Chapter 16: Does This Count as a First Introduction?

The simulated battle went very smoothly, and just as the last group finished, it was exactly time to get off school.

“Let’s go, Lusina. Let’s go eat something delicious.”

Dai Lina grabbed my sister and left the Training Building together, while Qingyan and Su Luoluo didn’t come with us but went straight back to the dormitory.

As for me…

Of course, I followed my sister.

I hadn’t forgotten what Eliza told me, so I went along as well.

But this wasn’t because I forced it; after my sister introduced me to Dai Lina, she also invited me to come along.

I remember when my sister introduced me to Dai Lina…

“This is my younger sister, Luna.”

Her expression was first one of surprise, but then she naturally went along and invited me to join.

I could understand why she was so surprised—it was just too much of a coincidence.

Yesterday she was hesitating to look for me, and now she got to know me through my sister.

You could only say it was really fate!

Now, the three of us left the Training Building and walked down the Academy’s streets.

I thought she would casually find a dessert shop to sit at, but that wasn’t the case.

“I’ll take you to a really good place.”

She led us purposely, turning several streets before bringing us to a dessert shop.

“Sweetland.”

This was the dessert shop she brought us to.

Once inside, we found a random seat and sat down. Dai Lina skillfully called over a waitress.

The waitstaff here were quite distinctive—all dressed in maid uniforms. There were only female servers, not a single male.

From what I understood, this was a maid-themed dessert shop.

“Order whatever you want, it’s on me!”

Dai Lina said generously, handing us the menus. Hearing this, my sister looked a bit embarrassed.

“That’s too much. Let’s just split it.”

“No, no, I said it’s on me. No need.”

Seeing Dai Lina insist on paying, Lusina had no choice but to accept. But she ordered cheap items, not wanting Dai Lina to spend too much.

My sister and I ordered exactly the same thing, mainly because there were so many desserts and we didn’t know how to choose.

But seeing us hesitate, Dai Lina started recommending.

“Let me recommend. The assorted cake and pudding milk tea here are really delicious.”

It was clear Dai Lina was a regular here, so we followed her recommendation and ordered a set.

After handing the menus to the maids, we began chatting.

“By the way, Dai Lina, your gun is really beautiful. Was it custom-made?”

I asked curiously.

As someone who had some knowledge of guns, I was very curious about hers because I’d never seen a style like that.

The first time I saw it, I wanted to inspect it carefully, but never had the chance.

Seeing me ask, Dai Lina smiled and explained.

“That’s right, you have good eyes. This gun is indeed custom-made, combining steampunk elements. It was carefully crafted for me by a skilled artisan.”

She then took the gun out from her Space Ring and showed it to me.

“Its design is very unique, blending classical and modern mechanical aesthetics. The lever-action structure recalls old-era rifles, but the steam-driven mechanism and exquisite engravings give it a futuristic feel.”

“The gas delivery pipe and air valve below the muzzle are its special features, ensuring stability and accuracy when firing.”

…Is it really okay to take a gun out in public like this?

For some reason, that thought popped into my head.

But hearing Dai Lina talk about it, I became even more curious. I really hoped for a chance to test fire it.

Like she read my mind, after putting the gun away, Dai Lina even took the initiative to invite me to try it out.

“How about it? You seem really interested in my gun. Want to try it sometime?”

I couldn’t ask for more, excitedly asking, “Really? Can I really test fire it?”

Dai Lina readily agreed, “Of course, since fate brought us together, it’s no problem letting you try.”

I thanked her enthusiastically, “Thank you!”

At this moment, my sister, watching us get along so well, sighed in relief. She’d been worried that her younger sister and Dai Lina wouldn’t have much to talk about, but now she said:

“You two look like you’ve known each other for a long time.”

I smiled and explained, “Well, kind of. Yesterday, while waiting for you all, I met Dai Lina briefly, but we didn’t talk much.”

Dai Lina chimed in, “Yeah, I was a bit shy back then, so I didn’t talk to Luna much. When I later found out Luna was your sister, I was surprised too. I feel like we’re really destined.”

“Eh! Really!?”

Hearing that we’d met before, my sister looked at me in surprise.

I gave her a look that said ‘That’s just how it is.’

While we talked, the desserts we ordered arrived one after another. We ate while continuing to chat.

“What? This place is yours?!”

While we were chatting, Dai Lina suddenly told us that this shop was actually hers.

Hearing this, my sister and I were very surprised!

“That’s right. This shop belongs to me. I’m confident about my desserts—look, so many people come here every day is proof enough.”

Looking around, just as she said, the place was packed. The seats were all taken, and there were many customers buying sweets at the counter.

“The first floor is the shop, and my home is upstairs on the second floor.”

Dai Lina pointed upwards.

“Do you run this place by yourself, Dai Lina?”

Lusina asked curiously.

“Of course, I run the shop. But since I still have to study, the Maid Captain manages it.”

She then pointed to the maid handling payments at the counter.

You could immediately tell the Maid Captain’s demeanor was very different—her bearing was upright, very distinguished.

By the way, she was the one who had just served our desserts.

“Maid Captain… By the way, what about your parents, Dai Lina? I thought it was your parents running this place.”

Lusina asked with puzzlement, surprised it wasn’t her parents but the Maid Captain managing it.

At this, a faint, hard-to-notice worry flickered across Dai Lina’s face, but she quickly composed herself. Neither Luna nor Lusina noticed the subtle change.

“My parents? They do business in another city, so I run this shop.”

“I see.”

“Enough of that. So, how is the assorted cake here?”

As if changing the subject, Dai Lina suddenly asked about the cake’s taste.

“It’s good, really delicious!”

I was telling the truth—the assorted cake here was truly delicious!

This shop’s assorted cake was indeed a masterpiece; every bite offered a rich variety of layers.

The sweetness was just right—never too cloying, but deeply satisfying.

The delicate cream and soft cake blended perfectly, paired with an assortment of fresh fruits that made you feel like you were in a colorful world of flavors.

Every spoonful was full of surprises and delight!

My sister gave the same glowing review.

In short, my sister and I were both praising the cake’s deliciousness.

“I’m glad you like it. I’d have to adjust the recipe if you didn’t.”

“No way, it’s really delicious!”

“Exactly, exactly.”

“I’m happy you like it.”

After that, we chatted for a long time. It wasn’t until 8 p.m. that we left the dessert shop.

Before leaving, we even took some desserts with us.

“Take care! See you next time.”

I held the desserts and said goodbye to Dai Lina. My sister looked at me with a frown.

“You really…”

Honestly…

I didn’t want to take so many sweets!

The reason I took those desserts was because of Eliza.

While we were chatting, Eliza came out and idly stared at the desserts by the counter, not taking her eyes off them.

Seeing her drooling like that, I felt a bit sorry and wanted to bring some desserts back to the dorm for her.

Unexpectedly, when Dai Lina heard I wanted to take some desserts, she agreed generously, giving us a bit of everything—there were so many sweets.

Naturally, my sister wanted to refuse, but couldn’t resist Dai Lina’s enthusiasm and accepted the desserts.

Besides me, my sister also felt awkward refusing because all the desserts were paid for by Dai Lina.

“Honestly, why did you take so many again…”

Lusina sighed, looking at the big bag of sweets in her hands.

I never expected my sister to get away with it again this time…

This time’s punishment was basically ignored by her, but that didn’t mean she could keep eating without limits.

“This is your portion, little Luna. You can’t eat any more.”

Our sweets were packed separately; the small bag Luna held was her share—one of each dessert, enough for her to eat.

“I know, sis. Don’t worry, I definitely won’t sneak any more.”

“Hmph! If I catch you sneaking again, your allowance will be kept by me from then on.”

“Got it.”

“Well, let’s head back.”