Heartbeats and Illusions

"Ugh... I'm so hungry. Iroha's energy is almost at zero!" Isshiki Iroha whined dramatically, clutching her stomach as if she were a tragic heroine.

Kanade sighed, casting her a disapproving glance. "Who told you to skip lunch? You've been running around all day. Of course, you're starving now. Basic biology, kouhai. You should've eaten something earlier."

Iroha huffed and puffed her cheeks indignantly. "But eating there would've been a disgrace! Spending money on food instead of the game? Unthinkable!"

"Wait a second—" Kanade's brow twitched. "Are you seriously saying buying food is less important than playing a role-playing game? Priorities, Iroha."

"If you eat that kind of embarrassing food, you'll become a loser who can't eat without being spoon-fed by a girl! That's what happens to otakus, right?" Iroha declared righteously, as if she were saving the world from some great evil.

Kanade froze, his expression unreadable.

What?! That's not otakus you're describing—that's literally babies!

"Oi, Isshiki, you better apologize to otakus everywhere for this slander!" Kanade snapped back, glaring at her.

"But isn't senpai an otaku too?" Iroha asked, her grin devilish.

"I'm not!" Kanade retorted, almost too quickly. "I just like watching anime. That's completely different!"

"Ehhhhhh~!" Iroha exaggerated her disbelief, puffing her cheeks again. "Totally unconvincing, senpai. You sure you don't have some secret shrine dedicated to your favorite waifu?"

Kanade groaned. "You're impossible."

Iroha's mischievous grin shifted into a mock-innocent pout. "Nee, senpai, do you like desserts? If you're craving something sweet, Iroha wouldn't mind accompanying you~."

"It's not great to eat dessert before dinner," Kanade said, shooting her a sidelong glance. He wanted to outright deny her suggestion, but knowing her personality, she'd probably throw a fit. Instead, he softened his tone. "Dinner's soon. Can't you hold out a little longer?"

"Urusai! Where did this coldhearted senpai come from? Your cute and lovable kouhai is on the brink of starvation, and you're telling her to be patient?!"

Iroha pouted harder, crossing her arms and jabbing two fingers into Kanade's side. "Cruel senpai! Iroha treated you to lunch, remember?!"

"That was a joke, and you know it." Kanade swatted her poking hand away with ease. With his free hand, he pointed down the street. "Look, there's the dessert shop you wanted."

Iroha followed his finger, her eyes lighting up. But just as quickly, suspicion clouded her face. "Wait a second. How do you know there's a dessert shop here? Could it be... you've brought other girls here before?"

Kanade paled. "What kind of logic is that?! Use your brain, Iroha!"

She narrowed her eyes at him, her suspicion deepening.

"Fine, fine!" Kanade waved his phone. "I checked the navigation earlier, okay? When you started whining about food, I found the nearest place."

"Hmm, so that's it." Iroha nodded, but her sly smile returned immediately. "Still, senpai, if the desserts are bad, I'm giving them all to you!"

Kanade glanced at her, deadpan. "...You're unbelievable."

There was no way someone as hungry as her would give up food, no matter how bad it was. He could already picture her grumbling about the taste while still stuffing her face.

After entering the shop, Kanade guided them to a quiet table near the corner. Once seated, he took the menu handed to him by the waitress, skimmed through it, and passed it to Iroha.

"All yours," he said, leaning back in his chair.

"Arigatou, senpai!" Iroha chirped, her enthusiasm fully restored as she began flipping through the pages with sparkling eyes.

Kanade sighed again, wondering how he always got roped into her antics.

The little devilish schoolgirl wasted no time making her choice. Her eyes sparkled as she circled two items on the menu with absolute confidence. Then, she turned to Natsukawa Kanade with an innocent smile.

"I'll have the starry sky mousse and a strawberry sundae! What about you, senpai?"

Kanade barely glanced at the menu. "Just an espresso for me."

"Ehhhh?" Iroha's tone was filled with disbelief. "Senpai, are you sure? This place has amazing desserts! They even have ice cream. You're missing out!"

Kanade shook his head with a calm, practiced demeanor. "No thanks. I'll save my appetite for dinner."

Iroha blinked, her lips forming a slight pout. "You're really planning ahead for dinner? That's so boring, senpai. Don't you ever live in the moment?"

Kanade smirked faintly. "What else would I eat later? You?" He flipped through the booklet with a nonchalant air.

"Hah! In your dreams, senpai!" Iroha's retort came with a playful snort, but she didn't press the matter further. Instead, she waved at the waiter and placed her order with enthusiasm.

Before long, their orders arrived. Kanade glanced at the table, noticing an impressive array of colorful sweets. There were even wagashi alongside the desserts she mentioned earlier.

"You ordered all this? Can you even finish it?" Kanade raised an eyebrow, his tone carrying a mix of skepticism and amusement.

"Don't worry about me, senpai," Iroha said with a dismissive wave. "Just focus on your boring coffee."

Kanade sighed and turned his attention to the espresso in front of him. Taking a slow sip, he let the rich aroma of nuts and the bitter undertone wash over his senses. As the bitterness faded, a delicate sweetness lingered—a perfect balance that made him close his eyes for a brief moment of appreciation.

"Senpai, how's the coffee?" Iroha's curious voice cut through his moment of peace. Her eyes gleamed with interest.

Kanade opened one eye, catching her inquisitive expression. She's not planning something, is she? But her curiosity seemed genuine.

"Ahem," he cleared his throat. "It's actually pretty good. Sweet, even. Want to try?" He slid the cup toward her, feigning nonchalance.

Iroha blinked in surprise. "Eh? Now?" A faint blush crept onto her cheeks. She hesitated for a moment but nodded with exaggerated seriousness. "Okay, but senpai, no weird ideas, okay?"

Kanade tilted his head, feigning confusion. "Weird ideas? What are you even talking about? Relax, I'm just sharing coffee."

His movements were slow and deliberate as he pushed the cup closer, keeping his expression neutral.

"Well... alright then," Iroha muttered, picking up the cup. She hesitated again before taking a delicate sip.

And then—

"Pffffft!!"

Kanade barely had time to react as Iroha sprayed the espresso straight into his face.

"..."

Kanade froze, his brain short-circuiting for a moment. Meanwhile, Iroha coughed and wiped her mouth, her eyes watery.

"What was that, senpai?!" she sputtered, her voice a mix of shock and indignation. "You said it was sweet!"

Kanade wiped his face with a tissue, sighing heavily. "It is sweet... after the bitterness fades. Did you not realize espresso would be strong at first?"

"That's false advertising!" Iroha huffed, crossing her arms with a pout.

Kanade stared at her, deadpan. "That's how coffee works, Iroha."

Still grumbling, Iroha shoved the cup back toward him, clearly done with her taste test. Kanade sighed again, wondering why he even bothered.