"This is it?"
Kiernan looked at the sign above a small store that read "Gold Cake and Sweets," which was owned by Katharina's parents.
"Yeah. It looks like it is currently open."
Neal said as he saw Katherina's parents working behind the counter.
They were both quite old with gray hair, and only about twenty years ago, they were both single and hadn't been in a relationship.
However, that all changed suddenly as they happened to et by coincidence, fell in love with each other, and a few years after that fateful eting, they had Katherina.
They didn't have any more children after that, so their love towards Katherina was boundless.
"Let's go talk to them, then?"
Neal asked hesitantly, as he wasn't really sure how to approach her parents.
It would be pretty weird if they suddenly talked about Katherina without breaking the ice first, but since he was a bonafide introvert, he didn't know how to start a conversation.
"You'll wait here."
Kiernan grabbed him by the shoulder.
"Why?"
Neal asked with a frown.
"If you sohow manage to capture Katherina's heart in the future and go et her parents, they would point at you and yell, 'That's the snitch!' and Katherina would kick you out at the speed of light."
Kiernan said playfully, but that was a possibility that could happen.
"You're right…"
Neal rubbed his chin, agreed with the plan, and moved to a nearby alleyway to hide himself from any prying eyes.
Kiernan straightened his sleeves and entered the store with the sweet sll of baked goodies attacking his nose.
"Welco~"
A sweet-sounding woman said with a gentle smile, giving off a very grandmotherly vibe that would make everyone feel at ease.
It was why this place was so popular among the middle schoolers, as it sold delicious treats and had very nice owners.
"Hello."
Kiernan walked to the counter with a handso smile and looked up at the nu above with a thoughtful look.
"Ho, ho, ho, you must've co from the festival. How was it?"
She asked with a smile while wondering where this young man could've co from, as Sirkus City was quite a tight community.
While it wasn't completely clear to her, she guessed that she wasn't from Sirkus City and might've co from a neighboring town.
"It was really nice."
Kiernan replied and then saw a photograph on the counter—it showed a year younger Katherina standing right next to her.
"That girl in the photograph."
Kiernan pointed at it.
"Hmm?"
She turned to look at the photograph and smiled with pride.
"That's my daughter Katherina. Beautiful one, isn't she?"
"Yeah, I think I saw her at the festival. A maid cafe, I think it was."
The woman's eyes brightened, and she nodded enthusiastically.
"It must've been Katherina. She was supposed to be working there today, as she left in her maid costu."
"She was my waitress, and it was the best service I've ever had."
Kiernan said with a smile.
"Hehe."
She covered her mouth and giggled at his sweet words, even though she knew that he was most likely just saying it to be polite.
"I also saw her boyfriend, Travis. I guess it was his na. When I was their age, I didn't have a sweetheart. Well, I still don't. I guess I am a late bloor, sigh."
Kiernan said with a wry smile and shrugged his shoulders, then turned back to the nu to make it look like he was about to choose what to take.
"A boyfriend? What?"
She asked with a frown.
"Yes, Travis."
Kiernan answered back.
"I-I think you might've misunderstood. My Katherina isn't dating anyone. This Travis fellow must've been a classmate of sorts."
She said while sweating a little bit.
"Huh, really? I think they ntioned going on a date. I was sitting right behind Travis, you see. He then ntioned taking Katherina sowhere after the date. I thought it was pretty clear they were dating."
Kiernan said, and then pointed at the beautiful-looking pie in the nu screen.
"I shall take that pie with . It looks really nice."
"A-ah, yes…"
She looked quite taken aback, and with shaky hands, gave him the pie inside a small box and then quickly walked back to the kitchen.
It was clear that she went to talk to her husband, as a male voice sounded from over the kitchen, where they would bake their goodies for the store.
'I think that went well.'
With the box in hand, Kiernan walked out of the store, walked past the alleyway, and Neal joined him.
"How did it go?"
Neal asked.
"Very well."
Kiernan smiled.
…
The door opened, and Katherina, in her maid outfit, removed her black shoes, which had heart-shaped buckles, and put them on the rack by the door.
She then heard a sound from the living room—an unexpected shout.
"Katherina Wilma Whittle!"
The angry-sounding woman shouted from the couch.
With a look of confusion, Katherina walked to the living room and saw her parents sitting on the couch with heavy looks on their faces.
"Take a seat."
Her mother crossed her legs, and with crossed arms, tapped her foot impatiently.
"Okay…?"
Katherina dropped her backpack next to the couch and sat down, curious about what this was about.
She was supposed to go out to the city with Travis, but she then received a text ssage about her mother, that she needed to talk with her.
Therefore, she had to delay the visit until tomorrow, and even though Travis looked very impatient for so reason, he understood the situation and agreed to reschedule their plans.
"Who is Travis, Katherina?"
Her mother asked.
"How do you know… Never mind, he is just a classmate of mine."
Katherina said in surprise.
"Do not lie to us! We know that you're dating him and that you planned to go on a date with him today!"
She scread.
"D-dating? I-I am not, I swear. He is really just a friend of mine, and yes, we planned to go to the city today!"
Katherian spoke in a hurry.
She wasn't actually dating Travis, but she had a feeling that it was what Travis wanted, and she wasn't completely opposed to it, but she planned to talk with her parents before going into a relationship.
"We heard sothing different. I am really disappointed in you, Katherina. You're only sixteen years old!"
Her father said.
"I…"
Katherina's eyes watered.
"Therefore, you're grounded for a week. You can only go to the school, but you won't go anywhere with this Travis fellow until we know what kind of person he is!"
"W-what… grounded? I…"
She wanted to speak against her parents, but after seeing their unyielding gazes, she bit her lip, nodded, and picked up her backpack before heading to her room.
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