I thought I wouldn’t regret it. But by the time morning came, I was already regretting it.
“Nighttime energy is scary…”
I muttered while sitting up on my bed, holding my head. Why did I suddenly invite her out like that last night? That makes me sound like a super desperate guy.
If Barato Nanami-san isn’t used to boys, then it might have scared her. Thinking about that made me reflect on my actions.
Still… at least her voice sounded happy. Or at least I want to believe it did. So I’ll assume it wasn’t a complete failure.
Even so, when I see her today, I should probably apologize for that.
After getting up and preparing to go to school, I noticed something unusual—Mom was still in the living room. I thought she had already left for work, so this was rare.
“Morning, Mom.”
“Good morning. Yesterday and today… you’ve been leaving awfully early, Youshin. Did something happen?”
…Sharp as ever. Maybe she stayed behind just to ask that.
I couldn’t exactly say, “I got a girlfriend,” so I vaguely said I had something to do at school. After receiving some lunch money from her for the first time in a while, I headed out.
Just as I was leaving, Mom called out to me.
“Your father and I should both be home for dinner on Saturday night. But on Sunday morning we both have a business trip… so sorry, but you’ll have to eat by yourself.”
“Ah, got it.”
After hearing that, I headed to the place where I was meeting Nanami-san.
We agreed to meet at 7:30. But I left early so I’d arrive thirty minutes ahead of time.
Yesterday we talked about it and decided arriving an hour early was a bit much.
So today I aimed for thirty minutes early… and it turned out I arrived before her.
“Good, this way I won’t make her wait.”
“Too bad. I already got here first.”
The voice from behind startled me, making me flinch as I turned around.
There stood Nanami-san, smiling.
Today her hair was styled in braids with a side ponytail. If I remembered correctly, it was the hairstyle of that character. Did she go out of her way to change it up…? Somehow that made me happy.
“Morning, Youshin. You’re early. I wanted to get here first and say ‘You’re late!’ as a complaint.”
So she had been thinking something that cute.
No, more importantly—why had she suddenly startled me like that?
When I asked, she said it was payback for yesterday when I surprised her.
Ah… right. I did poke her cheek and surprise her yesterday. Fair enough.
No, more importantly, the greeting. I had almost dodged it earlier because Nanami-san looked like she was expecting something, but I had to brace myself.
“Good morning, Nanami-san. …That hairstyle suits you too… i-it’s… c-c-cute.”
I managed to say it today. Not smoothly, but I said it.
Judging by Nanami-san’s satisfied expression, it seemed my answer was correct.
“Thank you. As a reward, you’re granted the right to walk to school holding my hand—and today’s lunch.”
“…I gratefully accept.”
She smiled brightly, clearly pleased with my response.
Come to think of it… something about her attitude feels different from yesterday. She seems oddly confident.
No… maybe confident isn’t the right word. Maybe she’s just in a really good mood?
Did something good happen…? Well, if she’s happy, that’s enough for me. It makes me happy too.
Just like that, we walked to school holding hands.
There were more people than yesterday, but fewer students were staring at us strangely.
Maybe the rumors had finally spread.
I just hope nothing weird happens.
“Oh right, Nanami-san… sorry about yesterday. For suddenly inviting you like that.”
At my words, she tilted her head, placing a finger on her cheek.
“Why are you apologizing?”
“Well… you’re not used to boys, right? I kind of asked you on impulse, so I thought maybe I scared you.”
“Hmm… it’s okay. I’m not used to boys, and they do scare me a little. But when it’s you inviting me, Youshin… I’m happy. Yeah, really happy.”
She said that with a shy smile.
Could it be… the reason she’s been in such a good mood is because I invited her on a date?
Would it be okay to be a little proud of that?
If that’s the case, then it makes me feel incredibly relieved.
“Wait… did I ever tell you I’m not used to boys?”
At that moment, I realized my mistake.
She had never told me directly. I only knew because I accidentally overheard it on the first day.
…Which means I definitely couldn’t say that.
“Well… yesterday you said it was your first time dating a boy. For someone as cute as you to say that, I just figured maybe you weren’t used to boys. Looks like my guess was right.”
I spoke quickly to cover it up.
Calling her cute again—even if it was part of my excuse—was incredibly embarrassing.
But Nanami-san quietly muttered, “Cute…” while blushing.
Yeah… looks like I managed to cover it up.
Still, why is Nanami-san bad with boys?
Someone this cute should be able to wrap guys around her finger easily.
Did something unpleasant happen in the past…?
If so, I hope she can at least get a little more comfortable around boys through me.
The world isn’t full of weird guys.
Well… I can’t confidently say I’m not weird either, though.
“Oh, it’s not like there’s some serious reason. So don’t worry. I just… kind of feel awkward around them, or scared, I guess.”
She leaned closer to look at my face and poked my cheek as if reassuring me.
Maybe this was her revenge for yesterday.
While continuing to poke my cheek—maybe she liked the feeling—she went on.
“Back in elementary school, boys used to tease me a lot. But I wasn’t really scared or anything back then… it just suddenly started feeling that way around sixth grade.”
That was probably the classic “boys tease the girl they like” thing.
Nanami-san must have been cute even back then.
No, more importantly…
“…How did you know what I was thinking?”
“It’s only been three days, but I am your girlfriend.”
She puffed out her chest proudly.
I touched my face with my free hand. Was my expression really that easy to read?
If so, I need to be more careful…
I absolutely can’t let her find out that I know about the punishment game.
Still… when Nanami-san puffed out her chest like that, it was… quite something.
How should I put it… the violent power of bouncing…
I feel like just that alone could fill my energy for the whole day.
Noticing my gaze, she twisted her body and covered her chest with one hand.
“…Pervert.”
Her cheeks were slightly red as she said it with half-lidded eyes.
The destructive power of that single word was incredible. I desperately held back from squirming and quickly apologized.
“I don’t like boys staring… but when it’s you staring, Youshin, I don’t mind. So I’ll forgive you.”
…That line is unfair, Nanami-san.
After that, we arrived at the classroom together.
I wasn’t bombarded with questions today, but Nanami-san was once again dragged somewhere by Otofuke Hatsumi and Kamoenai Ayumu.
Maybe they were checking the progress of the punishment game?
If so, I’d like to tell them—Nanami-san was perfect today too.
After their talk ended, Otofuke-san and Kamoenai-san returned with smug grins, while Nanami-san’s face was bright red.
…Those two also directed their grinning faces toward me.
Nanami-san, what did you tell them?
Classes passed without any real trouble, and before I knew it, lunchtime had arrived.
The lunch I had been looking forward to.
The fact that I was actually looking forward to lunch like this… maybe that was my mistake.
Because the incident happened during lunch.
Nanami-san handed me the blue lunchbox she prepared for me.
The same one we bought together yesterday.
Inside was a lunch that looked like happiness itself—yellow tamagoyaki, sausages, and two huge hamburg steaks.
Of course I took multiple photos.
“Is that enough food?”
“More than enough. Thank you, Nanami-san. It looks delicious again today.”
“That’s good. Though if it’s that much, I won’t get the chance to feed you with an ‘aaahn’ if you run out.”
Her words reminded me of yesterday, and I blushed.
But at the same time, Nanami-san remembered it too and turned red.
She had meant to tease me, but it completely backfired.
She even muttered, “Sorry, forget I said that.”
While we were chatting and eating like that, a large shadow suddenly appeared in front of us.
“Excuse me… Nanami-kun. Do you have a moment?”
“No, I’m eating lunch with my boyfriend. So it’s not a good time, Shibetsu-senpai.”
A tall, handsome guy was standing there.
He was huge.
Maybe it was because I was sitting down, but he looked even bigger.
He had to be close to 190 centimeters tall.
He hadn’t done anything, but his presence alone was intimidating.
Honestly… a little scary.
Nanami-san and I were about the same height.
If even I felt a little intimidated, then she must feel even more so.
So I shifted slightly closer to her and lightly pressed my body against hers.
Ignoring her silent surprise, I pointed to the empty space beside me.
“Senpai, standing while talking isn’t great. Please sit here. There’s space next to me. And we’ll finish eating soon, so could you wait until then?”
“Hmm… and you are?”
“Ah, I’m Misumai Youshin. Nanami-san’s boyfriend.”
At my words, the senpai’s cheek twitched.
He hesitated slightly, then glanced at Nanami-san—who didn’t even spare him a glance—before quietly sitting down next to me.
“Nanami-san, you’re really good at cooking such big hamburg steaks. I tried helping with cooking once, but the inside stayed raw. In the end I had to split them in half to cook them, and they turned dry.”
“It’s not that difficult. It’s big, but not that thick, right? As long as you adjust the heat and steam it a little, anyone can do it.”
“The tamagoyaki is nice too. I like how the sweetness is just right.”
“Really? That’s good. At my house, my dad likes tamagoyaki with dashi, but everyone else likes it sweet. Making two kinds every time is such a hassle.”
“You actually make two kinds? That’s very thoughtful of you toward your father.”
“It’s not like that…”
I had only said what I honestly thought, but Nanami-san suddenly turned away.
She really is a good girl.
Seeing that made me smile.
“Excuse me… Misumai-kun, was it? May I ask you something?”
“What is it, Senpai?”
The senpai suddenly interrupted.
He was staring intensely at my lunchbox.
It was almost empty now—only a piece of tamagoyaki and a small piece of hamburg steak remained.
Did he not eat lunch before coming here?
“Could it be… just maybe… that lunch was handmade by Nanami-kun?”
“Huh? …Yes, it is.”
The senpai’s eyes widened dramatically.
He alternated his gaze between Nanami-san—who looked slightly annoyed—and my lunchbox.
…I had a bad feeling, so without waiting, I quickly stuffed the last piece of tamagoyaki and hamburg steak into my mouth.
“Ah… damn it… I wanted to try some…”
I knew it.
Good thing I ate it first.
Though honestly, even if he had asked, I wouldn’t have given him any.
This was mine.
Not a single bite was up for sharing.
“Thanks for the meal. It was delicious again today.”
“You’re welcome.”
After exchanging the same words as yesterday, I handed the lunchbox back to Nanami-san and turned toward the senpai.
“So, Senpai, what did you want?”
“Well… the one I have business with is Nanami-kun, not you. But… I suppose it concerns you as well.”
“Me too?”
The senpai stood up from the bench and moved in front of us again.
Crossing his arms, he looked back and forth between Nanami-san and me with a slightly irritated expression.
Then, glancing sideways at me, he spoke to Nanami-san.
“Nanami-kun… are you saying you prefer this man over me?”
“…Yes. Also, Senpai, please don’t call me ‘Nanami.’ Call me by my family name. The only person allowed to call me by my given name is my boyfriend—Youshin.”
The senpai was completely shut down.
As Nanami-san glared at him, his face turned bright red and his body trembled.
Then he pointed at me and shouted loudly enough for everyone around to hear.
“Then I challenge you, Misumai-kun!! If I lose, I’ll acknowledge your relationship!! But if I win, Nanami-kun will be mine!!”
“Uh… no thanks.”
Because I refused so casually, the senpai froze with his finger still pointing.
“Ah, Youshin… you’ve got rice on your cheek.”
“Huh?”
Nanami-san reached out, picked the grain of rice stuck to my cheek… and popped it straight into her mouth.
That unexpected action left me frozen—just like the senpai.
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