After crying, Shoko's emotions settled.
Yuto and the others comforted her in their own ways.
Kanna hugged Shoko with no intention of letting go since she and Shoko had already become close friends.
Friendships between children often blossomed fast, but they were always sincere.
"Shoko, don't cry, don't cry..." Kanna hugged Shoko in her usual blank, adorable way.
The sight of her saying that with such a dazed expression was endearing enough to make everyone smile.
Shoko's expression calmed, and seeing Kanna like this made her laugh as well.
When that smile appeared on her face, Yuto finally felt his heart relax, though a trace of helplessness and heartache remained.
For a little girl to smile like that meant she was strong.
He sighed inwardly, his hand stroking Shoko's head.
Shoko raised her head and looked at Yuto. A relaxed smile reached her eyes, carrying a sincere emotion that was difficult to put into words.
The corners of her mouth curved up, and the sight touched something in Yuto's heart.
His own lips curved as well, and his gaze softened with affection.
No matter what had happened in the past, from now on, he only wanted to protect the little girl before him.
The others did not ask any more questions and simply continued their previous conversations.
After chatting for a while, the people from Gensokyo prepared to leave.
Before parting, Yukari reminded Yuto once more to come early tomorrow.
After Yuto smiled and agreed, he bid farewell to the women.
"Boss, I want another canelé!"
After finishing one serving, Miku was still not satisfied!
She raised her hand and asked Yuto for another, only to be stopped by her older sister.
"No. Eating too many sweets at night is unhealthy." Luka's voice was calm, carrying a coolness that made Miku deflate.
"Just one more, Luka-nee~" She tried acting spoiled toward her older sister, but it was useless.
As the elder sister, Luka possessed a certain authority over Miku.
After failing to persuade her, Miku shifted her target to Yuto.
Her eyes stared straight at him, filled with longing for a certain dessert.
Yuto laughed helplessly.
He understood what the girl meant, but he could not go along with her. After all, the older sister beside her was also watching him.
After repeated failures, Miku's expression turned sorrowful.
She regretted bringing her older sister here tonight.
If she had not brought Luka along, no one would have been here to control her!
Then she could have eaten another canelé!
Watching Miku sulk in frustration, Yuto found it amusing.
At the same time, he felt that Ainz and Rimuru had left too early tonight.
Yuto swept his gaze to the side.
When he saw Fafnir absorbed in the VR game, he remembered something.
Ainz's helmet had broken, so he needed to tell Asuna and ask her to bring another one.
He had taken out his phone when he realized he did not actually have Asuna's contact information yet.
The number that had contacted him before belonged to her father.
Was he supposed to contact Asuna's father about this? Thinking about it felt awkward and unrealistic.
He unlocked his phone, and a text notification appeared on the screen.
Yuto paused, then opened the message.
It was from Asuna.
It was not from her father's number, but from Asuna's own!
She had sent Yuto a message, adding a note to let him save this number, and said he could contact her if anything came up.
Yuto felt impressed by her thoughtfulness.
After he saved her number, only a few seconds passed before Asuna sent him a friend request on LINE.
LINE friends had to exchange phone numbers or email addresses before they could add each other.
The fact that Asuna's request arrived so fast meant she might have been holding her phone and waiting at this very moment.
Yuto glanced at the time.
It was nearly eleven o'clock. He had not expected her to be the type to stay up late.
After accepting the friend request, Asuna took the initiative to send him a message.
[Asuna: Are you free now, Kamisaka-kun?]
[Yuto: Mm.]
[Asuna: Are there still many customers in the restaurant?]
[Yuto: Not many now. Right, Asuna, there's something I'd like to ask you.]
[Asuna: Mm, okay. What is it?]
[Yuto: Ainz accidentally broke one of the helmets. Could I trouble you to bring another one?]
[Asuna: Mm, of course! No problem! Yuto: That's great. Thank you. Asuna: It's fine. It's only a small thing!]
The fact that Asuna agreed so readily made Yuto feel moved.
He thought she would ask how the helmet had broken, but she did not ask anything at all.
That kind of personality was very likable!
...
Lying in bed, Asuna chatted with Yuto on her phone while recalling what had happened when she returned home and spoke with her father.
When she told her father about Kaguya's request, his eyes lit up with a smile.
He said they should prepare the best helmets and send them to Kaguya.
At the same time, he subtly hinted that Asuna should visit the restaurant more often in the future and interact more with Kaguya.
When Asuna saw her father acting like that, she almost wanted to laugh.
Still, she felt happy.
From now on, she would no longer have to remain tangled up in all those "assignments."
She had more time she could freely control. In a way, she had become a little more "free."
As for going to the restaurant more often, did her father need to remind her? Not at all!
The girl rolled over in bed and continued chatting with Yuto.
At this moment, her mood was great!
...
After finishing his conversation with Asuna, Yuto closed his phone.
Asuna had said she would bring the new helmet tomorrow.
The two of them had agreed on it.
At that moment, Miku and Luka stood up. There was only one day left before the concert, so their schedule had been tight to begin with.
If Miku had not dragged Luka here tonight, Luka had planned to practice dancing.
Now that they had eaten seafood at the restaurant and tried the dessert, Miku wanted to sit for a little while longer, but Luka did not allow it.
As the older sister, her self-control was stronger than her younger sister's.
"Leaving already?" Yuto smiled as he spoke to the two of them.
Miku looked helpless and bitter, while Luka nodded.
"Please come again next time." Yuto smiled as he saw them off.
Miku seemed to remember something, and her eyes lit up. "Boss, you have to come watch the concert with everyone!"
She reminded Yuto not to forget their previous promise.
Tomorrow would be her final day of rehearsal, so she would not be able to come to the restaurant.
That was why she had to remind him again today.
"When you arrive, Boss, please call this number. This is my private number. I'll make the arrangements for you then." Luka had learned from her younger sister that Yuto would be coming to watch the concert.
She handed over a slip of paper. Written on it was her private number.
Normally, she would never leak her phone number, but this time it was fine.
Besides, as the older sister, she had to act like one.
The things her younger sister failed to consider were things she had to consider for her.
"Thank you." Yuto accepted the slip of paper.
The handwriting on it was elegant and beautiful, pleasing to the eye.
"Eh?! Wait, Boss! Please get me some paper and a pen!" After seeing what her older sister had done, Miku's expression changed as if she had realized something.
Then she left behind her own phone number. "Boss, you can call me too!"
That was her final sentence before leaving.
After saying it, she was pulled away by Luka.
Yuto held the two sisters' phone numbers and compared their handwriting.
Compared with Miku's, Luka's handwriting looked composed and graceful.
Perhaps this was what it meant to be the older sister!