Date and Stalking (6): Parfait
Parfait. It's a dessert you don't often see in Korea unless you hit up a specialty shop. Back home, if you're craving something sweet, you'd usually go for bingsu or shortcake. Japan’s a different story. You could say it's the most developed place in Asia for dessert commerce. Thanks to that, you can find parfaits just about anywhere here—not just cafes, but family restaurants and all sorts of eateries.
Media loves to show them all flashy, like some fantasy luxury treat... but...
"Whoa. It's way simpler-looking than I expected?"
Sakuraba Sakuya let out a sigh laced with subtle disappointment as she eyed the parfait Tae-il had brought over. It was smaller than she'd imagined. She'd pictured something straight out of manga or anime—about the size of a face. Reality? A bit bigger than a palm.
Sakuya scooped up a spoonful with a bored expression and popped it in her mouth.
"Mmm! Still tastes good, though? Better than the one I had with senpai at that family restaurant before."
"Good to hear."
Tae-il had been cursing the vibrating pager that killed their conversation at a crucial moment, but watching Sakuya devour the parfait with sparkling eyes lifted his spirits right back up.
Mukbangs aren't a global trend for nothing...
It was from his past life. When he heard mukbangs had started as a Korean fad, Tae-il had been dizzy with shock.
This is K-culture? Holy moly! Guac-a-moly!
He'd been appalled at yet another bizarre cultural export. Tae-il, who wasn't big on gluttony himself, never got the appeal of watching others eat. He found it weird that people cheered on strangers stuffing their faces.
I'm starving, they're chowing down—doesn't that piss you off?
Mukbangs had always been an incomprehensible broadcasting phenomenon to him. Sure, for ads or intros, maybe. But as main content? Viewers lapping it up? Beyond his common sense.
But now, watching Sakuya happily dig into her parfait, Tae-il finally got it. Just seeing her chow down so earnestly made his own stomach feel full. A first for him.
This girl could start a mukbang channel on a whim and blow up.
Tae-il suddenly wondered: what path could Sakuya possibly take that would lead to failure?
Sensing his fond gaze, Sakuya blinked up at him curiously.
"You're not eating, Tae-il? It's good."
"I will."
As he reached for his teaspoon, Tae-il's eyes naturally drifted to Sakuya's lips—full of fruit and cream. Were they redder than usual, maybe lipstick? They pulled at him fiercely. She licked the ice cream off her lower lip with her tongue and flashed a soft smile.
"You said you'd eat, but you keep staring at me?"
"Huh?"
"Guess I look extra pretty today, huh?"
"Well... yeah."
He'd acknowledged it from their first meeting. Tae-il nodded readily. Today's Sakuya was stunning enough to flip his long-held belief that Iris was the prettiest.
"Ahem! Can't help it if it's my fault."
Sakuya puffed up proudly, plucking the strawberry garnish from the top with her fingers and setting it on her teaspoon—the one she'd just used.
"Here, say 'ahh' for my Tae-il."
She held out the spoon, still warm from her mouth.
"N-no! I'm good!"
Tae-il snatched it in panic, shoveling the parfait into his mouth hastily.
"I-I've got my own spoon! Thanks for offering. Ha, haha... haa."
"Tch."
Sakuya clicked her tongue, her 'ahh-feeding' lover's ritual foiled.
"This is seriously good..."
Abandoned strawberry in hand, she wrapped her lips around it and crunched down. The frozen berry's crisp, cool tartness melted with juicy sweetness in her mouth. Not satisfied, she even slurped the spoon clean.
Tae-il wiped cold sweat, sighing in relief under her sharp glare.
Sakuya muttered openly, pouting.
"Aww. Such a shame. If the parfait had been bigger, I'd feel even better. So close..."
"Haha. You've watched too much anime. This is normal size. Maybe even a bit big?"
"Really?"
Sakuya poked at the layered fruits in the cup, puzzled. Tasty, sure. But too much for one, too little for two—that awkward amount. Tae-il had asked the staff for the biggest one on purpose, but it wasn't satisfying her.
"If it's not enough, want another?"
"Nah."
"For real? Honestly, I'm still a bit hungry too."
"You're terrible at acting, Tae-il. Idiot."
Sakuya stuck out her tongue at his clumsy concern, sulking sweetly. Truth was, she wanted more. Under the table, out of sight, she patted her flat stomach. Her carefully chosen outfit accentuated her wasp waist. She'd corseted to hide her abs and highlight her curves—the secret to the hourglass figure Tae-il admired.
But if she overate and her belly pooched out...
It'd be an eternal stain on Sakuraba Sakuya's life. A catastrophe. Ayane would stuff me and mount me on her wall for sure. And if Tae-il saw? Disaster.
Sakuya nodded resolutely.
A girl has her pride.
If caught, the shame might drive her to extremes.
Just hold out today.
Tears in her eyes, she suppressed one of humanity's basic urges: hunger. It sucked, but this parfait would have to do.
Popcorn and drinks at the movies later...
One popcorn, one drink, two straws. The thought perked her up. She attacked the parfait fiercely, drowning her appetite in waves of sweetness. Sweet treats release feel-good chemicals, and the parfait's chill blended perfectly with the thrill of dating Tae-il, amplifying everything.
Watching quietly, Tae-il ventured, "You eat like a champ, Sakuya. Sure you don't want more?"
"I said no."
She pouted at his persistent offers, lips pursed.
Her resolve wavered thanks to this oblivious fool.
"Haha. Sorry."
Her sharper tone made Tae-il sheepish—bad idea? He fiddled with his smartphone instead.
"Whatcha looking at?"
Sakuya wouldn't let him zone out. Every second of this date was precious.
"Oh? Uh, stuff about the movie we're seeing later."
"Spoilers?"
"Kinda? I don't mind 'em much..."
Tae-il grinned awkwardly. Lie. He wanted spoilers to ease his preemptive dread. Pride kept him from admitting it to her.
"Lemme see."
Sakuya hopped up and scooted right next to him.
"Sakuya?"
"How're the reviews? Pros and audience ones too."
Leaning into him, she looped her arm through his. Her ample chest—rivaling Iris's—pressed against his arm. Confidently, she shifted her hips left, lowering her gaze to peer in. His phone screen vanished behind her head. She gently overlaid her slender hand on his, drawing it closer.
"Huh. Reviews are better than I thought."
"Y-yeah..."
Tae-il's pupils quivered. Every nerve focused on his arm against her chest, her hand on his. His free right hand flailed lost, like a straggler seeking direction.
"Good pick, right?"
"Uh..."
Sakuya turned to check. Her half-up hair brushed his nose, wafting sweet scent—like a female pheromone luring her mate. Tae-il's eyes widened. Her beaming smile made his heart skip.
Unfamiliar. This Sakuya—so close, unseen in the original work—left him stumbling.
"Uh... I-I mean, yeah..."
His speech circuits shorted. Sakuya stifled giggles, covering her mouth with her fist.
"What's with you today? Normally you'd yell 'cut it out!'"
"N-nooo..."
Tae-il whined, squeezing his eyes shut. His pale face, already flushed from fetching the parfait, burned hotter. Her smile deepened.
"J-just tone it down! Not fair..."
He snapped. Wrong move. Regret hit late—but Sakuya burst out laughing.
"Puhaha!"
It cracked her up that much. Wiping tears, she rested her chin on his shoulder.
"About that... I've got something to say too."
"What...?"
"You're not fair either."
Hanging on him like a lover, she whispered sweetly in his ear.
"How's a guy this cute allowed?"
Mocking? Praising? Either way, her breath carried fresh strawberry tang.
Snap out of the scent haze, Tae-il deemed it teasing and bristled.
"S-Sakuya, you...!"
He turned—and smack. Lips brushed.
The glossy, made-up texture triggered an earthquake in his pupils.
"I-it's out! They're finally out, senpai!"
"Really?"
Ayane's urgent shout had Yuuya snap her phone case shut and stand. Through the window, the pair emerged from the cafe, arm-in-arm. Oddly, Tae-il staggered, half-leaning on Sakuya.
Ayane grabbed binoculars, grinding her teeth at the sight.
"That damn witch finally got Shin- whatever alone where we can't see...!"
"Lemme see."
Too far from the third floor for faces, Yuuya snatched the binoculars.
Was it hot? Tae-il's face was beet red, gaze foggy.
The cafe should've been cool...
Something happened. Unlike spacey Tae-il, Sakuya beamed happily, clinging like a girl on a date—pure bliss.
"Muuu..."
Yuuya had braced herself, but her lips still puffed out.
"E-envious..."
"Right?! And that's straight-up rule-breaking! Hanging on Shin- whatever's arm is Ayane's privilege!"
No such privilege existed. Tae-il never agreed. Pure Ayane delusion.
Still...
"Yeah. Totally unfair."
Yuuya nodded along. After an hour of complaints, she'd mastered handling her.
She handed back the binoculars.
"Hurry, follow 'em. Across the street—they'll slip away."
"Yes!"
They cleared the table and tailed Tae-il toward the cinema.