Chapter 745

"May I ask... are you two a couple?"

Natsume Chikage was stunned upon hearing this, subconsciously wanting to shake his head and deny it.

However, before he could even open his mouth, Konoe Tong beside him had already nodded decisively.

"Yes."

Her voice was clear, without a hint of hesitation.

Natsume Chikage widened his eyes in surprise, turning his head to look at Konoe Tong.

Konoe Tong, however, just turned her face slightly, blinked imperceptibly at him, and at the same time held up a thumb.

Natsume Chikage had always found it difficult to fully fathom Konoe Tong's thoughts, and at this moment, he couldn't understand either.

He remembered the situation when he was buying dolls with Yukimura Lingyin and Fujiwara Aoi before; they had also pretended to be a couple to enjoy the couple discount.

Presumably, this time was the same.

Thinking this, he didn't retort again.

However, the female clerk didn't seem to intend to let them off easily.

She maintained a polite smile on her face and continued to press:

"Then, could you two please show a little 'proof of being a couple'? After all, this is a discount that only couples can enjoy."

Natsume Chikage was really a bit confused now.

"Couples... also need proof?"

The female clerk's smile remained unchanged, explaining:

"Of course, this is a promotional activity exclusive to couples."

"If you are not a real couple, naturally you cannot enjoy this discount."

Konoe Tong, hearing this, said "mm" lightly.

Her voice was still that flat, waveless tone.

"We are, of course, a couple."

As she spoke, she turned toward Natsume Chikage very naturally, her voice softer than just now.

"Right, Chikage?"

At the same time the words fell.

Her slender, fair hand had already reached over from her side, grabbing Natsume Chikage's hand hanging by his side very naturally.

It wasn't just grabbing.

Her fingers skillfully interlaced with his, forming a standard, intimate "intertwined fingers" posture.

Then, she raised their clasped hands slightly to signal to the female clerk.

Natsume Chikage was completely stunned.

He hadn't expected Konoe Tong to suddenly pull this move.

The cool touch from the palm and the tightly clasped posture made his heart skip a beat.

Seeing that the two were really holding hands and that the action was so natural, the smile on the female clerk's face finally couldn't be maintained; after being stunned for a moment, she pointed to the payment code beside her, looking slightly depressed.

"O-okay... please scan here to pay, thank you."

Konoe Tong, seeing this, didn't let go of Natsume Chikage's hand immediately.

She just used her empty right hand to take out her phone and skillfully scanned the code to pay.

Her movements were fluid, as if it were the most natural thing in the world to have her left hand held tightly.

Natsume Chikage noticed that the female clerk's gaze seemed to still be following them, thinking that the other party might still be doubting the authenticity of their "couple" status.

To avoid the embarrassment of being exposed, he couldn't act too distant immediately.

Konoe Tong keenly captured the interesting expression that flashed across his face.

A trace of an extremely faint, successful smile hooked at the corners of her eyes.

It wasn't until the two cups of lemonade were made and handed to them, and the two turned to leave the dining car, that Konoe Tong seemed to let go of the tightly held hand as if by accident.

Soon.

After walking a distance with the drinks.

Konoe Tong, while drinking the lemonade in small sips, said in a flat tone:

"Sure enough, drinks obtained by 'wool-gathering' feel better to drink."

She said, turning her head to look at Natsume Chikage, adding an explanation in a "matter-of-fact" tone:

"Just now, it was purely to enjoy the half-price discount. You must not misunderstand anything."

"If any strange misunderstandings arise because of this, I will be very troubled."

Natsume Chikage wasn't surprised by this explanation.

He shrugged, his tone as usual.

"Mm, guessed as much."

Konoe Tong, seeing his reaction was so flat, different from what she had expected, couldn't help but raise her eyebrows slightly.

"Guessed as much?"

"Could it be... you have 'pretended' to be a couple with other girls before? That's why you don't feel surprised at all?"

Natsume Chikage nodded, recalling:

"Mm, I have."

"Once, when I was watching a movie with my sister and Fujiwara-san, I met Yukimura Lingyin."

"At that time, Fujiwara-san and Yukimura-san, in order to buy the limited edition couple-style 'Mad Animals 2' dolls, also pretended to be a couple with me."

Konoe Tong listened and was silent for a moment.

She didn't say anything, just glanced at Natsume Chikage silently.

Then, she turned her head back and continued drinking the lemonade in her hand expressionlessly.

Only the speed of drinking seemed to be faster.

When she had drunk about half, she suddenly stopped, walked straight to the trash can by the road, and threw the drink, which still had more than half a cup left, into it without hesitation.

Natsume Chikage looked at her actions, somewhat stunned.

"Why did you throw it away when you only drank half?"

Konoe Tong explained in a flat tone:

"The purpose of quenching thirst has been achieved. And..."

"Now it tastes just average."

Natsume Chikage couldn't help but retort:

"I think it tastes quite good. And didn't you say it was 'good' just now?"

"You changed too fast, didn't you?"

Konoe Tong turned around and continued walking forward, leaving only a light sentence.

"Don't guess a girl's mind."

She glanced at her watch.

"I'm hungry, I'm going to eat dinner now."

Natsume Chikage looked at her back, feeling speechless.

Since she was hungry so quickly, why didn't she just go find a restaurant just now?

That way, she could have saved the money for the drink.

Really can't understand what this guy is thinking.

Inside a Western restaurant with elegant decor and a quiet atmosphere.

Soft lighting, soothing classical music, and the aroma of food and red wine filled the air.

The two sat opposite each other, the main course had been finished, and the plates were elegantly removed by the waiter.

Then, the waiter pushed over an exquisite dessert cart.

Konoe Tong didn't hesitate much, her fingers pointing lightly, choosing several uniquely shaped desserts that looked high in calories—tiramisu, molten chocolate cake, berry tart, and a serving of vanilla ice cream.

Natsume Chikage looked at the desserts that instantly filled the table in front of Konoe Tong and couldn't help but retort:

"... Didn't you just say you wanted to control your body shape and couldn't eat too many desserts?"

"Why did you order so many now?"

Konoe Tong picked up the small silver dessert spoon, her expression indifferent. ===== CHAPTER 746 =====