“Ugh… I’m so hungry… I feel like I’m out of energy…” Iroha Isshiki whined dramatically, rubbing her stomach with a pitiful expression.

  “Whose fault is that? You skipped lunch and have been running around all day. Of course, you’re hungry now,” Kanade Natsukawa retorted sharply. “I seriously don’t get you. You’d rather spend money dressing up for cospy than just ordering food earlier. Why?”

  “Eating something as embarrassing as maid café food would ruin me forever. I’d turn into one of those guys who can’t eat properly without a girl’s help!” Iroha replied, looking utterly self-righteous.

  Kanade blinked in disbelief. What are you talking about? That’s not otaku behavior—that’s a literal baby!

  “You’re a girl yourself, though?” he pointed out.

  “And don’t underestimate otakus. They’re not helpless. They’re strong people who live fulfilling lives even without girls by their side. They’re warriors with hearts of steel!”

  “Is Senpai one of them?”

  “Uh, no. I’m not,” Kanade replied instantly.

  “Pfft, no way anyone would believe you!” Iroha puffed out her cheeks in mock indignation, then switched to a saccharine tone. “Senpai~ do you like desserts? If you really want to eat something sweet, I might be willing to tag along…”

  “Desserts before dinner? Not a great habit,” Kanade said, giving her a side gnce. He was tempted to shut her down with a blunt “I’m not interested,” but he didn’t want to upset her too much. “Dinner’s just around the corner. Can’t you hold on a little longer?”

  “Unbelievable! Senpai, you’re a devil in disguise! Your adorable kouhai is starving to death, and you’re telling her to endure it?!” Iroha excimed, dramatically poking Kanade’s side with her fingers.

  “You’re so cruel, Senpai! After all the trouble I went to treating you earlier!”

  “Fine, fine. I was just joking,” Kanade said, easily fending off her half-hearted pokes. He pointed toward a nearby storefront. “There’s a dessert shop right there.”

  Iroha’s eyes lit up as she spotted it, but her expression quickly turned skeptical. “Wait a minute. How did Senpai know there’s a dessert shop here? Don’t tell me you’ve been here before with another girl…”

  “Use your brain for once.” Kanade groaned and quickly crified, “I checked the map earlier when you first compined about being hungry.”

  Inside the shop, Kanade guided them to a quiet corner. After gncing at the menu, he handed it to Iroha.

  “What do you want?”

  “I’ll have a starry mousse and a strawberry parfait. What about you, Senpai?”

  “Just an espresso.”

  “Huh? No desserts? They even have ice cream here!” Iroha said, flipping to another page of the menu.

  “I’ll pass. Saving my appetite for dinner.” Kanade shook his head. He had been trained well by a certain angelic neighbor to maintain a healthy lifestyle. Besides, he wasn’t much of a sweet tooth anyway.

  “You’re seriously pnning to eat dinner ter?”

  “What else would I eat? You?” Kanade deadpanned, picking up a pamphlet from the table and flipping through its food recommendations.

  “Keep dreaming, Senpai…” Iroha huffed, giving him a pyful gre before turning to whisper something to the server.

  The desserts soon arrived, including a pte of wagashi that Kanade didn’t remember being ordered.

  “You sure you can finish all this?” Kanade asked, raising an eyebrow. The sheer amount of food in front of Iroha seemed excessive, even for someone who skipped lunch.

  “Don’t worry about me, Senpai. Focus on your coffee.”

  “…Suit yourself.”

  Kanade sipped his espresso. The nutty aroma filled his senses, followed by a sharp bitterness that lingered pleasantly before fading into a faint sweetness.

  “Senpai, how’s the coffee? Is it good?” Iroha asked, her curiosity piqued as she watched him savor the drink.

  Kanade smirked. She wants to ugh at me, doesn’t she?

  He set down his cup and replied, “It’s good—sweet, actually. Want to try?”

  “R-right now?” Iroha stammered, her face flushing slightly. After a moment of hesitation, she nodded. “F-fine, but no funny ideas, Senpai!”

  “Funny ideas?” Kanade tilted his head, genuinely confused. What kind of tricks could he possibly pull with coffee?

  Suppressing a chuckle, he pushed the cup toward her. His movements were calm and deliberate, with just the right amount of nonchance.

  “It’s fine. Try it.”

  “Alright…” Iroha cautiously picked up the cup and took a small sip.

  For a second, her expression froze. Then—

  “PFFFT!”

  The coffee sprayed out of her mouth, hitting Kanade square in the face.

  “…”

  Kanade slowly wiped his face, his composure slipping.

  “SEMPAI! Why is it so BITTER?!” Iroha wailed, clutching her throat as if she’d just swallowed poison.

  Kanade clenched his fists. I should’ve just let her starve.