[Music Recommendation: "My Eyes" by 10cm - Goblin OST (instrumental only) available in Youtube or Spotify] ~ Please listen to it in a loop while you read this part to experience the utmost beauty of this chapter ~

With all honesty to the entirety of my being, I had no idea if it was alright to kiss in public, especially here in the Land of the Red Dragon. Okay, maybe it was fine as long as it wasn't too much, right? Ugh. I'm not sure. In my past life, I often saw couples kissing in public but it was just a short, normal peck, oftenly at the forehead or cheeks, and very seldom on the lips. The only times I saw lips kissing was at a wedding!

If we were in the Western countries, I wouldn't stop him since I at least knew that people were more "accepting" about PDA there. But not the same could be said in most countries in the East! Even back in my country, couples were more reserved—well, it only lasted until 2019 or so. As time went by, generations had become more liberated in showing their affections, and many other social things. But that's years from now! Almost a decade from now. We still needed to be more reserved, right?

Come to think of it, Kaiden and Crystal were quarter British. And during one of my chats with Crystal, she mentioned there were times they lived in the UK with their grandparents and just transferred here during high school was it? I forgot but somewhere around that time frame. Given that fact, they would have been strongly influenced by their culture, right? Maybe that was why Kaiden thought it was okay to kiss often even in public? Hmmm… But observing them for the last few months, they were a mixture of both. It's hard to judge. But still… we really shouldn't be doing this in public!

Anyway, what should I do with him? Pleading like a cute puppy like that, how should I explain my thoughts to him? And how could I possibly say no?

"Ahm, Kaiden, I think we need to talk," I told him in a serious tone.

"Alright. Let's talk on the way," he replied, still pouting. My heart kept on squeezing because of that.

"Oh! How about Marie?"

Marie, who was behind us, raised her hand. "No, thanks. I'd rather save up money with cheaper meals. Meet you later in the next class."

"… Okay. See you later."

Marie waved her hands goodbye and went on her way. Then, Kaiden and I walked towards the cafeteria. I explained to him my thoughts on how we shouldn't be kissing so much in public like he seemed to have intended to do from now on. He sulked for a bit but when I told him that it would just give me a hard time later, he quickly agreed.

"Alright, alright. I won't kiss you in public anymore—unless needed," he murmured the last part, and added in a smirking face, "But if we're alone, expect me to kiss you lots."

I felt my face flush red again. T-this guy… he was too good with flirting, truly!

A few minutes more and we arrived at the cafeteria. Hora and Crystal were already there, chatting with each other. And to my surprise, a pile of cash was scattered in front of Hora, on the table.

"You won a lot of money on that bet," I jested to Hora as soon as we arrived.

Hora and Crystal looked at our direction and chuckled to themselves. Now, what could that mean?

"Yes, I won a lot. I feel rich with all this money," Hora waggled her eyebrows and smiled so smugly. "I knew it wouldn't take long for you two to be together. Good job, Kaiden. Just make sure to take it nice and slowly. No need to rush things with the lovey-doveyness, okay?"

"Yes, ma'am," Kaiden agreed, as he sat on his usual spot, and I, on mine.

"Good," she nodded approvingly. "Since I'm rich today, I'll treat you all to lunch. I don't know where to use this money anyway."

"Pft! Ha-ha-ha! Why did you bet with everyone when you don't even need the money?"

"It's fun. I didn't know I had great luck in betting."

"Maybe we should go to the casino and try your luck."

"Hey! We're still minors. We can't do that," I reprimanded them.

"Right. After two years then. When we're all considered adults by the law."

"I don't know any kind of gambling though," Hora said, blinking her eyes.

"Same. Except for some card games. But I never betted on anything."

"What? Are you two living under a rock?" Crystal exclaimed. "I should teach you one of these days."

"Don't let her. She's a bad influence," Kaiden commented, as he sipped on a fruit shake he ordered while we were busy chatting.

To my surprise, he ordered for me, too, seeing how the same waiter gave me a mango flavoured one. That was nice of him. I happily sipped on my shake as well.

"Hey, where's mine, stupid brother?" Crystal complained. "And Hora's?"

"I don't know what flavour you want. Just go order for yourself."

"Tsk. Tsk. Tsk. What a nice brother I have," Crystal shook her head in dismay.

"Let's get boba," Hora whispered to Crystal. "Do they have that here?"

"I don't think they do. Haven't seen it on their menu."

"Awww… that's sad."

While the two sulked, Callan and Verrill finally arrived, holding something in their hands.

"Hello ladies, and gents," Callan greeted us.

They placed the plastic bags they carried on the table and took out six drinks from it. And would you look at that—they were all different kinds of boba.

"Woooaahh!" Hora and Crystal's eyes lit up. They were so happy to see them bring the drink they were just talking about a moment ago.

"Where did you buy this? And why?" Crystal asked.

"It was Verrill's idea. Then I remembered you liked boba, too, so I came along. There's a shop near here that sells good stuff."

Hora smiled sweetly towards the sly fox Verrill. Of course, she would be so happy. This sly fox really had great ways to woo my best friend. Hora probably mentioned it to him earlier or something.

"Thank you," Hora and Crystal sweetly thanked the two. I could definitely feel all the love in the air. It was funny how the six of us seemed to be having a triple date, eating together during lunch like this.

"Well, since Kaiden and Senara have their fruit shakes, let's take their drinks."

"Yeah! No boba for you two."

"Huh? Me, too?" I complained.

"Okay, just Kaiden. No boba for Kaiden."

Kaiden smirked. "You can have it. I'm not very fond of tea. But thanks anyway."

"Tsk. Still so smug. Fine. You're the enemy of all boba lovers now."

And so, we had our lunch in a not so peaceful manner with all the chatting and bickering of the twins plus Hora.