Imaizumi Keita felt that his influence on Yakishio hadn't reached the level of Yanami...
However, Yakishio's feedback was coming much more strongly than Yanami's...
This is the irreplaceable warmth brought to him by different girls...
Even if he didn't have a Succubus Constitution and didn't need to absorb energy, he would still try to interact with different girls...
Imaizumi Keita typed out a reply on the screen readily.
"Sure. Shall we head there directly after running tomorrow?"
The message was sent, and the other party replied almost instantly.
"Yeah! It's a deal! No backing out! [Victory.jpg]"
Looking at the emoji on the screen full of excitement, the smile at the corner of Imaizumi Keita's mouth deepened.
It seems tomorrow's "morning exercise" will become a bit more interesting than usual.
...
The next day.
After the morning run, the two walked together towards the shaved ice shop Shioyaki Lemon had mentioned.
That shop was located in an alley in a Commercial Street not far from the school; the storefront wasn't big, but it was decorated quite exquisitely.
"This is it!"
Shioyaki Lemon pointed at the indigo-dyed curtain hanging at the entrance, her face full of excitement.
The two walked into the shop and found that there were already a few tables of customers sitting scattered about.
They chose a seat by the window and sat down.
"What flavor do you want to eat, Kin-chan?"
Shioyaki Lemon pushed the menu in front of him, and she leaned over, studying it with great interest, "Wow, this Uji Kintoki looks amazing! And this strawberry milk one, it feels like it would be delicious too!"
"You order for me, I trust your taste."
Imaizumi Keita handed the choice over to her.
"Eh? Are you sure?"
Shioyaki Lemon's eyes lit up, and she immediately took over the ordering power without hesitation.
She raised her hand high and called out to the shop assistant:
"Waiter! One Uji Kintoki here, and one Melon Shaved Ice! Thank you!"
After ordering, she turned to look at Imaizumi Keita, sticking her tongue out a bit sheepishly.
"Hehe... I accidentally ordered based on my own preferences. You don't mind, do you, Kin-chan?"
"I don't mind," Imaizumi Keita shook his head. "They both sound pretty delicious anyway."
The shaved ice was served quickly.
Two porcelain bowls were piled with mountain-like mounds of fine shaved ice, drizzled with rich fruit syrup and loaded with toppings.
"I'm digging in!"
Shioyaki Lemon put her hands together and said it with a sense of ceremony.
Then she picked up her spoon and shoved a large scoop of shaved ice into her mouth.
"Mmm...! Delicious!"
The cold, sweet flavor melted instantly in her mouth, making her squint her eyes happily.
Imaizumi Keita also picked up his spoon and tasted the Melon Shaved Ice in front of him.
The delicate shaved ice melted on his tongue, the refreshing melon juice paired with the creaminess of the ice cream; the taste was indeed quite good.
While eating the shaved ice, Shioyaki Lemon observed Imaizumi Keita's reaction.
"How is it, how is it? Good, right?"
"Yeah, it tastes great."
Receiving an affirmative answer, the smile on Shioyaki Lemon's face grew even brighter.
The two ate their shaved ice facing each other, the atmosphere much more relaxed than the "double date" from before.
Without Ayano and Asagumo there as a couple, Shioyaki Lemon felt much more at ease.
Her attention was entirely focused on the shaved ice in front of her and Imaizumi Keita across from her.
"Ah, Kin-chan, here's a dango for you!"
She naturally scooped up a glutinous rice dango from her bowl with her spoon and reached across the table, offering it directly to Imaizumi Keita's lips.
This action was too sudden, and too intimate.
Imaizumi Keita looked at the spoon stopped by his mouth, then at Shioyaki Lemon's eyes, which were full of "hurry up and try it," and he was slightly dazed.
He obediently opened his mouth and ate the dango.
The soft, chewy texture, along with the slight bitterness of the matcha and the sweetness of the condensed milk, spread throughout his mouth.
"Hehe, good, right?"
Shioyaki Lemon withdrew her spoon, a proud smile appearing on her face.
Seeing her like this, Imaizumi Keita used his own spoon to scoop a piece of ice cream mixed with melon juice from his bowl and offered it to her, mimicking her earlier action.
"As a return gift."
"Eh?"
Shioyaki Lemon was stunned.
She looked at the spoon right in front of her, then at Imaizumi Keita's eyes with their faint smile, and the temperature of her cheeks began to rise uncontrollably.
Feeding him voluntarily versus being fed by him in return... the feeling was completely different!
Seeing her dazed, silly look, Imaizumi Keita's tone took on a bit of teasing.
"What, not eating? Then I'll take it back."
"Who—who said I'm not eating!"
Shioyaki Lemon snapped out of it and immediately retorted, stiffening her neck.
She leaned forward slightly and, with a bit of shame, opened her mouth and ate it.
The taste of the ice cream blossomed on her tongue, making her feel sweet from the tip of her tongue to the bottom of her heart.
She lowered her head and unconsciously stirred the shaved ice in her bowl with her spoon, not daring to look into Imaizumi Keita's eyes again.
...
This guy Kin-chan...
He definitely did it on purpose!
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