"Recently my doctor told me my stomach isn't in great shape."
Shuya looked straight at the girl across from him, deadpan, spinning the lie without missing a beat.
"Really?"
Mitsuri's eyes went wide with surprise. She didn't know much about medicine, but she understood the word "stomach" just fine—everyone talked about their appetite all the time. She didn't doubt him for a second.
Instead she leaned in, genuinely concerned. "In that case, Shuya-san, you really should eat more for your health—especially when you've got an appetite like right now."
She paused, then patted her own belly and added in a small voice, "But… I'm already full. I can't keep you company anymore."
Shuya put on a disappointed face. "Ah, that makes sense. My stomach's been acting up lately, so I usually don't have much of an appetite. But for some reason, watching you eat just now made me suddenly starving."
He sighed theatrically. "Since you're full, I'll just ask the waitress to cancel the next order."
"What? No!"
Mitsuri's head snapped up, eyes wide. She glanced down at her stomach, then back at him. After a second she shyly raised two fingers in a tiny "just a little" gesture.
"Actually… I could probably eat a tiny bit more. Just a tiny bit!"
Right on cue, the waitress brought out the fresh plates Shuya had ordered earlier.
"That's perfect," he said, sliding one set in front of her with a bright smile. "Then I'll be counting on you, Mitsuri-san."
"Mm!"
She gave a firm little nod, face lighting up like she'd been handed the easiest mission in the world. The food in front of her didn't look scary anymore—it looked delicious. She felt incredibly lucky. First blind date ever, and she'd met someone this kind? And she got to keep eating?
Still, she tried to stay ladylike. She ate in small, careful bites instead of her usual vacuum-cleaner style.
They polished off the second round in no time.
"Mitsuri-san, can we do one more?" Shuya asked, eyes pleading.
"Um…" She hesitated, looking torn, but finally gave in. "O-okay… but this is the last one, I swear."
The fourth plate came. Then the fifth. Then the sixth… all the way to the eighteenth.
Burp—
Mitsuri clapped both hands over her mouth, mortified. She stared at the towering stack of empty bowls and finally realized what had happened.
"Shuya-san… you…"
She looked at him, voice small. "You knew the whole time, didn't you?"
Shuya wiped his mouth with a conjured handkerchief and smiled. "Yeah. On a blind date, letting the other person sit there starving is basically a crime."
Mitsuri stood up, bowed deeply, and said in a voice thick with emotion, "Thank you, Shuya-san. Today was the best blind date I've ever had. I'll never forget it."
She turned to leave, heart heavy. A guy this amazing had seen her real appetite. No way he'd want her now. At least he'd been sweet enough to let her enjoy the evening.
"Mitsuri-san."
Shuya's voice stopped her cold. "What's this about? You don't like me?"
"Huh?" She spun around, eyes huge. "N-no! That's not it! I just… I just thought…"
She trailed off. She'd assumed he'd be disgusted once he knew the truth. That's why she was walking away—to keep the memory perfect.
But the way he was looking at her… it didn't sound like rejection at all.
Shuya stood up with an easy grin. "Since you're full, how about we take a walk? I just got to this area and I don't know my way around yet."
Her eyes sparkled. "Yes! I'd love to!"
After they paid—using gold he'd brought from the Highschool of the Dead world, because who cared about apocalypse currency—they stepped outside together.
Time flew. Before they knew it, the sun was dipping low, painting the sky in soft oranges and pinks. The golden light caught in Mitsuri's hair, turning the black strands a warm, glowing shade.
She couldn't remember the last time an afternoon had passed so quickly. Part of her wished it would slow down so she could stay with him just a little longer.
When they finally reached her front door, she gathered her courage and asked, "Shuya-san… what do you think of me?"
He smiled. "Can I answer that tomorrow?"
"Tomorrow?"
"Yep." He gave her a playful wink. "Let's go on another date tomorrow."
Before she could reply, he turned and walked off, leaving her standing there stunned.
A massive wave of joy slammed into her chest. She clutched her heart, watching his back disappear down the street. Her pulse hammered so hard she could feel it in her ears.
All her earlier worries flipped in an instant.
Please let tomorrow come faster.
By the time the last rays of sunset faded, Shuya was heading back toward Greed Island to eat dinner with the girls and talk about the new world.
But something felt off.
The streets were way too quiet.
Man-eating demons?
He smirked, aura already stirring.
Was just thinking about coming to find you guys. Looks like you saved me the trip.
Shuya's voice cut through the silence, cold and calm.
"Come out."