Chapter 4 – A Date for Two (Part 1)

Time moved forward to Saturday around 10 AM. I was waiting for my childhood friend at the shopping mall.

How do I put this… it feels like it’s been a while.

We always walk to school together, and since our houses are close, we hang out all the time. So doing something date-like since we started going out feels fresh.

“Iroha’s late… She’s not answering her phone either. She’s usually the ‘five minutes early’ type…”

I glance at my watch—it’s already pointing to 10:59. If she doesn’t show up in ten more minutes, maybe I should go look for her…

Actually, since our houses are so close, why didn’t we just come together?

‘It’s a special date… It’s more fun to meet up on the spot!’

That’s what she said, apparently. While I’m reminiscing about that, a familiar childhood friend appears at the edge of my vision.

“Ren~! …Haa… haa… Sorry I’m late!”

“You’re not late, it’s fine. Yeah… right on time, actually.”

She catches her breath and looks up at me.

Taking a proper look at her outfit, I can tell she understands her own appeal well. Especially her legs peeking out from that mini skirt—they’re beautiful.

“…How do I look?”

She does a little spin, her skirt fluttering.

“You look really cute. I knew that kind of white dress would suit you.”

“Ehehe… I’m so happy you said that! I picked it because I thought you’d like this style… Plus, you like seeing my legs, right…?”

Honestly, as someone with a bit of a leg fetish, this is a direct hit. But when they’re this short, I worry about other people’s stares…

“I love it, but… be careful about your surroundings.”

“You’re worried about me…?”

“Of course I am… You’re my girlfriend.”

“R-Right… that’s right… I’m your girlfriend!”

After mumbling something quietly, she breaks into a radiant smile.

She’s always had a cute face, so smiles really suit her.

The atmosphere gets a bit awkward, and as if to dispel it, I speak up.

“Come on, let’s go.”

I extend my hand.

“Yeah!”

Holding hands, we head into the stores together.

—————————

We entered the shopping mall and walked for a while. …Wait, what were we here to buy again? I feel like we came to buy something, but… I can’t remember.

“Actually, what did we come here to buy…?”

Having completely forgotten, I ask Iroha.

She pretends to pout a bit, puffing out her cheeks as she tells me.

“You said you wanted to look at swimsuits since summer’s coming soon~. …I could’ve worn last year’s, but it’s gotten a bit tight… you know.”

Right, I remember now. She called me a few nights ago saying she wanted to go swimsuit shopping and asked me to come along.

But it got tight… huh. I mean, I think her build is pretty petite…

“Don’t stare so much… pervert…”

“I-I’m not staring that much… probably.”

I guess it’s true that women are sensitive to men’s gazes… I need to be careful.

“…If you asked me to show you, I’d show you anytime… but I’m not mentally ready yet…”

I pat Iroha’s shoulder as she mutters something quietly.

“We’re here. This is it, right?”

We finally arrive at the women’s clothing store. Seems like it was pretty far from the entrance.

Even with Iroha, the atmosphere makes it pretty hard for a guy to go in.

…Or rather, I really don’t want to go in.

“So I’ll just wait here for y—”

“…Let’s go together.”

“Got it…”

I really didn’t want to go in… but I’m weak to those teary puppy-dog eyes.

It’s always been like this.

Whenever I’m reluctant about something, I end up giving in to Iroha’s requests.

“Which one do you think is better…?”

At first, she was going to bring out everything and make me choose, but that was obviously impossible, so we settled on narrowing it down to two options.

“…Hmm… Both look good on you, but if I had to choose… this white one with the frills, the bikini.”

“Okay, I’ll get that one!”

“…Are you really okay with me deciding?”

I got anxious since she made an instant decision based on my choice.

By the time you’re a second-year in high school, you don’t grow much anymore, so you’ll be wearing it for a while—shouldn’t she pick it herself…?

“It’s fine! Because you chose it, Ren, it’ll become my precious treasure just from that!”

“Got it… then hand me that swimsuit.”

If she’s going that far, I can’t back down as a man.

“Wh-Why…?”

“Well, if I chose it and I bought it, it’d be an even more valuable treasure, right? So let me give it to you as a present.”

“…It’s pretty expensive… I can buy it myse— …He already left… You’re really too kind… Ren.”

I said something embarrassingly cheesy… but I don’t regret it.

Even though my childhood friend has changed from before, I still love that smile.

“I’d like this gift-wrapped, please.”

I hurry to the register and finish the transaction.

“Here you go.”

“Sniff… Thank you… sniff… I’ll treasure it… forever…”

“Don’t cry…”

Forever’s probably impossible, though… I push down those mood-killing words and grip her hand tightly.

“It’s lunchtime, want to hit the food court?”

“…Yeah…”

“I’ll go buy something… what do you want?”

“Whatever you want is fine!”

“Then I’ll get takoyaki.”

I have her sit down while I go to buy takoyaki at the food court.

“…I forgot to ask what she wants to drink…”

Thinking that, I head back toward the seats.

That’s when a clear voice like a bell calls my name from behind.

A classmate’s voice I recognize… or rather, the voice of another girlfriend…

“Oh my, Ren-san… what a coincidence.”

…This might have just gotten bad.