I tried to confess my feelings to the girl I like, but I got too excited and ended up proposing. Was her response OK?! ~ - Chapter 9

Episode 9

Noboribetsu, a hot spring resort that anyone living in Hokkaido has heard of at least once.

It’s ranked number one in Hokkaido’s popular hot spring destinations, and it’s said to have the richest quality of hot springs in all of Hokkaido.

“By the way, it’s said that this hot spring area was discovered about 170 years ago, in the fifth year of Ansei.”

“Wow, I had no idea this place was so amazing. I’ve been here a few times when I was younger, but I never paid attention to that.”

“Hehe, that’s right! This place is amazing.”

Mana says proudly, but I know she was looking something up on her phone earlier.

Well, it’s okay because Mana trying so hard is just too cute.

“So, where are we staying tonight?”

“Thank you for asking! The inn we’re staying at today is the oldest inn among all the inns in Noboribetsu!”

Mana says with so much pride that it seems like she’s about to add “Eh-heh!” to the end of her sentence, looking very excited.

“Oh? So, what’s the name of that inn?!”

“The name of the inn is… ‘Traveler’s Rest’! It’s said that the name comes from the fact that the person who first discovered this place was a traveler, and they built a building on the camping spot where they rested.”

“I see, it’s a nice name. I don’t really understand why, but I feel a very calm atmosphere from the name.”

“Hehe, that’s right. I felt the same way, so I decided to stay at this inn.”

“I see, alright, let’s go to that inn for now. I’ll get the luggage.”

“Oh, thank you.”

“You’re welcome. Come on, let’s go.”

Taking Mana’s hand, I started walking. It’s about four kilometers from the station to the inn, and there are buses running there, but we decided to walk because Mana wanted to stroll through the town.

“Look at that! I’ve never seen such a big statue before!”

“It’s really huge. Do you want to take a picture? You don’t often see something like that.”

“Yeah, you’re right. Let’s take a picture together!”

This statue is kinda scary. Wouldn’t little kids cry if they saw such a big red demon?

While thinking about such things, we moved in front of the statue and asked someone there to take a picture for us.

“Thank you very much. Wow, I’ll definitely treasure this photo.”

“Are you really that happy about getting a picture of this statue?”

“No, it’s not about the statue. I’m happy because I got to take a picture with you, Sora-kun. We’ve never taken a picture together before.”

“Oh, I see. We really haven’t taken one together.”

That was a sudden attack… To be happy about taking a picture, she’s too cute!

Ah, geez, I must be blushing by now.

But isn’t this girl too innocent? Even though we’re married, she’s happy about the picture?

Ah, no, I shouldn’t judge others.

I was happy about the earphones she gave me.

Ah, embarrassing.

“Sora-kun? What’s wrong? Your face is red.”

My face is definitely red! It’s embarrassing, but since I said I wouldn’t hide things earlier…

“Um, I just thought Mana looks cute being happy. I just realized again how pure and good of a girl she is… Mana?”

When I finished saying what I was thinking and looked at Mana, she was inexplicably trembling, looking down.

“Are you okay? Are you feeling unwell? Should we hurry to the inn?”

“N-no, I’m fine. It’s not that I’m feeling unwell…”

“But your face is really red. Do you have a fever?”

Why is she suddenly acting like this when she was fine just a moment ago?

“Geez! It’s not that! Why don’t you understand? It’s embarrassing because you called me cute, Sora-kun!!”

…Huh?

“Hehe, ahaha! Oh, I see now. I was worried because your face suddenly turned bright red.”

“Please stop laughing! I’m not going to talk to you for a while, Sora-kun!”

“Th-that’s… Please don’t… Forgive me! Since we’ve come all the way on this trip, let’s enjoy it together, okay?”

“I don’t know a Sora-kun who’s so mean!”

It’s kind of rude to say this in this situation, but Mana sulking with her puffed-up cheeks is also cute.

Ah, no, I shouldn’t be thinking about that now! I need to cheer Mana up.

“Mana, wait here for a moment! I’ll be right back!”

Mana was looking at the stalls we passed by earlier with great interest, so I’ll go buy something from there.

“Oh, wait, Sora-kun?!”

After about five minutes of searching through the stalls away from Mana, I finally found the store I was looking for.

This store clearly aimed to appeal to girls, selling crepes.

When I reached the store, I immediately looked at the menu.

“Hmm, which one should I get? I’m not sure about these things… Excuse me, which one do you recommend from this shop?”

“Yes! Our recommendation is the Grand Chocolate Banana Whip Crepe!”

“Hmm, the name is long, but it looks delicious. Then, I’ll have two of those!”

“Alright! That’ll be 1800 yen!”

Th-that’s expensive.

Well, it’s worth it if it helps improve Mana’s mood.

I’ll accept this level of expense without complaint.

“Here’s 2000 yen.”

“Thank you very much! Here’s your change of 200 yen and your receipt. I’ll make it for you now, so please wait a moment!”

Do I still have to wait? I’ve already made Mana wait for more than five minutes.

But there’s a strong smell of sulfur here.

Weren’t sulfur-smelling hot springs supposed to have a beautifying effect on the skin?

Mana seemed to be having fun earlier.

I was wondering what to do if the conversation turned dark when talking about her parents.

I want to at least greet the person who raised Mana…

“Here you go! Two Grand Chocolate Banana Whip Crepes!”

“Thank you.”

Alright, let’s go back to Mana.

I hope this cheers her up.