Clear blue skies.
Stepping onto the balcony, sunlight bathes me; my body awakens.
The next four days mark a major turning point in my life.
I have to face them with morning resolve.
“Mn~, nice weather, Ouga. Today’s outing looks fun.”
“Morning, Mashiro. Let’s make today a fun day.”
“Mn! It’s a precious date — let’s enjoy it to the max!”
Her sun-rivaling smile fills me with energy.
If every household had a Mashiro, the world wouldn’t have conflict.
”…………”
I glanced at Mashiro smiling beside me.
I’d intended to confess yesterday, but they made their request first.
The four likely wanted to date for memories.
Our timing overlapped; my confession misfired. But if it’s a date now, no problem.
I’ll confess at the date’s end……!
Surely timings won’t keep overlapping.
“Hm~? Ouga, what’s up? Staring at Boku~”
“Just thought you’re as cute as ever. Let’s get ready.”
“Fweh!? M-mn! ……Ehehe.”
I took Mashiro’s hand back into the living room.
A fun date ahead — my heart races.
”…………Take care.”
”…………Be safe.”
“Lord Ouga, Miss Liche. Enjoy.”
The three’s looks stopped my heart’s dance.
Mashiro’s request: an outdoor shopping date.
Enkalton’s diverse culture makes it a strong tourist city; the market has hard-to-find goods.
“Wow~. What energy.”
We reached the market entrance overwhelmed by foot traffic.
A density rare even in Rondism.
How do we navigate……
”…… Hey, Ouga.”
“Hm? What?”
“Um…… date…… hand……”
She bumped my hand twice.
What a cute signal.
Sorry I didn’t notice……!
”…… Yeah, of course.”
Staying composed, I held her hand.
…… So smooth……!
In this crowd, she’d slip away if I let my guard down.
Right. Lovers’ interlace exists because girls’ skin is smooth — to prevent slipping.
…… Then shouldn’t I do that?
Already holding hands, no point shying……!
I matched my palm to hers.
“Ah……”
Then interlaced fingers with her slender ones.
”…… Mashiro. Embarrassing to say, but I have little experience going out with girls. Don’t hesitate to tell me what you want to do.”
“M-mn…… got it……”
We tightened our hold and explored the market stalls.
“Ouga, let’s go to that accessory shop!”
Inside, women’s accessories filled shelves; many designs looked cute even from a male perspective.
Earrings, hair clips, bracelets, rings, necklaces……
Among many, Mashiro fixed on a small, white-clear-stone ring.
“Wow~, cute~”
You’re cuter, Mashiro.
“You’re cuter than that, Mashiro.”
…… Ah!? It slipped out!
Mashiro’s so cute my brain became dumb.
“M-mou! Don’t tease, Ouga!”
“Not teasing. I really meant it…… let me buy it. It’d suit you.”
“No, I’m fine! I have this……”
She tightly held the special mana-stone ring I’d given her before the tournament.
”…… You treasure it that much. I’m happy too.”
“Boku…… when you gave it to me, I jumped for joy.”
She gripped it as if praying.
Her face wasn’t just cherishing; something more.
“Let’s go to the next shop? Time with Ouga matters too.”
”…… Yeah.”
We strolled into shop after shop, browsing.
I’d buy anything she wanted, but she said window shopping was enough.
“Ahh~! Fun!”
At last we reached the market’s edge.
Exiting the shop, she stretched.
The sun was setting; the moon rising.
”…… I didn’t expect us to end without buying anything.”
“You really are a noble, Ouga~. To Boku, this is normal.”
I’d grown used to noble money sense.
In my past life, I, like Mashiro, restrained desires.
“Did you enjoy it, Ouga? I dragged you along.”
“Of course. Because it was with Mashiro.”
”…… You say such things casually. That’s why Alice-san and the others……”
“What about Alice?”
“No, nothing…… ahh…… nope, can’t deflect here……”
She turned, waved her hand to beckon.
“Ouga…… could you crouch a bit?”
“Hm? Fine——”
“Eih! Ouga get~!”
“——Bafu!?”
Off-guard, I was captured by the Mashiro-boob-net spectacularly.
In front of crowds is bad, so I tried to escape, but her racing heartbeat made me stop.
I understood how much courage this took.
”…… Hey, Ouga. Can you hear? My heart’s pounding.”
I couldn’t answer, so I patted her back as reply.
“Why, do you think?”
I couldn’t answer.
Not because my face was sealed — I just wasn’t confident in my answer.
“Boku doesn’t do this with anyone. The one I want to wrap up in my arms is one person in the world.”
Her breath stirred my hair. So close, she said the words I should’ve said.
”…… I love you, Ouga. I want to make lifelong memories with you.”
”——”
Her confession whited out my brain.
Not oxygen deprivation — the happiness she gave painted everything over.
…… Right. Reply! Reply……!
“Mashiro! I too——”
“Stop. Save the rest for after dates with everyone.”
”…………”
Sealed by chest again, I tapped her back.
She murmured good and released me. The first thing I saw —
“I love you.”
—— Mashiro’s smile, repeating it.