Yao Star妍 said she’d been planning to find me.

I glanced around and finally realized she was talking to me—what a surprise! She’d actually sought me out.

“What do you need?”

I was happy Yao Star妍 approached me, but without a clear reason, my heart felt hollow. After all, no one visits the temple without purpose.

When asked, Yao Star妍 fussed with her hair dramatically and gestured for me to sit opposite her.

Was it my imagination, or were her cheeks slightly flushed?

“It’s not a big deal… I-I just wore Sister Mengmeng’s clothes home last time. I washed them but never got a chance to return them. So I need your help.”

“Sure, I can do that… But why not return them yourself? You know where Sister Mengmeng lives.”

Having Yao Star妍 owe me a favor sounded great, but I still couldn’t figure her out.

“Mmm…” Yao Star妍 fidgeted, her eyes darting to the bag beside her. “Sister Mengmeng’s nice, b-but we’ve only known each other a few hours. Showing up uninvited would be so inappropriate.”

Huh! This brat actually cares about manners? After snapping at me before? Shocking! Absolutely shocking!

With that said, I had no reason to refuse. But nothing’s free—I wouldn’t just do it for nothing.

“I guess I can…” I feigned deep reluctance. “I’m a guy, after all. Returning girls’ clothes to Sister Mengmeng’s place? If caught, I’d be labeled a creep.”

“So?”

“I’m taking a huge risk. Can’t you show a little gratitude?”

The moment I spoke, Yao Star妍’s face twisted in undisguised disgust.

“Fine, fine. If you return the clothes, I’ll treat you to…”

“Another date!”

“W-what—”

I smiled at Yao Star妍, whose eyes widened in shock. Under my gaze, she pulled off her signature blushing act again.

That heavenly skill never got old, no matter how many times I saw it.

“W-why should I!”

“Planning to back out?”

“No! Last time was just repaying a debt. That won’t happen again!”

“But it’s a deep memory for both of us, right?”

I glanced at the bracelet on Yao Star妍’s wrist—the one I’d given her.

Bright red, Yao Star妍 clutched the clothes bag to her chest and jabbed a shaky finger at me.

“T-then you must compensate me for what you did!”

I knew exactly what “that” meant.

Even my cheeks warmed a little.

Surprisingly, Yao Star妍 didn’t cancel the debts. Instead, she made a new demand.

“A-after doing that, you must treat me to all-you-can-eat!”

Whoa—no mercy! Could her fourth-dimensional stomach ever be full?

Even Willow然 probably hadn’t seen Yao Star妍 satisfied!

Yao Star妍 smirked at me. I couldn’t back down now.

“Deal!”

“Heh heh, Gale Splendor, you agreed. Don’t blame me for the consequences!”

Was she planning to bankrupt me? But with my writing royalties, I had more than a typical high schooler. No way she’d break me.

…Right?

“…Fine.”

I accepted Yao Star妍’s terms as she wished.

“Waiter! Add a bacon sandwich to this table!”

“Huh? Eating today? I’m not ready!”

“Relax. I won’t need you this time. It’s all-you-can-eat—I need proper prep.”

She pushed an empty pasta plate toward me, cleared while I wasn’t looking.

Her words sent a chill through me. I almost felt her stomach would never fill, even after seven days and nights.

Maybe I’d agreed too rashly.

While I fretted, Yao Star妍 savored her food, her mood visibly lifted.

“Gale Splendor, do you live nearby?”

“Yeah. When no one’s home and I can’t be bothered to cook, I eat here sometimes.”

“You cook?!”

Why did everyone act so shocked when they heard I cooked?

“You handle stoves so easily… Boys really are monsters!”

“Heh… heh.”

Hey, it’s just cooking! No need for that scary look. If anyone’s a monster, it’s you with that bottomless stomach.

Mid-chat, I suddenly remembered Willow然, forgotten this whole time.

“By the way, Gale Splendor, how did you meet Sister Mengmeng…”

“…”

My eyes drifted toward the restroom—oh no, that murderous glare.

Willow然 had seemed annoyed earlier. Now I’d completely ignored her.

“…Sister Mengmeng told me you did weird things at her shop…”

“…Yeah…”

Willow然 promised to handle Yao Star妍, but today was supposed to be about treating her. Jumping to another table would anger anyone.

Stay calm! Figure out how to apologize later.

“…Still, Sister Mengmeng doesn’t mind someone like you…”

“Ah… yeah…”

Whoa—her eyes were literally sparking fire!

“…S-speaking of which, Gale Splendor… what exactly… do you… feel about me…”

That’s it!

She’s going to kill me!

“Gale Splendor!”

Snapping back, I saw Yao Star妍 glaring fiercely. “Were you even listening!”

“Ah—y-yes!”

“What did I say?”

“A-ah… I need the restroom. Enjoy your meal!”

Leaving Yao Star妍 felt rude, but Willow然 was my strong ally. She’d fix my slip-ups fast—

Bottom line: Willow然 was scarier.

Of course, I was wrong to forget her.

At the sink between restrooms, Willow然 stood arms crossed, scowling.

“Hmph. I thought you’d forgotten me.”

Her tone held no blame, but that expression was terrifying.

“H-how could I… heh… heh heh…”