"What?"
Alex exclaimed softly, being mindful of where he was. He looked around to see if anyone was gazing their way and when everything seemed normal, he refocused on Julia.
"Punishment?"
The seizing did not surprise him as the word punishment. Since when did children have the power to punish their parents?
'Maybe it's a rich people thing…' He thought in silence.
"Hehe… Not exactly, it's something he did that I'll tell you later." Her expression changed at that point before changing, but Alex noticed it all the same.
"I don't want to ruin the mood.
"Just know that I plan to spend as much money as I can and there is nothing my father can do about it. And knowing that I can't do all that spending alone, I decided to bring it out.
"We can use this for the rest of our date. Also, once we get into town, let's go on a shopping spree."
Julia explained her plans with a cheerful smile as if what she just said was the most normal thing there was.
Alex could only smile wryly at her words. "Is it really okay?" He wasn't afraid to spend as he didn't want to get Julia into trouble.
"Absolutely." She nodded with a puffed-out chest, feeling smug about her plans.
"Sure, I'm game." He agreed with a shrug. If Julia said it was fine, then it was fine. They were here today to have fun and that is what they were going to do.
Whoever paid for it didn't matter.
'Maybe the amount I have is the chicken change.' He felt embarrassed at his earlier thoughts.
Shortly after, the waiter brought their dishes and the two quickly dug in. Julia attempted to feed Alex multiple times, but Alex shook his head not wanting to be seen doing that.
The people around might seem like they were minding their own business, but he had already caught many gazes sent their way.
And while there was no hostility, he still didn't like it; especially when it could end up on the empire's network for everyone to see.
However, Julia's expression changed after many denials. Feeling bad for his actions, Alex gave in and Julia sheepishly fed him all the things she could and even urged him to do the same for her.
Very soon, the two were done with their meal, paid their bill, left the diner and headed for the city with James in the shadows.
The two walked among the pedestrians as they turned heads wherever they passed, admiring the cityscape and its unique environment.
It could truly be called a utopia if they didn't have to deal with the threat of void creatures, cosmic mana waves and monsters in the wilds.
"Let's go to a hunter's mall." She suggested after some time, dragging Alex along.
Julia was not a very big fan of buying dresses and other miscellaneous things other girls bought. She already had too many of those things to care for them.
Practical things that were useful to hunters were more along her fort and with the lessons she learnt in the academy, she already knew the kind of things she wanted.
The two arrived at the large high-rise building with many people going in and out. It was naturally a busy place and among the popular places among hunters.
"What do you want to get?" Julia turned to Alex once they were inside the building. Within it were many stores, each selling similar or unique items.
Alex appreciated the environment, cursing himself for not thinking about it sooner once he could afford it.
'I guess it's better late than never.'
Alex turned to Julia and replied, "Let's get everything that is essential for a hunter to have. And while at it, let's get some for Ross."
It wasn't his money, so he was free to go all out. They had all the storage space they could want at no risk of being stolen from them; if that was even possible.
And as an added bonus, the money wasn't coming from his pocket.
"Good idea." She nodded and the two began to visit the various shops and bought everything they could without looking at the prize tags.
Initially, the storekeepers were sceptical if they could afford the things they were picking, but a flash of the black card silenced them and changed their attitude towards the two.
More surprising was when the storekeepers suggested storage devices for them only to be left with their jaws on the floor when everything disappeared into their bodies.
'What was I even thinking? They are literally carrying a black card.' One of the shopkeepers thought, feeling embarrassed about their enthusiastic action in wanting to sell their most expensive storage devices to the two.
"Okay… That should be everything a hunter could possibly need and we got more than enough to last 2 whole years."
Julia muttered many hours later, feeling slightly drained from all the moving around. They got everything from processed foods in inbuilt storage bags that appeared small on the outside but big on the inside to water, blankets and even cooking utensils in the vent they wanted to cook monster meat.
And one thing about the supplies they just got was that it wasn't going to be touched until they were actually on a mission, away from society. Everything was designed and made to last for many years without going bad.
The only thing they couldn't get was void serum as they were not officially hunters and also not at the level needed for it to be taken. In fact, they were not even allowed to see where they were kept.
"Yeah… This should be everything." Alex muttered and looked outside, noticing the sky darkening.
"Night is approaching," Alex said and gestured with his head for Julia to move closer. It was time their day came to a close.
They two made their way to the parking lot after contacting James to bring Julia's ride.
"Alex?" Suddenly, Julia stopped and called out softly.
"Hm?" He turned around, noticing the seriousness in her voice.
"What is it?" he asked feeling a bit worried.
Julia took a deep breath and exhaled before speaking, "Remember what I said about punishing my dad for doing something?"
Alex nodded and waited for her to continue.
Julia braced herself and then explained everything about the situation to Alex. Naturally, she knew Alex would not make anything out of it, but telling him still felt off to her.
"I see…And is that why you appear dejected?" he asked. He felt no insecurity about what Julia needed to do as he was absolutely certain about Julia being his and only his.
Julia's father knew this and that was why he didn't try to disrupt whatever was going on between them in favour of some rich douchebag.
"Yeah… I have to be his host in a few days."
"Don't worry about it," Alex approached and hugged Julia who returned the embrace with equal fervour.
"It's just for a few days and you can say goodbye for good. Then we can focus on our upcoming birthdays."
Alex added at the end, prompting a sweet hum of approval from Julia.
"Thanks, Alex."
"You're welcome, babe. I'm with you all the way."