Chapter 62: Kamishiro Hisui (Strolling Through the Hot Spring Town)
Although the date with Hisui got off to a slightly awkward start, things settled down after that, and we ended up spending an unexpectedly peaceful time together.
We wandered aimlessly through the shopping street that stretched out from the station.
At a souvenir shop, we tried a variety of samples and, after discussing together, chose the one we liked best to buy and bring back to the inn for tonight.
We were intrigued by the occasional rickshaws running through the street, but the price was a bit steep for high schoolers, so we decided to pass. Alicia proudly remarked, 『They have these in my world too』, which made us laugh.
At a store selling character merchandise, we saw illustrations and plushies of a forest spirit waiting for a cat-shaped bus under a famous umbrella. Alicia looked at them and commented, 『So there are spirit beasts in Japan too, huh?』 No, not really… probably not.
We bought two soft-serve cones made from local specialty flavors and shared them among the three of us. One was citrus-based and tasted great, but the other, a more novelty flavor, had a weird taste. All three of us scrunched up our faces slightly as we ate it.
I tried nure-okaki (wet rice crackers) for the first time in my life. They were served with tea in a small raised tatami seating area and had a chewy texture similar to kakimochi. They were tasty, but I think I prefer the crunchy kind. Alicia and Hisui seemed to really like them though.
While we spent our time like that, we eventually came to the end of the shopping street and casually browsed through a small general store near the exit.
Taking our time, as if reluctant for this moment to end.
“Hey, how about we get matching accessories as a memento of today?”
Hisui, who had been looking at the accessories, suggested this.
“Yeah, sounds good to me.”
I agreed. I thought it would make a great souvenir.
『These bracelets are so pretty!』
They were resin bracelets. Translucent and available in various colors, arranged in a soft gradient—bright and colorful.
“Would you pick a color for me, Alice?”
“Sure… Hmm, how about this one?”
I picked out a green bracelet. It was simple, but when I think of Hisui, green is the color that comes to mind.
“I’ll take that one… Since you were born in February, how about this purple one that reminds me of your birthstone, amethyst?”
The one Hisui picked was a deep violet.
“Yeah, I like it. Now all that’s left is Alicia’s.”
『…Eh? I can have one too? But isn’t this supposed to be a memento of just the two of you…』
『No need to hold back now. I’ve already made my peace with today being a date for all three of us. So, come on—pick one too, Alicia.』
『Th-thank you… Um, would it be alright if Ikuto-san chose one for me too?』
『Of course… Let’s see—yeah, this one feels right for you.』
I picked a pale blue bracelet. When I think of Alicia, the shrine maiden of water, the image I get is always of that clear, soft water color.
『I’ll take that one… I’m really happy. Thank you both so much!』
Trying to act a little cool, I paid for all three of them. I was planning to cover Alicia’s from the start, and it didn’t feel right to make Hisui pay just for hers.
“Thanks, Alice.”
『Thank you very much, Ikuto-san.』
After finishing the payment and leaving the shop, we immediately tried on the bracelets.
They were a bit too loose to really work as accessories, but since they were more symbolic as souvenirs, it didn’t matter.
On Hisui’s wrist was the green bracelet. And on mine, the pale blue and violet ones overlapped.
Seeing this, Hisui reached out and laced her fingers with mine, pressing our bracelet-wearing arms together.
“Wh—Hisui!?”
“...Well, it’s lonely being left out.”
Her sulky tone made her seem a little childish, and it reminded me of the past... Though the softness pressing against my arm and the faint scent of perfume were unmistakably that of a grown woman.
『...Hisui-san, your chest is pressing against him. Ikuto-san’s grinning.』
『Wha—Alicia!?』
『It’s nothing to fuss over. We’re both girls, after all.』
『I don’t think it’s fine at all... but I’m holding back because I’m happy about the bracelet. And, well, I still feel guilty for interrupting your date to begin with.』
『Fufu, thank you, Alicia.』
『Umm, does my opinion even...』
『...Is there a problem?』
...Nope. Not a thing.
In the end, Hisui didn’t let go of my hand until we reached the inn, and we drew stares from just about everyone along the way. Even though we weren’t wearing yukata or any kind of period-style cosplay, someone still asked if they could take our photo… We declined, of course.
How must we have looked to others—this tall, slender beauty with wavy black hair tied in a ponytail, and me, a silver-haired foreign-looking little girl, walking hand in hand?
...Like a high school girl showing a tourist child around?
Just thinking about it made me feel strangely sad. Better stop.
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