Chapter 272.1

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Chapter 272.1. Parfait At A Cafe

-???’s POV-

There was an old café on a street corner. Rather than calling it old, it might be better to describe it as a cafe with a well-seasoned charm.

The exterior had large bay windows, the entire wall was brick-style, and a bell hung on the door. As for the interior, there was a record player in one corner of the shop, playing soothing songs from a time long forgotten as background music.

It seemed like a typical hidden gem cafe. The place was empty, and there were only two customers.

Among those two, one was a young girl.

She had smooth, glossy gray hair that reached down to her back, and her lovely face was adorned with sparkling ice-blue eyes.

The girl was completely engrossed in eating a gigantic parfait, served in a large parfait glass.

She diligently scooped up the parfait with a spoon, bringing one delicious spoonful after another to her mouth. She ate gracefully, savoring each bite.

After she finished the parfait, she let out a satisfied sigh, patting her stomach with a hint of sadness.

“I ate it all up, and now I’m hungry again.”

She then quickly glanced at the menu.

“Next, I want a Mont Blanc parfait! Excuse me, one Mont Blanc parfait, please!”

With a little sniff, the girl waved her small hand to call for another order. She picked up a spoon with a joyful smile when the waitress placed the Mont Blanc parfait in front of her.

“I wonder if I should start with the brown cream, or maybe the chestnuts? Unlike the strawberry parfait, should I save the chestnuts for last?”

“I’m not really a fan of Mont Blanc, you know? I’ve had it before, and it’s not that I think it’s not delicious. It just doesn’t suit my taste.”

“This Mont Blanc parfait is my favorite!”

It seemed like she decided to start with the cream. The girl scooped up some fluffy chestnut cream with her spoon, and a look of pure happiness appeared on her face.

Sitting across from her, I couldn’t help but smile at her adorable expression. She always seemed so happy.

She must have noticed my gaze. She hesitated for a moment, then made a determined decision. She placed a spoonful of cream on her spoon and offered it to me.

“It’s all mine, but I’ll share.”

Her mouth agape, her hands shaking as if she had made a once-in-a-lifetime decision, and says.

“You hardly put half on the spoon.”

She might be stingy, but it was quite surprising for her to offer to share at all. She never shared her parfait with anyone.

“Then, I’ll enjoy it without hesitation.”

I took a bite of the offered parfait. It was undeniably delicious. However, deep down, I don’t like it.

I preferred plain cream without any mix-ins.

Well, I should at least say thank you. The girl had made a difficult decision.

“Yeah, it’s sweet and delicious.”

“Use more words to describe it! I shared it with you, you know! Well, whatever, I’ll eat the rest myself.”

She puffed her cheeks in annoyance and returned to her parfait. Her determination to finish it all was quite evident, and her diligent eating was adorable.

“How many parfaits do you eat?”

“Um, if you count the empty dishes, maybe you’ll know.”

With a glob of cream on her lips, the girl munched thoughtfully and nonchalantly waved her spoon.

“That’s a clever answer.”

There was nothing on the table. There are no empty dishes anywhere.

It’s hard to tell how much she has eaten.

For a simple girl, it was quite a witty response.

“Are you growing up?”

I propped my chin on my hand and leisurely watched her finish her meal. She used to be a girl who didn’t think much about anything. It’s quite something.

I chuckled at my thoughts, wondering if this is what it’s like to be a parent with a daughter.

“Did anything interesting happen?”

“Nyaa. I feel like I’ve grown since we first met.”

“Oh? You’ve gotten taller?”

The girl touched her head, looking delighted, so I felt a bit sorry but decided to tell her the truth.

“No physical growth at all. It won’t happen in the future either.”

“Hasn’t it grown at least a millimeter?”

“It hasn’t.”

“I see… too bad, too bad.”

After stating that, she quickly lost interest and focused on eating her parfait. It seemed like she had decided to leave the chestnuts for last.

She skillfully avoids them while devouring everything else.

Watching her with gentle eyes, I asked something that had piqued my curiosity.

“Is parfait your favorite?”

“I love parfaits!”

She answered without hesitation. I shrugged, knowing her answer would never change. Parfait was always her favorite.

Without missing a beat, she stopped eating her parfait and looked at me hesitantly.

“But the absolute favorite is mama’s homemade hamburger with a sunny-side-up egg on top!”

She beamed with a radiant smile and began enthusiastically extolling the virtues of her mama’s homemade hamburgers. Even as she spoke, she resumed eating her parfait.

I was surprised by her answer. Even though she loved parfaits so much, it seemed that her favorite could change.

“I see, hamburgers, huh?”

“They’re delicious! I’m sure they’re the best in the world! No, they’re definitely the best in the worlds!”

“Going big with that ‘best in the worlds’, huh? Love is the best seasoning, after all.”

I teased her, scratching my cheek as she blushed and chuckled.