So You’re Telling Me I’m in My Popular Phase!? - Chapter 10: An Unexpected Date!?

Chapter 10: An Unexpected Date!?

Our destination was close—only a few stops by train.

I’d been here a few times before, but for a rural town, it was a pretty big shopping mall.

“What did you even plan to buy? I came along because I was bored.”

“Household stuff—especially, I want to replace my apron.”

“An apron? Did it get too small?”

“Yeah. It’s getting frayed too. And, well, it seems like I’ll end up with a lot of bags, so I asked you, Ryu-kun. Also… I wanted to go on a date with you.”

This is not a date.

This is just accompanying someone on a shopping trip.

I looked away from Izumi. Not because I’m blushing or anything…!

“Leave the bag-carrying to me.”

“Yeah! Thanks, Ryu-kun!”

Izumi nodded with a beaming smile.

Damn… I thought she was cute.

No, no—bad, bad! I’ve got Aki, after all!

“Ryu-kun?”

“Nah, it’s nothing. So where are we going first?”

Izumi went quiet for a moment like she was hesitating, but then, like she’d thought of something, she curled her lips up with a mischievous look.

“Then—will you help me pick out clothes first?”

Oh, that’s it? Her face made me brace myself, but that’s not a problem.

“Okay—so not an apron, but regular clothes, right?”

“Yeah, that’s right.”

Ah. That expression is bad. I picked the wrong option.

Because we’re childhood friends, I can tell—when she makes that face, she’s definitely thinking of something shady.

“S-so, what store are we going to? Th-that one over there looks cute, doesn’t it?”

“It’s fine. I already know which store we’re going to. Look—over there.”

Izumi pointed toward a shop that was basically pink-themed from top to bottom.

“…………”

“What’s wrong?”

Hey, you bastard—you know exactly what’s wrong.

No, I must be seeing things. Even Izumi wouldn’t drag a guy—me—into that store.

“Nothing. Got it—that store, right? Let’s go already.”

“Yeah! Let’s go!”

And then, right before we entered—

“It’s a lingerie shop! No way I’m going in!”

“It’s fine! Sometimes, if they’re a couple, there are men inside too!”

“We’re not a couple! And you need to have more shame!”

“Ehh, come on! I want to know your tastes too, so pick some for me!”

“No thanks! If you’re going in, go alone! I’ll wait on that bench over there!”

“Cheapskate!”

Like hell this is about being cheap. Why did you think I’d come with you in the first place?

If you want someone’s opinion, invite your female friends. I’m seriously exhausted…

While I sat on the bench with my head in my hands, Izumi came back carrying a bag.

“Sorry to keep you waiting~ I bought a cute one. Wanna see?”

“Oh, yeah? Good for you. No.”

“I’m sure you’ll think it’s cute, Ryu-kun.”

“Oh, yeah? I’m definitely not looking.”

We repeated that back-and-forth a few times before Izumi finally gave up.

Do that stuff with someone you like. Or do you like me? …No, probably not.

“Haa… I’m thirsty. I’ll go buy drinks, so wait here. Tea for you is fine, Izumi?”

I just wanted to get away from this spot for a bit. I mean, we’re right in front of a lingerie shop.

“Apple juice!”

You little kid!

Instead of a vending machine, I went to a supermarket a little farther away to buy what we wanted.

I chose the supermarket thinking it’d be cheaper, but since it was farther, it took a while.

After buying them, I hurried back toward Izumi at a fast walk, but—

“Where’d she go?”

Izumi was gone.

I figured she’d gone to the bathroom and waited, but she didn’t come back at all.

Starting to feel uneasy, I tried calling her, but she didn’t answer.

What? What’s going on? Where did that idiot go?