Episode- 27

A short walk from the school.

　The sun has passed its peak and is slowly lowering in altitude, preparing to set.

　We arrived at the supermarket, where the scent of daily life was visually wafting from the air, and browsed the store in our uniforms.

"The eggs are... oh, there they are. There are surprisingly quite a few left."

"Isn't it because Fujita, the househusband, came here walking briskly, not wanting to be outdone by the housewife?"

"You're messing around with me. Is that okay? I can mess around with you to death over food-related stuff, is that okay?"

"…Please spare me."

　I'll just quietly back off. I'm no match for him when it comes to teasing others.

　We managed to get what we wanted, but Fujita wanted to buy some ingredients for dinner as well, so we started walking around the store again.

"I see... pork is cheap today, so I'll make some ginger pork..."

　As Fujita-kun examined the ingredients and muttered to himself, I glanced at him, my brain working at full speed.

　Now, how should I ask Fujita out on a date?

　To be honest, there's not the slightest bit of atmosphere to ask someone out on a date at the supermarket, but I can't say that now.

　I'm not skilled enough to choose the location and atmosphere.

　So, even if you decide to ask him out, you can't do it without thinking it through.

　I've experienced over the past few days that I've tried fighting without much thought, and it didn't work out at all.

　So how should I invite him?

　Without an excuse, it would almost be like a confession, so it would be better if I could at least have some kind of starting point...

"Hey, Tohsaka. Which do you think is better, pork ginger fried rice or stir-fried pork with green peppers?"

"Ah, that's... let's have ginger pork."

"...I'm not going to make fun of the food fighters just because I mentioned the name of a dish. And I'm not going to make fun of curry either."

"That's not what I meant!"

　That's dangerous.

　My thoughts were carried away and I almost said "date."

　Calm down, it's a conversation now. It's a conversation now.

A case of theft: this story is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation.

"Fujita-kun, you tease me too much. I may look like this, but I am a girl after all."

"It'll be fine, in my eyes Tohsaka is very feminine. But you can still tease me in a loving way, okay?"

"That's the problem! ...Fujita-kun really has no tact. He's a bit strange, though."

　When I said that in a sulky tone, Fujita gave a slight smile.

　And he said it like it was nothing.

"Sorry, sorry. I just can't help but want to tease you. I know it's not a very nice thing to do, but when you get angry after being teased, it's so cute."

"Huh!?"

　My cheeks suddenly became hot, as if someone had lit a match in my face.

"Wh, what's this all of a sudden?! That's the kind of person you are, you have no tact!"

"Is this a matter of delicacy?"

"It's a problem!!!"

　Perhaps feeling guilty about my words, Fujita bowed his head and said apologetically, "I'm sorry."

　I'm not angry or anything.

　That's why I couldn't help but chuckle at his reaction, which was like a child being scolded by his parents.

　I feel like the atmosphere is good right now.

　Here――

"Hey, do you want to go on a date with me?"

"Yes, with pleasure!"

　…That's what happens!!!

　There's no room for error!

　Because the supermarket is a location with absolutely no starting points, there are no gaps in the beginning, middle or end...!!

　What should I do? I wonder if there's anything I can use as a topic of conversation on a date...

"Oh, so whiting is cheap. I'd like to eat some fish too."

　a!

"Speaking of kissing, I...!"

"Eh, me?"

　………….

"…………N-nothing."

"Was your Japanese weird just now?"

　What on earth was I doing...?!

　It was dangerous, really dangerous.

　I ended up exploding, and all sorts of thoughts started to form.

　I thought this would lead to a date.

　On a date with Fujita-kun, I went, ki, ki...

"Are you okay? Your face is redder than usual in a supermarket. I also feel like steam is coming out of your head."

"...It's nothing."

"Is it really unnecessary?"

"It's nothing!!!"

"It was pushed through..."

　Glancing at Fujita, who looked perplexed, I placed both hands on my cheeks to calm myself down.

　What am I doing!

　I'm so nervous. When Fujita-kun is involved, I can't show my usual self at all!

"Uh, uh..."

　Love is difficult. Too difficult.

　I was alone, in front of the fresh fish section.

　As he looked at me worriedly, holding a basket filled with dinner ingredients, I was painfully reminded of the difficulties of love.

　After that, I ended up not asking him out on a date and the shopping ended.

　I head home alongside Fujita, who is walking with a bag full of food.

　My heart was filled with regret, as if I had lost a game.

"Thanks Tohsaka. Thanks to you, I was able to buy two eggs."

"Ahaha, good for you."

　Although I was smiling on the surface, I was heartbroken.

　Pathetic.

　I'm so conscious of Fujita-kun that I can't ask him out on a date...how pathetic.

　This time I was thinking too much.

　Because of that, I couldn't do anything.

　In this situation, I think I'll just ask him out directly.

　Fujita-kun might realize my feelings. But even so, I still want to tell him someday... that's what I want to do.

　It's not my nature to dwell on things like this.

　I want to go on a date with Fujita-kun, and someday we'll become lovers.

　If so, you'd better make up your mind.

　That's who I am and that's who I am.

　He stopped and put strength into his fists.

"Hmm? What's the matter, Tohsaka?"

"Well, you know. How should I put it..."

　I just said straight out that I want to go out with you!

　The atmosphere or flow of the story doesn't matter! Go for it!

"Umm..."

　The words were already on the tip of my tongue, but they just wouldn't come out.

　Is it really that scary to cross that line?

　But I, I...!

"Can I guess what Tohsaka wants to say?"

"……...........?"

　The words were so unexpected that a dejected voice came out.

　Fujita-kun said, squinting his eyes and relaxing his cheeks as usual.

"You're hungry, aren't you?"

"... Pu! Ahahahaha!"

　Laughter wells up from my belly.

　My muscles, which had been stiff with tension, relaxed and the fog in my head cleared in an instant.

"Is that really something to laugh at?"

"Hehe, laugh. You're really funny. You don't seem to get the hint at all."

"I don't know if that's a compliment or an insult."

"Both."

"Both?"

　When I talk with Fujita-kun, my mind becomes calm.

　This is stability. This is fun. This is happiness.

　Still, there were certainly emotions of different colors present in my body that I couldn't ignore.

　He is telling me to take a step forward.

"Oh! It's so much fun talking to you, Fujita-kun. It's really fun."

"The truth is, even though I look like this, I'm an entertainer. Well, the most important thing is that Tohsaka seems to be having fun."

　Fujita-kun smiled slightly and started walking again.

"--hang on!"

　I grab his sleeve and hold him back.

　His feet stopped. Fujita turned around.

"Well, you see. I want more 'fun'..."

　I let out a small sigh, just like Fujita did.

　He didn't read the situation and said it as if it was nothing.

"Would you like to go out with me?"

　Sweat slowly begins to form on my forehead.

　A wind carrying heat and moisture blew through their hair.

　My skirt flutters. My heart flutters. And my heart pounds.

　Squinting my eyes at the pressure on my chest that made it hard to even breathe, I swallowed hard.

　My lips moved as if in slow motion. And then...