Sunlight poured through the wide window of Zane's room, casting a golden warmth over the clean floorboards and the soft white sheets of the bed. A gentle breeze fluttered the curtains, and for a brief moment, everything seemed quiet—until Zane stepped in and found himself staring in disbelief.
There, lying comfortably on his bed like it was the most natural thing in the world, was Erina Nakiri. Her elegant golden hair was slightly tousled, cascading across the pillow, and her delicate hands clutched the quilt around her as though trying to hide. Her face, always so composed and proud, was flushed a deep crimson, and her violet eyes shimmered with embarrassment and confusion.
She blinked twice, froze, then stared at him like a deer caught in headlights.
"…What?"
A smile tugged at Zane's lips.
"Is my bed really that comfortable? Or…" he leaned against the doorway with a smirk, "…are you just a perverted princess obsessed with my scent?"
"Wh—?! No! I… I found this manga lying around and just lay down to read it, that's all!"
Her voice cracked mid-sentence, rising with each word. In a panic, she tossed a slightly bent manga volume at his chest.
Zane caught it in one hand, raised an eyebrow, and read the title aloud. "'Slave of the Magic Capital's Elite Troops'? Wow. That's a spicy one. You've got good taste."
"Y-You're the one who had it!" Erina shrieked, her entire face lighting up like a tomato. "Honestly, why do you even keep something like this in your room?!"
"You were the one who walked in without permission and made yourself comfortable. Honestly, it's like you live here."
She huffed, crossing her arms and turning her head away in defiance. "I've slept here before…"
Zane's brain stuttered. "…What?"
"I said I've slept here before! So what?!"
They both fell silent.
A strange, warm tension hung in the air between them. Ever since the two had met in Akihabara, their dynamic had taken a turn neither of them fully acknowledged. After going through so much—Erina reuniting with her mother, Mana, working together at the Tavern, sharing quiet conversations in the evenings—it was no longer just playful banter or obligation. Something had shifted.
Whether it was her growing trust, or something deeper, Erina had slowly become more comfortable in his presence. Perhaps even more than that—perhaps she was beginning to fall for him.
"Alright," Zane finally said, walking over to her and handing her a piece of glossy paper. "Get up. The Tavern's closed tonight, and I bought us tickets to the amusement park."
"Amusement park?" Erina repeated, sitting up quickly, quilt still wrapped around her. "The one with the Ferris wheel?"
"Among other things. There's also a haunted house, a pirate ship, bumper cars… carousel too. Just get ready—we're leaving in thirty."
Erina held the ticket with both hands, staring at it like it was a rare treasure. She didn't say anything for a long while, but her eyes sparkled with childlike anticipation.
To others, this might've seemed like a normal date. But for Erina, whose upbringing kept her locked in a sterile world of haute cuisine and rigid decorum, every part of this was new.
She'd never ridden a train alone before meeting Zane. Never wandered the streets of Akihabara. Never learned how to use the Tavern's dishwasher. And certainly never spent a day at an amusement park.
And yet—here she was, about to go on a date.
Meanwhile, in the heart of Tokyo's fashionable culinary district, the scent of herbs and roasting meats drifted from the newly opened [SHINO'S], a French restaurant reborn under the precise and powerful hands of Kojiro Shinomiya.
Inside, tension crackled like static.
"First wave's here!" Kojiro barked, scanning the kitchen like a hawk. "Prep all appetizers exactly as I laid out. No delays, no errors."
"Yes, Chef Kojiro!" the staff chorused in unison.
He moved through the kitchen with sharp eyes, catching even the smallest mistakes.
"You!" He pointed to a junior cook. "Jacket. Button it properly or you're out."
"S-Sorry, Chef!" The kid fumbled to fix it immediately, nearly dropping his ladle in panic.
A few days ago, Kojiro had faced the Midnight Chefs in a ferocious showdown. Though she eventually lost to their leader, it wasn't before taking down five of them in a legendary solo streak. Her name, already well known, now echoed with even more reverence.
After the loss, SHINO'S original branch in France closed its doors—but far from ruin, it became a symbol of defiance and legacy. And now, Tokyo had become home to her revival.
The new SHINO'S was smaller in façade but expansive inside. Warm wooden décor met crackling fireplaces where steaks and duck breast roasted. The lighting was soft, the tables were mahogany, and the ambiance was unmistakably French.
"Blanquette de Veau… this is incredible," Ryoko whispered, placing a forkful of veal in her mouth. The soft meat fell apart, swimming in a velvety white sauce made from beef broth, butter, egg yolk, and just the right hint of lemon.
Potatoes on the side were cooked to precise texture—neither too firm nor mushy—and paired with a golden crisp. The flavor balance was extraordinary.
"Kojiro, no one does vegetables like you," she added.
Yuuki chimed in with a smile. "I can't believe you got this open so fast. Opening a branch here was a great decision."
Kojiro adjusted her glasses, her lips pressed tight. "Honestly… I wouldn't have managed without you all showing up. Thank you."
Across the table, Dojima raised his wine glass and smiled. "We Totsuki alumni stick together. It's good to see you back on your feet."
He took a sip—and promptly choked. "Wait… you closed the main branch?!"
Kojiro sighed. "You just now realized?"
The Tokyo amusement park was alive with color and sound. Flags waved overhead, candy-sweet scents floated in the air, and laughter echoed from every corner. Crowds bustled past arcades, cotton candy stands, and rides, but Zane and Erina moved like they were in their own world.
Erina clutched his arm tightly.
Zane blinked. "You're going to cut off the circulation in my hand."
"If I don't hold on… I'll get lost," she murmured, her gaze fixed forward—but her grip didn't loosen.
He chuckled. "What are you, a kid?"
Erina bit her lip and glanced at him sideways. "Zane… I've been wondering. If we go to an amusement park together, just the two of us… does that count as a date?"
Zane hesitated. Her tone had been soft—hopeful, almost.
"I guess," he said, offering her a smile. "If you think it is, then it is."
The moment they passed through the entrance, Erina's jaw dropped.
A giant roller coaster roared above like a silver dragon. Performers in costumes danced to upbeat music. Acrobats flew through the air. Children ran past holding balloons.
And in the center of it all, the carousel turned slowly, its golden horses glinting in the sun, music playing like something from a fairy tale.
"This… this is what an amusement park is like?" Erina whispered, her voice trembling with wonder.
Zane watched her for a moment, then gestured ahead. "First the Ferris wheel? Or the carousel?"
"The Ferris wheel!" she said quickly, her eyes wide.
He offered his arm again. This time, she didn't hesitate.
And together, they stepped into the magic of a day neither would ever forget.