An Outing, Not a Date
After the fountain incident of shock and horror, I became someone no one in the academy dared to mess with easily. Thanks to the strange rumor that messing with my mood would make them shit themselves in front of everyone. Lewis hasn't appeared before me since. I heard he keeps running to the bathroom during class or twisting his body to endure stomach pain.
I thought it was a bit pitiful—
"Feels good, right?" Lilith suddenly asks, and I grin as I reply. "Of course."
Someone once said that revenge is an act of self-satisfaction with no productive value. ......But it feels so refreshing?
Thinking of Lewis clutching his stomach in pain makes me feel like a weight has been lifted. Every day since meeting Lilith is new, but today the sky looks even bluer and sunnier. I hold the cat-transformed Lilim in my arms and walk with light steps.
Today is Saturday. A happy day when all classes end by morning. Let's have a happy day today too...!
----
"Arthur!" I was wondering why she wasn't coming. "Hi, Letia." "Hi~ Hello to the cat too!" "Meow." Lilith turns her head away sharply, but Letia doesn't care and pulls something out of her pocket again. "Ta-da! It's churu~ You won't be able to refuse this, right~?" Letia confidently offers the cat treat, but... Lilith doesn't even glance at it.
"Huh? Cats are supposed to go crazy and rush over..." Then Letia lowers her voice and whispers to me. "Don't tell me Lilim isn't actually a cat? Like something in the form of a cat."
....She figured it out. As expected, her intuition is like a ghost's. But I've already prepared an answer for this situation. "Of course she's not an ordinary cat. Have you ever seen a cat this capable?"
"....No, I haven't." "Lilim..... eats meals like us normally." I can't say she sucks life force. "Really? Then from next time, should I bring chicken skewers instead of cat treats?"
"......" It seems the word 'give up' isn't in Letia's vocabulary. "Arthur, what are you doing after morning classes?" "Hmm.... Good question. I haven't thought of anything...." "Then with me—"
"Meow!!" "Kyaaak! Kitty, what's wrong?!" Lilith lunges at Letia, who was about to say something. "Ah, Arthur! Stop Lilim~!" Why is Lilith suddenly like this.... Hmm? "Lilim, come here." "Meow meow!!" "Acting like a child...."
I grab Lilith who was trying to bite Letia and restrain her in my arms, then whisper softly so Letia can't hear. "Don't tell me you're jealous right now, Lilith?"
—flinch The wriggling movement in my arms stops abruptly. ....Seems like it. Our Outer God seems to want to be alone with me. "Sorry, Letia. I remembered an appointment." "What appointment?" "I promised to spend time with family." "Ah, family can't be helped."
Letia easily accepts, and Lilith purrs in satisfaction. ....When Lilith turns into a cat, her actions seem to change like a cat's too.
----
After classes end, I say goodbye to Letia (Have fun on your date with your family, Arthur!) and return to the dorm room. I ask Lilith, who has returned to human form. "Lilith, is there anywhere you'd like to go?" Lilith rests her chin on her hand and thinks.
"Hmm.... I don't know much about this place...." Well, she hasn't gone anywhere and has been stuck with me. The problem is.... I don't know either... There is a support fund given little by little to poor commoners like me, but it's only the minimum living expenses. There was no leisure to go out and play. Thanks to that, I'm the same in not knowing the geography around here well.
"......" "......" After staring blankly at each other, we decide to move anyway. Staying still won't make anything come to mind. I have no clothes to change into, so I decide to just go in my uniform. Anyway, around the academy, most places are crowded with students, so uniforms are common.
But. "Lilith. Are you planning to go out in that outfit?" Lilith is wearing her usual pitch-black evening dress. Of course, it suits her pale skin well, but... no matter what, it's a bit flashy for everyday wear. "Then how about this?" Lilith's hair wriggles and changes shape. The clothes made by mixing various colors here and there are a very familiar sight to me.
".....It's a uniform?" It's the uniform for female academy students. I must have seen many female students passing by and gotten somewhat used to it.... "How is it?" How is it? How can I say that now. "It's the best."
The uniform top, which should have been neat, is quite puffed up to match Lilith's curves, and the black stockings visible under the skirt fit Lilith, who has superior proportions, perfectly. "Hehe, did I captivate you?" I've long since been captivated, but even so. "Yes, I'm captivated."
Lilith in an evening dress had a mature, adult-like atmosphere, but Lilith in uniform has a pure atmosphere that could be called my senior. I couldn't help but be captivated again by Lilith's appearance that approaches with a completely different charm. Seeming satisfied with my answer, Lilith smiles brightly and extends her hand to me. "Then shall we go?" Holding hands, I return the smile. "Yes. Let's go."
----
On Saturdays like today, many students pour out into the streets to eat a late lunch after morning classes end. Most academy students are children of wealthy nobles. It was a natural progression for shops targeting them to appear around the academy, and naturally, the largest market in the Magic Empire was formed.
In the midst of the bustling crowd, strength is added to our clasped hands so as not to lose each other. "Shall we eat lunch first? Is there anything you want to eat?" Looking around, there are only fancy restaurants with splendid signs. I could see students in the same uniform beyond the windows, but to me, beyond those windows felt like a completely different world.
"Let's stop by somewhere else first." I tried to turn my steps, but Lilith's clasped hand doesn't budge, so I stop too. ".....Lilith?" "Let's eat here." The place Lilith points to is the largest, most splendid, and therefore most expensive restaurant on this street.
"Even if it's not necessarily an expensive place—" "Don't worry about money. I can take care of it all." Oh no, I thought I turned my steps naturally, but it seems she's already noticed. "But—" "Arthur. Do you want to take me to a cheap restaurant?"
"......" If she says that, I have nothing to say. Lilith leads me by the hand into the restaurant. "Welcome, guests. Oh my, you seem to be academy students?" The female staff at the front greets us. "Usually you'd have to match the dress code to enter, but since both of you are in academy uniforms, entry is possible." "We'd like to have a meal."
"Payment is in advance. The price list is here—" Lilith suddenly extends her hand forward and holds it out in front of the staff. To the flustered staff wondering what it means, Lilith opens her hand. "This should do, right?" In Lilith's open hand is a jewelry ornament that shines brighter than the restaurant's sign. The ornament, with colorful jewels forming a flower shape, scatters its colors in all directions under the light of magic lamps.
"Uh.... Guest, we only accept cash—" Someone blocks the staff's mouth as she tries to refuse. "Oh dear, guest. This friend hasn't been working for long. I'm sorry for the inconvenience." The staff who appears from behind the female employee looks a bit older. After carefully examining the jewel, the staff nods.
"This jewelry ornament is worth more than enough for the two of you to eat. I'll give you the change." "It's fine. Just take it. Bring the food deliciously." "I'll tell the chef to do his best." Seeing the staff bowing, it seems the jewelry ornament has an enormous value.
"Lilith. Isn't that very expensive? For paying for food...." To this, Lilith replies in a light tone. "I have countless numbers of things like that." ....Ah, she was an Outer God. The staff guides us to a small room. Looking at the paper attached to the door, it seems to be a place with soundproof magic.
"The food will come out if you wait a little." After bowing and greeting, the staff leaves the room. Being in this kind of room to eat is novel to me, so I look around the room here and there. "Is it amazing?" "Yes, very much...." It's a place I thought I'd never come to in my life. I remember only watching from afar and then returning to the academy to eat school food.
"Thank you, Lilith. For bringing me to a place like this too." "I always wanted to feed you the best food. Well, even if it's not the absolute best." .....A better place than here would have to be found in the imperial palace. Lilith seems to have something she doesn't like.
Before long, aperitifs are served. Regular alcohol and non-alcoholic alcohol come together. "Do you know how to drink alcohol?" "I've only tried it once." In the past, I gathered my courage and bought cheap alcohol with saved money. It was when my body and mind were both struggling, so I wanted some comfort from alcohol.
However, even after drinking a whole bottle, I was fine, and the unpleasant taste of alcohol only made my mood worse. After spending money and only feeling worse, I resolved never to drink alcohol again. But.... "Here, have a glass." The glass Lilith offers is impossible to refuse. Holding her own glass, Lilith stares at me intently.
Don't tell me she wants me to make a toast now? It seems she's waiting for me to do it. Hesitating, I open my mouth stammering. "U-um, to celebrate our..... first ou....ting. Cheers." Ugh... I almost said date. What date when we're not even dating yet. Lilith raises her glass high. "Cheers."
After downing the glass, first a sweet scent fills my mouth. Immediately after, the bitter taste of alcohol is felt. It seems to be high-quality alcohol incomparable to the cheap stuff I drank before. The aroma wrapping around my tongue is on a different level. "Another glass?" Lilith offers the bottle to me. ".....Just one glass..."
----
The meal that follows is undoubtedly more splendid and luxurious than any food I've eaten so far. Dishes that turned food into art come out one after another, and I continue the happy dilemma of what to eat first. The meat is fantastic with juices bursting out every time I chew, and the accompanying vegetables are cooked just right, preserving their texture.
"Is it delicious?" "Munch munch.... Yes!" "Eat a lot." Lilith only sips the aperitif and barely touches the food. Slightly displeased by that sight, I dip a piece of meat and offer it. "Lilith. Ah~" At this, Lilith, who had a slightly surprised expression for a moment, smiles and opens her mouth. "Ah~"
After putting the meat in, Lilith closes her mouth tightly and chews the piece of meat. At that fatally cute sight, I unconsciously—peck—I briefly kiss Lilith's puffed cheek. Then Lilith grumbles softly. "Not on the cheek, on the mouth...." But that chubby cheek is too lovable.
After that, I occasionally offer food to Lilith during the meal. Perhaps embarrassed by unilaterally receiving food, Lilith also feeds me sometimes. But.... "Is it delicious?" "Yes." "This too?" "Yes." "Really delicious?" "Yes."
Every time she gives food, Lilith asks if it's delicious. At first, I thought it was just because she was curious about my satisfaction.... "Huuung...." Every time my answer continues, Lilith's eyes narrow more and more. W-what. Did I do something wrong? This atmosphere is like when getting caught reading an adult novel.
"It's delicious.... I see..... Is that so...?" A tone that seems displeased with something. What is it? What on earth is it? I can't figure it out at all. While the uncomfortable meal continues like that.
"Is it delicious?" "...Yes." "How delicious?" At that moment, the answer flashes like lightning. "....It is delicious but..." "But?" I meet Lilith's eyes and answer clearly. "Food made by Lilith is more delicious."
A brief silence flows. "Really?" Lilith answers shortly. She doesn't show it much, but I can intuitively tell that Lilith's mood has improved. Phew.... Thankfully that was the right answer. After that, Lilith gives me food without asking my opinion. She just watches me chewing and swallowing food with a soft smile.
While continuing the meal that has become peaceful again, suddenly Lilith's brow furrows. I, who was puzzled, soon learn the reason too. "...!!...!......!!" Someone's voice can be heard from outside. It's at a level of shouting with all their might to penetrate the soundproof magic. And that sound gets closer and closer.
Before long. —Bang! The door opens roughly with a loud noise. "Who are you to dare take my sweet room........Huh?" The person who enters the room shouting is... "...Lewis?" Lewis's face turns pale upon seeing me.