Return With The Bride

Shopping Spree Continues

[After purchasing dresses from the store, the trio continues their shopping, hopping from one store to another. Bags begin to pile up in Shinji's hands as he trails behind the two women like a human shopping cart.]

Shinji: (checking the list) "Alright, next stop—plates, bowls, forks, and spoons."

[He nods to himself, feeling oddly satisfied about finally solving the chopstick issue.]

Shinji: (thinking) "Now I won't have to feed her with my own hands anymore..." (pauses, frowning slightly) "Wait. Why does that make me feel a little weird?"

[Meanwhile, ahead of him, Yuxi and Elie walk side by side, admiring the sights of the city. Yuxi excitedly points out different places while Elie listens attentively, occasionally nodding with curiosity.]

Yuxi: (grinning) "See that over there? That's the best ice cream shop in the city! We have to go there after this."

Elie: (smiling) "Ice... cream?"

Yuxi: (gasps dramatically) "Wait—you don't know what ice cream is? Shinji! We need to fix this immediately!"

[Shinji, lagging behind with his arms full of shopping bags, lets out a deep sigh.]

Shinji: (muttering) "Yeah, yeah, I'll add it to the never-ending list..." (thinking) "Why am I the one carrying all the bags while they enjoy the view?"

[He watches as Elie and Yuxi continue chatting happily, completely immersed in their conversation. Despite his complaints, a small smile tugs at his lips.]

Shinji: (thinking) "Well... at least they're getting along."

[With a resigned sigh, he shifts the weight of the bags in his hands and follows after them,

[After a long shopping spree, the trio finally steps into an ice cream shop. The cool air inside provides a refreshing contrast to the warmth outside. The display case is filled with a colorful assortment of ice creams, each more tempting than the last.]

Yuxi: (grinning) "Alright! Time to introduce Elie to the wonderful world of ice cream!"

[Elie stares at the display case, her crimson eyes wide with fascination. The vibrant swirls of flavors, the sweet aroma, and the excited chatter of other customers make her curious.]

Elie: (tilting her head) "This is... ice cream?"

Yuxi: (nodding dramatically) "Yes! A heavenly, frozen miracle. You have to try it!"

[Elie steps closer, scanning the various flavors, but quickly becomes overwhelmed by the endless choices. Shinji notices her hesitation and smirks slightly.]

Shinji: (leaning in) "It's your first time, right? Let me choose for you."

[Elie looks up at him and nods, trusting him completely.]

Shinji: (thinking) "Gotta pick the best one for her... something sweet, smooth, and memorable. Just like her."

[After a moment of thought, he turns to the cashier.]

Shinji: "One scoop of vanilla caramel swirl for her."

Yuxi: (raising an eyebrow) "Vanilla caramel swirl? Going classic, huh?"

Shinji: (shrugging) "It's smooth, sweet, and melts perfectly. It's a safe but amazing first choice."

[Elie watches as the ice cream is scooped into a waffle cone and handed to her. She takes it hesitantly, studying it as if it's some rare artifact.]

Shinji: (chuckling) "Go on, take a bite."

[Elie nods and leans in, taking her first bite. The moment the ice cream touches her tongue, her eyes widen in pure shock. The coldness spreads instantly, sending a shiver down her spine. She pulls back, blinking rapidly, her lips slightly parted in surprise.]

Elie: (soft gasp) "It's... cold?"

[Shinji and Yuxi both burst out laughing.]

Yuxi: "Of course it's cold! It's ice cream!"

Elie: (blushing) "I didn't expect it to be this cold..."

[Despite the initial shock, Elie takes another bite, her expression quickly changing from surprise to delight. A small, genuine smile spreads across her face.]

Elie: (softly) "It's... really good."

[Shinji watches her reaction and feels a strange warmth in his chest. He takes a bite of his own ice cream, but he's too focused on Elie's enjoyment to really taste it.]

Shinji: (thinking) "She really is adorable..."

Yuxi: (grinning) "See? I told you it was amazing!"

[The three of them continue eating their ice cream, the lively atmosphere of the shop surrounding them. For a moment, everything feels light and carefree, like they're just a group of normal friends hanging out—no alternate worlds, no responsibilities, just simple happiness.]

[Inside the ice cream shop, the trio enjoys their frozen treats while Elie takes small, careful bites of her vanilla caramel swirl. Her eyes sparkle as she savors the sweetness, still adjusting to the cold sensation.]

Shinji: (watching her) "So? Do you like it?"

Elie: (nodding, smiling softly) "Yes… it's really delicious."

[Shinji smirks, feeling oddly proud of his choice. But then, as he looks around at the menu, another thought crosses his mind.]

Shinji: "Well, Elie, there's another flavor that's really famous among girls—chocolate."

[Elie tilts her head slightly, intrigued.]

Elie: "Chocolate?"

Yuxi: (grinning) "Ohh, yeah! Chocolate ice cream is the favorite of most girls! Sweet, rich, and irresistible."

[Elie blinks, clearly curious but still focused on finishing her current ice cream.]

Shinji: "Since we've already got one flavor, I'll buy a chocolate one for you too. You can eat it at home later."

[Elie looks up at Shinji, her expression softening slightly. The simple thought of him considering her tastes and buying something extra just for her makes her heart flutter a little.]

Elie: (nodding) "Okay... Thank you, Shinji."

[Shinji suddenly coughs, looking away, trying to act casual as if her words didn't make him feel oddly flustered.]

Shinji: (muttering) "I told you, you don't need to thank me..."

[Yuxi, observing the entire exchange, smirks and nudges Shinji playfully.]

Yuxi: (teasing) "Awww, look at you, acting all smooth. Buying ice cream for your wife like a real gentleman, huh?"

[Shinji glares at her while Elie, oblivious to the teasing, continues happily eating her ice cream.]

Shinji: "Oh, shut up and just finish your ice cream."

Yuxi: (grinning) "Whatever you say, dear Shinji~"

[As Shinji goes to place the order for the takeaway chocolate ice cream, Elie watches him quietly, her fingers lightly pressing against her cold waffle cone. Her heart feels warm despite the chilly treat in her hands.]

Elie: (thinking) "He's always looking after me..."

[With their ice cream in hand and an extra chocolate one packed for later, the three of them head out of the shop, the bright city lights flickering in the distance as their shopping adventure continues.]