Stumbling Over Love | ✓

Chapter 16

_Chapter 16~ Embrace Your Inner Sheep_

"All hail ice cream."

Daichi laughed at my exclaim, slipping into the empty seat across from me and sliding me the hot fudge sundae I'd asked him for.

I literally drooled at the sight of the oozing chocolate, wafting an incredible scent from the perfectly looped vanilla ice cream. All at once, I felt nothing but sentimental.

"It's so beautiful," I gushed. "How can I eat this? I can't."

He feigned a look of pain. "You better eat it. This poor high school student wasted the last of their allowance money on you."

"And I humbly accept your apology, you jerk."

I flashed him a cheeky smile, picking up the spoon and digging into it. After the first bite I breathed out in utmost bliss before continuing to stuff my face with the amazing treat.

It was midway through the sundae that I noticed Daichi watching me. I peered away from the glass and onto him, absolutely puzzled.

"Vhy are you vatching me?" I spoke with the spoon still in my mouth.

He shrugged. I scanned the table, taking in his side where no form of ice cream lay in front of him whatsoever. Withdrawing the spoon from my mouth, I gave him a look.

"Why aren't you eating ice cream?"

"I'm broke."

I frowned at his answer. "You wasted all your money on mine?"

He avoided my gaze for a split second. "Uh..."

I glared at him, putting down my cutlery and fishing into my wallet. I slid him two 100 yen coins. "There, go buy yourself."

He timidly pushed it back. "No, it's all right. I seriously don't need."

"Yes, you do. Now go buy yourself."

"But—"

"Fine." I plucked the money right out of his hand, rising to my feet. "I'll buy you myself. Is vanilla good with you?"

Without waiting for his response, I started towards the stand. Before I could get close to the counter, however, Daichi intercepted me.

"No!" he said, holding out his arms. "Don't buy me."

I narrowed my eyes. "Why?"

"Because—"

I didn't wait to listen.

"It's seriously okay with me. I'm not penniless. Just let me buy you. You don't need to take this whole "let me repay you" thing seriously."

Daichi shook his head, gripping me by the shoulders and steering me back into my seat.

"Sugiyama?" I asked.

I glanced upwards just in time to hear him say, "I'm lactose-intolerant."

My mouth clamped together and my eyes bulged.

"What?" I said.

He fell into the seat across from me again, weakly smiling. "I can't digest dairy products properly."

"Oh..."

I awkwardly looked down at my sundae. He can't eat ice cream? Or, he could, but it made him feel sick afterwards. My heart sunk in my chest as I lowered my spoon. As much as it hurt, I couldn't be insensitive and eat this anymore. At least, not with him here.

Darn it. This was ice cream and Reina cruelty.

"No, you don't have to stop eating," he immediately said. "It's okay."