The silver‑gray sports car glided smoothly into the evening traffic.

The cabin wasn't especially spacious, yet its superb design radiated both cutting‑edge tech and a sense of luxury.

Sitting in such a top‑of‑the‑line sports car for the first time, Rika Suzuki was as giddy as a mouse let loose in a rice barn.

She carefully stroked the buttery‑soft leather seat, peering at the console's buttons that glowed a cool blue and at the huge display screen.

"Wow!", "That's amazing!", "The feel of this!" she kept exclaiming.

Phone in hand, she snapped photos of the interior and the blur of city lights outside, and even squeezed in a few selfies, her cheeks flushed with excitement.

In the front passenger seat, Emilia looked slightly tense and shy.

After buckling up, she tilted her head toward Rei Ao's sharply defined profile and asked in a small voice,

"Rei Ao… What made you suddenly pick me up today—and in this car?"

She was sure there was no sports car at home; normally Rei Ao just teleported.

One hand on the wheel, he drove in a relaxed posture.

Hearing her, he turned, winked, and lowered his voice with a mischievous smile:

"Got the urge today—wanted to try that 'picking the wife up from work' feeling."

"And if you're doing it, well… you need a little style, right? Gotta say, this experience…"

He glanced at the rear‑view mirror, where Rika was still taking pictures in delight.

"…is pretty fun."

At the word "wife" Emilia's ears reddened—yet her heart felt honey‑sweet.

Being openly cherished like this left her both bashful and blissfully happy.

"Hey, hey!"

At last Rika, burning with curiosity, couldn't hold back.

She leaned forward over the seatback, eyes sparkling:

"Rei Ao‑san, Emilia‑chan! How did you meet? When did you start dating? Was the proposal romantic? Where will the wedding be?"

The questions poured out like machine‑gun fire.

Emilia was caught off guard and stammered,

"Um… we've known each other… for quite a while… we, uh…"

Given that their relationship involved other worlds, time travel, demon lords, and heroes, there was no way to explain it to an ordinary person.

"Love at first sight," Rei Ao cut in smoothly, spinning a story without missing a beat, his tone perfectly natural.

"We met at… an academic conference. Emilia's beauty and kindness captured my heart instantly. As for the proposal…"

He shot Emilia a meaningful glance.

"…of course it happened at an especially memorable, one‑of‑a‑kind moment. The wedding…"

He paused, looking at her with indulgence and promise.

"Whenever Emilia's ready—we can hold it anytime, anywhere she wants."

Half of that was true—"love at first sight" really had happened; the rest he'd just made up.

But with his persuasive good looks and tender gaze, Rika was moved to tears.

"So romantic!"

"Rei Ao‑san, you're such a charmer!"

Hands over her heart, Rika beamed.

"Emilia‑chan, you're so lucky! You two have to stay happy forever!"

To her, they were a real‑life fairy tale.

Emilia's heart pounded, her cheeks glowing crimson.

She could only lower her head shyly, emotions swirling—sweetness, embarrassment, and a tinge of guilt toward her friend, since most of it was a lie.

She secretly pinched Rei Ao's thigh in punishment for his tall tales.

Unfazed, he clasped her hand, fingers intertwined—making her blush an even deeper red.

Rika, still caught up in the romance, noticed none of it.

…

The Ox King BBQ was—as expected—packed.

Fortunately, Rei Ao seemed to have called ahead, and they were ushered into a good private room.

Rika's lively, sociable nature shone.

She ordered all the signature meats, related vivid company gossip, and tirelessly served Emilia and Rei Ao food and drinks.

Thanks to her, the mood stayed light and cheerful.

Emilia gradually relaxed, savoring the food, her friend's company, and her lover's presence—a quiet happiness.

Rei Ao, for his part, was impeccable:

polite, witty, always picking up on Rika's topics and making both girls laugh.

His attentiveness to Emilia—grilling meat, serving dishes, passing tissues—was smooth and effortless, leaving Rika openly envious: "model husband!"

…

After dinner

At Rika's suggestion to "walk off the meal" (truthfully, she wanted more time with the handsome guy and the sports car),

Rei Ao drove them to a nearby upscale mall.

Rika meant only to window‑shop, but Rei Ao proved extravagantly generous.

"This scarf matches Rika-san's hair perfectly."

"This perfume is great for young women—fresh and energetic."

"This new handheld console—Emilia and Miss Rika might enjoy unwinding with it after work."

"Oh? Kobe‑exclusive sweets? Rika-san, you're from Kobe, right? Bring a taste of home back?"

It was as if Rei Ao could read minds and had an infinite wallet; every suggestion made Rika's eyes sparkle.

She kept protesting, "It's too much, you don't have to," yet never stopped the staff from wrapping everything.

Emilia watched, trying several times to intervene, but each time Rei Ao soothed her with a glance and a smile.

"Just a thank‑you for how Rika-san looks after Emilia at work."

An unassailable excuse.

…

So, a little after eight, when the sports car stopped outside Rika's apartment, she was laden with multiple luxury‑logo bags—scarves, perfume, the latest handheld console, elegant dessert boxes, and even a pair of designer earrings she'd admired for a moment too long.

"Rei Ao‑san, really… thank you so, so much!"

Panting from the load yet beaming with unprecedented joy, her eyes sparkled with excitement and gratitude.

"Tonight was amazing—fantastic BBQ, awesome shopping, a private ride—it felt like a dream! Thank you!"

She bowed deeply.

"No need to thank us. Having you along made Emilia very happy too," Rei Ao smiled.

Emilia added sincerely, "Thank you, Rika. I had a great time tonight as well."

"Hehe, I'll head up now.

Emilia‑chan, Rei Ao‑san, good night!"

Waving cheerfully, arms full of bags, Rika skipped into the building.

~~~

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