Chapter 45: Does This Count as a Date?

In the blink of an eye, it was April 21st.

Saturday, 11:36 a.m.

A boy and a girl camping outdoors…

Pink delusions circled through the mind.

Sitting in McDanro, Cass shook his head, licking his milk ice cream.

No, Cassia, you’re overthinking.

You should know best what kind of person Siloque is.

If Siloque were interested in my current male outfit, that would be more troublesome….

Because of an appointment with Siloque, Cass told his teammates he had something to do and left early.

Following Siloque’s instructions, Cass told Bried she didn’t need to train in the Dungeon for the next two days.

Bried objected. The day of the decisive battle was approaching—how could she slack off?

If she kept insisting, Cass would say:

—A new bread shop opened in Rocks Plaza, Durrow District, holding a tasting event. Relax those tense nerves a bit—

—Guh, I get it, double the training next time—

And then, Bried set out this morning.

Siloque confirmed this by message. He saw Bried through the window in simple casual clothes, heading out with excitement.

Cass asked Siloque why he didn’t just say so, since they were childhood friends.

Siloque replied with, “It’s rare for things to cool off, to prevent minotaur situations,” or other unclear statements.

As for Kersey, she happened to be helping at her relatives’ café today, Saturday, and business would run late.

Healing teammates in the Dungeon, then helping at home in the shop.

Cass sincerely admired her. Maybe he’d support her café someday.

“Yo, Cass. You’re a bit early.”

“No problem, I just got here.”

Cass spoke a line he’d always wanted to try.

Cass was still in his National Explorers Academy Uniform, since he’d have to change before entering the Dungeon anyway.

Siloque wore the same hoodie as last time. Cass felt it was a bit dull.

If possible, Cass wanted to see Siloque in more outfits—there must be many that suited him.

Like pleated skirts, qipaos, black stockings, office lady suits…

Imagining Siloque striking various poses in those clothes made Cass’s heart race.

“Cass, as agreed, you’re paying for this operation. After all, it’s your own Exclusive Weapon. I’m not chipping in.”

“Ah, mm. No problem.”

Siloque’s words broke Cass’s thoughts, and he snapped back:

“I brought all my allowance. Not sure if it’s enough….”

“OK, let’s go. No time to waste. We have a lot to buy this time.”

“Wait for me! Siloque, you don’t have to walk so fast!”

Cass finished his ice cream in three quick bites, wiped his mouth with a wet wipe, and caught up to Siloque.

After all, this time they were going to the Second Floor.

The recommended safety level for the Second Floor is Lv15.

At Cass and Siloque’s current level, those monsters could swat them to death with a slap.

Siloque had pulled all sorts of crazy stunts at the edge of life and death before, but this time felt different.

Cass could sense that the danger this time forced Siloque to prepare thoroughly.

Exclusive Weapon.

Cass wasn’t clear—maybe he didn’t care much—after all, a weapon is just a tool for killing, as long as it’s handy.

What he really wanted was to spend the night outside with Siloque.

How thrilling.

Fierce battles in the morning, dreamy nights in the same tent, with all kinds of casual physical contact.

Plus, the Second Floor would surely be even more dangerous.

What kinds of powerful enemies and challenges awaited?

Thinking that far, Cass couldn’t suppress the upward curve of his lips.

Following Siloque, the two arrived at a Supply Shop.

“Boss, which is your best Antidote? Give me 10—no, 40 bottles!”

Siloque pointed out products like a commander, expression impressively decisive.

The Shop Owner respectfully packed up the items for Siloque. Big customers like this were rare.

He also recommended several powerful but too-expensive-to-sell Antidote Tools and Magic Potions.

“Excellent. Pack them all.”

“Thank you for your patronage! Miss, you’re generous!”

“I’m a man.”

“Oh-hoho, sorry! Sorry! My old eyes are failing—handsome, let me give you a 30% discount!”

The Shop Owner bowed repeatedly, packing the items into a bag.

“May I ask, which of you will pay?”

“Cass, your turn.”

“I’ll pay. How much?”

Seeing Cass step forward, the Shop Owner’s face froze for some reason:

“Oh, the total is 47,000R. With the discount, it’s 32,900R.”

Professionalism kept the Shop Owner smiling.

Cass blinked in surprise.

Hehehe….

Siloque snickered inside.

Let these damned capitalists bleed gold!

Cass, don’t think just because you’re handsome, popular, and nice, I’ll spoil you forever! As a friend, you still have to pay your share!

Beep—

Cass scanned his Ring Chart and paid efficiently.

“Siloque, should these go with you or me?”

…Why are you so happy, you little punk?

He didn’t even notice Cass’s pain at spending more money.

Cass even had the leisure to ask the Shop Owner about good restaurants nearby.

Ah, I see.

You’re just pretending to be tough.

Heh, it’s fine. There’s still plenty left to buy. You’ll only be smiling for now.

Siloque cleared his throat:

“You hold on to them for now. After buying, we’ll redistribute.”

Cass nodded.

A triangular laser shot from the Ring Chart, scanning the mountain of items and making them vanish.

“Are you two… really students at the National Explorers Academy?”

The Shop Owner was a bit surprised.

He thought Cass’s uniform was borrowed from somewhere.

The National Explorers Academy was famous, and sometimes cheapskates wore the uniform to get discounts.

If you asked for a student ID or Ring Chart for proof and couldn’t produce one, the Shop Owner’s alarm bells would go off.

Who’d have thought this blue-haired youngster was the real big spender?

“Sorry, actually, you’ve spent enough for a free Membership Card… if you don’t mind, I can issue one…”

“No thanks. Cass, next store.”

Siloque declined and turned to leave.

“Siloque, wait up! Why are you always in such a hurry?”

Rejected, the Shop Owner watched the blue-haired youth’s back and brisk steps fade away.

This person seemed… to be really enjoying himself?

***

“Siloque, anything else you want to buy?”

“……Let me think.”

Siloque propped his chin in his hand, gazing irritably out the floor-to-ceiling window at the cityscape.

“If there’s anything you want, just tell me.”

“………………………..Oh.”

After shopping, the two went to a high-end restaurant with good lighting and elegant décor.

Of course, Cass paid and only sat down after paying.

After a while, the waiter brought out grilled steak.

Siloque’s attention shifted to the food, cutting a piece of steak with an unfamiliar knife and fork.

Delicious!

Rich aroma, juicy, tender enough to melt in your mouth.

The beef was at least A5 Wagyu—every bite was money.

Though he could imitate the flavor himself, the power of high-end ingredients wasn’t something seasonings alone could reproduce.

“Siloque, do you like it?”

“Of course. If it’s this good, I’d even ask the Chef how it’s made.”

“That’s great. This is my first time treating someone, so I was worried it wouldn’t suit your taste. Let me call the Chef.”

“Ah? No need, really—”

But Cass smoothly called the Chef over.

The Chef looked flattered.

Later, Siloque checked online and learned they were sitting in a special class seat. At that level, the Chef didn’t dare refuse customers.

Seeing the Chef, Siloque ended up chatting about cooking, taking notes on the Ring Chart.

He hit it off with the Chef and didn’t notice Cass smiling at him the whole time.

After thanking the Chef, not holding him up too long, Siloque realized he’d gotten too excited.

“Ahem, once we finish eating, let’s go to the Dungeon. That’s the real purpose.”

“Mm, I didn’t forget. By the way, Siloque, is there really nothing else you want to buy? Anything is fine, don’t hold back.”

“Nothing!”

“Oh….”

Cass, meanwhile, calmly sipped a red wine of indeterminate age.

Come to think of it, today doesn’t seem like a loss for me?

Thinking back, Siloque realized he’d been treating Cass like an ATM all day.

Weapon shop.

Armor shop.

Fashion Shop.

Pet Shop.

Halfway through, it became Cass’s idea to go shopping—the atmosphere got stranger and stranger.

Transfer Crystal, top-tier items, high-quality Enchanted Armor…

They bought everything needed, but the weirdest thing was Cass randomly suggesting they enter a Spa and Beauty Shop, then suddenly blushing and waving his hands no.

Bro, why all the fuss when we’re entering the Dungeon?

It was supposed to frustrate Cass, but Siloque ended up feeling weirdly pampered.

Ugh, why am I thinking such disgusting things again?

Siloque’s face darkened.

Across the table, Cass skillfully used knife and fork, elegantly slicing beef in a way that showed clear etiquette training, chewing with mouth closed.

That’s all?

Cass set down his utensils, puzzled inside.

Siloque bought a lot of stuff.

But the total spent was less than a fifth of my monthly allowance.

So little.

Maybe this was Siloque’s kindness—making a big show of it, but actually buying the cheapest options.

And spending a relaxed day shopping like this…

It felt a bit like a date.

Hiding his inner thoughts, Cass hummed the Pretty Cure Season 2 Insert Song, and even the A5 Wagyu he usually found boring tasted different.