Chapter 110: The Date in Progress (Long Chapter)
Akishin finished tidying up the manga scattered across the floor and the sofa, lining them up neatly on the bookshelf—near the window stood a beautiful case packed with volumes.
Next, he gathered the snacks from the tea table and placed them into a cardboard box beside the television, a dedicated spot for treats.
He sorted through the opened snacks; those that were still fresh were put back on the table, while anything that had gone stale was tossed into the trash.
With the floor cleared, he gathered the plates from the table. In the sweltering heat of summer, any side dishes left out of the refrigerator had already spoiled, so they were all discarded.
He turned on the kitchen faucet to wash the dishes thoroughly.
—This was the second time Akishin had done this here.
After finishing the dishes, he scanned the living room. There was nothing left to tidy; the place was spotless. This apartment was far more beautiful than the old house he called home.
The pale gold light of dawn filtered through the window, illuminating the floor and reflecting off the ceiling. Combined with the surroundings, the room exuded a sense of domestic warmth.
It felt as if he had lived here for a long time.
He pulled out his phone to check the time; only twelve minutes had passed. He walked over to the refrigerator and pulled it open to peer inside. There was half a watermelon, a plate of cool noodles weighing about a kilogram, a cut of pork, a few stalks of green vegetables, and two blocks of tofu.
Almost instantly, a vision of what dishes could be made and exactly how to prepare them flashed through Akishin's mind. It was an instinct that came naturally now.
To a true chef, cooking isn't just a chore; it's an art. Watching a master at work is a feast for both the eyes and the soul.
With a plan in place, Akishin walked to the door of Shizuka's room and called out: "Shizuka-chan, are you finished getting ready?"
"Not yet, give me just a little longer."
"In that case, I'll whip up some breakfast with what's in the fridge. We can head out once we've eaten."
"Okay! If there isn't enough, we can always buy something. Turn left outside the entrance, and at the second intersection, there's an elderly couple selling breakfast. It's quite delicious."
"No need, there's plenty of ingredients here."
For a Master-level chef, having ingredients, seasoning, and a kitchen meant having everything.
Back in the kitchen, Akishin took a knife from the rack, looking at it with a slight smile. First, he pulled the noodles from the fridge. He filled a small iron pot halfway with water, set it on the gas stove, and clicked the burner to life.
Then he took the pork, washed it thoroughly, and began mincing it into a fine grind.
Before he had even finished mincing the meat, the water reached a rolling boil. He set the knife down and dropped the noodles into the pot. After letting them boil for two minutes, he lifted them out with a strainer and immediately ran them under the cold water tap.
Once the noodles were chilled, he pressed them with his hand to ensure they wouldn't stick together and set them aside.
He kept the noodle water, setting it to the side, and grabbed a fresh small pot.
Then, he went back to mincing the meat.
Once the pork was ready, he turned on the heat. In the warmed pot, he added a splash of vegetable oil and began sautéing the minced meat. Once the color turned, he started adding the seasonings.
Red chili oil, light soy sauce, salt, chicken bouillon...
He sautéed the pork until it was fully cooked and set it aside.
Then, he briefly boiled the noodles one more time. Once the water bubbled, he pulled them out. Finally, he gave the greens from the fridge a quick blanch.
The noodles and greens were divided into two large bowls.
Next came the sauce: chili oil, light soy sauce, chicken bouillon, Sichuan pepper powder, sesame oil, a teaspoon of salt, and two teaspoons of sugar, stirred until perfectly blended.
Finally, he topped both bowls with two large ladles of the meat sauce and the chili oil sauce, splashed in a bit of the original noodle broth, and garnished them with white sesame seeds and sliced green onions. Two servings of authentic Szechuan Dan Dan Noodles were perfectly complete.
Authentic, spicy, and fragrant without being greasy—a rich, savory delight.
Looking at the two portions before him, Akishin nodded in satisfaction. It would have been even better with sesame paste and bone broth, but this would do. One couldn't be too demanding.
He washed the pots and bowls in the kitchen and brought the two portions of noodles to the dining table. Checking the time, including the cleanup, only twenty-five minutes had passed.
"Shizuka-chan, are you ready?"
"I am, I'm coming out now."
The door opened, and Shizuka walked out with a slight flush on her face, wearing a pair of small, cream-colored leather shoes with rounded toes.
She wore a white dress embroidered with delicate light blue flowers—not the one she had worn last time, but a new outfit Hiratsuka Sachiko had bought for her at the mall.
It was even more beautiful, featuring a thin lace trim and a hem that reached her calves, revealing her clean ankles.
Her long, beautiful hair was tied back in the middle with a hair tie. A white sun hat sat atop her head. Her face was touched with light makeup, and her lips were swiped with a pale pink lipstick, making her look fresh and radiant.
In her hand, she carried a dainty brown purse.
Seeing Akishin staring at her, Shizuka's blush deepened. Her hands fidgeted with the fabric of her dress as she looked at him shyly, asking: "How... do I look?"
She had spent half an hour trying on numerous outfits; if they weren't too hot, they were too revealing, or they just didn't feel right. Finally, she had settled on the dress.
Ever since Akishin mentioned the date two days ago, she seemed to have been preparing for it. Originally, she had intended to refuse. Wouldn't it be more enjoyable to just eat snacks, play games, and read manga at home on a Sunday?
But for some reason, she had actually agreed.
In her heart, she had planned to just go through the motions, but when the time actually came for Akishin to arrive, she found herself nervous all over again. She had spent so much time dressing up, terrified that Akishin might not think she looked okay…
Akishin snapped out of it, nodding as he offered his praise: "Beautiful! You look so beautiful... no, I mean, it suits you perfectly. Shizuka-chan, you really do look great in a dress."
"Huu~"
Hearing Akishin say that, Shizuka felt a wave of relief. Involuntarily, a smile spread across her face. She knew her basic features weren't bad, but anyone has moments of insecurity.
Akishin's face flushed slightly as he looked away, pointing to the noodles on the table. "Let's eat the noodles first, otherwise they'll get cold."
"Right."
Shizuka sat in her chair with a smile. Looking at the aromatic Dan Dan Noodles in front of her, her mouth began to water even before the first bite.
Noticing Shizuka's white dress, Akishin walked to the kitchen, returned with an apron, and draped it over her to prevent any broth from splashing onto her clothes.
Faced with Akishin's attentiveness, Shizuka's face reddened slightly as she thanked him.
Looking at Akishin sitting across from her, then at the familiar surroundings and the meticulously tidied living room, a sensation of being cared for by someone she trusted washed over her. It felt as if they were a married couple.
It was as if they really had lived together for years.
Shizuka thought silently, her blush deepening, though her heart felt incredibly sweet. She quickly shook the thought away... and looking at the beautiful noodles, she carefully mimicked Akishin, stirring them thoroughly. The aroma grew even more intense. She took a small bite, and her eyes instantly lit up.
"It's delicious~"
"..."
Twenty minutes later, Akishin and Shizuka stepped out of the small villa. Shizuka's face still held a hint of redness from the spice.
Even though Akishin had dialed the spice level down to a minimum, it was still a challenge for Shizuka, who rarely ate spicy food.
Despite the heat, she had finished every bit because it was truly that good.
Afterward, she had been forced to touch up her makeup.
Shizuka looked out at the clean streets, where the early sun was just beginning to bake the pavement. She asked in a soft voice: "Chishima-kun, where are we heading next? We agreed—since you invited me, you're the one making the decisions."
"Of course, I've come prepared."
Akishin pulled a pre-planned map from his pocket. Just like the previous two times, he had marked out the routes and locations.
Shizuka took it and looked it over, nodding with great satisfaction. Being with someone reliable meant she didn't have to worry about a thing; she could just wait and enjoy the ride.
The first stop: Chiba Amusement Park.
…
Stepping off the train and seeing the towering Ferris wheel, both Akishin and Shizuka laughed.
It was just a modest amusement park located within Chiba City.
When talking about the most famous spot in Chiba, there's no doubt it's 'Tokyo Disneyland.'
Yes, you heard that right—the world-famous 'Tokyo Disneyland' isn't actually in Tokyo; it's located in Urayasu City, Chiba Prefecture. At the same time, 'Narita International Airport' sits right beside it, also within Chiba.
However, Chiba locals don't really think of it that way. In their minds, the "real" Chiba is just Chiba City, while the dozens of other surrounding towns and cities belong to somewhere else.
Besides, Urayasu and Chiba City are separated by Tokyo Bay, sitting like two points on a U-shape. If you're taking the train there, you might as well just go all the way to Tokyo to play.
"Come on, let's go in."
Akishin bought two tickets and led the way. Shizuka stayed half a step behind him, carrying her small purse and following gracefully. If Hachiman were to see this sight, his jaw would probably hit the floor.
This... this was still the Hiratsuka-sensei who would drop a "fist of justice" on him at a moment's notice!!!
Entering the park, the first thing they heard was a chorus of screams. A roller coaster zoomed across the sky nearby, a mix of male and female voices shouting in a blend of excitement and terror.
Since it was the weekend, the park was crowded. Akishin walked in front to shield Shizuka from the surging crowd, while Shizuka walked calmly behind him through the path he cleared.
"What do you want to ride, Shizuka-chan?"
Reaching an open area where the crowds thinned out, Akishin looked at the map on the signpost and consulted with Shizuka.
The staples of any amusement park were all there: roller coasters, free falls, a speedy windmill, a carousel, a Ferris wheel, bumper cars, go-karts, high swings, spinning tops, a haunted house, a pirate ship, brave games, the dizzying barrels...
Shizuka looked for a moment, then gave Akishin a bright smile: "How about the roller coaster? It's the one thing you have to do when you come to an amusement park."
It had been a long time since she had come to a park just to play.
Exactly how long? Was two years considered a long time?
Two years ago, she remembered bringing a relative's young daughter to play. She had first taken her little niece into the haunted house, which immediately sent the girl into a fit of terrified crying. After that, her niece wouldn't go near any rides with her.
As for why she hadn't come at any other time...
Mostly, it was because a place like an amusement park... well, everyone knows it's not exactly the kind of place you go to play alone~
It wasn't a matter of whether you could, but a matter of the sheer awkwardness.
Seeing everyone else in pairs or families of three while you stand there by yourself—doesn't that just make you stand out like a sore thumb?
How many people actually have the mental fortitude to ignore that?
"We could, but..." Akishin looked at Shizuka's dress, his expression hesitant: "Won't it be uncomfortable?"
Shizuka looked down at her outfit as well, then shook her head with a smile: "No, it's a long skirt. It won't be a problem."
"...Alright then, let's go!"
Akishin glanced back at Shizuka's long hair but said nothing more, leading her to the queue for the roller coaster.
The line wasn't too long; one group had just departed.
It was soon their turn.
At the locker station, Shizuka set down her purse and hat. She watched as Akishin pulled off his thin jacket and handed it to her.
"Chishima-kun, what are you doing?"
"Shizuka, your hair. Put this on and tuck your hair inside the jacket so it doesn't get tangled or whipped around by the wind."
Akishin pointed toward her long tresses.
Shizuka blinked, stunned. She tilted her head and looked for a moment, her face reddening again as she took the jacket. "Thank you."
The attendant nearby said with a smile: "Miss, your boyfriend is really good to you. It's rare to find one who thinks of details like that..."
"Ah, we aren't..."
Hearing the word "boyfriend," a flustered Shizuka moved to deny it. Akishin suddenly took her by the wrist and led her toward the coaster.
"Come on, Shizuka, let's get on quickly. We're holding people up."
With her wrist in his grip, Shizuka shot a glance at Akishin's back. She bit her lip slightly—Damn it, who's your boyfriend? You won't even let me correct them, huh!
Despite thinking Akishin might have some ulterior motives, Shizuka stayed obedient, letting him lead her up onto the roller coaster.
Seeing her wearing his jacket, he even helped her straighten it out.
From beginning to end, Shizuka's face remained a bright crimson.
Anyone looking at the two of them would assume they were a couple in the early stages of a relationship.
Between Akishin and Shizuka, one had never dated, and the other had dated once but it was a disaster. In short, they were both complete novices at this.
But they knew how to be kind to one another, and that was enough.
The two of them took their seats in the front row. While some say the front is the scariest, the truly terrifying seats are actually in the very back.
Soon, all the seats were filled, and the roller coaster began its slow, mechanical crawl.
"Shizuka-chan, are you going to be scared?"
"Of course not. Why?"
"I'm scared. How about you hold my hand?"
Akishin smiled as he reached out his right hand. Shizuka stared at him, her expression turning slightly strange—You, scared of a roller coaster?
But after a moment's hesitation, she reached out and grasped Akishin's wrist rather than his palm.
They weren't lovers; why would she hold his hand!
Swoosh!
Finally, the coaster reached the highest peak before plunging downward. Shizuka let out a joyful shout. Akishin, with a faint smile, let the rushing wind blast against him, his eyes never leaving Shizuka.
Shizuka seemed to feel his gaze and looked toward him. Seeing him so calm, she was momentarily stunned before flashing him a radiant, happy smile…
Once the ride was over and they climbed down, Shizuka returned the jacket to Akishin, still buzzing with excitement. She really wasn't afraid of the heights.
Akishin put his jacket back on and pointed to a track built of tires and turf across the way: "How about go-karts next?"
Shizuka looked over and said with certainty: "Okay! Let's race and see who hits the finish line first."
…
By eleven in the morning, atop the Ferris wheel, Shizuka held a cup of milk tea. Her fingers pressed against the glass as she gazed at the distant landscape.
The sunlight beat down directly over the entirety of Chiba City. All the city's prosperity was captured in a single glance: the high-rises, the sea, the greenery, the flow of traffic, the crowds... it felt as if everything were within arm's reach.
But this was different from the view from Tokyo Tower because Chiba was home.
"Wow, I see it! Over there is Sobu High, and then next to it, you can even see Tokyo Bay. And there, that's Chiba Port Park where we went last time, and that's the Chiba Port Tower..."
Shizuka was like a child who had never grown up, excitedly pointing out the landmarks to Akishin as if declaring sovereignty over her territory.
Akishin stood quietly by her side, watching the world with her, taking photos on his phone with her, and laughing right along with her...
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