Jaden was genuinely surprised when he heard that the theatrical version of Kengan Demon Lance was about to be released.
After all, the production announcement had only come out not long ago. And now it already had a confirmed release date. No matter how he looked at it, the pace felt a little... rushed.
Almost like it had been hastily put together.
Even so, Jaden still called Eriri, asked her to secure a few tickets, confirmed the release time, and only then hung up.
At this moment, Erina was seated at the desk next to him, working.
She showed no reaction to Jaden's phone call at all.
Which was only natural.
Erina already knew Jaden well enough. Anything she needed to know, he would tell her himself. And if he didn't say it, then either it wasn't time yet-or it was something she didn't need to concern herself with.
"Erina," Jaden said casually, "that thing I went out to investigate a few times before-Kengan Demon Lance-it's coming out in about a month. Let's go watch it together then~"
Hearing this, Erina finally looked up.
She sighed lightly and glanced at Jaden, who was grinning far too happily.
"Kengan Demon Lance..." she said. "Jaden, this might actually be the first time you've actively asked me out."
She paused for a moment.
"Going to the cinema to watch a fighting movie as our first date... when we think back on this later, it'll probably be very awkward."
Jaden didn't answer immediately.
He walked over and took her hand.
"In that case," he said, "why don't we make today our first date instead of waiting a month?"
"We can just go out and walk around together today~"
"That's fine," Erina replied after a brief pause. "But if you're saying that... does it mean the date a month from now won't just be watching a movie?"
Jaden's smile widened.
"It'll definitely be more interesting than you're imagining. That much I can guarantee."
And then-
"I'll also be inviting all the Kengan Association fighters who are free at the time. So you, the Chairman of the Kengan Association, naturally have to attend too~"
Hearing that, Erina nodded.
"Mhm."
She responded first, then glanced at Jaden again.
At some point, he had already returned to the reception area of the office and was lying down casually.
After a short silence, Erina spoke again.
"Well... Jaden."
"We've already settled things for a month from now."
"But what about something a little earlier..."
Her voice trailed off, and she looked at him with a faintly expectant expression.
Jaden sat up.
Then he understood.
"Oh, you mean the cooking competition in the Northern Country ten days from now?"
"Don't worry. I've already prepared for it and thought everything through. There's nothing to stress about."
"Mhm..."
Erina's expression turned slightly strange.
It was as if she wanted to say something, but couldn't quite bring herself to. Her cheeks flushed faintly, whether from frustration, annoyance, or shyness, even she probably wasn't sure.
Seeing her like this, Jaden couldn't help but laugh.
"Pfft... alright, I won't tease you anymore."
"Erina, let's go out after you finish your work today."
"Whether it's today, tomorrow, or the day after, I won't get tired of going out with you."
"And even if we don't know what to do, just walking together is enough to make me happy."
He blinked.
"But don't worry. To keep you from getting bored, I'll still make a little plan for the date~"
With every word he said, Erina's face grew redder.
Like a girl whose thoughts had been seen through, she lowered her head, ears burning, and pretended to focus on her documents. She even let out a rare, quiet snort.
"Hmph~ I don't care about that kind of thing..."
Completely failing to hold her composure, Erina stared fiercely at the paperwork in front of her, as if she intended to fight it to the death. She refused to look up at Jaden at all.
Despite everything they had already done-
In some ways, Erina was unexpectedly shy about things like this.
But-
It was exactly this side of her that made her even cuter.
Jaden finally looked away and began seriously thinking about the upcoming date.
Though, to be honest-
This wasn't something he should be thinking about alone.
After all, when it came to this sort of thing, Jaden might actually understand even less than Erina.
So-
'Brunhilde! This is your moment! All thirteen of you, shine! Quickly help me draft a date plan!'
Jaden shouted internally.
Brunhilde and the other twelve Valkyries fell silent for a moment.
Then, somewhat helplessly, they accepted the order.
'...Understood.'
...
No one dared to eavesdrop on the conversation between Jaden and Erina.
Even if someone had the courage, Jaden would notice immediately.
That said, some things didn't require eavesdropping to be known.
After all, Jaden was hard to predict.
But Erina?
For certain people, her next move was painfully obvious.
As for who-
Naturally, it was Kure Fuki.
If Erina planned to take time off, her work would be delegated in advance. And when Kure Fuki learned that Erina had deliberately cleared out her afternoon schedule today, she could roughly guess what was happening.
Jaden would likely become busy again soon.
But for now, he was free.
She had originally planned to make a move during this window.
But now...
Maybe just following along and observing would be enough.
Thinking this, Kure Fuki crouched on the sofa, biting lightly at her finger.
"This won't do..."
"I feel like if I don't succeed soon, it'll just keep getting harder."
"At some point, I might not even be able to rely on luck anymore."
So-
"I still have to follow them today."
"And the last method probably won't work."
"Getting a bunch of people to tail them will likely end the same way as last time."
With that decided, Kure Fuki went to inform Mukuro Ikusaba and Kurara.
Then she took leave herself and exited Totsuki Tower.
-She went to make preparations in advance.