Chapter 120: Katia Uses the Two-Dimensional Slip-and-Fall

“Then the Izabilis they mentioned is the highest-level state banquet chef.”

“No, Izabilis is the only customer they serve. That guy just needs to open his mouth and eat.”

Siloque finished the pile of leftovers in one go.

“Oh…”

“Knowing this much is enough at this stage.”

Siloque murmured:

“Saying too much causes unnecessary actions, making it hard to control the Storyline.”

“By the way, the Refined Tree Nest is…?”

“I’ll send you a file with more details later. You can also send it to your companions; it’s better if they know.”

“Yeah, thank you! Siloque.”

A refreshing smile appeared on Cass’s face.

Mainly, there was no need to worry about his identity being exposed right now.

Actually… he still wanted to ask.

About Siloque’s Victory Date yesterday.

However, asking would only deepen Siloque’s suspicion.

Just remembering it made his heart feel gloomy.

Cass tried a bite of the now-cold “mango pastry” to dilute yesterday’s memories.

The outer crust was crispy.

With a gentle push of the teeth, the slightly sweet cream no longer splattered everywhere but had condensed into a refreshing solid.

The distinct grains of mango inside, fused with the sweet and sour cherry puree, created a wonderful pairing of flavors.

“….Mmm!”

Because it was baked so well, just as he took a bite, the crispy part along with the filling fell onto the table.

“Be careful, it’s such a waste. This little piece is worth 30R.”

Siloque wrapped it up with a tissue, looking distressed.

Could it be, he wants to feed me, using his slender fingers to wipe my mouth while saying, “You naughty little Cat, you’re so mischievous,” or something like that…

Cass’s face gradually began to turn red.

Siloque used a knife to cut off the part that touched the table, then put the rest on another plate and handed it to Cass.

Such a boring and stiff reaction.

Cass’s heart cooled halfway.

Wait…

Looked at another way, this was a mango pastry Siloque cut for him with his own hands!

There were even fingerprints on it (pressed through the tissue), with the lingering scent of Siloque’s fingers.

Too much of a win.

“You don’t want to eat? If you don’t…”

“Of course I want to eat.”

Cass held it with both hands and, without hesitation, put it directly into his mouth.

Closing his eyes, he savored it carefully, trying to find the taste of the person he cared about within the smooth texture of the fruit and pastry.

***

Following Cass’s original Plan, they arrived at the cinema.

Perhaps because it was a workday, there weren’t many people.

Cass skillfully operated the ticket machine, and after scanning the QR code with his Mobile Phone, two tickets were spat out.

Returning to the lounge area, he waited in the lobby with Siloque for the announcement to enter for the film.

“Light Pretty Cure and whatnot… it’s a bit too childish. Last time I watched something like Madoka, which is more realistic. These kinds of sunny, child-oriented ones, I stopped watching years ago.”

Siloque flipped through the promotional brochure for the movie introduction “Yes! Precure Ailulu GoGo! Adventure in the Kingdom of Sweets,” which was the movie they were about to see.

“Eh… then, those merchandise Short Videos I sent you…”

You didn’t watch them at all, did you?

Am I not just acting overfamiliar and pushing things Siloque isn’t interested in?

Rather than the other party being uninterested from the start, it’s more heartbreaking for the recommender when they don’t watch after being pushed.

“No, I did watch those edits and Short Videos. The animation and music are truly top-tier; it’s worthy of being a national-level work. It’s just that I haven’t seen a full series yet.”

It seemed Siloque wasn’t completely uninterested.

Cass felt the Hope of a strong recommendation flare up again.

“Then I recommend you watch the second generation, Meteor Impact, first! That was a project aimed at the 13+ demographic, the most suitable entry point. Although the setting isn’t as grand and rich as the previous works, the complications in the Storyline and between characters are very interesting.”

“Even though Ailulu’s transformation only has two forms—the initial and the final—every episode is particularly sensational. You can tell the director and production staff were overflowing with passion; the music feels very hype after just one listen…”

“Stop, stop, stop, stop—I get it, I get it. Don’t say so much for now. I already deeply understand your love for this work. Don’t get so close to me with your eyes glowing and mouth watering.”

Siloque hurriedly backed away.

“Sorry… I got a bit carried away.”

Cass used a tissue to wipe the corner of his mouth.

[The more you try to recommend something you love to someone, the more they will feel a sense of resistance. It is better to retreat to advance here; do not be too aggressive.]

[Hertanid! Why are you awake? Do you want to watch with us too?]

[It’s just that your noisy emotions disturbed me. You’ve already dragged me to see enough of it. Anyway, I’m just reminding you not to get so… what humans call “hyped up.”]

[Right, I can’t scare Siloque away like this.]

Cass reflected for a moment and said slowly: “Then just take this opportunity to watch it a bit. If you’re not interested, there’s no use forcing it.”

“Well, if I give it a try. Worst case scenario, I’ll just treat it as appreciating the animation.”

Seeing Cass suddenly become so calm, Siloque instead rubbed his head awkwardly.

***

100 minutes later, Cass and Siloque walked out of the screening hall.

“Are you okay? Here, a tissue…”

Counting it up, it should be the fourth tissue given to Siloque.

“Thank you.”

“Even though I found it moving too, there’s no need to cry like this.”

Originally, when Cass saw Ailulu’s Friend, Lar, sacrificing himself to protect the Kingdom of Sweets and Earth, his nose felt sour and he shed tears silently.

As a result, he discovered Siloque beside him was already crying with red eyes, his voice choked with sobs.

It actually made Cass calm down.

“I’m not crying. It’s wet from the rain.”

“Where’s the rain indoors?”

Wuu wuu!

Siloque wiped his tears away with the back of his hand.

To think he could actually see Siloque’s crying face.

Crying looks so moe…

At first, Cass wanted to pat Siloque’s back to comfort him, but then he felt Siloque might not like this kind of “same-sex” contact.

He could only change it to cautiously poking his shoulder with a finger.

He couldn’t let Siloque realize he found his crying face interesting.

“Al will be Resurrection in the later TV version. This work is a prequel story, so don’t be too sad.”

“W-what… you should have said so earlier.”

Siloque stopped his tears and returned to his usual serious face with a determined gaze.

However, the corners of his eyes were still red, with tear stains remaining.

“…”

Cass swallowed hard.

It would be a pity not to take a photo as a souvenir.

Use the Ring Chart?

It wasn’t impossible, but usually, this couldn’t take a proper photo of Siloque’s front face openly; so far, it had only been profile shots.

Cass looked around and soon found a square little room set up in a corner of the theater.

A photo sticker machine.

“Silo—”

He stopped quickly.

Based on previous experience with Siloque, if he invited him to take this kind of photo that couples like, he would definitely refuse 100%.

I’m not trying to take a couples’ photo with Siloque!

I just want to record Siloque’s crying face, out of a Friend’s kindness—at most with a bit of a prankish mind!

Yes, there’s no problem at all, just a joke between Friends.

“Sorry, Cass. I admit my previous statements were biased. Precure Ailulu is still quite good. This story was told very heartfully; it really is a good story.”

“Mhm, right, that’s exactly it.”

“Cass?”

At this moment, Cass was pondering how to get Siloque to take a photo sticker.

Thinking it over, only a forceful approach would be possible.

“It’s been a while, I’ll go to the restroom first to relieve myself.”

“Ah, okay.”

The opportunity has come!

While Siloque was in the restroom.

Cass walked over to the photo machine.

Every subsequent operation had to be careful.

After confirming no one around was using it, Cass methodically operated the machine, setting it to timer mode.

He quickly walked out and returned to his original spot, watching Siloque come out of the restroom and join him.

“Let’s go buy some drinks. Siloque, what do you want to drink?”

“Anything is fine. I just checked; the transformation outfit designed for the Ailulu movie is much cooler than the TV version. I wonder if the TV version inherited it.”

“Yes, it did. In episode… I won’t spoil it for now. Siloque, take your time watching.”

The two walked forward.

Cass deliberately stayed a bit ahead so Siloque would half-follow him.

Just a little more.

Entering the track.

3 seconds left.

Now!

“Uwah! (The voice sounded very fake)”

Cass’s left foot tripped over his right, and he crashed into Siloque.

“?!”

Due to the sudden impact, Siloque’s footing was unstable, and he tumbled into the photo sticker machine.

“Ow, ow, ow… what are you doing?”

“Siloque, are you okay? I accidentally tripped.”

“How can someone in reality trip on flat ground? Misuzu Kamio would have to take you as a master.”

Misuzu Kamio?

Not sure who that is; Cass would check on Wikipedia later.

Cass pulled Siloque up, then continued:

“Oh my god, what is that! (Still a very fake voice)”

“Huh?”

Seeing Cass point like that, Siloque reflexively looked over.

In the direction of the lens.

Just a moment before the camera took the photo, Cass removed the Expulsion Ring with extremely fast hand speed.

Click—

As the flash of the machine ended, capturing the two of them normally, Cass put the ring back on.

“Wait.”

From Siloque’s incredibly dark expression, it wasn’t hard to see he had already discovered this was a photo sticker machine specifically for couples.

“You and I… took that kind of photo?”

Siloque walked out of the machine with a face that looked as if all his life force had been drained.

Cass picked up the spat-out photo.

“Sorry, sorry. It seems someone set the machine to timer mode and left… This photo, do you want it?”

“Absolutely not.”

“I see…”

Cass was originally a bit worried; if Siloque said he wanted it, it would be hard to handle.

“How could this happen? A nightmare for a lifetime…”

So saying, Siloque indicated again that he was heading to the restroom, saying he needed to cool down.

“Then I’ll go buy drinks first. Just wait for me here after you come out!”

Waving his hand, watching Siloque sway as he walked away, only then did Cassia take a close look at the photo sticker.

Inside the heart-shaped frame, Siloque had an expression of panic and loss, while Cassia…

“The smile isn’t very pretty, but it’s quite good. This is my and Siloque’s first couples’ photo.”

If my hair could be a bit straighter, the color of my eyebrows a bit darker, the angle a bit lower, and if some sparkling border effects were added, it would be even more interesting…

The soul of photography burned, and a bit of greed inevitably arose in her heart.

Finally, Cassia folded the photo sticker neatly and put it into the Ring Chart.

She would find a cute picture frame to mount it in tonight.

“Hum hum~ mmm~”

She hummed a little tune and placed an order on her Mobile Phone.

She could pick up the drinks at the shop in a moment.