He shut the door behind. Grabbing the metal railing, ignoring the Floralith, he went back upstairs. Hajime saw Aveline touching her necklace and smiling.
"Like it?"
Aveline tucked the necklace into her shirt and averted her gaze.
"Maybe."
"Oh?"
"I-it's just pretty okay!"
Hajime smirked, "Well, if you don't like it I can always give it to Sakura."
Her eyebrows twitched at the mention of his daughter. She crossed her arms.
"It's impolite to take a gift away from a lady."
"Fine fine." he put up his arms in defense, "So did you finish looking around?"
"Why? Are you planning on taking me to another clothing store?"
He shook his head.
"No, I was thinking dinner maybe?" he said.
Her stomach answered for her.
She turned away, covering her belly, a small chuckle escaping his mouth.
"Okay." she said.
Hajime gestured for her hand and she reluctantly gave it to him. They exited the shop and returned back to the crowded shopping district.
Holding her hand as he led her through the groups of students and nobles, following the wooden signs until they reached a fancy restaurant. A waitress asked if they had any reservations. Hajime showed her his Academy ID and she apologized, before leading them towards an empty table on the second floor. The smell of chicken, pork, and meat roasting hit their nose as they headed up the wooden staircase. The waitress said something but Hajime was too focused on a certain guest. Headmistress Charlotte. She noticed Hajime and smiled at him, gesturing for him to come over. He sighed, and held up a finger.
He removed his hand from Aveline's, immediately missing her soft touch.
"Sorry, I need to ask headmistress Charlotte a question."
"Huh, Why?" she asked.
Hajime held onto his necklace and sighed again.
"It's complicated." he said, before he quickly apologized.
He watched as Aveline sat down on one of the cushioned chairs. He walked towards Charlotte, a fake smile plastered on his face, sitting down next to her.
"Coincidence?" he asked.
"Coincidence." she said, "So you're starting with Aveline."
"You told me to."
"And how'd it go?"
"Surprisingly well," he said.
"Did you tell her about the tournament?"
"No."
She took a sip of wine, staining her lips with its red hue. She eyed a certain violet hair woman before smiling.
"One of the worst things to say to a floralith is to say that you're looking to bond with another." she said, "I'm curious to see how you'll manage to avoid losing her."
She refilled her glass and stared at him.
"It's only a matter of time before the Empress asks her daughter about Sakura. I can only keep my end-"
Charlotte narrowed her eyes at Hajime. She smelled a familiar scent.
"Octavia." she said.
"Octavia." he smiled as he got up, "She's my mentor."
He left the woman speechless and returned back to his table.
"What was it about?" she asked.
Hajime stopped smiling and sighed for the third time.
"I have to finish at the top of the class, otherwise, I'll be kicked out."
She fiddled with her necklace as she listened to his dilemma.
"Is that why you agreed to bond with me?"
Aveline's eyes slowly found Hajime's, her lips quivering, her fingers stroking the necklace, and her foot tapping against the table leg.
"No. I would've asked you even if I wasn't on probation." he said, his gaze not moving away from her.
The waiter approached the table and smiled, handing them a menu and giving them some recommendations. He introduced himself before he took their orders and left the young adults alone.
"Okay," Aveline said.
A silence washed over the table for the next few minutes. The waiter returned with one glass of wine for Aveline and one for Hajime.
"Sorry but I didn't order any wine," Hajime said.
"It's a gift from a Lady Charlotte," he said before leaving.
Hajime frowned.
Of course it is, he thought.
Aveline narrowed her eyes at Hajime before sipping her red wine.
"She's older than you right?"
"Right."
"Are you two..."
Hajime spit out the drink.
"Please don't finish that sentence."
He wiped his mouth and smiled at Aveline, "We're friends."
Aveline rolled her eyes at him.
"You know Hajime, I don't think you'd be able to handle a relationship with an older woman," she said, "You're quite immature."
"Me immature?" Hajime scoffed, "I practically have the most life experience out of everyone here. I can prove it to you."
She leaned closer to him.
"Go ahead then," she said.
His heartbeat accelerated and his breathing slowed. He gulped as he inched closer to Aveline. Smelling her perfume, feeling her hot breath on his face, going in for the kiss, a voice stopped him.
"Daddy," Sakura chirped happily before looking at Aveline.
"Aveline." her tone couldn't have been colder.
Hajime and Aveline separated, their faces as red as tomatoes.
"Sakura?" Aveline asked.
Sakura stood beside their table, wearing the academy's uniform, holding a box of chocolates, and her long hair tied into a ponytail.
"What are you doing here?" Hajime asked.
"Headmistress Charlotte wanted to speak with me so I came here with her." she said.
Hajime stared at Sakura. He took a deep breath and closed his eyes, his heart slowly calming itself down. He opened his eyes and asked the waiter to bring another chair.
"What did she want?" he asked.
"Nothing important, she only congratulated me on getting into the academy." Sakura said as she sat down.
"Really," Hajime said, taking a sip of his wine, which was deemed safe by the System.
Sakura nodded. She looked at Hajime's necklace before looking at Aveline's, noticing the symbol, recognizing the symbol. She turned to Hajime, tilting her head.
"You gave her a necklace?" she whispered.
"Mhm."
"I want one," Sakura said.
"Next time." Hajime smiled.
"Promise?"
"Promise."
Sakura giggled as she grabbed Hajime's pinky with hers.
"Okay," she said.
"Sakura how long are you staying?" Aveline asked, interrupting their moment.
"Oh, am I interrupting your little date?" Sakura smirked, "Daddy are you going to choose Aveline over me?"
Sakura pouted as she wrapped her arms around Hajime's arm, slowly resting her head on his shoulders.
"Don't throw me away Daddy, I'll be a good girl," she said in a cute voice.
"Ahem." Aveline coughed, her face red, her hands clenching underneath the table.
Sakura kept hugging Hajime.
"Aveline, you wouldn't mind if she stayed for a bit right?"
Aveline glared at Sakura who just stuck her tongue out, before she looked at Hajime and forced a smile on her face.
"I don't mind at all," she said.