Kapitel 6: 6. True Love
Mitsuri realized what had happened. An indirect kiss! This was too intimate for her. Her worries about the food disappeared, replaced by the memory of Kotaro feeding her, and she was enchanted by it.
"Cough! Mitsuri, did you like it?"
How could Kotaro not know her thoughts? So, he coughed to bring her out of her reverie, though he still wanted to see her embarrassed face. After all, he didn't forget his initial goal.
"Y-Yes. It's good."
Mitsuri nodded to his question but still was unable to look him directly in the eyes. Sometimes, her overshyness made Kotaro sigh, but…
Once again, that's what he liked about her.
"If you like it, you won't decline to eat the rest of it, right?"
Kotaro smirked and then moved the dishes towards her. And that's when Mitsuri understood that she had fallen into a trap. The smell of different dishes reached her nose, and her hunger went wild.
But she wouldn't lose. She didn't want to reject Kotaro's kindness, but she couldn't help but remember her previous dates. The cold rejections she faced because of her ungirly traits.
She didn't want to face such a rejection, especially from the man who showed her kindness unlike others.
Clutching her fingers underneath the table, she smiled as she proceeded to reject him.
"I-I am not hungry, Kotaro-sam---"
"Shh!"
Before she could finish her sentence, Kotaro placed his finger on her lips, silencing her. And there he could see her, as she could see him. As he stared into her green eyes, making her unable to escape, he uttered the words, reminding Mitsuri of what he had said before.
"Didn't I tell you, Mitsuri? I like girls who eat a lot."
And as if fate was aiding him, a sound erupted from Mitsuri's stomach.
Grrr…
"Ah…"
Mitsuri quickly wrapped her stomach with her hands, quite embarrassed about making such a sound. And Kotaro… Well, he couldn't leave this chance.
"Oh! It seems your body agrees with me. So, will you eat now?"
"Y-Yes."
Mitsuri whispered slowly like a mouse, but Kotaro heard it. He smiled and went back to his seat. With no more escape, Mitsuri picked up the Sakuramochi and ate it.
'Yum!'
The taste made her inner self dance. Mitsuri couldn't help but eat one more. The addictive sweet taste made her crave more and more. As expected of Sakuramochi, her favorite sweet! It never disappointed her.
Just one bite made Mitsuri fall into her zone. She forgot that she was on a date and went on to eat to her fill. Moreover, the line – "I like girls who eat a lot" – ignited a fire in her. When it comes to eating, she, Kanroji Mitsuri, wouldn't lose to anyone!
'That's good.'
Kotaro just watched her chomping down food so gleefully. She had some kind of aura, a certain presence that made the people around her smile.
'Though, that differs according to her mood.'
Finally, Kotaro stopped admiring her and picked up chopsticks to eat his fill. He couldn't go hungry, right?
"Let's ea-- Huh? Where are the dishes?"
The bowls and plates with dishes were all empty. Where did they go? Disappear? And then he heard the sound of someone eating.
Chomp! Nom! Chomp!
And there it was. The food thief! Now, Kotaro's eyes widened. He indeed told her that he liked girls who eat a lot but…
Twitch!
'Isn't it a bit too much?!'
Mitsuri didn't just eat a lot, but she ate a lot faster too, leaving not even a crumb for him. If there was something left to eat, it was just the white rice in the bowl.
'Why do I feel that my purse is going to be empty?'
But what could he do? This was the time when Kotaro felt the disadvantages of a male-oriented society. Damn! He had to pay for everything on the date!
Fortunately, being a teacher paid well in these ancient times. He could afford such a heavy eater wife.
'Wait! Wife? Didn't I decide not to get married?!'
Once again, he was brainwashed by her cute actions. But was it just his eyes, or did Mitsuri seem cuter than her usual self?
When is Mitsuri the happiest?
Kotaro didn't know the answer, but it was when she was eating. And what was she doing now? She was eating! Of course, she was cuter!
"Waiter!"
The man heard Kotaro's call and came to him. His eyes widened when he saw all the dishes empty. When he brought them before, he thought that this man was kidding. But now…
"Can you bring some more dishes?"
'What?! You can eat even more!'
"Y-Yes."
The waiter just looked at Kotaro as if he was some kind of freak, but still left to bring more dishes. Who was he to complain? Big eater means more business.
And soon after a bit of time, new dishes came to the table. Kotaro indulged in the food, and soon after half an hour…
Burp! X2
"!!!"
Such a coincidence! Both of them burped at the same time, creating an awkward silence. But then, Kotaro laughed, making Mitsuri laugh as well.
"You made a funny sound, Mitsuri."
"I-It's not that funny. Kotaro-sama's is funnier."
"Is that so?"
"Yes!"
The laughter rose, and smiles appeared on their faces. Kotaro looked at Mitsuri, who seemed more at ease than during the rest of the date, and smiled more genuinely, making her even more beautiful.
The sun rays fell from the window on her in such a way that her smile radiated even more. Kotaro looked at her beauty, extended his hand to caress her, and patted her head softly as if he was tending to her and muttered softly.
"Good girl."
"W-Wawawa~"
What could she do? Even after all the frequent touches, Mitsuri was still not immune to such kind and affectionate pats. It felt addictive.
Her reaction once again gained a chuckle from Kotaro. Her embarrassed and shy face, so easy to tease, such a beautiful and cute girl… Kotaro could feel the time being frozen. He kept on staring at her, just the way Mitsuri did through her secret glances.
'It would be great if I could marry her/him.' x2
And at that moment, that thought crossed both of their minds simultaneously. Such a wish, so easy to fulfill, but what could one do?
When people are in love, they tend to overthink. Just like these two. One who thinks that his selfish desire would make Mitsuri's wish for marriage and starting a family wait, thus hurting her, and the other who thinks she is not worthy of him.
No wonder, someone said: True love isn't about possession; it's the willingness to let go for the other's growth and happiness.
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A/N:
Maybe, it became a bit cheesy? But romance is always cheesy!
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