Just as Herrscher Mei had said before, she indeed shared the same preferences as Raiden Mei. She liked relatively light food and enjoyed admiring the smiles of others. It was just that unlike Raiden Mei's gentle personality, which was like water, Herrscher Mei's personality was more explosive. Coupled with the residual influence of the mission to destroy humanity that appeared at her birth, the way Herrscher Mei looked at strangers was almost like looking at lower life forms—arrogant, but without killing intent.
Indeed, Raiden Mei and Herrscher Mei couldn't be treated as the same person. Both were characters with different personalities, but both were very cute.
At least, in Evan's eyes, they were very cute.
Seemingly because she rarely had the opportunity to control the body, when she arrived at the target restaurant with Evan and tasted food that suited her palate perfectly, Herrscher Mei displayed a demeanor akin to devouring food ravenously.
This was the first time she had tasted food directly. Usually, she could only imagine it relying on Raiden Mei's memories. That feeling was too illusory; how could it be as real as it was now?
Evan noticed this but couldn't say anything. He thought Herrscher Mei was quite cute, but that didn't mean the weight of Herrscher Mei in his heart exceeded that of Raiden Mei. After all, compared to Herrscher Mei, Evan had spent much more time with Raiden Mei.
Evan couldn't suggest that Herrscher Mei occupy the body for a long time just to let her experience more of life; that would be unfair to Raiden Mei.
But would doing nothing be fair to Herrscher Mei?
Evan didn't know. He could only take extra care of Herrscher Mei with pity in his heart.
When a grain of rice or some sauce stuck to the corner of Herrscher Mei's mouth, Evan would take out a tissue to wipe it clean, then admire the way Herrscher Mei—whose face was clearly already slightly red—tried hard to hide her mood and put on a cold and aloof expression.
This scene was very interesting and also very heartwarming. Evan felt good, and Herrscher Mei enjoyed it too.
As for outside the restaurant, Theresa, who was hiding behind a snow-covered bush and peeking in this direction—
"So, what's going on with you guys?"
Theresa turned her head and looked at another bush not far away. Quite a few people were hiding there: Himeko Murata, Kiana, and Bronya—they were all there.
The three exchanged glances. It was Himeko Murata, who held the highest position, who spoke up.
"It's like this, Principal. When Raiden Mei went out earlier, we noticed her eye color. When the 3rd Eruption occurred back then, Raiden Mei, controlled by the Herrscher personality, had this eye color. We suspect the one active right now is Herrscher Mei. We were a little worried she might be disadvantageous to Evan, so we followed her."
Mhm, reasonable and logical—my foot!
Theresa roared in her heart. Her gaze swept over Bronya, who was observing the restaurant with binoculars; Himeko Murata, who took a sip of beer from time to time; and Kiana, who was eating puffed food with relish.
"Since you are worried the 3rd Herrscher might violently hurt people, why didn't you bring your respective weapons? What's with this leisurely appearance right now?"
Himeko Murata fell silent. When she was thinking of an excuse earlier, she had considered this concern. However, Himeko couldn't bring herself to throw away her favorite brand of beer just to make the excuse seem reasonable.
Kiana was even less the type to turn black into white. Muttering words like "Looks like this kind of dating style isn't bad either; I'll eat with Evan next time," she obviously wouldn't help Himeko out.
Himeko cast a pleading look at Bronya, and Bronya didn't disappoint the A-rank Valkyrie.
"After observation, we determined that Herrscher Mei is harmless, so we put away our weapons earlier. Now, we are learning important knowledge. Dating is a link in human courtship activities. Understanding the other party through interaction and conversation contains considerations of compatibility. Given the rarity of male-female dates here, this observation operation is quite meaningful."
As expected of Bronya. Not only could she say things that sounded high-level, but she could also say them in that fluctuation-lacking tone, which was truly full of persuasiveness.
Theresa almost believed it!
However, it was ultimately just almost.
Although she wanted to puncture the lies of these three guys, considering she was currently holding a cup of bitter melon juice and not carrying the [Oath of Judah], Theresa knew deeply that she couldn't continue this line of questioning.
If Himeko or Bronya asked about the reason for her own appearance here, how would she explain it then?
Theresa didn't speak. She nodded, accepting Bronya's explanation, and joined the others in the study of the behavior called "dating."
Inside the restaurant, Herrscher Mei and Evan's table was by the window, which was why Theresa and the others could observe from afar. Similarly, the two inside could also observe the situation on Theresa's side relatively easily.
It had snowed at St. Freya Academy just last night. Theresa, with her white hair, blended in with the snow on the bushes when she squatted down, making her hard to spot. However, the others didn't have such perfect concealment.
Himeko Murata's long fiery red hair was very conspicuous. Although Kiana also had white hair, unfortunately, the food bag in her hand was too colorful, and she didn't seem to pay much attention to hiding, implicating Bronya beside her.
Both Evan and Herrscher Mei had realized the existence of the peepers.
"What's the deal with them?"
There was an inexplicable implication in Herrscher Mei's words. Evan considered his wording slightly and answered in a way that tried not to arouse the other party's aversion.
"Maybe they just happened to pass by and were a bit curious about our dating style."
"I'm not asking about that. It's so cold outside right now; why are these guys standing there like idiots? If they are really curious, they should just come into the restaurant to observe. If these people catch a cold, 'I' will have to take care of them later. Are they deliberately causing trouble for me?"
Evan hadn't expected Herrscher Mei to say such words.
Words that seemed like complaints but revealed Mei-style gentleness.
The corners of his mouth curled up because of this.
"If we let them in, it won't count as a private date between you and me anymore, you know?"
"Being in a state of being peeked at like this doesn't count as a private date anymore either, right?"
"Haha, indeed."
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