After visiting the park and exiting from the opposite exit, Alister and Yumikou found themselves in a pedestrian street not far away. There was a physical bookstore nearby.
As they opened the tempered glass door, they found that there were very few customers inside. The environment was clean and peaceful—a lovely bookstore.
The shelves were filled with a wide variety of books, all in pristine condition, and there were discount tags hanging next to some of them.
It's unclear whether this was something to celebrate or something to be sad about.
Alister and Yumikou unconsciously went their separate ways as soon as they entered the store. Their tastes in books were not entirely the same, and that was an undeniable fact.
After browsing through the magazine section, Alister arrived at the light novel category.
The covers of light novels were quite attractive, not because of any deep meaning, but because of their colorful and purely anime-style beauty.
The first book in the category was titled "The Angel Next Door Unconsciously Turned Me into a Worthless Person." It was a romantic daily life novel from the East, with unquestionably high sales.
The title alone had twenty-four words, making it difficult for any other light novel with a long title to compete. It was truly amazing how naming styles had become clearer and more precise nowadays.
"Do you like this kind of genre?" a chilly voice suddenly came from behind.
Alister turned around to see Yumikou holding five hardcover classics in her arms, apparently having decided to buy those five books.
"I occasionally like to read something with a unique style," Alister picked up a copy of "Re:Zero - Starting Life in Another World." "What if I got transported to another world? Would I become like Subaru?"
Yumikou leaned closer, nonchalantly examining the cover of the book. She pondered for a moment before saying, "I know of a famous truck in the undeveloped region that has sent several transportees. Do you want to give it a try?"
"What if I don't get transported?" Alister put back "Re:Zero - Starting Life in Another World" and picked up a copy of "Sword Art Online."
"If you don't get transported..." Yumikou moved even closer, resting her fair chin on Alister's shoulder, her gaze fixed on the book in his hand, staring into a non-existent future timeline.
"...I'll accompany you," she said earnestly.
"That won't do. I won't let you have your way as a ghost." Alister replied seriously.
"Alright then, let's go if you don't plan to buy any books."
Yumikou didn't continue the conversation. Understanding Alister's thoughts, she withdrew her chin, cradling the five hardcover books as she walked towards the cashier.
Her silky, cloud-white ponytail hung behind her white coat, swaying gracefully like a crescent moon.
"Just a moment, let me browse a bit more."
Alister put his hands in his pockets, scanning the shelves filled with rows of books, gradually moving away.
"Sure, I'll wait for you."
Yumikou turned her beautiful profile and raised her hand from the sleeve to tuck her side hair behind her ear, wearing a faint smile as she watched Alister disappear around the corner of the bookshelf.
Although, in the end, Alister didn't buy a single book.
...
...
After exploring the bookstore, Alister and Yumikou went to a restaurant to take a break.
The restaurant had a decent number of customers, neither too many nor too few. It belonged to the mid-to-high range, and the decor and menu exuded an elegant and noble atmosphere.
As they hadn't made a reservation in advance, they had some time before their meal. Yumikou took out the hardcover book she had bought earlier and started reading it attentively.
Alister played with his phone for a while and then put it back in his pocket. He closed his eyes and meditated for a long time.
The faint scent of green plants by the window wafted in the air. The doorbell at the entrance rang crisply as the waiter warmly welcomed some new customers.
"If there was only one beauty in the world, her name would definitely be Yumikou," Alister said.
After his words fell, Yumikou peered out from behind the hardcover book, her clear blue eyes shining. A strand of hair cascaded down her fair collarbone as she gazed at Alister for several seconds.
"If there was only one handsome guy in the world, his name would definitely be Alister," she replied in the same format, her tone cool and cold, but her slightly reddened ears gave her away.
"I'm serious," Alister rested his chin on his hand and sighed.
On the white tablecloth, he used a spoon to dissolve a sugar cube into his tea. Ripples spread across the calm tea, reflecting the disappearance of Alister.
Then, Alister gazed into Yumikou's eyes, a slight smile tugging at his lips as he said, "You, even though you have a cool personality, you always unconsciously show a shy side, like a startled squirrel. Don't you think it's cute?"
Yumikou didn't answer his question. She simply withdrew silently, as if the snow-capped mountains were merging into the sea of clouds.
Due to the obstruction of the hardcover book, her expression was completely hidden now.
A melodious piano piece drifted into the dining hall. Soft sunlight streamed through the window, casting a gentle glow on Yumikou's delicate collarbone, creating a beautiful radiance.
Alister wore a faint smile as he observed the exquisite covers of the hardcover books and listened to the serene piano music.
The book was titled "Hania's Dream," a rather obscure foreign book that seemed a bit troublesome to read.
However, Yumikou seemed to spend an unusually long time on that particular page.
After a short while, Yumikou once again peered out from beside the book, half-opening her eyes, seeming to question and probe as she said, "Do you really think I'm cute like this?"
"Hmm," Alister lifted the porcelain cup and leisurely sipped his tea, "the cutest in the world."
Yumikou still didn't turn to the next page of the book. Her slender legs beneath the white tablecloth gently touched each other, her toes rising and then gently falling, like morning dew dripping from flower petals.
She lightly bit her lower lip, then parted her lips slightly, emitting a soft sound.
"What if one day I'm not cute anymore? Would you still like me?" Yumikou looked into Alister's eyes. "If I become a cold woman."
Alister decided to be a little mischievous. He reclined on the sofa, crossed his arms, and seemed to answer with a troubled expression, "A cold woman is no good. I don't like it."
"...Will I bite you then?"
Yumikou puffed up her cheeks slightly, her eyes gleaming, issuing a warning like a beautiful girl would, as always.
"Excuse me, your chocolate vanilla buffet."
At that moment, a waiter in the restaurant left their meal in front of Alister, made a checkmark on the bill, and then calmly left.
Alister straightened his posture, scooped a small spoonful of chocolate from the buffet, and tasted it with a smile, saying, "However, coldness and the coldness that comes from desserts are not the same thing."
"Deceptive words," Yumikou finally put down the hardcover book, her tone slightly coquettish. "Feed me."
Alister took the most exquisite part, a place where fruit, chocolate, and vanilla cream came together.
"Here you go." Alister began feeding her.