Vol. 2 Chapter 67 – The Irregular Double Date (2) [NotMar Boost End]

Hikaru’s message appeared in the group chat formed for this day. Ten o’clock, beyond the bushes.

The message wasn’t directed at me.

The two of them were side-by-side, peering over the bushes to check on today’s main attraction.

Okay, got eyes on him.

Several tens of meters ahead, in front of an art object famous as a meeting spot, my eyes met Taiju’s. He was holding his phone and looking our way.

We’ll maintain this distance and follow, so don’t worry. You remember the plan, right? Got your handkerchief and tissues? I know, I know. You don’t have to worry so much, it’ll be fine.

A reply came back, sounding exasperated with Hikaru, who was fussing over him like a child going on their first solo outing.

Today was Tuesday.

Tuesday is a weekday, but not for everyone.

For example, students on summer vacation… or the manager of a restaurant that has Tuesdays off.

That’s right, a week had passed since that festival day, and today was Mizumoritei’s first regular day off.

It was finally the day of Taiju and Ichiru’s date.

You say that… but you can’t do anything on your own if I leave you to it.

She must have been incredibly worried, as she’d been sending anxious messages over and over again.

“Still, he’s really put a lot of effort into his outfit today, hasn’t he?” (Reiya)

I spoke directly to Hikaru next to me as we peeked at the meeting spot from behind the bushes.

Taiju usually stuck to plain T-shirts and jeans, but today, while his summer coordinate was simple, he looked quite stylish.

It was a fashion that retained his usual vibe while highlighting his natural good looks.

If Taiju had chosen that himself, it would be significant progress, but—

“Actually, I picked that out for him yesterday when I stopped by on my way back from practice.” (Hikaru)

“Ah, ahh… I knew it…” (Reiya)

I’d pretty much guessed that was the case, so I wasn’t too surprised when she said it.

“Out of curiosity, what was he planning to wear without your production?” (Reiya)

“A suit with shoulder pads and a bow tie.” (Hikaru)

“…Today’s going to be a big job.” (Reiya)

There were thirty minutes left until the meeting time.

We discussed the date plan again, trying to refine it as much as possible in the meantime.

Then, after about twenty minutes, there was movement at the scene.

“…Hm?” (Reiya)

A pair of young women were looking at Taiju, whispering something to each other.

Their gazes seemed to hold a certain curiosity.

Just as I was starting to worry if there was some fatal flaw visible up close, they went ahead and spoke to Taiju.

“Hey, some women are talking to Taiju… what’s going on…?” (Reiya)

“Eh?! What do you mean?!” (Hikaru)

Hikaru, who had been checking today’s itinerary on her phone, turned back and peeked towards Taiju again.

“Are they asking for directions, maybe…?” (Reiya)

“No… could it be… is that what they call a reverse pickup?” (Hikaru)

“A reverse pickup?!” (Hikaru)

At that term, Hikaru turned to me in surprise.

“I mean, look… Taiju’s panicking so much…” (Reiya)

Taiju’s gaze darted about restlessly, and he was waving his hands frantically in front of his face.

He was about as flustered as I get when I’m called on in class after dozing off.

I couldn’t hear their conversation, but it definitely didn’t look like he was being asked for directions.

“Well, I guess with Taiju looking like he does today, a reverse pickup isn’t entirely out of the question…” (Hikaru)

“It’s kind of nice to hear my coordination skills being praised… Hey, this is no time to be saying that! Mizumori-san might show up any second, and if she sees that…” (Hikaru)

“Yeah, that could be a bit bad…” (Reiya)

Perhaps unused to such situations, Taiju still hadn’t managed to turn down their advances.

In fact, it felt like he was starting to look a little pleased, just a tiny bit.

The women, on the other hand, seemed quite used to playing the field. They appeared even more interested, perhaps finding Taiju’s unexpectedly innocent demeanor, despite his looks, amusing.

“…Oh, crap! She’s really here!” (Hikaru)

“Eh?! Seriously?! Whoa, you’re right!” (Reiya)

To our right, in the distance—from the direction of the station—I saw Ichiru walking over.

Her long hair was tied up neatly, and she was wearing a stylish long skirt I’d never seen her in before.

Like Taiju, she clearly seemed enthusiastic about today’s date, but now wasn’t the time to focus on that.

“Ughh…! Turn them down already, I’m telling you…! This is bad…!” (Hikaru)

Unable to step out, Hikaru kept sending messages, phone in hand.

The distance between them was now about 100 meters.

However, Taiju was still talking to the women and showed no signs of noticing.

Some people might be happy to see their date being popular, but Ichiru was definitely the type to withdraw, thinking, ‘Well, if that’s the case, it doesn’t have to be me.’

If this continued, the first date they’d miraculously managed to arrange would start with a strangely awkward atmosphere.

“Why isn’t he noticing…?! She’s already here, I’m telling you…!” (Hikaru)

“We need him to turn them down fast… It’d be really bad for Ichiru-san to see that look on his face…” (Reiya)

Taiju was scratching his head, looking embarrassed by whatever they were saying to him.

Like desperately pinging a top laner who hasn’t noticed an enemy gank, the two of us frantically continued sending messages.

“Ah, he finally noticed!” (Hikaru)

Our efforts paid off, and Taiju finally registered our desperation.

Ichiru-san, from over there, she’s already here.

The two of us desperately sent more messages.

Understanding the crisis a beat too late, Taiju put his hands together and bowed his head to the women.

And so, he managed to fend them off just in the nick of time.

“Haaah… We made it somehow…” (Hikaru)

Having overcome this early, unexpected crisis, Hikaru let out a huge sigh of relief.

Just as the two women were leaving, Ichiru reached Taiju’s side.

They were bowing to each other repeatedly, like a first meeting in an arranged marriage.

“But the real thing starts now, so we have to stay sharp…” (Hikaru)

“Yeah. But why do I have to be so on edge for my brother’s date in the first place…? Seriously, this is exhausting…” (Hikaru)

Though she said it with an exasperated tone, Hikaru watched the two of them meet up with a somewhat happy expression.

“Come on! You have to be the one to suggest moving! That’s it, that’s it!” (Hikaru)

She said, looking satisfied, watching Taiju start to walk, leading Ichiru.

However, they obviously weren’t holding hands yet, and there was a distance of about three steps between them.

There was no doubt they were conscious of the special situation of being on a date, but the atmosphere was distant, far from that of a couple.

Our role today was to shrink that distance, even by a millimeter, by the end of the day.

“Well, shall we get going too?” (Hikaru)

Hikaru, after readjusting the hat she wore to avoid being recognized, held out her hand to me.

I took her hand, and we started walking, following the pair who had gone ahead.

Even at this point, I had a strong premonition that this irregular double date would not end peacefully.