SWNOVELXO Chapter 42 - Reina's POV
“Sigh… it was fun…”
As I see Mito-kun off, I recall today’s events…
Today was an outing with Mito-kun…
It was our first… date, right?
When a man and a woman go out together…
“It’s my first time going on a date with a man…”
What should I do… my heart is pounding…
“It’s exciting… even though we haven’t even met yet…”
I wonder what I should wear…
I want to look cute, but I don’t want to scare him off…
I want to put on cute makeup too…
“Yes! Mito-kun isn’t the kind of person who’d mind!”
It’s our first date!
I want him to think I’m cute…!
I decided on natural, light makeup… I want to wear a skirt… when was the last time I wore my hair down for an outing?
Is it… too short?
My legs are showing…!
But, I really liked it when I bought it… even though I haven’t worn it yet.
“Wait, what time is it?”
Before I knew it, it was past noon.
I’ve been preparing since 9 am…!
“I have to wear it…!”
With a firm resolve, I changed into the clothes.
“Ah… it’s a bit cold… am I too old for this…?”
But! I’m only 28!
It’s… okay, right…?
Recently, even older people are dressing cute…
I made excuses to myself as I entered the final stages of preparation.
“I hope a side ponytail is okay… no time to change it now…”
If we’re going by car, heels… but will he dislike them if they’re too high?
There’s only about a 5 cm difference between me and Mito-kun…
Ugh… why couldn’t I be shorter…?
I wanted to be like Morishima-san…
“I shouldn’t be negative! Mito-kun would definitely hate that!”
Still, I decided to wear relatively low heels.
“I’ll put on stockings… and I’m fully prepared.”
Looking at the clock, there was about 15 minutes left until one.
I didn’t eat anything, so I decided to have some rice with tea.
“Five minutes early… ah…”
The sound of a car stopping… is it Mito-kun!?
“I have to hurry…! Ah! I need to close the window!”
Why am I such an idiot!
How could I say I was fully prepared!
I quickly closed the window, and as I was about to close the last one by the entrance…
I… couldn’t move a single step from there…
“He… looks cool…!”
Mito-kun was leaning against the car, waiting for me…
Just that… why?
“His clothes… are stylish… the way he’s rolling up his jacket sleeves…”
Wait! The time… oh no!!
“I’m… late…!”
I hurriedly closed the window and left the house!
Even though I messed up the greeting…
Mito-kun greeted me without looking the least bit upset…
He’s nice but… I wonder if he’s used to this?
This is my first time, but… it’s a bit complicated.
But… it’s okay… because he said it suits me…
At karaoke afterwards…
“He has a good voice… and…”
Perhaps because he was focused on singing, Mito-kun didn’t notice my gaze.
My voice couldn’t be heard over the karaoke music.
“His profile… is so nice… I might like his nose and jawline…”
He’s not typically handsome, but personally, I think he’s great.
It’s rare to get such a close look at him…
I enjoyed watching his side profile while listening to his low, comfortable voice…
It was really fun.
After karaoke, I indulged in a feeling I hadn’t felt in a while.
Of course, being with Mito-kun played a part…
I didn’t realize karaoke was so fun… I want to come again… with Mito-kun.
But, what should I do…!?
It’s a problem! A serious situation!
Mito-kun… is looking at… my legs…!
Are they… too fat!? Too short!?
Ah, I’m getting hot… I’m starting to fidget…
But… he said it suits me… I’m happy…
We then arrived at the bowling alley.
Phew… it seems I misunderstood.
He was just being considerate because we were going bowling.
Mito-kun… is such a gentleman!
“Mito-kun’s hoodie…”
Ehehe… I want to hug it…
Before I knew it, I was sniffing it.
The smell of laundry detergent and the scent of a person’s home.
This is the smell of Mito-kun’s home…
Bowling is harder than I thought…
It’s… so embarrassing…!
I didn’t think it would be like this…
“Ah…”
But, Mito-kun kindly taught me how to do it… so it turned out alright!
But, he touched my hand and shoulder… I thought my heart was going to stop…
When bowling ended and we went to pay…
Suddenly, Mito-kun takes my hand and starts walking!
Eh? What!? His hand… it’s surprisingly big… No, that’s not it!
Ignoring my confusion, Mito-kun corners me against the wall…
Ah, what is this!!
I flee to the restroom, tormented alone.
“I, I thought he was going to kiss me… being so close to a man… ah~!”
Is he doing this on purpose?!
Is that what this is?!
What should I do in such a situation…?
I, I might misunderstand…
“Mm… I’m the only one who’s feeling nervous…”
How can I make Mito-kun feel nervous?
After that… we go shopping together!
This… it’s like newlyweds, isn’t it?!
…What is it…? I’ve been thinking about it all along…
Even if we’re silent, being with Mito-kun isn’t a burden…
Is it because I love him? Is it because I feel nervous?… I don’t know…
It’s my first time for everything… I can’t keep up with my thoughts…
The fun time flies by…
We arrive at my house and decide to cook.
Mito-kun’s body heat is transmitted… and my heartbeat quickens…
I wonder if he noticed? I’m feeling nervous…
When I look back at Mito-kun… he looks back at me with an intense gaze.
Eh? Is this… the same as before?
But… I feel it’s different somehow…
Will I… be kissed…?
“Reina!”
“Hyai!?”
“How long are you going to stand in the entranceway lost in thought?”
“Eh? Mito-kun is…?”
“He just left, didn’t he? Come on, there’s something we need to discuss.”
“Uh, okay…”
Just when it was getting good…
In the end… it remains unknown.
My mom came over, and it wasn’t the time for that…
What would have happened if it had continued as it was?
But… I think a kiss on the first date is—too fast, don’t you think…?