CH 22

And so on Saturday, I am greeted with clear skies, which is rare for the month of June. We agreed to meet up at 11 AM.

Despite being the weekend, I wake up at my school time and I eat some toast. I have plenty of time. As I leave the house, I keep thinking to myself that the weather really is amazing. We planned to meet by the station, so it's a short walk from where I live. Both my parents are out at work, so I lock the door as I leave.

I suddenly feel a chill. This marks the third time. I turn my head and lo and behold, I don't spot Hanabi anywhere.

"Huh... It's probably just my imagination."

Yeah, it has to be. I push that out of my mind. If I continue feeling this, it has to be some sort of stalker. The feeling of having someone constantly looking at you is a worrying one. I let out a sigh and head to the station.

I arrive at the ticket gate and I'm 30 minutes early.

"Wha..."

The hell? Yukishiro-san is already here!?

She is by the fountain reading a book like always. Her shoulder length hair is not done up in her usual braids during school, instead flowing all over the place. Her fair skin and white dress really does suit her. She really is so charming. She gives off a simple charm, one of just wanting to be beside her forever.

"Hey, Yukishiro-san."

I rush up to her, saying that, and she looks up in shock.

"Ah, you're so early Ichinose-kun!"

"I see you’re here as well."

"Hehe... I was so nervous that I ended up coming early."

She bashfully gets up. She puts her book back in her canvas bag and takes out her train pass. She has everything in an orderly fashion, it makes her seem very mature. The difference between her action and baby-face really is astonishing.

"I gotta say, you really act quite mature."

My frank words cause her to blush and she glares at me like I committed a crime or something. I guess she isn't used to compliments.

"Haha, alright, let's go then."

I put out my hand and Yukishiro-san tilts her head in confusion.

"Huh!? Are you sure!?"

What's she so confused about? I suddenly realize I have my hand out towards Yukishiro-san. I also see that my hands are connected. I start trembling nervously.

"Ahh!" Now I'm the one yelling in shock. Why the hell are me holding hands!? "No way, did I really do that…”

In a state of confusion, I let go of her hand. I'm so embarrassed I could die, holy crap. Yep, I definitely made a big mistake.

"S-sorry..." "N-no, it's fine. But why did you put out your hand?"

"I was thinking of holding your bag."

"My bag...?"

She looks at me in disbelief. Argh, I really crossed the line now. It's all my fault.

When meeting with Hanabi, she would always unload her bags onto me, so I always thought that was typical behaviour for a date.

"It's fine if you don't want to, my bad."

"No, it's my fault for misunderstanding you."

Wrapped up in our embarrassment, our eyes meet. We can't stop ourselves from bursting into laughter.

"Ahahaha, it's all your fault Ichinose-kun, you putting out your hand like that!"

"Ahaha, yeah definitely. It's definitely more common for couples to hold hands rather than for the boyfriend to be left holding the bag. But hey, if you want, I can carry your bag!"

"Come on Ichinose-kun, pampering a girl you don't even like will make you crazy."

"Is that so?"

"Yeah, yeah. Plus, if I hold my bag, we could hold hands instead."

"That's true..."

"......"

"......”

We both stare around awkwardly. Yukishiro-san's gaze drops down to my right hand.

"You want to... hold hands?"

Well, I am glad I'm on this date with Yukishiro-san. As I'm thinking that, she covers her mouth with her hands and starts giggling with joy.