Chapter 3 - First Date (Final Part)
The sun began to set a bit after I had completed most of my date plans. I planned to end our date with a walk in the beautiful park. There were a lot of unexpected things that didn't fit into the plan I had in mind, but I think Miran was generally happy. Even a little is enough for me.
"............"
However, my introverted soul is quite tired from visiting so many extroverted children's places that I don't normally go to. The drowsiness from lack of sleep, which had disappeared before due to nervousness, slowly began to take over. One more step! Come on, me! That's when I tried to get back on my feet.
"Isn't that the place Shuuji likes?"
Miran, who was walking next to me, pointed to a shop. It was an anime store with huge pictures of anime characters on the billboards. What kind of store do I like? You're absolutely right!
"Eh... this is..."
However, I was indecisive about how to answer the gyaru. Miran knew that I was an otaku from my freshman year and often asked me a lot of questions. So, it's useless to hide it now.
"Sorry, I like it..." I said, my voice breaking from pretending to be a bright person all day.
Miran tilted her head at me and said,
"There's nothing wrong with it, right?"
"Well, maybe, but—"Compared to those cool guys, I don't look cool."
While I was in doubt, Miran enthusiastically suggested, "Let's go there for a while!".
"What?" I doubted what I had heard for a moment and said hastily, "No, no, you shouldn't go there, it's a different world!".
"No, really! I want to go there out of my own interest!"
"No, but... w-wait a minute!"
I can't stop this extroverted gyaru's curiosity! Since she entered the shop in a hurry, I followed her as well.
"Uwaa, awesome, uww!"
As soon as she entered the store, Miran's eyes were fascinated when she saw the various anime and manga items arranged on the shelves. Even worse when she saw a section with a bishoujo character that was more domineering than anything else. The otaku customers (my own kind) were also confused by the sudden appearance of gyaru.
"Well, I told you before...!" The image of an otaku is even more tarnished.
When I felt that kind of depression, Miran pointed to the cover of the book with interest,
"Hey, hey, aren't those breasts so big, uww?".
"Well, it can't be helped. That's the way it is."
I hurriedly explained to her, who was staring at the illustration of a beautiful girl accentuating her breasts, but in my opinion, what I said was not an explanation. After that, Miran, who had been looking at the illustrations and bishoujo art for a while, suddenly asked me a question.
"Shuuji, what kind of girl do you like?"
"Eh—!?"
The unexpected question froze me for a moment.
"What about this girl, do you like her?" Miran pointed at the cover of a book.
There was a cheerful and flamboyant gyaru-type heroine on the cover, similar to the person pointing at her.
"Mn...nn~" I was at a loss for an answer.
Of course, I don't hate this character. In fact, it was a character whose uniqueness I only realized after I became engaged to Miran. However, I imagined what it would be like if I, who was an otaku as well as her fiancé, said that I liked the character of bishoujo gyaru in front of gyaru herself.
"Apparently, you prefer a girl like this, huh?"
While I was in a serious dilemma, Miran pointed to another book. This time, there was a black-haired heroine with a neat and decent appearance.
"Umm..."
Again, I'm at a loss for answers. Of course, I don't hate characters with such traits. In fact, the neat and polite type has always been popular among otaku, and I like it. However, this is the opposite of Miran, so it's hard for me to nod my head.
"E-Each character has its own charm... and I'm having a hard time deciding, okay..."
That's all I can say in an obscure and bland way.
Then Miran asked me with a grin, "Then how would you react if I wore something like this? uww.".
Miran looked at the heroine she had pointed at before. The heroine's clothes have a calm color tone, and they are really neat and decent. I also tried to imagine my gyaru fiancée wearing the same clothes, but I couldn't get a clear picture because I didn't have much experience with 3D creatures.
"I-In my opinion, any clothes you wear will look good anyway."
As before, I answered in simple words. But this time the answer is what I really think. In my opinion, Miran is a person who can wear any outfit and look good in it.
"I see..." Miran nodded her head with a tickling smile.
After that, I followed her in a cold sweat as she looked through the contents of the store. While looking around—Miran suddenly stopped because she was interested in anime illustrations.
"This is pretty and cute, right!"
"Aaaah, that one, huh? The illustrations are cute anyway, but the story is dense."
I quickly covered my mouth because I was about to talk about some otaku stuff.
"So, what's the story?"
On the contrary, when Miran asked me with interest, I felt confused and finally opened my mouth.
"I-It was, um... At first, it tells about a normal daily life, but after a while you realize that something was strange..."
Originally, it was just a glimpse, and I only wanted to explain it briefly.
However, since this is a work I used to love, not to mention the atmosphere of being surrounded by otaku stuff—I even told Miran so much about this anime.
"Oh..."
By the time I came to my senses, it was too late. Damn, I'm a fool! I talked too much about anime to an extroverted gyaru! I don't know if I'll be ridiculed or if I'll make her feel uncomfortable.
"............"
I hesitantly looked at Miran's expression.
"It looks really interesting! Let me watch it sometime!"
"Eh? Y-Yes, okay!"
Contrary to my expectation, Miran actually showed an expression of interest. Surprised by her unexpected reaction, I was confused instead.
"Hey, hey, what about this story? Have you seen it before?"
Miran then asked about the other works. Not knowing what to do with her reaction, I can only explain. Even with my long explanation, Miran showed no signs of boredom and listened seriously. In fact, she showed more interest.
"............"
Instead, I was fascinated by her attitude. Before I became her fiancé, I was of the opinion that gyaru is a human race from a completely different world that I don't understand. Besides, I feel uncomfortable with their existence. In fact, even when interacting with Miran as her fiancé, that feeling still remains in my heart. I immediately decided that Miran Hanatsuki was such a person just because she was a gyaru. But now I regret not getting to know her better first.
"What's wrong?"
"No, nothing! Anyway, let's get out of here." When we left the anime store, Miran looked back and smiled at me.
"It was fun just now, right♪?"
"Um, yeah..."
Again, I think Miran is a gyaru—no, she's a wonderful girl.
***
Unexpectedly, we stopped by the anime store and continued to walk around the park as the sun set, making the various places in the park we visited look even more beautiful under its rays.
"This place looks amazing!" said Miran, who was so happy.
Meanwhile, I sat on a nearby bench and watched her take a picture with her smartphone. Fortunately, there were very few pedestrians passing by, so I felt free after being in the crowd all day.
"Hey, I'm going to get a drink from a vending machine nearby."
"Oh, let me go."
I tried to get up, but was stopped by Miran, who smiled at me.
"It's okay! This is my thanks for coming with me ♪."
"T-Thank you..."
I gladly accepted her help, considering the vending machine wasn't far away. Miran's back could be seen as she went to buy it, which was illuminated by the setting sun at that time.
"Miran, are you enjoying your date today?"
I took a deep breath and thought about all the things I am responsible for today and all the things I have accomplished. Although I struggled, I also had a good time.
"............"
A contentious feeling flowed through my chest, accompanied by a cool spring breeze blowing through the park. Immediately, a pleasant feeling of fatigue washed over me, and my eyelids grew heavy—
"............?"
The first sensation I felt was a squeaking sound in my head, followed by a feeling like I was lying down. Then I felt something soft in my head.
"Whoa, I'm asleep!"
I woke up in shock, and then I heard Miran's voice.
"Shuuji, good morning♪."
"Uhm, eh?"
From a close distance, Miran looked at my face. She has beautiful eyes and glossy lips. At that moment, I felt Miran's breath caressing my face, and I hastily checked the situation as my heart started beating.
What kind of situation is this...! Umm, I'm lying on the bench now... was stared at by Miran... There was something warm and soft on the back of my head.
Uh, t-this is...no way!
This is what so many people call a 'lap pillow', right?
"----!?"
Does that mean I am sleeping on your thigh, Miran?
"Sorry!"
I realized that I was in a bad position and desperately tried to jump up. But what happened was that Miran held my head.
"It's okay if you stay like this for a while."
"N-No, it's not like that...!"
Miran told me kindly, but instead I was overwhelmed with nervousness because of the softness and tenderness I felt in the back of my head.
"Shuuji, you look a little under the weather today, so don't push yourself too hard."
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The words made my heart beat even faster. Did she know that I wasn't feeling well? Then, I will apologize sincerely for worrying her.
"Sorry. I'm actually sleep deprived..." I confessed.
"Mn? Did something happen?"
"It's not that... I'm sleep-deprived from trying to figure out where we're going today... I'm a little nervous, too."
It's such a shame...!
I squirmed in shame that my useless introverted side was being exposed. I was also given a lap pillow by a girl. The embarrassment made me cover my face with my hands.
"Oh, I see. You're so cute, uww."
While I thought I heard Miran's laughter, she suddenly stroked my head.
"W-Wait a minute, huh?"
"What's the matter?"
My embarrassment grew as she unilaterally stroked my head. But strangely enough, I didn't hate it.
I lay on her lap for a few moments—Ah, I wanted to stay like this forever. However, I quickly put away the aroused desire and called Miran,
"Miran, it's getting dark, let's go home."
"Ah, that's right."
I got up from my position and looked back at Miran who was sitting on the bench. My face heated up as I reconfirmed where I had just put my head.
"T-Thank you for the lap pillow... I feel better now."
"Thank goodness♪... I can really give it again if you feel tired♪"
"T-That's not what I meant..."
I didn't know if she was serious or joking, and it made my hesitation even worse. Miran also chuckled at my reaction and stood up from the bench and said doubtfully.
"Why, it feels like today went by so fast, doesn't it?"
"Yes, that's right!"
This is the end of all the dating plans I'd prepared for today. It went through a lot of hardships, but it all felt so fleeting. When I remember it, though, we talked a lot about otaku stuff, and I ended up falling asleep in the park. How does Miran feel about today's date? Is she satisfied?
"H-How do you feel?"
Actually, I didn't want to ask, but I was too anxious and ended up asking her. Immediately, a feeling of regret came over me because I shouldn't have asked that question. However, Miran, who was in front of me, actually tilted her head and said,
"Eh? You mean about today's date?"
"No... Um... well..." I nodded awkwardly, Miran smiling back at me with her carefree smile.
"It's so fun, you know♪!"
"T-Thank goodness...!"
A feeling of relief and joy washed over my chest when I realized that there was no feeling of disappointment from Miran. Really, I'm so grateful. It can be said that it is worth losing hours of sleep just to think about it.
"Thank you for putting so much effort into planning this ♪. Let's go out again someday." she smiled like a child.
I looked at the grateful Miran with an innocent and wide smile on her face.
"----?"
As my heart beat faster, I suddenly felt a sense of déjà vu, as if I'd seen that smile before.
"Is there something on my face?"
"N-Nothing."
I tried to ignore the memories I couldn't recall, then left the park with Miran and continued on my way home. After accompanying Miran to the train station, I walked home feeling tired, but strangely my steps felt light. Then I gave some reports to my parents, changed my clothes and immediately jumped on the bed. At that time, I felt that I had received a REIN message from Miran.
After answering her message, I tried to type another message about my impression today. However, the feeling of fatigue and the feeling of satisfaction that overwhelmed me made me fall into a deep sleep.
Thus ended the first date of my life.
***
The next day, I woke up to the sound of my smartphone alarm and vaguely remembered the events of yesterday. I felt that my meeting with Miran was like a dream. However, her message from yesterday was still on the REIN screen, confirming that it was real.
I smiled at the thought that the sensation I felt now was the same as the day after my fiancée came to greet me before, and then I prepared myself and went to school. As for the atmosphere in the school, it seems to be crowded as usual.
"Good morning!" and as usual, my gyaru fiancée came to the class cheerfully.
As usual, Miran is surrounded by her gyaru friends and flashy boys, but there is one thing that is a little different.
"Miran, what is it?", "What is that thing in your bag?"
Miran, being questioned by her gyaru friends, held her school bag and smiled.
"It's nice, huh? And cute too, right?!"
On Miran's bag, there was a strap with a cat from yesterday's arcade. I felt my heart beat faster when I noticed it.
"----"
Suddenly, when my eyes met hers, an inexplicable strange feeling slipped into my heart.
TL:
YouthTL (JP-ID), Retallia (ID-EN)
PF & ED: Retallia