Chapter 26
Chapter 26
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 26
Chapter Title: A Fun Date with Ray!
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Ten minutes before the appointed time, I arrived at the meeting square. As I approached the central fountain, I spotted a woman waiting for me.
"You're here early?"
"Hello."
Ray stood up from the bench in front of the fountain. I slowly took her in from head to toe. Not the shabby clothes always drenched in sweat from kitchen work, but a fresh new outfit. It was typical commoner streetwear, but you could tell she'd put real thought into it.
"Were you looking forward to it?"
"What? I just threw on something normal."
For "normal," she'd even done makeup—something she never bothered with. She was already a beauty, but today she had this fresh look I'd never seen before.
"I was really looking forward to it."
"Eek."
I approached her like a boyfriend and wrapped her in a gentle hug. It wasn't some sleazy grope; it was the cozy warmth of actual lovers. Ray flustered but didn't pull away—she seemed to like it.
"Shall we go?"
"Yeah."
I stepped out onto the street with her shy self in tow. Midday bustle filled the air with energy. Men glanced her way as we passed, and each time, a smug sense of superiority surged through me.
"Ah."
I pulled Ray close and slung my arm over her shoulder. She shot me a glare and tugged at my arm, but gave up quick and leaned into my warmth. I strutted down the street like I was declaring her as mine.
Of course, we weren't just parading around for show. This was a proper date.
"Wow."
Ray let out an awed gasp at the prettily decorated street. Buildings and roads paved with white and blue stones—like stepping into a harbor town, full of novel sights.
"Did you research this beforehand?"
"It's a date with you. Couldn't just wander some plain old street."
This spot was a must-do on every woman's dream date itinerary. I'd asked the other soldiers ahead of time, and it always came up as a place they wanted to hit.
"You ever been here before, Ray? Heard it's pretty famous as a tourist spot."
"Just heard about it. No reason to drag myself here alone when I'm swamped."
"Better with a guy, though, right?"
Couples holding hands dotted the area. Ray seemed to feel like she belonged right there among them, just because I was by her side.
"Uh... yeah."
A bashful Ray was adorable. I hoped she'd keep being this upfront. Like I'd thought last time, that rice cake mess might've killed off any lingering revenge urge toward her. It was all a misunderstanding anyway.
With our bond feeling softer now, I kept enjoying the street sights with Ray. We checked out artist murals and the flowers planted smack in the middle. All the while, she didn't hide her feelings—her smile stayed genuine.
"I'll buy you an outfit. Come on, let's look."
Ray's clothes were fine enough, but they clashed a bit with the vibe here. So I steered her into a shop to snag something in blues and whites.
"How about this? It'd suit... you?"
"It's really pretty?"
I'd picked a dress. Breezy feel—perfect for this street.
Ray had been eyeing clothes anyway, so she took my offer gratefully without protest. Then she pulled out her wallet, insisting on buying me something in return.
But I turned her down and scored some snacks instead.
As our perfect date hit its stride, the sun dipped low. We'd linked up after lunch, and now it was evening.
"Dinner time?"
"Where to?"
"Got a spot reserved."
"You even made a reservation?"
Ray gawked, impressed all over again by my prep. Scored more points? Her eyes on me softened even further.
"It's a date. Can't just duck into some random roadside joint."
"Fair, but... you're nicer than I figured. A real good guy."
The moment she'd said yes to the date, I'd roped in a soldier heading out. No more walking if we were beat—a place right here in this gorgeous street.
"Whoa."
Ray's jaw dropped at the building where I stopped. High-class joint, middle-class minimum. Kitchen chief or not, her pay was peanuts—dining here was pure fantasy.
"This place too pricey? Don't overdo it."
"Somewhere else, then?"
"I'd love it here, obviously... but I'm good anywhere."
Check her out.
I'd pegged her as just "future saintess girl," but Ray had her head screwed on straight. Worried about my wallet, even greenlit a cheaper spot first.
"Telling me to save cash for more dates ahead? That mean you liked it this much?"
"I did, but that's not—!"
"Come on."
I grabbed her hand as she snapped in embarrassment and marched us inside. A sharply dressed waiter greeted us.
"Welcome. Reservation?"
"Daron. Grade 2 under that name."
He flipped open his notepad, confirmed, and bowed.
"All set. Right this way."
First time for this kinda treatment—Ray clung to my hand, dazed. She gawked at the glittering decor, first-timer vibes screaming.
Does Ray know?
She's in for way fancier treatment soon.
Her saintess debut's right around the corner.
Truth is, I'm stacking favor for a reason. Once she's big-time, she might ditch me like trash again. Gotta claim more than half her loyalty to me, ASAP.
"Seats this way."
Another waiter led us over. Everything screamed luxury as Ray and I sat face-to-face.
"Menu here. Call when ready."
He dipped out. Clinking glasses, forks on plates, refined chatter hummed around us.
"Dodged a bullet keeping the dress on."
Ray wore the one I'd bought her that afternoon. Her original fit was okay, but not for here.
"Not as crazy expensive as I thought."
"Not crazy, but still pricey."
"Like twenty times a normal meal?"
"That's insane!"
Ray tallied it on her fingers. Skip the exotic unknowns, stick to fair-priced stuff—no wallet bleed. Grade 2 was communal, no rez fee like separated Grade 1. Just reserving seats? Free.
"Steak?"
"Isn't that noble food?"
"Mostly, yeah. But commoners splurge sometimes if they've got coin."
Menu prices jumped by cut. I grabbed the cheaper option—not rock-bottom, but second-cheap. Hey, second!
Taking my order, the waiter asked:
"Doneness?"
"Hang on. Ray—well done, medium, or rare?"
"M-me... medium rare."
Her shaky reply in, I wrapped it up.
"Medium well and medium."
"Got it. Two steaks—medium well, medium—one fruit salad. More?"
"Wine... cellar selection."
"Medium, medium well steaks; fruit salad; Cellarju. Correct?"
"Yes."
Ray eyed the waiter leaving, then me—like, again?
"How do you know all this?"
"Know what?"
"I cook too, so I get doneness levels. But the names? No clue. And Cellarju—what even?"
Second-cheapest wine? ...Nah, can't shatter the cool-guy illusion.
"Research."
"You went all out."
Steak terms? Picked up from last loop's one-and-only lover. Nobility spilled on high-society tables.
"So, how is it?"
"...How's what."
"The date. With me."
"You know."
Ray shot me a "really gotta say it?" look, then caved.
"It was good..."
"Huh? Speak up."
"It was good. Really good. First date ever—didn't think it'd rock this hard. There."
Grumbling, face red like a confession. Waiter swung by with wine first. I poured classy, noble-style. Watching her glass fill, Ray probably felt pampered. Prepping grub for grunts her whole life—this was peak glamour.
"Cheers."
"Cheers..."
Wanted to try it once. Ray fumbled a mimic, clinking glasses. Crisp ring, then sip.
"Little sips."
"Yeah."
Sip, chat—then steaks and salad hit the table. Budget cut, but steak slapped. Pricey payoff, mouths happy. Mood peaking, empty next table filled up.
"Fuck, rooms all booked."
"No choice. Noisy crowd, but chow here."
Rough woman's curse, man's soothe. Grade 1 privates packed.
"Mmm, smells divine."
Excited chick voice—trio: two women, one guy, next door.
"Hm? Daron, you okay?"
Ray paused mid-chew, puzzled. Caught my face drop. But Ray's words? Neighbor beat me to it.
"Daron?"
Redhead whipped around to stare.
Why the hell are you here?
"You're Daron, right?"
"Long time."
Swallowed the throat-burning curses, forced soft.
"Charlotte."
Long time no see.
Charlotte, you fucking Hero bitch.