SWNOVELXO Chapter 39 - Date with Reina - Part 3
Afterward, we were enjoying bowling like middle school students, but…
Indeed… It seems we couldn’t beat our real age.
That’s right — we’re in our late twenties.
In other words…
“Ouch, my arm…!”
“Ugh…”
Getting carried away and playing more than 3 games really took a toll…
We were having fun, and Reina was getting better and better, so we got really into it…
By the way… The students in the lane next to us are going into their 6th game…
And they’re doing it without showing any signs of fatigue… So this is what youth is like.
“I feel my age…”
“Yes… It’s only been about 10 years, but…”
“I understand what you’re trying to say… but it’s definitely different.”
“But…”
“Yes…”
Reina and I looked at each other…
“We had fun.”
We both said it at the same time and laughed…
Afterward, we made sure to stretch properly before calling it a day.
This is really important.
Doing this can make a big difference the next day.
“Then, I’ll…”
“No, let me pay.”
“But… you already paid for karaoke…”
When we were at karaoke, I settled the bill while Reina was in the bathroom…
Hmm, how can I convince her?
…I should push my luck here.
This isn’t a good place for this… and it’s bothersome to the people waiting to pay.
“Reina, can I talk to you for a second…”
I took Reina’s hand and moved to a different location.
“Ah——!!”
Huh? Did I just hear her gasp…?
Well, it doesn’t matter.
A place where we won’t bother anyone… found one.
I led Reina to a spot near the wall where there were few people around.
I lean against the wall and gaze intently at Reina…
“Um, Mito-kun…?”
“Reina…”
“No, no…!”
“No, it’s not a problem.”
I will definitely pay.
“Ah… You’re so forceful…”
“Yes, because it doesn’t seem like you’d agree otherwise.”
Reina is older and my superior, so she’s not used to being treated.
“Why, all of a sudden…”
“No, I’ve been thinking about it since yesterday.”
As a token of my gratitude for her help, I’ll pay for today.
“Huh? Is that… so…?”
“Yes, that’s actually the case.”
If I push her here, the checkout will go smoothly later.
“Eh? But… we’re not there yet…”
“Don’t be coy. We’re close, aren’t we?”
We work together, we drink together… Isn’t it okay to think we’re at least somewhat close?
“Mi… Mito-kun… okay… I understand…”
Alright! I’ve convinced her!
“You’ve promised, right?… Reina?”
“Huh?”
“Come on, let’s go… Why are you closing your eyes?”
“Um… what…?”
“We’ve settled on me paying, right? It’s decided, right?”
“Ah——ohh〜！！”
She covered her face with both hands and crouched down…
Why?… Her ears are red, too…
“Uh… Reina?”
“You——idiot〜！！”
“Wait——! Where are you going!?”
“I’m going to pick flowers〜！”
Oh, I see.
Good grief, she has no delicacy… That’s why she’s not popular.
Thinking this was my chance, I quickly paid the bill.
Alright, I’ve accomplished my goal.
Feeling tired, I was choosing a drink at the vending machine near the entrance…
“Mi… Mito-kun!”
“Ah, Reina.”
“Did… you pay…?”
“It’s done.”
“Thank… thank you…”
“Don’t mention it, let me at least do this much.”
Saying this, I picked out tea and coffee.
“You’re drinking two?”
“No, which one would you like?”
“For… me…?”
“Yes, of course.”
“… Then, I’ll have the tea…”
“Here you go.”
“Thank you…”
Why is she so bashful over just a cup of tea?
She properly says her thanks, she’s very polite.
Afterward, we got into the car…
“Well… It’s getting late.”
“It’s five o’clock… time flies…”
“Let’s go to the supermarket where we met last time for shopping.”
“It’s nostalgic… Well, not that much.”
“No, I understand what you mean.”
That day was quite a surprise…
Afterward, in a not awkward silence, the car was running…
Upon arriving at the supermarket, we put groceries in the cart.
“What do we need?”
“Do we have eggs?”
“Hmm… Maybe just a little…”
“Huh? Haven’t you checked?”
“So… sorry… I don’t cook much…”
“No, don’t worry about it. It’s not uncommon these days.”
“Tha… that’s right! As long as I work!”
“Huh?”
“Ah– No, it’s nothing…”
“sigh…”
Why does she blush?
After all, women are full of mysteries…
Or rather… This feels like– a newlywed situation…
… No, no! That’s rude!
Because of our previous conversation, the payment process goes smoothly.
“Are you sure it’s okay…?”
“Yes, of course.”
“But there are drinks and desserts too…”
“I want to drink and eat, so it’s fine. If there are leftovers, please eat them.”
“Mito-kun… Yeah!”
I’m glad… She’s a woman, she must like it.
She must usually restrain herself.
If this is all it takes to please her, it’s cheap.
After finishing shopping, we arrive at Reina-san’s house.
“It’s about a 5-minute drive… You walked here before, right?”
“Yeah, it took about 45 minutes…”
“That’s impressive… I need to exercise too.”
“Desk work does make you stiff.”
“That’s true, I also have stiff shoulders…”
“I have terrible shoulder stiffness too…”
… Well… That’s impressive…
“………………”
I desperately resist my gaze from wandering…!
“Mito-kun…? Ah– I, it’s not like that, okay!?”
“I didn’t say anything.”
“Mmm…”
Even though I already have a lot to deal with, I’m not in a situation to be thinking about such things.
Entering a woman’s room… How many years has it been?
We climb the stairs, and Reina-san opens the door.
“Pl, please… It’s a small place…”
“Ex, excuse me… Oh…”
I thought so the last time too, but despite its small size, it’s very neat.
“Don’t stare too much…”
“I’m, I’m sorry…”
No, no, I’m still lacking in delicacy.
We put the stuff in the fridge and take a break in the living room.
“Is it a 1DK?”
“Yeah, the toilet and the bath are separate… I’m glad it’s not spacious.”
“I see… There’s nothing placed here…”
There’s only a TV and a computer, no bookshelves or chests.
“I thought it was a waste of money…”
“Is that so…”
I shouldn’t be asking about this…
Moreover… There’s a nice scent from all around the room…
It feels like my head is going to spin…
“E, err! What should we do!?”
“That, that’s right!”
Looking at the clock… it’s past six o’clock.
“Let’s, let’s cook. It’s about time.”
“Y, yes, let’s!”
… I immediately regretted it.
Why did I agree to cook in this room?
The kitchen is in the passage… it’s narrow.
Which means… we inevitably get close…!
“Mito-kun… like this?”
Focus, recite Amitabha Buddha, Namu Amida Butsu… I think I’m wrong.
“Yes, the knife should go straight down and tap tap tap.”
“Tap tap tap…”
“No, not like that… Excuse me.”
I take Reina-san’s hand as if I’m hugging her from behind.
… Don’t smell, me.
Don’t breathe, me.
Hold on, my son.
“Ah– Ye, yes…”
“Tap tap tap…”
“Tap tap tap… Ehehe…”
After we finish cutting all the ingredients, Reina-san…
“What’s wrong?”
“I just… I’m having fun…”
Reina-san says that and turns around…
I feel like I’m being drawn into that smile…
“Mito-kun…?”
“Reina-san…”
“Reina–!? Are you here!?”
“Whoa!?”
“Hyaa!?”
… That was close–!!
What was I about to do just now!?
… No, before that…
“Whose voice was that…?”
“My, my mom!?”
“Oh, you are here. I’m coming in~”
“Wait!”
The door opens before her voice could reach.
“Reina, your room is clean… what… oh?”
“Go, good evening…”
“Aw…”
“………… Who is this?”
… Of course, that would be the reaction.
I’m about to say something… but the relationship becomes unclear.
Boss and subordinate? Friends? Acquaintances?… Not lovers.
The three of us exchanged glances and time stood still…