Chapter 64: Sweet Trick

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Translator: Soafp

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It was February in Shinjuku. A cold wind blew between the buildings, rustling the coats of the people passing by. Yet, beside me, Kagura walked as lightly as if she didn’t feel the cold at all.

She wore black sunglasses and had a small shoulder bag slung over her shoulder. Tugging at the hem of her casual cut-off shirt, she occasionally glanced up at me.

“Hey, Hajime. Where are we going after this?”

“Uh… I haven’t really decided.”

“Hmm, then can I decide?”

Kagura flashed a mischievous smile, peering at me over her sunglasses.

“…Sure, go ahead.”

“Okay, first, let’s go shopping.”

“Shopping?”

“Yeah. I want to buy some new clothes to wear when I’m with you.”

For a moment, my mind went blank. New clothes to wear when she’s with me? Do people normally think about things like that?

“Uh… why?”

“Well, since we’re on a date, I want to wear something you might like.”

That single line, said so nonchalantly, made my chest tighten in an instant. I unconsciously caught my breath. Kagura smiled, clearly enjoying my reaction, and wrapped her arm around mine.

“Come on, let’s go.”

When we stepped into the apparel section of the shopping mall, we were greeted by the warm air of the heater. Kagura’s eyes lit up as she looked around the store filled with clothes.

“Hey, Hajime, what kind of clothes do you like?”

“Huh?”

“What kind of clothes would you like me to wear?”

“I… don’t really know.”

I could barely choose my own clothes, let alone pick out something for someone else—especially a girl.

“Then I’ll try on a few outfits and show you.”

“Wait, what? H-Hey!”

Without waiting for my response, Kagura grabbed my arm and dragged me toward the fitting rooms with a few outfits in hand.

The curtain closed, and I sat down on a bench nearby. After a little while, the curtain opened again.

“Hey, Hajime… can you give me a hand?”

“Huh?”

From inside the fitting room, Kagura gestured for me to come closer.

“The zipper won’t go up. Can you help me for a second?”

“Uh, no, but—”

“Hurry up.”

With her urging, I found myself standing at the entrance of the fitting room. Kagura turned her back to me, her dress unzipped slightly, and she glanced over her shoulder at me.

“Come on, pull it up here.”

“…Uh, okay.”

With trembling fingers, I grasped the zipper and pulled it upward. Slowly, her bare back disappeared beneath the fabric.

“Are you… nervous?”

“N-No, not at all…”

Kagura turned to face me, looking up at me from an extremely close distance.

“So… which one do you like better?”

A soft, sweet scent tickled my nose. Her face was right there, so close.

“…”

My heart pounded loudly.

“Fufu, you seem to like this one. I’ll go with this, then.”

Smiling as if she was savoring my reaction, Kagura closed the curtain.

“Next, let’s go to the arcade.”

“The arcade?”

“Yeah! I want to take some photobooth. It’s been a while!”

Kagura grinned mischievously and started walking, pulling me along.

When we entered the arcade, we were hit with a barrage of machine noises and pop music. Crane games, shooting games, rhythm games—there were all sorts of machines, but Kagura headed straight for the photobooth without hesitation.

“This is it!”

“A-Are we really going to take one?”

“Of course. We’re on a date, after all—we need to make some memories.”

Hearing her emphasize the word “date” again made me feel a bit self-conscious.

As we stepped into the photobooth, Kagura immediately sidled up next to me. She was so close. Our shoulders touched. Her shampoo's scent drifted toward me, a sweet, soft fragrance that teased my senses.

Just like with Ranko, I couldn’t help but think—do girls nowadays not understand personal space?

“Look this way.”

Kagura's voice echoed in my ear, and my heart skipped a beat.

“Look this way.”

“Oh…”

Kagura slowly leaned in, her face drawing closer to mine. I felt a faint breath by my ear, and a shiver ran down my skin. She gazed at me, unable to move, her eyes twinkling mischievously.

“Fufu… you’re blushing, aren’t you?”

“N-no, that’s not it…!”

Before I could finish my excuse, Kagura brought her lips close to my cheek—only to stop just shy of contact.

“…Did you think I was going to kiss you?”

“…!”

My heart pounded furiously in my chest. It felt like I had been caught in Kagura’s sweet trap, and my thoughts started to waver.

Click.

Wait a minute—this is my first date, isn’t it? Is a date supposed to make you this nervous the whole time?

Feeling the sweat on my hands, I looked up at the screen. There it was: a photo of us, cheeks pressed together, my face still flushed. Kagura, looking immensely pleased with herself, picked up the printed sticker.

“Got a funny face of Hajime! This one's mine, okay?”

“Ah… sure.”

I didn't really have a choice.

As the sun started to reach its peak, we headed toward the park.

“Let's walk for a bit.”

Kagura said, gently linking her arm with mine.

A winter breeze blew, and the dried leaves danced in the air. Couples sat on the benches in the park, and we followed their lead, sitting down on one of the benches. Kagura let out a soft sigh.

“…I might be a bit tired now.”

“You okay?”

“Hey, can I use your lap?”

“Eh?”

“Just for a little…”

Before I could respond, Kagura rested her head on my lap.

“…Your scent is calming, Hajime.”

“Uhm…”

For a while, Kagura stayed like that, her eyes closed. Then, she slowly sat up and peered into my face. Leaning in close, she whispered into my ear.

“Hey, look at me.”

A shiver ran down my spine.

“Come on, look at me, won't you?”

When I raised my face, her eyes were right there, inches from mine.

“…!”

This time, she's going to kiss me for sure—

Kagura giggled softly and rested her head lightly on my shoulder. We stayed like that for a while, but eventually, she lifted her head and glanced around.

“Hey, I'm feeling a little more tired… How about we rest over there?”

Following her gaze, I saw what she was pointing to— a love hotel.

“What…!? Wait, hold on a second!”

Heat rushed through my entire body as I jumped up in panic. My heart raced, and I couldn't find the words.

“W-why there of all places…!?”

“You've got it wrong! I just want to rest, really!”

Kagura frantically waved her hands, gripping my sleeve tightly.

“Then let's just go to a café or something!”

“The cafés are crowded, and there's nowhere quiet to relax. Over there, we can rest in peace, you know?”

It wasn't exactly unreasonable logic, but still—

“But, that place is…!”

“Please, Hajime…?”

Kagura's voice softened, almost pleading.

“I think I might've gone a little too hard today… I really just want to rest for a bit.”

When I looked up, her eyes were serious.

“Really… just to rest?”

“Really!”

After a moment of silence, I sighed softly.

“…Fine. But it's just for resting, okay?”

“Yay! Thank you!”

Kagura, looking delighted, took my hand and hurried toward the entrance of the hotel.