Want to be human, but cube-like

"Alex...!"

Clutching her chest, Xiangzi took a deep breath to calm her racing heart. She glared at the other person with annoyance.

How long have you been standing here?

Thinking about how she had been dawdling in her room, pondering Alex's situation, while Alex stood outside the door waiting for her to open it, Xiangzi blushed slightly.

"About... less than twenty minutes?"

Alex took out her phone and glanced at it, then replied somewhat uncertainly.

"That's incredibly patient..."

Upon hearing this, Xiangzi couldn't help but mutter to himself.

"I'm always very patient!"

Hearing this, Alex proudly raised her little head and smiled.

She had almost gotten used to the situation where her mother would suddenly shift her attention to other things during adventures. Unable to control her own body, Alex could only stand there blankly most of the time, waiting for time to pass.

When you encounter this situation many times, even the most impatient person will develop patience.

"I wasn't complimenting you... Phew—sorry, I overslept today."

Speechless, Xiangzi could only apologize and change the subject.

"It's okay, I wasn't planning to open for business this morning anyway. Here, take this. Happy Valentine's Day!"

Alex shook her head, smiled as she finished speaking, and handed over the small gift box again.

The gift box, wrapping paper, and ribbon in her hand were all purchased from a gift shop that morning after she finished making the chocolates, following the advice in the tutorial.

I don't know if everyone will like it.

"Huh? Thank you..."

Xiangzi looked somewhat surprised. She hesitated for a moment as she looked at the gift box that Alex handed her before taking it.

Xiangzi hadn't expected Alex to prepare chocolates for her, and naturally, she hadn't prepared any gifts in return, which made her feel a little embarrassed.

But what Xiangzi didn't expect was yet to come.

"This is my special chocolate, Xiangzi, I love you!"

"...!?"

Alex suddenly leaned forward, smiling, and said something very direct that left Xiangzi stunned.

After speaking, she hesitated for a moment, her gaze falling on Xiangzi's slightly parted, rosy lips.

"Wait, wait, wait, wait...?!"

Realizing what the other person had just said, Xiangzi interrupted her in a trembling voice, speaking without thinking.

"I...I...No, no! That...!"

Her face flushed bright red, almost steaming. Xiangzi shook her head vigorously. She felt that the chocolate she held in her hand had suddenly become very hot, and she almost lost her grip.

Alex…did she just say she likes me? Did she really say she likes me? Did I hear that right? Is this my favorite chocolate?

His thoughts became a jumbled mess, impossible to process. All Xiangzi could think of was Alex's words, "I like you," which kept replaying in his mind.

"Um, and then, this is obligation chocolate."

After hesitating for a long time, Alex still didn't take the initiative to kiss Xiangzi. She then took out two more slightly smaller gift boxes from her bag.

"And this is friendship chocolate."

She smiled and handed over the two chocolates as well.

He handed it to Xiangzi.

"……Eh?"

Still lost in thought, Xiangzi paused again, then instinctively took the two chocolates.

She looked up blankly at Alex, who was waiting for a response.

"what happened?"

Alex tilted her head and blinked slightly.

Xiangzi, whose face was still burning hot, couldn't say a word, and the scene fell into a temporary silence.

…………

Volume 1: Chapter 142 Confessing Love on the Spot Under Countless Gazes

Today, Xiangzi's cheeks seemed particularly rosy. Wearing her beautiful maid outfit, she stood in front of the counter taking orders from customers, and occasionally she would inadvertently glance back at Alex, who was busy in the kitchen.

Then, a smile would inevitably appear on her lips, but she would immediately puff out her cheeks slightly, as if expressing some minor dissatisfaction.

Only when she hears the wind chimes ring will she switch back to her formulaic smile and turn to look at the customer.

Her face inevitably had a touch of bright pink, and her radiant and charming appearance was very eye-catching.

Many girls who come in pairs are sometimes momentarily stunned by her pretty expression.

Then his jealous girlfriend gave him a light pinch on the waist.

When Aine led Renai into the hamburger shop, this was the scene that greeted her.

Very weird.

She looked around and realized that the number of customers today would be quite high. It was well past lunchtime after school, but there were still many people who were interested in coming in because they saw the information on the notice board at the entrance.

Even though it's Valentine's Day, there are still a lot of girls traveling in pairs.

With a slight sigh in her heart, Aine took Rana's little hand and helped her pull the cart towards the counter.

"welcome."

Xiangzi, who was still looking back at Alex, sensed someone approaching and immediately put on a standard smiling face, saying.

"...Ah, good afternoon, Aine-san, and Rakuna-san."

Then, she glanced away for a moment, put on her usual expression, and greeted them.

Good afternoon, Xiao Xiang~

Letting go of Ryuna's hand, Aine raised her hand and said with a smile, then skillfully found a seat next to her and sat down with Ryuna.

"You seem to be in a good mood today?"

She still felt that Xiangzi's behavior today was a bit strange, so she casually probed about it indirectly.

"Are you... alright?"

He blinked and replied somewhat awkwardly.

"Oh, right, Lena, this is for you."

Turning around discreetly, she took a matcha mochi from the cupboard and placed it on the counter.

"He clearly looked like he was having a very happy smile."

With one hand supporting her chin, Aine watched as Ryuna leaned closer with shining eyes. She turned her gaze back to Shoko and said.

"Have it?"

Upon hearing this, Xiangzi was taken aback and subconsciously raised his hand to touch the corner of his mouth.

"Hum~"

Seeing this, Aine gave a sarcastic laugh that was hard to decipher.

"...Really, Aine's personality is a bit awful."

Xiangzi then realized that she had been tricked. She sighed helplessly, but didn't care much, only making a small complaint.

"Hmm~ Let's not talk about that for now. Xiao Xiang, I understand now why Xiao Le Nai always comes so late."

Without responding to Xiangzi's complaint, Ai Yin just smiled, leaned on the counter, turned her head to look at Lena beside her, whose cheeks were bulging as she chewed on matcha mochi, and said.

"She doesn't even know how to take the tram; she always walks here!"

To prevent Rakuna from suddenly becoming unreachable again today, Aine inquired about Rakuna's school yesterday. After learning that Rakuna was a second-year junior high school student in Hanasakigawa, she went straight there to catch her after school today.

It's not a big deal if she disappears normally, but today there's a performance, and Lena's position is very important, so she can't be absent.

"And after school, Xiao Le Nai has to go home to change her clothes and take her instrument with her."

Remembering how she used to run around with Lena after school, Aine glanced at her again and couldn't help but reach out and pat her head.

"Don't you get tired of running around with your instrument like this every day?"

she asked curiously.

"Hmm? Not tired."

All she got in return was a bewildered look from Lena.

"I guess I've gotten used to it."

Xiangzi, who had just finished serving a customer, turned around and said.

"So, did Aine bring Rakuna along on the train today?"

"Hmm, I think I have to teach Xiao Lena how to ride the tram, walking is too much of a waste of time... but it doesn't seem to be working very well."

Nodding, Aine's expression was slightly depressed.

Throughout the journey, Renai acted as if she didn't understand what Aine was saying, making Aine wonder if she had actually learned how to ride the train.

"Good afternoon, Aine, Rakuna."

At this moment, Alex, who had finished her work in the kitchen, looked up and saw Aine and Rana, so she came out and greeted them.

"Ellie~"

Ai waved back.

"Matcha parfait?"

Lena, who had already swallowed the matcha mochi, suddenly tilted her head and asked.

"Not that fast yet."

Before Xiangzi and Aine could even process what Lena meant, Alex had already given her a perfectly synchronized reply.

"The machine that Xiangzi helped order hasn't arrived yet, and the fruit hasn't been delivered either."

After all, the decision was made last night, so even if it's done quickly, it will still take a few days.

"Are you really going to buy a machine to make matcha parfaits for little Lenal?"

Ai Yin looked at Alex with some surprise. She thought they were just talking yesterday, but she didn't expect that after she and Lena left, they actually ordered the materials and equipment.

That's really impressive execution...

"Actually, it can be used not only for matcha parfaits, after all, it doesn't feel right for a burger shop not to have ice cream."

Xiangzi gave a brief explanation.

"Ah, right!"

Just as Alex took off her apron, she suddenly remembered something.

"Wait for me a moment, Aine, Rakuna."

Before she finished speaking, she slipped back into the kitchen, opened the refrigerator, and seemed to be taking something out.

"what?"

Aine was a little confused, but at that moment, Rana, who was sitting next to her, tugged at her sleeve.

"Can we go play now?"

After finishing her matcha mochi, Lena felt bored and seemed restless, with nothing to do.

He swayed slightly and asked.