When Zoemi in his past life was experiencing that world as a game, Miriette on the screen was throwing that kind of tantrum at least two times per route.

And yet, since he reincarnated, he only saw her that mad only on three other occasions.

The first time was when she caught her father fooling around with a maid.

The second time was when she caught him and Horeo peeking on the maids in the bath…

And the third time when Grazio tried to challenge him for a duel after the magical examination.

This time around the air wasn't boiling from the overwhelming might of the dark-haired girl's spell but the aura surrounding her wasn't any less intimidating than during those other times.

"…

"

"WELL!?!?

"

The black-haired boy's hesitation made Miriette even angrier – if that was even possible…

"Miriette. I'm sorry for not noticing your feelings.

"

Zoemi straightened his back and looked her in the eyes.

"That's it!?

"

She scoffed at him and put her chin forward with a challenge as if expecting an actual confrontation…

"I'm really sorry, Miriette.

"

Zoemi said approaching her without a trace of worry, fear, or hesitation…

"Hmph…!

"

The dark-haired girl scoffed again and just kept on glaring at him.

"And…? That's all you're going to say!?

"

Even though the black-haired boy was right in front of her and she had to raise her head straight up, Miriette didn't lose even an ounce of her attitude.

Instead of constantly apologizing and kowtowing in front of her, Zoemi went for a different approach – one that proved to be far more efficient with dealing with the dark-haired girl.

Distraction.

He went down on one knee and reached towards Miriette's feet.

"Wha…?! What do you think you're doing!?

"

Miriette blushed and scooted away.

Zoemi raised his head and looked into her eyes.

"Miriette, I'm truly sorry for not noticing how you feel, but me saying sorry won't make your legs stop hurting. Please let me have a look.

"

He said with a serious expression.

"…!

"

Miriette tried to get back into her angry mentality but Zoemi's actions have completely thrown her off…

…all according to Zoemi's plan…

"F-fine…!

"

The dark-haired girl grumbled and pushed one of her feet forward.

Zoemi touched it and instantly lowered his head.

Miriette's feet were swollen and must have hurt quite a bit, definitely not something a noble lady such as she would want to silently bear with.

"I'm sorry for not noticing. I was having too much fun and have overlooked your wellbeing… That should have never happened.

"

The black-haired boy sighed without raising his head.

"Fun…? So… you like spending time with me…?

"

Miriette whispered bashfully and blushed.

"I-it's not really your fault… I should have told you outright and not just keep it to myself…

"

The dark-haired girl, now completely anger-free, fidgeted and even sounded a bit apologetically!

"There's a bench over there, do you want me to carry you?

"

Zoemi pointed towards the shop with rows of fresh fruit and vegetables on a display – there was indeed a bench in front of it and it just so happened that a granny who was occupying it until that point had got up and trodded on her merry way.

"It's alright, I can walk that much.

"

Miriette looked to the side and put her hands together fidgetting bashfully.

Zoemi nodded and stood up.

He gently took Miriette's hands and led her to the bench.

"…fuaah…

"

When she sat down and sighed with relief, Zoemi kneeled in front of her once again and removed her shoes.

"O-oh…! Th-thank you…

"

It wasn't such a big deal but Miriette felt her heart skip a beat.

"Could you wait a bit?

"

Zoemi asked looking up at her.

"Eh…? Y-yes. No problem.

"

She said and smiled bashfully.

Looking at her now, no one would have expected that this shy dark-haired girl was shouting her lungs out just a minute ago.

Zoemi walked off somewhere and Miriette was just awkwardly sitting on the bench with her feet on top of her shoes.

She looked around curiously but Zoemi didn't seem to return from wherever he went.

Miriette looked down and started to move her feet while patiently waiting.

After a few seconds, she looked up again – Zoemi was still not in her sight so she looked down again.

She started stretching her toes.

"…

"

She looked up again…

No Zoemi.

She looked down once more…

"…I really overreacted just now, I should apologize to him…

"

Miriette sighed to herself.

"…He shouldn't talk about others while he's with me, but… Ah! Maybe he was jealous about Horeo because we are still technically engaged!

"

The dark-haired girl perked up but she instantly slouched back down.

"…but it genuinely sounded like he wanted me to end up with Horeo…! That's so ridiculous, I want him and he should realize it already! In the first place, he should get angry when I'm talking about flashing my lingerie to other men, not encouraging me to do so…!

"

Miriette grumbled angrily, rubbing her feet together…

"Sounds like you're in quite a pickle, lass.

"

"Kuaah…!?

"

Someone breathed out in amusement – which caused the dark-haired girl to flinch and let out an embarrassing sound.

"…?!

"

Miriette hurriedly turned around and saw a middle-aged black-haired woman in an old-fashioned white shirt and black pants, who sat next to the dark-haired girl who-knows-when, chuckling at her reaction.

"Sorry, I didn't mean to surprise you.

"

The black-haired woman smiled and waved her left hand apologetically.

"You kept talking to yourself even though I sat down next to you so I thought you wanted me to hear you out.

"

She explained sounding just a little bit apologetic.

"Wh-who are you…?

"

Miriette inched away from the unknown woman.

"Oh, I'm just some old lady passing by!

"

The woman laughed and waved her left hand dismissively again.

"My husband and I have a stall with accessories, mostly jewelry, and I have seen many girls with similar expressions as yours. Are you troubled over a boy?

"

The black-haired woman asked, nudging Miriette in the side as if they were old acquaintances.

"Um… Well… yes…

"

The motherly aura of the woman coupled with a charming smile that for whatever reason reminded Miriette of Zoemi, made the young lady ease up around the black-haired stranger.

"I see, I see… A dense one?

"

The woman squinted her eye and stroked her chin with a witty smile.

"N-no… It's a bit more difficult… The truth is…

"

Miriette opened her mouth and froze.

|Wait…! Am I really going to tell my story to some random lady…? There's something wrong…|

She closed her mouth and leaned away from the woman, squinting her eyes in suspicion.

"Ahaha! Sweetie, you don't have to be on guard! I just want to ease you up into buying some of our merchandise!

"

Seeing her cautious reaction, the black-haired woman laughed jovially and stood up.

"I'm sorry for making you nervous, sweetie.

"

She said apologetically and winked at Miriette.

"You can call me Kirissu. Came to our stall with your boy, I'll give you a discount as an apology for making you weary! It's a stall that's also a carriage, near the square, it's the only one like that so you can't miss it!

"

Only now Miriette has realize that the woman, Kirissu, must be a darkness magician.

Her eyes and hair were so dark it seemed to suck in the light and she as a whole seemed a bit… Aetherial… or… way more similar to a shadow than to actual flesh and blood human.

|Ah! She thinks I'm a darkness magician too! So she just wanted to help one of her own!|

Miriette thought to herself and felt sorry for acting coldly to Kirissu.

She looked after the leaving woman.

"…?

"

The passing wind blew and the right sleeve tied into a knot flapped loosely.

Kirissu was missing an arm but thanks to her energetic attitude Miriette completely missed it while they were talking.

"My la… Miriette…?

"

"KYAAH!

"

Zoemi arrived at Miriette's side and tried to hand her a strawberry crepe he got at one of the food stalls, but she was so focused on Kirissu that she completely missed the black-haired boy's return, and exclaimed in shock when he spoke to her.

"Wh-what is it with you darkness magicians and sneaking up on people!?

"

She complained while massaging her heart, actually scared.

"Sorry… This is for you – and I am not actually a darkness magician, you know?

"

Zoemi apologized and handed the crepe over to Miriette.

"…Thanks…

"

She murmured and bit into the food.

"So… that suspicious woman just now was a darkness magician?

"

Zoemi asked coldly while casually kneeling in front of Miriette and grabbing one of her feet.

"…!?

"

Miriette raised her brows and turned away – the black-haired woman was no longer there, she must have returned to the stall that she was talking about before.

"…Z-Zoemi…

"

Then, the dark-haired girl looked back at the boy, blushed, and hid her red face behind the crepe when Zoemi started massaging her foot as if it was the most normal and obvious thing to do in the world.

"Is something wrong…?

"

The black-haired boy looked up and tilted his head like a puppy and Miriette felt twice as bad for lashing out at him before.

"N-nothing…!

"

She assured him and hurriedly took another bite.

"That lady before is called Kirissu, she and her husband have a stall with accessories near the square. She was nice, I'd like to go and see their goods.

"

She said after swallowing.

|…I bet it would feel even better without the stocking, but taking them off seems somewhat inappropriate…|

Miriette forgot herself for a moment while looking at Zoemi – or rather his arms…

His hands felt really good and she couldn't stop imagining him touching other parts of her body.

|THEY ARE HERE!|

…so good that she didn't notice Zoemi's eyes going lifeless at the sound of the black-haired woman's name…

Zoemi put down Miriette's foot and reached for the other one but…

"No! Don't stop!

"

Miriette yelped helplessly – which was shocking enough to make Zoemi shake off the horrible feeling in his heart as he opened his now bright – and shocked – eyes.

"I-I mean it's still a bit sore, we still have time right…?

"

Miriette missed the momentary change in Zoemi's eyes and blushed deeply after saying something rather suspicious and fidgeted.

"As you wish.

"

Zoemi nodded and smiled in response.