For now, I set aside the feelings I have for Hayashi and reminded myself of today’s objective: to create our last few memories together. It would be a shame to leave things half-hearted, given how I feel right now.
“Hayashi, so where are we going today?”
Usually, on a date, it’s the man’s responsibility to escort the woman. That’s a fixed idea, a compulsive idea, and something for the man’s dignity as well.
However, I naturally asked Hayashi that question. It’s all because of my lack of life experience. I don’t know the kind of places a woman like Hayashi would like.
…I sounded like I knew the kind of places women other than Hayashi would like, but that wasn’t true either.
Anyway, I don’t know any places that would entertain Hayashi. Today’s date is, above all, for Hayashi’s comfort. I thought it would be quickest to ask her where she wanted to go while bearing the embarrassment.
“Well, do you have any places you want to go?”
“Don’t worry about me. Just go wherever you want.”
“That won’t do. Today is our date, after all. It’s meaningless if we don’t enjoy it together.”
Hmm. That’s a very valid point. But unfortunately, I, who have little desire for material things, didn’t have any specific place I wanted to go right now.
“…You don’t have a place you want to go, do you?”
“Sharp observation. That’s right.”
“Why are you acting so smug? I don’t get it.”
“I understand.”
I gave a bitter smile.
“…Well, seeing that neat and tidy room of yours, I can tell you don’t have anything you particularly want right now.”
“That’s right. So I thought you should go and buy what you want. I’ll give you the money if you need it.”
“Why?”
“Why? …I heard that during a date, a man should just loosen his purse strings a bit.”
“Huh? Why does it sound like you’re going to pay for everything? Meals should be split, and we should buy what we want with our own money. That’s only natural. By paying our own money, we feel even happier when we get what we want.”
“Is that how it works?”
“…That’s how it works.”
Seeing Hayashi’s exasperated expression, I scratched my head. I don’t know if what she’s saying applies to all women in general. But this Hayashi probably wouldn’t let only me pay for everything.
…Looking at her like this, she’s the complete opposite of a queen who gets everything from others. Come to think of it, she’s always been strong-willed.
“…So, do you have anything you want to eat?”
“Something you want to eat?”
At Hayashi’s question, I pondered. Something I want to eat. Surprisingly, I haven’t had anything specific I wanted to eat lately.
“Well, what do you like?”
“Beef tongue.”
“So old-fashioned. That’s something an old man would say.”
Becoming an old man for eating beef tongue? What’s wrong with beef tongue? I used to like kalbi, but since high school, it’s become too oily for me. That’s when I met beef tongue. Its texture and refreshing taste perfectly matched my preferences.
“…Let’s go to a beef tongue specialty restaurant, then.”
“Ah, that sounds great.”
Speaking of beef tongue, Miyagi is famous for it. I’ve heard that recently, many Miyagi beef tongue specialty shops have started to open in Tokyo. Grated yam rice and beef tongue – now that it’s been mentioned, I suddenly want to eat it.
“…Alright, that’s settled.”
Hayashi had a determined look on her face.
“Let’s go to Yokohama.”
“Yokohama?”
“Yeah. There’s a beef tongue restaurant there, and we can also do some shopping in that area.”
“…Shopping, huh?”
I don’t mind accompanying her, but I don’t have anything I particularly want to buy.
“…Maybe you can look at cleaning supplies?”
“Oh, that’s a good idea.”
Come to think of it, I have a thing for cleaning. Indeed, there are various useful gadgets for cleaning in stores like variety goods shops, so it wouldn’t be a bad idea to take a look.
“…Are you okay with that?”
“What?”
“Since earlier, it’s been all about where I want to go. Don’t you have any places you want to go?”
“…Don’t worry about me.”
Hayashi declared firmly.
“Because today’s date is to show my appreciation for you during this past month.”
“…We have a difference of opinion, then.”
“What does that matter?”
“I accepted your invitation today, thinking it was a date for your consolation.”
I didn’t say it outright, but essentially, I wanted to convey that I wouldn’t proceed with the date as planned right now.
“…But actually, I don’t have anything in particular that I want either.”
“There must be various things to prepare for your new life, right?”
“…I’ve managed that stuff somehow.”
“You’ve managed it, huh?”
Indeed, it might be that Hayashi doesn’t have anything specific she wants either. Despite appearances, she’s not a very materialistic person.
“…Well, there’s no point in arguing about it here. Let’s think about it when we get there.”
“That sounds good.”
Our conversation hadn’t reached a conclusion, but we started walking towards the nearest station.