Vol. 2 Chapter 73 – The Irregular Double Date (7)

Our eyes met, and my body and thoughts froze.

We’ve been seen.

Following the summer festival incident, we’d been caught kissing again.

And this time, by Taiju-san too.

A mixture of awkwardness, guilt, and various other emotions swirled in my mind.

The other two were also frozen, as if they’d seen a real ghost.

What I should obviously be doing right now is immediately pulling Hikaru away and offering an explanation.

That’s what I should be doing, but—

“Nn… mwah… Reiya-kun, I love you…” (Hikaru)

Hikaru continued to peck at my lips.

She hadn’t noticed the two watching us, nor that we were illuminated by the light.

She wrapped her arms around my back, her voice melting with sweetness.

Watching her, perhaps as a form of escapism, I somehow started to feel like, ‘Maybe it’s okay if I don’t stop this.’

“…Re-Reiya-kun?” (Ichiru)

In this bizarre situation, it was Ichiru-san who broke the silence.

My hope that she might pretend not to see, like before, was shattered.

“Eh? Wh-what are you doing…?” (Ichiru)

“Uh, um… That is…” (Reiya)

Why were we here, and why were we kissing in a place like this?

I faltered at the question, which held two meanings.

“Reiya-kun… Really, just one more time… Let’s do it just one more time, okay…?” (Hikaru)

“No, Hikaru… This might not be the time for that…” (Reiya)

I calmly dealt with Hikaru, who was asking for one last try like a spoiled child.

“Nn…? What is it…?” (Hikaru)

To her, still in a dreamlike state, I jerked my head, indicating the two of them.

Hikaru turned around with a slow, “Hmm…?” motion.

“Ah…” (Hikaru)

A choked sound, unlike anything I’d heard from Hikaru before, escaped her lips.

Her completely dazed expression instantly changed to a serious one.

It seemed even Hikaru realized she’d messed up in this situation.

We looked at each other, attempting silent communication.

We’d been caught kissing in a haunted house after tailing my cousin on her date, completely carried away.

What kind of excuse could possibly work…?

“”We’re sorry…”” (Reiya & Hikaru)

In the end, all we could do was offer words of apology for everything.

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“I’m really… truly sorry!!” (Hikaru)

The first words out of Hikaru’s mouth after leaving the haunted house echoed around the area.

“I was just so, so worried about my brother…” (Hikaru)

“That’s right! We just came to check on Taiju-san because we were worried, there was no other intention!” (Reiya)

Standing side by side, we pressed our palms together to show our apology.

“Y-you don’t have to apologize that much… I don’t mind at all, and I completely understand being worried about your brother.” (Ichiru)

“But, you two were finally having fun together… and I ruined it…” (Hikaru)

“It’s okay. You haven’t ruined anything, and I don’t mind, so please lift your heads, okay? Alright?” (Ichiru)

Gentle words of forgiveness came from above our lowered heads.

Normally, anyone would be upset to find out they were being followed on a date.

I was about to lift my head, inwardly grateful for her generosity, but—

“But Reiya-kun is a different story.” (Ichiru)

With the words that followed, only my head was pushed down.

“Eh? Wh-why only me…?” (Reiya)

“I understand Hikaru-chan was worried about Taiju-kun, but you’re different, aren’t you, Reiya-kun?” (Ichiru)

“N-no… I was also just normally worried about Taiju-san…” (Reiya)

“Is that really all…?” (Ichiru)

She stared at me with suspicious eyes.

“…Sorry. I was worried about you, Ichiru-san, and maybe I was being unnecessarily meddlesome.” (Reiya)

“Honesty is good.” (Ichiru)

When I confessed honestly, Ichiru-san said so with satisfaction.

It wasn’t that I didn’t have things I wanted to argue, but I didn’t want to pick a fight, so I held back.

“And one more thing.” (Ichiru)

As I was feeling a little dejected, Ichiru-san held up one finger in front of me.

“Wh-what…?” (Reiya)

“Even if you’re lovers, you need to be mindful of the time and place!” (Ichiru)

I was thoroughly scolded for the other screw-up.

No, that was Hikaru, not me… I tried to make an excuse, but when she said, “Even so, you’re the boyfriend, so you have to be responsible, Reiya-kun!” I had no rebuttal.

After that, the irregular 2+2 double date merged, and the four of us continued to tour the amusement park in a formal group.

I had intended to leave if we got caught, but I couldn’t bring myself to abandon Taiju-san, who was giving me a pleading look that screamed, ‘Reiya! Please, stay! I can’t do this alone!’

And so, the four of us enjoyed the amusement park until evening.

It deviated a bit from the original plan… but well, I think it was fun.

Perhaps Taiju-san felt more at ease with us around, as by the end, he was able to talk naturally with Ichiru-san.

However, it was a precious opportunity, and I didn’t know when the next one would be.

Just as I was wishing for some event that would make the two of them more conscious of each other as a man and a woman—

“Ah! I want to ride that last!” (Hikaru)

Just as we were about to leave, Hikaru pointed at the Ferris wheel and said.

“The Ferris wheel?” (Reiya)

“Yes! After all, when you think of an amusement park, the grand finale has to be the Ferris wheel, doesn’t it?” (Hikaru)

Hikaru said to Ichiru-san, in the same tone one might use to order a final bowl of ramen.

“It’s true we’ve only been on scary rides today, so ending with a relaxing Ferris wheel ride sounds nice. It looks like one gondola can fit up to four people, too.” (Ichiru)

“About that… since it’s a special occasion, would it be okay if Reiya-kun and I rode together, just the two of us?” (Hikaru)

“Ah, you’re right. I’m sorry. I wasn’t being considerate.” (Ichiru)

“No, I’m the one who should be sorry for sounding selfish…” (Hikaru)

I want to ride alone with my lover.

Ichiru-san naturally accepted Hikaru’s straightforward request.

I, on the other hand, braced myself slightly, wondering if she was planning to demand something else now that we were alone again, but I quickly realized that wasn’t it.

“Well then, Taiju-kun. Shall we sit down and wait for them below?” (Ichiru)

“Ah, ah… Yes, that sounds goo—” (Taiju)

Hikaru glared at Taiju-san, who was about to go along with the conversation, with a sharp gaze.

I went to all the trouble of setting this up for you, so ask her out!!

The silent pressure was so intense it made even my skin tingle.

That’s right, by making a request that was natural for her as a lover, Hikaru had, at the very last moment, created a situation where Ichiru-san and Taiju-san could naturally be alone together.

She’ll make up for her own blunder with her own strength.

I keenly felt such a strong determination from her.

“S-since it’s a special occasion… why don’t we ride too? We can sit and rest inside as well…” (Taiju)

Taiju-san, now his sister’s puppet, invited Ichiru-san.

“If you want to ride, Taiju-kun, I don’t mind…” (Ichiru)

Naturally, things wouldn’t lead to a refusal, and events proceeded exactly as Hikaru intended.

“Now that it’s decided, we have to get in line! Come on, big brother! Hurry, hurry!” (Hikaru)

“O-okay…” (Taiju)

Hikaru pushed Taiju-san’s back, guiding him to the end of the line.

With this, the stage was set, and the rest was up to Taiju-san.

As I was wondering what would happen and about to follow them—

“H-hey… Reiya-kun…” (Ichiru)

Ichiru-san called out from behind, as if to stop me.

“Hm? What’s wrong?” (Reiya)

“Um… While those two aren’t around, there’s something I’d like to ask you, Reiya-kun…” (Ichiru)

“Something you want to ask? What is it?” (Reiya)

Ichiru-san was fidgeting awkwardly, like when she was hesitant to confess she’d broken a dish.

Wondering what on earth she could want to ask that she couldn’t when the other two were present, I prompted her…

“Um… k-kisses… what are they like…?” (Ichiru)

Averting her gaze, her cheeks flushed crimson, she asked timidly.