Currently, Arusu Maria and Itsuka Shido, having left the house, arrived at a clothing store in the shopping district.
"Co to think of it, we ca to this store before too."
Shido looked around the store. In just a short day, many brand new styles of clothing had been added to the displays on the shelves, making Shido sigh at how fast trends change.
"Yes. There are so many beautiful new clothes." Maria looked at the trendy clothes in the store with sparkling eyes, then snapped back to reality and gave a bitter smile, "Even though I say that, I haven't even officially worn the new clothes everyone bought ."
Just the day before yesterday, when she went shopping with Yutsuki and the others, the clothes they picked out for her, she hadn't worn them again since she tried them on.
Maria sighed with so regret.
"Since we bought such cute clothes, I should be wearing them today."
"Don't be so down." Patting Maria's head, Shido comforted her with a smile, "You can wear them next ti too. I'll properly look forward to Maria's casual clothes then."
"Next ti... yes, please look forward to it then!"
Hearing Shido's words, Maria's expression beca a bit down for a split second. But very quickly, Maria regained her spirits.
As expected, Maria is hiding sothing from .
Although it was only for a split second, the change in Maria's expression did not escape Shido's notice.
It wasn't that Shido's eyesight was much better, but Maria's rare strong attitude this morning made Shido care about it.
Besides, how could Shido not notice things that even Yutsuki and the others had noticed?
"Look at this, Shido. This Western dress is so cute."
Maria's face was full of a happy smile right now, completely different from how she was this morning.
"Mhm, mhm! I think it would definitely look very cute if Maria wore it. How about trying it on?"
Shido nodded in agreent.
"I-Is that so? Then I'll go try it on." Maria's cheeks flushed slightly as she stared at Shido and said, "If it looks weird, you're not allowed to laugh, Shido."
After saying that, Maria took the clothes and walked into the fitting room.
(Forget it... let's not think about these things right now.)
Shido sighed softly, telling himself this.
No matter what Maria is actually hiding, accepting her request out of sympathy would be very cruel to Maria.
Since we are on a date now, what I should be thinking about is how to enjoy this date, how to make this date a precious mory for the two of us.
Later, after Shido praised Maria when she changed into the Western dress, Maria happily continued to change into various outfits to show Shido. At first, the store manager was full of resentnt because Shido and Maria were only trying on clothes without buying. But not long after, many shoppers gathered in the store because of Maria's extraordinary beauty. The store manager instantly bead with smiles, not only giving them a VIP mbership card but also giving Maria all the clothes she tried on for free.
In exchange, he only requested to take a few photos for promotion.
After politely declining, Shido hurriedly pulled Maria away and left the store.
However, this didn't an today's date was over. Rather, it had just begun.
Exploring a secretly open 100-yen sundry shop deep in an alley; challenging a specially made giant parfait in a family restaurant together; teasing a kitten by the street...
Shido and Maria just wandered around every corner of this town like this.
Observing while playing, even familiar streets felt fresh and happy to the two of them.
Enjoying this date just like an ordinary girl, a happy smile overflowed on Maria's face.
Making Shido couldn't help but hope this date could continue forever.
Ti passed unknowingly like this. When Shido and Maria walked to the park, the sky had completely darkened.
"Is it already this ti? Ti really flies..."
Looking at the night sky, Shido scratched his head sowhat troubledly. Maria couldn't help but smile bitterly at this.
"Yes, we had so much fun we forgot the ti."
"Well, but there are benefits to the night too. You can see the stars from this spot... so beautiful."
Because there wasn't much light in the park, the stars in the sky could be seen very clearly.
Looking up at this starry sky, Shido couldn't help but let out a gasp of admiration.
Maria nodded in strong agreent.
"Yes... just looking at the starry sky, your mood becos very peaceful."
"Let's invite everyone to watch the stars together next ti. Bring a telescope."
"Yes... that would definitely be very happy."
For so reason, Maria's answer seed forced.
"Maria?"
Shido couldn't help but ask puzzledly.
"Shido... the starry sky up there is just a star map projected by the computer based on data. Even if you use a telescope, you won't be able to see what the stars look like." Staring at the starry sky, a sowhat lonely smile appeared on Maria's face, "This starry sky... this world, are all fake."
Only in the real world could Shido take out a telescope and admire the wonder of the planets in the universe together with everyone.
And for Maria, who lived in this virtual world, this was sothing absolutely impossible to do. Shido realized his slip of the tongue.
"...Sorry."
Maria gently shook her head.
"It's not Shido's fault. Besides, I don't really mind this. Returning to the real world, this is originally Shido's and the others' goal, right."
"But, Maria staying here alone would feel lonely, right." Shido looked at Maria and said, "If we really return to our original world, I will also often co to this world to play with Maria."
"...Thank you, Shido. I am very happy."
Hearing Shido's words, Maria showed a satisfied smile.
"Then—next, Shido, can you follow to a place?"
"Hm? Where?"
"It's a secret, you'll know when we get there."
Keeping him in suspense slightly, Maria slowly quickened her pace, following the park path until they arrived at the park's observation deck.
From this position, you can perfectly take in the scenery of the entire Tengu City at a glance.
"A special secret scenic spot! Although I'd really like to say that... but according to the data records of Fraxinus, Shido has been to this place in the real world with Tohka and Yutsuki before, right."
"Well..."
Being pointed out so straightforwardly by Maria, Shido scratched his hair sowhat awkwardly.
However, Maria didn't seem to care much about this either. Slowly turning around, Maria gazed at Shido with gentle eyes.
"Today has been a very fulfilling day."
"Oh oh, I also enjoyed it very much!"
"Shido, lastly... can you let be selfish one more ti?"
Regarding Maria's request, Shido nodded and agreed without even confirming what it was.
"Of course you can. Tohka and the others all accepted your selfishness. If I don't agree, I'll be scolded to death by them."
Hearing Shido's exaggerated words, Maria couldn't help but chuckle lightly.
"Hehe. Is that so. But don't worry... this request should actually be very simple for Shido. That is... the thing to do at the end of a date."
"Hm? What is that?"
When Shido asked, a blush surfaced on Maria's tender white cheeks.
"Making say this kind of thing myself. Shido really has a bad taste... Listen carefully, Shido. The end of a date... is a kiss."
"I see—Eh?"
Subconsciously nodding, after half a beat, Shido finally realized what Maria had said.
"Wait! Why a kiss?"
Maria tilted her head in confusion.
"Hasn't it always been like this in the past? According to data records, Itsuka Shido always kisses the Spirits at the end of a date to create a bond of love."
Ah... your reasoning is so sound I actually have no words to retort.
Indeed, Maria is an existence very close to a Spirit. Since Shido can seal a Spirit's power through a kiss, by the sa logic, maybe he can also seal Maria's power through a kiss, and then they can leave here.
But, does Maria know the aning behind a kiss? —Seeing Maria's serious expression, Shido silently swallowed this question back down.
The current Maria is no longer that hazy and ignorant question doll from back then. Possessing emotions and thoughts no different from humans, on this basis, she understood the aning of a kiss and chose him.
Having already agreed to Maria's request, finding extra excuses now would make it seem like he was running away—
[Let's kiss;
Hurry up and kiss;
If you're a man, stop talking nonsense, I'll just do it;]
—By the way, is there actually any difference between these options? Shido thought, not knowing whether to laugh or cry.
"Maria... can you close your eyes?"
"...Mhm."
Maria slowly closed her eyes. Shido nervously swallowed and slowly moved closer to Maria's cheek.
Beautiful bangs, delicate eyebrows, long eyelashes, a cute little nose bridge, lovely cherry lips—Maria's exquisite facial features were clearly branded onto Shido's retinas at this mont.
As expected, Maria is a very cute girl. Shido couldn't help but praise in his heart.
Suddenly, Maria's voice rang in Shido's mind.
(Getting closer... I feel it, Shido's scent, Shido's warmth, everything...)
Shido looked in surprise at Maria, who was quietly waiting with her eyes closed.
Is this Maria's inner voice...
(A thumping heartbeat keeps coming from my chest, is this what everyone calls a heartbeat...)
Placing his hand on Maria's shoulder, Shido could feel her trembling.
(An unknown feeling... but, not bad... and, I really wish this ti could last forever... ah, I see...)
(So happy... I... Arusu Maria... love Shido.)
Such honest feelings made Shido's cheeks start to burn.
But, he had to respond.
Shido's lips gently pressed against Maria's soft lips.
However—
"Hehe! Finally unlocked it! This terrible world!"
Suddenly, a laugh full of malice ca from beside his ear.
"This is... permissions suddenly..."
"Maria!"
Suddenly, Maria's face turned completely pale, like a robot that had run out of battery losing the strength to stand. Shido hurriedly caught Maria.
—&...&%...&&%%...%%￥#%@#￥%...&%!@#￥#￥!
Like a TV losing its signal, the entire computer world let out a harsh noise.
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