Originally, Genichi had planned to head straight back to the familia and start making potions.
After all, he still owed Tsubaki sixty million valis for his equipment.
Sixty million was no small sum.
So he needed to get the potions made as soon as possible, keep the sales flowing steadily afterward, recover the funds quickly, and save up the rest of the money as soon as he could.
The plan was perfect.
However...
Demeter stood beside him, looking up at him with those amber eyes in a pitiful, pleading way.
That look was like a little dog begging to be taken out to play. It was almost impossible to refuse.
Genichi looked at her and fell silent for a moment.
Then he let out a helpless sigh.
"Fine."
He gave a wry smile and shook his head.
"You can go wherever you want today. I'll go with you."
Demeter's eyes lit up instantly.
Those amber eyes sparkled with excitement, brighter than the stars in the sky.
"You said it."
Her voice carried undisguised delight.
"No taking it back."
Genichi looked at her expression and the corners of his mouth lifted slightly, forming a helpless smile.
"I won't."
However...
He regretted those words very quickly.
No matter what Genichi had imagined, he had never expected Demeter to drag him into... a women's lingerie shop.
Yes. A lingerie shop.
Lace, gauze, silk. Countless sets of underwear in every color, every style, every design filled the entire store.
A faint fragrance lingered in the air, and the soft lighting cast the whole place in a hazy, intimate mood.
Genichi froze the instant he stepped through the door.
He turned his head and looked at Demeter.
His dark eyes clearly said, Are you serious?
But Demeter seemed completely oblivious.
She walked into the shop enthusiastically, her gaze sweeping across the displays until she quickly picked out a few sets she liked.
Then she picked one up, turned around, and held it up in front of Genichi.
It was a black lace set, as thin as cicada wings, half-concealing and half-revealing.
The hollowed floral patterns traced out a seductive shape, and the thin shoulder straps made it look even more daring.
Genichi looked away.
"Well? Does it look good?"
Demeter's voice rang out, carrying a trace of teasing laughter.
Genichi remained silent.
What was he supposed to say?
Say it looked good?
Wouldn't that be admitting exactly what she wanted to hear?
Say it did not look good?
He could only stay silent.
Seeing that he would not answer, Demeter picked up another set.
This one was purple, even lighter and more revealing.
"What about this one?"
Genichi continued his silence.
Demeter picked up another.
Red, hot as fire.
White, pure and flawless.
Pink, sweet and lovely.
Each time, she seriously held it up in front of him and seriously asked for his opinion.
Genichi stood there with a blank expression.
But inside, a storm was already raging.
This woman...
Was she really just asking whether they looked good?
She was obviously trying to tempt him.
But Genichi's will was strong enough.
No matter how Demeter modeled them or asked for his opinion, he kept the same expressionless face, as if all he was looking at were ordinary pieces of cloth, not enough temptation to set any man's blood boiling.
Demeter looked at him like that and nearly ground her teeth in frustration.
She had already been this obvious, and yet this guy really was not reacting at all?
She began to doubt herself.
Had she really lost her charm?
Or was this guy not even a man?
No, that was not right.
Back in the Dungeon, when he had grabbed Alise's chest, he had definitely reacted.
So why was there no reaction to her?
Was she actually less attractive than that little girl Alise?
The more Demeter thought about it, the angrier she got.
Finally, she bit down and made a bold decision.
She grabbed Genichi's hand and pulled him toward the fitting room.
Genichi froze for a second. Before he could react, he was already being dragged inside.
By the time he realized what she intended to do, it was too late.
Demeter locked the door behind them and stood in front of it, those amber eyes gleaming with a dangerous light.
"Demeter..."
Genichi's voice came out a little dry.
"I don't think I should really be in here..."
Demeter ignored his attempt to struggle.
She walked forward and shoved him into the corner.
Then she lifted her head and stared directly into his eyes.
There was a resolute light in those amber eyes, one that allowed no doubt.
"Look properly."
Her voice was low and firm.
The next second, she let her dress slide slowly down.
She stood there before him, no longer hiding anything.
Genichi's pupils contracted slightly.
His breathing stopped for an instant.
But he still stood there without moving.
Demeter watched him, waiting for his response.
Yet Genichi only looked at her quietly.
After a moment, he spoke.
"Demeter."
His voice was calm, but it carried a weight that could not be ignored.
"Do you know what you're doing?"
Demeter was slightly taken aback.
"Of course I do."
Her voice trembled a little, but it remained firm.
"I like you, Genichi."
"From the moment you collapsed in that pool of blood, I already knew."
"I don't want to wait anymore."
Genichi fell silent.
He looked at her, at the emotion burning in those amber eyes, at the honesty she made no effort to conceal.
A long while passed.
Then he let out a soft sigh.
He bent down, picked up Demeter's dress, and helped her put it back on.
"Put this on."
"You don't need to do this."
Demeter froze.
She looked at the dress draped over herself, then at Genichi's calm, still eyes. A flood of complicated emotions rose in her heart.
Disappointment. Sadness. And also... a kind of warmth she could not quite describe.
"Why?"
Her voice choked slightly.
"Don't you like me?"
Genichi was silent for a moment.
Then he paused and answered.
"It's just that now isn't the time."
Demeter raised her head and looked at him.
"Then when will it be the right time?"
Genichi did not answer directly.
He only reached out and gently wiped away the tears gathering at the corners of her eyes.
His voice was quiet, but it carried a certainty that left no room for doubt.
"When I've dealt with all my enemies."
He paused.
"When that day comes, I'll give you my answer."
Demeter looked at him for a long time without speaking.
Then she smiled.
There was relief in that smile, and anticipation too, along with quiet happiness.
"All right."
She spoke softly.
"I'll wait for you."
Inside the fitting room, the two of them stood facing each other in silence.
(End of Chapter)
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