Chapter 20: The Borderline Between Miyabi and Godai

Reading Settings

Translator: Soafp

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[Miyabi PoV]

The sunlight reflected off the windows of the skyscrapers, casting a blinding glare across the streets.

Car horns blared, the distant sound of train announcements echoed, and lively audio from advertisement screens filled the air—the constant rhythm of the city. Amid all the noise, I became more aware of the faint warmth I had felt earlier.

It wasn't because of the cold.

It was the comfort from Godai-senpai protecting me, and perhaps, just a tiny bit, a special feeling.

But it felt too soon to put that feeling into words.

“So, where do you want to go today? Any requests?”

Godai-senpai asked as we finally emerged onto a less crowded street.

“Huh?”

“It's a date, after all. I'll take you wherever you want to go, Miyabi-chan.”

The word “date” made my heart skip a beat the moment I heard it.

—My first date.

I didn't know what to say or how to act, and I could feel my palms start to sweat.

“Uh… well, I hadn't really thought about it…”

“I see. But since we’re out, we might as well go somewhere you like!”

“…Yeah, you're right.”

I nodded awkwardly, feeling unsettled. Just walking beside Godai-senpai made my heart race, my chest flutter. Despite the cold, my neck felt oddly warm.

“Don't hold back, okay? I'll go wherever you want to go, Miyabi-chan.”

His calm, gentle voice tickled my ear.

The kinder he was, the harder it became to decide.

“Uh, um…”

I was overthinking it, and my words got stuck.

“Alright, just say the first place that comes to mind.”

Godai-senpai said with a light laugh.

“The bookstore… I want to go to the bookstore.”

My voice came out unexpectedly soft, almost timid.

I thought about repeating myself, but Godai-senpai immediately responded, “Sure, let's go to the bookstore!” His easygoing acceptance only made my face feel hotter.

—Maybe he was used to this, handling my reactions without much fuss.

I had heard plenty of rumors about him, though none of them painted him in the best light.

Still, knowing how many girls admired him, it was likely those rumors were just jealous gossip that had gotten out of hand.

In reality, he'd always been a gentleman to me and never broke a promise.

We made our way to a large bookstore near the station. The book covers displayed in the windows glittered, reflecting the sunlight.

As we stepped inside, the familiar scent of paper filled the air.

“So, what kind of book are you buying?”

Godai-senpai asked, his expression a little puzzled.

“Hm? A study guide…”

“Oh! A study guide, right! Of course…”

He let out a relieved laugh at my response.

I wasn't sure why he was acting that way, but soon enough, something in the store caught my eye.

“Ah, this…!”

I found it. The book I had been searching for.

As I clutched the book in my hands, overjoyed, Godai-senpai smiled warmly and said, “I’m glad you found it.”

“…Yeah”

I nodded, my heart fluttering. Not wanting to meet his gaze directly, I hugged the book close and looked away.

After paying, we stepped out of the store, where a sweet aroma wafted through the air.

“By the way, are you hungry? There's a famous crepe stand here.”

Godai-senpai said, pointing toward a small crepe cart.

“Want to grab one?”

“…Yes.”

As I glanced at the menu, Godai-senpai quickly decided, “I'm getting the chocolate banana. What about you, Miyabi-chan?”

“I'll have the strawberry whipped cream.”

We ordered our crepes and started walking under the cold sky, holding the warm, freshly made treats. The sweet and slightly tart strawberries, combined with the soft whipped cream, melted in my mouth.

“Mm…”

When I glanced to the side, I noticed a small dollop of whipped cream on Godai-senpai’s cheek.

“Um… you've got something here.”

I pointed out.

“Huh? Where?”

“Here…”

I took out my handkerchief and gently wiped his cheek.

“Oh, uh…”

Godai-senpai's eyes widened in surprise.

His reaction made me feel embarrassed, and my face grew even warmer.

“…Should I have just let you wipe it yourself?”

“No, it's fine. Thanks.”

The smile on Godai-senpai’s face as he said that so casually made me feel a little flustered.

By the time we finished our crepes, I glanced up and noticed a game center in front of us. Warm air wafted out from the entrance, accompanied by cheerful sounds from inside. The lively atmosphere spilled out into the street.

“Since we’re here, why not stop by for a bit?”

“Um… I’m not very good at games, but… if it’s just for a little while…”

“Then let’s play together! It’ll be fun!”

It was my first time playing games with Godai-senpai, and though I felt awkward, a mix of excitement and nerves stirred within me. I wasn’t sure how to react. Spending time together like this was so new, and my heart fluttered while a bit of uncertainty remained.

Inside the game center, surrounded by the bustling atmosphere, we stood in front of a crane game. I carefully pressed the button, but the claw didn’t move as I had hoped, repeatedly grasping nothing but air. After several tries, I finally managed to grab a small stuffed toy. I breathed a sigh of relief, only to find Godai-senpai smiling at me.

“Nice job!”

he praised, his words making me feel a little embarrassed. I gave a small nod, my cheeks warming.

“Th-thank you…”

I mumbled, though I couldn’t help but smile back.

After finishing with the crane game, we wandered around the arcade for a while. Neon lights flickered, and electronic game sounds buzzed from all directions. I simply watched the machines, not playing any more games, just passing the time alongside Godai-senpai, who was happily browsing the prizes.

“Shall we head out?”

I nodded, and as we left the game center, the night had already fallen, and the lights from a nearby movie theater shone warmly.

“How about a movie to end the day? We’ve been walking around a lot, so we could use a break”

“Sure…”

Inside the theater, the smell of sweet popcorn filled the air, and the warmth of the building embraced us. As I sank into the soft seat, I felt my shoulders relax. The screen lit up, and the story quietly began.

Lighthearted moments made me smile, while more emotional scenes tugged at my heartstrings.

The characters’ emotions were so vivid that I felt like I had been pulled into their world, my heart swayed by the unfolding drama.

Then, the climax of the movie—when the main characters finally came together—filled me with a gentle warmth. A flood of indescribable feelings welled up within me.

As my heart grew warmer, a strange sensation washed over me.

Could I ever fall in love like that again…?

At that moment, I felt movement from Godai-senpai next to me. His warm hand softly wrapped around mine. The sensation of his fingers intertwining with mine sent a flutter through my chest.

Startled, I glanced to my side, but Godai-senpai continued watching the screen with a calm expression on his face. His serene profile made my heart race even more.

As the credits began to roll, my awareness of Godai-senpai sharpened. He quietly gazed at the screen, lost in thought.

We left the theater in silence, still immersed in the lingering emotions of the movie. The night outside was quiet, with distant neon lights twinkling.

The warmth of his hand, still holding mine, felt strangely intense. The cold air brushed against my skin, bringing me back to reality.

“It was a little too warm in the theater, wasn’t it? Want to stop by the park for a bit?”

Still holding his hand, I nodded wordlessly, unsure of how to respond.

The park was wrapped in the calm of the night. Away from the noise of the city, the cool air brushed gently against my skin.

We sat together on a bench, and a brief silence settled between us.

In the quiet, the warmth of our joined hands became all the more pronounced.

“Hey, Miyabi-chan…”

He suddenly called my name softly.

Godai-senpai gently pulled my hand, and his fingers felt warmer than usual. Slowly, without hesitation, he closed the distance between us. His movements were natural, yet there was a practiced ease to them.

In his eyes, I sensed a mix of confidence and curiosity, as if he was enjoying my reaction.

If we stayed this close, what would happen next?

My heart tightened, my fingers trembling slightly.

I’d never been so acutely aware of someone’s presence before.

A heat began to bloom in my chest, and I found it hard to breathe. I tried to avert my gaze, but Godai-senpai’s eyes locked onto mine, holding me captive.

My pulse quickened, and I felt lost, unsure of what to do.

Should I let myself fall into this moment, or should I push him away? The answer eluded me as time seemed to stretch on.

The sound of my heartbeat echoed loudly in my ears.

Godai-senpai’s grip on my hand tightened, and in the next instant, he pulled me even closer.

In that split second, a flash of memory passed through my mind in slow motion—Hajime’s gentle smile, the boy who once promised to marry me when we were little, the one I loved more than anyone.