The family restaurant Arisuin Nagi had introduced was not far from Hagun Academy.
However, when everyone arrived, they found a long line, which startled them.
"Is this place really that popular?"
"I remember coming here before; it wasn't this busy."
"Same here. I often pass by, and I've never seen it like this."
"Why did it suddenly become so popular?"
The students of Hagun Academy discussed this with both surprise and confusion.
In response to their question, Arisuin Nagi provided an answer.
"This place only became popular recently. I heard they hired a very high-level chef, making the food incredibly delicious. It quickly became a hot spot, especially among girls. They love it here, and the number of returning customers has been increasing daily. It's even buzzing online. So, it's been packed like this for the past month."
Arisuin Nagi's explanation made everyone understand.
"So that's what's going on?"
"I didn't notice."
"Is the food really that good?"
"I can't wait to try it!"
Everyone expressed their thoughts.
In this situation, Arisuin Nagi smiled at them.
"I already made a reservation, so we can go in directly."
Hearing this, everyone was overjoyed.
"As expected of Alice!"
"Well prepared!"
"You knew it would turn out like this, didn't you?"
"Thoughtful as always! Let's go in quickly!"
The girls were the first to voice their opinions, surrounding Arisuin Nagi and showering him with praise.
"This is what I should do."
Arisuin Nagi remained humble, maintaining a friendly demeanor with a smile on his face.
Seeing this, Rozen and Ikki, who were at the back, exchanged glances.
"... Why does it feel like they've suddenly become very close?"
"Ahaha..."
Rozen was speechless, while Ikki gave a wry smile.
One had to admit, Arisuin Nagi indeed had a knack for this. Although his preferences were somewhat questionable, he was unexpectedly good at talking and surprisingly popular with the girls. All the topics he mentioned were things girls liked and enjoyed, making him seem like a genuine girl and quickly closing the distance with them.
Initially, except for Shizuku, everyone else was a bit uneasy about Arisuin Nagi. But now, not only Stella but even Todo Touka, Totokubara Kanata, and Tomaru Renren no longer cared about Arisuin Nagi's gender. They treated him like a true close friend and chatted away happily.
Gradually, even Misogi Utakata and Saijou Ikazuchi no longer minded and joined in, no longer feeling awkward.
"That guy has some skills."
Rozen didn't know whether to be impressed or speechless, leaving Ikki at a loss for words.
However, Ikki had his own thoughts.
"Although a bit strange, Arisuin is definitely not a bad person."
Ikki seemed reassured by this.
It seemed Ikki had been worried that Shizuku might have made a strange friend. But now, seeing Arisuin Nagi's behavior, he was finally at ease.
Unfortunately...
"Is that really the case?"
Rozen suddenly made this unexpected remark.
"Huh?"
Ikki was slightly taken aback.
But before Ikki's confusion could be resolved, Stella and Shizuku called out from the front.
"Come on, you two, hurry up."
"Alice has already reserved a table for us. We don't have to wait in line. Let's go."
Stella and Shizuku called out to them.
"Let's go."
Rozen didn't say more and walked forward.
"W-wait for me!"
Ikki hurried to catch up.
The group then walked straight into the restaurant under the envious gazes of the people in line.
Seeing those envious looks, everyone grew even more excited to see if the food was really as good as they had heard.
And so, everyone entered the reserved private room together.
Then, the girls enthusiastically prepared to start ordering.
However, before that, Arisuin Nagi made the decision for everyone and listed a series of items.
No, those were not dishes.
Arisuin Nagi didn't order meals but desserts.
"Desserts?"
Aren't those usually eaten after a meal?
Everyone was puzzled by this.
But when the desserts arrived, all their doubts were dispelled.
Especially for the girls.
"This... this is...!"
At that moment, Stella, Shizuku, Todo Touka, Totokubara Kanata, and Tomaru Renren's eyes lit up, even sparkling.
The reason was the table full of desserts.
They weren't extravagant desserts; in terms of variety, they were quite ordinary.
There were cakes, seafood pies, puddings, sundaes, and other common desserts, all presented here.
But these desserts emitted a rich aroma, and their surfaces looked enticingly crisp. Just a whiff made mouths water, making it impossible for the girls to look away.
"What's going on, Alice?"
Stella, a true gourmand, trembled as she asked.
There was no helping it; the desserts looked too delicious.
To this, Arisuin Nagi chuckled.
"These are the incredibly delicious items I mentioned earlier. The hired chef here is actually a pâtissier who specializes in making delectable desserts. Though the types are common, the taste is exceptional. That's why this place is so popular among girls. No girl can ignore such delicious desserts."
In other words, the other meals here were so-so, but the desserts were exceptional. Hence, Arisuin Nagi ordered desserts directly.
"Most people come here mainly for these desserts. I wanted to recommend them to everyone, so let's try them."
As soon as Arisuin Nagi finished speaking, all the girls couldn't wait to start tasting and began putting the desserts into their mouths.
"...!"
In the next second, everyone widened their eyes.
"Delicious!"
Stella shouted immediately.
"It's... it's too delicious!"
"Are these really desserts...!?"
"Oh my god..."
Everyone else gave similar evaluations, looking like they were about to bite their tongues off.
This made the boys unable to sit still, and one by one, they began eating the desserts in front of them.
"This..."
Ikki exclaimed in surprise.
"It's... really delicious!"
"Mm!"
Misogi Utakata and Saijou Ikazuchi both relaxed their expressions.
The group instantly began chattering, constantly praising the desserts before them, and couldn't stop putting them into their mouths, looking incredibly happy.
Amidst this scene, Rozen sat there as if frozen, unable to move.
Rozen didn't eat those incredibly tempting desserts.
Because when Rozen smelled the aroma of those desserts, he froze, unable to move.
"This... this smell..."
Rozen seemed to recognize this aroma. Despite it being so enticing, it made him feel as if he were inhaling poison, his face turning extremely stiff.
No way?
It really can't be?
Could it really be...
Thinking of a certain possibility, Rozen could no longer sit still.
At this moment, Rozen had only one thought.
"Leave!"
He had to leave immediately!
Otherwise, the consequences would be unimaginable!