“So, did you make a promise to have another date, Momo?”
“Not yet. For the time being... I figured I’d wait about a week to let her contact me first.”
“Look, Momo.”
Kana sighed and said, “The only ones who can get away with that passive stuff are handsome guys like me, you know?”
...Don’t call yourself handsome.
“‘If you just wait around, women will approach you on their own...’ that type of thing is improbable unless you’re a really handsome guy—no, even if you’re handsome, that’s impossible. From a woman’s point of view, a guy who is only passive has no appeal. Okay, Momo? All women are princesses. They are the type of creature who, no matter how old they are, still wish to be led by a prince.”
“I-I see...”
“Princesses? Bah. This is exactly why these creatures called women are so annoying.”
I was actually impressed with Kana’s analysis, while Ura became fed up and started speaking ill of women. Kana continued:
“A long time ago, Momo said ‘I don’t understand why the princess falls in love with the prince in these stories.’ The reason, however, is that every one of those princes took action. Even if they only fell in love with the princesses’ appearances, they still properly conveyed their love.”
That... might be true. Conveying your love and putting your feelings into words... that’s probably the most important thing. I was just desperately trying to make excuses for being passive and had no right to look down on those princes.
“What? But, in the end, the reason that they get together is that the prince is handsome and rich, right? I’m telling you, if a broke ugly guy does his best to ‘take action,’ he’ll just be treated like a stalker.”
After spouting off his sarcastic yet sound argument and ruining the mood, Ura reached for my smartphone which I had placed on the table.
“Momo, give me your cell phone. If you’re planning to approach this girl, I’ll think of something to write to her.”
“H-Hey, knock it off.”
“In this situation, I wonder if being direct is the best approach? Perhaps saying something like ‘Hello. I like you’ would do the trick?”
“That’s too direct!”
“‘I fell in love with you at first sight. Yes, sight. Which means that I only fell in love with what’s outside, and don’t value anything that’s within.’”
“That’s just an insult!”
“‘On the condition that we get to have sex, please go out with me.’”
“You’re making it sound like a proposal to be bang buddies!”
“What’s wrong? All kinds of men and women start dating with the expectation that they’ll have sex, right? Am I wrong?”
“In this world there’s this thing called etiquette!”
“Bah. After all, you just wanna bang her, right? You’re just confusing being in love with lust, right? I won’t let you say that after only three days you’ve fallen in love with what’s inside as well.”
“That’s... damn it, just give me back my phone.”
As we argued and fought over my phone, it suddenly vibrated. I quickly snatched my smartphone from Ura and looked at the screen. It was a Line message from Orihara-san. What it said was... I couldn’t believe it.
“Wh-What’s wrong, Momo? ...Your face is looking creepy.”
“Is it from Hime-chan?”
I relayed the message to Ura and Kana. As always, the message started with a formal greeting, and touched upon how I was holding onto her lunchbox. She said she wanted to make some time to see me so I could return her lunchbox. Everything was fine until this point. I expected this much. However, the last sentence made me lose it.
“Since we’re going to the trouble of meeting up anyway, and only if it’s okay with you, would you go on a date with me next Sunday?”
What—wait, what? I’m so happy my mind’s gone blank. By staying passive, I seem to have opportunities pop up one after the other. And things just keep getting better.
Perplexed by this blessing I didn’t even pray for, my two irreplaceable friends gave me the kindest words.
“Drop dead.”
“Don’t get tricked into buying a vase or anything, okay?”
❤
By Sunday, I figured I had to do something about my clothes. When I entered high school I was determined to try to be more fashionable, but I still hadn’t done anything during the month since school started. Who would have thought that the day my fashion sense would be tested would come so soon?
I thought I would ask Kana or my sister to coordinate my whole outfit for my date, but—whether by luck or misfortune—that wouldn’t be required.
“Good morning, Momota-kun!”
Today, Orihara-san was the one who arrived early to our meeting spot. Returning her greeting, I walked my way over to where she was. Or really, what started as a walk naturally turned into a half jog.
Today was the promised Sunday. The time was 10 a.m. and the meeting spot was the same as last time, the plaza in front of the station. I was even wearing the same thing as before: both me and Orihara-san were wearing our school uniforms.
“Um... I don’t mind or anything, but why did you want us to wear our school uniforms today?”
It was Orihara-san’s request that we both come in our uniforms today. I had no objections, especially since it saved me the trouble of worrying about what to wear. Still though, it was regrettable that I didn’t get to see Orihara-san in her everyday clothes.
Orihara-san gave a smile and clutched the edge of her skirt with both hands.
“No reason in particular... I just wanted to have a date while wearing school uniforms.”
Date. There was no way I wouldn’t feel embarrassed after picking up on that word. So this really is a date.
“Alright, shall we go, Momota-kun?”
“Sure... where should we go?”
“I haven’t really decided... let’s just wander around.”
“Wander around?”
“Yes, wander around.”
With a beaming smile, Orihara-san said, “Let’s have a date like students would.”
First off was lunch. The two of us entered a hamburger chain restaurant inside the station.
“Wow, it’s been such a long time since I’ve come to a place like this,” Orihara-san said with her eyes sparkling.
I often come here with my friends, but for someone like her who goes to a famous girls’ high school, it seems like coming to a chain restaurant like this must be a rare occasion.