It was a beautiful morning. The sunlight was bright and warm, making everything look clean and new. It felt like the start of a wonderful day.
In his luxurious bedroom, Leo was still lazing in bed. He stretched and yawned.
"Today's the day," he said to himself with a mischievous grin. He wasn't nervous about his date with Rina; he was excited to tease her. He could already picture her face turning red as she called him a pervert.
After finally getting up, he did some light exercises, took a bath, and got dressed. He chose simple clothes: light gray pants and a clean white shirt.
When he reached the front courtyard, Rina was already there, waiting nervously. She wore a pretty white summer dress with a blue ribbon. Her pink hair was tied in twin tails, and her skin seemed to glow in the morning light.
Leo whistled loudly when he saw her.
"Wow!Who is this beautiful girl? You can't be my childhood friend Rina. She would never dress up this nicely..."
He leaned in with a teasing grin. "...unless she was trying to impress me."
"Y-you!" Rina's face instantly turned pink.
"Don't say things like that! And I didn't dress up for you!"
"Oh really?" Leo pretended to be serious.
"So you dressed up for Artur, then?"
"What? No! Of course not!" she stammered, her face turning even redder.
Leo laughed. "I knew it! You're as red as a tomato." He tapped his chin.
"I should start selling you at the market. One red tomato for a coin!"
"Die!" she shouted, swinging her fists at him. He dodged easily.
Their playful arguing continued all the way to the car. Leo opened the door for her like a gentleman. "Your carriage, milady."
Rina lifted her chin. "Hmph. It's nice to see you can act properly sometimes."
Soon, they reached the busy western part of Babylonia. The streets were full of colorful stalls selling food and trinkets. The air smelled of baked bread and roasted nuts.
Rina pressed her face against the car window, her eyes wide with excitement.
"You look like a little kid," Leo said. "If people see you sparkling like that, they'll think you've fallen in love."
She turned to him, her face bright red.
"You're impossible!" she said, crossing her arms, but her pink ears gave her true feelings away.
When the car stopped, Leo offered his hand to help her out. "Should I carry you like a princess?" he teased.
"Don't you dare!" she said, but she still took his hand, her fingers trembling slightly. As he helped her out, Leo thought to himself, She's so easy to tease, and so adorable. I'm never letting her go.
Their first stop was the pastry shop Leo had promised. The window was filled with beautiful cakes, tarts, and cookies. The sweet smell was overwhelming.
Rina's eyes darted everywhere, her mouth practically watering.
"Careful," Leo whispered. "If you drool, they might charge you for cleaning."
"I am not drooling!" she insisted, quickly wiping her mouth.
They ordered a selection of pastries and sat at a small table. Colorful light from a stained-glass window fell on them.
Rina took a bite of a fruit tart and her eyes lit up. "This is so good!"
Leo smiled, sipping his tea. "I told you. But I think you'd like anything covered in sugar."
"Can't you just be nice for once?" she asked, glaring at him.
"But teasing you is the most fun," he said. He reached over and gently wiped a crumb from the corner of her mouth. "See? You can't even eat without being cute."
Rina froze, her face burning red. "W-wha—!"
Leo leaned back, looking triumphant. "And I win again."
•••
Unnoticed by them, a shadow watched from the shop's entrance.
It was Artur.
He had followed them from the estate, his eyes burning with anger as he watched them laugh and enjoy their time together. He saw Rina's shy smiles and Leo's teasing grins. Every happy moment felt like a personal attack.
They're having fun without me, he thought bitterly. We should all be together like usual.
For now, he could only watch, his hatred and obsession growing. He was becoming more convinced that Rina should be his, and his alone. After standing there for a while, he slipped away, noticing that people were starting to look at him strangely.
°°°
Shring~
The bell on the pastry shop door rang as Leo and Rina stepped outside. The sweet taste of their treats was still in their mouths. The main street was busy and full of life under the midday sun. Stalls with colorful covers lined the road, and merchants were shouting about their goods. They sold everything from silk and spices to little magic charms. Children ran through the crowd, laughing, and musicians played music in the squares.
Rina's eyes sparkled as she looked around, taking in all the sights. She looked very happy.
Leo noticed right away. "Be careful, Rina. If you keep staring like that, a merchant might trick you into buying something worthless."
Rina pouted. "Are you calling me stupid?"
"Me? No," Leo said, his eyes twinkling. "I just said you were innocent."
"That's not any better!" she said, stomping her foot. She turned away to hide her blushing cheeks.
Leo smiled to himself. She was so easy to tease.
They walked through the crowd until Rina stopped at a jewelry stall. Her eyes were fixed on a delicate silver bracelet with small blue stones.
Leo watched her. "What's this? Do you want me to buy you a present?"
Rina jumped. "N-no! I was just looking at how well it's made!" she said, flustered.
Leo leaned close and whispered, "So you do want it."
Her face turned red. "Stop that!"
Leo turned to the merchant. "How much for the bracelet?"
"Twelve silver wolves," the man said.
Leo pretended to be shocked. "That's so expensive! Would you take fifteen coins and a handsome smile instead?"
The merchant laughed. "A smile doesn't feed my family, young man."
Rina giggled, then quickly covered her mouth.
"See?" Leo said. "You laughed. You do want it."
Before she could argue, Leo paid for the bracelet. He took her wrist and gently put it on.
"Now everyone will know you're mine," he said with a smug smile.
Rina's face turned bright red. "You can't say things like that!" she said, hiding her face. But she was smiling.
Still hidden in the crowd, Artur watched them. He had followed them all morning. He saw Leo give Rina the bracelet. He saw her happy, blushing face.
He had never seen her look like that with him.
Artur clenched his fists, his nails digging into his palms. He wanted to pull her away from Leo, but he didn't. He just stood in the shadows, his face pale with anger.
•••
Later, Leo and Rina stopped at a food stall selling meat skewers. Rina's stomach growled loudly.
Leo grinned. "Was that your stomach? How unladylike."
"Be quiet! I'm hungry!" she said, covering her stomach.
"Don't worry," he teased. "I'll take care of you. You're my girl, after all."
"Stop saying that!" she yelled, but she didn't really mean it.
They ate their skewers on a bench. The meat was delicious, and Rina's eyes lit up with every bite.
"You're too cute when you eat," Leo said. "People might fall in love with you."
"You're the worst!" she said, but she was blushing.
Not far away, musicians were playing, and people were dancing. Rina watched them with a soft look. "That looks fun," she said.
Leo held out his hand. "Then let's dance."
"Here? In public?" she asked, surprised.
"Unless you're too shy," he teased.
"I am not!" she said, and she took his hand.
He led her into the dance. At first, she was clumsy, but soon she was laughing and twirling. For a while, they were in their own happy world.
But Artur was still watching from the shadows. His golden eyes burned with rage. He turned and walked away, heading toward another part of the city to be alone with his anger.
After dancing, Leo and Rina went to a shopping mall. They bought many things and put them in the car. As the afternoon ended, Leo took her to a park. They sat together quietly. It was time for the final part of their date.