Episode- 28

　We continue walking, basking in the somewhat mild morning sunlight.

　That said, it was nearly nine o'clock, strictly speaking between morning and noon.

　I exhaled, feeling the slightly hot and slightly cool air.

"Still, it's unbelievable, isn't it?"

　I remember a few days ago...

"Would you like to go out with me?"

　Tohsaka's eyes wandered here and there before she fixed my eyes as if she knew the answer all along.

"We two are going out together, you mean with me, right?"

"Yeah... right."

　Tohsaka doesn't say anything more.

　Various thoughts were flying around in my head before they were put into words.

　However, before I knew it, I had answered reflexively.

"Okay."

"……,,,,,?"

　She opened her mouth wide, then, as if she was taking a running start, she ate it eagerly.

"Really?! Is it okay?! Is it okay?! Did you get my word?"

"Aren't you surprised? I'm not lying, so please release me."

"Oh, sorry. I just... I'll take back what I said."

"Thank you very much."

　She held out her hand to me, so I took it with both hands.

　Welcome back, your word.

　As she committed her words and released my sleeve, Tohsaka lowered her head once, then raised her head shyly and smiled, showing her white teeth.

"Ehehe, looking forward to it."

　I looked up at the sky and saw the sun about to finish warming up.

　I helplessly exhale.

"...Tohsaka was just too cute at that time. If she were to be let out into the world, I'm sure it would spark innovation."

　Just remembering it makes the cute hormones in my head start to flow.

　Trying desperately to hold back the urge to smile, I made my way to the meeting place a little early.

If you come across this story on Amazon, it's taken without permission from the author. Report it.

　After walking for about five minutes, I arrived at the station, and my eye fell on her, standing alone in the shade near the ticket gate.

　She is brighter than the sun and makes the scenery an inescapable backdrop.

"Hey, look at that girl! Isn't she just too pretty?"

"She has a very androgynous face, but she's really beautiful! Is she a model or something?"

"No way! She's the prince! Look, from the nearby high school!"

"This is the first time I've seen it! It's so cool! And it's so pretty!"

　It's so eye-catching that it attracts all the attention around the station.

　I straighten my back again, thinking that I'm about to go out alone with that girl.

　Actually, I've had a lot of thoughts since I was invited to hang out until today.

　Why did Tohsaka invite me to hang out with her?

　I mean, we're both men and women.

　When a man and a woman go out together, that is essentially a "date."

　But I can't really imagine Tohsaka asking me out on a date.

　Because that Tohsaka is with me... this isn't a romantic comedy.

　She told me that it was fun to be with me, something so embarrassing and joyful I couldn't look at it straight, so I'm sure we were just friends in that sort of way...

"Ah! Fujita-kun!"

　Tohsaka waves at me.

　I suddenly came to my senses and waved my hand back, clearing my thoughts.

　I don't think about things that I can't understand even if I think about them. This is my way of getting by in life.

　As I quickly walked into the shade, Tohsaka chuckled.

"Good morning Fujita-kun. You're right on time."

"I'm not the type to be late."

"I'm late sometimes though."

"...I can't be late at a time like this."

　Tohsaka smiles again.

　I take another look at Tohsaka's whole body from up close.

　A checked vest over a white T-shirt.

　The bottoms were a long denim skirt, a perfect outfit for Tohsaka, which seemed to honestly express her coolness and cuteness.

"Wh-what's wrong? You're staring at me... it's embarrassing."

　Tohsaka turns her body halfway, her ears turning slightly red in embarrassment.

　Suddenly, emotions well up inside me.

　I knew what to say in situations like that, and I think I would have said it even if I didn't know the rules.

"So cute."

"!!!"

　Tohsaka's ears turn bright red as if they've been painted with soot.

"Th-Thank you very much..."

"Amazing, really... cute."

"Huh! ... P-please, if this goes any further I'll get heatstroke, so please spare me."

"I'll spare you that."

　When I said that, Tohsaka let out a deep breath.

　Even her actions are cute. So cute.

　Tohsaka let out another sigh as she smoothed her bangs, then pointed her index finger at the ticket gate.

"Well, let's go. The train will be coming soon."

　I follow Tohsaka and go through the ticket gate.

　--Beep.

　A light electronic sound echoes.

　That was the start of the day, but it was also the start of something more.

"...She's really cute."

"Heat stroke!!!"

　The line lasted for twenty minutes.

　Tohsaka and I join the wave of people streaming out of the line and pass through the ticket gate.

　After about a five minute walk, we arrived at our destination.

"Wow, what an amazing movie theater."

"Hey, what do you think?"

　We arrived at a movie theater inside a huge shopping mall.

　When the discussion turned to what to do, Tohsaka was the first to say that she wanted to see a movie, and so the plans for the day were based around that.

"It's half past nine now. The show starts at ten, right?"

"Yeah. So that means we only have 30 minutes left. What should we do? Want to buy some popcorn or something?"

"You'll buy it!!!"

　Tohsaka seems more eager than usual.

"Sorry, that was a stupid question. It's Tohsaka after all."

"Stupid question! It's okay, I like popcorn."

"That's fine. In fact, it's fine. It helps a lot."

"Why would you be saved...?"

　Tohsaka sighed in exasperation.

　Then we got our tickets first and then got in line for the concession stand.

　Tohsaka, standing next to me, groaned "Hmm" as she looked at the menu.

"Here, caramel... but butter soy sauce is hard to pass up. Ah! But regular salt is good too... or even hot dogs."

　You really are a glutton, Tohsaka-san.

"Have you not had breakfast?"

"Eh? I asked for a second helping of rice."

　Tohsaka tilts her head as if to say, "Am I saying something strange?"

　Where does that appetite come from?

"Oh, what should I do? I can't decide on the flavor of popcorn... I wish I had all of them."

"Then I have a good idea."

"A good idea?"

"I'll order the salt, and Tohsaka can have half caramel and half butter soy sauce. We'll share that, how's that?"

"Eh... is it okay?"

　When she finished eating but wasn't satisfied, I had to take out some more treats and she came out with shining eyes and wagging tail like a puppy.

"That's fine. Seeing you eating happily makes me happy too. Besides, if you think you're having fun with me, I want you to enjoy it to the fullest."

"!!!"

　Tohsaka quickly looks away and hides the side of her face with her sparkling golden hair.

　Her tiny ears peeking out from between the gaps were slightly red and looked incredibly cute.

"Well then... I'd appreciate it."

　Tohsaka said bashfully.

　I replied with a smile, and then I noticed a warmth growing in my chest.

　　　　　♦ ♦ ♦

　My face is hot.

　My body was hot to the core, and I frantically flapped my hands and tried to calm myself down.

　I glance at his profile.

　He was waiting for the line to move with his usual calm expression, and when he noticed my gaze, his cheeks relaxed slightly.

　My face gets even hotter.

　...But it's so much fun. Even though my mind is so busy and my chest feels so tight, it's still fun.

　That feeling I had when we were on the train alone on our school trip.

　-- I wish this could continue forever.

　It may be an extremely selfish and childish wish that I can't tell anyone else.

　Right now, at this very moment, I can't help but think about it when I'm next to him.

　I slowly melt, like butter on hot bread.　

　Surrendering myself to that happy sensation, I stroked my hair, which I had styled more neatly than usual.