After the luxury of having the fireworks all to ourselves, Alice took my hand and led me back toward the festival stalls.
"Alright, Kaito-san! We’re going to enjoy this to the max! From here on out, Alice-chan is going to take the lead with everything she’s got!"
"Alice... isn't your energy a little strange?"
"I’ve just reached a certain level of resolve—or rather, I’ve decided to stop caring. They say shame away from home is no shame, after all! Since we’ve got this rare chance, I’ve decided to be as lovey-dovey as I want!"
"...Your face is bright red, though."
"Even if I stop caring, it doesn't mean the embarrassment actually goes away!"
I thought she had finally found her confidence, but it seemed her shy side was still as prominent as ever. The way she walked so far out in front of me, pulling me along... she was probably just trying to hide her flushed face.
Of course, even from behind, it was glaringly obvious that she was blushing, so her efforts were mostly in vain.
"First off, I suppose we should start with a candy apple!"
"Wait, you’re still going to eat more?"
"Kaito-san will have the apricot candy. That way we can take turns tasting each other’s."
"...I see."
I swallowed the remark that her choice was a bit of a cliché and simply nodded. Alice always did have a soft spot for those classic, predictable romantic tropes; in a way, it was very like her.
"And I guess that’s supposed to lead to an indirect kiss?"
"...An indirect kiss is a little too lewd, so how about we just take bites from different sides?"
"I really don't understand your criteria."
To set up a situation like that and then find an indirect kiss too embarrassing—I truly couldn't grasp her baseline for what qualified as "too lewd."
Actually, to be honest... hesitating over an indirect kiss at this stage made it feel like she hadn't shaken her hesitation at all. Hmm, alright then.
"Alice, look at me for a second."
"Hmm? What is—mph!?"
I’d had an idea. If we kissed directly beforehand, she wouldn't have any reason to be embarrassed by an indirect kiss. Since we were already holding hands, I just pulled her toward me the moment she turned around and kissed her. I made sure to lower my posture slightly before calling out to her to account for the height difference.
Against the soft sensation on my lips, I saw Alice’s blue eyes snap wide open. After holding the kiss for a few seconds, I pulled back. Alice, as expected, was staring at me with a look of pure disbelief, her face turning as red as a boiled octopus.
"Wh-wh-wha... Ka-Kai... Kaito-san!? Wh-wh-what was that for all of a sudden...?"
"Well, I just figured that if we kissed first, an indirect kiss wouldn't be embarrassing anymore. The thought just occurred to me."
"What kind of nonsense logic is that!?"
"Did you hate it?"
"N-no, it's not that I hated it... if anything, I'm happy about it, but... well, you see! It was too sudden! It’s bad for my heart! You’re supposed to take steps, build the mood, and then..."
Watching her act so flustered was incredibly cute, but I felt the need to point something out.
"We’ve been on a date for an hour, and I just watched fireworks with you sitting in my lap in very close contact... honestly, how much more mood-building do you need?"
"...That’s hard to argue with, so I’ll admit defeat on the mood-building. However! I firmly protest against the surprise attack! You have to give me a warning first, or Alice-chan’s face is going to explode from the embarrassment!"
I thought the conversation was over, but she seemed intent on dragging this topic out. It was a strange feeling. I knew perfectly well how clever and capable Alice was, yet when it came to this specific subject, I didn't feel like I could lose to her at all.
"...So, I should have announced it beforehand?"
"...Well, yes. If you give me proper notice, I... well, it’s not like I’d say no..."
"In that case, I wanted to kiss you a bit more thoroughly, so I’m going to do it again."
"Hwaah!? Wh-what? Again!? R-right now!? Ah, wait, hold on, your face is getting closer... You aren't actually going to listen to my opinion, are you!? Auuu..."
Putting aside how she usually acted, Alice was incredibly weak to pressure when it came to romance. I gripped her shoulders and slowly brought my face toward hers. Despite her frantic confusion, she eventually closed her eyes and accepted me.
Feeling a deep sense of affection for her, I pressed my lips against hers again. After fully savoring the blissful sensation, I pulled back and smiled. Alice was blushing and bashful, yet she wore a look of profound happiness.
"Now then, shall we go? You were going to lead the way, right?"
"...What is this... this feeling that I can't win at all..."
"What a coincidence. I also feel like I can't lose today."
"Gununu... Is this that relaxed attitude people get from a difference in experience points? Are you saying Kaito-san has the advantage because you’ve been trained by multiple lovers?"
"No, actually, I think the reason I’m so relaxed is just because you're acting so flustered. It makes me feel calm by comparison."
"So I'm just self-destructing!?"
"Can I be honest? I think you're just being your usual self."
"...Fair point."
Alice gave a resigned sigh, then squeezed my hand tightly and started walking again. She didn't seem downcast at all; if anything, her step seemed even lighter and more joyful than before.
[A girl is lying on the floor. It appears she has lost consciousness.]
[She must have encountered something truly horrific, for even in her faint, she continues to twitch and convulse.]
[The area is littered with what appears to be vomited sugar. The amount is staggering... one wonders if she was subjected to some form of sugar-based torture.]
[She is not dead, but a dying message written in blood can be seen near the tips of her right fingers.]
[...It reads: "Lovey-dovey"...]