Because Tsuna and Nishikata were ahead of the group, the three of them coincidentally signed "Guest" on the contract without thinking.
Afterward, they ordered the sa set al as the two boys, though Shouko’s set was slightly altered. Instead of the "Magic Potion," her al ca with a cup of "Warm Dawn Moon Milk," a soothing drink that was supposed to have a calming effect.
"Okay, please wait a mont," the maid said with a warm smile, confirming everything was correct. She slowly left, taking the pink nu with her.
Tsuna, who had been quietly observing the scene, turned to see Shouko reaching over and snatching the spoon from his hand. Without hesitation, she dug into the cake that he’d only taken a few bites of.
"You might not be able to eat dinner when we go back later," Tsuna warned, his voice tinged with mild concern.
The three people opposite them, who had been preoccupied with their own conversation, were suddenly drawn to his words. Takagi Sana, sitting in the middle of the table, pulled out her phone from her bag, imdiately beginning to share photos she had taken while shopping earlier. It was her subtle way of drawing attention to herself.
Shouko rubbed her stomach playfully and smiled up at Tsuna. "Tsuna, for Miko, dinner is one stomach, and dessert is another stomach, so you don’t have to worry about not being able to eat."
With that, she scooped up another spoonful of cake, popping it into her mouth. The tiny, satisfied expression on her face made Tsuna pause for a mont, his attempt to stop her faltering in the face of her contentnt. He took a sip of his cold drink, silently watching her enjoy the dessert.
"Give a bite," she suddenly requested, her eyes gleaming mischievously.
"No way." Tsuna quickly raised his cup, dodging her outstretched hand.
Shouko shot him a fierce yet cute glare, her pout making her look even more adorable. Without giving up, she took another bite of the cake, this ti a slightly bigger piece than before.
But then, her expression changed slightly. She paused, glancing at the cake with a frown. "I think I’m a bit full..."
"Be good, let’s not look at them."
"Yeah, Nishikata, how many tis have you seen this at school? Haven’t you gotten used to it yet?" Atsuya Ayumi complained in a low voice, clearly irritated by the ongoing antics of the two people opposite.
But despite her words, Ayumi still couldn’t quite shake off the slight unease she felt. Though she had grown used to this daily back-and-forth between Tsuna and Shouko, she still felt a little full just watching it.
Soon after, the maid returned with a tray, delivering the afternoon tea they had ordered to the table, one by one. Unlike Tsuna and Shouko, who had instantly started snapping pictures when their als arrived, Shouko picked up her warm milk first. She carefully tested the temperature, making sure it wasn’t too hot, and then took a generous sip, sighing contentedly.
anwhile, Tsuna couldn’t resist the temptation to care for her. He grabbed a tissue, gently dabbing the white residue on her upper lip that had appeared from the milk.
Shouko smiled sweetly at him, a soft, endearing look in her eyes. Tsuna felt his heart skip a beat, but he quickly shook himself out of the mont.
They continued eating and chatting, the ti slipping away unnoticed. Takagi glanced at the ti on her phone, a frown crossing her face. She spoke up, interrupting Shouko and Ayumi’s conversation.
"It’s ti to go, everyone. It’ll be around six o’clock by the ti we get ho."
"Let’s go," Nishikata said, standing up first.
"Okay, okay." Shouko nodded, quickly finishing her last bite of cake and shoving it into Tsuna’s mouth before standing up.
"...The helpless Tsuna, completely at her rcy."
---
"I’m ho!"
"If you didn’t co back soon, I was going to call you."
Shizuka erged from the kitchen, wearing an apron. Seeing both of them safe and sound, she silently exhaled, relief flooding her.
Shouko, lifting a shopping bag with the "Cat Ear Maid Café" logo on it, smiled at Shizuka and said, "Auntie, I brought you so delicious dessert." Her tone carried the slightest hint of pride, as though asking for a little praise.
Shizuka took the bag from Shouko’s hand, smiling warmly, and affectionately reached up to ruffle her head. "It had to be you, Shouko."
She then turned to glare at Tsuna, who was standing by the door with empty hands.
"Mom, I paid for it..." Tsuna muttered, helpless.
Shizuka ignored his words, taking the bag from Shouko and heading back into the kitchen.
"Tsuna, I’m going back now. Grandma and everyone are probably waiting for too."
Having achieved the effect she wanted and fearing Tsuna might try to bully her if she stuck around too long, Shouko quickly dashed off with a smile, leaving a quick sentence behind.
"..." Tsuna, speechless, watched her disappear into the distance. He lingered in the doorway, only closing the main door once she waved goodbye.
He knew it. Shouko had definitely used her mother’s hand to teach him a lesson.
But Tsuna wasn’t in a hurry. Tonight, when it was just the two of them, he’d make sure to get her back. He didn’t believe for a second that she could keep ignoring him forever.
Daisuke, who had been watching a cody variety show in the living room, noticed Tsuna walking in. Casually, he asked, "You’re back? How did the submission go?"
"There shouldn’t be a reply yet, no rush." Tsuna nodded, walking to the coffee table and sitting down. He reached for an orange, peeling it absentmindedly.
"Okay."
The room fell silent, save for the noise coming from the TV, as Daisuke nodded and continued watching the show.
---
Knock... knock... knock...
The knocking interrupted Tsuna’s quiet typing. Without looking up, he called out toward the door, "The door isn’t locked, just co in."
He resud typing, not bothering to turn around. He guessed it was Shouko—it was a habit of hers to knock first, while Shizuka would simply open the door without hesitation. As for his dad, well, he rarely ca up to Tsuna’s room at all these days.
Click...
Shouko, dressed in pink-and-white rabbit pajamas, stepped inside. She glanced at Tsuna, still sitting at the desk, typing furiously on the keyboard.
"Tsuna, haven’t you already submitted it? Why are you still typing?" she asked, raising an eyebrow.
"Writing the second volu in advance to prepare," Tsuna replied, not missing a beat.
Shouko nodded, seemingly satisfied with the answer. She closed the door behind her, walked to his side, and pulled out her own chair, sitting down next to him.
"Tsuna."
A long pause passed before Shouko finally spoke. Tsuna glanced at her, waiting for her to continue.
Shouko had been quiet, clearly unsure if she should interrupt his train of thought.
Tsuna raised his hand, rubbing his shoulder lightly. "Are you asking why I went to the Maid Café?"
"..."
Shouko’s blank, cute expression made him chuckle softly. "I guess I guessed right."
"Slap..." Shouko raised her hand and lightly smacked his arm, her voice feigning irritation, "Be serious! I’m questioning you."
"Alright, alright," Tsuna said with a laugh, putting the smile away.
Shouko stood up, walking behind him. She began to gently massage his shoulders, which had stiffened from sitting for so long.
"Shouko-sensei, just ask whatever you want. I’ll definitely be honest." Tsuna leaned back, resting his head against her stomach.
Shouko let him rest there, her hands moving to the back of his neck, massaging him gently. "Then be honest and explain why you went to the Maid Café."
"Okay." Tsuna nodded.
He then spent the next ten minutes explaining the entire sequence of events—from leaving the house to eting her unexpectedly at the café. He told her the truth, including why he had even gone there in the first place.
"That’s the whole story."
"Okay, okay, alright, I’ll reluctantly believe you," Shouko said, finally releasing her hands from his shoulders and walking back to her seat.
"But..."
Seeing her pause, Tsuna turned his head toward her, brows furrowing.
Shouko looked over at him seriously. "Next ti you go to one of those places, you have to call first. You can’t go alone—not even if you’re with Nishikata!"
"Don’t worry, it’s just this one ti."
"Hmmm...?" Shouko narrowed her eyes at him suspiciously.
"Yes, ma’am! Next ti, I’ll definitely report to Shouko-sama first~" Tsuna grinned, knowing he was in deep trouble.
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