The parfait for the second room’s challenge wasn't particularly large. If it were just a matter of eating it, Alice could have polished it off in seconds. However, the task required us to take turns feeding each other, which naturally slowed the pace.
"Here, Alice. Open wide."
"A-Ah... ahhh..."
"I mean, setting aside your turn for a moment, I’ve fed you plenty of times before, haven’t I?"
"No matter how many times we do this, it’s still embarrassing!"
"I-I see..."
I had fed her so much in the past that my hand had practically developed carpal tunnel, yet she clearly hadn't built up any immunity to the awkwardness. Once I finished my turn, it was Alice's move.
She glanced back and forth between me and the parfait for a long moment. After a full minute of hesitation, she finally picked up the spoon, scooped a bite, and held it out, steadying her shaking hand with her other arm.
"S-Say... ahhh."
"Your hand is shaking like a leaf... Ahhh. Mmm. I don't get to eat parfaits very often, but they’re actually pretty good."
"How are you so calm about this!?"
"I—I mean, even if you ask me why..."
We were a couple, and we’d been on plenty of dates by now. It was only natural that I’d grown somewhat accustomed to this. Alice was the only one who remained perpetually flustered.
However, her hand was trembling so much that it was becoming a struggle to eat.
"Hey, Alice. Is there a rule that says we have to sit across from each other?"
"Eh? Not that I know of."
"I see. In that case..."
After confirming with her, I stood up, grabbed my chair, and set it down right next to hers.
"W-Wha—! What are you doing all of a sudden!?"
"It’s just easier to feed you this way. And easier for me to eat, too. So, here."
"I—I mean, I get the logic of being efficient, but... don't you think this is just a l-little too close...?"
"Honestly, after everything we've done... Ah! Hey, don't try to bolt."
"Gwah! Holding my shoulder is a foul! That’s a rule violation!"
"What rule are you even talking about?"
Exasperated by her panicked state, I kept my hand on her shoulder to keep her from fleeing while I fed her the rest. Of course, if she really wanted to leave, she could have shaken me off in a heartbeat. Despite her protests, she clearly didn't actually hate it.
We polished off the parfait and headed to the next room. Alice looked like she was about to start emitting steam from the sheer humiliation. Judging by the length of the attraction when I’d visited with Shiro-san, we were probably only halfway through.
We reached the door to the third room. The instructions read: Spend at least ten minutes watching the planetarium in the pair seat in the next room.
A planetarium. It was a classic, quintessential couple’s event. By "pair seat," they probably meant one of those big, loveseat-style sofas. My personal image was a round sofa for two. Come to think of it, we’d done something similar at the Six Kings Festival... No, wait, that was the illumination.
"I see. A planetarium, huh?"
"W-What? You got a problem with that?"
"No, I've just never used a pair seat before. Is it the kind you can lie down on?"
"Exactly. The one I made is designed to dip toward the center, so your bodies naturally end up pressing against each other when you lie down side-by-side."
"...I see."
"What’s with that look? You’re thinking, 'Wow, she’s totally going to get embarrassed by her own trap again,' aren't you!? Don't look down on me! I'm already regretting that I made this on a whim!"
"So you are regretting it..."
I gave her a wry smile as we entered the next room. It was a surprisingly professional-looking setup with a circular pair seat right in the middle. Just as she’d described, it was sized so that two people lying down would have no choice but to be intimate.
"I know I'm the one who built this, but it feels way too small now... We're going to be way too close. I'm changing the size."
"No, you're not. Come on, just lie down."
"Wait! Just a second! I—I need to mentally prepare! Give me forty minutes... No, give me ninety!"
"That's too long. Come on, let's go."
"Awawawawa!"
I had no intention of waiting an hour and a half for her to "prepare" for a ten-minute show. I grabbed her hand and practically dragged her onto the seat. Because I was still holding her hand as we went down, she ended up nestled right in my arms. We were essentially lying there in a light embrace.
"H-Hawawa... K-Kaito-san... isn't this a little too... too lewd...?"
"I don't think so. Do you want to move further away?"
"Ugh... N-No, it’s just... my body feels weak right now, so I can't pull away. It’s impossible."
I let out a soft chuckle. "I see. Well, I guess we’re staying like this then."
"Au..."
Despite her protests and lack of honesty, she clearly didn't want to move. Alice buried her face against my chest to hide her crimson cheeks. She wouldn't be able to see the stars at all that way, but I just smiled and pulled her a little closer.
Serious-senpai: "What are you two doing?! Hurry up and get back to the sukiyaki! Don't come crying to me when I'm gone! (Meaning my sugarification has finished!)"
Machina: "Personally, I’m actually part of the 'Put a little ponzu in the beaten egg' faction."
Serious-senpai: "Nobody asked you!"