Chapter 152: Date with My Girlfriend
"Sorry, I'm late."
The first thing I said to Hisui when we met up was an apology.
"Don't worry about it. I was the one who invited you out so suddenly."
She smiled as she said that, but she had a very different vibe than usual.
Her trademark ponytail was undone, and her wavy long hair flowed softly around her. Unlike her usual mature and stylish outfits, she wore a girlish ensemble that emphasized her cuteness, totally age-appropriate—and it hit me right in the sweet spot of my preferences.
"...Is something wrong?"
Hisui tilted her head slightly, noticing how I’d frozen up.
"Ah, no, it's just... you look so cute, it caught me off guard."
"Do you think it's a little too cute for me?"
She looked a bit nervous and bashful—that in itself felt fresh and new.
"Not at all, it suits you perfectly! Um, sorry... I look like this."
I couldn’t help but feel self-conscious about my own appearance.
Hisui had clearly dressed up and even put on makeup, but I was bare-faced and wearing a simple one-piece, the kind of thing you’d throw on for a quick trip to the store.
"No, I'm the one who should apologize. I just really wanted to put effort in today..."
Now that I think about it, this was our very first date since we started going out. Of course she’d want to dress up. In that case...
"Hey, Hisui, is there anywhere you want to go?"
"Not really, nothing in particular."
"Then would you mind coming with me to shop for spring clothes? Since we're out, I want to find something just as cute so I won't lose to you."
"You don't have to force yourself to match me... but yeah, even if you say that, I still worry. Sorry."
"No, I really was thinking about getting something new. And besides, you went all out for me—so I want to return the favor."
"Alice..."
Lately, I’ve come to realize something—girls really do pay attention to what others wear. From a girl’s perspective, we must’ve looked pretty mismatched right now. Probably didn’t even look like we were on a date, and I hated that.
"Well, I should’ve just gotten ready properly from the start..."
But really, it was all thanks to a certain someone’s lack of self-control that I didn’t have time to go home and change, so I had no choice but to come in the casual clothes I kept at the apartment.
"And also... Hisui, could you teach me how to do makeup? I still don’t feel confident doing it on my own."
"Then how about we check out some beginner-friendly cosmetics together?"
"Yeah, please."
And with that, our date began.
We went around town visiting shops, and I picked out a soft, fluttery pink two-piece outfit. There was a spring sale going on, so I was lucky to grab it at a good price.
After having the tags removed and changing into the new outfit in the fitting room, we went to another store to find matching shoes. I bought a pair of heeled mules that gave me a little height and swapped out my sneakers.
Next, we headed to a cosmetics store, where I got a crash course in makeup from both the clerk and Hisui. Apparently, it’s best to go for a natural look that accentuates certain features, but it was harder than I expected.
When the shop clerk asked about our relationship, Hisui casually answered that we were dating, and I suddenly felt incredibly embarrassed.
"You're such a cute girlfriend," she said... geez.
The sales-savvy clerk suggested we each pick out a lipstick to gift one another, so we did.
The one I received had a natural tint and doubled as a lip balm, subtle enough to wear to school without anyone noticing.
For Hisui, I picked a slightly glossy vermilion shade.
Finally, I looked presentable enough to walk next to her without feeling embarrassed, and I was satisfied. But as we strolled through town together, we really stood out.
Maybe it was because we were holding hands, fingers interlaced, like a proper couple.
I’m not so bothered by being seen by others at this point, but getting hit on or approached by sketchy scouts is a hassle. Thankfully, Hisui always turned them down firmly, which I really appreciated.
"So... what should we do next?"
At the café we stopped by for lunch, I asked Hisui a question.
Back in the day, we used to gather at each other’s houses to play video games or Wii with everyone, but now that it’s just me and Hisui—what would be the best way for us to have fun together?
...A card game shop was probably out of the question.
A game arcade... maybe that could work.
"Um... I’d like to go somewhere quiet where we can just be together."
Hisui said that while covering her mouth with her hand and turning her gaze away. Her cheeks seemed faintly red.
"Uh, you mean..."
It took me a moment to realize what she meant.
Why hadn’t that option crossed my mind?
We were a couple now. There was nothing strange about deepening that kind of relationship. We’d even spent the night together once before, when I’d offered my body to her as a form of atonement.
The only reason nothing had happened since then was because our periods kept alternating and we kept missing the chance. Now that was no longer an issue, so her bringing it up was only natural.
"...I-I’d be happy to."
My voice came out a little shaky.
"But... where would we...?"
Now that I had to seriously consider where we could be alone, it became a real problem.
We both had family at home today, and going to a hotel would be difficult. I’d read that there were karaoke places without security cameras, but I had no idea which ones those were, and even without cameras, there was still a risk.
"What about the apartment your father lent you?"
Bringing Hisui to the same place where I’d done things with Souta... was that really okay?
And—
"Are you really okay with that, Hisui?"
"Well, there are things about it I don’t love... but it’s better than somewhere we have to constantly worry about being seen."
Since we didn’t come up with any better ideas, we left the café and started heading for the apartment.
We walked side by side through town, hand in hand, saying little.
The hand I held in mine felt cool and slightly damp.
I wished I could say something to help ease the tension, but I couldn’t find the right words.
I felt flustered just being next to this version of Hisui, who seemed so unlike her usual self.
Leading the way, I took her through the now-familiar shared areas of the apartment building until we arrived at the door to the unit I’d been borrowing.
I felt a small knot of nervousness as I opened the door—but was relieved to find the place empty.
My parents had made it clear that they would never set foot in this place. Yuna also had a key, but it was more of a precaution than anything else.
And as for Souta, who had been here earlier—I’d messaged him in advance.
Letting him know I’d be using the place with Hisui would be a bit awkward, but if we had run into him without warning, it would’ve been a lot worse than awkward.
"So this is the place, huh..."
It looked like Souta had tidied up before leaving—there were no obvious traces of anything. I’d also used purification magic on the especially dirty areas around the bed ahead of time, so I felt safe about that.
"I’ll go take a shower, then."
Leaving those words behind, I stepped into the unit bath, leaving Hisui in the room.
Before doing anything with Hisui, I absolutely wanted to make sure I was clean.
Thanks to Souta pushing me right up until the last minute this morning, I hadn’t been able to shower before the date.
I’d masked it with scented deodorant, but honestly, I’d been nervous all throughout the date, worried she might notice something.
...Still, how many times had I ended up showering here since yesterday?
At this rate, with at least one more shower to go, I felt like my skin might wrinkle up from all the water.
When I came out, Hisui went in for her turn. When I saw her undressing, her face flushed red and she quickly turned away, saying, "...Don’t look."
Panicking, I averted my eyes.
She was wearing a matching set of pale blue lingerie, trimmed with elegant lace.
"Come to think of it, I forgot to buy new underwear."
That kind of thing still slips my mind—proof, maybe, that my feminine instincts aren’t quite there yet. Not that it mattered right now, since I was wrapped in nothing but a bath towel.
...Good thing I took my shower first.
Hisui came out of the bathroom, and the two of us sat side by side on the bed, both in towels. The lingering steam brought with it a palpable intimacy. As I stared absentmindedly, Hisui gave me a troubled look.
Unlike the time at the hot spring, today she was shy about being seen by me—and that made me feel flustered too.
"Hey... just for now, can I call you Ikuto?"
"Yeah."
I realized then that this was Hisui stripped of the strength she usually wore like armor—this was the same girl from back then, just as she used to be.
So I chose to accept what she wanted.
"...Ikuto, I want you to be my first."
At those words, I nodded, making up my mind.
I was grateful that Hisui had chosen me as the person she wanted to share her first time with. At the same time, I felt a pang of guilt—because I couldn’t offer her the same in return.
I was still technically a virgin, but I wasn’t... untainted. I didn’t even know how you’d count that between two girls.
So at the very least, I wanted to give her a memory worth treasuring.
I reached out, gently cupping her cheek, and leaned in close.
Then, as a sign of my vow, I pressed my lips to hers.
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