Chapter 9
The tense agitation Erina was experiencing at this moment was, of course, something Mineo couldn't see.
After noticing that Erina hadn't replied to his message for quite a while, he sent one more follow-up:
"Why have you gone quiet? Do you not want to meet me?"
"I... I shouldn't! Mineo-kun... this is truly too fast! We... we haven't even met officially... we... don't really know each other yet... it shouldn't be like this..."
"What do you mean too fast or too slow! Erina, what exactly is going on in that head of yours!? What I meant was, I'm going to Japan to take care of some business! Didn't you say you wanted to taste my cooking? So I was just asking if you wanted to meet up. If you don't, then fine, forget it!"
Only after seeing Mineo's reply did Erina realize that her imagination had run way too far ahead of her!
She bit her lip and quickly typed a response.
"Mineo-kun, then what did you mean by telling me to 'get ready'!"
"What did I mean? Don't you tell me every day how busy you are? So I thought I'd tell you early so you could clear your schedule... I say, Erina, you weren't just thinking about whether we should meet and start a romantic relationship in the real world, were you...?"
"I... don't talk nonsense! This... This Young Lady never thought of such a thing! Mineo-kun... it's all because the way you speak is so unclear... y-you're truly a bad person, the worst person in the entire world!"
Good grief! I just asked if she had time, and that makes me a bad person!?
Erina, your train of thought is truly too strange for anyone to understand!
The corners of Mineo's mouth twitched. A second later, he replied:
"Whether I'm a bad person or not, that's a matter for later!"
"Right now, I'm only asking you this: do you want to come out and eat with me or not! You only need to answer 'willing' or 'unwilling'!"
"Eating... if it's just eating... I suppose... but... but is it just the two of us?"
"Yeah, if not, who else would I invite? Do you want to bring Alice along too?"
"No! Absolutely not! You must not bring Alice!"
Erina fired back the message almost instantly.
By now, Erina's pale face was flushing even deeper, feeling hot to the touch.
Just the two of us... eating together...
Isn't... isn't that... a date?
No... it's not a date! Mineo-kun and I are just friends, we're simply having a meal together!
It's definitely not a date, definitely not!!!
After desperately trying to calm herself down with that logic, Erina's breathing finally returned to normal.
"As for the meal, I agree. So, when is Mineo-kun arriving?"
"I just booked the plane ticket; I should be there tomorrow. Once I reach the location, I'll send you the position! You can just come over then."
"V-Very well... I... I will cancel all of my travel plans for tomorrow..."
"Okay, then it's a deal. I'm really looking forward to seeing what you look like. Make sure to dress up and look pretty!"
Seeing the message Mineo sent, Erina's face instantly flared up again!
"Mineo-kun, w-what are you thinking about so carelessly! I-I'm only eating with you, I won't go out of my way to dress up... d-don't get any ideas!"
"Hey, Erina, regardless, this is our first meeting. Dressing up is a matter of basic politeness... If you don't want to, you can come dressed like a beggar for all I care! I just don't know if the restaurant will let you in!"
"You... how annoying... Mineo-kun, you're the beggar! This Young Lady... let me tell you, even without dressing up, this Young Lady is the most beautiful!!"
After being teased for so long by Mineo, the frustrated Erina felt like she was about to grind her teeth into powder!
In a fit of pique, she immediately threw her phone onto the sofa.
"Mineo-kun, you're truly annoying!"
"You're the beggar! You're the beggar!"
Just as she was fuming, the door to Erina's office was pushed open.
An adorable girl with pink hair walked in slowly, her face filled with curiosity.
"Erina-sama, what were you just saying?"
"Something about a beggar?"
"Did you see a beggar somewhere on the academy grounds?"
"Hisako... you misheard, I didn't say anything just now..."
"Oh..."
Hisako stared at Erina doubtfully.
Why is Erina-sama's face so red!?
Although she found it strange, seeing that her mistress wasn't willing to say more, Hisako didn't press the issue.
At that moment, Erina adjusted her emotions, returning to her usual noble and cold demeanor.
The next second, she spoke to Hisako:
"Hisako, whatever plans are on my schedule for tomorrow, cancel all of them!"
"This matter—help me take care of it as quickly as possible!"
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