister Ruka sat opposite Xiaobai.

“…Hmph… I was finally trying to change my mood…” Xiaobai muttered.

It appeared her mood had not improved much.

“You only brought two vouchers, didn’t you?” Colt asked.

She quickly scanned the table. There were only two desserts: a large cup of ice cream resembling black rock and white chocolates shaped like fingers. This meant Xiaobai had used Colt’s voucher as well, which was likely another way for her to express her displeasure.

“So what?” Xiaobai retorted. “I won’t share any with you… Oh, Sister Ruka can have some.”

Like a petulant child, Xiaobai shifted both the ice cream and the chocolates closer to herself.

“Hey, don’t be like that, I’m sorry, okay?” Colt said, pressing her palms together and smiling at Xiaobai. “How about I treat you to all the desserts you can eat? You love them, don’t you?”

Xiaobai frowned but continued to eat her ice cream. Yet, Colt could sense her obvious wavering.

“…I’ll… consider it…”

‘Heh heh—it looks like there’s a chance,’ Colt thought.