Chapter 21

Reading Settings

Translator: Soafp

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Three days passed since the promise, and finally the day of the date arrived.

I took several trains and waited for her in a plaza in front of an unfamiliar station.

If we came this far, there was no way we'd run into anyone we knew.

I even did a light disguise, just in case.

A fresh, clean outfit that didn't feel like me at all, styled hair, and a mask.

Even I barely recognized myself, so there was no way anyone else would.

For the record, nothing like “getting closer” happened between me and Maaya over these three days.

If anything, it got even more awkward.

At school, if our eyes met, we'd both immediately look away, and we ended up coming here without exchanging a single word.

With things like this… was a date really going to be okay? It felt like it might just be silence the whole time.

Just as that uneasy thought crossed my mind—

“Sorry to keep you waiting…”

Maaya arrived.

Even though I told her the location, she recognized me instantly despite the disguise. Guess that's childhood friends for you.

Looking closely, Maaya had disguised herself too.

A black knee-length skirt, a pastel pink frilly blouse, a black mask, and a cute ribbon on her chest.

Her hair, usually worn down, was tied to the side, emphasizing her overall cuteness.

It was what you'd call a “jirai-kei” style.

At school she's seen as the pure, elegant type, so this worked well as a disguise.

For a moment, I almost thought a stranger had approached me. Unless something unusual happened, no one would figure it out.

Still…

Yeah.

She looked… really cute.

I'd never really looked at my childhood friends that way before, but maybe because this was a “date,” Maaya seemed especially attractive.

Well, she is attractive. I've just been numb to it because I've known her for so long. She's easily one of the prettiest girls in our year.

“So… what do you think…?”

I hesitated on whether I should say anything, but since she asked, I had no choice.

“…I think it's good.”

“Hehe, thank you.”

It was a pretty plain response, but Maaya blushed happily.

This really did feel like a proper date.

Now that I think about it… did she really invite me just because she wanted to go on a date?

I never really figured that part out before coming.

She's not suddenly going to confess or anything, right…?

If she did, honestly, I'd be in trouble.

There's no way I could give her an answer right now.

Starting a relationship in this half-baked state is impossible.

I said I'd accept her, but there are limits.

Well, she hasn't confessed yet, so I'll stop overthinking.

“…Alright, let's go.”

“Y-yeah.”

And so, still carrying a bit of awkwardness, we started walking side by side.

---

Today's date was a sweets tour.

Maaya always looks happiest when she's eating sweets, so I figured it was a safe choice.

She's loved sweets since we were kids—always eating, always taking my share too.

When we were in the same class, I only ever got half my dessert.

That's how much she loves sweets.

Though, honestly, I was a little worried about letting her eat too much…

If she gained any more weight—

…No, that's bad.

Even in my own thoughts, I shouldn't be that insensitive.

I need to fix this twisted personality of mine little by little.

I reminded myself of that.

“…”
“…”

One minute after we started walking.

Neither of us said a word.

I expected it, but not to this extent.

Even if I tried to speak, I didn't know what to say.

We may be childhood friends, but right now we're just clinging to old memories.

Basically strangers… maybe even worse, given the distance between us.

And we jumped straight into a date? Of course it'd be like this.

“Um…”

Maaya was the one who broke the silence.

“Sorry for suddenly asking you out like this… It's probably boring being with someone like me…”

Unable to handle the heavy atmosphere, she seemed completely down.

This was bad.

At this rate, she might end up crying.

I had to avoid that, no matter what.

It wasn't like me, but I didn't have a choice.

“…That's not true. I'm happy you invited me, Maaya.”

Along with those awkward words, I called her by her name for the first time in a while.

It was the best I could do.

“—! Reita-kun…!”

I thought such a forced line wouldn't work, but her gloomy expression instantly brightened.

“Hehe… you really are still you, Reita-kun.”

And in return, Maaya gave me a radiant smile.

That innocent smile… it looked just like the one she used to show me.

Just seeing that made coming here feel worth it.

---

[Shizuno PoV]

“—So? Why exactly are we doing this?”

While following Maaya and Reita's shadows, I muttered in exasperation at Rin, who was hiding beside me behind a utility pole.

“It can't be helped. Maaya might get attacked.”

“Even Reita wouldn't go that far…”

“Nope. The current him? Totally possible.”

This was… stalking, I guess.

As someone who values justice, I wasn't thrilled about it, but Rin insisted, so I came along.

“Ugh, Maaya's way too careless. All men are beasts—you've gotta keep more distance…”

Rin looked frustrated as she watched how close they were.

“Rin, I get that you're worried, but isn't this going too far…?”

I tried to calm her down.

“And what if something actually happens? I'm the one who pushed Maaya into this, so I'm responsible.”

“Is that really how it works…?”

Objectively speaking, Rin might have a point.

Leaving a delinquent like Reita alone with the most popular girl in class—Maaya—was like throwing premium meat to a starving beast.

If something really did happen, Rin would never forgive herself.

But personally, I didn't think that would happen.

I can't say absolutely, but I can't imagine Reita doing something like that to Maaya.

Especially now, when he's probably—

“Hey, Shizu, they're moving.”

Seeing them enter a shop, Rin quickly moved.

“Even if we're following them, do I really need to come too…?”

“Of course. If something happens, I can't handle it alone.”

“…There are other options, like asking for help…”

Still, leaving Rin alone would probably be risky too.

And honestly… I kind of wanted a distraction.

Lately, I've been pushing myself too hard.

If I don't relax sometimes, it might start to wear on me.

I was also curious about Maaya and the others.

And maybe… just maybe, following them wasn't entirely wrong.

With those excuses in mind, I followed behind Rin.