"W-Well..." Noah's smile stiffened slightly.
He could already tell that he was walking into dangerous territory. "I'm also buying something for my master, Akari."
The moment those words left his mouth, Arisha tightened her grip on his hand.
Her expression remained relatively calm, but the pressure against his fingers told a different story. "You really are something..."
"Hey! Why are you looking at me like that? You're misunderstanding everything!"
"Am I?"
"Of course! Can't I buy a few souvenirs for the people important to me?"
Arisha tilted her head, her long violet hair swaying gently with the movement.
"Oh, really~?"
"Yes, really!"
"I can understand buying something for your mother. That's perfectly normal."
She paused deliberately. "But why Lady Akari?"
Noah nearly stumbled. 'Why does it feel like I'm being interrogated?'
He turned toward her with an aggrieved expression. "Come on! She's my master!"
"Your master, huh?"
"Exactly!"
