I Want to Have a Girlfriend Too - Chapter 55

Date with Kagurazaka on Christmas Eve! (1)

 

　It’s the long-awaited Christmas Eve since the school winter vacation has started.

　It’s getting colder and I’m wearing a heavy coat.

 

　It’s just before 8 am.

　Even though it’s early in the morning, I see couples making out in front of the station here and there.

 

　They hold hands as if to confirm their love for each other, or stop to hug each other, or just touch each other gently with sweet kisses——Gosh, you guys are too heated up.

　I used to walk past these couples while muttering 200-word curses over and over again, but not anymore.

 

　Yes, ———Because I have a date with that Kagurazaka today!

 

　I’m sure we’re going to have a lovey-dovey time just like that hot couple!

　At first, I was thinking, “Am I a baggage carrier?” But then she said, it’s a date!

 

　I’ve been working on a secret date plan since yesterday for a Christmas date that I have always dreamed of.

　I asked Kagurazaka in advance when we would meet and when we would leave.

　I was a little surprised that the meeting time was a little earlier than I had expected, but being a man, I would respectably escort her all day!

 

　——However, I arrived at the meeting place 10 minutes before the meeting time, yet Kagurazaka was still not there.

 

　Okay, let’s review the date plan again before Kagurazaka arrives——

 

“Sorry to keep you waiting! “

 

　I check my cell phone, and a beautiful silver-haired girl approaches me from a little distance, waving her hands in the air.

 

“Sorry, did you wait for long?”

“No, I didn’t wait for long at all.”

 

　Kagurazaka came up to me, breathing a little unevenly.

 

　Ahh…I’ve heard that this is what boyfriend-girlfriends say on a daily basis: “Have you been waiting for long?” “No, not at all.”

　I thought it was a fantasy, but knowing it’s real is… quite wonderful.

 

“I see…”

 

　Kagurazaka felt relieved.

　You don’t have to be so relieved, okay? You also got here early.

 

“Ah, um… “

 

　Kagurazaka’s cheeks turned red, and she glanced up at me with her body wriggling.

 

“Well, what do you think…? “

 

　——hmm.

　I’m sure “What do you think?” here must be referring to her clothes.

　I heard that, in all ages and cultures, Riajū men have the custom of complimenting a woman’s clothes when they go out on a date.

　If they simply say, “It looks good on you” or “You look pretty”, the girl will say, “What, that’s too perfunctory…”, which lowers their liking for them.

　Therefore, you must be specific when complimenting a woman’s clothes.

 

　So I look at her outfit today and open my mouth to compliment her.

 

“Yes, I think it looks very good. The light gray knit sweater and the tight skirt make you look mature, the top and the skirt are dark gray, and the red in the bag and the pumps make you look more fashionable. And the beret gives it a schoolgirl cuteness and gives Kagurazaka enough of a bright atmosphere——Excellent, you look great today! “

“I didn’t expect you to be serious…. “

 

　What? Can’t I say that?

　I’m wondering… why Kagurazaka is a little bit offended when I answered very specifically.

　Maybe the source was wrong?

　Oh no… I stumbled from the very beginning.

 

“But, I see… this suits me…”

 

　No, Kagurazaka is blushing and smiling, so maybe it’s not a mistake.

　I’m relieved about that.

 

“And, Tokimori-kun is also… th-that… you’re cool…”

 

　Kagurazaka, with her cheeks reddening, shyly compliments my outfit.

 

　Oh my god…! Isn’t Kagurazaka too cute today!?

　Kagurazaka is always cute, but today’s Kagurazaka seems even cuter.

 

　Is this the Christmas Eve correction??

　I didn’t know there was such an effect on Christ’s birthday !?

 

“Ooh, thank you… “

 

　I’m more puzzled by Kagurazaka’s cuteness than happy by her compliment.

 

” ” ……… ” “

 

　An awkward atmosphere passes between us.

 

　I couldn’t look at her face properly, so I kept my mouth shut.

　Kagurazaka looks away from me and turns her head down. ——What’s going on with this air!?

 

　What, aren’t you guys too amazing!? How many couples in the world have survived this kind of thing without a care in the world !?

　I take my hat off to them, damn it!

 

“A-anyway, we should get going.”

“Y, yeah! “

 

　I decide to leave the place for the time being to get out of the awkward atmosphere.

　I turn my back on Kagurazaka and walk to the other side of the station.

 

　Ah, damn,… my face is hot.

 

* * *

 

　But the awkwardness is resolved in time.

　After walking for a while, we inevitably start to talk to each other and we are able to have a conversation as usual.

 

　It was a few minutes after we started walking.

　Kagurazaka said, “Wait a minute!” and went to help an old lady who was walking slowly in a crosswalk.

 

　After all, Kagurazaka is still Kagurazaka, no matter how much correction is applied.

　She is a kind, cheerful, and bright girl.

 

　In time, I was able to treat Kagurazaka in a normal way without any nervousness.

　Kagurazaka was not nervous and treated me as usual, perhaps because of my attitude.

 

“By the way, where are we going now? I walked here without thinking. “

 

　Kagurazaka looked at me and asked.

 

“We’re going to the aquarium——Though I haven’t heard Kagurazaka’s opinion on that yet.”

“No problem! I’ll be fine! I’ve only been there when I was a kid. I’m looking forward to it!”

 

　…Good, I guess I made the right choice.

　I feel relieved in my heart.

 

“Today is my date with Kagurazaka. I’ll do my best to make it enjoyable for you.”

“I-it’s a date! “

 

　I say to Kagurazaka with a smile, and for some reason, she turns her face away from me, then her face turning red again.

　What’s wrong?

 

　She was fine earlier… Could it be a fever?

 

* * *

 

(*Alice’s point of view)

 

　W-w-w-wh-what should I do!? Today’s Tokimori-kun is so cool!

　Is that it !? Is it the Christmas Eve correction??

 

“Now I can understand why a girl in my class said, “Boys look cooler than usual on Christmas Eve!”

 

　Today, Tokimori-kun is dressed maturely, and his hair is waxed and styled.

　He is also casually trying to keep me from walking on the inside of the road, and to top it all off, he said that line!

 

[ Today is my date with Kagurazaka. I’ll do my best to make it enjoyable for you. ]

 

　I really can’t stop my heart from pounding!

　I’m conscious of it when he says it’s a date, and my heart beats even faster when he says he’ll do his best to escort me.

 

　Moreover, when he smiled kindly at me or patted me on the head while praising me for helping that grandma, my heart was beating so fast that I was afraid Tokimori-kun could hear it!

 

　I’m trying my best to keep my composure now, but I’m still a bit affected by the slightest thing.

　…Ugh, am I the only one who feels this nervous?

 

　I glance at his profile.

　His face doesn’t look distraught, and he seems to be only worried about my red face.

 

　…I think that’s unfair!

　I’m the only one distraught about this… right… It’s like I’m the only one who’s conscious!

 

　I want Tokimori-kun to be aware that it’s a date!

　I want him to be more excited!

 

　Then, I suddenly thought of something.

 

“Yes, that’s right… it’s a date…. if it’s a date, it’ll be fine… “

 

　I try to be brave enough to make him aware of me.

 

“….Y-yes! “

 

　I said with a small shout and squeezed his hand tightly.

　…B-because it’s a date! Walking hand in hand is normal!

 

“Oh… what happened, Kagurazaka? “

 

　He sounds a little startled and funny but soon returns to his usual composure.

 

” …It’s normal to hold hands on a date, isn’t it? “

“…I guess so.”

 

　He replies in a very nonchalant manner.

　…Ugh, is this still not good enough?

 

　I glance at Tokimori-kun’s face.

　His face was slightly reddish.

 

　Ah, Tokimori-kun is aware of me too, I see.

　I am so happy that he is aware of me that I can’t help but chuckle.

 

“fufu, Tokimori-kun, your face is red. “

“Shut up!”

 

　He turns away from me and walks a little faster.

 

　Oh my god, Tokimori-kun is so cute.

　I think he was blushing because he was conscious of me.

　And Tokimori-kun looked a little cute when he turned away from me as if he was trying to cover it up.

 

　At the same time, my face is red too.

　When I feel the warmth of his hand on mine, I am equally conscious of it.

 

　But I was happy, so I walked behind him, holding his hand.