A journey into an infinite dimension

"Because you once said that you wanted to see if I was capable of taking on the life of the spirit I sealed, and if I was qualified to seal the spirits, right?"

In response to Kaguya's words, Shiori simply spoke calmly.

"So now, I have to prove my qualifications to you."

Of course, she didn't choose to date Kaguya first out of impulse, but she would make this choice only when she was sure of it.

Although the certainty was not absolute, Shiori felt that after he gave this reason, Kaguya would most likely agree.

If she was really Jia Ye, then she would definitely agree in order not to destroy the "personality" she had established.

This is what Shiori knows about Kaya.

So if Kaguya refuses, then the possibility that she is Kaya will be slightly reduced, which also achieves the purpose of the test, and it can be said that there is no harm in it.

However, Shizhi was obviously thinking too idealistically.

"I can also tell by watching you date other people."

Kaguya would not easily destroy the character she had built, but she believed that the more she interacted with Shiori, the more information would be revealed from his daily habits, so Kaguya would not agree to a date with Shiori either.

But speaking of dating, it seems that the last game ended up with no winner due to the interference of the color disaster.

Then the so-called rewards and compensation should no longer exist, right?

"But that wouldn't be as accurate as judging it yourself, right?"

Although the unexpected answer disrupted Shiori's subsequent preparations, fortunately she had already prepared herself mentally for other answers, so she was still able to respond calmly.

"Once is not enough, we can do it more times."

As if she was impatient with Shiori's entanglement, Kaguya took a step back and stepped into the entrance behind her, and gently pulled open the solid wood door, reducing the gap between herself and Shiori.

"If there's nothing else, see you next time at school."

"Wait, then it should be okay for me, a visitor, to come into your house?"

Reaching out to hold the door, Shizhi, feeling extremely embarrassed and ashamed, smiled and said without showing any abnormality on the surface.

This action was not her original intention, but came from the instructions and strategy of Fraxinus.

Although this would make her look like an annoying person who kept pestering her, there was no other way in order to be able to date Kaguya and confirm her identity.

"...Come in."

After staring at Shizhi for a while, Kaguya let go of her hand and let Shizhi open the door of the house.

If he was a guest, she wouldn't chase Shiori away. After all, they would only be together for a short time, so he shouldn't reveal any flaws.

"excuse me."

Shiori was relieved that Kaguya didn't continue to chase people away, and then he walked into the house and closed the door.

"What do you want to drink?"

Bringing Shiori to the living room where all the furniture was brand new and looked like it had never been used, Kaguya turned around and asked her who was looking around calmly.

"Only coffee and tea, by the way."

After hearing Kaguya's addition, Shiori, who already felt something was wrong, suddenly felt that something was even more wrong.

Why does it feel like the atmosphere in Kaguya's house doesn't seem like a house where people live? Even the things used to entertain guests look like they were bought by Kaguya herself.

Even if it's a new home, there shouldn't be this kind of atmosphere after living there for a few days, right?

"Um, excuse me, Kaguya, did you just move here?"

Shiori asked cautiously.

"Are your parents not home?"

From the fact that she can have her own home, it can be seen that Kaguya is not an elf like Tohka and Yoshino who come to this world from the neighboring world from time to time. It is more likely that she has stayed in this world for a long time like Nanashi, or she is an elf transformed from a human like Kotori.

So this is just a small test.

"I just moved in the day before I transferred to another school."

Glancing at Shiori, Kaguya said calmly.

"As for parents, there's no such thing as that."

That kind of...thing...?

Hearing her words, Shizhi was stunned.

"So, coffee or tea?"

After successfully revealing some of the character information, Kaguya forced the topic to end as if she didn't want to discuss it anymore.

"Ah, coffee, coffee is good."

Coming back to his senses, Shiori had lost the opportunity to ask, so he could only suppress his thoughts temporarily and responded.

Chapter 187 Interesting Games☆

9:36 in the morning, at Kaguya's home.

"Please use."

Amid the rich aroma of coffee that filled the entire house, a cup of freshly ground cappuccino was gently placed on the coffee table in front of Shiori. Then Kaguya gently sat down on the sofa opposite Shiori, also holding a cup of pure espresso in her hand.

"...Kaguya, can you make coffee?"

Shiori, who had just witnessed how Kaguya turned pure coffee beans into two cups of coffee in front of him, was still immersed in her magic-like skills and asked in a daze.

“I learned coffee because I’m interested in it.”

Taking a sip of the coffee in the cup, feeling the wonderful taste blooming on the tip of her tongue, she squinted her eyes in enjoyment and said calmly.

"By the way, don't speculate on the meaning of giving you a cappuccino. It's simply to avoid the bitter taste you don't like."

Shiori didn't react when she said that, but Kannazuki and the others who were currently pondering and discussing the meaning of Kaguya's action on Fraxinus stopped their thoughts awkwardly.

It turns out that there is no meaning or implication.

Isn't that natural, you idiots?

Looking at the stupid looks of her subordinates, Kotori could not help but hold her forehead in silence.

"What, what does that thing called cappuccino mean?"

Also on the bridge of the Fraxinus, Tohka, who knew that Shiori would go on a date with Kaguya today, asked curiously.

"That's called coffee, Tohka-chan."

Yoshina, who was also present here, explained to Tohka with a smile on her face.

"I saw it on TV. It's a very bitter thing, but it's very popular among mature humans. So that bitter taste is actually the taste of adults."

"Is that so?"

Hearing this, Tohka suddenly showed an expression of sudden enlightenment.

Then her expression became a little confused.

The taste of adults, if possible, she would also like to try what it tastes like, but it is very bitter... She doesn't like bitterness.

"Cappuccino means 'I love you' and 'wait'."

Nanashi, who maintained her adult appearance and had been frequently coming to Shiori since supporting Kayaya and the others in the battle against Caihuo, took over the conversation and answered Tohka's initial question.

"The taste of cappuccino is sweet and bitter, yet consistent. Waiting is also sweet and bitter, so cappuccino also symbolizes waiting with a loyal heart that will not change."

Because Nana Sin has been in the human world for quite some time, she has more or less learned some knowledge about various things.

"how romantic."

After hearing such a straightforward explanation, Yoshino's face immediately turned slightly red.

But her eyes were also sparkling, perhaps because she thought the meaning was very beautiful.

"Yes, yes."

After hearing the conversation between Tohka and the others through the communicator in his ear and understanding the meaning of cappuccino, Shiori couldn't help but cough lightly.

The constant waiting, huh?

If Kaguya is really Kaya, then isn't this really some kind of hint?

With this thought in mind, after saying thank you, Shizhi gently picked up the cup in front of her, and her eyes were attracted by the things in it, and a hint of surprise flashed in her eyes involuntarily.

On the surface of the cappuccino in her hand, with a brown background, there was a lifelike painting of a peony and butterfly drawn with delicate and glossy milk foam. It was so exquisite that even the patterns on the butterfly's wings were very clear and obvious, and the petals were clearly layered.

If it weren't for the pure white color of the milk foam, Shizhi would even think that there were butterflies playing with the peonies in his cup.

This is a realm that is difficult to describe with technology, and has even reached or surpassed the realm of art.

Anyone who watched Kaguya as a taxi throughout the whole process can testify that Kaguya did not use any other tools from beginning to end. She just used an ordinary latte art pitcher to paint on the surface of the cappuccino.

————However, God knows how Kaguya can produce latte art of this level using only a latte art pitcher without using any other tools!

Looking at the latte art in the cup, Shizhi found that he was reluctant to drink it.

"It's already been shaken when you pick it up, so if you don't drink it, the latte art will fall apart."

As if she had seen through Shiori's thoughts, Kaguya put down the cup and reminded him.

I accidentally remembered that I learned latte art for the sake of popularity, and the first work I made was the "wa-ge" on her kimono. When I came to my senses, I made this pattern.

But it doesn’t matter, just think of it as remembrance and longing.

Kaguya thought with a slight smile in her heart.

But I really can't stop feeling lonely.

Come to think of it, I haven't seen her for a few years, but fortunately this period of time has been non-existent to her, otherwise she would be scolded to death when she returns.

"really?"

Shiori didn't notice Kaguya's change of mood, but upon hearing her say that, he immediately made up his mind.

No, it would be a shame if such a beautiful thing were to be scattered like this.

So let me keep you in my memory before you fade away!

With this thought in mind, Shizhi brought the cup to his lips and took a small sip.

“…delicious.”

The sweetness and crispness of milk foam, the bitterness and richness of coffee beans, two opposite tastes bloom on the tip of the tongue, very different from each other, but blended together just right, enhancing each other's advantages while downplaying each other's shortcomings. The sweet becomes sweeter, but not greasy; the bitter becomes bitterer, but not astringent. The mellow and timeless taste is unforgettable and irresistible.

Although he had drunk coffee a few times before, Shizhi had never tasted such delicious coffee.

Moreover, she didn't know if it was her illusion, but Shizhi always felt that the cup of coffee in her hand seemed to be extremely in line with her taste and preferences, and completely hit her sweet spot.

Is this also a coincidence?

Shizhi didn't believe it.

Looking at Kaguya opposite him, Shiori's gaze gradually became more determined.

Just wait, Jiaye, I will definitely expose your disguise and snatch you back from Caihuo.

"So, is there anything you want to see or play?"

Kaguya asked Shiori after pulling her scattered thoughts back and not intending to just stare blankly at her face to face for the entire day.

"That----"

"Wait a moment, sister."

Just when Shiori was about to say something, Kotori's voice interrupted her.

Meanwhile, on stage: <Flaxinus>.

[Option ①: Let's go to your room and play some fun games.]

[Option ②: Can you show me around your house? ]

【Option ③: Then, let’s go for a walk outside. 】

“The options appeared.”

Looking at the three options displayed on the screen in front of her, as well as Junai's figure, Kotori put the Chupa Pearl back into her mouth and waved her little hand.

"Everyone, start choosing—and by the way, anyone who dares to choose ① will be thrown into a concentration camp to play an interesting game."