【017】Rendezvous

【Tamura Misaki】

This weekend, we’re meeting at the station in the neighboring town.

In the meantime, I polished myself thoroughly.

I even went to an unfamiliar hair salon and bought clothes for the date.

There are two reasons for this.

First, to avoid being recognized as the person with Nanaka-san. I’m even wearing a knit cap today. I figured if I changed my appearance even a little, people would be less likely to recognize me.

Actually, when I cut my hair and looked in the mirror, I thought, “Who’s this?” For a moment, I didn’t recognize myself.

That’s how much I usually keep my bangs long and try not to stand out.

Anyway, quietly, quietly.

My outfit consists of a white cut-and-sew shirt with a dark green coat. Black skinny pants. A scarf wrapped around my neck.

The fit feels unfamiliar. I rarely dress fashionably. Honestly, I’m more embarrassed than anything.

But dressing well is essential.

That’s what I thought. That’s the second reason.

Nanaka-san is beautiful. There’s no way I match up with her.

So even if we don’t match, I at least wanted to make the effort to try.

Suddenly, someone tapped my shoulder.

When I turned around, a finger pressed against my cheek.

“Sorry to keep you waiting, Misa-ku—”

Nanaka-san’s words cut off.

I turned to face Nanaka-san.

“—”

I can say it simply. She was cute (trembling).

A black sweater with a navy chester coat. An indigo pleated skirt. Her pink hair flowed down to her back. Dark colors emphasizing blacks and blues.

Even so, Nanaka-san’s casual clothes were incredibly beautiful.

“Ah, good morning, Nanaka-san.”

When I said that, Nanaka-san responded as if snapping back to reality.

“G-good morning.”

【Nakano Nanaka】

Wait, who’s that?

For a moment, I didn’t recognize him.

Could that be Misa-kun?

Huh, um, wha, ah, huh? Huh?

Let me take a deep breath. One, two, three.

He’s so cooooool!!!! I love love love him so so so much!! Huh? He’s too handsome. What’s going on? Ah, I want to make him mine alone! I want to stuff him in a box and make him all mine! I love him I love him I love him—

Let me catch my breath.

“Today’s Misa-kun looks a little different from usual.”

“Huh, is it weird?”

Misa-kun looking bashful. So cute.

“No, it suits you.”

I meant that sincerely.

Misa-kun looked at me shyly.

“Nanaka-san also looks really good… no, you’re cute.”

“Gah!?”

“Nanaka-san!?”

Hehehe, nice move, Misa-kun.

I just died from cuteness overload.

【Tamura Misaki】

Today’s date was shopping.

According to Nanaka-san, when amateurs make date plans, they get too excited and end up failing. So wouldn’t shopping, which is fine even without a plan, be better?

A shopping complex in the neighboring town. Since I’m not really the type to go out much, I was surprised by how many people there were.

“What should we look at first? Since we’re here, want to look at clothes? Let’s expand your fashion horizons, Misa-kun!”

“Huh, no, that’s…”

“Come on, let’s go!”

My hand was pulled, and Nanaka-san led me into a clothing store. I’m clueless about clothes, so I don’t know how famous the place is.

Before I knew it, I was in a fitting room, and Nanaka-san kept bringing me clothes one after another.

“So cool!”

“Wow, amazing!”

“…Love it.”

Every time Nanaka-san saw me in the clothes, she gave high praise. Even if it’s flattery, I could tell I was getting carried away.

“Why don’t you try on some clothes too, Nanaka-san?”

“Huh? No, no, it’s fine.”

“I’m sure anything would look good on you, Nanaka-san.”

“I’ll do it.”

Nanaka-san wandered around the store, picked out a few things, and went into the fitting room.

For just a moment, Nanaka-san poked her head out.

“You can peek if you want, just a little?”

“I-I’m fine!”

She was teasing me. I resolved not to look and waited in front of the fitting room.

I could hear the sound of Nanaka-san’s skin and fabric rubbing together. I covered my ears too. Having lustful thoughts about Nanaka-san would be outrageous.

I kept my eyes only on the store.

The store was mostly filled with couples.

Could we look like a couple too?

No way.

It felt a little strange.

I never imagined I’d be in a place like this.

At least, my former self had never gone shopping with someone like this.

—Are you okay?

Suddenly, something grazed my memory.

I immediately forgot it and couldn’t remember what it was.

The fitting room curtain opened.

“Ready.”