In reality, passersby did glance at them, but their gazes didn't linger long. The real issue lay in their lack of personal social experience. Ten years ago, Erina Nakiri had attended countless ceremonies and events—she was no stranger to public appearances. Yet this particular feeling was different, an indescribable sensation. It wasn't as if she had never had company before; Hisako Arato was always by her side.
But this time, it was different. This time, she was with a man—her nominal husband. Erina Nakiri had absolutely no dating experience. The stares of the pedestrians were magnified countless times in her mind.
Am I dressed strangely? This thought heightened her anxiety, making her want to flee their eyes.
And yet... she had never feared being watched before. Nor had she ever tried to evade it.
"I have to ask… do you have social anxiety?" Renz asked, noticing Erina's unusual behavior. He didn't truly think she suffered from social anxiety. After all, if she did, why would she agree to judge such a major competition? More likely, she was simply unaccustomed to this kind of situation. So, he tried making conversation to ease her discomfort.
Come to think of it, Erina Nakiri was a powder keg, wasn't she? Would poking her like this just make her explode?
"You're the one with social anxiety!" Erina snapped back the moment she heard him. "It's just my first time going out with a guy. I'm just… a little nervous."
"Oh, okay," Renz nodded. "Just remember to watch where you're walking."
"I'm not a child!" Erina retorted angrily. She found his remarks infuriating.
"Your temper is worse than a child's," Renz pointed out calmly. "If you keep walking with your head down like that, you'll get into an accident." He tilted his head to glance at her. "In melodramatic soap operas, heroines who do that end up in car accidents like ten times a day."
"Can you please shut your annoying mouth?" Erina's anger flared. Her small fangs bared slightly, threatening to bite him if he said another word.
Just then, the traffic light at the corner turned red. Renz instinctively grabbed Erina's hand.
"It's a red light. Pay attention," he said irritably.
Erina shivered slightly, as if shocked. But Renz quickly let go once she stopped moving.
"It's all because I was talking to you!" Erina puffed out her cheeks and turned her head away, pretending she didn't care. But Renz remained unfazed.
"Walking to kindergarten is so exhausting. I'm not coming out with you again," Renz muttered. "Honestly, it's not that stressful for me."
"At first, I was a bit nervous, but after a few steps, I realized—it's no different from going out normally."
"I really don't get why you're reacting so dramatically."
"And… Big Tsundere," he added with a grin. "I touched your hand earlier, and you got all flustered, didn't you?"
Renz deliberately struck a nerve. Erina suddenly realized that Renz's mouth was extremely irritating. And what in the world was this Big Tsundere nonsense?!
Tsundere heroines in manga were typically disliked by readers, right? They were doomed to fail! She was definitely not a tsundere!
"I'm not a tsundere!" Erina glared at him. "And even if I were, why add 'Big'?"
"Because Rina is a little tsundere—her personality's a typical tsundere. So clearly, she gets it from you," Renz said smoothly. "If she's a little tsundere, then you must be a big tsundere."
"Don't call me Big Tsundere!" she snapped, baring her tiny fangs again. "Can you please come up with a better name?!"
"Wife," Renz said, calmly.
Erina shuddered. Her pretty face flushed red on the spot, cheeks glowing, and it almost looked like faint steam was rising from her head. Her once-imposing tone instantly melted into a stuttering mess.
"Wh-What nonsense are you suddenly talking about?"
"Wh-What wife?!"
Renz couldn't help but laugh inwardly. Still claiming you're not a tsundere? You're this reactive over a few words. Not only a tsundere—but a pure-hearted one too.
Clearing his throat, he said, "It's written clearly on the marriage certificate."
"And in front of others, to maintain our public image, we'll need to use that term, right? So I figured I'd try it out in advance. Didn't expect your reaction to be this strong—kinda cute, though."
As he spoke, Erina's hand had already moved to Renz's waist. Her sharp fingernails grazed his side ever so slightly, sending a chilling shiver down his spine.
Instantly, a torrent of words flooded Renz's mind, and his mouth kicked into overdrive.
"However, calling you Erina is probably more appropriate. It conveys our… 'intimacy' without being too abrupt."
"What do you think?"
"I think that's excellent," Erina replied, clearly pleased with his adjustment.
---
Amid their bickering, they arrived at the kindergarten gate. Rina and Haruna had apparently been waiting for a while.
"Mama!" Rina cried out, arms outstretched, a small backpack bouncing on her back like a butterfly soaring with wings wide open. She dove straight into Renz's arms.
Erina felt like coughing up blood.
"Why did you and Papa come to pick me up today?" Rina asked curiously.
"Next time, could you please not come?"
Erina nearly coughed up another mouthful of blood. What's the point of having a daughter like this?!
What kind of spell did you cast on my child?! Her resentful gaze locked firmly onto Renz.
Renz stood there stunned. That fake move—attacking the west to strike the east—was brilliant. A true feint.
You little rascal, trying to make your mother explode?
Fine. Not just a tsundere—but a cunning tsundere.
Suddenly, Erina's phone rang.
"Hold on, I need to take this." She glanced at the caller ID: [Alice Nakiri]. Her expression immediately turned serious.
A new opponent had entered the field.
"Hello, is this Lady Erina?" Alice's voice came through, light and ethereal. "I've come to visit your sweet home. Am I welcome?"
"Um… could you please open the door?"
"I'm sorry to intrude on your alone time," Alice added, "but I'm sure you two won't mind, right? After all, you already have a child—so there won't be any special activities happening at home, will there?"
Crisis. A big crisis!
---Support with power stones