As I stood there, bewildered by the arrival of a Surprise Cake I hadn’t actually ordered, Alice watched the retreating waiter with suspicious eyes. She let out a soft sigh and muttered under her breath.
"Honestly... talk about meddling where it’s not wanted."
"Hm?"
"Oh, uh, nothing. It’s not like there’s anything weird in it, so... I’ll gratefully accept this Surprise Cake from you, Kaito-san."
It wasn't a surprise I’d planned, but as long as Alice deemed it safe, it was fine by me. The cake was genuinely charming, clearly designed with a romantic couple in mind.
Alice prepared to dig in, but her gaze shifted as she searched the table.
"Wait. There aren't any forks?"
I noticed the lack of silverware at the same time. Just then, the waiter reappeared, stepped up to me, and presented a single fork.
"It is tradition for the gentleman to feed his lady this particular cake. Therefore, I shall entrust the fork only to the boyfriend."
"Oh? Uh, right."
"Wait, what? Hey! Hold on a— Ma— Waiter!"
Alice tried to object to the waiter's declaration that feeding her Aahn-style was the formal protocol, but he was too quick. He handed me the fork and vanished back into the kitchen before she could stop him.
Alice’s eyes narrowed as she watched him go. When she started to stand up from her chair, I hurriedly intervened.
"Whoa, Alice?"
"I'm going to go blow that waiter away."
"Stop it! Calm down. It’s not like they had any ill intent—it’s just the theme of the place. Besides, the poor person doesn't deserve to be attacked by one of the Six Kings."
"I wouldn't actually kill them... Sigh. Fine, I suppose you’re right."
She seemed genuinely irritated for a moment, but then she let out a resigned sigh, the fight leaving her.
Feeling relieved that she’d decided against taking it out on the staff, I looked down at the fork in my hand.
"Well, if that's the 'formal' way to eat it, shall we? It technically counts as being lovey-dovey, just like you wanted."
"I-I-I never said I wanted this! I just thought, maybe... a little bit... that kind of thing would be okay..."
"It’s a bit awkward to do this while facing each other. Let me move."
"Are you even listening to me!?"
Since Alice had booked the entire restaurant, I didn't have to worry too much about proper etiquette. I picked up my chair and moved it right next to hers. I moved the sparkler from the cake to the side and prepared a bite.
I scooped up a small piece and held it out to Alice, who was currently red-faced and flustered.
"Here. Say Aahn."
"How are you so calm about this!? Ugh... fine. I'm eating."
I wasn't sure why she thought I was calm, but it wasn't my first time doing this. In fact, I’d fed her so much in the past that I’d half-expected to develop tendonitis.
Alice took the bite I offered. Though her eyes darted around bashfully, she looked genuinely happy. The moment she swallowed, she instinctively opened her mouth for the next piece.
Finding her reaction incredibly cute, I prepared another bite. Right as I moved it toward her, a heavy thud echoed, and a brilliant flash of light filled the window.
"Oh, the fireworks started."
"So they have. The Fireworks of the Hydra Kingdom are quite grand—much flashier than what you’d see in the Kingdom of Sinfonia or the Arclesia Empire."
"I spent most of those festivals working at my stall, so I wouldn't really know the difference."
During those celebrations, I’d been so busy at my booth on the outskirts of the main streets that I’d only caught glimpses of the display between buildings. I definitely didn't remember them looking this beautiful.
Watching them from what was essentially a front-row seat felt like the ultimate luxury. I really owed Alice for this.
As that thought crossed my mind, I felt Alice's fingers tentatively brush against my hand—the one not holding the fork.
I stole a quick glance at her. Her eyes were fixed on the window. I couldn't tell if she was being shy or if it was just an unconscious habit, but I responded to her silent request by taking her hand. She immediately squeezed back, her grip firm.
As the beautiful colors reflected in our eyes, I felt the soft, small warmth in my palm. I sat there in silence, watching the sky while a gentle, indescribable heat filled my chest.