I watch her carefully waiting for her reaction.
“How is it?”
“Oh my!” She presses her hand to her mouth as she chews. “This is…” she shakes her head. “I’ve never had something so good before, Nyk,” she speaks as she keeps on taking bites.
I try it as well, nodding at her. “It might be expensive but I think it deserves its fame.”
“A bit too expensive,” she grumbles. “But just this once, right?”
She’s already on the second cake. By the time I’m done with my own portion, she’s finished the second one too and is looking longingly to the third. Well, perhaps I shouldn’t have suggested she keep it for later.
“Go on,” I say and push another jelly cake toward her.
“I shouldn’t…” She receives the cake, holding it indecisively in her hands.
“Please. I’ve already had enough so you can have the rest later. I’m not a fan of sweet things anyway,” I add a small lie.
Her brows go up.
“You’re not? Then why did you want to come here if you don’t like sweet things?”
“Uh…” My eyes widen with panic. “I heard everyone at work talking about it but I never had anyone to go with so I thought…” She looks at me expectantly. “I thought you’d like it.”
Mostlythe truth.
Her lips tremble with mirth.
“You’re a really nice male, aren’t you, Nyk?”
W-what is that question and how am I supposed to answer it?
I open my mouth but she cuts me off before I can say anything.
“I probably should have seen it from the first. Perhaps I did see it but could not trust it,” she says, mostly to herself. I don’t really understand what she means, but the moment she smiles at me, I realize I don’tneedto understand. I just need to gaze at her and admire her. So that’s exactly what I do.
She finally eats the third cake, but this time she’s slower with it, as if she’s savoring every bite. I am, too, savoring every moment.
Until…
My body tenses. The hairs on my body suddenly stand up. We’re being watched. Or,I’m being watched.
At first, I don’t trust my reaction. But a few moments later I start rationalizing what my body is telling me.
There is someone three tables behind Moe. He has a hat low on his face, hiding his features. He’s sitting half turned toward us. To the passing gaze, it would seem he’s in his own world, enjoying his cake. But I saw him when we sat down. He took a bite and spit it out. I thought it odd then, but didn’t think much of it. But he has not left, nor has he tried to eat more. Instead, he’s been shifting in his seat, every now and then looking directly in our direction.
Like he’s doing now.
“Is there a washroom in here?” Moe asks in a whisper.
“There should be one by the shop. Here.” I pull out some coins. “In case they require payment.”
She presses her lips together at the sight of money but she ends up taking it without protest. When she’s out of sight, I stand up and go directly to the strange man.
“Do you happen to know what the time is? I left my watch at home.” I smile brightly at him.
He barely looks at me, instead keeping his head down, his features still obstructed by his cap.
“Eleven,” he mutters in a low voice—one that’s clearly altered.
