Chapter 13 – After-School Date

“Sorry, Mana. I ended up running a little late.”

I hurried from the classroom to the school gate and said that to Mana, who was waiting there.

“I-It’s okay. I just got here too.”

“Really? That’s good then.”

“Y-Yeah.”

I don’t think that’s actually true, but since Mana’s being nice enough to say so, I’ll go along with it.

“So, I’d like to say let’s get going, but…”

“Huh? What’s wrong, Yuuto?”

“No, we’re still going, don’t get me wrong. I’m just wondering why you have your phone on you.”

I know I’m not one to talk. That’s exactly why this isn’t me trying to scold her or anything—I’m just genuinely curious. I at least have the excuse of not knowing the rules, but Mana definitely doesn’t have that kind of excuse.

“I always have it with me in case you might contact me, Yuuto.”

Mana said that like it was the most obvious thing in the world.

…Ah, I see. Now that I’ve remembered my past life and talked to Mana this morning, things feel pretty normal between us right now, but until recently, Mana and I weren’t on speaking terms like this.

…Yeah. Does that really justify bringing your phone somewhere you’re absolutely not supposed to? …Well, let’s just say it does. That’s probably for the best.

“I see. Well, now that I know the reason, shall we go on our date?”

“Y-Yeah… Huh? D-Date?”

“Hm? Was I wrong?”

I totally thought she invited me out on a date, but was I mistaken? …If so, this is incredibly embarrassing.

…Well, I’m still going to roll with it though.

“N-No, you’re not wrong! Let’s go on our date.”

While I was thinking that, Mana’s face turned bright red and she said that with an embarrassed but happy smile.

…She’s way too cute.

“Yeah.”

I nodded and followed Mana.

There’s no way I’m walking ahead when I don’t even know where we’re going. I’ve already failed at that twice today alone. Even I can learn from my mistakes.

“…Yuuto, can I hold your hand?”

As we walked together with Mana leading the way, she suddenly asked with a nervous look on her face.

I held her hand this morning, so maybe she worked up the courage to ask.

“Of course.”

Thinking that, I nodded and reached out to hold Mana’s hand myself.

I wanted to hold it too, so it works out perfectly.

“By the way, Mana.”

“Huh? Wh-What?”

Pretending not to notice how happy Mana looked about holding hands, I decided to bring up something important.

“…We’re going to eat crepes, right? I just realized I don’t have any money. I’ll pay you back when I get home, so can you lend me some?”

“It’s fine. For you, Yuuto, I’ll give you as much money as you need, so don’t worry.”

Hm? Wait, does Mana have a habit of spoiling people? I’m already a scumbag trying to build a harem—becoming a freeloader on top of that would be seriously bad, right?

“N-No, I’m just borrowing it. I’ll pay you back.”

We’re still middle schoolers and can’t get part-time jobs, so it’ll be from my allowance, but that’s what I said.

…Though honestly, in this world, even middle school guys could probably make money somehow. I can’t even imagine what guys would do in my old world, but like, selling their bodies and stuff. There’s no sense of disgust or anything.

…Maybe I should make a secret account and sell some slightly lewd photos.

…Oh no. Part of me actually thinks that might be a good idea.

“Yuuto? You don’t need to pay me back, but what were you just thinking about?”

“Huh? Oh, I was just thinking about what kinds of crepes they might have.”

I obviously can’t tell her what I was really thinking, so I deflected with that.

“Really?”

“Really. Actually, isn’t that it over there?”

“Ah, that’s it! Let’s go!”

Good, looks like I successfully dodged that question.

As for the account, maybe I’ll make it when I get home.

Thinking that, I followed after Mana.

Chapter 14 – Indirect Kiss

“Yuuto, which one are you getting?”

When we got to the crepe shop, Mana asked me that.

Honestly, I’m fine with anything as long as it’s not something Mana hates.

“What are you getting, Mana?”

Since I need an excuse to get a bite of hers, and we can’t get the same thing, I’m sorry for answering a question with a question, but that’s what I asked.

“I’m going to get… chocolate banana.”

“Then I’ll go with the safe choice and get strawberry. You don’t hate it, right?”

“Huh? No, I don’t hate it, but why?”

Either she genuinely doesn’t understand, or Mana tilted her head curiously and asked.

As long as she doesn’t hate it, that’s good enough.

“Then let’s buy them.”

Ignoring Mana’s question, I said that.

She’ll figure out the answer soon enough anyway, so I don’t think I need to answer right now.

…Well, I say “let’s buy them,” but I don’t have any money, so I need to borrow from Mana.

“Huh? O-Okay. Like I said before, you don’t need to pay me back, Yuuto.”

“…I’m paying you back.”

I said that quietly so Mana couldn’t hear.

If I told her to her face that I’d pay her back, she’d definitely refuse, and that would just cause a scene at the crepe shop.

While I was thinking about that, Mana bought the crepes for both of us.

“Thanks, Mana.”

“It’s nothing. Let’s eat over there, okay?”

I nodded at her words, and we moved to a different spot.

“Let’s eat here.”

We sat down together at a random spot.

At the same time, Mana handed me the strawberry crepe.

“Thanks, Mana.”

“Y-Yeah.”

With a small smile, I thanked her again.

“Mana, can I have a bite of yours? You can have a bite of mine too.”

After eating our crepes for a bit while making small talk, I said that.

“Huh? Wh-What? H-Huh? B-But no matter where I’ve eaten, my crepe is already… an in-indirect…”

Mana looked confused for a moment, but she seemed to understand right away, and her face turned bright red all at once.

“? I don’t really get it, but are you saying you don’t want to? If so, that’s too bad, but I’ll give up…”

“I-It’s not that I don’t want to. …S-So, um, if you’re okay with it, Yuuto, g-go ahead.”

Hesitantly, Mana extended her arm holding the crepe toward me with an embarrassed look on her face.

Honestly, I’m conscious of the indirect kiss with Mana too, but I tried not to show it as I took a bite of her crepe.

“Mm… It’s good.”

“I-I’m glad.”

“Here, you can have some of mine too.”

Saying that, I offered my crepe to Mana.

Mine technically still has a spot where it wouldn’t be an indirect kiss. But she’s going to have an indirect kiss with her own crepe anyway, so I hope she doesn’t worry about it and just eats wherever she wants. I wonder what she’ll do.

“Ah, o-okay. Th-Thank you for the food.”

While I was thinking that, Mana said that nervously and embarrassedly, then put her mouth right on the part I’d already bitten.

Looks like her desire won out over her embarrassment.

“Is it good?”

“Y-Yeah. It’s good.”

Seeing Mana looking so embarrassed makes me want to tease her about the indirect kiss, but since I’m pretending to be oblivious, I can’t do that.

“That’s good then.”

Saying that, I put my mouth on my crepe—right where Mana had just eaten.

“Ah!”

At the same time, I heard what sounded like an involuntary gasp from Mana, and she started staring at her own crepe. Her gaze was clearly fixed on the spot where I’d bitten.

I pretended not to notice and continued eating my crepe.