Chapter 1 | Date or Alive

 

Let’s talk about Sawatari Ginbei Haruomi.

It’s the story of a little commotion that happened just before summer vacation, after the rainy season ended, involving me, her, and the folks at the student dorm.

 

◆◆◆

 

I, Himenokōji Akito, have imposed just one rule on my life.

That is to say,

“I will always keep my promises”

—a rule that is probably the most basic and fundamental one for living a cultured and social human life.

You might think, “Is that all?” but it’s often the simplest and most straightforward things that people fail to uphold. At least around me, I’ve never met anyone who could boast, “I’ve kept every single promise I’ve ever made,” yet I’ve seen countless people laugh off casual verbal promises as mere “social niceties.”

Of course, it’s beyond debate that “lies” are a lubricant and a necessity for human life. I myself have told countless lies, big and small. After all, being a novelist is a profession that revolves around how skillfully you can lie to earn money, so structurally speaking, I’m built to lie.

But when it comes to “promises,” I’ve never lied.

Even if it looks like a “casual verbal promise” on the surface, I always keep it. And it’s precisely because I take pride in sticking to that rule that I can walk under the sun with some measure of confidence.

On the flip side, though, I suppose it’s because I know how scary promises can be that I don’t make them often—or if I do, I avoid making big ones. The promise to “someday take my little sister back” is pretty much the only exception, and in a way, I’ve spent so much energy trying to fulfill that one that it’s turned me into someone who doesn’t make promises lightly. If I’d been making promises left and right in that situation, I probably wouldn’t have lasted.

Anyway, enough of that tangent.

Even someone like me makes promises from time to time.

And once I’ve made one, I always keep it.

So, with that in mind, I decided it was time to honor a promise.

 

◆◆◆

 

“Huh? A date? With me?”

One day in July.

I approached Ginbei and brought it up.

“W-Why me all of a sudden? What’s gotten into you?”

“What’s gotten into me? Nothing, really.”

Tilting my head, I said,

“Didn’t we promise this a while back? You know, during the glasses contest.”

“Oh… Oh, right. Yeah, that. Uh-huh.”

Ginbei’s tone sounded like she’d only just remembered it now.

For a bit of context: Some time ago, I’d scolded my little sister Akiko for not wearing glasses despite her bad eyesight. But since Akiko absolutely hates glasses and kept coming up with excuses to avoid them, I ended up holding a glasses contest to try and fix her aversion even a little. Somewhere along the way, it turned into a situation where the winner got the right to go on a date with me—a bizarre twist that’s both confusing and totally in character for us. In the end, Ginbei won fair and square and claimed that right.

Oh boy.

Even after explaining it, it’s still a mysterious turn of events.

If I told this to someone who didn’t know the folks at our student dorm, they’d probably twist their head three times over in confusion. If I submitted this as a novel plot, it’d get rejected outright, no question.

“My work schedule’s still pretty insane, but it looks like I can squeeze in some downtime on a day off. So I figured I’d fulfill that promise now while I’ve got the chance.”

“I see. Yeah. Makes sense, I guess.”

Sawatari Ginbei Haruomi, my one and only best friend, nodded repeatedly and said,

“That explains the sudden offer, sure. But isn’t it a bit too sudden? I’ve got my own mental prep—er, schedule adjustments—to deal with. Despite appearances, I’m not exactly drowning in free time, you know.”

“Of course, I’m not in a position to push you. I’ll respect your schedule as much as I can. That said, like I mentioned, my own schedule’s packed tight too. If we miss this chance, I might not be able to free up time for quite a while. So I’ll apologize for that up front.”

“No, don’t worry about it. Sure, I’m not free, but I can manage a day or so without issue. It’s only proper to build a schedule with that much leeway, right?”

“Oof. When you put it like that, I’ve got no comeback. Sorry about that.”

“No, it’s fine, Akito. I’m not blaming you or anything. Just—”

Ginbei made a complicated face and continued,

“It’s just… how do I put it? Getting a date with you as some sort of game prize feels a little off, like it’s not the proper way. Sure, we’re best friends and can hang out casually, which is definitely a plus. But still, Akito, even if it’s just a date in name, shouldn’t there be some kind of procedure or formality to it?”

“Hmm. Formality, huh?”

“Exactly. For one thing, the way you asked me out, Akito, feels kinda obligatory—like you’re just checking off a daily task. There’s no emotion in it, you know? Emotion! That’s the culture Japan should take pride in. If you neglect that, what are you even doing? Guys like you are why this country’s going downhill.”

“…Isn’t this veering off into something grand all of a sudden?”

“Not at all. This is a very important issue.”

With her hands on her hips, Ginbei huffed indignantly.

“What you’re doing, Akito, is basically like pouring hot water into instant ramen. Would you serve cup ramen for a date meal? No, right?”

“Uh, I’m not quite following…”

“Here’s what I mean: the date has already started.”

Pointing sharply at me, Ginbei declared,

“It’s not just about what we do on the date itself. Planning where to go, agonizing over what to wear—all of that’s part of the date too. And of course, asking someone out is part of it as well. In fact, as the saying goes, ‘the beginning is crucial,’ so it might even be the most important part. How you ask someone out can make the date wonderful or boring.”

“Oh, I see. Yeah, that makes sense when you put it that way.”

“There’s that phrase, ‘it’s not over till you get home from the field trip.’ Well, a date is a date until the very moment it ends. Remember that well.”

“Got it. I’ll keep it in mind. Though it sounds a bit tedious.”

“Did you say something?”

“No, nothing. Uh, so? You haven’t actually answered yet—how about it?”

“How about what?”

“The date! If it doesn’t work for you, I can ask again another time. Though honestly, I kinda messed up the approach pretty bad, so maybe postponing it would be better.”

“Don’t be ridiculous.”

Ginbei said indignantly,

“There’s the saying, ‘strike while the iron is hot,’ right? And ‘seize the day’ too. Letting this chance slip would be a disgrace as a member of the merchant Sawatari family. I’d deserve to be beaten black and blue by the whole clan and couldn’t complain. So naturally, I’ll accept your proposal, Akito. You’re not about to take back your offer now, are you?”

 

◆◆◆

 

And so, that’s how it went.

A date with my long-time best friend Ginbei was officially set in stone.

I’d make time no matter what, and I’d ignore my pitiful wallet for once to go all out and have fun. It’s a rare opportunity, so I might as well use it to fully unwind and refresh. With Ginbei as my partner, I can probably relax and enjoy myself too.

Anyway, with that decided, there’s one thing experience has taught me: keeping stuff like this under wraps never ends well. I’ve got an obligation to report it to the other folks at the student dorm.

“A date with Ginbei-san? Oh, I think that’s totally fine.”

When I brought it up at the dinner table that evening, my little sister Akiko nodded with a big smile.

“I mean, there’s no good or bad about it. Onii-chan and Ginbei-san going on a date is basically a done deal, a natural right even. It’s like a winning lottery ticket getting paid out— if it didn’t happen, it wouldn’t make sense. Right, everyone?”

“Yes, indeed. For once, I’ll back up Himenokōji-san on this.”

Nasuhara-san agreed with Akiko while munching on some fried tofu with crab sauce,

“Since she won the right fair and square under rules we all agreed to, us outsiders have no business complaining. Go enjoy your date to your heart’s content.”

“Of course I’m on board too.”

President-san added with a hearty laugh,

“Honestly, I was getting antsy wondering when you two would finally go on that date. Both Gin-Gin and Himenokōji Akito seem like the type to lack guts when it counts. I was half-tempted to plan the date for you myself, so this actually takes a load off my shoulders.”

“Arisa doesn’t see any problem with it either.”

Finally, Arisa said with a dead-serious face,

“I mean, I wasn’t even at the dorm yet during that contest—the glasses contest, right? So it’d be out of line for someone like me to say anything. Being out of line is a bad thing.”

And so, with no real objections, my date with Ginbei got the green light.

“Actually, I’ve got a request for Ginbei-san. If you’re doing this, do it right, okay? You’re going on a date with my future husband, Onii-chan, so it’s gotta have some substance and class. If you embarrass Onii-chan or bore him, I’ll have to take appropriate action as his little sister.”

“Himenokōji-san, don’t put that kind of pressure on Gin-Gin. Honestly, I’m more worried about Akki. He’s got that total blockhead vibe going on—can he even lead Gin-Gin properly? This is bound to be a parade of Gin-Gin’s cute moments, and Akki’s got a duty to capture every last one on video without missing a thing. But looking at him, I don’t see a shred of that sense of purpose. What a waste of a once-in-a-lifetime chance.”

“As for me, I’m worried about both Gin-Gin and Himenokōji Akito. If it were me, I’d totally devour my date in a situation like this, but these two are both hopeless wallflowers. I’m already dreading them coming back without doing anything worth doing. I wouldn’t want such herbivores as my underlings.”

“Um, uh, Arisa isn’t particularly worried or anything, and I don’t have any demands either. I just hope you two don’t fight and have fun together. Coming back in a bad mood would be the worst, so Akito-niisama and Ginbei-neesama, please enjoy yourselves and get along.”

Everyone’s saying it in their own way, but they all seem to be rooting for Ginbei.

“Take care of Aniki, Ginbei-san.”

“Good luck, Gin-Gin!”

“Give it your all! We’re cheering for you!”

“Ginbei-neesama, fight on!”

“W-Wait! Hold on a second!”

The one panicking was none other than Ginbei herself.

“Why’s everyone pushing me like this? Isn’t it normal for people to throw complaints and objections in a situation like this? The fact that it got approved so easily is already throwing me off…”

Honestly, I was thinking the same thing.

I could’ve let the others slide, but I’d fully expected Akiko at least to nitpick and act like some overbearing sister-in-law. Instead, they’re all unanimously encouraging me and Ginbei to go on this date.

“To be blunt about how I feel right now, I’m extremely uneasy. If there’d been one or two big arguments before reluctantly approving the date, I could’ve accepted it. But getting off scot-free like this?”

“What are you saying, Ginbei-san?”

Akiko replied with a cool expression,

“Like I said at the start, Ginbei-san, you’ve got the right to go on a date with Onii-chan. I don’t have any grand justification to interfere. Sure, I want to date Onii-chan too, and honestly, as his future wife, I think I should’ve been first. But this time, I’ll step aside. And since I’m stepping aside, you’d better enjoy it properly. Your enjoyment ties into Onii-chan’s enjoyment too, after all. For Onii-chan, who’s always busy with work, this is a perfect chance to unwind. So please, Ginbei-san, make it happen, okay?”

“T-This is getting weirder. Akiko-kun saying she’s entrusting Akito to me? That’s not her character at all. What’s gotten into you…?”

“…What kind of character am I in your head, Ginbei-san?”

“Anyway, this is a trap. It’s got to be. You’re all trying to set me up with some sneaky scheme. I’m not falling for it—not a chance!”

“Haa.”

Akiko shot a “What do we do?” look at everyone except me and Ginbei.

Nasuhara-san, President-san, and Arisa exchanged glances,

“Alright, got it. Gin-Gin, come over here for a sec. Hey, Himenokōji Akito, you stay put.”

President-san called the girls over, and they huddled in a corner of the room, whispering about something.

Yup.

It’s been a while since I last saw this scene.

“Hey, Ginbei-san, why do you have to question everything? It’s a good deal, so just accept it already.”

“I get that, Akiko-kun, but I can’t shake this sense of danger. This whole setup is weird. It’s blatantly unnatural. No way this is normal.”

“There’s no trap or anything. So just relax and enjoy your date. Though if you’re that worried and anxious, I could take your right off your hands and enjoy a date with Akki myself.”

“Don’t be absurd. Giving up a right I fought for, for free? That’s unthinkable for a Sawatari. I put my all into that glasses contest—I even did that embarrassing cat impression—ugh, I’d finally forgotten about it, and now you’ve made me remember! You guys are awful!”

“Trap or no trap, we’re not setting anything up. We genuinely want you and Himenokōji Akito to enjoy your date, plain and simple. Doubting that? Man, you’re one heck of a distrustful friend, huh?”

“I don’t need ‘friendship’ like that. Having just one true best friend is enough for me… Anyway, the more you insist there’s nothing, the more suspicious it gets—that’s an undeniable fact. My family motto is ‘tap the stone bridge before crossing, and it’s fine if it breaks from too much tapping.’ Following that, I’m not swallowing your words whole. That’s final.”

“Ginbei-neesama… Arisa really just wants Ginbei-neesama and Akito-niisama to have a fun date. Can’t you believe what Arisa says…?”

“Guh! There it is—Arisa-kun’s pure, innocent puppy eyes…! Normally, I’d fall for it in a heartbeat—heck, I might even let myself get tricked on purpose—but not this time. Not even for Arisa-kun’s pleading.”

Well, once it’s come to this, there’s no helping it.

Left out of the loop, I figured I’d just enjoy the rest of my dinner to the background noise of their hushed chatter.

…Oh. Today’s tatsuta-age is delicious.

“Anyway, I’m stating right here and now that I can’t go on this date as things stand. It reeks of some kind of scheme.”

“We’re not setting any trap, geez. Just go have fun on your date—it’s that simple. You’re way too paranoid.”

“Even if it’s not a trap, there’s some kind of ulterior motive, right? Let’s hear it.”

“There’s no ulterior motive—well, I’d love to say that, but fine, you’ve got good instincts, I’ll give you that. Truth is, there is a motive.”

“See? I knew it! There’s something! Spill it—all of it. What are you all plotting?”

“It’s not exactly a plot, Ginbei-san. We really do want you and Onii-chan to go on a date—a proper one, at that.”

“A proper date? Wait, what even is an improper date? I can’t quite picture it.”

“That’s the thing, Gin-Gin. Here’s what we’re worried about—can Akki actually pull off a proper date?”

“Huh? What do you mean?”

“I hate to say it, but Akito-niisama is, well, that kind of person. He thinks he’s normal, but he’s absolutely not.”

“I’ll agree with that. That guy’s definitely got some quirks… So? How does that tie into this?”

“Here’s the deal: Can Himenokōji Akito actually handle a proper date? Heck, can that guy even function as a man? That’s what’s got us worried.”

“W-What’s that supposed to mean?”

“I’ll be blunt, Gin-Gin—how do you see it? You’re always flaunting your long history with him, so you must’ve noticed, right? In all the time I’ve known Akki, I’ve never once seen him show interest in a girl. And that’s despite living in a dorm with a lineup of beauties like me and the others. That’s downright abnormal, don’t you think?”

“No, calling it abnormal is a bit much…”

“It’s not an exaggeration, Ginbei-san. I agree with Nasuhara-san. Onii-chan is clearly weird. He’s not normal. Not that it changes how much I love him, of course, but I can’t help worrying. I mean, normally, if a guy’s living under the same roof as five girls, something’s bound to happen, right? It’s a harem—a total free-for-all buffet! But Onii-chan doesn’t make a move, doesn’t even give off a hint of it. It almost feels like he doesn’t see us as girls at all—don’t you get that vibe?”

“W-Well… yeah, sure. That’s definitely there.”

“Right? Especially since I, his future wife, live here too. Morning kisses, goodnight kisses, bathing together and washing each other, sneaking into each other’s rooms at night—those things should be happening all the time, logically speaking. Don’t you think so, Ginbei-san?”

“No, that’s not happening.”

“Wha—!?”

“Arisa’s worried about Akito-niisama too. Like, in the six years we lived together at the Takanomiya house, he never had a single rumor about a girl. He didn’t even own those magazines or videos grown-up guys usually have. Father and Mother were really concerned about it. They’d say stuff like, ‘Is Akito-kun really okay as a man? We’re worried about that one thing even if we let him marry Arisa—maybe we should take him to the family doctor.’”

“T-That’s going a bit overboard, isn’t it? I’ve watched Akito up close through elementary, middle, and high school, and I think he talked about that kind of stuff with the guys sometimes—probably. I wasn’t part of those conversations myself, though.”

—What’s this?

I can’t hear what they’re saying, and they’ve all got their backs to me so I can’t even see their faces, but I’ve got this vague feeling they’re badmouthing me. Nah, it’s probably just my imagination. Yeah, probably. Definitely.

“Anyway, Onii-chan’s a little off. He’s way too indifferent toward women. It’s beyond just being a blockhead.”

“Agreed. I’m starting to wonder if he even has the equipment down there.”

“I could just check that out in practice and settle it quick, but forcing it ain’t my style. Problem is, with a guy that devoid of libido, even my seduction skills lose their edge. Honestly, I’m kinda at a loss here.”

“Arisa’s really disappointed, but Akito-niisama still doesn’t see me as a full-grown woman. So there’s nothing I can do.”

“And that’s where you come in, Ginbei-san.”

“…I think I’m starting to get it. So that’s why this felt off. You’re planning to use me as a sacrificial lamb, huh? You’re throwing me, the safest bet among the five of us, into the line of fire to test Akito’s reactions. You want to gather intel to figure out how to crack him. I bet you think I won’t be able to win him over no matter what I do, but I’ll still provide enough data for your future strategies—”

“No, no, what are you saying, Ginbei-san? That’s not it at all!”

“Exactly, Gin-Gin. Doubting us isn’t nice. We’re friends, aren’t we?”

“The word ‘friends’ coming up in a situation like this is the least trustworthy thing ever. And don’t tell me you’re planning to secretly tail me on this date too?”

“No way, no way—overthinking it, huh? Right, Nasuhara-san?”

“Himenokōji-san’s right. Though, it’s not impossible that where we decide to hang out might just happen to overlap with where you and Gin-Gin go for your date. Can’t be helped if that happens, right?”

“How shameless…”

“Anyway, Gin-Gin, you’ve got a bunch of missions riding on this. Keep that in mind and tackle this date with gusto. As the vanguard to conquer Himenokōji Akito, don’t hold back—try everything. We’ll pick up the pieces.”

“No thanks. Why do I have to be your guinea pig? Spare me.”

“But Ginbei-neesama, despite all your grumbling, you look pretty excited. You’ve got that face like you’re thrilled to go on a date with Akito-niisama no matter the circumstances.”

“Guh! N-No way! Stop making stuff up!”

“Hey, Ginbei-san, why not just hand the right over to me? If it’s for a date with Onii-chan, I’d gladly be a sacrifice or a test subject—it’d be my honor. Honestly, I don’t want someone like you, who’s so reluctant, dating Onii-chan.”

“That’s your problem, not mine. Don’t push your whims on me.”

“Besides, the fact that Akki turned out like this is partly your fault, Gin-Gin. You lived with him for six years—you had plenty of time to fix him. And yet, here we are. Yup, you’ve got to take responsibility and try all sorts of things without holding back. We’ll pick up the pieces.”

“Stop saying whatever you want! Anyway, I—”

The debate raged on, and I was left twiddling my thumbs.

Hmm, looks like it’s getting pretty heated.

I’d finished eating ages ago and wanted to head back to my room, but the vibe wasn’t exactly letting me.

So I started clearing the empty dishes instead.

While I was at it, I washed them, wiped them dry, put them back in the cabinet, brewed some tea to unwind, found one cup wasn’t enough and had another, and when that still didn’t cut it, I was about to go hunt for some snacks—when finally,

The tough discussion wrapped up, and everyone shuffled back to their seats.

“…So, uh, did you figure it out?”

“Reluctantly, and with no other choice, yeah.”

Ginbei crossed her arms with a sour look and said,

“If it’s come to this, it’s ‘in for a penny, in for a pound.’ I’m going all in. Sacrificial lamb? Lab rat? Bring it on. A chance like this won’t come twice, so I’ll do everything I can—oh, you bet I will!”

“Uh, aren’t you getting a bit reckless, Ginbei? You okay?”

“I’m fine, no problem. I’m perfectly calm. Calm, but my rebellious spirit is fired up like never before. I need to show everyone what I’m capable of when I get serious. Yup, I’ll make them regret underestimating me. I don’t care what happens anymore!”

Ginbei was visibly worked up.

Seeing her, usually so cool-headed, get this emotional was pretty rare.

“…So, uh, bottom line—are we doing the date or not?”

“Of course we are! You’d better wash your neck and wait for the big day, Akito!”

“Oh, uh, sure. Got it. Looking forward to it.”

I got swept along by her weirdly intense energy.

Anyway,

With that, my date with Ginbei was officially approved, and all that was left was to make it happen—or so I thought…

 

◆◆◆

 

The next day, Ginbei came to my room.

She was carrying a huge stack of books in both arms.

“Alright, Akito, let’s get started.”

She dumped the pile on the table with a thud, plopped down across from me, and declared it with a huff, her silver-haired best-friend self all fired up.

“…Started? On what?”

“What else? Planning and prepping for the date, obviously.”

As she spoke, Ginbei started flipping through the books. Looking closer, most of what she’d brought were some kind of guidebooks.

The titles read,

Two-Person Café Getaways

Guaranteed Satisfaction Date Courses

100 Restaurants You’ll Want to Keep Secret

…and so on.

“I told you, didn’t I? The date’s already begun.”

Ginbei said, flipping briskly through Special Sweets ☆ Hot Patissiers Right Now,

“Only with thorough prep and mental rehearsal can a date even hope to be perfect. Showing up on the day with no real plan, picking a spot on a whim, doing some half-baked stuff, and calling it a date? Unacceptable. It’s as foolish as going into a life-or-death fight empty-handed. We’ve got to scour every resource, weigh every option, and pick the best one—that’s the royal road, the proper way. You agree, right, Akito?”

“Huh? Oh, yeah, totally. Of course I do.”

Picking a spot on a whim and doing some half-baked stuff was exactly my plan, but I can’t say that now.

Still, isn’t keeping it casual pretty nice too?

Like hitting up the local shopping street, popping into shops we usually skip, grabbing some takoyaki, wandering around, and crashing on a park bench when we’re tired—pretty classic and foolproof, right? There’s a charm to going with the flow that you don’t get otherwise.

“Come on, Akito, what are you spacing out for? Dig into the materials I brought and start dreaming up our date. Let’s find the best plan together.”

…Guess there’s no point saying that to Ginbei right now.

She’s totally overreacting to the word “date,” getting all wound up and tunnel-visioned. Otherwise, the cool-headed her wouldn’t be acting this off-the-wall.

“Here, Akito, start with this Tokyo Date Special Navi. It’s got detailed yet easy-to-read breakdowns of recommended date spots. As an intro, it’s decent enough.”

“Oh, thanks.”

I took the book she handed me and flipped through it.

Huh, nice design and layout—pretty polished for a guidebook. But it’s not really sinking in.

“Akito, how about this one?”

“Sunshine 60? Yeah, super famous spot. The ultimate classic, really.”

“Right. It’s got an observation deck, an aquarium, shopping, and dining—pretty much a perfect all-in-one entertainment hub. Plus, it’s close, so we can go easily.”

“Sounds good to me. I’m in.”

“Hold on a sec. It’s not bad, but there are still tons of other options. Let’s look a bit more.”

“Oh, right. Yeah, that makes sense.”

“What about this one, Akito? Hotel Metropolitan.”

“Let’s see… Oh, it’s a pretty big hotel. Looks nice inside from the pics.”

“Yup. Tons of stylish eateries, and it’s right by Tōbu and Seibu. Super versatile—good for all kinds of date needs.”

“Works for me. I’m cool with it.”

“Wait a sec. It’s a solid spot, but it might be a tad too mature. Lots of chic bars and nightlife stuff—maybe a bit much for us still.”

“Really? Isn’t it fine? There’s gotta be younger-oriented spots too, right? We could just stick to those.”

“Fair point, but having everything in one place might feel kinda bland. I’m starting to think a more targeted plan would be better.”

“Oh. Gotcha.”

“Look, Akito, what about this one?”

“Uh, what’s this… Oh, Jiyū Gakuen Myōnichikan? Some kind of school?”

“Yup. Designed by a famous architect and designated an important cultural property. Still in active use—hosts weddings and concerts too.”

“Huh, cool. Didn’t know that. Looks pretty nice from the pics. Kinda wanna check it out.”

“Right? Right?”

“So, we’re set on this?”

“Hold up a sec. The spot itself is fine, but it’s a little too close. It’s a date, so settling for something too convenient lacks flair. Let’s think of other ideas.”

“…Hey, Ginbei, didn’t you just say being close and easy was a plus? Also, why’s everything around Ikebukuro?”

“Got a problem with that? What’s wrong with Ikebukuro? Don’t you like it, Akito?”

“No, I don’t dislike it or anything.”

So we kept going back and forth like that.

But it wasn’t getting us anywhere.

Ginbei’d suggest something, I’d consider it and agree, then she’d shoot it down herself and move to the next idea—endless loop.

Oh man.

I didn’t see this coming.

I figured even with a mountain of materials, this was Sawatari Ginbei Haruomi we’re talking about. She’d use that sharp mind to sort everything quick, pick the best option, and I’d just nod along. Total opposite right now. She’s supposed to be the type to ditch emotions and make cold, rational calls—that’s her usual self.

“Hey, Akito, how about this one?”

“Hmm. Yeah, looks good. So, we going with that?”

“Wait a sec. On second thought, this feels too cliché—too worn-out as a date course. Let’s find something else.”

“Oh, uh, sure.”

“How about this then? Pretty chic spot, I think.”

“Yeah, nice. Really nice. Works for me.”

“Hmm. But now that I think about it, this might blow our budget. Better look at other options.”

“Oh, yeah. Got it. If you say so.”

“Mmm? Akito, what about this? Feels like a real gem. Stylish, rare, and budget-friendly—flawless pick.”

“Huh, really? Oh, yeah, this does look like a hidden gem. No complaints here—it’s a solid choice. Alright, settled—let’s hit this up on our next day off—”

“Hold your horses, Akito. ‘Haste makes waste,’ right? Rushing screws things up. We’ve gotta consider every angle properly, or we’ll regret it later.”

“Uh… I think we’ve considered plenty already…”

“Did you say something?”

“No, nothing. Never mind.”

And that’s how it went.

A discussion just between the two of us, and we still couldn’t land on anything—kinda a fresh shock.

We clash a lot, sure, but we’re usually ace at finding a quick compromise and settling on something decently chill. This time, though, that magic touch seems to have vanished.

Yup.

We haven’t been this out of sync in forever—probably not since way back when we first met.

“…Hmm. Guess that’s it for today.”

After a good while more of deliberating, Ginbei packed up her materials and stood,

“I’ll head out for now. Tomorrow, I’ll bring more stuff, and we’ll meet in your room again, so be ready.”

“…Huh? We’re still doing this…?”

“Did you say something?”

“No, nothing.”

“Good. Oh, and Akito, bring some materials of your own tomorrow, okay? I’ll gather what I can, but two heads are better than one. Also, make sure you actually join in tomorrow—today, you didn’t seem serious enough. I’m counting on you to help nail down the perfect plan.”

 

◆◆◆

 

“Honestly, this caught me off guard.”

A few days later, at the student dorm’s cafeteria.

Akiko sighed, arms crossed.

“I never imagined Ginbei-san would tackle date planning this passionately, this single-mindedly. I misjudged her.”

Around the table were Akiko, Nasuhara-san, President-san, Arisa, and me—five of us. Ginbei was out on some errand, so we’d gathered to sort things out while she was gone,

“I feel the same.”

Nasuhara-san followed, a tiny wrinkle forming between her brows,

“I figured Gin-Gin wouldn’t do much even with all that prodding—thought she’d barely lift a finger. But she’s moving way more actively than I expected.”

“Her actions are as offbeat as ever, though.”

President-san shrugged and added,

“Gin-Gin’s always been hopeless with this kinda stuff—painfully shy and totally unfit for it. She handles student council work like a smug pro, but throw a guy into the mix, and she’s useless. Still, in her own weird way, she’s charging straight ahead now. Well, we kinda pushed her into it.”

“This is a side of Ginbei-neesama I’ve never seen.”

Arisa said, visibly impressed,

“She’s beautiful, smart, great at cooking and cleaning—and it’s weird for a younger kid like me to say, but she’s super cute too. Lately, she’s been so lively—panicked and flustered all the time, sure, but her usual cool vibe’s softened in a good way… Yeah, that’s how Arisa sees it. Ginbei-neesama’s in a good place right now.”

“So, how’s it actually going?”

Akiko turned the conversation to me,

“Onii-chan, what’s Ginbei-san like to you right now?”

“Hmm. How’s she like, huh…”

“Like, what do you and Ginbei-san talk about? You’re planning the date every day, right?”

“Yeah, pretty much. We’re planning.”

“Then tell us. Specifics.”

“Let’s see…”

It feels like it might affect Ginbei’s honor, so I’m hesitant to spill, but we’re all dormmates living under one roof. Sharing info’s probably better for smooth relations.

“For example, today we talked about what to wear on the date. For a pretty long time.”

“I see. Outfit advice, huh?”

“Yeah. Dress or blouse? Skirt or shorts? Sandals or mules? That kinda stuff, on and on. Bag or pouch? Hat or no hat?”

“That’s pretty normal, though, isn’t it? I’d probably ask the same stuff if I were dating Onii-chan.”

“Then it kinda spiraled. We couldn’t decide no matter how much we thought, so it turned into ‘Why not just buy new clothes?’ Then, ‘Should we go shopping for them together?’—but that’d basically be the date already, so it got all backwards.”

“Oh, I get it… No, wait, that’s not even that strange, right? I totally understand Ginbei-san’s feelings. I’d agonize too in her shoes, and I might think ‘Why not just—’ too. I get her girly heart.”

“Then it spun even more. ‘Why not wear a party dress?’ ‘Or go full casual with pajamas?’ ‘Maybe a yukata even though it’s not a festival?’ Guess how it ended?”

“Uh, how’d it end?”

“We’re wearing school uniforms. Both of us. She said it’d be more ‘high schooler-like’ or something.”

“…Hm. Hmm? Uh…?”

Akiko’s brows furrowed into a skeptical frown. I get it—I made the same face when Ginbei told me the conclusion.

“I don’t see the problem.”

Nasuhara-san, a die-hard Ginbei fan, jumped in to defend her,

“If anything, it’s that quirky weirdness that makes Gin-Gin’s cuteness shine. No need to be shocked or puzzled—criticizing her tone’s out of line.”

“Oh, the other day, me and Ginbei talked about snacks.”

“Snacks? Like, the three-o’clock kind? Not about the date?”

“Yeah, snacks for the date.”

“Just bring whatever you like. Or hit a shop on the date and grab some cake or whatever. Honestly, that’s what a date should be.”

“Right? You’re totally spot-on, Nasuhara-san. If you want snacks, bring what you like. No need to debate gummies versus candy for an hour or set a ‘snacks under 300 yen’ rule.”

“…She debated gummies versus candy for an hour and set a 300-yen snack limit? Gin-Gin did?”

“Yeah. Sadly.”

“Good grief… That’s genuinely sad. Gin-Gin saying stuff like that?”

“Right? You think so too, huh? I’ve seen her quirks plenty over the years, but this time felt next-level. Like, I didn’t even see that one coming—”

“Yeah, totally. We’re high schoolers—bringing at least a thousand yen’s worth of snacks is a given.”

“Huh? That’s your issue?”

“Just a little joke. Don’t stare at me like the world flipped upside down. …Yeah, I get it. Even I’ve got to admit, Gin-Gin’s been extra regrettable lately.”

“She’s definitely freaking out, no question.”

President-san cut in,

“Freaking out, getting hyped, losing herself—kinda like she doesn’t fully grasp what she’s doing. Happens sometimes when you’re dead-set on something.”

“But still, I wish she’d just calm down a bit.”

“Saying that now’d backfire. She’d probably deny she’s freaking out in the first place, that girl.”

“Yeah… What do we do about this?”

“Ain’t it fine to let her be? She’s always been all cool and poised—maybe this is her mask slipping, showing her real self. Isn’t that when people grow? Stopping her’d be worse for her.”

“Well, if you put it that way, maybe, but letting her run wild feels…”

“Nah, let her run. People grow by screwing up and embarrassing themselves. Gin-Gin’s got no guts to seek out shame, and her specs are so high she’s probably never faced real humiliation. This is our chance to give her that. Not out of spite—pure parental love here.”

“Hmm, I get what you’re saying, but…”

“Might be a hassle for you, but stick with her. You’re her best friend, right? Help her shed that skin. …Huh? ‘Gin-Gin’ and ‘shedding skin’—sounds kinda naughty. Nice accidental wordplay—I’m proud of that one.”

“Now I’m totally lost. It was getting kinda nice for a sec there.”

“Arisa’s on the ‘current Ginbei-neesama is fine’ team.”

Arisa chimed in timidly,

“Actually, I think she’s way better now. She’s pretty, smart, mysterious-looking, so she can feel a bit unapproachable. But lately, that’s faded—she’s getting more relatable. That’s gotta be good for her.”

“Huh, unapproachable? Yeah, she’s always had that vibe. She’s so different from normal, people treat her that way—whether she likes it or not.”

“Exactly, exactly!”

“So, Arisa saw Ginbei as this tough-to-deal-with person, huh?”

“N-No, that’s not it! Arisa’s just talking generally. I like Ginbei-neesama, she’s helped me tons, and I don’t think she’s unapproachable. Niisama twisting it like that is mean.”

“Haha, sorry, sorry. So Arisa’s seeing it positively, huh? Same with President-san.”

Akiko and Nasuhara-san seem to feel the same, with some caveats—maybe tinged with a bit of awe too.

“Did we light a fire under a sleeping lion…?”

Akiko’s muttered words probably summed up the room’s mood best.

“Anyway,”

President-san scanned everyone,

“This turn of events was kinda inevitable and honestly a good thing. Plus, Gin-Gin’s exercising a right she won fair and square, so meddling or butting in would be rude and against the rules. Let’s watch from the sidelines as much as we can.”

No one objected.

Makes sense, given how this has played out. ‘No objections’ doesn’t mean ‘full support,’ but there aren’t many other options. None of us saw this coming—heck, we’ve been pouring fuel on the fire.

“So, we’re counting on you, Himenokōji Akito. We’ll stay out of it this time, so make Gin-Gin a woman, alright?”

“…Isn’t this getting way overblown? We’re just going on a normal date.”

“That’s plenty. For her, it’s probably a make-or-break moment. Anyway, it’s a rare day off—enjoy it to the fullest, yeah?”

 

◆◆◆

 

And so, the big date day arrived.

I was at the station plaza of a certain private railway line.

It was 10 a.m.

This area, a bit outside central Tokyo, had clear air and none of that sardine-can crowd. Still, being a weekend, there were plenty of families and young couples around. Lots of folks looked like they were waiting for someone, just like me. Though, a high schooler in uniform with no club activities, standing around aimlessly on a day off, stuck out like a sore thumb.

Yup, waiting.

For my date with Ginbei.

Even though we live in the same dorm, with our rooms less than ten meters apart.

“A date starts with nothing less than a proper meeting-up. That’s the core of it.”

That’s Ginbei’s stance.

“Meeting up is like a microcosm of the date. Arriving an hour early, imagining what the day’ll be like, burning with anticipation and nerves. Messing up the train transfers and stressing over the clock, waiting anxiously for the other to show. Apologizing profusely for being late, or laughing it off and forgiving it—all of that’s the essence, the thrill of a date. Skipping it is like drinking flat soda. Whatever the reason, if we’re doing a date, we’ve got to nail the basics.”

…Honestly, I only half-bought her reasoning.

I think leaving the dorm together, enjoying the journey to our spot, would’ve been way more meaningful and date-like than this sneaky separate-exit nonsense. But Ginbei was adamant about this, and today’s her day, so I went along with it.

That aside,

Isn’t she running a bit late?

It’s already fifteen minutes past our meet-up time… Anyone else, fine, but Ginbei being late? That’s ultra-rare. She’s usually dead-on-time or super early. Did something happen on the way? I sent a text earlier, but no reply… Man, we should’ve just left together—

“Sorry, Akito! I’m late!”

Just then, a familiar voice called out.

Looking over, my uniform-clad best friend was rushing toward me, out of breath,

“What’s up, Ginbei? I was worried.”

“S-Sorry. I didn’t mean to mess up like this… As you can see, I’m way past our meeting time. I’m really sorry.”

“No, no, I’m not bothered. But it’s rare for you to be late, Ginbei. Normally, you’re spot-on or way ahead. Did the train stop or something?”

“No, pure human error—entirely my fault. No one or nothing else to blame. So I’ve gotta apologize. Sorry, Akito.”

As she spoke, Ginbei kept sneaking glances at me.

“…?”

What’s up? Her eyes seem like they’re trying to say something. She’s usually upfront about stuff, so this roundabout vibe is unusual.

Is something going on?

I carefully but quickly checked her out.

As planned, she’s in St. Liliana Academy’s uniform. Same old sneakers and white socks—could pass for heading to school, no problem. The one difference is the leather pouch slung over her shoulder, but I’ve seen that before. Probably not the reason for her odd looks.

Hmm? So nothing’s off, then?

I started to tilt my head, then noticed it.

Ginbei’s face—it’s different somehow.

More specifically, her brows, lashes, eyes, cheeks. Parts I’ve tracked for six years seem just a tad more vivid, sharper—or maybe not—

Oh.

Got it. That’s what’s up.

It was so far out of left field, it took me a sec to catch on.

“Hey, Ginbei.”

“W-What, Akito?”

“Are you… wearing makeup?”

Instantly, my best friend’s face lit up.

At the same time, she scratched her faintly flushed cheek and said,

“Y-Yeah. I mean, whatever the circumstances, this is a legit date. Even if it’s with you, someone I’m used to, I’ve gotta dress up properly. It’s like a dress code, you know.”

“D-Dress code, huh…”

Fair enough, I guess, now that she mentions it. But I hadn’t even considered that. I mean, we agreed to wear school uniforms today, right? It’s not a gala—normal people wouldn’t think of that.

“By the way, Akito, did you do anything dress-code-ish for today?”

“Huh?”

“From what I can see, you look exactly like you do going to school. But that’s just my perspective. Knowing you, you’ve probably done something I haven’t noticed.”

“Uh… well…”

Her tone assumes I have done something, and that innocent, trusting look makes me feel super awkward. Not that I think I’m at fault here. Probably.

“Yeah, good eye, Ginbei.”

…Yeah, I’ll just roll with that for now.

That said, I can’t just keep hemming and hawing.

I quickly racked my brain and,

“Noticing that shows you’ve got a sharp eye. Sure, at a glance, I might look no different from usual. But that’s just on the surface. In reality, I’ve come prepared for today with proper planning and readiness.”

“Hmm, so that’s how it is, huh? And? Specifically, what kind?”

“My heart.”

I puffed out my chest and said,

“What a dress code really means isn’t about what clothes you wear, what watch you put on, or what shoes you choose—it’s all about your mindset, you see.”

“Oh? Go on.”

“Or rather, I think adjusting what you wear is about creating the right mindset for the occasion—that’s what a dress code is about. If you get too caught up in the externals, you might trip over yourself and lose sight of the essence.”

“I see. That’s a logical way to look at it.”

“And when it comes to mindset, I think it’s more about keeping it inside than showing it off. Like the iki—the chic style of an Edo native, you know? You keep the visible parts understated, but pour effort and money into the parts people don’t see. And the ultimate expression of that is your mindset.”

“Uh-huh, uh-huh. I get it, I get it.”

“So, with that in mind, let me ask you, Ginbei. How do I seem today? Don’t you feel, even faintly, that there’s something different about me, a certain vibe?”

“Hmm, now that you mention it, I’m starting to feel that way. Your expression seems sharper, like you can’t quite suppress the keen energy seeping from within… Like the classic ‘daytime lantern’ that you are, Akito, finally regaining your true shine. Yes, it somehow reminds me of you from six years ago. Back then, you carried an air like an unsheathed blade.”

“Haha… Well, leaving aside how I was six years ago, that’s the gist of it. As you’ve seen through me, Ginbei, I’m a little different today, right?”

“Indeed. I’m convinced. Looks like I can look forward to your performance today, Akito.”

Ginbei nodded repeatedly, looking very satisfied.

Whew.

I managed to dodge that bullet somehow, but it kinda feels like I’ve raised the bar for myself. I pulled off a quick save, but I’ve got a hunch this might make things tougher down the line.

“Still, Ginbei wearing makeup, huh.”

“W-What? Is there something weird about it?”

“No, not at all. It’s not weird or anything.”

In fact, the makeup she’d applied was subtle and refined. It was kept minimal, efficiently enhancing her natural features without overpowering them. You could even call it textbook-perfect makeup.

“Heh. I did my research.”

Ginbei said with a proud tilt of her nose,

“I studied meticulously to get the maximum effect with the bare minimum of makeup. I might not get treated much like a girl usually, but when I put my mind to it, this is a piece of cake. Don’t underestimate the title of the next head of the Sawatari family.”

“I see, I see. Yeah, for a first try, it’s honestly pretty impressive. I’m no expert in this stuff, but even I can tell your makeup’s top-notch, Ginbei.”

“Mhm, mhm. Right? Right?”

“Honestly, I think you’re already pretty great bare-faced, Ginbei. But like with cooking, if you don’t season the ingredients right, even the good stuff won’t shine. And since you’re so good at cooking, it makes sense you’d know how to bring out your best, right? Pulling this off on your first try, with such light makeup no less, that’s no small feat.”

“Heh heh heh. You get it, don’t you, Akito? Up till now, I’d say your evaluation of me has been unfairly low, but it seems I’m finally getting the recognition I deserve—”

“But sorry, Ginbei.”

I gave a wry smile and said,

“It’s great makeup, and I can tell it was done right originally, but… it’s totally smudged now.”

“Huh?”

“Probably from rushing over here and sweating. Looks like you wiped it with your arm or something. That’s how it got messed up.”

“—!?”

Ginbei’s face turned bright red in an instant.

Sorry, best friend. But I couldn’t not tell you. I couldn’t let you keep embarrassing yourself in public like that.

“T-The worst…”

Ginbei checked her makeup in a hand mirror, her red face turning pale, then covered it like an armadillo poked with a stick,

“All that research on top of research, all that time I spent carefully applying it despite running late, and it ends up like this in such a basic way… ‘Wanting to crawl into a hole’ describes this perfectly. If there’s no hole, I’d dig one right now. I’ll regret not bringing a shovel for the rest of my life. This is truly a textbook critical mistake…!”

“No, no, it’s not that big a deal.”

“It is a big deal. Starting off with such bad luck is more than enough to crush my enthusiasm and spirit. There’s no other choice now. We have to call off today’s date.”

“Whoa, whoa, hold on a sec. Calm down, Gin.”

“I’m perfectly calm. And after careful consideration, I’ve concluded I’ve made an irreparable mistake. No amount of effort can salvage this now. Farewell, Akito. We may never meet again.”

“See? You’re not calm at all!”

It took about thirty minutes to somehow calm the utterly distraught Ginbei, drag her to a nearby restroom, and get her to fix her makeup.

“…Sorry, Akito. I guess I lost my composure there.”

Coming to her senses, Ginbei drooped like a flower forgotten to be watered,

“I put all my effort into getting hyped up, but I never imagined it’d turn out like this. I shouldn’t have tried something I’m not used to…”

Her already small frame seemed to shrink even more.

Seeing my best friend like that, I couldn’t just leave her be.

“Let’s take it easy, okay? Easy.”

I smiled as brightly as I could,

“Everyone messes up sometimes, right? You do, and of course I do too. Today just happened to be your turn, Ginbei—that’s all. I only dodged it because I got lucky this time.”

“Ugh… Is that really true…?”

“Yeah, totally. No doubt about it. I mean, we’ve known each other forever. We don’t need to get all worked up just because we’re hanging out a little differently than usual. Relax, relax. Take it easy.”

“Ugh…”

Ginbei was still sulking, but she finally seemed to pull herself together,

“…Okay, Akito. You’re right. At the very least, I can’t let myself stay down and not recover here. That much is beyond question.”

“Yeah, yeah, exactly. Glad you get it.”

“But, Akito.”

For some reason, Ginbei gave me a sidelong glare,

“I get your logic, and I’ll pull myself together. But somehow, I can’t just let this slide easily.”

“? Meaning?”

“I’ve been the only one panicking since earlier, while you’re just as calm as ever. Don’t you think that’s unfair?”

Ginbei puffed out her cheeks,

“I’ve been looking forward to today, getting all fired up, trying my best to approach it properly. But you’re acting like we’re just popping into a soba stand for lunch. This is an extremely unbalanced situation, don’t you think?”

“Well, even if you say that… If both of us were all flustered, the date would be a total mess, wouldn’t it? I’d argue that me staying calm is what’s keeping things balanced overall.”

“That might be true, but…”

Ginbei pursed her lips,

“No, even if I get it logically, I still can’t quite accept it. I feel like I’m totally getting the short end of the stick. It’s like I’m wrestling alone here.”

“Haha…”

What do I even say to that?

Saying the wrong thing might just make it worse.

“No, but I’m sticking to my style.”

As I hesitated, Ginbei’s sulky expression tightened with resolve,

“Since my partner’s such a mess, I have to step up to make this a proper date. Spinning my wheels? Fine by me. I’ll charge full speed ahead and show them. I’ve got to prove what Sawatari Ginbei Haruomi’s way of life is all about—today of all days!”

“Uh, yeah. Sure. Right.”

“Come on, Akito. Today isn’t a long day. Let’s do our best to savor every fleeting moment to the fullest!”

Well, by the end, it was pretty much Ginbei talking to herself.

Either way, she seemed to have convinced herself in the end.

(Man, oh man. Still, though…)

Watching Ginbei’s back as she strode ahead with determination, I couldn’t help but think,

With things this intense before the date even starts, I’d better brace myself for a wild ride today—or it’s gonna get rough.

 

◆◆◆

 

A few hundred meters’ walk from the station plaza of a certain private railway line.

There sat the amusement park where we’d planned to spend the day, looming large and proud.

Its thirty-thousand-square-meter grounds weren’t huge compared to major parks, but the way attractions were packed into the limited space, combined with its storied history, made it quite a sight. You could tell that much just looking at it from the outside.

“Look, look, Akito! Over there’s a candy store… Hmm, quite an intriguing lineup. I can’t imagine how they keep the business going with that quality and price point, but since it’s survived this long, there’s got to be some logic to it. Oh, and by the way, I’m not against cheap snacks at all—I love them, actually. So, let’s go check out that shop!”

The park’s main draw was its elaborate roller coasters—unique concepts that never stooped to cheap gimmicks, consistently delivering fun to visitors. Then there’s the classic haunted house, the polar opposite of flimsy, famous for terror so intense it’d traumatize small kids for sure. They say it’s a hit with couples aiming for that suspension bridge effect, drawing endless crowds.

“Oh, oh, look at that, Akito. Looks like a little snack stand—takoyaki, okonomiyaki, taiyaki, soft serve—all the right picks. I’ve always been curious how these independent shops, not chains or franchises, manage to survive. So, let’s stop by there, buy a bunch of stuff, and uncover the secrets of their business!”

The park’s clientele was impressively diverse—men and women, kids and seniors, normies and loners—all enjoying a brief escape scattered throughout. It formed a cultural mosaic, like ancient Istanbul tying together East, West, and the Arab world. A chaotic yet lively vibe hit you all at once—or so I’d read online, anyway.

“Hmm, Akito, check that out. Women’s clothes lined up on display—it’s gotta be a clothing store, but the designs are so plain and outdated, almost like they’re deliberately placed that way. Who even shops there? I can’t see how they turn a profit. And look—those closing sale flyers plastered everywhere. That’s downright bizarre. They’re faded from the sun—fading that much would take months, maybe years. That means they’ve been holding a closing sale that whole time. It’s a clear contradiction. There’s got to be some secret to that shop. We need to investigate right away!”

“Hey, uh, Ginbei.”

I figured it was about time to step in.

With an exasperated look, I said,

“Can we please just go to the amusement park already? You’ve been sidetracking us nonstop.”

That’s right.

An hour after leaving the station, a spot that should’ve taken a few hundred meters of walking was still far off. We were stuck way before that, in a local shopping street, held up against our will.

Well, not exactly “against our will”—more like Ginbei kept getting distracted all on her own. After all that time spent researching for days and finally settling on this amusement park, this felt like putting the cart before the horse.

“What you’re saying makes sense, but still, Akito.”

Ginbei pursed her lips and said,

“Ignoring such fascinating things would be a disgrace to the Sawatari family. There’s no way I can just pass them by.”

“But, come on—this kind of shopping street? Honestly, there’s one near the dorm too. And you’re always going there to buy groceries and stuff, Ginbei. Can’t you just do it there instead?”

“That’s that, and this is this. Or maybe it’s like how sweets are a separate stomach. Just because I’ve done similar things a lot doesn’t mean it should be dismissed. If anything, it’s the repetition that makes entertainment what it is, right?”

“Well, yeah, I guess, but—”

“Oh, look over there, Akito! That electronics shop’s got a vending machine out front. I thought it’d sell drinks, but it’s batteries! In this age of convenience stores, what’s the value in that machine? Come on, let’s go figure out its secret!”

Off she went again, practically skipping with glee.

Ugh.

She’s totally hyped up now.

Hyped up and completely losing sight of the goal.

Sawatari Ginbei Haruomi used to be defined by a cool-headedness bordering on ruthlessness and sharp intellect. Now, she’s like a different person.

The biggest trigger’s gotta be transferring to St. Liliana Academy, joining the student council, and moving into the dorm. Guess a change in environment really changes a person… Back before coming here, I was pretty much the only one she’d talk to for more than ten seconds.

“Come on, Akito, what’re you dawdling for? Hurry up and get over here! Since the dawn of time, there’s never been infinite time, you know? Wasting it is a grave sin for humanity. Come on, quick, quick!”

“Yeah, yeah. Got it.”

I followed after Ginbei’s urging back with a wry smile.

If anyone’s wasting time here, it feels like it’s her, but I’ll let that slide.

After all, today’s supposed to be for her—though, truth be told, I’m pretty excited about this date too.

Anyway, just as I’d reached that enlightened state, it didn’t last long.

A little problem cropped up between us almost immediately.

We stopped by that “little snack stand,” debated forever over takoyaki, okonomiyaki, taiyaki, or soft serve, finally settled on crepes, and when it came time to pay,

“Thank you very much~! That’ll be five hundred yen~!”

The cheerful shop lady said with a smile. I pulled out a five-hundred-yen coin I happened to have on me and handed it over,

“Wait, Akito. I’ll pay too.”

Ginbei said, pulling a wallet out of her pouch with a flourish.

“No, no, what’re you saying?”

I laughed,

“It’s a date, so I’ll cover it. Don’t worry about it.”

“No, no, I’m not worrying.”

Ginbei laughed too,

“It’s weird for you to cover everything just because it’s a date, isn’t it? Let me take care of half the cost.”

Yup.

That’s when we realized we’d completely overlooked something.

The eternal, universal question of how to split date expenses—something we hadn’t discussed at all.

“No, no, Ginbei, that’s not right.”

I gave an awkward smile,

“Normally, I’d be the one to pay here, right? I’m a guy, after all, and this date was my idea to begin with.”

“No, no, Akito, that doesn’t fly.”

Ginbei gave an awkward smile too,

“It’s not rational to take on all the costs just because you’re a guy, is it? And even if you suggested the date, I’m the one who accepted. We should split it evenly—fair and square.”

I gave a wry smile,

“Saying splitting it evenly makes us equal feels off too, doesn’t it? Even between equals, treating someone or giving gifts happens, right? For the record, I’m not saying I’m above you because I’m paying or anything. Don’t get the wrong idea.”

Ginbei gave a wry smile too,

“Of course, your intentions matter too. But I think offering something clear and obvious to everyone is the safer choice. Honestly, I even feel like I should be the one paying here. After all, I screwed up by being late to our meet-up. I want to apologize for that, but I’m suggesting we split it instead. It wouldn’t hurt you to pick up on that, would it?”

“Hey, hold on a sec.”

I frowned,

“I was worried, sure, but I’m not mad or anything, so you don’t owe me an apology—I’d be troubled if you did. And like I keep saying, I’m the one who invited you. You’re taking time out of your busy schedule, so letting me treat you is the least I can do. Otherwise, I’d be the one getting bad karma.”

“I think that logic’s shaky.”

Ginbei frowned too,

“Like I keep saying, my being late already cancels out any debts—or puts me slightly in the red, even. The proper thing would be for me to pay it back, but I’m holding back and suggesting the most reasonable option: splitting it. So why won’t you agree, Akito? I’m having trouble understanding.”

“You ask why, but I’ve got my own line I can’t cross. I planned to pay for everything from the start. And anyway, Ginbei, it’s not like you’re rolling in cash, right? You don’t need to push yourself.”

“That’s my line. You’re a high schooler supporting a household, with financial responsibilities stretching into the future. Don’t you think you should cut costs where you can?”

“Sure, I think that, but I’ve got enough leeway to cover a date.”

“Then it’s the same for me. My family limits how much I can spend personally, but it’s not so tight I can’t handle a date. Plus, I’ve got a solid backer—the Sawatari family, a powerhouse patron. You don’t have that, Akito, do you? You’re not about to lean on the Takanomiya family now, are you?”

“That’s exactly why I work my butt off every day. And I’ve got results to show for it. Working for moments like this is the whole point—if I don’t spend when it counts, that’d be absurd. I’ve gotta pay here.”

“Don’t be ridiculous. I won’t let you.”

“You’re the stubborn one, Gin. I’m saying I’ll treat you, so just let me do it happily. You’re so bullheaded about this stuff.”

“I’ll throw that right back at you. You’re a top-tier stubborn mule, Akito. You’ve never once let me have my way in these situations. Your inflexibility is a glaring flaw.”

“That sounds like something you should say to a mirror. Seriously, people with no self-awareness are the worst. If it were Akiko, she’d happily let me treat her.”

“Why’s your little sister’s name coming up now? That’s really annoying. If you like her so much, go date her instead. I’ll just head home and get out of your way.”

“Why’s it turning into something so extreme? Anyway, you—”

…Huh?

Wait a sec.

Did this just turn into a fight?

“You two get along so well, huh~”

Just then,

The shop lady, who’d been watching with a grin, cut in.

“Young people’s fights are the best, aren’t they? It’s like you’re really saying what’s on your mind, or like there’s a real will to sort things out.”

“Uh, yeah. Sure.”

“With my husband and me, we’re so over fighting—it’s like we’ve given up on it, or it’s just pointless. Eventually, we realized not just fighting but even talking was a waste. On the rare date, we wouldn’t say a word to each other.”

Whoa…!?

A cheerful smile unloading a suddenly heavy, deeply felt life story…!

“Lately, it’s looped back around—we’re so used to each other we don’t even register the other’s presence. Living in the same house, but I don’t even see him. Or my brain won’t acknowledge him—or refuses to. I’ll cook and realize I only made enough for one. I’d think, ‘Oh no, what now?’ and look at the table, and there’s my husband eating a convenience store bento alone. Stuff like that happens. What do I do? We’ve only been married a year.”

“Uh, um, sorry. Really sorry about that.”

Snapping out of it, I could only apologize profusely.

Ginbei awkwardly turned her face away, pretending not to be involved.

Ugh—what now? Did we step on a landmine? Maybe we should just bolt—

“Oh, the crepe’s on me.”

The shop lady said,

“That way, you won’t have to fight over who pays, right?”

“No, but that’s too much—we’ll pay properly—”

“It’s fine, it’s fine. Take it. Besides, if you keep arguing out front, other customers won’t come by, you know?”

So,

After obstructing her business for ages, getting our fight mediated, and even having the crepe treated, we left the scene with endless apologies. The lady didn’t show a hint of annoyance, even saying, “Have a great date~! Get along, okay~?” She’s such a good person—thank goodness.

“Sorry, Akito.”

That aside,

After that incident, Ginbei’s mood plummeted again.

“I can’t believe I ended up piling on pointless arguments. It’s utterly foolish behavior, unfit for what should be a bright day like this date. We’re no longer in any state to keep going. Let’s call it a day.”

“Whoa, whoa, hold up.”

I hurriedly stepped in to smooth things over,

“No need to make a big deal out of it, right? From what I know, a date with zero hiccups is super rare. If it ended with just fun and no thrills, it’d feel kinda lacking, don’t you think?”

“Ugh… Is that so…?”

“Yeah, yeah, totally. And that shop lady said it too, didn’t she? It’s way worse when you stop fighting altogether. Besides, we’ve been bickering since the day we met, haven’t we? A fight or two isn’t gonna ruin us now, right?”

“Ugh…”

Still sulking, Ginbei eventually nodded slightly,

“You’re right, Akito. Getting down over something like this is the real breach of date etiquette. I’ve got to lift my spirits back up to the top.”

She tried to smile, but her voice still lacked energy.

Now what?

At this rate, what should be a fun date’s gonna turn into a funeral. I’ve gotta cheer her up somehow—

pirrrrrrr… pirrrrrrr…

Just then,

A perfectly timed ringtone cut through.

Not mine—Ginbei’s, from her pouch.

“Who’s calling at a time like this? I don’t have the energy to pick up right now.”

Even so, Ginbei pulled out her phone, glanced at the screen, and widened her eyes.

She put it to her ear and spoke in a hushed tone,

“Hello? What’s the idea, calling now…? Oh, yeah. Huh? What’s that? What do you mean…? Got it, I see. So you guys are… That’s obviously bad manners… That excuse won’t…”

Hmm? Who’s she talking to, and about what?

From the snippets I could catch, it seemed like someone she didn’t welcome, and the topic wasn’t likely to lift her mood either.

“Fine. Alright, this won’t get settled over the phone. Let’s meet and hash it out. Tell me where you are… Okay, got it. I’m heading there.”

“Uh, Ginbei?”

“Sorry, Akito. Something urgent came up.”

My best friend looked seriously ticked off,

“I’ll be right back, so kill some time at a café or something nearby. I’ll make it up to you later, I promise.”

“Oh—no, it’s fine, go ahead. I was just thinking I could use a little break anyway.”

“Thanks. I’ll be off then.”

With a quick bow, Ginbei stormed off, shoulders stiff with anger.

Huh, wonder what’s up?

Leaving in the middle of something isn’t like her at all. Must be some urgent, critical side issue. The date was veering into a sour mood anyway, so this might be a blessing in disguise. We can take a breather and restart after.

 

◇　　　◇　　　◇

 

Ginbei dashed into a café not far from where she’d parted with Akito.

Scanning the classic brick-walled interior, she quickly spotted the people she was looking for.

“Hey! Over here, Gin-Gin!”

Waving from a back table was President-san, Nikaidō Arashi.

Alongside her were Himenokōji Akiko, Nasuhara Anastasia, Takanomiya Arisa—all the girls from the student dorm, gathered in full force.

“…First, let me hear it.”

Slightly out of breath, Ginbei said,

“What’s your intent, and what’s your goal for being here? Give me a detailed, convincing explanation.”

“Whoa, whoa, don’t glare at us like that.”

Arashi made a “calm down” gesture with both hands,

“No big purpose or anything. The four of us came out to unwind, and we just happened to stumble across you and Himenokōji Akito’s date. What a coincidence, huh?”

“You think I’d believe that?”

“Haha! Well, if you bought that excuse, it’d be a win for us.”

“I was against it, Ginbei-san.”

Akiko spoke up in a lecturing tone,

“Sure, I was curious about how your date with Onii-chan would go. But I told them sneaking around like this is bad manners. Still, President-san forced it…”

“I objected too.”

Anastasia chimed in with her usual flat tone,

“Tagging along and watching a date unfold is the lowest form of fun. I kept saying the proper way is to stay far off, imagining tons of cute Gin-Gin moments and savoring that. But President-san wouldn’t listen at all.”

“Uh, Arisa thought it was a bad idea too.”

Lastly, Arisa spoke, looking visibly uncomfortable,

“If I were in your shoes, I’d be super embarrassed. Dates should be just the two of you, I think. So when President-neesama brought this up, I tried to stop her. Really. I’m not lying.”

“But, you guys,”

Arashi grinned,

“You all ended up coming along anyway, didn’t you?”

—Whistling.

—Pretending not to hear.

—“Sorry, sorry!” with frantic apologies.

Those were the three’s reactions to succumbing to temptation.

“…Good grief. Well, what’s done is done.”

Ginbei let out a deep sigh,

“I half-expected this anyway, so I’ll let it slide this time. More importantly, let’s use this chance to talk constructively and break the current deadlock. You called me out here right after our fight started, so you must have some advice or solutions, right?”

“Oh, you’re quick on the uptake, Gin-Gin!”

“Hmph. I’m not an idiot. I’ve learned how to deal with you all by now. —So, enough of that, get to the point.”

“Haha! Don’t rush me like that.”

Arashi paused for effect,

“Well, we’ve got plenty to say about how you’re handling this date, but let’s set that aside for now. About the problem you’re facing right now, we’ve got some opinions—”

“Let me go first, President.”

Akiko raised her hand first,

“What I want to say to Ginbei-san is about your basic approach.”

“My basic approach…?”

“Yes. In a nutshell, Ginbei-san, you’re neglecting Onii-chan too much.”

Akiko put her hands on her hips, looking like a preschool teacher scolding a kid,

“I mean, come on! You’re on a date with Onii-chan—pushing me, his little sister, aside to do it—and yet the whole thing’s completely Ginbei-san-led!”

“Uh, but isn’t that unavoidable? If I left it to Akito, he’d just dawdle like always, and we’d never settle on a plan. That’s how it’d end up, don’t you think?”

“No, that’s not true. Onii-chan would’ve thought it through in his own way and taken the lead properly when the day came. But you, with your impatient streak, dragged him all over, not giving him a chance to shine. From where I’m watching, I want you to bring out Onii-chan’s cool side more. I want to see way more of his cool side!”

“Isn’t that comment one hundred percent just your own bias…?”

“Not at all! And anyway, don’t you want to see Onii-chan’s cool side more, Ginbei-san? You’re on a date with him, after all!”

“Well, sure, maybe, but—”

“Then you need to be more considerate. You can’t outshine Onii-chan. Lift him up, give him chances to stand out. Give him more control—”

“Okay, okay, I get it. I understand your point, so move on already. …So? What’s your take on the issue Akito and I are dealing with right now, Akiko-kun? About who pays for the date?”

“That’s easy.”

Akiko thrust her chest out dramatically,

“There’s no need to even think about it. Onii-chan pays for everything—no other option exists.”

“…Hmm. I get it, I suppose.”

Ginbei nodded reluctantly but understandingly,

“I can see why that’d be the most reasonable choice. There’s a solid societal norm that the guy pays, and it’s been the dominant view across time and place. Especially since your argument is about wanting to see Akito’s cool side. It makes sense for boosting the guy’s image too—”

“No, that stuff doesn’t matter at all.”

“? Then why do you vote for Akito paying, Akiko-kun?”

“Isn’t it obvious? Because Onii-chan suggested it!”

Boom!

Akiko declared it with the force of a sound effect,

“Onii-chan’s like the sun—everything in this world revolves around him. His words are like divine revelations, absolute, and defying them is unthinkable. Honestly, I can’t even fathom what Ginbei-san’s agonizing over.”

“…I’m the one who can’t fathom what you’re saying. Also, Akiko-kun, isn’t there a huge gap between what you say and what you do? I’ve seen you defy Akito and give him trouble plenty of times—how do you explain that?”

“Oh, that? Easy. It’s just a front.”

“A front? You mean it’s an act?”

“An act sounds so harsh. My back-and-forth with Onii-chan is just part of our communication. Obeying him outright is simple and what I’d love to do, but then the conversation ends too quick, right? ‘Akiko, behave.’ ‘Yes, gladly!’—that’d be lonely. I want Onii-chan to pay attention to me as much as possible, so I use these clever tactics. Heh, you could praise my brainy plays more, you know?”

“…I get your point. But isn’t that way too skewed toward your personal tastes, Akiko-kun?”

“No, no, not at all! I mean, Ginbei-san, don’t you want Onii-chan to pay attention to you? You do, right? Don’t you want to talk with him more, connect with him as much as possible?”

“W-Well, that’s a different matter… Anyway, I’ve heard your opinion, Akiko-kun. I’ll take it as reference. Next, I’d like to hear Nasuhara-kun’s take.”

“Me?”

Anastasia, prompted, brushed back her prized blonde hair,

“Answering a question that doesn’t need answering is a pain, even if it’s Gin-Gin asking. It’s like getting a multiplication table question on a college entrance exam—I can’t help but feel a bit let down.”

“…If you’re going that far, I’ll listen humbly. What’s your opinion on who should pay for the date?”

“Obvious. Gin-Gin covers every last yen. No other option exists.”

“Another extreme opposite to Akiko-kun… Don’t tell me you’re just picking the counterargument to start a debate against her?”

“That’s overthinking it. I’m stating a perfectly logical conclusion. Don’t lump me with Himenokōji-san, who blindly worships Akki and shuts off her brain.”

“Okay, okay. I get it, so stop inching toward me with that blank face… So? What reasoning led you to that conclusion, Nasuhara-kun?”

“There are plenty of reasons, but…”

Anastasia raised a finger,

“The biggest one is that if Gin-Gin treats him, it’s more likely to lead to a next time.”

“Hmm? Lead to a next time?”

“Simple. If Gin-Gin pays, it’ll be easier for Akki to invite you out again.”

“Oh? How so?”

“Think from the guy’s perspective after being treated. Any decent guy would feel a bit indebted and want to repay it somehow. If he invites you out next and covers everything, then…”

“O-Oh, I see, that’s a move…!”

“By the way, when Gin-Gin pays, it’s smart to have a decent excuse ready. Like it’s a special occasion, or you just got some extra cash—something he can accept naturally. Guys are prideful creatures, so you’ve got to mind their ego.”

“Mmm… Hmm. The more I hear, the more reasonable it sounds… I braced myself for some nonsensical tangent since it’s you, Nasuhara-kun, but you’ve completely defied my expectations in a good way.”

“Heh. When I get serious, this is child’s play.”

“Though with you, I feel like you’re great at coming up with ideas but terrible at executing them. Even if you were in my shoes, I doubt you’d act as smoothly as your logic suggests.”

“Rude. I’ll kiss you.”

“No, seriously, stop inching closer with that deadpan face—it’s creepy whether you’re joking or not… Anyway, I’ll acknowledge your opinion’s worth considering. Looks like that settles it—”

“Uh, um, wait a sec, Ginbei-neesama.”

That’s when Arisa raised her hand.

Hesitant but with a firm resolve to speak up,

“I know it’s weird to say this after the flow we’ve had, but let me say it. I think splitting the date costs half-and-half is best.”

“…That does take us right back to square one.”

Ginbei looked skyward,

“Still, it’s a valuable opinion you’ve thought up, Arisa-kun, and I’ve no intention of brushing it off. Go ahead, give me the details.”

“Yes, thank you, Ginbei-neesama… Though my idea isn’t as sharp as Akiko-neesama’s or Anastasia-neesama’s—it’s pretty ordinary, and it was originally your stance anyway, so maybe I don’t need to say it, but is that okay?”

“You’re a refined kid, Arisa-kun. It’s totally fine, so I’d love to hear it.”

“Thank you. For me, I basically think it’s better not to put too much difference between guys and girls. Like Anastasia-neesama’s idea of taking turns—one pays this time, the other next—it’s nice, but I’m not sure we can guarantee sticking to that perfectly every time going forward. So if that’s the case, splitting it evenly from the start—what they call wari-kan—feels like the safest bet.”

“Mhm. I agree. Getting caught up in pride or schemes could backfire. Better to avoid overthinking or getting greedy from the get-go. You might gain less, but you lose less too.”

“Yes! Arisa thinks so too!”

“It seems safe but is actually the royal road—I don’t dislike that choice at all. I mean, I’ve been pushing for splitting it from the start and assumed it’d go that way… But Akito’s so stubborn he won’t get it at all. He’s always been like that. He seems soft-spoken on the outside, but once he digs in, he’s a real pain to budge—”

“Hey, hey, it’s turning into a rant.”

Arashi cut in with an exasperated tone,

“Anyway, you’ve got three different takes now. So, Gin-Gin, which one’s worth going with? Let’s hear it.”

“It feels less like I got advice and more like my doubts and hesitations multiplied a hundredfold.”

Ginbei sighed,

“Thinking calmly, all the suggested options make sense. What to do now…?”

“Haha! Well, it’s not like there’s just one right answer. Maybe it’s less about the payment method and more about how you convince the other person happily? If they all make sense, you could just pick one quick and not overthink it.”

“Mmm…”

Arashi’s well-meaning advice seemed to only deepen her confusion.

Ginbei furrowed her brow, agonizing hard.

After a long struggle,

“Alright. I’ve decided.”

“Oh? What’d you go with?”

“I’ve decided, but I won’t say it here.”

“What? Don’t be stingy—just spill it.”

“No way. I can already see you all nitpicking it. I’ll let my actions be my answer.”

“Hmm. Fair enough, I guess. But picking something you knew we’d nitpick from the start feels kinda off, considering we went out of our way to call you here and advise you.”

“Just let it go. I’ve found a compromise I can live with, a satisfying answer—so that should be fine, right?”

“Speaking of problems,”

Akiko cut in from the side,

“There’s one more thing I need to tell Ginbei-san. It’s probably way more important than the payment stuff.”

“More important than the payment? What’s that?”

“Ginbei-san, make this a more date-like date.”

Glaring at Ginbei with narrowed eyes,

“You were all fired up about this date, saying stuff like ‘I’ll show my true grit,’ right? Well, I’m floored—in a bad way. I’ll say it outright: you haven’t done a single date-like thing, Ginbei-san.”

“T-That’s not true! I planned the date, we met up, we’re heading to the amusement park—what’s that if not a date?”

“Then tell me this: once you’re in the amusement park, what’s your plan? Give me specifics.”

“Oh, gladly. First, we’ll hit the water slide. It’s tucked in the back, so I’m betting the lines won’t be too bad. Next, the merry-go-round—to cool off from the water slide’s thrill while saving energy for later. Then the free fall. The goal there is—”

“No good! Totally no good!”

Akiko slammed the table,

“Wrong, completely wrong, Ginbei-san! That’s not it at all! That’s not the kind of date I mean! What you’re describing sounds more like a business plan than a date!”

“T-That’s not—true, I think.”

“Yes, it is! You don’t get it at all! I’m lending you my Onii-chan with no strings attached, and this is what you do? Do you even understand what a date is? It’s not just a calendar date, you know!”

“I-I know that much! I’ve been trying my best, thinking it through to build a better date…”

“Nope. Utterly hopeless.”

Akiko shook her head in disappointment,

“Look, a date needs to feel more like a date, or we won’t get any data. You’re the advance scout here, Ginbei-san—a shock trooper. Your job is reconnaissance through action. Take bold steps, put yourself out there, test Onii-chan’s reactions. You’re seriously lacking that awareness.”

“E-Even if you say that…”

“Kissing and beyond is off-limits, but I’ll allow anything else this time. Got it? Do a proper date and check Onii-chan’s reactions. If you can’t, consider yourself barred from the dorm forever.”

“T-That’s absurd…”

“No arguments! Now, get back to Onii-chan and fulfill your mission. Making him wait any longer is unacceptable!”

“You say that, but you’re the ones who called me here.”

Ginbei sighed once,

“Fine. I get your points. There’s a lot I can’t swallow, but I’ll accept it this time. If you’re gonna tear me down this much and I stay quiet, it’d shame me as a woman. I’ll make you regret riling me up—I’ll snag a huge win from this date!”

With that declaration, Ginbei stood decisively and strode out of the café.

“…What do you think?”

Watching her leave, Akiko asked,

“I gave her a pretty big push, I think. How effective will it be?”

“Eh, probably iffy.”

Arashi shrugged,

“For Gin-Gin, anything involving Himenokōji Akito is a total blind spot. She gets off-kilter no matter what she does. This being her first date, expecting her to judge things normally might be asking too much.”

“So, not much hope then?”

“She’ll do something, but it’ll be in her own Gin-Gin way, with that caveat. And from what I’ve seen, the odds of ‘Gin-Gin’s way’ working out are near zero.”

“Yeah… Figures.”

“She’s a total wimp when it comes to stuff with Himenokōji Akito.”

“Oh, I don’t mind her being a wimp.”

Anastasia tossed in her dissent,

“If anything, Gin-Gin shines because she’s a wimp. Normally, she’s annoyingly cool and cynical, but when Akki’s involved, she falls apart—that gap’s what makes her cute. And I’m savoring the joy of watching her up close, right now, in real time.”

“That’s fine for you, Nasuhara-san.”

Akiko said with a sour look,

“Since you’re a Ginbei-san maniac, you probably don’t care about the ‘results’ she’s supposed to bring back, right? Take this seriously—it’s an important test case.”

“I’m not being unserious. I’m just calculating everything perfectly. It’s great to push Gin-Gin to do a proper date with Akki, but since it’s obvious she’ll fail, I can sit back and watch comfortably. For me, the process matters more than the result—enjoying a game with a predictable outcome requires that perspective.”

“Hmm… Kinda get it, kinda don’t. Feels like I’m just being talked in circles.”

“Um, Arisa thinks,”

Arisa raised her hand,

“Arisa really hopes Ginbei-neesama’s date goes well.”

“Oh? Why’s that?”

“Because Ginbei-neesama worked so hard planning this date for today. It’d be so sad if it failed. So I’m praying she and Akito-niisama can have a real date and come back smiling.”

“…I’ve been wondering for a while,”

Akiko tilted her head,

“I’m a hundred percent sure I’ll end up with Onii-chan eventually, so I don’t mind much, but how do you feel about Onii-chan dating Ginbei-san, Arisa-chan? You call yourself his fiancée, right?”

“It’s not just a claim! Arisa is Akito-niisama’s official fiancée!”

“Well, let’s just leave it at that for now. Don’t you ever feel anxious about Onii-chan being taken by Ginbei-san or something like that?”

“Nope. Not anxious at all.”

With a bright smile, Arisa said,

“Or rather, I don’t mind one bit if Akito-niisama dates Ginbei-neesama. For someone as amazing as Akito-niisama, having a lover or two is perfectly normal. As for me, Arisa, as long as I can stay by niisama’s side, support him as his wife, and help him be happy, that’s more than enough. If that’s what makes niisama happy, I couldn’t ask for anything more in life.”

“Mmm… That’s an oddly enlightened take. Honestly, I didn’t expect you to have thought it through so thoroughly. You’re pretty grounded for a little kid, aren’t you, Arisa-chan?”

“I’m not a little kid! Arisa is already twelve years old! I’ll be an adult soon enough!”

“Well, whatever the case,”

Arashi stepped in to soothe Arisa, who was puffing out her cheeks,

“Since Gin-Gin stormed off all fired up like that, let’s just watch how things play out for now. Who knows, she might pull off a dramatic turnaround and set off some huge fireworks. Right?”

 

 

 

◇　　　◇　　　◇

 

Ginbei’s return ended up being much later than expected.

I couldn’t exactly wander off too far, so I figured she’d be back soon and waited in some nearby shade for a while—but she didn’t show. With no other choice, I bought a tea from a vending machine to take a break, and even then she didn’t appear. Just as I was thinking I might need to grab a second bottle and fished my wallet out of my pocket,

Ginbei finally came rushing back, out of breath.

“Sorry, Akito! I kept you waiting, didn’t I?”

“No, it’s fine. It actually turned into a nice little break for me. More importantly, how’d it go on your end? Did you handle your business smoothly?”

“Well, ‘smoothly’ might not be the word—more like it was a total mess—but I suppose you could say I managed to resolve it, in a way.”

“By the way, who was it with?”

“I’d rather you didn’t ask about that. —Anyway, Akito, about that date payment issue we were discussing earlier. I’ve got a new proposal—would you hear me out?”

“Oh? What kind of proposal?”

“Right. How about we split the difference between our positions—seventy-five percent from you, twenty-five percent from me?”

“Oh, I see. That’s a pretty good idea.”

…That’s what I said out loud.

But man, that’s nitpicky.

Seriously, so nitpicky.

Splitting date costs with that kind of ratio? That’s beyond unheard of. At that point, why not just have one of us pay, or settle it with rock-paper-scissors or something—that’s my honest take.

But I didn’t say it.

Seeing my best friend’s smug face, practically screaming, “How’s that? A Copernican-level genius idea, right?” made the petty details feel trivial. Besides, after cooling off during this break, I was ready to accept pretty much any payment arrangement anyway.

“I’m grateful you’re on board with my proposal, Akito.”

And sure enough, Ginbei said with that smug look,

“Now, let’s head to the amusement park. Thinking about it, we’ve taken way too many detours. It’s about time we wrap up the prologue and get to the main event of this date.”

“Yeah, you’re right. Let’s do that. …Hey, Ginbei?”

“What is it?”

“You seem a lot more brisk and decisive than before that phone call. Did something happen to fire you up?”

“Nothing in particular. Stop making baseless accusations.”

“Really? Are you sure?”

“Instead of wasting time on pointless prying, how about we get moving? Today is finite and irreversible, you know—not a single minute or second can be taken lightly. Come on, hurry up. If you dawdle, I’ll leave you behind.”

 

◆◆◆

 

And so, the date finally kicked into gear.

Sure, there’d been a fair share of detours and sidetracks, but once the date proper started, it was smooth sailing. After all, Ginbei and I had spent days and nights hashing out exactly what to do and how to enjoy the amusement park. Everything was perfectly set up to proceed without a hitch.

Our first stop was the water slide, tucked away in the deepest part of the park.

“I chose this attraction first for a reason—it’s the farthest from the entrance. My prior research confirmed it’s less likely to have long lines. Everything hinges on a strong start, and getting stuck in a massive queue right off the bat would be mentally draining. Of course, the water slide itself is plenty thrilling—there’s no faulting this choice.”

Just as Ginbei predicted, we barely had to wait before hopping on the water slide.

It was an absolute blast—more than worth it. Ginbei and I got soaked by relentless splashes, yelling our heads off in excitement the whole way.

Next up was the merry-go-round, easily in the top three classic amusement park rides.

“People who dismiss classics as boring are just showing how uncultured this country can be. You can only deviate or evolve from a classic if you’ve mastered it first. Plus, its simplicity means shorter lines, and it’s a low-energy ride—perfect for cooling off after the water slide’s high. Adding some ebb and flow is key; otherwise, entertainment turns into a flat, monotonous slog.”

Once again, Ginbei was spot-on.

There were surprisingly few people, sparing us the stress of a queue, and riding it turned out to be unexpectedly fun. Swaying up and down on those celluloid horses felt like a return to childhood—calm and cleansing. Ginbei and I were both thoroughly satisfied.

After cooling down, we headed to the free fall—a simple yet exhilarating ride that climbs slowly to a peak before plummeting, not for the faint of heart or those with a fear of heights.

“In short, it’s a primitive attraction—just dropping you from a height—but that’s exactly why it’s almost ultimate in a way. No brainpower required. Even a Peking Man or Australopithecus could probably enjoy it without issue. For the park, it’s a no-frills, head-on challenge—a straight pitch. Let’s take it on!”

That’s what Ginbei said, but I know the truth. She’s not terrified of heights, but she’s definitely not a fan.

As we followed the staff’s instructions, sat in the seats, strapped in, and the ride crept upward like it was tightening a noose, Ginbei’s lips were noticeably tense. And when we finally plunged, cutting through the air, I got to hear a rare scream from her—something you don’t catch often.

So, after a few hours of this,

We managed to enjoy the amusement park pretty much as planned.

Honestly, it was a flawless roadmap.

I just followed Ginbei’s lead, but her efficiency was unreal—like a supercomputer or a prophet’s precision. She calculated the perfect order for the attractions and orchestrated the date masterfully. She’s seriously good at this kind of thing.

“Man, you’re amazing, Ginbei.”

Sitting on the benches in the event plaza at the park’s center, I couldn’t help but applaud my friend’s handiwork.

“Thanks to you, this date was a total blast—no complaints here. Stuff like this is safe in your hands, huh? Seriously, amazing.”

“Haha… I’m honored by the praise…”

But for some reason, Ginbei’s lips twitched as she said,

“No, wait… That’s not it… What am I doing…!? This is just like we came here as buddies to hang out!”

“? Ginbei?”

“No. It’s nothing. Forget it.”

For whatever reason, Ginbei ended up crouching with her head in her hands.

Hmm, what’s up with her?

It felt like she was somehow dissatisfied with how the date went, despite pulling off such an impressive schedule and clearly enjoying herself. What could she possibly be unhappy about? Then again, she’s such a perfectionist—maybe she’s fixating on some tiny detail I’d never even consider.

“Alright, good kids, here we go—sorry for the wait!”

Just then, a woman’s voice boomed from the event plaza’s speakers.

Looking up, I saw a lady with a mic standing on the stage, hyping up the half-full audience.

The seats were almost entirely filled with families—mostly parents with little boys, standing out in the crowd.

“Here comes the hero for all you good kids—Gobaku Sentai Housoujikon! Give them a big round of applause!”

With her introduction, five agile warriors in red, yellow, blue, black, and pink full-body suits dashed out from the wings with flair—

Yup.

At this hour, the event plaza was hosting a sentai (task force) hero show.

“This, too, is one of those indispensable amusement park traditions.”

Still crouching with her head in her hands, Ginbei added her commentary.

“After all, amusement parks were originally built for kids—to give them dreams. A park without a hero show is like okonomiyaki without flour. Plus, the local vibe—some totally unknown heroes with that rough-around-the-edges charm—adds a certain flavor. You can’t claim you’ve been to an amusement park without experiencing this. It’s that crucial.”

“Hmm, got it. So stopping by here was part of the plan from the start, huh?”

I could see her point. For me, a hero show isn’t exactly thrilling, but without one, it’d feel like something’s missing—a bit empty. If she calls it a tradition, yeah, that tracks.

By the way, it was Ginbei who added the hero show to the date plan, though she never mentions them in everyday life. Guess it’s like eel on the Day of the Ox—you don’t think about it until the time rolls around.

“Hey, Ginbei.”

Watching the heroes perform on stage and the kids cheering them on, I asked,

“How was today’s date for you? Satisfied?”

“Wha—What’s with that phrasing!?”

“Huh?”

I blinked, startled by my best friend’s sudden outburst.

“Talking like you’re already wrapping up the whole day is extremely unacceptable! It’s not over yet—not by a long shot! There’s no way my monumental first date ends like this! After talking such a big game, letting it fizzle out like this would ruin my reputation—I absolutely can’t let it end here!”

“…Uh, Ginbei?”

“Ha!? …No, I mean, well.”

Clearing her throat with a kohon kohon,

“You know how they say a field trip isn’t over until you’re home? Same deal. I just raised my voice to snap you out of slacking off this early—that’s all.”

“Oh, got it. That makes sense.”

Nodding in understanding,

“No, but what I meant wasn’t that. I had a great time on this date, and I think you did too, Ginbei. But you’ve got this look—like you’re not totally satisfied. It bugged me a little, so that’s why I said what I did.”

“Mmm… I-I see. You were worried about me, huh?”

Ginbei trailed off, looking a bit awkward, maybe regretting her outburst.

On stage, the five sentai heroes were acting out their skit, and nearly every spectator was glued to it. In this whole place, Ginbei and I were probably the only ones talking about something else.

“If there’s something missing,”

I said,

“Or if there’s anything else you want to do—or something we forgot—feel free to say it now. It’d suck to end the date with this vague, unsettled feeling, and I’d feel bad too. We might not have much time left, but we should do what we can.”

“No, no, what are you saying, Akito? Like you pointed out, I enjoyed today’s date a ton. I lost track of time, it was that fun. There’s no lie there—I swear it’s true.”

“Yeah, I believe that. No lie there. But Ginbei, are you lying to yourself? Are you really telling me the full, hundred-percent truth?”

“Mmm… W-Well, that’s…”

Ginbei looked down again.

Normally, she could talk circles around me with her silver tongue. But right now, she couldn’t hide that I’d hit the nail on the head—she was visibly shaken.

“No, it’s fine. This is good enough for today. For me, I think I did everything I could. Planning it was fun in its own way, and executing the plan was fun too—I got a little too caught up in that, sure, but that’s no reason to blame me. Yeah, I deserve some praise for what I’ve pulled off so far. Right, Akito?”

“Yup, I think so too. But do you really believe that?”

“Mmm… Ngh…”

Her silence was as good as a denial.

Ginbei averted her gaze, head down, mumbling and fidgeting with her hands and mouth.

She looked like she wanted to say something but couldn’t get it out.

I waited. Pressing her further would backfire—it wouldn’t help her, and it probably wouldn’t draw out her true feelings either. Waiting was the move here.

Ginbei started with an “Ah” or “Uh,” only to stop each time, her face showing she might break, then pulling herself back together. And then,

Cheeks flushed red, eyes squeezed shut, lips trembling,

“F-For a date to be a date!”

She blurted out,

“For it to count as a date, shouldn’t we at least hold hands or something!? That’s what I’ve been thinking lately! So, Akito, what do you think about that!?”

“Hm? Wanna do it then?”

I took Ginbei’s hand.

“Huh?”

For a split second, Ginbei froze, bewildered.

She stared at our clasped hands, then at my face, then back at our hands again,

“W-Waaah! What are you doing!?”

“Uh, I held your hand?”

“Don’t give me that calm, puzzled look! What’s with you all of a sudden!?”

“I don’t think it’s sudden, though. There was a pretty obvious lead-up—didn’t you bring it up yourself, Ginbei?”

“T-That’s not the point!”

She yanked her hand free, clutching it like a mother reclaiming her baby,

“Seriously, what’s with you…!? That kind of sneak attack is just too unfair!”

“That’s harsh. It’s just a hand—what’s the big deal? I’ve seen you naked before, and you’ve even tackled me once, remember? That time in the bathroom a while back.”

“Don’t remind me of that! If you keep it up, even you being my best friend won’t save you!?”

She glared at me like a cornered rat ready to bite, so I shut up. Staying on good terms with her has been my earnest wish since we met.

“Anyway, calm down. No need to get so worked up. Here, have some tea.”

“…Fine.”

With a sulky face, Ginbei snatched the plastic bottle I offered and chugged it down like she was drowning her frustration.

Man, she’s still so prickly sometimes—I started to think, then corrected myself. No, that’s not true. Back in the day, “prickly” was too mild a word. She was like an unapproachable fortress of snow and ice—cold and ruthless. Compared to that, she’s practically an angel or a bodhisattva now.

Wow.

Ginbei’s really changed. And so have I.

“Hm. Pretty decent moves up there.”

Next to me, lost in my nostalgia, Ginbei let out an impressed comment.

Her eyes were on the stage now—still a bit flushed, but her focus had shifted to the hero show. I could sense her trying to move past her earlier meltdown, but I’m not crass enough to call it out.

The hero show seemed to be hitting its climax. The heroes and villains were locked in a fierce, back-and-forth battle. The choreography had a surprising intensity—more than you’d expect from a kids’ show, with real skill clashing head-on.

“It’s not just basic swordplay—it looks like the moves of seasoned pros. Harsh as it sounds, this is probably top-tier for a backwater event like this.”

“Yeah, for sure. Especially Red’s moves—they’re solid. Feels like he’s directing the whole fight. The others seem to be following his lead, propping him up.”

“I agree with your take, Akito. And you’ve probably noticed too—they’re doing all that choreography almost like it’s improv. Hmm, this is quite a spectacle. A real hidden gem.”

We kept chatting like that, praising it back and forth. But thinking about it, who do we think we are? While the kids in the audience cheered innocently, two high schoolers sitting there analyzing a pro performance like know-it-alls—pretty ridiculous from the outside, huh?

Still, putting me aside, Ginbei’s actually pretty skilled herself, so her commentary feels legit. Back in the day, I got totally crushed by her in a real fight—beaten to a pulp.

Yeah. Good old times.

Memories of my younger days flashed through my mind, and I caught myself staring off into the distance… Though, those “younger days” memories are often just youthful recklessness in hindsight. Looking back now, I can admit that six years ago, I was a pretty insufferable brat.

Yup.

Ugh.

Thinking back, it’s seriously cringe-worthy—makes me want to bury my face in my hands. Maybe it’s weird for sixteen-year-old me to say, but youth is terrifying.

Seriously. Bone-chillingly terrifying.

“Watching a fight like that takes me back.”

Whether she knew my inner turmoil or not, Ginbei spoke up.

“Back to when you and I first met. You’re pretty tame now, but back then, you were a wild one. Wild doesn’t even cover it—reckless, unprecedented, chaotic beyond belief.”

“Yeah, uh, sorry about that. I’ve reflected on it. Yup.”

“No need for apologies or reflection. I’m just reminiscing. Besides, it’s because of those days that you and I have the relationship we do now. After all, you’re the only person I’ve ever punched with the intent to kill—before or since.”

“Haha… Yeah, well.”

Being the one who started that fight, I didn’t know how to respond. Scratching my cheek was about all I could manage.

“Looking back, you were desperate back then, weren’t you?”

Gazing at the hero show, yet with eyes lost in distant sentiment, Ginbei continued.

“From that time, your only goal was to get Akiko-kun, your little sister, back. That was all you could think about. You were still a kid, just taken in by the Takanomiya family, with no resources to do anything. So you were sharp-edged, rough around the edges, yet single-minded—and everyone around you, especially me, was utterly fed up.”

“No, no, let’s not go there, Gin. That kind of talk makes my whole body itch.”

“Heh, what’s the harm? Let me indulge once in a while. I usually keep quiet out of consideration for you, so times like this—come on.”

When she puts it like that, it’s hard to push back. Especially seeing her recover from that earlier fluster, now looking so cheerful. I’m the host of this date, and I owe her plenty anyway.

“—Back then, more than anything, I needed an ally.”

Fine, it’s a rare chance.

Not quite “if you’re gonna eat poison, lick the plate too,” but—

Might as well go all in and ride this wave.

“My parents died, and I planned to make it work with just me and my sister. But because I was a kid, no one listened, and we got split up by everyone else’s convenience. Fact is, I was a kid—powerless. I promised my parents I’d protect Akiko, but I couldn’t even do that. Back then, I was furious at myself, so I was—well, pretty forceful, even I’d say.”

Self-storytelling, huh.

I’d rather keep this kind of thing confined to my own novels. Bragging about misery like this is beyond pathetic. If it weren’t Ginbei here, I’d never do it.

“But you’re right, Ginbei. Back then, I was a mess. Reckless, narrow-minded, charging ahead blindly. Might sound like an excuse, but it wasn’t all bad. There were definitely positives. The biggest one, I think, is that it let me become friends—no, best friends—with you. That’s how I see it.”

“High praise indeed.”

Ginbei snorted.

“So from your perspective, Akito, I had enough value to be ‘useful,’ huh? That’s why you kept getting close to me, I suppose. Heh, quite an honor.”

“Huh? What? What’s with that tone, Ginbei-san? There’s a sting in there, isn’t there?”

“Oh, don’t mind it. Just recalling those days stirred up some old irritation—it slipped out unconsciously.”

“Don’t bring that up again. Let it go—it’s ancient history.”

“I’d love to, but it’s not that easy. For someone who lies awake at night rethinking those choices, those days feel like yesterday. It’s unavoidable, so forgive me.”

“Tch. You’re so shameless about it. Sounds like you didn’t even want to be my friend. But you’re the one who suggested we become best friends.”

And I accepted that offer, promising to be her one and only best friend for life.

That’s right.

I try to avoid making promises when I can, but when I do, I keep them.

I promised to be Sawatari Ginbei Haruomi’s best friend, and so I’ll stay her best friend.

Always. No matter what.

“For all that, you don’t exactly treat your best friend very well, do you?”

Ginbei said, pursing her lips.

“If someone said you’re just a guy who’s lousy at being a friend, that’d be the end of it. Your coldness has always kept me on edge—especially when it comes to your sister.”

“Yeah, that’s my weak spot.”

I’ll probably never live that down—or stop apologizing for it.

But there were reasons for my secrecy, and even with a best friend, some things I couldn’t just spill. Maybe she could cut me a little slack on that—how about it? No dice? Figures.

“But I swear it’s true that I see you as my best friend, Ginbei. There might be some gap in how we define ‘best friend,’ but to me, you’re irreplaceable—no one could take your place.”

“Oh? Is that so?”

“Of course it is. Six years of bickering and sticking together isn’t for nothing. I’m confident I’ll be your best friend ten, twenty years from now—whether you like it or not, even if you scream we’re done. You know how stubborn I am. When I say I’ll do something, I do it.”

“Hm. Quite a passionate speech.”

“No, no, it’s embarrassing, really.”

I snapped out of it, feeling sheepish.

Seriously, so embarrassing.

Guess today’s vibe just pulled me along—I ended up spilling stuff I usually keep locked up. Maybe I let my guard down too much with Ginbei… That wasn’t really “me,” huh? Gotta reflect on that.

“But man, today’s date was fun!”

To shake off the awkwardness, I forced a cheerful tone.

“It’s been forever since we hung out so properly like this. Today was refreshing. Sorry, though—I invited you for your sake, Ginbei, but I think I ended up enjoying it more than you did.”

“…No. If you enjoyed it, that’s what matters. I had fun today too.”

Ginbei said with a smile.

…Hm?

Huh?

Something’s off with Ginbei’s vibe. Did I mess up somewhere? Was it bad to get serious at the end? But she’s the one who steered us that way first.

“Shall we head out, Akito?”

The hero show wrapped up to huge applause, and Ginbei stood.

“Thanks for keeping me company today. We’ve known each other forever, but we’ve never really hung out like this before. It was a great experience.”

“Oh, yeah. Glad you feel that way—I’m happy to hear it.”

“Right. Let’s go home then. We both let loose plenty. We spent so much time planning for today, and now it’s time to pay the piper. Thanks to this, we’ve got a mountain of work piled up.”

“Yeah, true. The festival’s over, and it’s back to the daily grind, huh?”

“Don’t let your guard down, Akito.”

Ginbei shrugged.

“I said it’s not over till we’re home, right? Trouble could pop up on the way back—better tighten up now. If we ruin the afterglow with some slip-up, it’d be a shame. Getting hurt in an accident or losing a wallet and panicking—we’ve got to avoid that with utmost care.”

“You’re such a worrywart.”

“Call it cautious. …Come on, if you lag, I’ll leave you behind. Timing the switch back to normal life is key—gotta snap back quick.”

With that, my best friend strode off, and I followed with a wry smile.

Yup.

Looks like she’s back to her usual self. She got a little weird there for a sec, and I wondered if something was bothering her, but this seems fine—

“Hey, Akito.”

Suddenly, Ginbei spoke, her back still to me.

“Huh? What?”

“Our relationship—will it stay the same forever?”

“What’re you saying? Obviously.”

I answered with confidence.

“We’re best friends till we die. We promised that, didn’t we?”

“…Right. Yeah, true.”

Ginbei turned back with a laugh.

“By the way, how about a proposal—wanna race back to the station?”

“Huh? Why all of a sudden?”

“Why not? I just feel like it. Oh, how about this—the loser buys the winner a juice. Alright, starting now—ready, go!”

“Wha—? Wait, hold on! I’m not even ready—!”

Pointless to argue.

Ginbei was already sprinting full throttle, leaving me scrambling to catch up.

What’s with her—still riding that high, huh? Guess that’s fine—but no time to relax! If I lose, my already-chilled wallet from this date’s gonna take an even worse hit. What? A hundred-yen juice isn’t a big deal? Don’t be ridiculous—it’s not about the cost, it’s about losing itself!

 

◆◆◆

 

…So, caught up in the race, I completely missed it.

The quiet murmur Ginbei let slip just before she took off.

A tiny whisper, so faint even a gentle breeze could’ve blown it away.

“But, you know, Akito.”

She definitely said it.

“I think it’s about time I started changing our relationship.”

…That’s what it was.

It’d take a little longer for me to understand what those words meant.