In Kouro's impression, in some harem anime and Eroge games, the male protagonist is usually a passive, dense and irresponsible type (bastard), like an emotional and desperate fool.
When faced with girls who love him, he doesn't even take them seriously.
This results in making all the girls close to him throw themselves at him which allows him to achieve what men dream of, which is a 'harem'.
Kouro knows that he is similar to a certain harem protagonist, a fool when it comes to love, but that doesn't mean he doesn't know what love is.
In his previous life because he was too focused on being successful, he ended up dying from exhaustion and excessive stress.
This also naturally left him with no time for dating.
Back then when he found out that he was reincarnated, he was very happy and wanted to live a life of leisure.
But that all changed when he found out that the world he was reincarnated in was very dangerous, thankfully he had 'Cheat' even though it came too late.
In this world where the ratio of men and women is very unbalanced he also has a dream like other men 'making a harem'.
But he wouldn't do it, at least not now anyway he wasn't too worried because his chances of making a harem in this world would be easier at least compared to his former world.
After all, the women here don't find it strange if a man they like makes a harem.
However, Kouro felt that if he giving a negative answer to Kiana's question. He noticed this girl might do something decisive to Mei.
So he thought he should eliminate all hidden dangers.
Therefore, at this time Kouro nodded without hesitation and said in a firm voice.
"That's right!"
"Huh? No, no!" Mei said with a flushed face and waved her hands frantically.
Kouro and Mei gave answers at the same time, but with two answers that had completely opposite meanings.
When Mei heard Kouro's answer, her face became even redder, but Kouro showed a depressed expression.
"Does Mei still think we're not a couple? It's obvious that we've been seeing each other late into the night, chatting together, and doing a hobby together (sword training). "
Kouro then continued with a melancholy expression.
"I've also tasted your delicious snacks more than once and you've also received gifts from me when we 'dated'. Isn't that already called dating?"
Kouro didn't realize that Mei current expression looked very strange, it was a mixture of joy, sadness, annoyance and more.
Although Mei had only known Kouro for a short period of just over two months, she had roughly understood his personality.
Although she was happy with Kouro's words, she knew that it was just a hoax that made her a little upset.
"But there's no real confession right?"
"Ah, then now..."
"No! You should choose a more appropriate time and place, otherwise, it will make people feel that you are joking."
Mei quickly interrupted Kouro's words.
Kouro wanted to say something more before suddenly remembering Mei's rather nasty personality earlier which made him fall silent.
Since when did Mei become so naughty?
Kiana who was currently just watching the two of them suddenly smacked her hand with an understanding expression.
"I see... So this is unrequited love huh?"
Kiana was really Kiana, she didn't see that Mei's words were just a joke to get back at Kouro... maybe?
She didn't even understand the deep meaning of the dialog between the two parties. It was because she didn't use her brain that she came to the wrong conclusion.
Kouro didn't bother arguing anymore and went inside the restaurant first.
"Eat first. "
Kouro used to come here often with Mei, recently he also invited Kiana to eat here together.
At that time, the shopkeeper suspected that he was having an affair with Mei that Kouro was unaware of.
Now that he brought Kiana and Mei together, this made the shopkeeper stare at Kouro with a deep gaze.
After all, Kouro was currently standing tall in the middle of the two beautiful girls.
Compared to the newly appeared Kiana, the shopkeeper favored the gentle and virtuous Mei.
But now she saw that Mei was aware of the things Kouro was doing and did nothing about it.
This leaves the shopkeeper speechless, nor can she arbitrarily interfere.
Seeing Kouro who came with two beautiful girls, the shop owner secretly sighed that today's youth are very brave.
Kouro was unaware of the shopkeeper's thoughts, he was currently paying special attention to small details, that is, he was now in the front row while Kiana and Mei followed behind.
If he kept this formation, he and Mei should be sitting on the sides while Kiana sat in the center.
Although Kiana herself was a pretty girl, to prevent this reckless girl from openly saying "Want to eat pretty girl flavor instant noodles" who is Mei.
To protect Mei's innocence, he thought of using his body as a shield.
Therefore, after Kouro slowed down his footsteps silently, he focused his gaze on the wooden board on the wall once he entered the restaurant.
Then Kiana, who was thinking about what to eat, walked up to Kouro unexpectedly and then casually found an empty place beside him and sat down quietly in a natural motion.
Logically, Mei should have been sitting next to Kouro.
But Mei seemed to notice Kouro's small movements, so she deliberately walked a few more steps and sat down next to Kiana.
As a result, Kiana was the one sitting between the two of them.
Kouro turned to glance at her while showing a helpless expression and Mei returned it with a mischievous smile.
Kouro then sighed as his plan failed, but he quickly thought optimistically and learned his lesson.
'Maybe this is a good thing.'
He wasn't referring to the seat separation, but to Mei's change.
Mei was not a lonely girl anymore. She was even willing to joke with Kouro and showed various expressions that could only mean that her mentality was gradually improving.
If it was the old Mei, a lonely girl who suffered from her father's imprisonment and was ostracized by her peers, it would not be possible to do such a thing.
During this period of time, the relationship between him and Mei not only changed the depressed Kouro, but also changed Mei's mentality.
As for Kiana, who was in the middle, she didn't pay attention to these details at all.
The girl who had been staring at the menu board then looked around and when she saw Kouro who was sitting to her right.
She simply shook her head before grabbing Kouro's arm and pointing at the menu, like a child.
"I want to eat that, eel rice."
"Okay." Seeing Kiana acting spoiled again, Kouro of course did not reject her cuteness that she showed.
He then turned to look at Mei and asked, "What about you? Is it still the same as the previous menu?"
"Yes."
Mei smiled and nodded which revealed another tacit understanding.
If Kouro, Mei and Kiana were not the same age, in the eyes of passersby this scene might look more like a parent and child who looked warm and harmonious.