kscans

Chapter 755 - A Walking Bubble for Two

And so, with our luggage unpacked, the time was a little past one in the afternoon.

"Yo, the girls are saying they're heading out for lunch. We've been summoned as bodyguards and baggage carriers."

Well then, since we had all skipped lunch with the thought of 'we might as well eat out,' the next plan was obvious. Even without Toshiki calling out to me, I had intended to do so—

"Alright, let's go."

"Alright, see ya later."

"Huh?"

"Huh?"

"What?"

"Hmm?"

I stuffed my wallet and phone into my leg pouch for the walk and replied, only to be met with a look from my friend that screamed, 'What is this guy talking about?'

What's with that casual 'leaving me out' move… My thought process, which had been鍛ed and worn down by the onslaught of recent events, didn't even bother to play dumb.

"…You know, you don't have to be so obviously considerate."

"Hah. On the contrary, I'm being considerate in order not to be considerate."

For now, he was probably trying to casually create some time for me and Sora.

So, when I tried to protest with, "That just makes things more awkward," Toshiki shook his head with a slightly irritating, smug look.

"We talked about it and decided that, as a team, we'll let you guys relax for the latter half of the trip. But for the first half, today and tomorrow, we're going to make you hang out with us as friends."

"Hah…"

"Don't 'hah' me, you lady-killer. Even we could tell at first glance, so there's no way you haven't noticed. …I'm guessing she's holding back, right?"

"…Ah, well."

The way she naturally settled in next to me on the train. Then, how she fell asleep with a completely relieved expression despite being surrounded by strangers older than her. And to top it off, she didn't even scold her 'sister' for her prank, and took my hand in public without hesitation—well, I guess it would be obvious to anyone.

"Alright, see ya later. Then."

"Yeah…"

It was obvious that she couldn't contain it, that she was just waiting for the right moment to be affectionate.

And so, with a pat on the shoulder that was either encouragement or something else, my friend left the room first, leaving me with a mysterious sense of defeat… I floated excuses and explanations to no one in particular, thinking, 'I was going to do it properly even without being prodded.'

Leaving the men's room, I walked over to the adjacent room and knocked on the door without any particular hesitation.

◇◆◇◆◇

—In the end, I should probably be grateful that I was pushed.

The reason for that was crystal clear.

"…You don't have to hold on so tight, my arm isn't going to sprout legs and run away."

"What are you talking about?"

"What am I talking about, indeed…"

Sora-san, who had firmly secured my left arm with both hands, was in an incredibly good mood, her beaming smile never fading for a moment since I had invited her on a date.

The maid's face as she sent us off was also beaming, but that was completely irrelevant, so I kicked it to the back of my mind.

Anyway, being at a travel destination, the people we passed were all strangers we would likely never see again. Plus, that 'eyewear' of mine was exerting its mysterious power, so my face was under an absolute security lockdown where it 'could not be correctly recognized by anyone other than those I permitted.'

Sora's appearance was also different enough from her virtual avatar, mainly in her eye and hair color, that it would be difficult to identify her unless someone were to compare them side-by-side.

In other words, the magic of travel, where I was less concerned about being recognized, was at work.

That should have been the case, but…

"………Keep your hat on properly, okay?"

"Okay."

It was just, far, far too much.

What was too much? Why, the number of stares we were gathering, of course—a scene of an angelic beauty, who made everyone turn their heads, clinging affectionately with undisguised fondness.

I had thought I wouldn't have to worry about being identified unless I made a huge mistake, but we were attracting so much attention that I couldn't help but feel a cold sweat of anxiety.

"Did I make the wrong call, I wonder…"

Even if we were going out, perhaps I should have avoided crowded places. Well, it was a tourist spot, so there would probably be crowds everywhere we went, but still…

"Fufu… I think it will be fine as long as we're careful about what we call each other. For what it's worth, even with my close friends at school, there's no sign of them finding out."

"That's both surprising and not so surprising… You're going by this name, right?"

"Yes. So, I'm used to being called by either name… so."

Well, for my part, I was starting to get used to receiving stares after all that's happened. Deploying my developing mental defense barrier, Sora-san, who was probably more used to it or had more experience than me… or rather,

"'I' am this person too, so please don't hesitate to call me by my name…—Nozomi-san."

"…Yes, ma'am. As you wish, Young Lady Hinata."

"You added something unnecessary. That's forbidden here too."

"Stop it, don't pinch me, it hurts, it hurts…!"

"Honestly… you're always teasing me about something."

"In this case, I'm not really teasing, it just sort of comes out…"

The mysterious phrase 'Young Lady' just rolls off the tongue—and aside from that.

"Anyway, the awkwardness is intense. My back is getting itchy."

"…You may have forgotten, but you used to call me with '-san' attached."

"There's no way I'd forget. I remember every single word, not just the words but the long, long time it took for me to decide on everything."

"Ah, n-no, it's fine. You don't have to remember…"

"'From now on, um… as equal partners—'"

"Ngh, honestly—, honestly!!!"

"I'm sorry, it hurts, I got carried away, it hurts, please stop, I'm sorry… Ah! I'm so hungry! But I don't know what's what looking at all these restaurants, what should we do!!!"

"Mmph…!!"

And so, while joking around as usual.

For the memorable first experience of our trip, a luxuriously extravagant event called a 'date with my cute partner' was peacefully and lively carved into memory.