Want to be human, but cube-like

Although she didn't know what was so praiseworthy about it, Alex responded anyway.

"But, um, what does 'studying abroad' mean?"

Then, she asked in a low voice, sounding puzzled.

"Eh?"

Ai Yin was taken aback. Didn't she even understand this?

"Well, it means... staying at other schools abroad to study and receive education... something like that?"

How was she supposed to explain that? Ai-yin thought for a long time before she finally spoke.

But seeing Alex's somewhat confused expression, she puffed out her cheeks in annoyance.

However, considering that she was a noble lady, she probably had never been to school and that her education was handled by private tutors, I understood a little better.

Well, isn't the knowledge we're learning a bit too unbalanced?

Despite her impressive musical skills, she severely lacks common sense and general knowledge.

This inevitably makes people worry about how she managed to travel abroad alone.

"Um... Ellie, have you decided what you want to order?"

Having lingered on this topic long enough, Aine wisely changed the subject, guiding Alex to refocus her attention on the menu in front of her.

"let me see……"

After a moment's hesitation, Alex pointed to the Caramel Macchiato.

"That's it."

She was just wondering if these desserts and drinks, which she didn't make herself, could also give her a buff.

Aine glanced at it a few times and quickly chose a matcha sundae as well.

The drinks were served quickly. Alex had ordered a hot drink. When the caramel macchiato was placed in front of her, she stared blankly at the milk foam swaying on the coffee cup, which seemed ready to overflow at any moment, and the delicate heart-shaped pattern in the middle.

She gently placed her hand on the cup, feeling the intense heat emanating from it. She hesitated, unsure whether she should pick it up and drink directly, wondering if her actions would damage the small, delicate pattern.

"Hmm... eating ice cream in winter really does give you that weird feeling that's both exciting and uncomfortable~"

Meanwhile, across from her, Aine had already scooped a small spoonful of ice cream from her matcha sundae and put it in her mouth.

She squinted, her left hand clenching slightly as she rubbed her cheek with her knuckles, seemingly unable to bear the cold.

"Feeling unwell... then why did you order this?"

Upon hearing this, Alex turned her attention away from the caramel macchiato and asked curiously.

"Because Ellie seemed to be torn between these two options... Ah, I also want to try them myself~ And this feeling is really amazing, do you want to try a bite?"

This casual answer surprised Alex slightly.

After Aine finished speaking with a smile, she blinked, gesturing with her eyes to the clean spoon next to Alex's coffee cup.

She herself had only taken the first bite; the spoon that had been wet with saliva was still in her mouth, and the sundae in the cup was still clean.

This doesn't count as an indirect kiss.

…………

Book 1: Chapter 72 British Tradition?

Alex's gaze did indeed linger between the two desserts, but she didn't expect Aine to notice it.

The only reason she stopped was because the names of the two desserts just happened to be appealing to her.

The saucer holding the sundae was pushed forward a few centimeters by Aine, as if inviting her to try it.

Alex hesitated for a moment, then picked up the unused spoon placed next to the coffee cup, gently reached over, and scooped out a small spoonful.

She put it in her mouth, and just like Aine had done before, she narrowed her eyes slightly.

Indeed, as the other person said, eating ice cream in winter has a strange feeling that is both exciting and uncomfortable.

Moreover, although it was uncomfortable, I didn't find it offensive.

There might even be an urge to keep trying.

"Mmm~ So cold~!"

Seeing that Alex had finished tasting it, Aine scooped out a small spoonful and put it in her mouth. She couldn't help but exhale a breath of white mist with a sweet aroma and sighed.

"delicious."

Holding the spoon in her mouth, Alex slowly scraped the ice cream off with her tongue, and then smiled and commented.

"If you find it too cold..."

Then, gazing at Ai Yin's slightly parted, glossy lips, she thought for a moment, then covered the inside of the coffee cup with both hands, letting the intense heat warm her palms and fingers.

"Would it feel better to warm your hands before putting them on your face?"

Alex offered this suggestion.

"can you?"

Ai Yin paused, and said curiously.

"Then let me try?"

"it is good."

However, just as Aine finished speaking and was about to put down her spoon, Alex responded with a soft "yes," slowly leaning forward and extending her hands.

"Eh?"

Then, to her surprise, those warm little hands were placed on her face.

"How about it?"

Alex tilted her head curiously, still holding her face gently with both hands, and asked softly.

"Eh?!"

He let out another surprised exclamation.

But this slightly louder volume attracted the attention of other customers who hadn't noticed their actions before.

Aine froze completely, her light gray eyes wide open, filled with bewilderment at this unexpected situation.

She could feel those warm, fair hands pressed against her face, and she could clearly feel the soft palms and smooth fingertips through her skin.

There were no calluses from long hours of piano practice; they looked like the hands of a pampered young lady who never did any housework. It was hard to imagine that such delicate and soft hands belonged to a hamburger chef, and that she also possessed superb piano skills.

Looking again at her pretty face with its soft contours, her clear, pure, and flawless pale red eyes were quietly staring back at him.

Aine has to admit one thing.

Alex, she really is the most beautiful girl I've ever seen.

But then again, Aine didn't know whether Alex's hands were hot or not; she only knew that her own face was burning hot.

“Is it so effective?”

The other person was clearly unaware of the consequences of her actions. She simply exclaimed in surprise, then withdrew her hand, sat down again, and acted as if nothing had happened.

Cute voice can't pretend this never happened!

"You, you, you, me, me, me...!"

Aine opened her mouth and hesitated for a while before finally stopping.

She gently covered her burning cheek with the back of her hand, trying to cool down her face with the cool skin on the back of her hand, but obviously, it had little effect.

She then gently pinched her earlobe, which felt incredibly hot compared to her icy fingertips.

I imagine my face must be bright red right now.

With her eyes lowered, Ai-yin subconsciously scooped up a spoonful of ice cream and stuffed it directly into her mouth, trying to cool down in this way.

"Well……!"

Then, her forehead started to hurt from the cold.

However, the freezing cold completely calmed Aine down, and she subconsciously glanced around.

Only then did they realize that the commotion the two of them had just made seemed to have been seen by many people, and now many eyes were on them. Ai Yin could even faintly hear whispers of discussion and laughter.

If you happen to make eye contact with some smiling customers, you'll also receive encouraging glances.

Don't encourage other people to do strange things!

Ai Yin puffed out her cheeks slightly, and her face, which had just cooled down, turned slightly pink again.

She glanced at Alex discreetly.

The beautiful silver-haired girl was carefully holding a coffee cup, her lips gently touching the rim, as if she didn't want to ruin the latte art on it, and sipping her coffee in small sips.

He seemed completely unaware of his somewhat inappropriate behavior earlier.

What...what did she mean by that action just now?

Aine couldn't help but start letting her mind wander.

Or are all British people this open-minded? Is this kind of behavior common among friends?

She pondered this, and then she thought of a long-standing tradition in England...

Could it be that... Ellie has those kinds of feelings for me?!

But we've only met twice already...!

Aine shook her head slightly, forcibly stopping the increasingly strange thoughts.

Ellie is clearly doing this because she's naive and inexperienced!

She recalled the clear look in the other person's eyes just now, which clearly showed that there were no ulterior motives.

So innocent that it makes you want to defile it.

Ugh... What am I thinking!

This strange thought made Aine shake her head again.

“Aine?”

Perhaps drawn to the movement of the pink-haired girl in front of her, Alex stopped sipping her drink. She gripped the handle of the cup steadily, trying to keep the latte art intact, and gently placed it back on the plate.

"Pfft...!"

Then, Alex looked up, and her adorable little face immediately made Aine, who had just been lost in thought, laugh.

A small white milk foam was stuck to her upper lip, making her look like a child wearing a fake mustache, which was both cute and funny.

"nothing……"

She gently pursed her lips, suppressing a laugh, and shook her head slightly.

"Wipe your mouth first."

She took a tissue and handed it to Alex.

Somewhat puzzled, Alex took it and, following Aine's instructions, wiped her lips clean.

Will it still be very cold?

"Seeing that Aine hasn't eaten much of her sundae," Alex asked.

"Hmm, but my coffee is almost finished, and the cup isn't hot anymore."

She looked down at the caramel macchiato in front of her, which had shrunk to almost nothing and the latte art was so distorted that it was unrecognizable. She hesitated, as if considering whether to order another one.

"Ah! No need for that!"

Upon hearing this, Ai Yin stiffened and quickly shook her head.