Multiverse: SSS-Rank Treasure Chest at the Beginning

Chapter 302 302: Mai's Dinner Invitation

"Then... shall we continue tonight?" Tenya was somewhat reminiscing about last night's intimate exchange.

"No Although I want to monopolize Tenya-kun, unfortunately, our physiques are not the same." Megumi rolled her eyes at him, annoyed.

It worked. It wasn't in vain that he had spent so much effort last night, all to make Megumi experience the feeling of being overwhelmed.

"Alright then, Megumi, you get some good rest."

After watching Megumi close her door, Tenya opened his phone and looked at a message from Mai.

"It's time to flip the next card."

As Tenya left Megumi's house, his phone screen lit up, displaying a message from Mai.

"Tenya-kun, are you free tonight? I'd like to treat you to dinner to thank you for your previous help."

He curled his lips slightly, tapping his fingers on the screen to reply, "Mai-senpai's invitation, how could I refuse? Send me the time and place."

As soon as the message was sent, his phone vibrated.

Mai sent a restaurant address, accompanied by a line: "7 PM, don't be late."

Tenya put away his phone and looked up at Megumi's room window, vaguely seeing her pulling the curtains closed.

He chuckled softly and turned to leave.

— — —

Evening, at a high-end Western restaurant in Kyoto.

Mai sat by the window, her fingertips lightly tapping the table. She had specifically changed into a beige dress today, her long hair softly curled and draped over her shoulders, and the pearl earrings on her earlobes gleamed with a soft luster under the light.

"Sorry, there was a bit of traffic." Tenya's voice suddenly sounded from behind.

"Those words, if said by a normal high school student, wouldn't be a problem. But with your ability to go anywhere, saying there was traffic is a bit too fake." Mai crossed her arms and rolled her eyes at him, annoyed.

"Oh. So I'm an omnipotent being in Mai-senpai's heart, am I?" Tenya smirked playfully and sat down in the seat beside her.

"I think you should sit on the opposite side." Mai shifted half a body length away.

"No, I have a condition where if I don't sit next to Mai-senpai, I'll lose my sense of presence." Tenya tilted his body and leaned directly against her.

"You..."

"You're shameless."

Mai was helpless, but then she remembered that when she had lost her sense of presence and was lonely and helpless, he had saved her. Then, being taken advantage of a little, didn't seem so unacceptable.

"Mai-senpai is very beautiful today, did you dress up specially to see me?"

Tenya carefully scrutinized her from top to bottom, especially those smooth gray stockings. From his experience with various stockings, he could tell at a glance that these were top-notch.

"Hmph. Don't flatter yourself."

Mai glared at him, but the tips of her ears subtly reddened.

"This is just basic professionalism for an artist."

The waiter brought the menu, and after they ordered, Mai took out an exquisite box from her bag and pushed it towards him. "A thank-you gift for you."

Tenya opened the box. Inside was a silver cufflink, engraved with intricate patterns.

He raised an eyebrow and said, "So formal? You aren't trying to tie me down with a gift, are you?"

Mai took a sip of red wine and said, "You're overthinking it. I just thought it suited you. Anyway, you helped me so much."

Tenya played with the cufflink, then suddenly leaned closer and whispered, "Actually, I want a different kind of thank you gift."

"Wh-what?" Mai instinctively recoiled.

"For example… all of Mai-senpai?" Tenya spoke directly.

"You're too greedy." Mai politely refused.

"Are you shy? Then shall we go somewhere else?" Tenya smiled meaningfully.

Mai took a deep breath, then suddenly showed a professional, sweet smile. "Tenya-kun, do you know? I really want to splash this glass of red wine on your face right now."

"Remember to pay me for the dry cleaning after you splash it."

Tenya shrugged, still being shameless. "Or would you personally help me change clothes?"

"…"

Mai was utterly defeated, sighing as she clutched her forehead, "Sigh... The white knight who saved me, how could it be a scoundrel like you…"

Tenya picked up the red wine and took a sip.

"You're incredibly lecherous." Mai glared at him.

"Thanks for the compliment." Tenya accepted happily.

Then he changed the subject, "But isn't Mai-senpai's thanks a little too late?"

Mai turned her face away and said, "It's not my fault you have so many girls around you and every time we meet, it's..."

"It's what?"

"You always take an inch when given an opportunity, just like now."

She wanted to pull her hand back in embarrassment and anger, but Tenya held it even tighter.

Tenya gazed into her eyes, his tone uncharacteristically serious. "Mai, you are different from them."

Mai's heart skipped a beat. "How am I different?"

"You are all unique existences." Tenya said earnestly.

"Give me back my moved feelings." Mai was stunned at first, then gritted her teeth.

...

The lingering glow of the setting sun spilled onto the restaurant's glass windows, reflecting Mai's slightly flushed cheeks. She lowered her head, looking at her hand tightly held by Tenya, her heartbeat unconsciously quickening.

Although she resisted on the surface, a strange ripple stirred deep within her heart.

"You're always like this…"

Mai sighed softly, her tone filled with helplessness and a trace of undetectable softness.

"Even though I know your words can't be trusted, I still can't help but want to listen."

Tenya smiled slightly, his fingertips gently caressing the back of her hand. "Because I'm telling the truth, Mai-senpai is unique in my heart."

Mai turned her face away, trying to hide her panic. "Don't give me that. You say that to every girl, don't you?"

"No, I only say it to special people."

Tenya leaned closer to her, his voice low and gentle. "Like now, I just want to be with you."

Mai's heart skipped a beat. She took a deep breath, trying hard to calm herself and asked, "Then tell me, why me? You clearly have so many excellent girls around you."

Tenya didn't answer immediately, but instead gazed into her eyes, slowly speaking after a moment, "Because Mai-senpai experienced the pain of being forgotten, yet still bravely lived out her own radiance. You, like that, make me unable to resist wanting to get close."

Mai was slightly startled, not expecting him to mention this.

Those days of losing her sense of existence were her loneliest and most helpless times, and Tenya was the only one who could see her and help her. Thinking of this, her eyes softened a bit.

"You are cunning." She whispered, her tone carrying a hint of compromise.

Tenya chuckled and asked, "Then is Mai-senpai willing to keep being outsmarted by me?"

Mai didn't answer, but her hand no longer tried to pull away.

After dinner, the two walked side by side on the night street.

The streetlights stretched their shadows long, and the surrounding noise gradually faded, leaving only the sound of their footsteps.

"Where do you want to go next?"

Tenya said that, but his eyes were looking towards the nearby hotel.

Mai looked up at the night sky and suddenly suggested,"Let's go to the rooftop. I want to see the stars."

Tenya smiled. "Mai-senpai, are you going to date me until the very end?"

Mai rolled her eyes at him and said, "Don't flatter yourself. I just think tonight's weather is suitable for stargazing."

"Alright, whatever you say."

Tenya put an arm around Mai's waist, and his figure soared into the air.

Although it wasn't Mai's first time, this magical experience still made her heart involuntarily race.