A Beautiful Model In My Class Comes To The Coffee Shop Where I Work Part-time Only When I'm On Shift - Chapter 37

Episode 37: First Date

“Hmm…”

I look at myself in the mirror and feel anxious.

Today is the day I’m going to the aquarium with Shizuku.

I bought new clothes just for this day…

“Better than just a T-shirt, right…?”

As I looked at myself in the mirror, a sense of unease welled up within me.

A gray ensemble over a black undershirt. It’s an outfit for special occasions, selected with much effort by me, who usually doesn’t pay much attention to clothes.

I received advice from Utahara-san “make sure to dress fashionable,” and I made an effort to follow her advice. However, I couldn’t shake the feeling that I might have been a bit too enthusiastic, and I was feeling embarrassed even before leaving the house.

―Get yourself together.

I don’t have any other decent clothes, and even if I wanted to change now, I wouldn’t make it in time.

Even though I see Shizuku almost every day, why do I get so nervous when it’s a formal meeting?

I managed to move my body, which was feeling extremely nervous, and left the house carrying my bag, which I had checked many times to make sure I hadn’t forgotten anything.

The meeting time is 10:00 in the morning. I headed to the Hakkeijima Sea Paradise in Yokohama. It’s 9:30. Feeling like I arrived too early, I stepped out of the Hakkeijima station, the closest station to Hakkeijima Sea Paradise in Yokohama.

“…Huh?”

“Oh.”

I quickly noticed.

White off-shoulder top with black shorts. With a cap and sunglasses hiding her face, she was undoubtedly Shizuku.

“Go-good morning, Juntaro.”

“Good morning… Aren’t you early?”

“You too. It’s still thirty minutes before.”

“…I just feel uneasy.”

“I get it. Me too.”

Seems like we’re in the same boat. We laughed as we exchanged glances.

“Since we’re here early, shall we head in?”

“Is it open?”

“Yeah, it opens at nine, so we should be able to get in.”

Well, then.

We walked together towards the Hakkeijima Sea Paradise.

Apart from us, there were a few other tourists around. Perhaps because I was walking with celebrities, I couldn’t help but feel conscious of their gazes.

“It’s okay. If you act confidently, people won’t notice much.”

“Is that so…?”

“Yeah. People who act sneaky tend to attract more attention, surprisingly.”

Shizuku said that with a smug face.

If she says so, then it must be true. I decided to try my best not to care about the surroundings.

“It’s not a big deal if we’re found out. I’m not an idol, and even if someone takes a picture of us together, it won’t cause any trouble…”

She stopped abruptly, as if realizing something.

“Well… about having a boyfriend…”

” …?”
Shizuku averted her gaze and started fiddling with her fingers.

Perhaps there was something strange about the analogy she just made. She seemed oddly uncomfortable.

“Am I the only one bothered by this…? Juntaro, you have that kind of thing, right?”

“What are you talking about…?”

“Never mind! Let’s go, shall we?”

Grabbing my hand, Shizuku dashed towards the entrance.

I wonder if my sweaty palms bother Shizuku? Because of that anxiety, I momentarily forgot about the summer heat.

“Wow.”

Shizuku’s eyes sparkled as she watched the fish swimming in the tank.

The clear blue water looked beautiful and cool, refreshing just to look at.

How nice it would be to swim there. I couldn’t help but feel a little envious of the fish, indifferent to the summer heat.

“It’s interesting, isn’t it? So many different kinds of creatures living in the same place.”

“Indeed… I wonder what the fish think of other fish.”

“Hmm, they don’t seem to think much.”

The fish swam gracefully, ignoring the presence of other species nearby. They seemed completely indifferent to creatures that wouldn’t prey on them.

“It would be nice if humans could live like this.”

Shizuku sighed as if lost in thought.

It seemed as if Shizuku’s eyes were directed through the tank, reflecting on her life so far. There must have been countless joys and sorrows.

If people could be indifferent to others, Shizuku probably wouldn’t have been hurt. However, without that pain, she wouldn’t have been able to achieve anything.

I don’t know which is better, but at least Shizuku didn’t seem to regret it.

“Juntaro, have you ever thought about opening your own shop someday?”

“Why this sudden question?”

“Just curious?”

“…Yes, I have. I daydream about it every day.”

“Wow! That’s a bit surprising.”

It’s embarrassing to admit, but I’ve drawn floor plans for the interior in my notebook.

I’ve also thought about what kind of beans to stock quite often.

“It’s great to have your own shop. With your hard work, Juntaro, I think you’ll make a great shop owner.”

“Coming from you, Shizuku, it strangely makes me feel like I can do it.”

Shizuku never flatters me.

Her words weren’t tailored to please me, they were genuine, and that’s what I thought.

“By the way, when I retire from showbiz, will you hire me at your shop?”

“Of course, Shizuku. You’d be more than welcome.”

“Yay! It’s a promise!”

Shizuku smiled happily and gently nudged my shoulder.