CH 73

【Synopsis of last time】

After successfully arranging a date with Saito, Tanaka consults his advisor, Hiiragi, about the plan. Tanaka, who got the approval for his date plan, is looking forward to the date yet didn’t realize her declaration of [Be aggressive] on that day.

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[Hey hey, how’s the date with that girl going?]

It was Ichinose who asked me in a classroom, lowering the volume of his voice a little. He looked at me with a somewhat expectant glint in his eyes.

[Ahh, I succeeded in asking her out. She readily agreed]

[I see, I’m glad to hear that. So, you talked to Hiiragi-san about the date already, right?]

[Well, she gave me a lot of inputs and advice]

[Well, what did she say?]

[She said she didn’t have a problem with the date plan]

[Oh, that’s great]

[Yeah. She looked a little awkward when we talked about the details though]

After all, as a girl, she probably felt a little uncomfortable about things like flirting with other people. Remembering the slightly embarrassed Hiiragi-san when she gave me advice, Ichinose nodded his head in agreement.

[Well, I suppose she would be]

[Also, she left me with a warning, I think]

[A warning?]

[She said that just like I’m trying to go on the attack on this date, I might be the one getting attacked, so I should watch out] (TN: Attack is aggressive, just so we’re clear)

[Heee, Hiiragi-san said that?]

Ichinose opened his eyes as if he was a little surprised. I guess he can’t imagine Saito being as aggressive as I am.

[Yeah, I can’t see that Saito acting aggressively, in my opinion]

[Well, yes, but…. Since Hiiragi-san told you that, shouldn’t you at least be prepared for something of the sort?]

Somewhat happily, Ichinose gave me a small smirk.　

[Well, it’s Hiiragi-san’s warning, so I’ll take it to heart]

[Yeah, you should]

The fact that Hiiragi-san went to the trouble of warning me must mean that as a girl, she has some insight about it. I decided to keep it in one corner of my mind.

Talking to a third party like this again, I began to realize I was going on a date with Saito. She accepted my invitation because she trusted me, and I’m guessing that she also likes me as a member of the opposite sex.

I know for a fact how rare and gratifying that is. That’s why, on this date, I want to lead her  well and show her my manly side. But I was curious about one thing, and for this reason I decided to ask about it.

[Hey, if I’m going on a date, I should dress well, right?]

[Ah, you mean, should you dress like you do at your part-time job? I’m sure Saito-san would be happier with the cooler look, and wouldn’t that be better?]

I knew it. Saito asked me once before when I didn’t dress more fashionably when we went to Hatsumode. At the time, I refused because of the possibility that Saito would find out I was working part-time, but as of now, I could believe that if she did find out, she would keep quiet. So there’s no problem if I went out dressed like that.

[I see, in that case. Let’s try it out. I’m sure she’ll be surprised to see something she’s never seen before]

[For the first time, huh. Well, I’m sure she will]

Ichinose seemed to freeze for a moment, then narrowed his eyes and smiled loosely.

[I hope so]

[I think she’ll be more pleased with the way you look in your disguise, and I think it’s better that way. And at least with that look, people around you won’t associate you with Tanaka, so Tanaka won’t be a subject of rumors]

[Is that so? You noticed me like, right away though?]

When Ichinose came to my part-time job, this guy figured out who I was even though we were barely in contact. So I thought my disguise wasn’t working surprisingly well…

[Well, I’m an observative person. It’s easy for me to notice that kind of thing. Besides, there’s a hint on your nameplate. Without it, I don’t think a normal person would’ve realized that Tanaka in that outfit at his part-time job and the Tanaka at school are the same person]

There was no reason to go to the trouble of lying, and if Ichinose went so far as to say so, it must be true. And if it’s true, even if the rumor about Saito going out with a guy spreads at school, the risk of the guy finding out it was me will be reduced. In that sense, I can kill two birds with one stone.

[…I see, then I guess I’ll dress up like I do for my part-time job]

[Yeah, do that. I guess Saito-san would be surprised]

[First of all, though, there’s a good chance she won’t recognize me at all]

[….I know, I know. But, if you talk to her, she’ll know it’s you, won’t she?]

[But I’ll have to be very careful with my words first]

[That’s true. Well, I’m sure you’ll eventually figure it out]

It’s easy to imagine the cold look on her eyes the moment I spoke to her, and brought a wry smile to my face. Still, if I talk to her, she’ll know it’s me. It’s a hassle to clear up misunderstandings, but if it makes her think I look cool, I’ll do my best.

Imagining Saito’s surprised look made me even more excited for the date.

AN:

Next chapter would be the date.