Chapter 5 A Shopping Date
“...I’m definitely out of practice.”
It was later that night.
I let a light trill flow across the keys of the living room piano, my brow furrowed in a grimace.
I’d made an effort to touch the keys every now and then, but compared to my middle school days when I was taking lessons seriously, the decline in my skill was undeniable.
The cultural festival was only a month away. If I stuck to low-difficulty pieces, I could probably pull it off, but...
“...”
Was that really good enough?
Choosing a song I was guaranteed to master in time for the festival was the logical move. There was nothing inherently wrong with that.
And yet, right now, it felt like a mistake.
(Man, the manager and his big mouth...)
Internally, I grumbled at the memory of the dapper older man giving me a thumbs-up in my head.
“—Are you done playing?” a voice asked from the side.
I turned to see Mizuki sitting on the sofa, hugging a cushion. She looked to be in a strangely good mood, her eyes practically pleading with me to keep going.
“You don’t have to sit here and watch me, you know,” I said.
“?”
“Don’t give me that look.”
She could be reading or studying—anything she actually enjoyed doing. Besides, having her stare at me was distracting.
“You’ve heard me play a thousand times. Aren’t you bored of it by now?”
“Not at all.”
I wondered if she realized just how many hours of practice she’d sat through over the years. Even when I pointed it out, Mizuki simply shook her head.
“I won’t get in your way. Just keep playing.”
She settled into a posture that made it clear she wouldn’t be moved by anything short of a crowbar. Giving up, I reluctantly turned back to the piano.
I let my fingers wander through a casual rendition of 『Für Elise』 to warm up while I thought.
(The question is, what should I play?)
I had a decent repertoire of songs I could technically perform. However, when it came to something that would actually stand out for the Mr. Con, nothing immediate came to mind.
“Maybe... 『Pavane for a Dead Princess』?”
No, probably too subtle. It was a slow, melancholic piece. It might lack the "wow factor" needed for a big event. Just as I was about to mentally cross it off the list—
“I don’t think that one fits the occasion,” Mizuki murmured.
I turned to see her standing up from the sofa and walking over to me.
“Yeah, I guess you’re right.”
“Mhm. Besides... that song is special.”
She leaned against the piano, peering intently into my eyes. Our gaze met—hers were beautiful, almost bewitching.
As I caught my breath, Mizuki leaned in closer.
“Don’t you dare play that for anyone but me. Understand?” she whispered, her voice like a command wrapped in a plea.
“...!”
My breath hitched as her stunning face hovered inches from mine. She possessed a level of allure that seemed impossible for a high schooler—a gaze that felt like it could dissolve my very reason.
But then...
(Those eyes...)
Farther back, in the deepest depths of her pupils, I caught a glimpse of a different color. It was a flicker of something unsettling, like the bottom of a dark, cold sea. It was an inexplicable, rising sense of anxiety.
It was the exact same thing I had seen that day.
“Iori?” Mizuki asked, tilting her head as she noticed my reaction.
“No, it’s nothing.”
I shook my head to clear the thought and placed my fingers back on the keys when—
Ping.
My phone chimed with a notification.
“...?”
Who would be texting at this hour? Renji? I tapped the screen to check.
(...Kashiwagi-san?)
It was an unexpected name.
【How does tomorrow after school sound for the cultural festival shopping?】
“...”
Right, the shopping trip.
It clicked then. The prep period was short; we had to get a move on. I didn't have a shift at the cafe tomorrow, either. It was better than trying to navigate the mall during the weekend rush.
I tapped out a quick reply.
【That works. Is the mall in front of the station okay?】
【Yep! Can't wait!】
She sent back a sticker of a cat looking overjoyed.
“Can’t wait,” she says. It’s just a shopping trip for supplies.
Then again, looking at it objectively... would this count as a date? Going shopping alone with a girl who had confessed she liked me?
“If that ain't a date, nothing is!” Renji’s voice echoed in the back of my mind.
“What is it?”
I turned back to see Mizuki looking at me curiously. Oh, right. I should probably tell her, since I might not make it back in time for dinner.
“...Uh.”
For some reason, the words caught in my throat. There was no reason to hesitate, and yet...
“I’m going shopping with Kashiwagi-san tomorrow,” I finally managed to say after a brief struggle.
I couldn’t bring myself to look at Mizuki’s face. I knew that no matter what expression she was wearing, it would only make me feel more conflicted.
After I spoke, there was a heartbeat of silence.
“Okay,” Mizuki whispered. That was all she said.
◇
The following day, after school.
“Man, it’s finally startin’ to feel like a real festival, ain’t it?”
Renji sounded genuinely excited as he looked around at the crowds of students staying late to work on their projects.
“Do you really think we can get all this done in a month?” I asked.
“Good question. Maybe we shoulda started a bit earlier.”
Some of the other classes had been moving for a while now. Apparently, the executive committee members had been drafting plans for two months. Since the Shirayanagi Fest was such a massive event with high-profile draws like the Miss and Mr. Con, it required way more legwork than a normal school.
“But hey, everyone’s pumped. We’ll make it work,” Renji said, nodding like a satisfied supervisor.
Looking around the room, I had to admit he was right—the energy was high. Most of that was fueled by the guys’ more... primal motivations, but even the girls seemed to be having fun. They were the stars of the show, after all, so keeping their morale up was key.
As I was quietly plugging away at my own task...
“—Amano-kun.”
I heard my name and turned around.
“Kashiwagi-san?”
“Yep. You ready to head out?”
“Yeah, let's go.”
I checked the clock—it was 4:00 PM. I felt a little guilty leaving early, but I needed to get this done.
“Sorry, Renji. I’ve gotta head out.”
“You got it, buddy. Heh heh... have fun on your date, okay?”
“Shut up.”
“Ahaha!”
With Renji’s teasing ringing in our ears—and accompanied by the resentful glares of several of my male classmates—we left the classroom together.
So, Kashiwagi-san and I arrived at the massive shopping mall in front of the station, but...
“Look, Amano-kun! I think this would look great on you, too.”
“Uh, Kashiwagi-san...?”
For some reason, we were currently in the men’s formal wear section—a place that had absolutely nothing to do with cultural festival supplies. I watched with a twitching eye as Kashiwagi-san held up various outfits with a radiant smile.
“What about the shopping list?”
“It’s fine, isn’t it? Just for a little bit. It is a date, after all.”
“No, I told you, it’s not a date, it’s a supply run...”
She just gave me a mischievous grin. I tried to argue that we should be in the craft section rather than the clothing department, but she looked so genuinely happy holding new clothes up against my reflection in the mirror.
Seeing that smile made it impossible to just shut her down.
“Amano-kun, you’re so handsome, but you’re way too indifferent about fashion! It’s such a waste,” she teased.
“You think so?”
“I know so! Here, this one fits your image perfectly.”
She handed me a vermillion sweater. Following her lead, I went into the fitting room, changed, and stepped out. Kashiwagi-san clapped her hands in delight.
“Wow! I knew it! It looks amazing!”
“I don’t know... isn’t it a little too 'cute'?”
“That’s the point! You definitely pull off the more androgynous look better. Hey, want to try some of the ladies' pieces next?”
“No. Absolutely not.”
She kept piling clothes on me until I realized I had essentially become her personal dress-up doll. I really wanted to get back to the actual shopping, but having missed the window to speak up, I resigned myself to waiting until she was satisfied.
“Hehe. It was always kind of a dream of mine... coordinating an outfit for my boyfriend.”
She looked up at me from under her lashes. Her words made my imagination wander in spite of myself.
Spending the weekend together, picking out clothes for each other, laughing... it was the kind of mundane, everyday life any couple might have.
But...
“I’m not sure I enjoy being treated like a mannequin.”
“Geez, there you go running away again.”
In the end, my guilt outweighed everything else. Kashiwagi-san puffed out her cheeks in a pout, and I could do nothing but offer a strained laugh to hide my discomfort.
By the time we finally finished the actual shopping, both my hands were full of bags.
I checked the time—it was already past 6:00 PM.
“That took a lot longer than I expected,” Kashiwagi-san noted.
“Yeah.”
To be honest, I was exhausted. Do guys with girlfriends really do this on a regular basis? Impressive. I didn't think I had the stamina for it.
I adjusted my grip on the bags and let out a long sigh. Kashiwagi-san peered up at me again.
“Um, hey. If you want... do you want to grab dinner? It’s getting pretty late.”
The suggestion made me stop in my tracks.
Dinner, huh?
It was around that time. She’d spent the whole day with me, so I felt like I should do something to thank her.
(She treated me at the cafe last time, so maybe I should pick up the tab today...)
Just as I was about to open my mouth—
“...!”
My body froze at the sight of a figure in my peripheral vision.
The beautiful black hair. The school uniform. A physique that wouldn't look out of place on a professional model.
Everywhere she walked, people—men and women, young and old—turned their heads to catch a glimpse.
Noticing my sudden stillness, Kashiwagi-san followed my gaze. She let out a small gasp.
“Huh? Is that... Yu-Yukimura-san?”
At the sound of Kashiwagi-san's voice, several people nearby looked our way. Kashiwagi-san shrank back in embarrassment, but the girl walking toward us didn't change her expression one bit.
The beauty—Yukimura Mizuki—stopped right in front of us.
“Good work today,” she said. Her voice was quiet and calm, exactly as it always was.
(...Why?)
Was she shopping? Here, at this specific mall? She wasn't the type of person who cared much about clothes or knick-knacks.
Before I could process the weirdness of it, Kashiwagi-san spoke up.
“Are you here for shopping too, Yukimura-san? Oh, wait... did the prep work for today already finish?”
“Yes. There wasn't much left for me to do.”
Both Kashiwagi-san and I winced at that. Crap. The school was probably already locked up. Even though nobody told us it had to be done today, we probably should have dropped the supplies off at the school first.
“Ah...! I-I’m so sorry! Did you guys need these tools tonight...?”
“No. Goto-kun said there was no rush. It should be fine.”
Kashiwagi-san let out a sigh of relief. Then, Mizuki’s gaze shifted toward me.
“Good work to you too, Amano-kun.”
“...Yeah.”
“Those bags look heavy.”
“I guess.”
I looked down at the luggage in both hands. My masculine pride had insisted on carrying everything, but my forearms were currently screaming in protest.
“—Here. I’ll take this one.”
Without waiting for an answer, Mizuki took one of the bags from my hand. Suddenly, the weight on my left arm—the side away from my dominant hand—felt much lighter.
“Wait...”
“See you tomorrow.”
With that, Mizuki turned on her heel and walked away.
(...What was that all about?)
I watched her retreating back in a daze. I had no idea why she was here or what she had actually come to do.
But...
“...Ugh.”
I couldn't help but feel like she’d seen something I didn't want her to see. We were just out getting supplies; there was nothing for me to feel guilty about, and yet...
“She really is cool, isn't she?” Kashiwagi-san murmured beside me.
Her voice was a mix of admiration and envy, laced with an unmistakable undercurrent of inferiority. It seemed she still hadn't quite come to terms with it.
“I thought we agreed you weren't going to compare yourself to her anymore?” I said, still watching the spot where Mizuki had disappeared.
Kashiwagi-san gave a self-deprecating laugh. “I know, I know. But when you see her in person like that, you just can't help it.”
I just can't help it. Her expression said it all. I understood that feeling all too well. I was probably the one person who could empathize with her the most. When you stood in the presence of that kind of brilliance, you were forced to see your own reflection by comparison.
“...Hey, Amano-kun. Can I ask you something weird?”
“...?”
The sudden change in her tone made me tilt my head. I caught a glimpse of her face from the side; she looked like someone who had just made a major life decision.
I tensed up slightly, bracing for whatever was coming.
“—Do you think there’s any chance I could beat Yukimura-san in the Miss Contest?”
The question was so far out of left field that I physically stiffened.
“What?”
For a moment, I couldn't even process the words. Or rather, the idea was so far beyond the realm of reality that my brain simply refused to accept it.
“Beat... Mizuki?”
“Mhm.”
The most beautiful girl in the school, Yukimura Mizuki. Her popularity and influence were on a completely different scale. Kashiwagi-san had to know that better than anyone.
“...Are you being serious?”
The words slipped out before I could stop them. They were probably incredibly rude, but I couldn't help it. I couldn't wrap my head around the idea that she intended to challenge that absolute monster.
“Yes. I’m serious,” Kashiwagi-san replied with a simple nod.
The lack of hesitation in her voice took my breath away.
“I know that if we just stand there, I don't stand a chance. But I was thinking... maybe I can close the gap with my performance or something.”
“...”
It was true that Mizuki hadn't really done much of a "performance" at last year’s Miss Con. She’d just stood on stage. And yet, even that had been enough to secure an overwhelming victory.
So, if there was a gap to be exploited, that was it. If Kashiwagi-san went all out, maybe she could prevent Mizuki from sweeping every single vote like she did last year.
...But that would be the limit of it. I couldn't see any path to an actual victory.
“Why would you want to do that?”
I had to ask. Honestly, this didn't feel like Kashiwagi-san. She didn't seem like the type to care about social hierarchies or winning and losing. Or had the label of being "the second cutest" finally become that much of a burden?
“It's not that I want to be number one, or that I want everyone to shower me with attention,” she said, a faint, fleeting smile touching her lips. “I just think that if I run away without doing anything, I’ll regret it forever. I just want to try giving it my absolute all, just this once.”
“...!”
Her words triggered a memory of what the manager had said to me.
Just this once, give it your all. It was the exact same sentiment.
“Plus, you know...”
“?”
“If I somehow manage to beat Yukimura-san, I think even you might finally start looking my way, Amano-kun.”
She said it with a playful, joking tone.
(So that's how it is...)
If she actually pulled it off, it wouldn't just be an achievement—it would be a miracle. Her reputation, both inside and outside the school, would skyrocket. But... even then, would it change how I felt?
(...Probably not.)
I couldn't bring myself to say it out loud. As I hesitated, Kashiwagi-san's eyes filled with a momentary sadness before she forced another bright smile.
“Ahaha! I'm just kidding!”
I knew it wasn't a joke. At the very least, her intent to challenge Mizuki was real. Part of me wondered if I should try to stop her. No matter how I imagined the scene playing out, the result looked cruel.
And yet...
“So, Amano-kun.”
Kashiwagi-san looked me straight in the eye. I found myself unable to say a word under the weight of her gaze.
“—My answer to your confession. Could you wait to give it to me until after you see me at the Miss Con? I want you to think about it one more time then.”
“...!”
(Ah... I see. This is...)
She understood everything. She knew she had no chance of winning. She knew the result would likely be painful to watch. She knew all of that, and yet...
“I can’t keep this going forever. If it doesn't work then, I’ll give up for good.”
She was making the Miss Con her final stand. She wanted to reach a conclusion there so she wouldn't have to drag things out any longer.
...She was probably doing this so I wouldn't have to worry about it anymore, too. Even now, she was putting others before herself.
“...I understand.”
“Thank you. Make sure you’re watching, okay?”
“Of course.”
I nodded, my heart heavy with guilt. Kashiwagi-san offered a relieved smile. Then, as if just remembering, she looked up and stole a glance at me.
“Um... so, about that... wh-what should we do about dinner?”
“Oh, right...” I said, the previous conversation finally coming back to me. “Sorry. I think I’m just going to head home for today.”
“Oh... I-I see.”
She looked a bit dejected, which only added to my guilt.
“Well, see you tomorrow.”
“...Yeah. See you tomorrow.”
I turned my back on Kashiwagi-san as she waved a lonely goodbye and began my trek home.
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