67: Trap

[After lunch, you and Eriri, who had dressed up carefully, set off for the aquarium.]

[However, things didn't go as planned. Shortly after starting out, Eriri accidentally twisted her ankle.]

[She looked pained, with tears welling up in her big blue eyes, as if she might cry any moment. Her pitiable appearance made you feel a surge of sympathy.]

[You immediately crouched beside her and prepared to…]

[1. Take out your phone, switch to camera mode, and say, "Come on, smile. Stick your tongue out too."]

[2. Decide that since she twisted her ankle, there's nothing to be done. You should go home and cancel the plans for today.]

[3. Mention that the food was great and offer to carry her as thanks.]

At this moment, options appeared.

The meanings of the three choices were clear. 

The first option was just for fun, the second was to cancel the plans and go home, and the third was to show chivalry and continue the date.

However, given the previous experience with Utaha, Chisato found it hard to believe that Eriri had truly injured her ankle. 

It was likely that she was faking it to get closer to him through physical contact.

It was a simple and crude tactic, but undeniably effective.

In summer, both were dressed lightly. The girl on the guy's back would be pressed closely against him. 

The guy would feel her warm breath near his face, her fragrant hair, and the soft touch of her rear.

For a young man, it was almost impossible to resist such an enticing tactic.

But from a third-person perspective, Chisato could make a calm judgment.

The third option seemed like the traditional correct choice in a dating game, but for some reason, he chose the second option.

[You crouched beside Eriri, showing concern as you gently held her small foot in your hand.]

[Probably due to the intense sunlight, Eriri's ears were flushed red.]

[After carefully checking her injury, you suggested that since there was no other way if she was injured, it would be best to cancel the day's plans and go home to rest.]

[Eriri stubbornly shook her head, saying she didn't want to miss the dolphin show she was looking forward to.]

[Reluctantly, you helped her to a shaded area by the roadside. After rubbing her ankle, she said the pain had improved and wouldn't affect the rest of the day.]

[You took the train and arrived at the aquarium.]

[As expected, in the simulation, if you didn't choose to carry her, she would find another way to continue the date.]

She was quite clever.

However, this kind of cunning to get close to him was… undeniably charming.

Chisato, with mixed feelings, continued to watch the unfolding events.

…

[At the aquarium, which was located by the sea and was quite large with many exhibits, you and Eriri happily looked at various marine creatures and took many photos.]

[During a break when Eriri went to the bathroom, you held her bag and waited outside.]

[Looking at her bag, you decided to…]

[1. Open it and check inside.]

[2. Leave it alone.]

Options appeared again.

Chisato chose the first option with interest.

[You opened Eriri's bag and found tissues, a hand warmer, earphones, a hair tie, and gum—nothing particularly noteworthy. You closed the bag with a neutral expression.]

[At the dolphin show, Eriri, excited, dragged you to the front row. The splashes from the dolphins soaked both of you.]

[Though you looked messy to others, after exchanging glances, you both laughed joyfully.]

[The staff gave you dry towels, and with the hot weather, your clothes soon dried.]

[After leaving the aquarium, Eriri told you that she had read online that the nearby beach was a great spot for sunset photos, and she wanted you to accompany her.]

[Seeing her pleading eyes, you decided to…]

[1. Nod and agree.]

[2. Shake your head and refuse.]

Chisato chose the first option.

Even if he had refused, Eriri would probably find another reason to extend the date. So, he decided to go along with her plan.

[You agreed to Eriri's suggestion and went to the nearby beach.]

[As she said, the beach at sunset was beautiful and crowded with people, mostly couples. You and Eriri stood out among them.]

[You took off your shoes and walked in the shallow water. Eriri started splashing water on you, and you both played around.]

[You didn't leave until nightfall.]

[There were many small stalls near the beach. Eriri wanted to eat yakitori, but seeing the greasy grill, you felt uneasy about eating it.]

[You suggested having dinner at a nice Western restaurant instead.]

[An hour later, as you were finishing up, Eriri started sneezing. She seemed a bit dizzy, likely due to getting wet earlier.]

[You showed concern and suggested taking her to the hospital, but she refused.] 

[She said she disliked the smell of hospital disinfectants and that it was just a mild cold. She'd buy some medicine and be fine.]

[After leaving the restaurant, she asked you to buy a hot drink while she went to the pharmacy.]

[When you returned with the drink, you found Eriri on the phone, sounding agitated.]

[From what you heard, she seemed to be arguing with her parents.]

[She ended the call with a loud, angry tone, saying she'd stay at a friend's house tonight and then hung up.]

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