Chapter 34: Eating Out
No POV:
Axel sat outside on a bench across the street, the cafe in sight...
He stared at the windows, large enough for him to see inside. Cola in hand as he wondered...
’Was she really going to come?’
[What are you thinking about?]
Axel blinked. "Just.... Wondering about stuff"
[Well I want to get this over with and go back. I’m kinda missing the kid.]
A pause, then she said again with a laugh:
[She was even able to see me...]
Axel raised an eyebrow..."Did you let that happen?"
[Hell no... I’m just as surprised as you are]
He took a sip of his cola. "She saw Mai too... That’s two now..."
[So it means it’s probably an innate ability of hers.] Hades concluded...
"But a kid that young... Already contacted with a devil.." He said with a sigh.
[I doubt that... If there was a devil’s presence, I would have sensed it. As far as I can tell, she’s human...]
Axel gave a frustrated grunt... He was bad at thinking about stuff...
"You’re here."
"Ghk—"
Looking up at the voice that spoke to him, he choked on his drink.
Mai had already arrived...
She stood in front of him, dressed in a white one piece dress and a jacket that hung loosely on her shoulders. Her dark hair flowing gently in the air. Her knee high boots only added to her allure. A pair of black boots made to contrast the outfit. She looked... different. Softer. Less like the terrifying Channary he kept hearing about who could summon lunar devastation and more like ordinary young woman coming to meet someone.
’Not gonna lie, she’s kinda hot’ he thought, burying his face in his drink...
Then, with a soft smile, she said:
"Shall we?"
~~~~~
The evening sun hung low over the bustling streets as Axel and Mai approached the small café two blocks from the academy. The place was modest but cozy — outdoor tables with striped umbrellas, the faint aroma of fresh coffee and baked goods drifting through the air. A few civilians chatted quietly, unaware of the tension brewing in the young hunter’s chest.
As they approached the cafe however, someone shouted.
"It’s Channary!"
The rest of the civilians turned and immediately fell into excitement.
"It’s her!"
"Wow!!"
"Lady Channary!"
"What’s she doing here?"
’Wow... When Jax told me they were famous, he wasn’t kidding...’ Axel marveled at the frenzy. People gathering her, some even taking pictures...
Seemingly basking in the attention, she spoke—her voice calm like this was just another day for her..
Well, technically, it was...
"Just out to eat. Hope you’re all doing well..."
"Oh that’s nice!"
"I thought you have access to high class food."
Then, one of them threw the bombshell...
"Who is he?" He asked, pointing at Axel
With a smile, Channary answered, "Oh, him? He’s a friend."
"Acquaintance." Axel corrected.
"Oh. Well, I hope you have a good time!"
As the crowd dispersed, Axel could swear he heard one of them whisper: "He doesn’t look like much. Why would Lady Channary lower her class like that?"
’Well at least I get to avoid unwanted attention’ he mused.
They finally found a spot—one of the seats outside under a striped umbrella.
Sitting, Mai spoke.
"You actually came. I was starting to worry you’d run."
Axel scratched the back of his neck, already feeling the heat rising to his face. "I said I would, didn’t I? Let’s just get this over with."
Mai chuckled softly, the sound light and teasing. "So eager to escape already? How rude. And here I thought you’d at least pretend to be a little excited."
He was the one actually hoping to get stood up. It wouldn’t hurt as much since he suspected It was a prank...
"So... nervous?" she asked, tilting her head. "Your shoulders are practically up to your ears."
"I’m not nervous," Axel muttered, burying his face in the menu.
A waitress quickly walked towards them...
"Welcome, Lady Channary. It’s a pleasure to have you here." she said with a smile.
Mai smiled back and nodded, acknowledging the respect. Then, the waitress spoke again"You have a variety of meals to pick. Take your time."
Then, after looking at them one more time, she added... "There’s also a couples discount."
For the first few minutes, an awkward silence settled between them.
’Couples discount... Meaning less money.’
"How much is the discount?" Mai asked in a mischievous tone.
"50 percent."
"Ohh that’s actually a good deal"
’Jackpot!’. For the first time, Axel didn’t mind such absurdity.
He got food. And got to save half of his money. That’s all that mattered.
Mai turned to him. "So..?"
Axel shifted uncomfortably in his seat. "....Yeah, sure."
Turning back to the waitress she spoke:
"I’ll have a slice of strawberry shortcake and a latte."
The waitress turned to Axel. "What about you sir?"
"I’m fine with a sandwich and a Cola..."
"That’s great. I’ll be back with your orders soon."
Saying that, the waitress left to prepare their order...
Axel kept glancing around, half-expecting hidden cameras or Mai to start laughing and hit him with the "You really thought this was a date?"
Mai noticed.
"You’re still convinced this is a prank, aren’t you?" she asked, tilting her head slightly, a small amused smile playing on her lips.
"Can you blame me?" He muttered, shifting in his seat again. "You’re... you. And I’m me. The gap is kind of massive."
Mai leaned forward, resting her chin on her hand. "And what exactly is ’me’ supposed to mean?"
Axel shrugged. "Top ranker. Contracted with the Moon Devil. The girl half the academy worships and the other half wants to date. Take your pick." He deadpanned.
She let out a soft laugh, surprisingly light and melodic. "You make me sound like some untouchable goddess. I’m just a hunter who makes mistakes sometimes. And I made one with you."
"Well at least you know that much"
"You know," she continued after a short laugh, her voice dropping into a more playful tone, "when I asked you out in front of the whole class, I thought you were going to faint on the spot. The way your face went pale... it was adorable."
’Yeah, but why would you even do that? You could’ve at least called me outside...’
"Adorable?" Axel repeated, frowning. "I was trying to figure out where the hidden cameras were."
Mai’s smirk widened. "There were no cameras. I was completely serious. Though watching you frantically search the room like a startled rabbit was quite entertaining."
Axel groaned, rubbing his temple. "You’re enjoying this way too much."
"Of course I am," she replied without shame, leaning closer across the table. "It’s not every day I get to see the stoic, quiet Axel look so flustered. You’re usually so composed... especially when you’re pretending you don’t feel pain."
"By the way, how are those wounds? Still pretending they don’t exist?"
"They’re healing," he answered curtly, trying to regain some control of the conversation.
"Good." Her expression softened just a fraction, but the teasing glint remained. "Because if you let yourself get hurt that badly again, I might have to take responsibility in a more... hands-on way next time."
Axel raised an eyebrow. "What’s that supposed to mean?"
Mai simply smiled innocently. "Who knows? You’ll have to survive this date first to find out."
At this point, Axel was seriously considering letting himself get killed next time...
As their orders arrived, Mai’s expression turned more serious.
"I wasn’t lying earlier," she said quietly, stirring her latte. "I do want to take responsibility for what happened. But... that’s not the only reason I asked you out."
Axel raised an eyebrow, waiting.
She looked straight at him, her silver-grey eyes catching the fading sunlight in an almost ethereal way.
"I asked you out because I find you interesting... And..." She paused. Giving a nigh seductive smile, her voice dropping low... "You’re kind of my type..."
Axel scoffed. "The last time I was someone’s type, I was donating blood..."
Mai laughed. A hearty, melodic laugh.
"Be honest. When I said I was interested in you, what was your first thought? That I lost a bet?"
"Something like that," he admitted, poking at his sandwich.
She laughed again — bright and unrestrained. "Honestly, your lack of confidence is almost charming. Most guys either avoid me or try to act tough. You just look at me like I’m about to declare war on you."
"Well... It kind of feels like you might." Axel muttered.
Mai’s eyes sparkled. "Only if you keep calling this a joke. I don’t ask people out for fun, you know. When I say I want to know you better... I mean it." She paused, then added with a wicked little grin, "Though watching you squirm is definitely a nice bonus."
Her statement made him flinch.
’Somebody please kill me...’
At one point, she reached across the table and flicked his forehead.
"Ow—!"
"Stop overthinking everything I say. I’m not scheming anything evil tonight. I just want to spend time with you."
Axel rubbed his forehead, glaring at her half-heartedly. "You’re dangerous."
"I know," she replied sweetly. "But you still said yes to the date. So who’s the real reckless one here?"
"Well at least now I know you’re not after something you think I have..." Then, he asked again,
"You’re not... Right?"
Mai smirked. "Who knows ~?"
Axel grinned. "Well don’t get your hopes up...Cuz I’m a weak B rank bastard with nothing to show for himself"
He declared, pointing a thumb at himself...
[Ouch...] Hades grimaced.
"You have... A terrible sense of humor." Mai deadpanned...
"Oof."
~~~~~
An hour passed, and the conversation was going well...
Axel was oddly comfortable about all this.
He was so out of character...
"So you’re 19 years old... Just a year older." He muttered, sipping his Cola.
"Yup.." Then, in a teasing tone, she added..." You might even say I’m old enough to get married~"
Axel choked, his heart pounding against his chest... "Uhh... What?"
Mai was laughing. "Oh my. Your reactions are too cute"
"Can you stop these jokes? I’m too young to be hospitalized for health complications..." He said, clutching his chest.
She laughed again.
The atmosphere was comfortable. A star k contrast to the constant pressure and dangerous situations he often found himself.
But all it took was a moment for everything to go wrong...
**BOOM**
Right across the street, a house exploded.
Then, a devil’s roar followed...
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