Chapter 88

It was a warm day for winter.

The thin layer of melted snow wet the frozen road. I was a bit scared of slipping, but I still ran, as I was already late for our meeting time.

It seemed there was a puddle where I stepped, and the splash wet my shoes. I stopped to check that my legs and coat were not wet. Yeah, I’m fine.

Without waiting for my breath to calm down, I started running again.

The meeting place was a café known for its delicious caramel chocolate cake.

The unpleasant memory from the first time I came here had been overwritten by subsequent happy memories.

I told the staff who greeted me at the door that I was here for a meeting and proceeded inside. About half of the seats were occupied, and most people were enjoying their conversations in hushed voices.

Looking around the café, what caught my eye was the hunched figure with an elbow on the table.

Although he was facing the wall, I knew it was the person I was meeting.

"Sorry to keep you waiting, Noah."

As I called out from the side of the table, Noah, who had been sipping his coffee, looked up.

His hair was down, hiding his face, and he wore black-rimmed glasses. His visible mouth curved into a smile.

"Good work."

"I’m sorry for keeping you waiting. I ended up being later than I thought."

"It’s fine, I was just taking it easy."

Noah stood up and came around to pull out my chair. After hanging my coat on the back of the chair, I sat down. "Thank you," I said, and he smiled as he returned to his seat. Even now, after we’ve been married, his subtle kindness still makes my heart flutter.

"So, what would you like? There’s no need to ask, is there?"

"Of course not, I’ve been looking forward to it. The limited-time orange tart."

"Followed by a hot chocolate, right?"

"Is it too indulgent to have something sweet on top of something sweet?"

Noah chuckled, shaking his shoulders at my words.

But I’ve been looking forward to it. Although the orange tart is available for a limited time, it’s offered for quite a while. However, the hot chocolate is only available until today. I really wanted to have it, but I also wanted to have it with Noah.

Today was the only day our days off matched during the hot chocolate’s availability.

Noah called the server and placed the order for us.

It’s understandable to be a bit restless with excitement. I really was looking forward to it.

"Was work okay? You were late yesterday, weren’t you?"

As planned, the new books were delivered yesterday.

Usually, one person could handle the amount of work, but yesterday’s delivery was nearly three times the usual. Moreover, many people were on leave yesterday for various reasons, such as personal matters or sudden illnesses. Taking leave is mutual, so it’s not a problem.

After work, I helped with the delivery with a few others, but we couldn’t finish, so I had to come in for a few hours this morning.

"It was tough, but being able to see the new books first is a privilege. Plus, I managed to make it for the hot chocolate, so it’s all good."

"Right, good work."

"Thank you."

His kind words made me smile involuntarily.

Maybe I’m just excited because it’s been a while since we’ve met outside.

"Sorry to keep you waiting."

A cute server in an apron brought our orders to the table.

In front of me was the orange tart, and in front of Noah was a cheese cake. We both had a hot chocolate.

I clasped my hands in prayer before picking up the hot chocolate cup with both hands. The white cup was filled to the brim with chocolate. When I gently shook it, I could feel its thickness.

The rising steam was sweet, and when I took a deep breath, my chest was filled with the aroma of chocolate.

"Good smell."

"Be careful, it’s hot."

"You too, Noah."

I blew on the cup a few times before cautiously tilting it to my lips.

A small amount of chocolate flowed in, but it wasn’t cooled at all, and the heat made my shoulder jump, preventing me from drinking it. Still, I didn’t give up and tilted it a little more.

It was sweet but not cloying. The gentle sweetness of the milk spread in my mouth.

"Delicious."

"Yeah, it’s good. This one has a coffee flavor. Do you want to try it?"

"Sure?"

Nodding, Noah brought his cup closer to me. I also moved my cup towards him, and he took it with his large hand.

Noah’s cup was taller than mine.

When I held the cup with both hands, the warmth spread to my palms, and I brought it to my lips.

As I gently tilted the cup, the aroma of coffee wafted up before the chocolate entered my mouth. I blinked, and the sweetness of the chocolate spread in my mouth. But it was slightly more bitter than what I ordered.

"Delicious. This one is a bit more bitter... Maybe a bitter chocolate is used?"

"This one is sweet. It’s good, though."

We returned our cups and picked up our forks.

The boat-shaped tart was adorned with peeled orange segments arranged neatly. The red berries decorating it were cute.

When I cut a piece with my fork, the rich custard cream glistened.

I took a bite. The orange was more tart than I expected. The tartness was a good balance with the sweetness of the custard. The crust was crispy and delicious, and I wondered if the cream was added after the order was placed.

"Delicious. I’m glad I could eat it."

"I wish I could have come earlier. We could have come with Mrs. Ragine, too."

"That would have been nice, but..."

Noah suggested I could have come with Wendy, perhaps because he was concerned about our schedules not matching.

It would have been fine, but...

"Still, I want to enjoy delicious things with Noah."

The honest words that slipped out made Noah smile happily.

Noah stopped eating his cheese cake and brought his cup to his lips again.

"You always say such sweet things."

"Sweeter than chocolate, right?"

"If you keep saying such sweet things, I might eat you."

"N, ...!"

I meant to tease, but I ended up being teased.

To hide the heat rising to my face, I plunged my fork into the orange tart. I could see his shoulders shaking at the corner of my eye, but I didn’t have the time to complain.

"Alicia."

"...What?"

I focused on eating the tart without looking up.

I could hear Noah’s low laugh, so he must have seen through my embarrassment.

"Let’s make hot chocolate at home, too."

The charming invitation, spoken in a gentle voice, made me look up involuntarily.

Through the gap in his bangs, his evening star eyes met mine. The deep purple of his eyes made my heart sweetly ache.

Because his gaze was so tender, it felt like he was telling me he loved me.

"...I’ll make it. Coffee is good, but red wine might also go well."

"Sounds good. Let’s try different things and find our favorite."

"Hehe, sounds fun."

"Shall we start trying tonight?"

"That’s nice, but we’re going to the Rabbit House today, right? I’m not sure if we’ll have room in our stomachs to make it when we get home."

"...Maybe it’s better to wait until tomorrow."

We looked at each other and laughed.

Enjoying delicious things and spending happy times together. Being with Noah makes it even more joyful.

I hope we can continue to spend such times together forever.

As I thought this, Noah took my hand on the table. His warm, large hand was dear to me, and I intertwined my fingers with his.

The sweet aroma of chocolate lingered between us.

Today, February 20th, is the release date for the second volume of the comic!

In addition to a new short story by Hana Chiru, there is a new comic drawn by Mori Momiji.

The new content totals 13 pages! The second volume is packed with volume and excitement, so please look forward to it!

Thank you very much!