“I-I mean, a guy and a girl meeting up to go shopping together—isn’t that…a date?” Akane’s voice trailed off.
Seeing Akane lower her head in embarrassment made Saito feel embarrassed too. Now that he thought about it, Akane had a point—what Saito was suggesting could be easily interpreted as a date. Saito had never, in his life, asked a girl out before. Saito struggled to find a way out of this mess. His brain went into overdrive, scrambling to clarify.
“It’s not a date. It’s just…a grocery run. Together. We’re running low on food in the fridge at home, and it’s a hassle carrying all the bags back alone!”
“Ah, I understand…a grocery run! Of course! There’s no way you would ask me out on a date, Saito,” Akane nodded as if she was convincing herself as well.
“Ha ha…yeah, obviously! Don’t get the wrong idea!” Saito nodded.
“I wasn’t getting the wrong idea. So don’t you assume that I was assuming anything!”
Akane and Saito were both drenched in nervous sweat. With strained smiles, they awkwardly negotiated a mutually acceptable excuse/explanation—one that wouldn’t be emotionally catastrophic for either of them. There was just no way they could ever go on a “date.”
“S-so…where should we meet up?” asked Akane.
“How about that burger place near the school?” suggested Saito.
“No way. That place is always packed with students after school. It’s a hangout spot for me and Himari too,” said Akane.
“Yeah. Honestly, I’d rather not be seen in public with you,” agreed Saito.
Saito and Akane were known for being nemeses, after all. If anyone saw them together outside of school, there was no doubt it would spark unnecessary rumors. There was absolutely nothing romantic between them—they just happened to be married to each other.
Akane furrowed her brows, deep in thought.
“The back gate would be best. The only thing that passes through there are the teachers’ cars,” Akane proposed.
“Sounds good. Then, after school at the back gate?” Saito replied.
They exchanged a nod before stepping out of the empty classroom.
As the final homeroom of the day ended and students started to file out of the classroom, Akane shivered with nervous excitement. Even though this wasn’t a date, it’d still be her first time ever going shopping alone with a boy. Who knew what kinds of terrifying misadventures awaited her on this very-much-not-a-date? Because it wasn’t a date. Absolutely not.
Saito was still at his desk reading a book. He normally wouldn’t have lingered in the classroom longer than necessary, so Akane picked up on the fact that he was intending to stagger his exit out to the back gate in order to avoid suspicion. Noticing Akane’s glance, he gave her a small nod—go on ahead.
She picked up her school bag and headed toward the hallway. Since her best friend Himari was working at her part-time job today, she was home free. Or so she thought.
“Akane! Let’s walk home together!”
Himari showed up out of nowhere, wearing her usual bright, beaming smile. She chased after the fleeing Akane.
“Wait, Himari?! I thought you had work today!”
“I did, but it got canceled last minute! I figured this would be the perfect chance to hang out. It’s been forever!”
“Oh… I see.” Akane’s stomach dropped. Akane only just barely was able to stop herself from blurting out, “That’s really bad timing.”
“By the way, you know that parfait place you love? They’re serving their limited-edition menu this evening!” Himari said.
“Really?! You mean the gigantic one-kilogram strawberry parfait?!” Akane replied.
“Yep! You’ve been wanting to try it forever, right? C’mon, I just got paid! I’ll treat you!”
Himari patted her chest confidently, looking like the most generous best friend in the world.
“Ugh…” Akane felt her soul being ripped in half.
Of all times…why now?! Akane was in agony. The strawberry parfait was extremely tempting. She might never get another chance if she missed this opportunity. Himari’s offer was so generous—it felt wrong to refuse. But…she’d made a promise to Saito. And breaking a promise was unacceptable. If their roles were reversed and Saito ditched her, she’d probably ice him out for a long, long time.
“Listen, Himari…I’m so sorry. I already…have plans today…”
“Wait, you’re just going home to study, right?” Himari was puzzled.
“Normally, I would be…but this time, I actually made plans with someone…” Akane mumbled.
“What?! Who? A new friend? Introduce me!”
Akane had hoped her vague answer would be enough to brush her off, but Himari latched on instantly, her eyes sparkling with curiosity.
“No need for an introduction, Himari! You already know them!” Akane was struggling to continue the conversation.
“Someone I know…and a friend of yours…?! Wait—it’s Saito-kun, isn’t it?! Is this a date?!” Himari pried, eyes widening.
“It’s not!” Akane shouted with all her might. That, at least, she had to remain firm on.
“Well, in that case, let’s just all hang out together! I wanna be friends with Saito-kun too!” With the purest of intentions, Himari had cheerfully suggested the worst possible outcome.
Even though she wasn’t doing anything wrong, Akane’s heart felt pierced through with guilt. Including Himari on their grocery run just felt wrong to Akane. For some reason, she wanted the trip to be taken by just the two of them. She knew that was what Saito wanted too, somehow.
“I’m really sorry! I’ve got to pass this time—can we rain check, please?”
Akane clasped her hands together in apology, backing away as she fled. She nearly tumbled down the stairs but caught the railing just in time, twisting her body around and sprinting down to the first floor.
I’ll bake her some cookies to make it up to her, Akane thought. With a deep sigh, she continued walking down the hallway, but then…
Fwump.
A weird noise came from beneath her foot. A strange, soft sensation spread under her sole. Startled, Akane looked down—only to realize she had stepped on Shisei, who was sprawled out on the floor.
“Oh my god, I’m so sorry! Are you okay?! Why are you even lying here?!”
Akane hurriedly pulled Shisei up and brushed the dust off her uniform. Shisei held up a peace sign with her hand, looking completely unfazed.
“I was waiting for you. This was…a little trap,” Shisei said to Akane.
“Usually traps aren’t the things that take damage when sprung though,” replied Akane.
“I never imagined there existed a warrior mighty enough to step on me and remain standing… Impressive. In honor of your bravery and resilience, I shall bestow upon you…the legendary sword,” said Shisei.
“Um…I’m kind of in a hurry, so can I just head home?” asked Akane. It was always difficult to try to reason with Shisei, but right now, Akane had zero time to parse the nonsense she was spewing. Akane needed to get to the back gate before Saito. If Himari caught up to her, things would get way too complicated.
Just as she was trying to make her escape, Shisei spoke up.
“Before you go, Akane, I must ask—what type of joint activity do you plan to engage in?”
“Joint activity?” Akane was dumbfounded.
“You have three choices: world domination, Buddhist sutra transcription, or crime fighting. Choose wisely,” said Shisei solemnly. Standing firm like a warlord, Shisei exhaled sharply through her nose.
“Those are all terrible options,” answered Akane.
“Don’t overthink it. Just go with your gut,” pressed Shisei.
“My gut’s telling me I don’t want to pick any of them.”
“I never knew you were so selfish, Akane.”
Shisei pouted, adding, “Fine. In that case, Akane, what kind of joint activity would you want to do with Ani-kun?”
“Wh-why are you suddenly involving Saito?!” Akane tensed up, as Shisei had caught her off guard.
“No particular reason. I’m just curious.”
Shisei tilted her head, her expression unreadable. She continued.
“Even something as simple as harvesting ice from underground caves for eternity would be an acceptable answer.”
“Why, why does every option you give me sound like some kind of torture?”
“I just want to know. I won’t let you leave until you answer.”
Shisei blocked Akane’s path, raising both hands and one leg into some kind of bizarre stance. Maybe she was trying to mimic crane style, but…there was no intensity. Shisei simply didn’t have the presence of a battle hardened warrior.
Instead, what Shisei radiated was the aura of a hamster. She looked ridiculously weak.