As they stepped into the heart of the bazaar, Lumeris embraced them in a whirlwind of noise, vibrant stalls, and the rich, tantalizing aroma of savory delights.
Strolling hand in hand. They caught glimpses of their reflection in the windows of shopfronts—a striking pair against the backdrop of the lively bazaar. Sora couldn't help but notice how, together, they created a seamless image of unreal beauty.
As if asserting her thoughts—
"Do you see them?" a low voice murmured nearby.
"Oh my god, How could I not? They look impossibly precious together. It's not fair."
Sora's fingers tightened against his.
"My revered holiness, this world is too unfair in its matching!"
'Why is everyone staring?' Sora's steps faltered. It was barely a hitch, but to Null, it was obvious.
'They're talking about us, right?' Sora's face burned. 'Is this how we appear to others? A couple?'
Her gaze dropped to their joined hands. Her grip wavered, but she couldn't bring herself to pull away.
Beside her, Null didn't look bothered at all. If anything, a faint, entertained smirk tugged at his lips. "They really can't help themselves, huh,"
"Eh?" Sora glanced up.
"They think we look good together, as a couple" Null said, a dangerous, devilish glint in his eyes.
Sora's mind blanked. "C-couple?!"
"You disagree?"
"That's not the point!" Sora's fingers tightened against his. "T-They're misunderstanding—"
"Are they?" Null tilted his head, "We're on a date. We're walking together, and we're holding hands. What part is inaccurate?"
"T-That's—that's not how you—!" She stumbled over her words, totally derailed because, logically, he wasn't wrong.
"You're overthinking it, Sora. Just relax and be yourself" he added lightly.
"You are right." She took a deep breath. The training hall confession flashed through her mind, and the tension vanished, replaced by a full, quiet warmth.
"Still though. You fuss over the littlest things, Sora. It's too cute."
"You—" Sora combusted instantly.
"Hehehe."
She looked away, unable to meet his eyes. "Y-You really have a habit of spontaneously saying unnecessary things," Sora mumbled.
Yet, her grip didn't loosen. If anything, it steadied.
The comments and glances from the crowd continued to follow them, but the pressure was gone. The steady, warm presence beside her anchored her completely.
Sora took a slow breath again and finally let herself lean into his pace, secretly accepting the chaotic joy of the moment. Step by step, the fictional couple the crowd was whispering about was quietly becoming real.
***
The bustling bazaar gradually softened behind them, giving way to a gentler, more intimate lantern-lit path. Ahead, a soft glow spilled from a modest storefront tucked between two taller structures. A curved wooden sign swayed gently above the entrance: [Lunaria Sweets].
"A dessert shop?" Null asked, tilting his head.
Sora nodded,"They specialize in mana-infused desserts. They're incredibly popular."
Null smirked faintly. "So this is where the Saintess secretly indulges."
Sora snapped her head away. "I do not 'secretly indulge.'"
"Of course not."
"I don't."
"Naturally."
"Null-san."
"Yes?"
"Stop talking."
"Understood," he smiled, and together they stepped inside.
-
Warmth embraced them as they stepped inside, the scent of spun sugar, cream, laced with faint magic, hung thick in the air. Slow music hummed in the background. Neatly arranged tables sat under hovering light orbs that cast a soft, ambient glow across the room.
They took a seat by the window. As they opened their menus, a new kind of silence settled between them, though this time the edge was gone.
"What would you like?" Sora asked, her eyes scanning the menu.
Null leaned. "Something sweet."
"That isn't helpful."
"Something very sweet, then."
Sora closed her eyes briefly. "I will choose for us."
"Oh? Thanks."
Moments later, their order arrived in delicate glass bowls.
Sora's dessert was a crystalline parfait—layers of translucent gel glowing with a soft cyan light, topped with shimmering, fruit-like spheres that looked like captured stars.
Null's was a darker creation, resembling a chocolate tart with a slow, faint crimson pulse beneath the surface.
"These look dangerous," Null muttered.
"They are perfectly safe," Sora rolled her eyes.
"That doesn't reassure me."
"You'll survive."
"We'll see." Null assessed the tart. 'Is this really chocolate?'
-
Sora lifted her spoon and took a small bite. An unintended, soft "Mmm" escaped her.
Her involuntary reaction made null stare at her unblinkingly.
Taking another bite, Sora paused, feeling his unwavering gaze, she looked up. "Null-san, why are you staring at me?"
"Because I want to," he said simply.
Sora froze, her face rapidly heating up.
"T-That is not a proper answer."
"It is. But if you want a real answer, it's because your reactions to every bite are simply angelic."
Her spoon hovered mid-air. "You—."
Her composure crumbled. She looked down, taking another bite too fast to hide her blush. "Eat your dessert, Null-san."
"I will, eventually."
"The tart will melt by then."
"Let it. I'd rather eat your joyful moment."
"Ugh, just stop staring, silly. Its bad for my heart."
"No."
Sora's cheeks tinged pink. "W-Why not?"
Null leaned forward, a devilish glint in his eyes. "Because this is much more interesting than my dessert."
"Null-san!"
He chuckled, finally taking a bite of his dangerous-looking tart. "Oh. That's actually good." (This is really chocolate! What the—)
Sora glared at him. "You doubted it?"
"I doubt every culinary creation this world produces. It's kept me alive for fifteen days. Though Barely."
"Don't be rude to the sanctum chefs." Sora chided him.
After that, they enjoyed their desserts in delicate silence—at least until Null decided to turn that delicate silence into delicate mischief.
He leaned in a bit closer, resting his chin on his palm. "Sora. Open your mouth."
"..."
"What?" She blinked
"Try this." He offered his spoon, holding a small piece of his dark tart.
Sora's brain stalled. "Nu-ll-san, W-What are you doing?"
"Feeding you."
"Why?"
"Because I want to."
"That is not a reason!"
"It is for me," he tilted his head, his dark pupils glinting. "Couples do this."
A direct hit.
"We are not—!" She cut herself off as her voice rose, noticing a few nearby patrons glance over. Her blush deepened.
"Shh. Lower your voice, Sora" Null chided.
"It's your fault."
"Indeed, now open up."
"N-No," she muttered, turning her face away in panic. "It's embarrassing."
Null kept the spoon extended, nudging closer. "You're overreacting. It's just a bite."
Her heart went wild. "I ref-use."
Null stared at her rigid stance for a second, then his expression softened.
"Alright." He withdrew his spoon and ate the piece himself.
Sora turned back, blinking in surprise. "You... why did you give up so easily?"
Null shrugged. "Because I know you'll do it instead."
"I will not!"
"You will."
"..."
In the end, Sora shyly scooped a small portion of her parfait, her hand trembling slightly as she extended it toward him. Her face burned, her eyes darting away. "If you insist on such ridiculous behavior, then you should be the one to comply first."
Null blinked. "Hmm. Fair."
Without a shred of hesitation, he leaned forward and took the bite, his face coming disarmingly close to hers.
"It's sweet," he swallowed.
'D-did i really just feed him?' Sora moaned in her heart, 'Thi-this is too dangerous.'
"Now your turn. You implied it yourself: I'm second."
Sora felt her defenses entirely melt. His quiet sincerity, masked by mischief, was entirely unfair. "O-Only once. And don't look at me like that."
"Like what?"
"Null-san!"
He smirked warmly, completely victorious. "Open."
Sora closed her eyes tightly, leaned forward, and took the bite from his spoon. The moment felt soft, fragile, and entirely unreal.
"Mm..." She pulled back immediately, burying her burning face in her palms.
"This is absurd," she mumbled.
Across the table, Null's devilish smirk returned. "Totally worth it."
"W-What is?"
"That reaction."
"Ugh!"
He smiled gently, letting the teasing drop. Any lingering distance between them had completely vanished, the remaining tension melting away into something undeniably real. For the first time all evening, the weight of the date and their complicated roles evaporated. They were just living in the moment, together.