He had thought about, you know, maybe stealing a kiss amid this romantic atmosphere…but the mood just wasn’t right for it at all. There were couples here in their own little worlds, of course, oblivious to the clamor around them, but Haruto and Miyako weren’t even an item yet. For them, that behavior was well-nigh impossible.
So, after taking the usual photos from the usual angles, the two of them quickly retreated from the observation deck.
After taking the ropeway back down Mount Hakodate, they picked a nice-looking spot out of the list Itsuki messaged Miyako and took a taxi there. Some of the places on the list were “date” restaurants, offering a litany of couples-oriented options, but instead they went for an izakaya-style bar where they’d be able to find good seafood.
Sitting at the bustling bar, they ordered some sake, a plate of assorted sashimi, some ika-somen (raw squid cut into noodle-like strips, a Hakodate specialty), and so forth. The sake arrived shortly after, accompanied by some complimentary salted squid, so they shared a quick toast.
“Well, here’s to a good day.”
“Mm-hmm.”
The rest of the meal came soon after, both of them smacking their lips at the incredibly fresh seafood. Consuming the sake at a somewhat accelerated pace, they began talking about what they had been up to lately, the problems they’d been dealing with, and recent events in the industry. Their stomachs were full in short time, and between that and the light inebriation, the conversation grew livelier.
This was generally how Haruto and Miyako’s dates always turned out. Three years ago, Miyako said that the day would come where she finally accepted herself, and if Haruto still liked her, they’d get together. Since then, absolutely nothing had changed.
…Chihiro set all this up for me, and just look. What am I even doing?
A new resolve began to color Haruto’s eyes.
“You know… Isn’t it weird, how we’re the all the way up in Hokkaido and it’s just like any other drinking date for us?”
“…You’re right.” Miyako had noticed the hint of passion hidden in Haruto’s voice.
“Miyako, um—”
“I still remember my promise, you know,” she cut in.
“Huh?”
“Uh…like, that someday I’ll fully recognize myself, and if you still love me by then, we can be a couple.”
“Oh, yeah, I was just about to suggest we talk about that…” Haruto wasn’t sure how to continue after she stole his thunder. “So…you still haven’t accepted yourself? Because to me, I think you’re definitely a full-fledged editor by now. You’ve launched all kinds of hit series; you have plenty to show for your career. You’re keeping problem authors like Itsuki under control. Honestly, if someone that good at her job after just four years isn’t a full-fledged editor, I’d have to wonder just how hazardous the light-novel business really is.”
Miyako smiled a bit at Haruto’s sincere praise.
“Yeah, to be honest, I think I’m working pretty darn hard by industry standards.”
“All right, so—” Haruto was cut off once more.
“I’m sorry. Do you mind waiting just a little longer?”
“Just a little?”
“To be exact, allow me to challenge myself with just one more book.”
“One more book?”
The sudden introduction of this concrete deadline made Haruto more concerned than overjoyed.
Miyako watched him, face sincere. “I want to make Itsuki’s next new work something that surpasses I Want to Be the Protagonist. And whether it does or not…once it’s published, let’s start dating then.”
Miyako seemed ready to throw everything she had toward this goal. It almost overwhelmed Haruto.
“Surpassing I Want to Be the Protagonist, huh…? Yeah, everything Itsuki’s released since then has been reliably high quality, but it doesn’t quite reach that point, I don’t think…and people still treat Protagonist like it’s his greatest masterpiece.”
Miyako nodded. “Exactly. And honestly, I don’t think his book coming out next month is his greatest masterpiece, either.”
“So how are you gonna try to surpass that? Because it’s Itsuki actually writing the thing, isn’t it? It seems like he’s in kind of a slump, too…”
“All I can do is trust in Itsuki and do the best work I can as an editor. Besides, I think I have an idea of what Itsuki’s lacking if he wants to surpass Protagonist.”
“You do?! Why don’t you just tell him?”
Miyako lightly shook her head. “I think it’s something Itsuki himself has to notice, or it won’t really work. If he can really look into his own heart, I think he’ll pick up on it really fast, but…”
Miyako flashed a sad smile. Haruto just looked at the side of her face, unsure what to say. She was a full-fledged editor, one who knew well how to carry herself. For a writer like Haruto, who emphasized writing skill and analysis, she unfortunately wasn’t the type who’d be likely to work well with him.
Returning to their hotel did nothing to add any romance to the evening. After they warmed up at the hotel’s large public bath, they went to their room, answered e-mails and worked on media approvals, and went to bed at two in the morning or so.
The next morning, they stuffed themselves on a breakfast buffet featuring such outlandish items as all-you-can-eat salmon roe and sashimi, checked out of the hotel, did some touring around the Bay and Motomachi areas, had seafood bowls for a late lunch, then returned to Tokyo on the Shinkansen.
They split up at Tokyo Station, and on the train back home, Haruto messaged Chihiro and Itsuki that he was back from Hakodate. He sent some photos of his meals, the night views, the old buildings, the port, and more stuff in an attempt to brag as much as possible.
But did anything new happen between you and Miyako?