Sweet Cohabitation Romcom With My Senior Girlfriend and Alcohol Starts At Twenty - Volume 1 Chapter 4.2

The First Bar Visit

“But the fact that you got permission to live together means that Senpai’s seriousness got through, right?”

“…I-I guess. I’m grateful my father was somehow flexible.”

“We’ll have to find an opportunity to go greet him properly.”

“That’s right, we’ll find the right opportunity later!”

Senpai seems a bit off, but I’m not sure if I should say anything about it.

From what I’ve heard, Senpai’s father is strict, and I wonder if I can meet him without any rudeness.

As I harbor these anxieties, Senpai tugs at the sleeve of my shirt.

“Anyway, let’s dress up today! It’s a bar, after all!”

“Y-Yes! I’m starting to get nervous!!”

Both of us are filled with our own thoughts about the night at the bar.

***

“Takashi-kun~, sorry to keep you waiting~!”

“N-No, it’s fine! I wasn’t waiting at all!!”

“Ahaha, I was the one who sent you to the station first, so you should say, ‘I was waiting, but seeing Senpai’s lovely appearance made it all worth it’~?”

I’ve been waiting at the station clock tower for thirty minutes.

She appears before me, wearing black inner shorts and a high-waisted gray skirt with a slit and a white cardigan draped over her shoulders.

She looks more fashionable than usual – that’s Kureha Senpai.

And above all, I couldn’t help but feel nervous in the presence of my unfamiliar lover with her long hair let down.

The see through fabric around her neckline only intensified that feeling.

Unlike her usual casual attire, Senpai looked a bit more grown-up, and I found myself acting awkwardly as I tried to say the usual cliché, but upon reflection, those words were meaningless.

After all, we live in the same room, and Senpai knew that I had left before her.

Still, it seemed that Senpai was pleased to hear those cliché words as she smiled warmly at me.

Even with a different hairstyle, the person inside was still my beloved Kureha Senpai.

“N-no… Really. I was just thinking about what kind of outfit Senpai would wear, and before I knew it, it was time to go…”

“Really?”

“Really! You always look so good, Senpai, I have to be prepared…”

“So, do you think my outfit lives up to your expectations? How do I look now?”

“Beyond expectations.”

“Ehehe, yay! Victory for me today!!”

When I conveyed how much I had been looking forward to Senpai’s fashion and how it exceeded my expectations, Kureha Senpai showed a very happy smile again.

On the other hand, what about my own outfit?

Black jeans, a white shirt with a simple logo, and a plain navy jacket.

It’s reasonable, but I thought maybe it wasn’t enough.

It was clear that compared to Senpai, my outfit seemed too simple, and I lost a bit of confidence.

It seemed like it would take more time for me to become a man worthy of Senpai.

Standing amidst the bustling station front while watching the attractive figure of Senpai, I couldn’t help but think so.

To escape this situation that was on the verge of self-loathing, I asked Senpai a question.

“So, where are we going now? You mentioned going to a bar. Is it near the station?”

At least let’s move on from here. I thought that starting our night date was the best option.

However, I had forgotten something important.

“Yeah, it’s a bit hard to find, but it’s a cozy, hidden spot that’s quite fun.”

“Ah, but money…”

“Hm? What’s about the money?”

“I used up quite a bit during that last yakiniku outing… and it’s even worse since I’m before my part-time job’s payday…”

I had completely forgotten that I had spent a lot during the forced yakiniku with Yuu until just now.

I could have checked before the date or gone to the ATM, but I was too focused on what Senpai might wear, and here we are.

Even if I had realized it, given my current financial situation, after accounting for necessary withdrawals, there wouldn’t have been much left anyway.

As I braced myself for Senpai’s disappointment, an unexpected response came.

“Don’t worry about that. Takashi-kun, you don’t have to worry about money tonight.”

For a moment, I didn’t understand the meaning of her words.

Don’t worry? About what? Was she not dissapointed? Or was it something else…?

Don’t worry about money? Could it be that she knew all along that I didn’t have any cash on me…?

Various speculations raced through my mind.

“…But I really can’t just let you treat me.”

Without fully understanding Senpai’s intentions, I got carried away with the idea of being treated on our first night date.

Of course, I knew well that Senpai wasn’t a demon. Rather, she was a kind girlfriend who forgave me for making her sad, only temporarily forbidding indulgence in desires.

“Tsk tsk tsk, you’re too sweet, Takashi-kun.”

“Yes?”

“I didn’t say I was treating you~? Of course, I’ll pay for today, but it’s not going to be for free. You should understand that much, right, Takashi-kun? You’re working part-time, after all~?”

“So, you’re saying I need to prepare something of equivalent value…?”

“That’s right. You catch on quick, Takashi-kun. I’m impressed.”

I know that Kureha Senpai is a mischievous troublemaker and that I’m her only target.

In fact, I’m happy and even proud of being the only one she teases.

There’s something to be said about Senpai’s clothing choices too.

Inside the room, her chest is dangerously exposed, or her thighs are completely bare, but when we go out for a date, she dresses nicely while making sure to guard herself properly.

Whether it’s intentional or not, only Senpai knows, but currently, I’m the only one who knows her unguarded appearance.

What more should I ask?

I’m the only one who knows Senpai’s other side.

As her boyfriend, I’m the one who knows the most about Senpai. I won’t share her with anyone. I’m the only one who knows Senpai well, and I’m fine with being the only one she teases.

As I think about this, the self-loathing I felt until now vanishes.

At the same time, I realize there’s a slightly more confident version of myself.

I can’t miss the chance while I’m feeling collected.

So, I casually ask Senpai a question.

“So, what should I do? Just make sure it was something possible for me, okay?”

“Don’t worry. I’ll have you do something that only Takashi-kun can do.”

Senpai answers with a smile, and the next moment, she positions herself right beside me, intertwining her arm and interlocking her finger with mine.

“This is…”

“Let’s stay like this until we get back to our place today.”

The confident me disappeared in an instant.

Senpai’s arm in mine, the interlocking finger, and her sweet voice—a triple combo—reduced me back to my usual self, the one who’s merely teased…

Still, if I can continue to feel Senpai like this even outside, maybe it’s not so bad, I think to myself.

What a lucky person I am.