Chapter 79 – The Day of the Date (Before Departure)

We spent around an hour messing around before it was time to head out.

We spent the whole time playing games, but because I was conscious of Umi, my gameplay was a mess.

Also, she smelled really good, even though she ate plenty of garlic yesterday. I asked her whether she had taken a bath earlier or maybe she had a secret on handling bad breath.

"Yeah, I use tablets and gum. I don't care about the smell because I'm used to it, but people around us might, so, here, take some."

"Okay."

I threw the things that Umi gave me into my mouth before putting my boots on. This was a brand new pair of boots I bought yesterday.

I usually wore cheap sneakers around, so wearing these boots felt off. It was probably because I wasn't used to wearing it.

I'll bear with it for the time being. Hopefully I won't get sore feet or something.

"Maki, did you bring everything? Your wallet, handkerchief, all good, right? Well, if you don't have a handkerchief, I brought two of mine…"

"Why are you acting like my mom? I'm all set, everything I need is inside the bag."

"I mean, you're normally so sloppy. I'm just making sure that you're prepared for today."

I guess I triggered her maternal instinct somehow. I knew that she enjoyed taking care of me, but it felt embarrassing. I really should learn to take care of everything by myself more instead of wasting my time playing games.

"Then, let's go."

"'Kay."

We walked out the door and entered the elevator side by side.

"Fuuh… I prepared it just in case, but wearing these tights feel warmer~"

"Of course. What were you thinking anyway, walking in the middle of winter with bare legs?"

I told her to wear her usual black tights. I understand that she wanted to look cute, but there's no way that I'll let her go around the town with her bare legs. I didn't want her to catch a cold over this

"Ah, right. When we are going up the stairs at the station, can you stand behind me? My skirt is short, so if someone were to bend over they would be able to see what's inside…"

"Huh, really? Why would they do that out in the open, though?"

"Yeah, well, I don't know either, but it happens from time to time. I could feel their stares, you know? It isn't a common occurrence though."

Was this what they call voyeurism? I saw news about it on the internet before, but I never would have thought that it would happen to someone close to me. Though, considering how cute Umi was, it was completely understandable that someone would try to do it.

"Got it, I'll protect you."

"Thank you. Ah, wait, I forgot. What if you're the one who'll bend over to peek, Maki? I mean, it's possible, you're a pervert after all. Just now, you tried to sneak a peek when I let my guard down, no?"

"Ugh…"

How did she find out? Her eyes were on the screen the whole time, damn it.

"…Sorry."

"It's okay~ I'm not mad at you~ Anyway, I'm the one who dressed up like this, so I can't complain about it. Can I ask about something though?"

"…What is it?"

"Hehe… Um…"

She embraced my arms, pulled me closer to her and whispered something to my ear.

"…So, what do you think?"

"W-What?"

"Down there, did you see anything? What do you think about it?"

"…I don't know, I couldn't see it clearly…"

Of course that's a lie, I could both see and remember everything clearly.

"Anyway, no comment."

"Hmm~ Well, I'll let you off for today."

"I-I mean, what did you want me to say anyway?!"

"Whatever you want, perv~"

"S-Stop poking my cheek!"

Umi told me that she had some trouble choosing her clothes for today, maybe she had the same trouble choosing her underwear. That was probably why she asked for my opinion. Well it could also be that she was only trying to tease me…

…I should stop thinking about it. Seriously, what am I even doing?

"Hehe, this will be a fun day! Rather, I'm going to have a lot of fun today!"

"…We haven't even started and I'm already exhausted."

Am I really going to let her tease me like this without being able to get back at her?

Well, whatever, I don't hate this feeling.

Anyway, our first date began, though it was earlier than we previously planned.

Speaking of plans, we only planned to go to watch a movie today. After that, we would wander around doing whatever we wanted.

Rather, Umi would probably drag me around doing whatever she wanted.

"Umi, your hand?"

"Hm? Well, since it's a date…"

Said Umi. Then I intertwined our fingers.

"The Lover's Hold, hm?"

"…I'm trying to warm your hand up, okay?"

"Why are you acting shy?~ You just want to hold my hand right?~ How cute~"

"…Fine, I'll let go."

"Wait, no."

She held my hand tightly. I guess we were going to stay like this for the rest of the day.

I hoped that my hand wouldn't get sweaty.

We walked together to the station. Umi was in a good mood.

While waiting for the traffic light, I saw our reflection in the window of a drugstore.

Our outfits matched each other, so aside from our faces we didn't look too out of place together.

We looked like a normal high school couple. I looked taller than usual, but that was because of Umi's help.

I really should take better care of my appearance. I don't care if people were to mock me, but if Umi got dragged down because of me, then I wouldn't be able to forgive myself.

I want to be someone worthy of Umi.

…As her (future) lover, I have to do my best.

"What's wrong, Maki?"

"…From now on, I'll do my best…"

"Huh?"

"…I want to do my best for you…"

I tightened my grip on her hand a little and talked to her in a lower voice. 

Saying this to her face felt embarrassing, but I wanted her to hear it.

"…Hm~"

"W-What?"

"Nothing~ You're just cuter than usual today~"

"…Should I be happy to be called cute?"

"Who knows? But since it's a compliment from me, yes, you should be happy about it."

"…Thank you?"

"Hehe… You're welcome~"

Her smile was so bright that I had to avert my gaze.