Episode- 09

afternoon.

　The tests finished in the morning, so Reo and I managed to sneak out of school earlier than usual as a little reward for that. Our hungry stomachs took us to the restaurant area above Kato Dokano.

"I wish Nishihara could have come too."

"There's nothing we can do about that guy. He has to help out at home."

"Yeah. Maybe next time."

　Thinking about my next trip to Nishihara, I strolled around the floor lined with restaurants and cafes.

　I hadn't decided on a particular restaurant, and just wanted to go into whatever restaurant appealed to me at the time...but I couldn't decide.

"Why don't we just have some ramen in front of the station? I'm so hungry my stomach feels like it's coming out of my eyes."

"It's a common knowledge that the things that stick out of your eyes are either eyeballs or scales. Don't go overboard with common sense."

"It goes against common sense."

"What kind of revolutionary are you? It's common sense and it's not easily overturned."

"I'm passing. Salute."

"Who told you to do a military version of Combat?"

　After receiving a strong remark from Reo, he muttered with satisfaction, "Now that's a punchline... I've settled down," when suddenly his eye fell on Tohsaka and Usami coming up the escalator.　

　What comes to mind is the conversation the two of them had after school today.

　--Aika, you understand, right?

　-- I know. I haven't told anyone so don't worry.

　-- That's good. This is a top secret mission. --Okay, I'll go without anyone finding out.

　--Hmmmm.

"...A top-secret mission in the restaurant district?"

"Stop being such a fool, Rintaro. If you're not satisfied, go to the book store."

"No, it's those two."

　When I pointed, Reo seemed to notice them as he let out an "ah" as well.

　The two of them didn't seem to notice us and were having a pleasant conversation.　

　Tohsaka in particular seemed more excited than ever, and her voice could be faintly heard.

"Hurry, Aika! Come on, run!"

"You're not allowed to run in the hallways or restaurant area."

The author's narrative has been misappropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon.

"But--"

　They look like they're having so much fun, and because we know the normally serious Tohsaka, just watching them makes us feel at ease.

"...I want to get a large dog in the future."

"When did you make that decision?"

　Ideally, I would like a dog that is sleek and fast.

"Ahh, already! I'm so excited, my cheeks are falling off."

"Mmhmm! Then I'll pick it up for you!"

"Give it back later, okay? By the way, how many types are there--ah"

""…………a""

　Their gazes collide.

　Tohsaka froze up so much I wondered if I was Medusa, and Usami followed her gaze and asked, "What's wrong?"

　When her gaze finally reached me, Usami quirked a grin.

"Oh, it's Fujita! Hey!"

　Usami waves innocently.

　Turning around for the time being, Tohsaka, who had been freed from petrification, shook Usami's shoulders in an anxious manner.

"What on earth are you doing, Aika? This isn't a top secret mission anymore!"

"...Koko. You know my policy, right?"

"Ah, Aika? What's the promise between us?"

　As Tohsaka trembled, Usami laughed slyly, and then--

"Fully starboard in the fun direction!!!"

"Whaaaaaaaaaaat!!!"

　Tohsaka cried with tears in her eyes.

　In stark contrast to Tohsaka, seeing Usami laughing "Wahahahaha!!!", I couldn't help but think they were a lot of fun people.

　I look around the store.

　The overall colors are pop and the decorations are cute, giving it a very girly feel.

　In fact, most of the customers in the store were high school girls, and the atmosphere seemed to be off-limits to men.

"So this is what they call a sweets paradise... It certainly is a sweets paradise."

　I find myself blurting out what I'm thinking.

"We definitely couldn't have come by ourselves."

"Right."

　I overwhelmingly agree with Reo.

　--That's right, we weren't just men who came to this bar, we were their companions.

"Wow, it's amazing! Just as rumored, the atmosphere of the shop is amazing! Right, Kaori?"

"...That's right."

　Tohsaka seems strangely depressed.

　The seating arrangement was such that Reo was next to me, Tohsaka was in front, and Usami was next to her, but since entering the restaurant I haven't made eye contact with Tohsaka even once.

　She was so excited before meeting us.

"Is it a good thing we were here? It's better for just the girls to enjoy this sort of thing..."

"It's fine! I was the one who invited you, and they say the more people the tastier it is, right? That's right... three heads are better than one, right?"

"No, that's not--"

"Ah, that's not right! Phew, that was close. This is the end of the world!"

"This kid got it all wrong..."

　Reo muttered in exasperation.

　In the end, without even correcting herself, Usami went ahead with a look on her face that seemed to say, "Huh? I didn't do anything wrong, did I? In fact, I was right!"

"Well, the sweets are more delicious over there, right?"

"But..."

　Suddenly, I looks at Tohsaka, who looks embarrassed.

　Then, she noticed my gaze and quickly looked up.

"N-no! It's not that I dislike you two or anything! Honestly, that's fine, but..."

　Tohsaka glares at Usami.

"You said this was a top secret mission, didn't you? That's not what we said!"

"I just thought I'd like to eat with everyone."

“I was sneaking around because I didn’t want anyone to know that I was here! I’m embarrassed to be in such a fancy sweets paradise! …It doesn’t suit me. Especially not to Fujita-kun…”

"Eh, me?"

"...Ah, ah! It's fine, just leave it for now! Just leave it!"

"Ah, uh, yeah."

"You too, Asahi-kun!"

"Yes, of course!"

"That clear-skinned expression is definitely a lie!"

"of course!"

"See, I thought so!"

　Tohsaka is panicking.

　Because Tohsaka is always cool and does everything with ease, I feel like I'm seeing something rare.

"This is the worst..."

　Tohsaka slumped over the desk.

　Seeing Tohsaka in such a terrible state, it's natural to feel sorry for her.

　I'll follow up here since I was mentioned "especially."

"Tohsaka, please rest assured."

"...What is it?"

"You said earlier that you didn't want to be found out, but I'm the one who went to Sweets Paradise--"

"Ah, f, Fujita-kun! Anything more than that...!"

"I think it's really cute, don't you?"

"!!!"

"In fact, Tohsaka is a perfect fit for Sweets Paradise. I think her hidden cuteness comes out easily beneath her coolness."

"Ugh, ugh...!!! Fujita-kun... stop..."

"So don't say it's embarrassing or that it doesn't suit you. I actually think Tohsaka is the perfect person for Sweets Paradise!"

"It's perfect for a sweets paradise!"

"Plus, this place is all-you-can-eat, right? For someone who loves to eat, Tohsaka, this is the perfect place. It's like a field that's advantageous for the water attribute in Pokémon."

"Guh!!!"

　Tohsaka looks up to the sky as if she has been hit.

　It's proof that my words have reached Tohsaka's heart. Alright, let's keep it up!

"I mean, the fact that you're hiding the fact that you're going to Sweets Paradise is a plus, isn't it? I think that's really cute."

"Hmmmmmmmm!!! P-please stop!!!"

　Leaning onto the desk, Tohsaka pleads with me with teary eyes.

"Eh, that was too moving or something..."

"No way! It's all wrong! It's all counterproductive!"

"Th-That's not possible...!"

"No way! You need to realize how wrong you are!"

"You're wrong... My help is..."

　Her shoulders slumped.

　Was everything I'd done wrong?

"Rintaro, I bet you just said that to follow up."

"Fujita-kun seems to understand Kaori, but he doesn't understand her at all."

"I really think so!"

"Hardcore bashing...ahh."

　This is what it means to backfire.

　But I have no idea. I was just saying what I thought.

"I feel like I've gotten over it! I've been looking forward to this restaurant for a long time, so now I have no choice but to enjoy it to the fullest! Right!"

　Tohsaka stood up angrily, glared at me once, and then took the plate away.

"...Hey, Reo, did I do something wrong?"

　I asked Reo, hoping to find some help.

　……but.

"You're entirely at fault. But, the scenario is spot on."

"It's Hanamaru!"

"I have no idea what that means..."

　This time I was the one who buried my face in the desk and hung my head.

　Seeing me like that, Usami and Reo burst out laughing with joy.