Chapter 6 – The Craving For a Date

The weekend has come again.

As usual, I should’ve been heading to the Yukimori residence—but I wasn’t.

Instead, I had come to a high-end department store that took about an hour to reach by train.

As per Yukimori’s instructions, I was dressed in a stylish outfit: a smart jacket over a white T-shirt, black skinny jeans, and leather shoes.

I had to admit, dressed like this, I probably didn’t look like a high school student… I think.

But still, why are we meeting here of all places?

Looking around, there weren’t any people who looked like high schoolers. At the youngest, they all looked like college students.

Don’t leave me waiting alone in a place like this. It’s nerve-wracking. I want to go home.

About ten minutes passed.

Suddenly, a stir spread through the department store.

“Hey, check her out.”

“She’s gorgeous…”

“Is she a model?”

“Too cute to be real. Is she even the same species as us?”

Ah, judging from the crowd’s reaction, she’s here—Yukimori.

Even without seeing her, the change in atmosphere around me told me she had arrived. She’s like a walking billboard, that girl.

I put away my phone, which I’d been using to kill time, and looked in the direction everyone was staring.

There she was—Yukimori, the goddess.

She wore a white one-piece dress, layered with a light pink cardigan perfect for spring.

Her outfit wasn’t flashy, but the bracelet and necklace she wore emphasized her presence.

On her feet were comfortable-looking pumps, and she carried a branded shoulder bag over her shoulder.

She was already stunningly beautiful, but today she seemed to be wearing light makeup that made her beauty even more striking.

When Yukimori spotted me, she beamed and quickly approached.

“Sorry to keep you waiting, Hatase-kun.”

“Uh—no, I-I just got here too, s-so don’t worry about it.”

I said the words I had prepared in advance.

But… no good. My voice cracked from nervousness. I’d wanted to play it cool, but apparently that’s just not who I am.

Yukimori quickly adjusted her bangs and, noticing my gaze, gave me a goddess-like smile.

“What do you think? Isn’t this the first time you’ve seen me like this?”

“Yeah, probably. You’re usually in your uniform… after all.”

I swallowed the words “or naked.” Good job, me.

But seriously, she was really cute. No—gorgeous… drop dead beauty? Whatever the word, she clearly stood out from all the celebrities I’d seen before.

That’s how captivating Yukimori was today.

I struggled to put my feelings into words, and as I hesitated, a slight cloud passed over her expression. Crap, I have to say something.

“Uh… you look great. Pretty… I mean, you’re always pretty, but today you’re especially…”

“…! Eheh, ehehe. Really? Hehe, thank you, Hatase-kun. You look cool too, you know!”

“S-Seriously…?”

“Yes! As expected of Hatase-kun!”

I had no idea what exactly was “as expected,” but…

Still, it felt surprisingly nice to be complimented. Even if it was just flattery, I couldn’t help feeling a little happy.

“Well then, shall we go?”

“Yeah, let’s.”

Without paying any attention to the gazes around us, Yukimori wrapped her arm around mine and pressed herself close.

And I didn’t get flustered at something like that anymore. …Not anymore, I told myself.

“So, uh… today’s ‘craving’ is? Shopping?”

“Nope, not today. Today’s is… the craving to go on a date.”

“…A craving for a date?”

That was a new one.

Thinking about it, the absence of such a desire until now actually felt unnatural.

“What do you even do on a date?”

“According to Reina-san, two people who get along go shopping, watch a movie, things like that. I’ve already made a plan, so don’t worry.”

“…Then I’ll leave it to you.”

“Yes! Let’s go shopping first!”

With a smiling Yukimori in tow, we strolled through the department store.

Being a high-end place, everything sparkled with elegance. And, of course, the prices sparkled just as brightly.

Still, Yukimori chatted smoothly with the staff and casually bought the things she liked.

That card she pulled out of her wallet—could it be one of those infamous black cards…? Well, she is paying me a hundred thousand yen every week, so I guess it makes sense.

“Alright, I’m done shopping. Now it’s your turn, Hatase-kun.”

“…Huh? My turn?”

Wait, what does she mean? I don’t really want anything.

Besides, I don’t even have a card or enough cash on me. All I can really do here is carry her bags.

“I don’t need anything. And it’s all too expensive here—if I bought anything I’d go broke instantly.”

“Don’t worry. This is part of our job, so I’ll cover everything.”

“That’s even worse. You’re already paying me every week—I can’t let you spend more on me…”

“Hatase-kun, that would be a breach of contract.”

Breach of contract. That shut me up.

One of the clauses in our employment contract stated: “The employee shall comply with the employer’s whims.”

If I broke the contract, I’d be subjected to a rather severe punishment by the Yukimori family’s bodyguards.

I hadn’t been told what kind of punishment exactly, but I really didn’t want to find out.

In this case, refusing Yukimori’s desire to treat me would constitute a violation. A clear breach of contract.

Which left me with only one course of action.

“…Alright then. I’ll leave it to you to pick out some clothes for me.”

“Yes! Leave it to me!”

Yukimori was practically bouncing with energy as she pulled me toward the men’s floor.

Indulging the whims of a spoiled rich girl—guess that’s part of the job. Must be tough for Miyabe-san too.

On the men’s floor, Yukimori had me trying on outfit after outfit, dragging me from one section to another.

But she had a great fashion sense. Everything she picked out somehow suited me, like it had been made for me.

She really is amazing.

Though she ended up buying almost everything. I must look like a total gigolo at this point. …Actually, I am one.

“Wowww! We bought so much!”

“You bought too much.”

Two hours had passed before we knew it.

We sat on a bench, and at our feet lay a mountain of paper shopping bags, drawing curious glances from passersby.

Well, yeah. Anyone would stare at this much shopping.

“What’re we supposed to do with all this? There’s no way I can carry it all home.”

“Don’t worry. Reina-san and the others are on their way to pick it up. Once we hand this over, we’re heading somewhere else.”

“There’s more…?”

“Of course! In fact, this was just the warm-up! What comes next is the main event!”

Wait, this mountain of shopping was just the warm-up?

And it didn’t seem like we were heading home to “satisfy her carnal desires” either.

So then… what is she planning next?