Volume 3 - Me, Her, and a Pair of Wings
Chapter 9
"Alright, perfect... How do I look?"
"Saying you look good in your plain-mode might be rude, but yep, you look very cute. Thanks, Chinatsu."
She had checked herself in the bathroom mirror, but now she made a few final adjustments in the hallway mirror before turning to me for reassurance. I looked at her closely and answered honestly. The fact that I could say it without embarrassment was probably thanks to the past week of tempering myself.
"...I don't know how to explain it, but even though I know it’s late, I'm starting to really understand what my mom meant when she said that you’re the type of person who will be snatched up and taken away by others in the blink of an eye once you go to college or becomes a working adult.”
"What do you mean by that?"
"Nothing, really. Anyway, shall we go? It’s our first date."
With a light laugh, she opened the door and we stepped outside together. Even in her disguise—with glasses, a different hairstyle, and clothes that hid her figure—Chinatsu still looked incredibly cute.
Today was Sunday, and we were going on a date. While an aquarium or a movie would have been nice, we decided on a more practical destination.
"It's been a while since the last time I went. Even if we don't buy anything, I still like looking at the interior designs. And going out with you like this, Hajime, feels great."
As we walked towards the station, Chinatsu's enthusiasm was contagious. I felt my spirits lift as we strolled through the morning winter sunlight. We walked hand in hand, our steps in sync. I was just as happy as she was.
"Ah, since we're here, why don't we walk through the park?"
Looking in the direction Chinatsu pointed, I nodded. It felt like a distant memory now, but seeing Chinatsu crouched in that park was the start of everything. Even in winter, the park was unexpectedly filled with parents and children. But that day, the park was empty except for Chinatsu, who was sitting in front of a tree, holding Shiro.
"It feels like ages ago, but it's only been about two months, right?"
"I was just thinking the same thing."
"Right? Hehe, maybe this is what it feels like to reminisce about the past."
"It feels a bit different… but yeah. Maybe when we keep spending our time like this, grow older and come back here together, we'll understand these feelings better."
"...You always say such things so easily."
"Huh?"
"Nothi~ng. Come on, let's go. We need to get there by ten, look around the shop, and have lunch at the restaurant inside!"
It wasn't that I hadn't heard what Chinatsu said and asked her to repeat; I had just casually expressed what I felt. Could that have been the reason for her reaction? I wondered about it for a moment, but then I felt her grip tighten slightly and her pace quicken, so I decided to keep up without dwelling on it.
About two stations away from where I lived was a large shop with Scandinavian-style interior designs. I remembered visiting it with my family after we moved, and my parents remarked how it was a great date spot because it had a restaurant and sold hot dogs and ice cream. Back then, I had just looked around with Miho.
This time, besides buying some mugs, I planned to get some plates and other items for Chinatsu. It was the reason why I had invited her on a date over the weekend.
"Hey..."
"Yeah?"
As we got off the train and joined the flow of people heading into the shop, Chinatsu, who transitioned from holding my hand to linking her arm with mine, murmured. The closer contact made me smell her scent and feel the softness of her touch, making me a bit self-conscious. Chinatsu, seemingly unaware of my embarrassment, continued to look around at the families and couples nearby as she continued.
"Back when my mom suggested it, I was shocked, but spending the past week living together, going to school, and now going on a furniture shopping date like this..."
"Yeah."
"I realized that ordinary days like this make me feel so happy, it's almost overwhelming.”
Although Chinatsu said it so casually, it made me realize something important.
"Yeah… I also feel the same."
Come to think of it, I no longer felt anything when I saw families or the streets starting to light up for the holidays. It was so normal that I hadn't noticed. As Christmas approached, the streets that used to make me acutely aware of being alone now felt different. Unlike last year, I didn't need to avert my gaze, either consciously or unconsciously. I could see the beauty of it all and feel like I wasn't alone. Thanks to Chinatsu being by my side, I felt like I had been saved once again.
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"Wow, amazing! Look at this bed and table! Isn’t it super stylish?”
"Right, it feels like buying this whole set would make our life luxurious."
Of course, we weren't actually buying anything; we were just window-shopping, but we walked around the interior designs section. It was fun to look at the bedroom setups, dining tables, and rooms fully coordinated with that brand's furniture. Chinatsu seemed to be enjoying it as well.
"This sofa doesn't want to let me go, Hajime."
"Come on now, don’t sprawl on it just because you’re wearing a long skirt; there are kids around."
We were probably more excited than usual, which is why we didn't notice the familiar voices nearby.
"Look, Yuuko, Dad and the others went somewhere already. We have to go now."
"Whatever, those adults can go enjoy themselves. I'm going to enjoy this comfort a bit longer... You can go ahead if you want, Ikkun. You don't have to stay with me, we don’t have that kind of relationship, after all.”
"Sigh, that’s not the problem here. But, well, I’ll wait here for you."
I heard a familiar voice nearby. I turned, thinking about where I might have heard it before. Looking back, I realized that it was such a thoughtless move.
"Hajime, is there a problem?"
Chinatsu, who had been completely immersed with the sofa’s comfortness, suddenly sat up from behind and called my name.
“Huh? That just now definitely sounded like Chinatsu-chan, right? Is that… Satou-kun and… huh?”
"...Huh?"
“...Eh?”
In front of me stood the guy responsible for me being called "number two" and a girl from Chinatsu's circle as well as her classmate. They looked at us in shock. Similarly, Chinatsu was also staring at them, equally stunned.
"...Could it be... Chinatsu-chan?"
And then, from Sakurai Yuuko-san's mouth, the name that decided our fate came out, and all I could do was silently watch.
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Bonus Chapter (3/10)
