"I'm sorry, I refuse."
Of course, Zeus knew it was Theresa's invitation, but she just wanted to tease that overgrown loli and give her a small lesson.
"Reason?"
While Himeko was frowning in confusion, at a table not far from Zeus, Theresa, dressed in a cute child's outfit and wearing a hat, had been monitoring the situation with Zeus. When she heard Zeus's immediate refusal through the communication device on Himeko, she crushed the cup in her hand, startling the waiter serving her.
There was no question of 'why'. Since there was a refusal, there must be a reason, so Himeko went straight to the heart of the matter and asked Zeus.
"I don't know who this 'old acquaintance' you speak of is, so I can't go with you."
"A wise judgment."
Hearing Zeus's reason, Himeko sighed, no longer thinking Zeus was a naive socialite. Who would go with someone they'd just met and whose background they didn't know? She had told Dean, that overgrown loli, about this long ago, but she wouldn't listen, insisting Himeko conceal her identity. What was there to hide? Wouldn't they meet eventually anyway? How insincere, Dean Theresa.
"..."
Theresa, not far away, fell silent upon hearing Zeus's reason. The entire situation was her fault; she couldn't blame anyone else. She hadn't expected Zeus to be so alert, directly refusing Himeko's invitation. She felt somewhat ashamed for having (deceived) Zeus and didn't dare let Zeus know who she was. She hadn't expected things to turn out this way, which made her angry with herself, so she ordered a 'Hell Snail Bitter Melon Mille-feuille' to comfort her little heart.
However, as she was troubled, there seemed to be new progress nearby.
"Since you're already here, may I invite you for a drink?"
Zeus, with a smile and a hint of teasing in her tone, invited Himeko.
"To be invited by such a beauty as you is a great honor. If you were a man, I might even choose to marry a wealthy person like you."
How could Himeko not understand the meaning in Zeus's tone? She wasn't Theresa (stupid). After pulling out the seat next to Zeus and sitting down, she teased Zeus back.
"How could that be! Miss Himeko, it is my honor to invite such a beauty as Miss Himeko for a drink. Today, please don't be shy, drink as much as you like."
With her gate of babylon, how could Zeus be drunk into poverty by Himeko? Even without these things, Zeus could go for aid... cough cough! Zeus also had ways to get money, so not lacking money, Zeus ordered the hotel's best wine for Himeko and a bottle of mixed drink for herself. This proved that Zeus had a bit of a B-rank in her heart when it came to her alcohol tolerance.
"Then I won't be polite."
Under Zeus's encouragement and the lure of fine wine, Himeko completely cast Theresa's orders aside and began to enjoy the wine and food. This was something her annual salary couldn't afford, so today she was determined to eat and drink her fill until she was stuffed.
Theresa, not far away, clearly saw Himeko's behavior. What could she say to this glutton now? She would definitely deal with this person thoroughly when they returned. To be so easily tempted, it was simply an embarrassment to her, Theresa. She remembered that the salary she paid wasn't small! Why? Why was Himeko still attracted by material things?
"Hello, here is your 'Hell Snail Bitter Melon Mille-feuille'. Please enjoy."
"Ah~ woo! Delicious, truly delicious."
Hearing the waiter's voice, Theresa looked at the glossy, colorful mille-feuille in front of her, tentatively cut a piece, and put it in her mouth. The next second, a look of pure bliss appeared on her face.
"Hmph~! I... I have to admit, it's not bad."
While Theresa was being tsundere, Zeus elegantly held a stemmed glass with red mixed fruit juice that looked exactly like red wine but contained no alcohol. Zeus was filled with B-rank thoughts about her extremely poor alcohol tolerance.
With one hand supporting her cheek, her elbow resting on the edge of the sofa, her slender, beautiful legs, clad in white stockings, crossed over each other. Zeus's entire upper body was lazily half-reclining on the sofa, her eyes fixed on the red liquid in the glass. Yet, this simple posture exuded a seductive aura from Zeus, attracting passing guests and the young waitresses alike. Himeko, who hadn't had anyone pour her wine, raised her head from her meal in confusion. The moment she saw Zeus, she finally understood why there was a saying in Kyushu: 'Wine doesn't intoxicate, people intoxicate themselves.'
In this moment, she felt as if she was intoxicated by the 'fine wine' named Zeus. With every glance, it was as if she smelled the fragrance of a fine wine that didn't exist in the world, no, in this entire world. And that delicious, maddening fragrance was simply enthralling, making her unable to extricate herself.
"Are you the only one in my heart?"
Himeko thought to herself, looking at Zeus.
"Zeus, Zeus, I'm so tired. Is there anything to eat? Who is this old hag?"
The beautiful atmosphere was shattered by a series of harsh shouts. Hearing the voice, Zeus sat up straight again, which made everyone present feel very regretful and cast angry glances at the newcomer. After seeing who it was, many people shook their heads and left. They didn't want to bother with a little girl, and with their high upbringing, they wouldn't act like some ignorant rich kid trying to flirt with a beauty. Seriously, a woman with that kind of aura must have an exceptionally noble status, and they had a bit of a B-rank in their own abilities.
But this did not include Himeko. Moreover, after hearing the term 'old hag', Himeko could feel several veins throbbing on her forehead even without looking in a mirror. If it weren't for maintaining her image in front of Zeus, she would have long pulled out her greatsword and fought three hundred rounds with this little girl. She wanted to let this little girl, who didn't know how to respect others, understand why peach blossoms are so red.
"I'm only in my twenties. You can just call me 'older sister', little one."
Although her teeth were almost ground to dust, Himeko still smiled as she looked at Kiana, who had run over.
"Alright, alright, order whatever you want. Miss Himeko and I still have things to discuss."
Zeus, who of course knew what Kiana might eventually blurt out, stepped in to smooth things over to prevent Himeko's temper from snapping due to Kiana. She patted Kiana's head and told her to order from the waiter herself.
"Please don't mind her, she's just like that."
Zeus said apologetically to Himeko, who magnanimously waved her hand, indicating she wouldn't dwell on it.
"Then I'm satisfied and won't disturb you further."
Himeko, filled with anger, no longer had an appetite. Moreover, that little girl was sitting on Zeus's other side, staring intently at her, which made her very uncomfortable. And since her invitation to Zeus had been refused, there was no need to continue.
"Please wait a moment."
"Is there anything else?"
"After we've settled in, I hope to visit St. Freya Academy with you. I think since it's an academy, a visit should be fine, right? Do you mind?"
"No, not at all. I mean, of course, you are welcome to come."
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