Sofia drove the car, looking at the two somewhat restrained people in the back seat.
Viloti placed her hands on her legs, gazing straight ahead.
She wasn't clear about what Sofia was thinking.
With her social experience, she had no idea that Sofia was trying to match her with Felyn. She simply thought Sofia was having her, an excellent student, help Felyn with his poor academic performance.
She had never gone shopping alone with a member of the opposite sex before—no, she had never even been alone with any male other than Felyn.
Going to Homhot tonight was simply... simply like a date.
A date...
Viloti slightly twisted her neck and quickly glanced at Felyn with eyes hidden beneath her pink hair.
The setting sun's afterglow spilled into the car. Felyn leaned against the window, squinting slightly. The golden halo outlined the contours of his profile with a somewhat lazy, youthful air.
His black hair was slightly tousled by the wind, his shirt collar casually open, revealing his collarbone.
The young man's shadow left an impression in the young woman's eyes.
"We're here. I'll go park first, you two get out and wander around as you like."
Sofia watched the two get out of the car and couldn't help but show an auntie-like smile.
Her driving skills really weren't good—parking would also take two hours. You two just take your time wandering around.
Homhot Commercial District.
The central crystal tower was like a giant glow stick, constantly flashing purple light.
Walking on the bluestone pavement, looking at the colorful shop signs around the street, Felyn felt like he had returned to his original world.
Various fragrances floated in the air—barbecue, takoyaki, fruit tea, the perfume scent from the girl beside him—as if all the beautiful scents in the world had gathered here.
Felyn couldn't help but look back at Sofia's slowly departing car, unable to resist complaining: was there really a place to study here?
Although he didn't know the reason, Felyn could feel that Sofia was trying hard to match him with Viloti.
This teacher was really good to him, because even if he and Viloti didn't work out, logically speaking, he would end up getting a breakup fee.
Felyn didn't blame Sofia. She simply didn't know about the contract between him and Silafiel. If he really did that, what he'd receive would be burial fees rather than breakup fees.
But would Viloti also allow Sofia to act so recklessly?
He squinted his eyes, his gaze falling on Viloti.
Every passing man and woman couldn't help but look back at Viloti.
Viloti was like the champion cherry blossom selected from all the cherry blossoms in the world, attracting everyone's attention.
The evening breeze was somewhat cool. She wore a cream-white knit cardigan over a pink dress, with the sleeves slightly rolled up.
A light brown thin leather belt was tied around her waist, and a dark blue butterfly brooch was pinned to her lapel.
Could it be that after the contract ended, Viloti really couldn't let him go, which was why she agreed to Sofia's plan?
Felyn quickly dismissed this thought in his mind.
This young lady couldn't possibly think so much. When it came to interpersonal relationships, she was purely an idiot.
Maybe she was simply responding to Sofia's request to help him with supplementary lessons.
"Young sir, would you like to have your beautiful girlfriend try our latest [Serafina] necklace? Your girlfriend's temperament really suits it perfectly."
"You're mistaken, we're not in a romantic relationship."
"What a pity, you two are such a perfect match..."
Felyn crossed his arms, rejecting the store clerk's sales pitch while quickly glancing at Viloti.
She gripped her handbag tightly with both hands, her head slightly lowered.
Even her pink hair tips curled up shyly, hanging on her shoulders as if waiting for someone to touch them.
Those amber eyes avoided Felyn's side, but occasionally would quickly look toward him before quickly looking away.
Felyn felt somewhat troubled.
He couldn't guess Viloti's thoughts, nor was he inclined to try.
Otherwise, he'd be like some innocent young man who, seeing a girl occasionally show shy expressions, would think "she must like me."
Having emotional entanglements with a former client was fundamentally a problem with his work—he hadn't made a clean break with her.
So, he needed to nip this unknown feeling in the bud.
While thinking this, Felyn and the others arrived at the coffee shop Sofia had mentioned.
It was located in a small alley in the commercial district, surrounded by old brick walls covered with climbing vines, as if separated into two different worlds from the bustling main street.
The staff member seemed to be Sofia's acquaintance. She led the two to a corner on the top floor. Here they wouldn't be disturbed, and they could see the full view of Homhot Street.
Drinking sweetened coffee while looking at the night view and saying sweet things—this was the perfect venue for lovers' dates.
"Two house specials, plus one Karomus cake, please."
Felyn closed the menu and handed it to the server.
Viloti supported herself on the stool with both hands, her feet couldn't help but swing slightly.
That was her favorite cake. Felyn still remembered her taste—he was still thinking of her.
Only Viloti didn't know that the Karomus cake on the menu had been circled by someone, with a line of text.
It read:
[I checked—Viloti loves eating this. Choose it quickly!!!]
Viloti sat by the window, looking at the couples holding hands below, and couldn't help but glance at Felyn again.
Her gaze fell on Felyn's hands, and fantasies of herself also holding hands with Felyn floated through her mind.
"Viloti? Are you feeling unwell?"
Felyn watched as Viloti suddenly gulped down several mouthfuls of bitter coffee, her face almost merging with her hair color.
"No, I was thirsty."
Viloti replied expressionlessly, but her hands hidden under the table gripped the tablecloth tightly.
This coffee is so bitter!
The tutoring session began in this indescribable atmosphere.
"So the formula here means this..."
Viloti immersed herself in her own world, the corners of her mouth couldn't help but curve upward slightly.
Her usually cold demeanor became especially alluring because of this arc.
On one side was soothing elven music, on the other the aroma of coffee beans and cake.
Most importantly, that familiar person sat right beside her, very close. And because of the tutoring, he wouldn't leave for the time being.
Viloti couldn't help but swing her legs again, and her tone gained some inflection.
These past few days she could feel that Felyn seemed to be deliberately avoiding her.
But now, it felt like everything had returned to before, as if Felyn was still that person who would never leave her.
How wonderful.
"Excuse me, you two, there's a girl downstairs looking for a customer named Felyn. Are you...?"
Watching the server approach with an apologetic expression, Viloti furrowed her brow.
Downstairs, a girl, looking for Felyn.
Her hand reached into her bag, searching for the seventh-order seal.
(End of Chapter)