It was the day of the Bon vacation1  and I had promised to go shopping with Kaedezaka.

“Hmmm. Yuika said to make sure the other person is feeling the same way, but how do I do that?”

There was no way I, who couldn’t even ask Otomizu if she had a boyfriend, could ask such a question to Kaedezaka.

To begin with, I wasn’t even sure if this was really a date or not.

If I asked the wrong question, I would probably be drowned in the ocean.

Otomizu……. Even if I’m gone, live strong…

The meeting place was a cafe on the ground floor of the station, but when I checked the time, there was still more than thirty minutes to spare.

“There’s no point in mulling it over. Let’s switch things up a bit.”

There were stores and restaurants in the facility integrated with the station, and next to the café was a general store.

I went into the general store and checked out the stationery for the time being.

When I worked, I was particular about stationery.

Oh. Newly designed mechanical pencils were now on the market.

“I’d like to give it to you as a gift, if you like.”

Surprised by a woman’s voice, I turned around to find Kaedezaka, a beautiful, intelligent woman wearing glasses.

“What is it, Kaedezaka?”

“I was right behind you the whole time. Didn’t you notice?”

“Seriously?, That’s embarrassing.”

“I was so lonely because you didn’t notice me at all.”

Kaedezaka then nudged her finger at my flank.

It didn’t hurt, but it was embarrassing.

◆◆◆◆◆

At any rate, as planned, We decided to enter the cafe first.

This café used bookshelves as partitions and was decorated with ornaments and flowers in addition to books.

It was an unusual layout for a café, but I felt at home surrounded by books.

Kaedezaka giggled and called out to me as she saw me relaxing with a satisfied look on my face.

“Do you like it?”

“Ah. There was a place like this.”

“Fufu~, I’m glad you like it.”

Somehow… it’s really starting to look like a date.

Today’s Kaedezaka was different from usual.

She usually wore a denim jacket with her shoulders bare, but today she wore a cute, loose-fitting outfit.

She looked like a normal college girl.

…… No, she looked prettier than usual.

“So, Kaedzaka. What do you want to buy today?”

Then she smiled and said, “Hmmm~.”

“I want to pick out some clothes for Sasamiya-san first.”

“My …. clothes?”

“Yes.”

Oi, Oi, Oi

Now, that confirmed it’s a date

There’s no doubt about it. ……

I’ve seen it in manga,

It’s a flirtatious situation where a woman chooses clothes for a man she likes.

So, seriously, does that mean Kaedezaka cares about me?

I cannot believe it. …….

But Kaedezaka added something unexpected.

“Because choosing a man’s clothes for him gives you a nice feeling of superiority, doesn’t it? It’s as if I’m making him my property. …… Beautiful.”

“You …. Don’t just say what men don’t want to hear so casually. …”

“I wouldn’t do this to anyone else. Ufufu.”

“I don’t feel anything special from it, you know?”

That’s right.

Isn’t this the woman named Kaedezaka?

A trouble maker who appeared to be neat and tidy, but was always trying to look down on others.

She had not changed since we first met.

After all, Kaedezaka only saw me as a toy.

Damn it. …

I was naive to think it was a date, even for a moment.

Then the waiter arrived.

“Sir, what would you like to order?”

Since we’re here, let’s order this cafe’s recommendation.

However, when I asked the waiter what he recommends, he replied, “I recommend all of them.”

It’s too much trouble to look at the menu and make a choice, so I decided to go with whatever Kaedezaka was ordering.

“I’m fine with the same thing as Kaedezaka.”

“So lazy.”

“I trust your taste.”

“Is that true?

To be frank, I felt relieved when I realized that Kaedezaka didn’t see me as a man.

I could see now that I was nervous.

I guess I was expecting a little too much, after all.

I was a pathetic adult for being pushed around by a college girl.

After a while, the waiter brought our orders.

“Thank you for waiting. Two Espressos.”

Kaedezaka ordered an espresso.

There was latte art on the surface with cream.

I guess the heart was Kaedezaka and the bear was me.

I never thought I would be drinking latte art of a bear at the age of twenty-six.

Kaedezaka then took a picture of the espresso with the bear and the heart side by side and sent the image to my phone.

“Hm? Why did you send me a picture of your latte art?”

“Fufufu. It’s a commemoration, Sasamiya-san, who looks just like Kuma-san.”

“I never thought you’d tease me with latte art. …”

I don’t get it, why am I the bear and Kaedezaka the heart?

And Kaedezaka looked strangely happy. ……

I knew it. I don’t understand women’s minds.