My Tokyo Celebrity Girlfriend Is Love-Struck, What Should I Do? - Chapter 17

Kiyomi Park

Pulling out his phone, the weather forecast indicated no rain at noon. 

Kimura entered a convenience store and bought some seasonal fruits, including oranges and yuzu that Asuka enjoyed.

As they planned to have a picnic in the park at noon, even though he wasn’t sure what had sparked Asuka’s interest, he still needed to be prepared. 

He instinctively looked at the bento boxes in the convenience store.

Suddenly, he remembered that Asuka could cook now.

Kimura couldn’t help but pat his head. It had been a long time since they went for a picnic together. He couldn’t even remember the last time they had a picnic.

Back then, they would always buy bento boxes in advance.

“Check, please.”

“Yes.”

Kimura placed the purchased fruits on the counter and reached for his wallet. 

His gaze unintentionally swept over a corner of the cashier counter, where several small bouquets were displayed.

Some small flowers were blooming romantically.

“Excuse me…”

“Yes,” the cashier looked at him.

“Are these bouquets available for purchase?”

“Huh?”

The cashier followed Kimura’s gaze, landing on the small bouquets with many tiny flowers in the corner of the cash register.

“Are you referring to these?” The cashier picked up the bouquets adorned with various small flowers.

“Yes,” Kimura nodded.

“Oh, these are wildflowers we pick up from outside every day. They’re not for sale, just here to decorate the convenience store.”

The cashier shook the bouquet in hand. “And these are just common roadside flowers that won’t last long…”

“I see.”

Kimura suddenly realized.

Seeing his reaction, the cashier smiled and prepared to put the flowers back in their original place.

“Can I buy them? Those flowers.”

The cashier hesitated, thinking they might not have been clear enough.

“Sir, these flowers…”

“I know.” Kimura touched his neck. “But I really want them, please!”

“Well, okay…”

Such an odd request.

The cashier looked at the determined young man in front of them and, after a slight hesitation, handed over the bunch of flowers.

“This bouquet is a gift, no charge.”

“Thank you.”

Exiting the convenience store, Kimura stared at the bunch of flowers in his hands.

Although not as large as the flowers in a florist, it was romantic, crowded with various bright little flowers, resembling a hydrangea.

……

“Tadaima.” (1)

Kimura pushed open the door of the rental house.

“Okaeri!”

Asuka’s voice came from the kitchen.

Kimura walked to the living room and placed the bag he was carrying on the kitchen island.

“What’s this?” Asuka asked curiously.

“Fruits.” Kimura took out a yuzu from it. “And yuzu that you like.”

“Yuzu?!”

Asuka’s eyes brightened, and her nostrils flared.

“What is Asuka preparing?”

Asuka lifted her rosy lips and reached behind to pull out a pale yellow picnic basket.

“This picnic basket…” Kimura blinked.

He remembered that he hadn’t bought a picnic basket himself.

“I brought it from home.” Asuka chuckled. “Anyway, it’s useless at home, so I decided to bring it here.”

Some time ago, Asuka did receive some deliveries through a courier service.

He thought it was just some daily necessities and clothes.

Unexpectedly…

She even had this kind of thing delivered.

Kimura smiled, thinking that his girlfriend was indeed resourceful.

He just didn’t know how many things Asuka had brought over.

Thinking about the shocked expression on Asuka’s brother’s face when he looked at the empty house.

A hint of sympathy rose in his heart for Asuka’s brother.

Asuka opened the lid of the picnic basket, revealing the food inside.

There were several sandwiches, two sealed cups of black tea, and two bento boxes placed underneath.

“Oh, it smells so good.”

Kimura raised an eyebrow as the rich aroma of food wafted through the air.

A rumble echoed from his hungry stomach.

“There’s also tempura, which Hayata-chan likes, inside the bento.”

Asuka’s delicate face peeked out from behind the picnic basket’s lid, her eyes shining as she looked at him.

At this moment, he noticed the sweat on Asuka’s fair forehead. A few strands of hair were dampened by sweat, clinging to the girl’s cheeks.

It was evident that Asuka had put a lot of effort into preparing the picnic for lunch.

A gentle smile appeared at the corner of Kimura’s mouth.

“Thank you, Asuka.”

A rosy hue spread across Asuka’s cheeks. Her delicate hand gently closed the lid of the picnic box.

“It’s getting late; let’s hurry… I thought Hayata-chan would come back earlier.”

“Sorry, it took some time to buy fruits on the way.”

“Don’t apologize!! I was just casually complaining.”

“I just wanted to let Asuka know about my whereabouts…” Kimura scratched his cheek and smiled.

“Mm.”

……

Due to it being winter, Kiyomi Park currently featured bare trees, emerald green lawns, and verdant pines and cypresses.

On the way, they encountered many pedestrians, mostly people who came out to enjoy the precious winter sunlight at noon.

Although the park lacked the memory of cherry blossoms blooming in spring, it had a distinctive melancholy winter atmosphere.

Kimura held the small, cool, and soft hand in his palm.

Asuka’s hands were small, delicate, and smooth, contrasting sharply with his rough palms.

Kimura adjusted his coat, confirmed that nothing had fallen out of his pocket, and then glanced at Asuka beside him.

“Being an artist is really tough,” he couldn’t help but sigh.

At this moment, Asuka was dressed in a white long dress, her lovely face covered by a mask, with only a pair of clear and bright eyes exposed.

Even though she had left the talent agency and didn’t have to worry too much about image management, in case they encountered some enthusiastic fans, their well-planned park picnic might be ruined.

Asuka had this in mind.

“Having Hayata-chan by my side makes me feel very secure.”

Asuka looked up, her eyes curved.

Kimura’s cheeks flushed, and he cleared his throat a few times, quickening his pace.

Under the mask, Asuka smiled lightly, and her clear eyes reflected the slender figure of the young man.

The two walked side by side towards the depths of Kiyomi Park.

Dried and robust branches twisted and turned above the road, cutting through the deep blue sky.

Fragmented specks of light and intricate shadows cast ahead, as if walking in a giant cradle, swaying with the “whoosh” of the wind by their ears.

Finally, Asuka led Kimura to a small slope near the artificial lake in the center of the park.

This place… seemed somewhat familiar.

Kimura looked around.

After thinking for a moment, he realized it was the place they had come to during the previous picnic with Asuka. 

However, the season had changed, and the surroundings had also transformed.

Turning around, Asuka had already taken off the mask and sat quietly on the picnic blanket.

It might be an illusion, but…

There was a sense that Asuka looked a bit lost.

It seemed like on the way here, she was searching for something left and right.

“Is Asuka looking for something?”

Kimura sat beside Asuka, asking with concern.

Asuka shook her head, revealing a light-hearted smile. “Nothing, really.”

“Hmm?”

“Truly, it’s nothing!”

Asuka opened the picnic basket and handed a sandwich to Kimura.

“For Hayata-chan.”

“Ah—”

“Hayata-chan, eat it yourself.”

“Eh? Sad.”

“…”

TL Notes:

1. 1. 1. 1. Tadaima: I’m home