When I Helped Out At My Classy Classmate's Family Home, They Started Going All Out To Close In On Me From Every Angle. - Chapter 30: Does going out with a girl count as a date?  ―4

Does going out with a girl count as a date?  ―4

By the time the movie ended, it was already midday.

Feeling hungry, we decided to grab lunch at a café inside the mall.

“That was so entertaining! When Konno-san confessed to Kazuki-kun, I was on edge wondering what would happen to his relationship with Nao-san,” Ayame said enthusiastically.

“Yeah, I didn’t expect it to turn into a love triangle. It wasn’t in the original story, but the new plot for the movie was really well done.”

“It was intense with Kazuki-kun and Nao-san’s awkward tension, and Konno-san withdrawing into herself after getting rejected. But I’m glad it all worked out in the end with a happy conclusion.”

“Konno-san was a great character, even though she was made just for the movie.”

“Wait, she wasn’t in the original story?” Ayame asked in surprise.

“Yeah, she wasn’t. But I wish they’d add her to the original. I’d love to read an after-story about her.”

As we enjoyed our lunch, Ayame and I chatted about our impressions of the movie. This was pure bliss.

Talking about something we both enjoyed was so much fun. I was genuinely glad Ayame had come along with me.

We continued to laugh and talk, relishing our time together as we finished our meals.

Just as I was about to suggest settling the bill, Ayame hesitantly spoke up.

“There’s something on the menu that caught my eye. Would it be okay if I ordered it?”

“Of course, go ahead. We’re not in a rush.”

“Thank you!”

Ayame opened the menu again and called over a waiter.

“I’d like to add this to our order, please.”

“Certainly. I’ll bring it right away,” the waiter replied with a polite nod.

“Thank you for waiting.”

When the waiter arrived with the menu item five minutes later, I couldn’t hide my confusion.

The glass was filled with what appeared to be Blue Hawaii juice. It was considerably large, with two straws on top and a heart-shaped decoration in the center.

“This is our couples-only menu item, the Lovers’ Lovey-Dovey Blue Hawaii.”

“C-Couples-only menu?”

That’s right. Ayame had ordered a drink meant for couples.

As I sat there stunned, Ayame blushed slightly.

“I knew drinks like this existed, but it’s the first time I’ve actually seen one on a menu, so I couldn’t help myself…”

“So that’s what you meant by a ‘menu item you were curious about,’ huh?”

Her explanation made sense to me.

I’d never seen a couples-only menu item in person either, so I could understand why Ayame might be intrigued. Personally, though, I’d never have the courage to order it myself.

Well… I guess it can’t be helped if she was curious. It’s not like chances like this come around often.

I tried to calm myself, reasoning it out internally.

“Please, enjoy it together,” the waiter said with a cheerful smile.

“W-What?”

My efforts to steady myself were undone instantly. The waiter’s cheerful comment reignited the nerves I had just managed to suppress.

Seeing my blank expression, the waiter elaborated, “This is a couples-only menu item, so we ask for proof that the two of you are a couple.”

“And… proof means drinking it together?”

“Exactly!”

The waiter smiled warmly, while my face involuntarily twitched in response.

The thought of drinking a couples-only drink with Ayame was enough to make my face burn. My heart pounded so hard I wondered if it could handle the pressure.

But the drink had already been served. There was no way I could admit that we weren’t actually a couple.

While trying to figure out what to do, I glanced at Ayame.

She must not have expected we’d actually have to drink it together either… Would she be okay?

Just as I was about to check on her, my gaze met her chestnut-colored eyes. Ayame flinched slightly, her already flushed cheeks turning an even deeper red.

Her gaze darted nervously, her shoulders trembling with embarrassment. Still, as if summoning her courage, Ayame leaned forward and wrapped her lips around one of the straws.

Her upturned eyes met mine. Even with tears of embarrassment brimming in her gaze, she looked at me as if to say, “Tetsu-kun, hurry up.”

My heart was pounding so hard I thought it might burst. But there was no way I could let Ayame feel embarrassed because of me.

I steeled myself and resolutely wrapped my lips around the other straw.

Our faces were now closer than ever before. Our noses were practically touching, and I could even make out the shape of her eyelashes in detail.

Ayame’s eyes wavered, clearly tense at our proximity. I was barely holding it together myself, my head spinning.

As I sucked on the straw, the juice moistened my parched mouth, but I couldn’t taste a thing.

“Proof confirmed! A truly heartwarming scene, if I may say so. Now, please enjoy the rest of your time together,” the waiter said with a contented sigh before walking away.

Ayame and I quickly pulled away from the straws and simultaneously averted our eyes. If we had kept looking at each other, I was sure my head would have overheated.

A shy awkwardness hung in the air between us.

Neither of us spoke. After what had just happened, I had no idea what to say. Ayame was probably feeling the same way.

Still, we couldn’t just sit there in silence forever. With a trembling voice, I broke the quiet.

“S-So, you were curious about it… What did you think?”

“Um… I-I was so nervous that I couldn’t taste it at all.”

“Y-Yeah, same here. I didn’t taste a thing either.”

We both fidgeted for a moment—then suddenly burst into laughter.

“Ordering it and then not even tasting it—what a waste, huh?”

“It really is. It’s kind of funny, though.”

We laughed together, the awkwardness lifting, replaced by a warm and relaxed atmosphere.

I couldn’t tell you what the couple’s drink actually tasted like, but sharing that moment with Ayame made it worthwhile.