The curriculum at the metropolitan high school had always been quite relaxed.
After the lunch break ended, there were just two more inconsequential minor classes before it was time to leave school.
Hibiki Tachibana was a standard member of the “going-home club” and had absolutely no interest in participating in any club activities.
As soon as the bell rang, he packed his bag, ready to leave this suffocating campus at the first opportunity.
However, just as he was about to step out of the classroom, he stopped inexplicably.
He turned around, scanned the room, and his gaze finally landed on Mizuki Mirei, who was preparing to head to her Kyudo club activity.
He walked over to her.
“Mizuki-san.”
“Tachibana-san? Is something the matter?” Mizuki Mirei was somewhat surprised to see him return.
“The situation at the shrine must be weighing on you.” Hibiki Tachibana looked into her eyes, which were filled with sorrow despite her efforts to force a smile, and spoke in a flat tone.
“A new French dessert shop opened nearby, and I heard their macarons are very authentic. As a reward for your lunch today, my treat.”
Hibiki Tachibana extended the invitation without any warning.
After hearing this, Mizuki Mirei froze, her brain momentarily shutting down.
He…
is he asking me out?
To a dessert shop?
Does this mean…
a date?!
An uncontrollable wave of heat rushed from her chest to her head.
Her cheeks flushed bright red instantly, and her heart skipped several beats.
“Um… I…” She was incoherent, waving her hands frantically.
“I’ll go ask for leave from my club, you… wait for me!”
Without waiting for Hibiki Tachibana’s reaction, she turned and ran toward the restroom at the end of the hallway like a startled rabbit.
Rushing into the restroom, Mizuki Mirei splashed cold tap water onto her burning cheeks, trying hard to calm her heart, which felt like it was about to jump out of her throat.
Then, with trembling hands, she pulled her phone from her pocket, found the contact labeled “Senpai Kinuko” on Line, and quickly sent a message.
[Mirei: Senpai Kinuko! He… he invited me to a dessert shop!]
The response from the other end of the phone was almost instantaneous.
[Senpai Kinuko: Oh? Really? Well done! It seems my plan worked! Good luck, Mirei-kouhai! Reviving the glory of Shifune Shrine depends entirely on you! Go for it!]
Looking at the enthusiastic and provocative words on the screen, Mizuki Mirei leaned against the cold sink, a complex and bitter smile appearing on her face.
A few minutes later, after tidying her appearance and applying some light makeup to look less haggard, Mizuki Mirei took a deep breath, walked out of the restroom, and met up with Hibiki Tachibana, who was already waiting at the school gate.
Hibiki Tachibana was leaning against the wall by the gate, head lowered, idly playing with his phone.
Seeing her approach, he looked up naturally.
“Right, I don’t think we’ve exchanged Line contacts yet. Is that okay?”
“Ah… y-yes, that’s fine!”
Mizuki Mirei’s heart raced again, and she hurriedly took out her phone, fumbling as she exchanged contact information with him.
After leaving the school, the two walked side by side along the evening streets.
The dessert shop Hibiki Tachibana mentioned was not far, located on a commercial street near the school.
Along the way, Mizuki Mirei’s heart felt like it was filled with a whole herd of deer, thumping wildly.
[This… this should count as a date, right?]
[When we get to the shop later, what topics should I talk about? Should I talk about the books he likes? Or the latest popular movies?]
[What about after we finish the dessert? Will he suggest continuing to shop? Or going to see a movie?]
[What if… what if after we finish dessert, he wants to take me to a hotel or his apartment… what should I do? Although… although I did approach him initially with the intention of attaching myself to the Tachibana Family, but… but isn’t this pace a bit too fast? I’m not mentally prepared yet…]
Just as Mizuki Mirei was lost in her wild imagination, having almost named their future children, Hibiki Tachibana, who was walking in front, quickly stepped into the exquisitely decorated dessert shop.
Then, before she could react, Hibiki Tachibana walked out of the shop carrying a beautifully packaged paper bag and handed it directly to her.
“Here, this is the thank-you gift I mentioned.”
He shoved the dessert gift box, which still held a hint of warmth, into Mizuki Mirei’s hands, his expression remaining as calm as ever.
“I have other things to attend to, so I won’t be walking you home. Be careful on your way.”