When an Oblivious Handsome Older Man Went Back in Time and Was Building Harlem

I want to go on a date.

My mind was consumed by this one phrase. It might be self-delusion, but Sakura-chan must really like me. So I want to see Sakura-chan dressed up in her casual clothes just for me. Thinking that, I invited Sakura-chan on a date via message.

<Sakura-chan, good evening.>

<Are you free right now?>

I don’t close it and just look at the screen for a bit and the read receipt appears.

<It’s okay.>

<What is it?>

<I was thinking, since there are no club activities this Saturday, how about going on a date?>

Imagining Sakura-chan blushing on the other side of the screen, I wait for her reply.

<There’s a new shopping mall opening two stations away on the express train, so how about we go there?>

<I want to go!>

A good reply came back, and I couldn’t help but smile.

<How about we meet at 9 o’clock inside the ticket gate at Sakura-chan’s nearest station?>

<No problem! I look forward to it ☺️>

After that, we chatted for about an hour about trivial things, and almost ended up crossing over into the next day, so I hurriedly wrapped up the conversation. The conversation with Sakura-chan is so enjoyable that I end up talking for a long time. Even though I think it’s not good, I can’t help but continue.

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At 8:48 on Saturday, at the ticket gate of Sakura-chan’s nearest station.

(Did I arrive a bit too early?)

I thought so, but I saw Sakura-chan coming from the other side. Sakura-chan was wearing a blouse layered over a cami mini dress. Even though the cuffs were gathered, the sleeves themselves were fluffy, further enhancing Sakura-chan’s cuteness.

Since I was casually wearing platform loafers, I decided to walk while taking breaks as needed. Her hairstyle has grown since we first met, and she has it in cute twin-tails. Since she usually just leaves it curled, my heart aches with excitement thinking she did it for me.

“Taka… A, ki-kun. I’m sorry to keep you waiting.”

“Sakura-chan, your outfit is so cute. Thank you for dressing up for me.”

“Since it’s our first date, I worked hard because I wanted you to think I’m cute too, Aki-kun.”

What is this cute creature? I felt a slight flutter in my chest. Or rather, I might be having slight palpitations every time I meet her because I get so nervous.

“Woah, Aki-kun’s face is all red. That’s rare.”

“Because Sakura-chan was so cute… I don’t care about myself. Let’s take the train.”

On the train, I successfully got Sakura-chan to sit down, and even though it was a local train, we headed towards our destination station. The mall had only been open for about two weeks, so it was crowded with people. Thinking that we shouldn’t get separated, I changed the way we hold hands from the usual way to what is commonly known as the lover’s hold.

Maybe because I changed it subtly, Sakura-chan looked at me twice, but I don’t mind. If I worry about it, I feel like nothing will progress. But I feel like it’s still too early for this girl to kiss or anything. Well, I’ve heard that kids these days are doing it earlier, so maybe I should. But since Sakura-chan is shy, it seems like she would freak out if we kissed.

“Isn’t it pretty big?”

“Yeah, that… hand.”

“Isn’t this connection good enough?”

When I deliberately tilted my head and said it, Sakura-chan vigorously shook her head in denial. I think the way she denies it is cute.

“It’s not okay…”

“Right. Sakura-chan, is there a store you want to go to? As long as we can go to the sports store, I’m fine with anything else.”

“Hmm… since we’re here, I guess I’d like to look around a bit.”

Since I received a request to walk around the entire area, I decided to start from the edge for now. Compared to Sakura-chan, my legs are longer due to proportional issues, so I consciously try to walk as slowly as possible.

“Ah, that outfit is cute.”

When I quietly murmured about the clothing store, I saw that they had the same type of clothes that Sakura-chan is wearing now. I wonder if she likes this kind of clothes, so I invite her to go as a side researcher.

“That store? Shall we take a quick look?”

“Yeah.”

Since I don’t know the market price, I casually check the price tag while observing Sakura-chan’s reaction. The dress costs 7500 yen. Is this cheap? From my perspective, it just feels expensive. But it’s a cute dress, and the stitching is solid, so maybe this is the price range.

“How cute…”

(Is this reaction a bit high but reasonable?)

Even if I give a present that I think is a bit expensive, it will just make her feel more pressured, so is this too expensive to buy for her today? My budget was 5000 yen, and since it’s a bit over that, maybe I shouldn’t buy it.

“Aki-kun. Thank you. Let’s go next.”

When I was following Sakura-chan around and looking at various things in the store, I was called out like that.

“Is it okay now?”

“Eh? But if you keep hanging out with me, you’ll get bored, right?”

“I’m not bored because I’m watching Sakura-chan saying how cute the clothes are.”

Sakura-chan is cute as she freezes up saying “Nuh,” but if she says it’s fine, then this store is probably good enough. After this, we went to the sports store I wanted to visit, had a meal, and then went to a store that sells all kinds of household goods.

Like today, Sakura-chan had light makeup on, making her eyes sparkle and her lips look plump. I wonder if she’s using gloss or something. Or maybe there’s something different that’s trending lately.

“Ah! This is the tint I’ve been curious about! It came out in a mini size!”

Sakura-chan said, “So, what do you think?” She is testing the tester on the sample paper on the sales floor. On the sales floor, they were selling a lip product that was said to be large, but it was actually a regular size, and there was also a lip product that looked the same but was about two sizes smaller. The price is 900 yen. I think she might accept it without feeling burdened if it’s this price.

“Sakura-chan. Since we went on our first date today, I was thinking of buying something to commemorate it, and if that lip product is okay, I would like to buy it. What do you think?”

Did I try a bit too hard to look cool? I think so, but as long as Sakura-chan is happy, that’s all that matters.

“Uh… I like… ah, no. No, that’s not it, but…”

“I’m so happy!”

Thinking, “Her reaction is so cute,” I picked up the color I had been hesitating to buy and headed to the register together.

“When we go on a date next time, I want you to wear this.”

“Sure thing.”

I think Sakura-chan is cute again today. I hope our next date will be a fun day too.