(50 Power Stone Bonus)
Chapter 126
Since she was a child, Erina had always been confident in herself.
Whether it was her talent or her upbringing, she always felt that she wouldn't lose to anyone.
However, even with the God's Tongue, her masterful culinary skills, and her considerable wealth—so what?
She was still just an "ordinary human"!
At the very least, compared to Mineo, she might truly be very "ordinary."
Because Mineo possessed a mysterious, illogical power.
Even though Erina didn't know the full extent of his abilities, she was now painfully aware that the world she inhabited and the world Mineo belonged to were two completely different concepts!
The moment she thought about this, Erina felt unsettled and anxious.
Why did the thought of a distance between her and Mineo make her heart feel so heavy?
Could it be that she really... already had those kinds of feelings for Mineo?
In truth, Erina had liked Mineo for a long time; she just always held herself back.
Deep down, Erina didn't truly understand what it felt like to actually love someone.
Being with Mineo-kun—even though she was often infuriated by his sharp tongue—always made her feel incredibly relaxed and happy.
What was that saying again?
If a man doesn't have a bit of a naughty side, he won't leave a deep impression on a girl's heart.
Mineo often used his words to tease her, even bullying and tricking her at times. While Erina got genuinely angry occasionally, there was no denying that his image in her heart grew deeper piece by piece.
The incident where her foot was injured while following Mineo up the mountain last time had finally made Erina realize her true feelings.
To say she was "madly in love" would be unrealistic, but at the very least, Mineo was the only person who had shattered her "Ice Queen" mask and brought her genuine joy, anger, sadness, and happiness.
Erina often thought to herself: If this jerk Mineo actually pursued me, I'm afraid I wouldn't be able to refuse him at all. And even if she did refuse, it would likely only be due to her pride as a young lady.
With Mineo's thick-skinned, roguish character, he was a lethal weapon when it came to dealing with women.
Erina had also thought that if she and Mineo ever officially dated, it would be Mineo's good fortune.
She even haughtily imagined that if she accepted his advances, it would be because he was lucky enough to receive her grace.
But now, Mineo was different!
Every time Erina felt she finally understood him, he would reveal something utterly extraordinary.
As things progressed, Erina realized that the one feeling uneasy—the one feeling inferior—was actually herself.
Before, she felt that being a match for Mineo was his luck.
But now, she had been left far behind by him.
No, more accurately, Mineo had likely been extraordinary for a very long time.
It was only because she was an "ignorant, ordinary person" that she couldn't see the height of the stage where Mineo stood!
As these thoughts swirled, Erina's mind became a chaotic mess.
This jerk, why does he have to be so incredible?
Wouldn't it be better if you were just a bit more normal?
If you were a bit more ordinary, I wouldn't lose my confidence whenever I face you, right?
Thinking this, Erina stole a glance at Mineo.
However, seeing Mineo just staring off at the scenery, Erina felt a surge of annoyance.
In the past, this jerk would actively come to tease her or flirt with her whether there was a reason or not.
Why was he suddenly being so serious today?
She had worked so hard to gather the courage to come up here alone with him for a "date."
And yet, he was acting like this.
Erina realized she really wanted to stomp on Mineo's foot as hard as she could, just to let him know that she had emotions too and deserved to be acknowledged!
Just as Erina was about to stomp on him to get his attention, Mineo suddenly turned his head and looked at her.
Startled, Erina instinctively averted her gaze, as if she didn't want him to know she had been watching him secretly.
Seeing Erina hurriedly look away, Mineo spoke in a teasing tone.
"If you want to look at me, then just do it openly and honestly!"
"What's the fun in sneaking peeks? As long as Erina wants, I'll let you look at me every day! Do you want me to sit closer so you can admire me from point-blank range?"
Hearing Mineo's words, Erina instantly flushed with embarrassment and anger.
"You... you jerk, what are you talking about so recklessly!"
"Don't... don't be so full of yourself, okay? Who would want to look at someone like you..."
"I... I was just looking at the scenery behind you by chance! Don't you dare misunderstand me!"
"And another thing, Mineo, why... why won't you answer my question directly!"
"Could it be that in your heart... I... I really am just the type who..."
"Is Erina worried about something?"
Under the moonlight, Mineo watched Erina, a faint smile flowing within his pitch-black pupils.
"Is Erina afraid that in my heart, I only think of you as an ordinary friend?"
"I... I'm not afraid at all... I... I was just asking... if you don't want to answer, you don't have to say anything..."
"If I said that in my heart, Erina isn't a simple 'ordinary friend' at all, what would you do?"
Hearing Mineo's words, Erina froze for a moment.
"What... what is that supposed to mean? I... I don't understand!"
"It's very simple. I mean to say that I have never thought of Erina as just an ordinary friend..."
"Probably about two or three months after meeting you, I already considered Erina to be a very, very good friend!"
"Look, even though Erina never sends me pretty pictures of herself and often acts like a spoiled princess, I find that interacting and chatting with you is actually very fun and relaxing!"
"Then, after the two of us officially met in person, I realized my thoughts had changed once again."
"Erina, you've started to hold a special place in my heart!"
— — — — — — — — — — — — — — — —
50 Power Stone = 1 Bonus Chapter (Up to 5 bonus chapters per week).
Read ahead and support the story on Patreon: patreon.com/FaaanzKun
✅ 110+ chapters ahead of WebNovel
✅ 2-6 new chapters every day (Monday–Saturday), exclusive on Patreon
— — — — — — — — — — — — — — — —