Chapter 267


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The next early morning, Mika visits Ichiro’s room with determination.

*There’s nothing strange about me inviting him to hang out.*
*So it’ll be fine, Mika.*
She encourages herself internally.

Just as she’s about to knock on the door—*click*—the door opens first.

「Whoa! You scared me!」

He—young man Ichiro—jumps back in surprise the moment he opens the door and sees Mika standing there. At that moment, Mika steels herself.

「Ah, good morning.」

「Oh, uh, morning.」

After exchanging greetings, Ichiro asks her:

「What brings you here so early in the morning?」

*Say it, Mika. Just say it.*

「Ichiro, do you… have any plans for today?」

After she musters the courage to ask, he thinks for a moment.

「Plans, huh… Well, I do have something…」

His words cause Mika’s face to cloud with disappointment.

「I… see. In that case, maybe another time, when you’re free—」

As she starts to turn away, he stops her.

「No, no, that’s not it. I actually had something I wanted to do with you, Mika.
Would you like to spend the day with me?」


Mika has no reason to refuse.
Though they had kissed, that was already a month or two ago. Between them both being incredibly shy and Angelica joining their party right after clearing the Mirror Dungeon, there had been virtually zero progress in their romantic relationship. So today presented a rare opportunity.

「Ah, well… it’ll be done soon, so… could you go back to your room for now? I’ll come get you once I’m ready.」

「’It’ll be done soon’? What are you doing so early in the morning anyway?」

「Do you remember…? I made you a promise before… that I’d bake you an apple pie.」


*—Well then, once things settle down, I’ll make you an apple pie.*


There’s no way she could forget.
Every memory with him is precious to her.

However, for some reason, Mika feels a twinge in her chest.
On their first day off in a while, their first time alone together in ages.
She should be excited, her heart should be dancing with joy, and yet why—

「So you’re preparing that now?」

「Yeah. I was making the dough. Just need to finish it up quick and let it rest in the fridge. By the time we get back from going out, it should be perfect.」

「Thank you, Ichiro. And if it’s alright…」

「Yeah, what is it?」

「Would it be okay if I watched you make it?」

「Oh, uh… sure, that’s fine… though it won’t be that interesting to watch.」

She wanted to be by his side, even if just a little longer.
And she wanted to see up close what he was doing for her. So—

「You’re doing this for me.
How could it not be interesting…?」

The honest words flowed naturally from her heart.



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Mika intently watches Ichiro finish preparing the pie dough, the two of them exchanging playful banter as time passes.
Once that’s done, they quickly get ready and head into town.

The first dungeon they had tackled was the Mirror Dungeon. Since it was their first challenge after he was summoned, it took them half a year to clear it. Though they slept in separate rooms, they spent nearly every waking moment together during those six months.

Because of that, they used to walk through town together almost daily, visiting bookstores at Ichiro’s suggestion or sampling sweets at Mika’s preference.

But today, Ichiro is making her an apple pie. So when he asks:

「That shop has sugar toast, want to try some?」

Or:

「That galette shop we just passed smelled amazing, should we check it out?」

Even though Mika has a notorious sweet tooth, she manages to summon her self-control and shakes her head.

「No, let’s skip it. Since you’re going through the trouble of making something, I’ll save today’s treat for then.」

「Geez… that’s kind of putting a lot of pressure on me, but… alright! Then look forward to it! Even if we’re having pie later, we should at least get a snack for now.」

After confirming Mika’s nod of agreement, he quickly buys some bread with sausage from a street vendor.



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