Sunday is the day when the students are the freest. But not Zia. She has been waiting here since 6:00 in the morning. She came so much earlier than the scheduled time, but what can her panicked mind do? She wore a smooth short purple gown with frills paired with stylish black leggings that have been the rage recently.

A food stand selling meat buns is set up just beside her. Its owner, a middle-aged lady, hummed an interesting tune.

"Young lady, it's still too early. What are you doing here?"

"I am waiting for someone."

"It's still too early! What kind of guy makes a young lady wait like this!?"

"Ah. I am too early anyway, we agreed to be here at 7..."

"Oh. Is that so? You must be excited, huh? How about a meat bun, it's on the house. It's still hot and freshly steamed."

"Thank you."

How dare a lowly commoner to ingratiate herself to her?

Zia ate it gingerly. The taste of the bun is soft and bouncy to the mouth. It blends just right with the saucy minced meat inside.

"Excuse me, what was that song you were singing?" She addresses the meat bun shop owner as she finds the song she was humming to be interesting.

"That? It's twinkle-twinkle-little-star, one of the originals of the Solemn Saint."

It's familiar to Zia since her mother used to sing it to her.

"Never heard of it." A young dark-haired man intruded into the conversation. He appeared as rude as he was annoying, but Zia only felt fear… and a bit of that small spark. She recalls that day in the Tournament Setup when her own Special Abilities were high-jacked. She instinctively shut her mouth.

The shop owner sternly eyed Alfir.

"Just kidding, I have heard it, I didn't expect to hear it here. Let's go, Zia." He held Zia's hand then they walked away.

The owner can feel the sudden change in the air, then she realized "So it was that kind of relationship, subservient female and dominant male? Though, the guy doesn't look special in any way?"

***

[Zia's POV]

We walked. Strolled the park.

We held hands. Ate some food.

Alfir wore a stylish long sleeve polo shirt with light cerulean color. He wore a necktie, a snakeskin leather belt, and dark pants. His shoes have a luster sheen of black, must be a new shine.

"Do you not wear coats?" I bet he would look better with a coat on top of this, like a full suit. But I can’t expect much from someone of low birth who can understand a noble lady’s taste for fashion

"They are stuffy and feel hot."

"Oh."

I don't feel scared of him anymore. Did he cast a spell on me? Well, yeah, he did release a spell on me. Come to think of it, I feel that I should dread this person called ‘Alfir’ more than that monster.

We rode a Ferris wheel as we lick our ice creams this early in the morning. The sky is bright but the sun has not fully risen yet.

"I love ice creams." He suddenly said.

"Me too." I curtly replied.

Then we went more sightseeing as we hold hands. He took the initiative to hold mine, so I guess it's fine?

"Achooo-oooo!" I sneezed with unladylike behavior.

"I knew it. I guess the ice cream is too early for the morning." He dragged me by a fruit stall, then bought some oranges. He fed it to me like I am a baby.

"S-stop. I can eat for myself." For the first time, I was shamefully dying inside. He smiled wryly and then gave me the paper bag of oranges. There are like a dozen of it. So I handed him some oranges to eat.

"Thanks... But why the oranges?" I ask.

"Because they fight colds? That's what I heard anyway."

"Hmm-hmm..."

"You aren't like what I imagined you to be. You are meeker than I thought."

"Excuse me? Meek?" It should be me who is saying that. And meek? Isn't it obvious why? He might not show it, but clearly, he’s the one who is holding the knife.

He ignored me, then we moved on.

We had lunch at a famous restaurant here downtown, G&G— Good food and Grease. They specialize in oily foods rich in protein and oily delicacies. Even with my pocket allowance, I won't be able to eat here. Though I might not look like it, I am actually a meat lover.

From a far distance, I think I kind of saw Jana’s silhouette gauging on a giant meatball. But suddenly, she was gone. Must be my imagination then.

G&G is only second to R&R in terms of luxury. What the hell? Is he actually rich? My pocket money from the duke is also plenty, but this guy only orders the best stuff. As in exclusive SSS-type food.

"Can we afford this?"

"It's fine, I can afford this."

I didn't hold back. I ordered the same dishes he ordered. He ate like how a peasant would contrary to the refined gentlemanly display he showed me a while ago. Though it looks unrefined, he can still maintain a certain class with eating.

They were Telemy Turkey chopped into pieces soaked with mayo, chili, and unique spices. There is also golden rice, the purest of the tastiest rice. These dishes looked novel to my eyes. Not to mention the carbonated drinks and the desserts like this chocolate cupcake with an ice cream dip.

I am struggling to keep my graceful form of eating. This food is just too good! Now I only remember, I am also just another teen in this academy. We finished our food without any commotion, as he pays the bill in full with his own money. It is true, he is rich.

It is peaceful. He looked so human. He held my hands firmly, not so hard but firm enough not to let me go. We played some games in the entertainment facilities of the academy and then downtown.

*Pop.

A balloon popped and then there is the reward of a bear. It's a stuffed toy that every little girl would love to have.

"For you," he said as he unceremoniously give me the teddy bear. I can win one easily with my bloodline if I wanted to. Why bother? At first, it was eerie but the way he acts is too normal. As if he's treating this date seriously, but that can't be. People are always driven by self-interest, Alfir is not an exception.

"You looked experienced in this kind of stuff, did you have a girlfriend?"

"Once, in my past life. She's my 2d waifu..." 2d waifu? The introduction of the unfamiliar term confounds me. But past life? The longing in his voice cannot escape my hearing, perhaps this 2d waifu doesn't like him anymore.

I can feel it, this person is also leading a double life like me. Now, I may be a student, but behind, I am the duke's agent.