Since then, I exchanged messages with Kuonji almost every night, and while we bickered as usual at school, the promised Saturday arrived.
I finished my daily workout at the gym and returned home just before 10:00 AM.
The meeting time with Kuonji was 12:00 PM in front of the station, so there was still time.
I took a thorough shower and styled my hair with wax, which I don't usually use.
As a finishing touch, I applied some solid perfume behind my ears and on my wrists.
“...No sleep in my eyes. No missed spots while shaving. Hair is styled. No wrinkles in my clothes. Yeah, okay. No problems.”
...Why am I being so serious about this?
Thinking about it again, this isn't a date. It’s not a date; we’re just going out together to get to know each other.
...Maybe I’m a bit too fired up for this...?
No, no, this is normal. This is just how I am. Yeah, no problem at all. ...Probably!
I checked my wristwatch.
It was currently 11:10 AM. It takes twenty minutes to walk from home to the station, but if I leave now, I can wait with a bit of a buffer.
“Alright. Let’s go.”
Pumping myself up, I put on my favorite leather sneakers.
With these, my feet won't hurt no matter how much I walk, and I won't get tired.
Heh heh heh... perfect... it's perfect...!
Just as I was about to head out the door triumphantly, Kotono came down the stairs yawning, looking like she had just woken up.
“Huaaa~. Oh~, Onii, are you going somewhere? Kotono wants to go too~”
“Hey, you’re so sleepy you’re regressing into a toddler. Also, put some clothes on properly.”
The right strap of her camisole had slipped down, barely hanging onto her chest and managing not to expose everything.
Seriously, she’s at an age where she should have a bit more modesty... Big brother is worried.
“Well, I’m heading out. Kotono, go wash your face already.”
“Okaay. Have a safe triip.”
Leaving the house, I walked leisurely through the residential area.
It was the perfect day for going out. The gentle breeze felt good, stroking my skin like a mischievous child.
It wasn't quite a cloudless blue sky, but the white clouds stood out beautifully against the blue canvas.
As I walked along, I saw a boy and a girl playing in a park.
Were they siblings? Or perhaps the children of the two 'mama-friends' nearby?
Either way, the two of them were very close. Quite different from me and Kuonji.
Then, the two moms called the children. As expected, they seemed to be their respective kids.
Young boy and girl. Cherish the person next to you right now. Because in the future, that person might be your fated one.
Even I, if I had known Kuonji was my fated person, would have treated her more—.
“Uguooooooooooooo!!!!”
What do I mean by 'treated her more'!?
“Mommy. That older brother is banging his head against the wall.”
“What a strange person~”
““You mustn't look!””
Guh...! At this rate, I’ll be treated as a suspicious person. I better hurry.
Running away from the park, I hurried toward the station.
Because of that, it was only 11:20 AM. I arrived way earlier than planned.
I arrived, but...
“...Why is she here so early?”
At the clock tower meeting point.
Underneath it was Kuonji, fidgeting with her bangs and looking restless.
She wore a beige fishtail skirt with a white bell-sleeve shirt.
A single-point necklace sparkled on her neck, shining in rainbow colors depending on the light.
Though she was restless, she had an air of elegance, looking like a flower on a high peak to anyone's eyes.
A circular space had formed around Kuonji, who exuded more presence than anyone else there.
Truly, a sanctuary that allowed no one near.
...It's hard to approach...
N-No, no. Don't be overwhelmed, me. Kuonji is waiting for me. Yeah, so it's okay to approach.
Secretly psyching myself up again, I tried to approach Kuonji—.
“Whoa, cute! Hey, hey, Miss, are you free?”
...Huh? Who is this guy?
Clearly a playboy. Clearly a flashy type. Clearly a womanizer.
A man fitting that image called out to Kuonji.
“...Who are you?”
Kuonji seemed to think the same thing, narrowing her eyes and glaring at the man.
But the man didn't seem intimidated by her glare.
“Miss, you’re cute even when you're angry! I know a good cafe around here, how about it? Want to grab some tea?”
“I’ll pass.”
“Come on now, don't say that.”
Then, he reached out to put his arm around Kuonji's shoulder—!
“You...!”
“Hey, you piece of crap.”
Before I knew it, I had grabbed the man's wrist and twisted it upward.
“Agh... Sa, Sanada...”
“Sorry, Kuonji. I let him scare you.”
“...No, I’m okay.”
Kuonji moved behind my back and lightly pinched my clothes.
She’s shaking... after all that, she must have been scared.
...Should I just beat this guy up?
I applied a little more strength.
“Ouch, ouch, ouch! Wh-What are you doing!”
“What am I doing? You’re the one hitting on her, what’s your deal?”
“Hah!? Everyone does it! Love for your fated person and sexual desire are two different things!”
“Then go home and jerk off alone before you go to sleep.”
As I thrust the twisted arm forward, the man stumbled and fell on his butt.
The man glared at me. However, upon seeing my expression, he flinched and fled the scene as if running away.
“...Kuonji, are you okay? ...Kuonji?”
Huh? No response.
I looked back at Kuonji, who was still clutching my clothes.
Kuonji was looking up at me with eyes that seemed feverish.
“Kuonji? Hellooo?”
“...So cool...”
“Eh?”
“...! I-It’s nothing!”
“I-I see.”
Eh, why did she get mad at me?
However, Kuonji still seemed scared from the earlier creep and wouldn't let go of my clothes.
“...I’ll give you my thanks. Thank you.”
“Don't worry about it. ...More importantly, did I keep you waiting?”
“No, I just got here too. ...You're quite early yourself, aren't you?”
“Ah—... just a whim. You’re early too.”
“It was a whim.”
““............Pfft. Fufu.””
Seriously, what is that?
“Since we gathered early, let's go eat.”
“Yeah. ...Oh, that's right. Kuonji.”
“What?”
“Those clothes look good on you.”
“Nyah!?”