(50 Power Stone Bonus)
Chapter 112: It's Obviously a Date! (Long Chapter)
Currently, on the other side of the shopping mall hosting the cat and dog expo, two old rivals were preparing to buy gifts for their friend.
"What happened to Komachi?"
"Ah, it was nothing. It seems she wanted to buy something and ended up leaving everything to us."
"I was the one who asked her to accompany me on her day off anyway; I have no right to complain. Let's just figure something out on our own."
Amidst the chorus of shop assistants saying, "Welcome back," Yukino purchased a premium Pan-san keychain—Pan-san being a cartoon panda with a look that was a bizarre mix of cute and fierce.
Pan-san was incredibly famous in Chiba Prefecture; there were all sorts of spinoff merchandise, and there was even a dedicated Pan-san theme park.
Yukino looked quite different today. She wore a long, short-sleeved white dress with neat pleats along the hem. Over it, she sported a light blue coat. Her long hair, usually left flowing, was tied up with two red ribbons into adorable twin-tails.
Hachiman was dressed much more simply, wearing jeans paired with an orange short-sleeved T-shirt.
"Let's go."
Yukino walked ahead, with Hachiman following five or six meters behind. This gap caused him to be subjected to strange looks from the nearby female shop assistants.
The items sold in this area were essentially women's necessities. If it wasn't exquisite bracelets and necklaces, it was beautiful clothing. The other men here all had female companions—generally appearing to be wives or girlfriends.
Do I really look that suspicious?
Hachiman shoved both hands into his pockets, his gaze resigned and thoroughly annoyed.
Yukino scanned their surroundings before saying flatly, "It seems that in this area, a male customer alone invites a certain level of vigilance."
"Staying here isn't going to help anything anyway." Hachiman waved a hand and started walking toward the exit. "I'll just wait over there..." I really should have come alone. Damn it, that Komachi actually ditched me halfway!
"Wait."
Yukino stopped him, staring at him seriously. "Are you planning to let me choose based solely on my own feelings? I don't mean to be arrogant, but my aesthetic sense is quite far removed from that of an ordinary high school girl."
"...So you actually have some self-awareness!" Hachiman remarked, feeling a bit surprised.
Yukino glared at him, then shifted her gaze away, looking slightly embarrassed. "So, well... if you could help, I would feel much more at ease."
It's because there's no other choice. Right, no other choice!
"...But I can't even get into the shops!"
Hachiman had been stopped earlier. Even though the shop assistant had smiled politely, her refusal had been firm.
Yukino sighed, as if she had reached a monumental decision. With a tone that suggested she was about to make a grand sacrifice, she said resolutely, "In that case, there is no other way. Please close the distance between us."
"Distance?"
"Do I have to spell it out for you to understand? If all you're going to do is breathe in and out, that air conditioner over there is far more useful than you."
Yukino stared at Hachiman. Her eyes were like those of a teacher dealing with a student—the problem was so simple, yet the student couldn't grasp it, leaving her utterly exasperated.
"What I mean is..."
Yukino's hanging hand clenched slightly. "Just for today, and only today... I'm giving you permission to act as if you are my boyfriend."
Stare.
Stare.
The two of them locked eyes in silence for several seconds. Hachiman crossed his arms, looking away. "Your attitude is way too condescending!"
What do you mean, "just for today"?
What do you mean, "I'm giving you permission"?
As if people are just lining up to be your boyfriend!
"Do you have some kind of dissatisfaction?"
"No dissatisfaction at all."
"I see... well then, good. Let's keep moving."
"Wait, isn't this Komachi? It really is Komachi. Komachi, did you come to see the cat and dog expo too?"
Outside a cat cafe-style shop, Akishin and Shizuka ran into Hikigaya Komachi, who was currently teasing a cat with some small treats.
Short black hair reaching her shoulders, that signature hair antenna, and those cute fangs—it was definitely Komachi.
"Chishima-sensei! Hiratsuka-sensei!"
Komachi looked at the two of them in surprise. "Why are you two here?"
"To have some fun, of course. It is Sunday, after all."
Akishin gave Komachi a warm smile. His eyes swept the area before he asked, "Komachi, where's your big brother? Don't tell me you came alone?"
A guy like Hachiman wouldn't let his little sister go out by herself, and there was no one around who looked like one of Komachi's friends. If that was the case, I might have to consider beating Hachiman into the infirmary next time.
—Somewhere in the mall, the walking Hachiman suddenly felt a random chill.
"No, no. Komachi came with Onii-chan and Yukinoshita-san." Komachi waved her hands, still thinking about her brother. Then her eyes darted between Akishin and Shizuka, and she let out a mischievous laugh. "Chishima-sensei and Hiratsuka-sensei... are you two on a date?"
Akishin glanced at Shizuka beside him, then nodded with a smile. "That's right. Komachi, why don't you join us? Do you like cats?"
Shizuka glared at Akishin, feeling like he could have been a bit more subtle. Facing Komachi's curious gaze, she looked away.
"I love them! We have a big cat at home named Kamakura..." Komachi raised her hands excitedly as she talked about her pet, but then she hesitated. "But... won't I be in the way, Sensei?"
Akishin saw Shizuka's slightly flushed face and shook his head with a smile. "You won't be in the way at all. We've been out all morning; we already went to the amusement park."
A situation like this was likely something Shizuka would appreciate. Some topics are better discussed between women—and I really want Shizuka to have a good time. Even though the atmosphere today was great, he felt that Shizuka still held some reservations at times.
Or perhaps it was just a woman's pride.
The rule of a good male companion is to always put the lady first. (Self-compliment intended).
"Then thank you very much, Sensei! I'll be in your care."
"I'll be in your care too."
Party members +1.
The atmosphere didn't become awkward with an extra person; instead, it became much livelier. Komachi was very active, dragging Shizuka along to look at various items and descriptions.
Komachi was surprisingly knowledgeable about fashion. She could explain the origins, target markets, and the best ways to buy clothes and accessories. She far surpassed Shizuka, who rarely went shopping.
Under Komachi's encouragement, Shizuka actually took the initiative to look at clothes and even bought two items.
"Komachi, did your brother mention what he and Yukinoshita-kun are doing today?" Akishin asked as he handed a canned coffee to both Shizuka and Komachi.
The three of them had grown tired after walking around and had sat down to rest on some chairs in an open area of the mall. Behind them stood a decorative palm tree, its large but slender leaves providing shade over the seating.
"Thanks, Chishima-sensei." Komachi took the coffee and said happily, "Today Onii-chan and Yukinoshita-san came to buy a gift for Yuigahama-san."
"A gift?"
"Yeah, but I don't know the details. Apparently, tomorrow is Yuigahama-san's birthday, so they decided to come out today to pick something for her."
"Tomorrow is Yuigahama's birthday?!"
Akishin and Shizuka looked at each other and laughed. This was most likely Yukino's idea—to celebrate Yui's birthday and use the chance to bring her back. As for why it wasn't Hachiman... that kid...
Not a chance!
If Hachiman could actually take the initiative to invite a girl out on a date, Akishin might consider being a bit gentler during their training sessions.
"How is it?"
Yukino was wearing a deep purple apron with a cat motif and did a quick spin in front of Hachiman.
"Even if you ask 'how is it,' I can't really say anything other than 'it suits you'..."
"I see. Thank you." Yukino turned back, observing her reflection in the mirror while wearing the apron, and then explained, "But I wasn't asking about myself. I'm asking how it would look if Yuigahama wore it?"
Hachiman thought for a moment. "If it's Yuigahama, she'd probably prefer something soft and frilly—the kind of thing that looks kind of airheaded at first glance."
"...As mean as that sounds, it's remarkably accurate. I honestly don't know how to respond to that."
Yukino eventually settled on a pink apron as the gift.
"Ara? Yukino?"
Just then, a voice suddenly rang out. Yukinoshita Haruno appeared outside the shop, her expression full of surprise and delight.
Yukino turned her head. Once she saw it was Haruno, she froze.
"It really is Yukino!"
"Onee-san..."
Yukino's expression soured.
"How are your grades at school, Komachi? Are you planning to apply to Sobu High? It's just that I'm teaching second-years now, so by the time you get in, I'll be teaching the third-years."
"I have plans for that, but the cutoff for Sobu is probably going to rise again. Komachi isn't very confident."
"Rise again? Why?"
"Because of Chishima-sensei, of course! Sobu High has become famous all over Chiba because of you, Sensei. There will definitely be a lot of students wanting to apply. Most of the top students in our class want to go to Sobu."
Akishin, who had been listening to their conversation, hadn't expected his name to be dragged into it. He ate a Daifuku while looking elsewhere.
Shizuka and Komachi were holding the same snacks.
Technically, they were rice cakes. Daifuku is a type of wagashi—a glutinous rice cake with a filling, sort of like a giant version of a tangyuan. It uses mochi to wrap a filling, usually red bean paste, strawberry, sweet potato, or other sweet ingredients. The texture is soft and chewy. There are many varieties, usually named after their filling—like "Ichigo Daifuku" for strawberries.
Supposedly, because of its round shape, it was originally called "Daifuku-mochi" (big belly cake). Later, people changed it to the homophone meaning "Great Luck."
It's a traditional Japanese snack. Akishin had made them himself before; simple yet charming. He'd even given some to Shizuka and Kondo Yuika. The ones they were holding were the most famous kind—Ichigo Daifuku.
Shizuka glanced at Akishin before encouraging Komachi. "It's okay, Komachi. Believe in yourself; you can definitely make it into Sobu. Oh, you can always ask Hikigaya to tutor you."
"Onii-chan?"
"Hikigaya's Japanese grades are among the best in the entire grade. In the last quiz, his other marks went up a lot too. Especially math—he got over eighty!"
"What? Over eighty?! And in math?! Hiratsuka-sensei, are you sure you aren't mistaken? Is that really Onii-chan's score?!"
Komachi was so shocked her hair antenna practically stood on end, her eyes filled with doubt. She knew all too well how terrible her brother's math was. After all, a score of nine points isn't something just anyone can achieve.
"I'm not mistaken. That's really how it is." Shizuka found the reaction a bit funny. The old Hachiman really had been quite disastrous in certain areas.
Akishin acted as their protector by their side. The area around them became more open, and the sounds of dogs and cats mostly faded away. They had moved out of the expo area and were now fully within the commercial zone.
Suddenly, Komachi noticed her brother not too far away.
"That's Onii-chan. There's another woman next to him and Yukinoshita-san. Who is that?"
Hearing Komachi's voice, Akishin and Shizuka looked in that direction. Sure enough, it was Hachiman—that familiar hair antenna was swaying. Standing beside him was Yukinoshita Haruno.
Shizuka raised an eyebrow. Haruno showing up here always felt like trouble was brewing.
That's right.
Akishin remembered that an event like the 'Tokyo Cat & Dog Expo' was, to some extent, a significant exhibition. A member of the prefectural assembly—namely Ryuichi-kun—would likely be involved. As his daughter, it was only natural for Haruno to help out. Assisting with the organization of the expo made perfect sense.
Previously, Yukinoshita Ryuichi had complained that the fireworks festival required his personal presence every year, which he found incredibly tedious.
"Are you sulking too? If you dare make Yukino cry, Onee-san won't let you off... Oh right, your name is Hikigaya. Are you one of Chishima-sensei's students?"
Yukinoshita Haruno asked a question she already knew the answer to, flashing a perfect smile to tease Hachiman.
Hachiman looked away, feeling a distinct sensation against his arm—too close, way too close!
"...Does Haruno-san know Sensei?"
"I do. I've eaten the food at Chishima-sensei's shop. Shizuka-chan and I are friends. I even begged Chishima-sensei to take Yukino as a student once, but sadly, I was turned down."
"Shizuka-chan is..."
"Haha, you've probably guessed it. That's your Hiratsuka-sensei. I'm your senior, three years ahead of you, and also a former student of Shizuka-chan's."
"Onee-san, have you had enough fun yet?" Yukino spoke in a cold tone.
"Sorry, maybe Onee-san got a little too excited..."
"Haruno, what are you doing here?"
Akishin and the other two walked up to Hachiman and the rest.
Hachiman and Yukino both looked startled. "Sensei / Chishima-sensei, why are you here?"
Chishima Akishin looked at Hachiman with a smile, then at Yukino, and chuckled. "Why? Are you the only ones allowed to come out and buy gifts, while we aren't allowed to come out and play?"
"Of course not. Just a bit surprised."
Hachiman shook his head, taking the opportunity to pull away from Haruno and scramble over to Akishin's side—Yukino's older sister was terrifying!
Facing Akishin, Haruno became much more formal. She stood straight and gave a polite greeting. "Chishima-sensei, Shizuka-chan, it's been a while."
It really had been a while. The last time they met was during the Kendo Championship preliminaries; it had been about two months since then.
"Haruno-san, it's been a long time." Akishin nodded with a smile—not overly familiar, but not distant either.
Shizuka didn't have many reservations. She approached Haruno and asked again, "Haruno, why are you here?"
"Haha, what's with the aggression, Shizuka-chan? You know what my job is. Today I'm here representing my father to oversee the 'Tokyo Cat & Dog Expo'."
"Right, I almost forgot."
Haruno looked toward Chishima Akishin with a wide smile and let out a soft laugh. "And Shizuka, you two today are..."
Chishima Akishin picked up the conversation with a grin.
"It's obviously a date."
—Friendship is two hearts treating each other with sincerity, not one heart suppressing the other.
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