Chapter 12: Reunion

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Translator: Soafp

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(Haa, nowhere's open…)

The university cafeteria was as crowded as ever during the lunch break, and it was hard to find an empty seat.

“Asano-kun, over here!”

Just as I was holding my tray with today's lunch special, Shiraki—who had saved a few seats—called out to me.

Honestly, dealing with this guy usually meant trouble, so I hesitated for a moment…But with nowhere else to go, I ended up sitting in the empty seat across from him.

“Asano-kun, about last week.”

“Last week?”

He must be referring to that thing he said he wanted to ask me about when we met at the library.

“What is it? If it's about studying for tests, do it yourself.”

“No, nothing so depressing—it's something way more fun.”

I had a bad feeling about this already, but I figured I'd at least hear him out. If I shut him down now, he might just keep pestering me.

“You know Mizubayashi University nearby?”

“Yeah. That girls’ college, right? What about it?”

“Well, I had the chance to talk to one of the girls from there.”

Apparently, during spring break last month, Mizubayashi University's swim team had come to our school for joint practice.
Shiraki had gone to watch them and, feeling bold, struck up a conversation. They ended up getting along well.

“So basically… you picked her up on campus?”

“No, I mean, I just thought she was interesting and wanted to get to know her better.”

Yeah, that's just a roundabout way of saying you hit on her…

“Well, whatever. So while we were talking, we decided to go to an izakaya sometime. It’s set for the last day of Golden Week.”

“Good for you, I guess.”

“Yeah, but… she said, ‘We'll be coming with five people, so you guys match that,' and now…”

“Oh. So this is…”

“Yep—a group date.”

Since girls from a women's college don't get many chances to interact with guys their age, it sounded like the other side wanted to organize a group date.

“So I tried to gather five people, but…”

“Can't you just bring your baseball teammates?”

“Well… I could only get four.”

“Yeah, everyone’s probably busy—with club activities, studying, job hunting… wait. Don't tell me—”

At this point, I had a pretty good idea what Shiraki's “request” was going to be.

“Please! Come to the group date with us! We're seriously short one guy!”

I knew this was going to be a hassle…

“No way, I'm not going.”

“Come on, I'm begging you. You're the only one I can ask, Asano-kun!”

Shiraki's desperation made it clear how seriously he was taking this, but I couldn't agree. The idea of eating and chatting with a bunch of strangers—especially girls—was just torture for me.

Besides, he knew I was with Seina, and still had the nerve to ask me?

“I really can't.”

“Oh sure, must be nice. You've got Endo. Must be great to be so lucky.”

What is he, jealous? He should've known I'd say no from the start.

“I want a girlfriend too! This is the first and last time I'll ask for something like this—please!”

He put his hands together and bowed, pleading with me, but I still didn't nod.

“Give it up.”

“You worried about Endo finding out?”

“Of course I am.”

“She doesn't have to know. Just go and don't say anything.”

…I couldn't even bring myself to answer that.

This wasn't about whether or not I'd get caught.

“What doesn't she have to know about?”

“Geh!? E-Endo-san!?”

Seina suddenly dropped into the empty seat beside me, glaring straight at Shiraki.

“You're not trying to drag Haruki into more of your nonsense again, are you?”

“N-nope! Nothing like that! I was just leaving. Asano-kun, I'm counting on you!”

Startled by Seina's unexpected entrance, Shiraki grabbed his tray and quickly left the cafeteria.

There was a time Shiraki had feelings for Seina. Back in high school, she was the girl he liked. But now, you'd never know it.

“Haruki, let's go home once you finish eating. Our afternoon lecture's canceled.”

“Yeah? We've got time then. Want to stop by somewhere?”

“Let's hit the bookstore. The newest volume of that manga I'm collecting comes out today.”

Even from the way Shiraki left, I could tell he hadn't given up on recruiting me. I had no job hunting plans over Golden Week, and as long as I could spend time with Seina, I was content.

---

“A group date?”

“Yeah. With Mizubayashi University, apparently.”

Seina was relaxing on my bed, manga in hand, listening to me talk.

“A group date, huh? Sounds fun.”

“What part of that sounds fun to you?”

She closed her manga with a snap and stood up, walking over to me and getting in my face.

“Haruki. You should go.”

“What? Why would I do that?”

Knowing Seina, she had some reason behind this suggestion…Still, it was a bit confusing.

“You're still scared of women, aren't you?”

“W-well, not as much as before… but yeah, just being around girls who aren't you still makes me nervous…”

Back when I worked part-time at a convenience store, even having female customers come in was enough to make my heart race and throw me off my game.

“Go to the group date. Get used to being around women.”

“I mean, isn't that unnecessary? You're by my side already.”

“What are you talking about? Once you start working, you'll be dealing with female coworkers and older female employees, right? If you freeze up like you did back at the part-time job, you'll never make it.”

…She had a point.

I was going to have to join the workforce soon, and this anxiety of mine was nothing but a handicap.

“Still… I don't think going to one group date is going to magically fix this problem.”

“Just go already. You'll eat and make some dumb small talk, that's all.”

“You're not upset about this? Me going to something like that…”

“What, were you hoping I'd get jealous?”

“No, it's not like that…”

Would it really not bother her at all if I went to a group date? Well, she probably assumed nothing would happen between me and other girls, considering my condition.

“Haruki…”

Seina leaned in close, staring at me. A few seconds of silence passed… and then, as always, we naturally kissed.

“I'm not worried one bit. Go have fun.”

“Yeah.”

And so, with Seina's encouragement, I decided to attend my very first group date.

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“I’ve never been to an izakaya before.”

“Huh? Really? Can you drink, Asano-kun?”

“Well, just a little.”

It was the final day of the long Golden Week holiday.

We had come to a student-friendly izakaya near the university with reasonably priced food.

After being led into our reserved private room, the five of us took our seats in a row.

The other three guys Shiraki had brought along were all friendly and easy to talk to.

“Asano-kun, seriously, thanks. I knew you’d come.”

“Y-Yeah…”

Shiraki seemed especially fired up for this group date. Normally he’d dress pretty sloppily, but today he was well-groomed and presentable.

“Hey, are all the girls from the swim team?”

“Nah, I heard she’s bringing friends from other sports clubs she’s close with.”

The five girls coming from Mizubayashi University were apparently all involved in sports clubs or circles.

Everyone on our side except me was also a jock — all from the baseball team.

I couldn’t help but feel out of place…

“Excuse us~”

We heard a knock on the door followed by a woman's voice.

Sounded like the girls had arrived.

“Good evening.”

Leading the group was a woman with short hair and broad shoulders, who really suited her haircut.

“G-Good evening, Ishii-san.”

Shiraki quickly stood up and greeted her nervously.

So this was Ishii-san — the one he had hit on and gotten to know — the girl he was really here for.

Following behind Ishii-san, the rest of the girls entered the room.

A sweet, pleasant scent — likely perfume — spread throughout the room that had previously been filled with the stale air of five guys.

That scent and the sound of the women’s voices sent my heart into a pounding frenzy.

My whole body tensed up, and I quickly lowered my head.

(I-I can’t do this… This is nothing like being with Seina.)

Now we were supposed to introduce ourselves, eat, and have fun chatting…?

I came here reluctantly after Seina encouraged me to get used to being around women, but…

(I shouldn't have come…)

Still, everyone was probably looking forward to this, so I had to just get through it and not bring the mood down.

“What are you doing? Come on, have a seat.”

Okay, deep breaths.

“Are you okay?”

Think about how I feel when I’m with Seina… Stay calm.

“Hey, are you even listening, Shiho?”

Shiho…?

I reflexively lifted my head.

Four of the girls had already taken their seats, but the one directly across from me was still empty.

And the person who was supposed to sit there stood frozen near the entrance.

“Ha-ru…ki…”

The girl who had called me Haruki — her voice clear, her appearance refined with makeup and stylish clothes.

“Shiho…”

The name slipped from my lips without thinking.

Even though she looked grown up, more mature now, I recognized her immediately.

Shiho… Fukase slowly made her way to the seat right in front of me.

Our eyes met naturally as we sat facing one another.

The confusion… the anxiety… the nervousness…

All the timid fear that had filled me just moments ago — had vanished without a trace.