Of course, it was a very strange sight.
Take our dear Miss Viloti for example, her emotional radar was going off again.
The moment she saw a girl tightly wrapped up emerge from behind her, Viloti instantly knew it was Zervanie.
But… What was she doing here?
Viloti didn’t think too deeply about it. As far as she was concerned, anyone besides Felyn was just trouble. Not worth the brain cells.
Light footsteps approached, and Zervanie came to stand beside Viloti.
They weren’t far apart.
They looked like two beautiful girls waiting for a bus after school.
But the air between them was so tense, it felt like no one could move forward another inch.
Viloti stood quietly at the entrance.
The life-sized blue ice cream statue beside her blocked the sun, shielding this lovely girl from the heat.
She didn’t acknowledge Zervanie.
Their relationship wasn’t close enough to warrant a greeting.
Not that Viloti was specifically ignoring Zervanie—she was just like this with everyone.
Except for Felyn.
If it were Felyn, Viloti would run over in little hurried steps and say while catching her breath: “Good morning, Felyn.”
Zervanie crossed her arms, her expression a bit stern.
Today, Viloti looked so dazzling, she could practically be squeezed for juice.
Zervanie wasn’t stupid.
Felyn had said he had plans with someone in the afternoon.
And now here was Viloti, carefully dressed up, clearly waiting for someone.
Wasn't this a date with Felyn?
But… maybe it was just a coincidence?
Maybe Viloti was the one secretly following Felyn?
It was just like when a classmate runs up to you and says you only got 20 points on the test, and you still go to the teacher to confirm it, even while thinking up reasons like: maybe they got the name wrong, maybe the teacher made a mistake, maybe aliens hacked the score.
Zervanie was in that kind of headspace.
Knowing there was a possibility of a date between Viloti and Felyn, she just had to confirm it directly.
But this lady didn’t even look at her.
Her expression clearly said she saw her. And still didn’t say hi?
Hmph, trying to show dominance?
Trying to make me say hi first, then turn around and mock me?
Fine! Let’s see who can hold out longer!
I don’t believe you can stay silent forever!
Once you say something, I’ll say:
[Oh? Miss Viloti is going on a date with Felyn this afternoon? He was just with me earlier, so he might be a little tired. Please take good care of him, okay? Otherwise I’ll feel bad if he gets too exhausted.]
Five minutes passed.
Is this pink-haired lady alright in the head?
I’ve been standing right next to you, at least acknowledge me!
Once Felyn shows up, it’ll be too late. I can’t exactly start acting like a sly seductress in front of him.
Wait… maybe she didn’t recognize me?
Zervanie coughed twice and pulled out her communicator.
“Miss Assistant, it’s me, it’s me, Zervanie~ How’s the afternoon performance going, la-la… oh really…”
“Miss Zervanie.”
Before she could finish her fake phone call, Viloti cut her off.
Realizing that the icy goddess beside her had finally recognized her, Zervanie smiled in triumph.
Told you she didn’t recognize me. Now she’s gonna ask why I’m here. Ask it, come on!
Viloti slightly turned her head. Her lips, coated with rose-pink gloss, shimmered under the sun with sweet, girlish charm.
“Please don’t reveal your identity. It’ll be very troublesome if more people show up later.”
“Huh?”
“Be mindful of what you say. You just said your name.”
Viloti said seriously.
She didn’t want her date with Felyn to be ruined by something like this.
If Zervanie’s identity were exposed, all her fans would flood into Holmholt.
This quiet street would be turned upside down because of her.
Facing Viloti’s cold expression, Zervanie felt her sweat rushing right back into her body.
“S-sorry…”
She was momentarily suppressed by Viloti’s overwhelming presence.
Zervanie realized she’d underestimated her.
She must be pretending to care, acting like she doesn’t want me to be exposed, when in fact, she already recognized me and just didn’t want to say hi.
She’s trying to politely hint that I should just leave.
But Zervanie got it all wrong.
Viloti’s brain didn’t operate on that many layers.
“Miss Viloti, are you shopping in Holmholt this afternoon?”
“Mhm.”
“Alone?”
Viloti didn’t answer.
“You’re still not saying? Trying to tease me? Are you… a bad woman too?!”
But how could something like this stop me?
“Sigh, it would’ve been great if Miss Viloti was going shopping with someone. I happen to have two limited-edition dessert coupons from Karine the Witch’s shop. They expire tomorrow, and they must be used by two people.”
“I have something else today, so I can’t use them. I was thinking of giving them to you.”
She’d wrapped a long-winded trap around a single question.
These desserts were indeed hard to reserve, even Zervanie had to wait a whole month.
But the expiration date wasn’t tomorrow.
And you didn’t need two people to use the coupons.
All lies.
All she wanted was for Viloti to admit she was with someone, then she’d ask who.
As for giving Viloti the dessert coupons?
Of course not!
She’d make up an excuse to dodge that later.
Those were reserved for her and Felyn!
“No, I’m with someone,” Viloti admitted.
She did love sweets.
But she wasn’t the kind of girl who would throw everything else aside just for food.
She simply thought Felyn might enjoy it, and that thought made her happy.
“Miss Viloti, may I ask who your companion is this afternoon?”
Zervanie smiled, sure I had won.
Hook, line, and sinker!
Say it! Just say it!
Let me confirm whether you’re really on a date with Felyn.
“He’s a friend, an acquaintance… or maybe… not even that…”
Viloti’s gaze dimmed.
The sunlight caught her trailing hair in a breeze.
Felyn… What am I to you?
What am I in your heart?
A friend? An acquaintance? Or… a stranger?
She didn’t want to be just a friend to Felyn.
But even friendship now felt like a luxury.
The girl sighed softly.
Even with the makeup she’d started applying at eight in the morning, she couldn’t hide her disappointment.
If only Felyn had a place for me in his heart.
At least then, when others asked about us, I could say his name with joy and confidence.
Not like this—dodging and hiding.
“…Is it Felyn?” Zervanie couldn’t help herself anymore.
Viloti froze.
She didn’t plan on saying Felyn’s name.
Maybe Felyn didn’t want others to know they were going on a date.
Maybe he’d feel awkward, or even ashamed.
It’s okay. I won’t say anything.
I don’t mind. I’ll just say it’s me.
She bit her lip and gently shook her head.
“It’s me.”
Felyn pushed open the door and walked out of the shop.
He was worried that Zervanie might say something strange in front of Viloti.
If that ruined her mood, their date this afternoon would be very difficult.
“Viloti’s going on a date with me this afternoon. Right?”
The frozen-faced girl instantly melted.
Like snow meeting spring sunshine.
Her smile lit up not just her entire face — it warmed the air around them too.
“…Mhm.”
(End of Chapter)