Chapter 120: Date (Part 1)
What Alicia gave me—
The future, life, her everything.
What could I possibly give in return to someone like Alicia?
I haven’t given her anything back yet.
And now, that chance is about to vanish forever.
So at the very least—
Please, let me leave behind joyful memories until the end.
Let’s keep smiling, all the way until the final moment.
…That’s what I decided.
April 2nd.
Morning—oddly enough, I woke up feeling calm.
“Good morning, Alicia.”
A greeting I hadn’t spoken in a week, but one that felt familiar.
『――Good morning, Ikuto-san』
Hearing Alicia’s voice respond made me feel a wave of relief inside.
『It’s such a beautiful day today!』
“Yeah.”
The gentle morning sunlight streamed through the window, warming the room.
It was the perfect day for a date.
『I bet it’s thanks to the teru teru bōzu』
Alicia said, having noticed it hanging by the window.
It was the teru teru bōzu she and Yuna had made together last night.
Yesterday’s forecast was a toss-up between sun and clouds, so we’d made it as a last-ditch prayer—thank goodness it worked.
“Morning, you two.”
Yuna, who’d been sleeping on a futon spread across the floor, rubbed her eyes as she greeted us.
I’d slept separately from Yuna last night. I wanted to spend that time thinking only about Alicia as I drifted off.
Yuna had been worried whether I’d be able to sleep, but I insisted I’d be fine for just one night.
As expected, I barely got any sleep with everything welling up inside me—but that was okay.
Yuna, stifling a yawn, clearly hadn’t slept much either. I felt bad for dragging her into my selfishness.
『Good morning, Yuna』
As the telepathy connection came online, Alicia greeted Yuna.
“Mm…”
Instead of answering, Yuna sluggishly climbed onto the bed and hugged me tightly.
A faint whiff of shampoo—mine—tickled my nose for a second, followed by the sweet scent of Yuna.
My body had completely learned to find comfort in that smell.
I relaxed and let myself sink into her embrace.
Held tight in her arms, I felt like Yuna was trembling just a little.
“I’m glad it’s sunny… Have lots of fun today, okay?”
“Yeah!” 『Yes!』
The two of us responded cheerfully in unison.
Then, in silence, we stayed close to each other, confirming the warmth we shared.
After about a minute of being wrapped in that hug, we finally let go.
“If you’re going on a date, you’ve got to get all dolled up! I’ll help you out, so let’s gobble down breakfast first!”
『Thank you, Yuna!』 “Ugh…”
Her over-the-top enthusiasm made me hesitate a little, but today, I decided to accept Yuna’s kindness without resistance.
Up until now, I hadn’t really paid much attention to dressing up, and I barely even knew how to apply makeup properly.
Yuna and I headed downstairs together.
In the living room, Mom was cooking in the kitchen, while Dad sat on the sofa half-watching TV and working on his laptop. With that, our whole family was gathered.
We greeted them and then took our seats side by side at the dining table.
『Wow, it looks so delicious!』
Mom’s breakfast today looked a bit more carefully prepared than usual.
Rice, miso soup, a dish of pickles, bacon and eggs with sausage, salad, and a fruit dessert.
The menu itself wasn’t much different from what we usually had, but everything had a little extra effort put into it.
After Alicia offered her usual prayer of thanks to Minstia—
『“Itadakimasu”』
—we all joined in and began eating breakfast.
I picked up my rice bowl and chopsticks, and started slowly savoring each dish—praying that Alicia could taste it through me.
『…Mmm, it’s delicious!』
Alicia’s cheerful voice was the trigger that set the conversation flowing.
We got excited talking about things like today’s date plans, what to wear, and makeup.
Mom… please stop trying to put me in frilly outfits. Seriously.
Dad, as usual, stayed mostly silent, continuing his work with his back turned on the sofa, only responding when spoken to.
It was a scene just like always.
『“”』
Alicia and I, having finished eating before Yuna, put our hands together and said it again.
『Mother, thank you as always for the delicious meal. I love your cooking so much.』
“Alicia… Thank you, sweetheart…”
Her voice trembled as she answered.
Mom covered her mouth with her hand, wrinkles forming at the corners of her eyes.
“S-sorry… I’m just going to the bathroom for a bit.”
Saying only that, Mom rushed out of the living room.
A sudden silence fell over the space she left behind.
The only sounds were the clinking of tableware and the news playing faintly from the television.
After a moment, Dad silently stood up and left the room as well.
No one said anything… but we all understood.
If Mom had broken down crying right there, the carefully maintained illusion of normal life would’ve shattered.
She left so that wouldn’t happen.
Tears didn’t suit today.
Because today was supposed to be a happy day—a date day.
“Thanks for the food!”
After finishing breakfast, Yuna and I cleaned up the dishes, and the three of us resumed our conversation.
Talking about what rides we wanted to try at the amusement park, or which one to start with, we happily planned everything while Yuna checked the attraction guide on her phone.
Before long, Dad came back and sat down on the sofa. A little later, Mom returned too.
She quietly began washing the dishes in the kitchen.
“Alright then, let’s get ready to go.”
Prompted by Yuna, we left the living room.
First was the washroom—washed my face, applied toner and lotion.
Then we returned to my room to change clothes.
Standing in front of the mirror, I put on a calm smile and showed Alicia my outfit.
『This outfit is absolutely adorable!』
A white sailor one-piece dress with a light blue checkered pattern and a crisp white collar.
It was the outfit I’d bought with Yuna the other day when we went into town, and this was Alicia’s first time seeing it.
I spun in front of the mirror so Alicia could get a good look at the design. The way the hem and collar fluttered with each twirl made it all the more fun.
“…Fufu, just as I thought. It really suits you.”
At some point, Yuna had come into the room. Watching me, she spoke with a warm smile, a cosmetics pouch tucked under her arm.
“Yeah, it’s cute, right?”
I answered with excitement without even thinking.
It was love at first sight when I saw this dress in the shop. I bought it on the spot.
I had a feeling Alicia would like it too, but having her actually react made me truly happy.
…Though, it was a bit pricey, so my wallet’s feeling the hit.
Yuna brought over a chair and had me sit in front of the mirror so she could do my makeup.
“Alice, you should start learning how to put on makeup little by little too.”
Her offer was honestly appreciated.
I did feel a slight twinge of laziness, but this was something I’d need to learn to live properly moving forward.
“That said, with girls our age, wearing heavy makeup ends up looking unnatural. Just a soft, natural finish will do—it’s not that much trouble.”
She pulled my bangs back with a headband and began applying makeup.
Yuna’s skilled hands moved quickly and efficiently across my face.
To be honest, I had thought makeup wasn’t something I really needed right now.
But as she worked, I saw how the natural look enhanced my features just enough to stand out.
I couldn’t help but feel my heart race a little at the unfamiliar yet adorably highlighted girl staring back at me.
“This is… me…”
My lips, lightly tinted with color, moved in the reflection.
Somehow it made me feel shy, and I instinctively looked away.
『…You look lovely.』
“Today, I did everything for you, but next time let’s practice together.”
Yuna said with a satisfied smile as she removed my headband.
“Next up, hair styling.”
Though today I wasn’t planning to change from my usual straight hair, so she simply helped tidy it up.
Dressed in my outing clothes and with my makeup done, I sat in the chair while Yuna combed my hair.
The image in the mirror looked almost dreamlike—so much so that I forgot it was me and found myself staring.
Each stroke of the comb sent strands of shimmering silvery-white hair cascading down, catching the spring sunlight like glittering threads.
The sensation was so gentle, I instinctively narrowed my eyes in comfort.
“Mm… looks great.”
In the mirror, Yuna’s expression was one of satisfaction.
And reflected alongside her… was a beautiful girl with slightly flushed cheeks.
My heart thumped.
…Am I becoming a narcissist?
No—surely not.
Because the girl reflected in that mirror… was the one I had fallen for, completely and sincerely, for the first time in my life.
I thanked Yuna and stood up, walking over to my desk.
From the drawer, I pulled out a small box and opened it. Inside were the matching rings we’d bought for Christmas.
I raised my left hand in front of me and slipped the ring onto my ring finger, making sure Alicia could see.
Then, to finish it all off, I set a straw boater hat—apparently called a “kankan hat”—on my head. It had a stylish black trim and matched the sailor one-piece perfectly.
“…And that’s everything.”
“Alice, look this way~?”
When I turned around, Yuna had her phone out, camera ready.
Geez… what can you do?
I turned toward her and let her take a few pictures.
Getting a little carried away, I even struck a few fashion-magazine-style poses.
When I looked at the photos she showed me, the girl captured in them was, if I may say so myself—shamelessly cute.
『Ikuto-san, you look so cute!』
Oh no no, it’s not that—
…Actually, maybe it is?
Yuna said she was going to go change too, and left the room to head back to her own.
I slung the small white shoulder bag that Mom had given me for my birthday over my shoulder, tucked my phone inside, and headed down to the living room ahead of her.
My parents showered me with compliments when they saw me all dressed up—it felt a little embarrassing, but in a warm and ticklish kind of way.
Before long, Yuna came downstairs too, having changed into her usual casual clothes.
The moment we saw each other, Yuna hesitantly asked,
“Um… I was thinking of going shopping near the station—do you mind if I walk with you that far?”
『Of course not! Let’s go together.』
“Thanks, Alicia. And sorry, Alice—I know it’s your special day. I just… it’s only to the station, but still…”
She wanted to be with Alicia even just a little longer.
But she also knew that might mean intruding on the two of us.
I could see all of that in Yuna’s expression.
“Don’t worry about it. I’d actually like to go with you, too.”
That’s what I told her.
I owed Yuna so much already—it wasn’t like I had any right to push her away.
And more than that, she was Alicia’s closest friend… and family too.
When it came time to leave, the whole family came to see us off.
Mom leaned lightly into Dad for support, while he gently held her shoulder.
I bent down to put on my shoes, all while feeling their gaze on me.
I picked the black loafers—they were easier to wear on amusement park rides.
“…Well then, I’m heading out.”
I turned around after finishing and said it.
“Take care out there—my precious daughters.”
“Have fun.”
We exchanged just a few short parting words.
Even to the end, both Mom and Dad wore gentle smiles.
『Father, Mother—we’re off. Thank you… for everything up until now.』
As Alicia said this, I bowed deeply.
My body moved on its own, naturally.
But I knew that if I looked them in the eye as I straightened up, I wouldn’t be able to hold it together.
So I quickly turned and ran out the front door, shutting it behind me.
The closing door sealed off the view of my parents completely.
Outside, Yuna was already waiting by the road.
She looked at me, slightly out of breath, and didn’t say a word—just took my hand and gently wrapped both of hers around it.
“You okay…?”
The softness of her hands, the warmth, it all made me feel safe.
“…Yeah. I’m good now.”
『Thank you, Yuna.』
“Alright, let’s go.”
After turning back for one final glance—
We turned away from the house and began walking toward the station.
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