“...When you decide the next date, call this number. If possible, sometime this week. If it goes to voicemail, just leave the date and place. That would help.”
“Okay...”
After making the promise to provide footage of my ‘dates,’ I parted ways with Mizuki-san in front of a nearby subway station.
Going on a date with her... I mean, I don’t even have a girlfriend.
“What am I supposed to do...”
I let out a huge sigh and slumped my shoulders.
This must be karma for telling that lie...
But still, what should I do?
Should I ask Azaki for advice and immediately go get myself a girlfriend?
...Then I’d be the same scumbag as Azaki.
No way am I letting the city corrupt me into becoming like him.
Should I just apologize honestly?
But if I do that, I’ll definitely end up going on dates with Mizuki-san anyway.
“Guess I’ve got no choice but to bite the bullet...”
I really didn’t want to do this, but it looks like I’ll have to use my last resort.
I took out my phone and opened my LIME chat.
If it’s come to this, I’ll just have someone act as my girlfriend.
The one person I trust the most.
There’s only one option.
“Please... help me out, Sasaki.”
✳︎✳︎
I opened the window to cool down my warm body after getting out of the bath.
A cool breeze came in, and with it, a butterfly fluttered into the room.
This little butterfly from earlier just won’t go back outside...
A small swallowtail butterfly.
Tiny and cute, but with beautifully elegant wings.
Even though I sent Makishima a picture of this lovely butterfly—just a little slice of my day—he left me on read.
Next time we meet, I’m definitely going to scold him like the older-sister figure I am.
“Come on, little butterfly, go on now.”
The butterfly clung to the window’s latch, its wings swaying in the wind.
The sight was so calming, I could watch it forever.
A strong night breeze blew through, carrying the butterfly out the window.
“Don’t come into such a tiny world ever again, okay?”
As I watched it leave, my phone started ringing.
This ringtone... wait, Makishima!?
I dove onto my bed and grabbed my phone, answering immediately.
“M–Makishima?”
‘Sasaki? You free right now?’
“W–What!? It’s super rare for you to call me first!”
‘…………’
“Makishima?”
‘...Are you free this weekend?’
“Yeah, I don’t really have any plans... Why? Don’t tell me, Makishima, is this a date invitation~?”
I meant it as a joke, but what came back was a serious answer.
‘...Yeah. Want to go out with me?’
“Huh...? It really *was* a date invitation?”
‘Is that... bad?’
M–Makishima, you’re blushing...!?
Hmm, so he *does* want to see me after all.
“Sure.”
‘Th–Then, how about Saturday?’
“Okay.”
He sounds way too excited.
A classic tsundere—he treats me like a kid normally, but deep down he’s totally an affectionate type.
I couldn’t stop grinning the whole time we talked.
✳︎✳︎
The day of the date.
Nervous enough to rival a soccer match, I arrived at the meeting spot station.
It’s okay. Mizuki-san said she’d just observe from a distance without interfering.
When I told her the date details over the phone, she promised she wouldn’t get in the way and would watch from afar. I made her swear not to talk to us.
Plus, both Mizuki and Sasaki are disguised, so even if they crossed paths, they wouldn’t recognize each other.
All I have to do is relax and enjoy a normal date with Sasaki.
“Sorry to keep you waiting~”
A voice called from behind, and someone tugged on my shirt.
“The boy who wanted to go on a date with me so badly he called in the middle of the night—Makishima-kun~”
Sasaki...
The teasing Sasaki, acting all smug—it's a sight I’m long familiar with.
Why does this feel so reassuring...
“What’s wrong? You’re staring at me.”
“N–Nothing.”
No, no, no. Today, Sasaki is supposed to be my girlfriend. Mizuki-san is watching somewhere. I have to act like a proper couple.
“...H–Hey, Sasaki.”
“What?”
Avoiding eye contact out of pure embarrassment, I held out my right hand toward her.
“Should we... hold hands?”
“H–Huh...?”
✳︎✳︎
Post a Comment