MTL: Dexter, Kael
FTL(Hardest Part): KayL
TLC/Editor: Alisa
Final Editors: Kakarotto (aka G-String)
Note: We are using the Chinese Official Translation and Original Japanese Raw in our translations. Our Editors and Raw Readers (Translators) have done their best to give you the best quality English translation. We hope you enjoy reading Chiramune as much we do!
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3
The next day, I anxiously waited for Saku-kun. Without even needing to look in the mirror, I knew my face must be bright red.
I tried imitating Yuuko-chan’s boldness, but it just didn’t suit me after all. His genuine perplexed reaction resurfaced in my mind.
“…What’s wrong, Yua? Did something happen?”
It’s not like that!
The memory was so embarrassing that I instinctively refuted it in my mind.
I mustered up the courage and simply invited him out, nothing more! It wasn’t like I was subtly hinting at having some troubles and wanting to consult him!
But explaining it like that would be awkward too, so I hastily informed him of the time and place, and then abruptly ended the call.
Would he actually come?
Feeling a bit anxious, I checked my appearance.
Since I mentioned it was a date, it would be impolite to dress too casually, so I wore a sleeveless, heart-neckline outfit that bared my shoulders—something unusual for me.
I bought it because Yuuko-chan said it would suit me, but the open shoulders made me feel a bit uncomfortable, so I hardly wore it in the end.
Well, he had already seen me in a swimsuit this summer, so why was I getting worked up now…?
What if he thought I was being too aggressive?
Even though I had been going to his house so often, even stayed over twice, it was strange how not having that “ordinary” cover made me so conscious of everything.
While fidgeting with my bangs over and over again, I spotted Saku-kun pedaling on his mountain bike, his gaze darting around.
Our eyes met halfway, and I timidly waved my hand. Saku-kun braked nearby and effortlessly jumped off his mountain bike.
My heart fluttered at his familiar, slightly pretentious gestures.
“Sorry, did I keep you waiting? I got a bit lost trying to find the entrance,” Saku-kun said apologetically.
“No, it’s fine. It’s your first time here, so it’s understandable.”
Even though I arrived earlier, there was still more than enough time until our agreed time at twelve o’clock. Despite appearances, he was a punctual person.
“Anyway…” he continued, as if still trying to grasp the situation and probed cautiously, “I heard today was a date…”
Though I had mentally prepared for this, the sudden mention of such a crucial word almost prompted me to deny it involuntarily. It felt oddly awkward to hear it from Saku-kun’s mouth, despite having brought it up myself.
At the same time, the disparity between us became unbearably palpable.
Yuuko-chan always said, “Let’s go on a date,” and I distinctly remembered Nishino-senpai coming to the classroom saying, “We’re going on a date!” too.
So, for me, that invitation carried a sense of shyness, while for you, it was just a playful suggestion akin to hanging out. It made me slightly upset.
But then, I bit my lip, briefly. I had grown tired of just watching someone else go on a date with you.
“Um, well, I suppose that’s the intention.”
I managed to answer, and Saku-kun opened his mouth, clearly perplexed.
“Sorry, Yua, can I ask you something?”
As he looked around, he chuckled in an amused manner.
“Why a marketplace?”
“──P-Please, don’t bring that up!”
I covered my face with both hands, overwhelmed by my own embarrassment.
Setting aside the exact definition of the word, I had managed to invite him on a date… or so I thought.
And then, my thoughts came to a sudden halt.
What should we even do on our date?
I wasn’t the type to have him accompany me while I picked out clothes like Yuuko-chan does, nor did I know any trendy cafes like Yuzuki-chan. I couldn’t expect to be as physically active as Haru-chan, and unlike Nishino-senpai, simply having a conversation wouldn’t bring any novelty to the experience.
And in that moment, the words that came out spontaneously were,
“Let’s meet at ‘Fukui Fresh Market’ tomorrow at noon!”
I mean, what could I say…?
Was I really just a regular high school girl, like Yuuko-chan and the others?
“Fukui Fresh Market” was located in close proximity to the Elpa shopping mall, within the premises of the Fukui Central Wholesale Market. It was essentially a section of the market open to the general public, offering fresh seafood for purchase in the morning, along with various eateries and deli shops where you could enjoy those seafood products. They also sold vegetables and fruits there.
I had been wanting to visit this place if the opportunity arose.
But still, I let out an inaudible sigh.
Out of all places, I didn’t think this was something I would deliberately choose for a first date. The strong smell of fresh seafood was even wafting over here!
Feeling like I was being expected to say something next, I timidly opened my mouth.
“Um, I was thinking… maybe we could have some seafood?”
Saku-kun tilted his head slightly, then murmured softly, “Isn’t what we do commonly referred to as a ‘grocery shopping’?”
“Ugh…”
“Hey, wait a minute! Isn’t that unfair?”
Fed up, I deliberately pouted and started walking away.
This wasn’t how things were supposed to be. And so, I quietly slumped my shoulders.
Was it already too late?
Having blended too much into ordinary everyday life over the past year, I had taken advantage of such a relationship. To Saku-kun, I had become like another member of the family.
“Saku-kun, you treat me like that kind of girl, don’t you?”
“What else would I say?”
Looking back, even that exchange that secretly made my heart flutter might have been nothing more than your kind consideration.
It was helpless, I thought.
Going grocery shopping together, occasionally drinking canned juice while chatting on the way back, eating meals together—those moments spent with Saku-kun were precious.
If I hadn’t expressed my feelings that day on the rooftop, we probably wouldn’t have been able to spend our time together like this.
I didn’t want to pretend it never happened, I didn’t want to let it go.
But right now…
The everyday life that I held dear had become a shackle.
The role that was expected of me was to be someone who he could be together with without reservations, like a family member. Would it be a nuisance if I suddenly started harboring different feelings?
If I were Yuuko-chan, Yuzuki-chan, Haru-chan, or even Nishino-senpai…
Would we be able to have a proper date today?
“Well, um, you see…”
As I pondered over such thoughts, Saku-kun, who stood beside me, shyly spoke.
“Only with you that I can have a date like this.”
“Huh…?”
I couldn’t help but steal a glance at his profile, and he continued in a muffled voice, as if trying to play it off.
“And that outfit suits you as well.”
“──!!”
I instinctively turned my face away, hiding my expression with my arm.
I understood. This was Saku-kun’s way of trying to bridge the gap.
“You know, Yuuko-chan, I bet Saku-kun was thinking something like this: if he casually compliments a girl, he might accidentally make her fall in love with him, right?”
I said something like that, acting all high and mighty just because I got sulky when I didn’t receive a compliment for my yukata.
But maybe, just maybe, this was a bit dangerous. What was I supposed to do if I accidentally started to feel genuinely happy?
Moreover, I took a deep breath to calm myself down.
Only with me, huh…
For some reason, those simple words deeply resonated within my heart.
Saku-kun continued in his usual playful tone, “Well, it’s a bit underwhelming to go to the market on a mom’s bike when you’re dressed up.”
“──Are you asking for a fight?”
Feeling his warm body temperature through my fingertips, I thought to myself.
In the end, I could only be myself.
There was no need to rush and try to be someone else.
These feelings, which I had suppressed all along, no, nurtured secretly like watering a plant in the shade, might slip through my fingers if I get too carried away like this.
At my own pace, I would face these emotions.
“Shall we go, Saku-kun?”
Gently grasping the fabric of your T-shirt, I took a small step forward.
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Plebian Translation 