Does This Love Suit Your Taste? - Volume 1 Chapter 5.4

Date 4

 

The atmosphere was the worst.

After that, we finished lunch without much conversation, and when it came to the bill, Shirahime drew a line saying, “Even if you’re a servant, I wouldn’t make you pay,” and split the bill.

If that’s the case, shouldn’t my share of the parfait cost be half?

 

Back in the alley, Shirahime started to seem lost about where to go next.

I resolved not to say anything. I never had the decision-making power anyway.

 

“Sigh, there’s nothing else to do… Hey, Toui-kun~, if you’re a man, at least took a lead a little~”

 

Even I couldn’t help but feel my blood boil and think, ‘What is she talking about…’

 

“…Eh, why are you angry?”

 

Shirahime seemed to sense my attitude and pointed it out.

 

“Don’t ask me anymore. You’re going to decide everything anyway. I’m reluctantly going along with this, and all you do is complain about this and that. I’m sick of it.”

“Huh? Reluctant? It’s mutual, right? Most things just don’t sit well with me, and I wouldn’t be here with you if it weren’t for this engagement either.”

“Then let’s call off the engagement right now! That would solve everything! Why do you act like you’re doing me a favor? I’m the one putting up with you!”

“That’s what I’m saying, it’s not just my problem.”

 

As I raised my voice, Shirahime’s tone also became harsh.

 

“How self-centered can you be? Unbelievable.”

“That’s you! Did I even get to do one thing I wanted today?”

“You said anything or whatever!”

“That’s because you kept dismissing everything!”

” “Grrr…” “

 

As we glared at each other in a standoff, I noticed the surrounding stares.

 

“Ah…let’s go over there…”

“Huh? Hey, wait…”

 

I’m dragged by Shirahime through an alley and out onto a wooden deck adjacent to the harbor.

From here, one can have a panoramic view of the harbor with its large sightseeing boats and the semi-elliptical hotel built on the peninsula. But I’m not in the mood to appreciate the scenery.

 

Here we go, she’s in a foul mood again. Well, I’m pretty pissed off this time too.

Despite all the complaints, the balance was maintained thanks to me going along with her whims. But now that I’m standing up like this, we’re clashing again.

But I’m not wrong.

 

“…It’s your fault we stood out.”

 

What’s with her?

In front of me, she’s just a whiny girl, but she’s overly concerned about being seen by others.

She claims to hate selfishness, yet she’s the epitome of it.

 

“I didn’t do anything wrong.”

“…The worst. After all, it’s impossible to get along with a delinquent like this. Unthinkable.”

 

With an unexpectedly large and rude sigh that didn’t seem like it could come from S-Hime, Shirahime leaned her weight on the deck railing and said, ‘Let’s take a break…’ as she began to gaze off into the distance.

 

“Hey.”

 

Her sharp eyes narrowed and glared over here.

 

“Milk tea.”

“Such arrogance…”

“You do understand your own position, right?”

 

Damn it…

With an exaggerated thud with each step, I left the wooden deck behind.

The cafe was expensive, so I wandered around looking for a vending machine and ended up at the edge of the property.

Before turning back, thinking there was nowhere else to go, what caught my eye was a Ferris wheel that offered a panoramic view of the city.

There was a line of families and couples waiting to get on.

 

“Daddy, Mommy! This is going to be fun!”

“Yes.. I wonder if we can see our house from up there?”

“Hahaha, I don’t know.”

 

“This is the first time I’ve had such a fun date.”

“Is that so? I’m glad you’re enjoying it.”

 

Naturally, everyone here at this tourist spot is looking to have a good time.

You won’t find anyone arguing like us. They must all care for each other.

In contrast, we’re always at odds.

 

My head cooled down, and I felt pity for ourselves. The feelings I had towards those guys and girls around us were nothing but envy.

In the end, holding the milk tea I bought from the vending machine inside the game center, I entered the path leading back to the deck we were at before, and I could see Shirahime talking to someone in the back… no, that guy.

 

“…Shirahime”

“T-Toui-kun…”

 

When I called out to Shirahime, the tall guy with the bushy hair next to her turned around and recognized me.

Then, he glares at me.

I, the villain, step back as the hero appears.

 

“…Why are you here, Kazama?”

 

Kazama, looking smug, brushes his bangs aside and stands in front of me, blocking my way to Shirahime.

 

“I just happened to come here to hang out with some classmates, and then I saw Rira and you. I understand if you two are close. But you both seemed to be arguing, and Rira didn’t look like she was having fun at all. So, I invited her over.”

 

Kazama peers into Shirahime’s face.

 

“Rira, you’re okay now.”

“Um… yeah, thank you. I appreciate it, but just the thought alone is—”

“Kiminami, you really are the worst. You’re the type of delinquent who always just cares about yourself and hurts people around you, and now even Rira cares about you. Unbelievable. No wonder you’re isolated in class.”

“Why do I have to be told this by you…”

 

I wish I could have just shrugged it off like I usually do, but for some reason, I couldn’t talk back this time.

With a gentleness(?) that I don’t possess, Kazama continued while placing a hand on Shirahime’s shoulder.

 

“It’s enough, Rira. Rira is too kind. You keep defending this guy, saying he’s not a bad person, but it’s only hurting you. Let’s just put an end to it all. Forget about this delinquent and come with us instead.”

“Eh…?”

“It’ll be better. The others are here too. We’re about to head to the shopping mall up north. I don’t know what the reason is, but it’s a waste of time to spend your day with delinquents. It’s much more fun with us.”

“B-but…”

“Even if you side with him, he’ll always say, ‘I’m not in the wrong,’ and just be self-centered. Let’s forget about this delinquent——He won’t change.”

 

Kazama’s words pierced my chest sharply. I touched my small earring to distract myself.

This was a massive comeback from Kazama, someone I had looked down upon. It seemed like I was losing to him, whom I had always considered beneath me.

No, if we’re talking about ‘class hierarchy’, I was always the one far below.

 

Shaking my head at the reality, I try to think of a way to deal with this situation.

If I let her go now, Shirahime will surely go to Kazama, which would make our relationship even more troublesome than before.

 

I already understand Shirahime’s personality.

Regardless of how she is with me, Shirahime is kind to everyone, and she doesn’t turn away anyone who comes to her——no, she ‘can’t’ turn them away.

 

『Cooking can’t be understood just by looking at its surface. You have to taste it and savor it to truly know everything about it. It’s the same with people; you can’t judge someone just by their appearance——』

 

——I see, that was…

 

“…Shirahime, I’m sorry.”

“Toui-kun…?”

 

When I called out to her, Shirahime turned towards me, calling my name.

 

“Kiminami… what do you want now?”

“I don’t have to explain myself to you, Kazama. But I thought what you said made a lot of sense.”

 

Kazama scratched his head in annoyance. I didn’t look at Kazama but continued to speak to Shirahime.

 

“Sorry, Shirahime. I ruined our holiday with fights. I was only thinking about myself, not considering what you thought or wanted. I never tried to understand. It must have been no fun at all for you.”

“Just a self-centered jerk.”

 

Kazama interrupted, but still, I looked straight ahead, focusing only on Shirahime.

 

Staying true to myself. 

That’s something that has always been and will always be the most correct thing within me that will never be reversed.

But maybe I only cared about myself, not considering Shirahime’s circumstances or feelings at all.

Instead of staying true to myself, I’ve been imposing myself on others.

 

That’s stupid. It’s no different from the treatment I’ve received up to now. It’s exactly what that big idiot of a father did.

No wonder our date didn’t go well with Shirahime and me constantly clashing.

 

“I’ve troubled Shirahime so much. I can’t arrogantly tell you, ‘Don’t go there.’ I understand that.”

 

Hoping for a sliver of desire that Shirahime would, I put my thoughts into words.

 

“That’s why what Shirahime decides to do from now on should be decided by Shirahime, not me or this guy. Make a choice, choose one and leave the other. If Shirahime can forgive me, I won’t trouble you anymore. I’ll do everything to make you happy and will do all I can for you.”

 

Shirahime has always lived for others. It was natural for her, that was her justice.

What should I do with such a Shirahime?

It’s the same thing I said myself during the incident at the gym storage.

 

“If you don’t like it, you should just say so.”

 

I think I, at least, should be willing to indulge her whims.

I should have let her choose the movies she wanted to see or the flavors she wanted to taste. If she suggested a place to go, I should have gone along with it. If there were things she disliked or was bad at, I should have asked her about the things she liked.

 

I always insisted on my dislikes and felt dissatisfied when not accepted, yet when I was the one being rejected, I never accepted the rejection. 

 

I’m sure I am just the selfish and self-centered man Shirahime and Kazama say I am.

That being said, my desire to take over my shop is not a whim, it’s my will. If I were to argue about the correctness of my ‘will’, then I should have recognized and accepted her ‘dislike.’

(TN: Is it vague? Might be wrong, but this is what I could understand.

If I were to argue about the correctness of my ‘will’: Toui justifying his intention to take over the store.

then I should have recognized and accepted her ‘dislike.’: Then he should have understood and respected Shirahime’s dislikes and objections.)

 

“Sorry, Shirahime. It was my fault.”

 

I bowed deeply to Shirahime. Suddenly, a sea breeze blew through the harbor, refreshingly cooling my heated cheeks.

 

“No, thank you.”

 

Shirahime’s sweet voice responded. Reacting to it, I raised my head and looked towards Shirahime.

Then, Shirahime stepped away from Kazama, walked towards me, took the milk tea I was holding, and with a firm voice, she turned back to Kazama and said,

 

“I’ve decided. I’m sorry, but I still want to go with him.”

“Wait, Rira? Why are you so fixated on this guy? You won’t be happy with him, Rira! He’s a delinquent!”

 

Kazama’s words grew more heated.

But in response, Shirahime simply said,

 

“Yeah, that’s fine. Because I’ve decided!”

 

A natural smile appeared on Shirahime’s face.

Her short hair, which had always seemed somewhat out of place, now beautifully complemented her smile.

 

“Shall we go?”

 

Shirahime took my hand, and the two of us walked away from the deck.

 

“…Thanks for coming with me.”

 

As I left the direction to Shirahime, I felt her grip on my hand tighten.

 

“It’s nothing… just a process of elimination.”

 

Despite her cold response, the corners of Shirahime’s were slightly turned upwards.

 

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