Chapter 29
After leaving Senzaemon's office, Alice and Erina walked home along the school's winding stone paths.
"Erina, why do you think Grandfather suddenly wants to invite Mineo-kun to have dinner at our house? Could it be that Grandfather really intends to set the two of you up?"
"Set us up!!!???"
Hearing Alice's words, Erina's face flushed a deep crimson once again.
"Alice... d-don't talk such nonsense! Mineo-kun possesses the God's Tongue... it's only natural that Grandfather would want to meet him... Can you please stop with these groundless speculations!"
"My speculations don't matter. What matters is that every time Mineo is mentioned, you get incredibly tense. Look at how red your face is right now. No one would believe the two of you don't have a special relationship!"
Alice fixed Erina with a sharp, knowing gaze before continuing:
"Of course, if you really aren't interested in Mineo-kun, then I'm going to start making my move on him."
"Mineo-kun's Molecular Gastronomy skills are top-tier; we're a perfect match."
"He's a great cook and he's handsome. I think I'll confess my feelings to him as soon as I get home."
Hearing this, Erina felt a surge of genuine unease. Seeing Alice skip ahead cheerfully, Erina immediately chased after her and grabbed her hand.
"Alice, don't you dare make a mistake! Expressing romantic feelings is such an embarrassing thing... you really shouldn't do it..."
"Embarrassing!?"
Alice rolled her eyes at Erina's protest.
"My dear cousin, Miss God's Tongue, are you living in the prehistoric ages?"
"In this day and age, if you meet someone you like and don't act immediately, you'll lose your chance."
"I'm not like you, having to maintain the dignity of a princess every single second. Acting decisively toward what I like—that is my character."
"Erina, you look so flustered right now. Could my guess be right? You... actually like Mineo-kun!?"
"Nonsense... I... I don't like him... I don't..."
Erina's voice began to falter. Even though she had known Mineo for years, they had only officially met in person once today.
There was no way she could have fallen in love with him instantly. She just felt that... she didn't dislike him.
Seeing Erina stammer, Alice spoke bluntly:
"Forget it, Erina. I don't care what's going on in your head. Anyway, my stance remains the same. Mineo-kun fits my criteria perfectly. If the feelings are right, I wouldn't mind making him my boyfriend."
"But that's a matter for later."
"Grandfather has invited Mineo-kun for dinner; we need to get home and prepare."
"Prepare? Prepare for what?"
"Preparing new outfits!"
"???"
"Why on earth do we need to prepare new outfits just because Mineo-kun is coming over for a meal?"
Seeing Erina's adorably innocent face, Alice leaned into her ear and whispered with a mischievous grin:
"There's one thing I forgot to tell you, Erina."
"Earlier at Mineo-kun's restaurant, I whispered something to him that made him agree to the offer of becoming a teacher at our school."
"So, what exactly did you say to him, Alice?"
"I told Mineo-kun that if he was willing to accept our invitation, I would persuade you to wear a maid costume with me for him to see! And Mineo-kun agreed instantly!"
"...."
The moment Alice finished speaking, the hair on Erina's neck stood on end. The proud Young Lady practically exploded with fury, her pale face turning a burning shade of red.
Erina's body trembled violently, her voice becoming high-pitched and emotional:
"A maid costume?"
"Alice... h-how could you say something so utterly shameful... I-I won't allow it... I don't agree!"
"Who would ever agree to something like that! Alice... y-you're the one who made the promise to Mineo, so you're the one who has to wear it!"
"I... Erina Nakiri... even if I have to jump off the school building, I would never do something so humiliating and undignified!"
Alice didn't feel the slightest bit of guilt after setting her cousin up. She replied nonchalantly:
"What is there to be ashamed of? This isn't embarrassing at all. I know you don't hate Mineo-kun; in fact, you have quite a good impression of him, don't you?"
"Besides, I'm personally looking forward to seeing the look of embarrassment on your face while you're wearing a maid uniform."
"Just listen to me!"
"I already promised Mineo-kun that this would be a little bonus for him agreeing to become a teacher. It seems like you really want Mineo-kun to teach at Totsuki Academy too, don't you?"
"Oh, come on... set aside that noble lady pride of yours for a moment. This is called having the courage to break through your own boundaries, understand?"
"My cousin is so beautiful; wearing a maid uniform will surely give Mineo a massive shock."
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