Chapter 77
When we went inside, I saw a staircase leading downward. That made it even clearer—this place was absolutely not a dessert café.
Ding─
The bell rang as the door opened, revealing a dimly lit interior. Soft music drifted through the air.
The place was a small eatery with only a circular table in the center and chairs around it. It seemed like the owner prepared food right at the center of the table.
“More like a pub than a restaurant,” I thought.
That didn’t matter. What mattered was that this wasn’t the place I had in mind.
Ah, now that I think about it, I probably hadn’t specifically told Joshua it was a dessert café. That must be why he chose this place…
I didn’t know. And at this point, it was too late to change it.
“Please, have a seat.”
An elderly man with snow-white hair, presumably the owner, gestured toward the seats. Having missed the chance to leave, I sat down with Rizley.
Looking around, we were the only customers. I couldn’t tell if it was normally empty or if Joshua had rented the whole place.
The man handed us a sheet with the menu.
It was modest, to say the least—just a few snack items like fries and only five types of alcohol.
“So, it’s a pub.”
“Yes. You must be new here, miss and sir.”
Rizley murmured something as he glanced at the menu, and the owner responded in a gentle voice as if he had heard everything.
Rizley and I smiled awkwardly. The owner seemed entirely unfazed, just focused on his work.
“Have you decided what to order?”
“Well… we’ve never been to a place like this, so just something simple. We already ate.”
Rizley ordered naturally. I felt relieved—I was the one who suggested coming here first, so I had worried I might have to do it, but it wasn’t necessary.
He was clearly thoughtful, not just toward me, but toward everyone.
Once the owner disappeared to prepare the food, Rizley spoke quietly.
“How did you find this place?”
“Well… I didn’t. Joshua insisted we had to come here.”
“Joshua? The man who was guarding you earlier?”
“Yes.”
“Knowing a place I don’t… is he from around here?”
“I’m not sure. I never asked.”
“I see.”
“Mm.”
After that short exchange, silence fell. It was so awkward that even during conversation, we barely met each other’s eyes, and now it felt even more unbearable.
Thinking about it, it had been a long time since we’d last met, and we had both reached maturity…
We could no longer pretend ignorance. The tension between Rizley and me was subtle but undeniable.
It wasn’t intentional. It was all the environment’s fault.
“…You’re the first.”
Trying to distract myself by focusing on the sound of dishes, I heard Rizley speak cautiously. She seemed to be trying to break the awkwardness by initiating conversation, but what did she mean by “the first”?
“Huh?”
“You’re the first to see me after I reached maturity.”
Come to think of it, the same applied to me.
After Zeius left, I had reached maturity, so among the heirs of other families, Rizley was the first to see me in this state.
“Oh, then I’m your first too?”
“Really?”
Her sudden, louder voice startled me slightly. Rizley’s face was a little flushed. Somehow she attributed a meaning to my words I hadn’t intended.
“Sorry, I overreacted.”
“It’s fine.”
Realizing she had also overdone her reaction, Rizley awkwardly brushed her hair back and sat down.
At that moment, the food arrived: marinated sashimi, fries, and…
“Beer.”
The owner, pointing to a frothy glass, explained it as if I’d never seen it before.
I knew that yellow liquid was beer, but I’d never actually tasted it. Even in my previous life, I hadn’t touched alcohol—partly due to lack of opportunity, partly because I wasn’t interested.
Even now, my feelings hadn’t changed, but for some reason, here, I felt like I had to try it.
No one had forced me to drink.
“Rizley.”
“Hm?”
“Have you tried alcohol?”
“Yes. The day I reached maturity.”
“With whom?”
“With my mother. She said it was something I had to do immediately, so I drank…”
Rizley’s expression darkened mid-sentence, as if recalling that day was painful.
So that day… the head of the family didn’t go easy on you.
It all made sense. How hard that day must have been.
“And you?”
Shaking off the memory, Rizley asked me.
“Not yet. I only recently reached maturity.”
“Ah, then should we wait until later to drink?”
“No, I’ll try just a sip.”
I wasn’t sure about my tolerance, but a small sip should be fine.
Unlike me, Rizley looked worried.
It wasn’t about getting drunk—just a little to feel good. That would even create a better atmosphere for Rizley to confess!
“To a toast, cheers!”
Unable to resist my persistence, Rizley joined in.
“Crrk!”
It was slightly bitter, but not unpleasant, and I emptied the glass in one go.
I felt a little dizzy, but thought it was just my imagination.
About five minutes later, while listening to Rizley talk about her family, I grabbed a fry and looked at her—only to see her face suddenly spinning.
“Huh?”
I laughed, pointing at her face, wondering how it could spin like that.
Rizley, who had been quietly talking with her chin in her hand, paused and looked at me.
“Senica?”
“Wow, how are you doing that?”
“Hm? Doing what?”
“You’re spinning all by yourself! I want to try!”
I stood up, wanting to try the ability too, but just as I started, the world seemed to tilt and something hard touched my cheek.
What had just happened?
The thought process was slow. After blinking, I realized what touched my cheek.
“…A stone?”
A smooth, white, polished stone.
It was on the floor—why did it hit my cheek?
Rizley grabbed my shoulders and helped me stand, answering my question.
I had fallen as soon as I stood. Seeing this, Rizley had rushed to help me up.
By now, I began to realize my state.
“…I think I’m drunk.”
“You should’ve told me you’re sensitive to alcohol.”
“I’ve never tried it…”
My words trailed off.
Rizley clicked her tongue and, with the owner’s help, carried me.
“Already leaving the place?”
“Miss it?”
“Of course!”
“Let’s come again.”
“Yeah!”
For some reason, Rizley knew exactly how to handle me.
The bell on the door rang again as a gust of wind blew in—not cold, but enough to awaken my senses. I wasn’t fully sober yet, but I remembered why I had come here.
“Wait a minute.”
“Feeling like vomiting?”
“No… just let me down for a moment.”
Rizley set me down before climbing the stairs. My body tilted slightly, but she steadied me.
I released Rizley’s arm from my shoulder and grabbed her instead—well, her forearm, since she was taller.
“Don’t you have something to say to me?”
“Huh? Uh… is it okay?”
“Not that!”
From her flustered expression, I could see she was unsure how to handle the situation.
“What should I say to you?”
“Yes! Something you want to say to me!”
Rizley’s eyebrows furrowed slightly. She had no clue.
Fine, I’ll help her out.
“You’re going to confess to me, right?”
“…Huh?”
“A confession! You know what that means, right?”
“….”
The stairs were dark, but unfortunately, the light from the streetlamps outside the entrance illuminated her face perfectly.
So, her flushed face was clearly visible.
I’d noticed before—she couldn’t lie. Even if she wanted to, her body was too honest to hide it.
“You were planning to confess when we met, right? Right?”
“….”
I was confident, but Rizley remained silent.
Hmm, this isn’t good. She needs to confess here for me to reject her if I want to.
Now’s the time! Confess already!
I stepped closer, eyes sparkling, looking up at her.
Rizley, looking down at me, closed her eyes as I approached.
Was I the only one feeling desperate?
“Don’t you like me?”
I asked again. Rizley sighed deeply and opened her eyes.
Her golden eyes met mine, but I saw sadness in them—as if she already foresaw her own future.
“…What if I like you?”
“Hm? What if you like me?”
“Yes. If I like you, what happens to us?”
Her voice trembled.
I was taken aback. I didn’t expect such a question. I thought this would lead to a confession, but the situation had taken a completely different turn.
“Do I even have a chance?”
“…Huh?”
Alcohol clouded her mind, so only a silly answer came out.
Rizley’s eyes reddened as she bit her lower lip and then, in a restrained voice, said:
“You’re really cruel.”
