Start in DxD as Motohama: Leveling Up in Another World-Chapter 23: A sweet moment

"I heard that after school, students spend time together in the cafeterias and restaurants around here. Is that true?"

"Yes...!"

There were many shops lined up along this wide, straight road. Vehicles were prohibited here, and not only could you see students from "Kuoh Gakuen," but also students from other schools. In the middle of the street, trees and streetlights stood at regular intervals.

"It was such an elegant place..."

"Yes, there are also some shops that sometimes get featured on TV."

There were many stores catering to young women around. As Shinji looked at the shops nearby, he suddenly asked out of curiosity.

"Now that I think about it... how did Kaori know it was me back then?"

"Huh?"

"Even though I'm saying this myself, I think I look very different from when I was brutally beaten by those delinquents..."

"Is that so? But you have the same eyes as when you helped me, so I knew right away it was you, you know?"

"Huh, eyes?"

"Yes."

Shinji was surprised by Kaori's declaration, smiling at him.

"Shinji-san's appearance might have changed, but your soft and direct eyes haven't. That's why I immediately knew it was you, Shinji-san."

Soft and direct eyes...

Shinji wasn't sure if he really had those eyes, but Kaori seemed to think he did. Despite the significant change in his outward appearance, it seemed Kaori focused more on his unchanging eyes than on his transformation. From Kaori's words, it felt like she was really looking at him; personally, that made him feel pleased.

He couldn't help but think of Tsubasa Hanekawa, whom he met when he went out to buy books. She had given him the same feeling when they first met. He still hadn't texted her despite having her number. He was too embarrassed to know what to say.

As they continued the conversation, Kaori found something.

"Shinji-san, why don't we go there?"

"Huh?"

In the direction Kaori pointed, high school girls were happily eating crepes.

"A crepe stand?"

"Yes! Crepes are really popular, so I wanted to try them at least once! Let's go!"

"Huh? Uwaa!"

Kaori, looking extremely happy to have arrived at this place, suddenly grabbed his hand and pulled him toward the crepe stand. Maybe because it had a reputation for being delicious, there were quite a few people in line.

"Hey, hey! Look at that."

"Huh? Whoa! He's really handsome! Is he alone?"

"Apparently not. Look, there's a lovely girl next to him."

"Oh, you're right. A couple—handsome guy and beautiful girl, huh? ...I'm so jealous!"

"Yeah. The girl looks neat and elegant, and the guy is just cool..."

"Oh no... I'm jealous, but more than that, it feels like a feast for my eyes."

Noticing that the line was filled with women, Shinji started to feel anxious. Kaori seemed to pick up on his nervousness.

"Ah... aah!? S-s-sorry! I grabbed your hand without thinking..."

"Huh? Ah... aah! I-I'm sorry too!"

Both of their faces turned bright red as they quickly let go of each other's hands.

The surrounding people didn't hesitate to comment on their behavior.

"...Hey."

"...What is it?"

"Aren't those two just too cute?"

"...I know, right?"

"I feel honored to have witnessed that."

Thinking about the fact that he had just held a girl's hand, Shinji felt both embarrassed and secretly happy. It seemed that spring had arrived in his life without him even realizing it.

Until now, if his hand so much as brushed against a girl, he would feel extremely uncomfortable, and anything he touched afterward would be treated as if it had been dirtied.

Timidly, he glanced at Kaori. She was staring at her own hand, her face flushed red.

"I-I... This is the first time I've held hands with a man who isn't my father."

"....."

Shinji struggled to keep his expression neutral, forcing himself into a poker face with all his might. Otherwise, he felt like he might die from sheer embarrassment and excitement. His thoughts were running wild, but at the very least, she didn't seem to hate it. That fact alone brought him an immense sense of relief...

Meanwhile, it was finally their turn to check the menu.

"Oh, there are so many choices..."

"Everything looks so delicious! I don't know what to pick..."

Kaori seemed to be quite torn but eventually decided on a strawberry cream crepe, while Shinji went with a blueberry cream one.

There were several benches along the path for people to sit and rest, and one of them was empty, so they sat down together.

Shinji realized this would be his first time eating a crepe. He knew what they looked like and what they were, but he had never had the chance to try one before. He couldn't afford them in the past.

Without further delay, both of them took a bite, then instinctively turned to look at each other.

"It's delicious!" they exclaimed in unison.

The tartness of the blueberries mixed exquisitely with the sweet, fresh cream, while the soft, moist crepe wrapped around it all perfectly...

Shinji finally understood why women loved sweets so much. He had to admit—he liked them too. But if he kept eating like this, he might gain weight, so he needed to be careful.

"This is happiness... Just as I thought, I really love sweets."

"Yeah. If it's this good, I feel like I want to try every single flavor."

Shinji decided that if he ever passed by this place again, he would make sure to try a new flavor. As he was thinking this, Kaori suddenly smiled and held out her crepe to him.

"Would you like to take a bite?"

"Wh-what!?"

Shinji stared at the crepe, then looked up at Kaori's bright, smiling face.

There was no doubt about it...

This was the classic indirect kiss situation!

Without realizing Shinji's gaze, Kaori gently pushed her crepe toward his lips. Acting on reflex, he took a bite.

"Here, it's really delicious, you know?"

Shinji swallowed, trying his best not to look embarrassed—only to fail spectacularly.

"How is it?"

"... It's delicious."

Noticing Shinji's flustered state, Kaori lowered her gaze to her crepe, reflecting on her actions. Her face turned completely red as realization struck her.

"S-sorry... I'm so embarrassed right now that I can't even look at Shinji-san..."

"Err... I should be the one... apologizing. You didn't like it, right?"

"N-no! I don't hate it, but... that... indirect kiss... um... uhh..."

Shinji felt genuinely relieved that Kaori didn't dislike what had happened. However, in that moment, the most ridiculous words slipped from his lips.

"Umm... Ah, right! Do you... want to try mine too? ...Ah."

"Wh-what!?"

At that precise moment, Shinji wished he could bury his head under a rock. While Kaori's flustered expression was undeniably adorable, his own suggestion was beyond embarrassing.

"... I... I'll take it..."

"....."

After that, neither of them could properly look each other in the eye. Even so, Kaori insisted on walking Shinji home.

The woman dressed as a butler, who had been watching over them the entire time, observed the situation with a warm and gentle expression.

Even as they left, the people around them continued watching with friendly smiles.

"... Hey."

"... What?"

"It's nice to be young, huh?"

"Yeah, being young is fun."

"They were so cute, right?"

"Yeah, they were absolutely adorable."

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"Sigh... that was priceless," they all said at the same time.

Neither Shinji nor Kaori had any idea that such a conversation was unfolding among the onlookers.