Lila was still giggling as they left the bookstore, clutching her newly purchased book of ridiculous hypothetical questions. She swung the bag lightly as they walked, glancing at him with an amused expression.
“You know,” she mused, “you might be completely hopeless when it comes to emotions, but you do have a sense of humor.”
Elias raised a brow. “That is incorrect.”
She smirked. “Nope. You totally made a joke back there.”
“I stated a logical answer.”
Lila hummed. “Mmm, sure. But you also knew it would make me laugh.”
Elias considered that. He had not intended to be humorous. However, if Lila perceived it that way, did that mean he had unintentionally succeeded in what she called “fun”?
He wasn’t sure how he felt about that.
—
As they continued walking, Lila suddenly gasped and grabbed his sleeve. “Elias! Let’s go in there!”
He barely had time to react before she was pulling him toward a small café. It had a cozy atmosphere, warm lighting, and a soft hum of background music.
Elias glanced at her. “You were not hungry a moment ago.”
“I wasn’t,” she admitted, “but look.”
She pointed to a large sign near the entrance:
“Couples Special! Try our ‘Perfect Pair’ Parfait—Only available today!”
Elias frowned. “We are not a couple.”
Lila rolled her eyes. “Obviously.” Then she grinned. “But we could pretend to be one for free dessert.”
Elias stared at her. “…That is deception.”
Lila waved a hand dismissively. “It’s harmless deception. Besides, think of it as another challenge! If you’re trying to learn emotions, what better way than pretending to be in a relationship?”
Stolen from its rightful place, this narrative is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.
Elias opened his mouth to refute, but—
For some reason, the idea did not seem entirely illogical.
If relationships were built on emotions, then analyzing one from within could be an efficient way to understand them.
“…Very well,” he said finally.
Lila blinked. “Wait, really?”
“You suggested it.”
“I—I know, but I thought you’d argue more.”
“I see no logical flaw in your reasoning.”
Lila stared at him, then burst out laughing again. “Oh my gosh, Elias, you’re ridiculous.”
Elias did not understand what was ridiculous about accepting her challenge, but Lila was already dragging him toward the counter.
—
A few minutes later, they were seated at a small table, a massive parfait placed between them. It was beautifully arranged—layers of ice cream, fruit, whipped cream, and chocolate drizzled on top.
Elias observed it. “This is excessive.”
Lila grinned. “That’s the point.”
She picked up a spoon and pointed at him. “Alright, Elias. We’re a ‘couple’ now. That means you have to act the part.”
Elias tilted his head. “Define ‘act the part.’”
Lila tapped her chin in thought. “Hmm… Let’s see. Oh! You should call me something cute.”
Elias blinked. “Cute?”
“Yeah, like—‘sweetheart’ or ‘babe’ or something.”
Elias stared at her blankly. “Those are unnecessary labels.”
Lila pouted. “C’mon, just try it.”
He exhaled. “Fine.” He thought for a moment before saying, completely monotone, “Sweetheart.”
Lila snorted.
“That was awful,” she laughed. “You sounded like a robot trying to learn human speech.”
“That is essentially what I am doing.”
Lila shook her head, still giggling. “Okay, okay, let’s start smaller. Here.”
She scooped up a spoonful of parfait and held it out toward him. “Say ‘ahhh~’.”
Elias stared at the spoon. “I am capable of feeding myself.”
Lila sighed dramatically. “Yes, but couples do cute things like this. It’s all about the romance, Elias.”
Elias narrowed his eyes slightly. “You are enjoying this too much.”
“I absolutely am.”
Elias exhaled but leaned forward slightly. Lila grinned, bringing the spoon to his lips.
He took the bite, chewing thoughtfully.
Lila rested her chin on her hand, watching him expectantly. “Sooo? How is it?”
Elias swallowed. “It is… sweet.”
Lila groaned. “Elias. That’s the most boring answer possible.”
“It is an accurate description.”
She huffed, but there was amusement in her eyes. “Fine, my turn.”
She took a bite herself, then practically melted in her seat. “Mmm, so good.”
Elias observed her expression. The way her eyes brightened, the small sway of her shoulders—was this what people described as delight?
“…You seem to be enjoying it.”
Lila grinned. “Because it’s delicious! You should try actually appreciating it instead of analyzing it like a science experiment.”
Elias wasn’t sure how one simply decided to enjoy something, but he didn’t argue.
The two continued sharing the parfait, and surprisingly, Lila did not force him to do anything else ridiculous.
That is, until she suddenly said, “Oh, wait! One last thing.”
Elias sighed. “There is more?”
“Just one!” She leaned forward slightly, a playful glint in her eye.
“Elias.”
“…Yes?”
She smiled sweetly. “Call me something cute without sounding like you’re reciting instructions from a manual.”
Elias exhaled. He glanced at her, at the way she was waiting so expectantly, and for some reason, the answer came easier than he expected.
“…Lila.”
She blinked. “Huh?”
He met her gaze. “Your name is already sufficient.”
For some reason, Lila’s face turned red.
Elias tilted his head. “Are you overheating again?”
Lila buried her face in her hands. “I hate you.”
“That is untrue.”
She groaned, but he could see the small smile hidden behind her fingers.
Elias didn’t know if he understood emotions any better.
But if Lila’s reaction was anything to go by—
Maybe he was learning something, after all.
