The Number One Star in the Interstellar Era

WULFRIC hadn't reacted yet and Aster had already walked ahead once again. Then, he suddenly realized that the other most likely said that to avert answering his question. It's very effective though. 

Just looked at his reaction. His heart was still beating so hard and so fast right now. It almost felt like it would jump out of his body if he wasn't careful. If it was normal, he would have probably said, 'you can try it if you want'. But sadly, he realized that he wasn't as courageous as he thought he was. At least, not when it came to Aster.

He truly wanted to just be shameless and pull Aster to him. Wrapping his arms around his thin waist and, ahem, doing the 'criminal act' the other just said. But surprisingly enough, the moment he thought of it, his mind just blanked out and he couldn't move. 

Who would have thought that he, the great general feared by all, wouldn't have the guts to do something like that? If it was before, he probably wouldn't hesitate to do it. He would probably even make the first move. But since he get to know Aster and their relationship started to get better, his shamelessness towards the other diminished by a mile.

Wulfric sighed. This was really not good for his heart. Maybe by the end of this day, he would suffer myocardial infarction. 

He no longer planned to ask the other about what happened when they first met. If Aster didn't want to say it, then he wouldn't force him. He probably had his own reason for not saying it. Besides, it's not like the other meant any harm. 

He took a deep breath and tried his to calm down his still frantic heart. Then, he stepped forward and followed Aster.

He cleared his throat before asking, "Do you want to go shopping first?"

Astrid glanced at the other. Seeing his ear tip still red, he knew that Wulfric still felt shy because of what he said earlier. He was actually expecting the other to continue asking. But good thing he didn't. Because Astrid didn't want to lie to him. 

No matter how good their relationship had progressed, he couldn't tell him the whole truth about what happened back then. Because that incident involved his Uncle Leigh. 

Still, he was a bit surprised that Wulfric didn't continue questioning him. It's rare for the other to be sensitive about such things or at least he thought he was. Or maybe it was only so because it involved him. 

Was he really that special? 

If he thought about all of Wulfric's actions so far, then the answer was already pretty obvious. A small smiled appeared on his charming face. He didn't dislike this feeling at all. In fact, it's something worth cherishing. Like a hidden treasure buried within his heart.

He gazed at Wulfric and smiled, "Okay, let's go shopping."

-----

The two first went to a designer clothes store known for its youthful designs that were popular amongst young people in the Empire. 

Wulfric didn't know much about clothes and styling. As evidence of the fact that Hildred had to help him dressed up for today. But when he saw the vibrant and chic clothes inside the store, he couldn't help but frown a bit.

"What's wrong?" Astrid asked when he noticed the other's expression. 

"Don't you think the clothes here wouldn't suit me?" Wulfric asked, his expression a bit unbearable.

"Why not? The clothes here are specifically for young people," Astrid said before adding in a playful tone, "Or do you think you're already too old for such clothes?"

"Of course not!" Wulfric immediately said. "I'm only 30 this year. That could hardly be called 'old' in today's standards."

Although he and Aster had a 12-year age gap, that could hardly be considered as controversial. After all, people in this era could live up to 300 years. What's a 12-year age gap if people could live for that long? 

"I agree," Astrid said with a smile. "That's why I suggested this place first. So, let's go."

Then he pulled Wulfric inside the store. 

"Let me pick some clothes for you," he said.

He didn't wait for Wulfric's answer and quickly opened one of the virtual catalogs on the shelf near them. He first scanned Wulfric's body using the catalog. This way, the system could record the right size of his body. After that, Astrid started picking clothes for the other.

Wulfric tried to see what kind of clothes Aster was choosing for him but the other was quick on his toes and managed to avoid him many times. So, he decided that while Aster was busy with that, he called on one of the personnel of the store and reserved a dressing room for him and Aster.

Although he wasn't well-versed in some things, he still knew that high-end cloth stores like this would have private dressing rooms. After paying for the use of the private dressing room, the personnel he called became extremely polite. 

Of course, Wulfric's actions didn't escape Astrid's attention. He appreciated the other's thoughtfulness. There's a lot of customers in this store, it's the weekend after all. Changing clothes using an ordinary dressing room wouldn't be too comfortable. Besides, how could they enjoy themselves that way? With their own dressing room, the two of them could have their own fashion show at ease.

The personnel led them to the private dressing room. The size of the room was like the combined size of his apartment's living room and dining room/kitchen. Which was already pretty big. There was a couch and also a separate fitting room that could provide privacy for the one changing clothes. 

"The clothes that you've chosen will be delivered to your shortly," the personnel said before leaving the two and closing the private dressing room.

"Wulf, you should try all the clothes I've chosen for you, okay?" Astrid said with twinkling eyes.

Wulfric immediately felt a bit constipated hearing that.