The Little date

Eri walked alongside Liam as they continued their impromptu outing.

Their first stop was a convenience store, where Liam purchased an ice pack for Eri's swollen cheeks. Her cute face had taken a hit, with her cheeks and eyes showing the signs of both crying and the slap from earlier.

Eri felt a surge of gratitude towards Liam for his thoughtfulness. It was heartwarming to experience such kindness, especially in a moment of distress.

Liam observed Eri's delicate features, partially obscured by her glasses and hair. Her eyes held a softness and innocence, and her gentle figure exuded a certain charm. He couldn't help but appreciate her beauty, even though he knew she lacked confidence and tended to be shy.

He recalled the time when he had asked Eri why she had approached him initially. Her response had warmed his heart. "You looked alone, just like me. I didn't want you to feel as lonely as I did, so I approached you. And well, I was quite lucky that you turned out to be this handsome. Ehehe."

Liam's smile grew as he reminisced about that moment.

"Why are you grinning like that?" Eri asked, her curiosity piqued when she noticed Liam's smile.

He chuckled softly. "Oh, it's nothing. Just reminiscing."

Eri tilted her head, a playful glint in her eyes. "Reminiscing about what?"

"Nevermind~"

"eh?? tell me!~"

As they walked, Liam changed the subject. "So, what do you want to eat? We have enough money, so no worries!"

Eri thought for a moment before suggesting, "hm... how about sea food?"

liam's eyes lit up. "alright then. It sounds perfect."

*

Liam and Eri continued their journey to a renowned seafood restaurant in the city.

Despite Eri's reservations about the potentially high prices, Liam brushed off her concerns. Money wasn't a significant worry for him at the moment, and he assured Eri that they could indulge without worries. He led her inside with determination.

Upon entering the restaurant, they were greeted by a graceful waitress. Though they appeared young in her presence, her professionalism remained unwavering.

"Welcome to Seaside Elegance. Where would you prefer to dine? A standard room, a VIP cabin, or our premium cabin?" she inquired, a friendly smile on her face.

Liam made his choice without hesitation. "The VIP cabin, please."

"Of course. Please follow me," the waitress responded, guiding them to their designated area.

Although Liam had briefly contemplated opting for the premium cabin, he recognized that his current resources might not fully cover the cost. However, this choice was likely for the best, as Eri had already hesitated over the VIP option. Liam was being mindful of her comfort, understanding that a more extravagant choice might have dissuaded her from dining there altogether.

As they were led to their seating, Liam's determination to make this day special for Eri remained steadfast.

The waitress handed them the menu, ensuring they knew they could call her for anything else they needed. She left the room with a warm smile, granting them some privacy.

Their choice for the main course was Lobster Tail with Butter Sauce, a more extravagant option that Liam believed was worth it for this special occasion. The meal included appetizers, the main course, and desserts.

Throughout the meal, they enjoyed each bite, and finally, it was time for dessert – another Lobster Tail with Butter Sauce. Eri's eyes sparkled with delight as she eagerly dug in, momentarily forgetting her worries.

Liam couldn't help but chuckle at her enthusiastic response. It seemed that Eri had quite the sweet tooth. As she indulged in the dessert, a small piece of ice stuck to her cheek, a detail she hadn't noticed.

Liam pointed it out, and Eri attempted to clean it off, but her efforts were in vain. Acting quickly, Liam stood up from his seat, gently picked up the ice with his fingers, and then playfully licked it. "Hmm, it's tasty," he remarked with a smile.

Eri blushed deeply at the unexpected gesture, feeling both shy and embarrassed. Her reaction, in turn, made Liam's heart race, though he attributed it to the effects of returning to his younger self.

While Eri enjoyed her dessert, she noticed that Liam hadn't been eating his portion. Deciding to take the initiative, she scooped up a bite with her spoon and offered it to him, saying, "Ahhn~"

Liam felt flustered by the sweet gesture, his heart racing again. Regaining his composure, he realized that he was sitting a bit too far from Eri. So, he stood up and moved his chair closer to hers, now sitting beside her instead of across from her.

Sitting down once more, he opened his mouth, ready to accept the spoonful of dessert. Eri, though initially embarrassed, fed him with the same spoon. Even though it was a small, innocent moment, it filled her with a mixture of shyness and happiness inside.

Looking at Eri's bashful and blushed face, Liam took a deep breath and finally spoke the words he had regretted not saying before. He looked at her with sincerity and said, "Eri, I like you. Would you date me?"

Eri was utterly shocked, her eyes widening in disbelief. She never in her wildest dreams imagined that Liam would propose to her. Her heart raced, and she had to gather her thoughts before responding.

"Eh?—Wha-?" Her voice faltered, her mind racing as she tried to process his confession. Although she had feelings for him as well, she had never considered the possibility of them being together.

After composing herself, she met Liam's gaze. "Liam, I like you too... but I don't think it's possible for us to be together."

Liam's voice lowered as he asked, "Why?"

Eri began to explain, her voice carrying a mixture of sadness and determination. "You know, I come from a relatively low middle-class family, while you're from a wealthy background. I don't think your parents and relatives will see me in a positive light. I'm prepared for insults directed at me, but I don't want them to shame you because of me. They might call me a gold digger, trying to climb the social ladder, and I can't bear the thought of people insulting you behind your back..." Tears welled up in her eyes as she spoke, and her gaze dropped to the floor.