I was heading to the meeting place for my date with Kikyo. I had considered leaving the dorms together, but if I did that, I wouldn't be able to talk my way out of it later, so it couldn't be helped.

I left early since I didn't intend to make her wait, but she seemed to have had the same idea, as Kikyo arrived five minutes after I did.

Kikyo: "Kiyotaka-kun! Did you wait long?"

Kiyotaka: "Only five minutes."

Kikyo: "Isn't this the part where you're supposed to say, 'I just got here'?"

Kiyotaka: "Is that how it's done? I just got here."

Kikyo: "You don't have to correct yourself."

Kiyotaka: "That outfit suits you."

Kikyo: "Geez, why can you say that so smoothly?" fidgeting

The moment I complimented her clothes, she suddenly became bashful.

Kiyotaka: "I only said it because I genuinely thought so."

Kikyo: "There you go saying things like that again~ Do you say stuff like that to the other girls too?"

Kiyotaka: "No. I only say it to my girlfriend."

Kikyo: "Normally, that would be fine, but it doesn't quite apply to you, Kiyotaka-kun."

Kiyotaka: "You're harsh."

Kikyo: "Because 'my girlfriend' doesn't just mean me."

Kiyotaka: "That's true. But it really does suit you, and you're cute."

Kikyo: "Thanks! You look more handsome than usual too, Kiyotaka-kun!"

Kiyotaka: "I see. So I don't look very handsome usually."

I deliberately said something self-deprecating.

Kikyo: "Geez, why would you think that? You always look handsome, but since you set your clothes and hair for our date, you look even more handsome!"

Kiyotaka: "I see. So that's why you, Kikyo, who are always cute, look even cuter on our date."

Kikyo: "Jeez! Let's just go already!"

When I countered, she forcibly changed the subject and started walking.

'Alright, that's my win. I wonder if I'm even capable of blushing from embarrassment. No, I'm not. I'd like to see the embarrassed face of a normally cool beauty, but I don't even want to imagine the embarrassed face of my normally expressionless self.'

I caught up to Kikyo and considered holding her hand, but decided against it since that would be too definitive, and merely walked alongside her.

As we walked side by side, Kikyo asked me a question.

Kikyo: "We talked about watching a movie first, but did you have anything in mind for afterwards?"

Kiyotaka: "I have a general idea. But if there's somewhere you want to go, Kikyo, we'll prioritize that."

Kikyo: "No, I'd rather go with what you've thought of, Kiyotaka-kun."

Kiyotaka: "Do you want a place where we can pretend we're just hanging out as classmates, or a place where it fully acknowledges this as a date?"

Kikyo: "The ultimate two choices, huh. My personal desire versus my public image at school."

Kiyotaka: "You don't have to decide now. If you're unsure, why not decide after the movie? Sometimes the answer comes surprisingly easily after a bit of time."

Kikyo: "Yeah, you're right. For now, let's just enjoy the movie!"

While we were talking, we arrived at the movie theater and got in line for popcorn.

Kiyotaka: "Caramel or salt, which do you prefer?"

Kikyo: "How about half and half?"

Kiyotaka: "Sounds good."

Since I also prefer enjoying both rather than just one, this agreement of opinions was very welcome.

Kiyotaka: "What drink would you like?"

Kikyo: "Hmm, orange juice, I guess."

Kiyotaka: "Got it."

Then, our turn to order came.

Clerk: "What would you like?"

Kiyotaka: "I'll take this, please."

Clerk: "Which drinks would you like for the set?"

Kiyotaka: "Orange juice and coffee."

Clerk: "Certainly. Please wait a moment."

After receiving the receipt, Kikyo spoke up.

Kikyo: "I'll pay half later."

Kiyotaka: "No, that's not necessary."

Kikyo: "But you'll be spending a lot on the election, right?"

Kiyotaka: "The president is also assisting with election funds, so it's fine. Besides, a man who can't cover this much isn't worth much."

Kikyo: "But you're going on dates with everyone else too, right? Will you really have enough?"

Kiyotaka: "It's really fine. I joined the student council partly to get plenty of allowance—I mean date funds—from Nagumo, after all."

Kikyo: "Ehh, that's a lie, isn't it?"

'Unfortunately, it's not a lie. Well, the primary reason was to observe Manabu up close, and the points came in a close second.'

While we were chatting idly, our number was called, so we picked up our order. Then we headed straight into the theater.

When we entered, commercials were still playing, and the lights hadn't gone out yet. Incidentally, the movie we were seeing today was a love story.

In the seats near the front were two familiar idiots, Ike and Yamauchi. I glanced at Kikyo beside me, and for a moment she wore a face that said, ‘Why are these guys here? Read the room,’ but she quickly returned to normal.

'It's bad enough having classmates here, but why, of all people, are the ones least suited to the word love showing up? They're going to ruin the atmosphere.'

Kiyotaka: "Honestly, I'm thinking we should have picked a different showing time."

Kikyo: "Ahaha, Kiyotaka-kun, calling Ike-kun and Yamauchi-kun tactless idiots is so rude."

Kiyotaka: "I never once said it was because of Ike and Yamauchi."

Kikyo had an expression that seemed to say ‘Ah,’ but gave up and started showing her true colors.

Kikyo: "Seriously, what's with those guys? I thought since it's a movie theater on a date, it'd be dark and people wouldn't see us, so it'd be nice to hold hands. But no, the guys whose mere presence wrecks the atmosphere have to come watch a movie. What the hell?"

Kiyotaka: "I'm disappointed too. I was looking forward to enjoying a space without classmates, just with you, Kikyo..."

Kikyo: "Right!? Can't you use your student council power or leader authority to chase them off?"

Kiyotaka: "I'd probably end up getting kicked out myself as a nuisance customer."

Despite that little scene, the movie itself was very enjoyable, and we held hands in the darkness, feeling happy.

After the movie ended, we had lunch. Afterwards, from the perspective of not being seen by others, we went to karaoke before parting ways. Since I had said I'd spend the whole day with her, she also asked to stay over. But because I had dates scheduled on consecutive days, I asked that we refrain from sleepovers entirely, and she agreed.

* * *

The next day, I was scheduled to go bowling with Suzune. The reason for bowling was that I didn't know what kind of standard date spot Suzune would like, so when I suggested something active, it was decided we'd go bowling, which she said she had practiced in the past to beat her older brother.

'It might be an idea to go with Nagumo sometime and win some points off him. For that purpose, I'll have Suzune teach me some tips today.'

The meeting place was, fitting for the efficiency-oriented Suzune, at the venue itself. We both arrived five minutes before the meeting time. It was the result of mutually reading each other's personalities and adjusting accordingly.

Suzune: "I didn't expect us to arrive at the same time."

Kiyotaka: "Yeah, we're in sync."

Suzune: "It seems so."

Kiyotaka: "You wore sporty clothes to make it easier to move, huh? The gap from your usual look is nice."

Suzune: "Oh my, you're different from usual as well."

Kiyotaka: "You've barely seen my casual clothes, Suzune."

Suzune: "That's true, but I'm talking about the image. Actually, the same goes for you, doesn't it?"

Kiyotaka: "I'm talking about the image."

After discussing each other's casual clothes, we entered the bowling alley. Since we had an all-you-can-bowl plan for today, we intended to enjoy ourselves to the fullest.

Kiyotaka: "Shall we have a match right away?"

Suzune: "Do you intend to beat me?"

Kiyotaka: "No, I'll probably lose. I've hardly ever done this."

Suzune: "But knowing you, if you grasp the knack or are taught, you'll likely become good quickly."

Kiyotaka: "I wonder."

Suzune: "For now, could you try bowling first? I want to see how you are now."

Kiyotaka: "Alright."

Saying that, I bowled. My first throw got seven pins, the second got two. I couldn't pick up the spare.

Suzune: "Ordinary."

Kiyotaka: "Couldn't you have phrased that a little better?"

Suzune: "No, it was completely ordinary."

Kiyotaka: "I see. Then show me a strike."

Suzune: "You said it."

Provoked, she bowled and got a perfect strike.

Suzune wore a triumphant look and said:

Suzune: "I told you. It was ordinary."

Kiyotaka: "So you weren't just boasting."

Suzune: "I'll take the first match."

Kiyotaka: "Are you planning to have a penalty game or something?"

Suzune: "No, I'll just have you grant a wish."

Kiyotaka: "I'm generally willing to grant your wishes."

Suzune: "Even if I said, 'Hold me tonight'?"

Kiyotaka: "Time-specific requests might indeed be difficult. As I mentioned in my message, I'm not accepting sleepovers right now."

Suzune: "Then I'll save it."

Kiyotaka: "You can only say that for now."

Just as I declared, I gradually improved. No, I learned by observing Suzune's successful examples. After getting my first strike of the day, I corrected the discrepancies from my mental image and transformed into a strike-producing machine.

Suzune: "Haah... I managed to win somehow thanks to my initial lead, but your last-minute surge was incredible."

Kiyotaka: "But Suzune, you're amazing. Getting all spares or strikes."

Suzune: "My brother would have gotten all strikes."

Kiyotaka: "Even Manabu would probably miss once if it's been a while."

Suzune: "I can't beat him with just one mistake on his part. Besides, my brother would practice so he wouldn't lose to me before coming."

Kiyotaka: "If you know that, isn't it fine? The fact that he practices means he feels he needs to practice. And the gap that widens through practice can be closed through practice."

Suzune: "You're right. I was being faint-hearted. Kiyotaka-kun, please teach me the tricks. That's my wish from earlier."

Kiyotaka: "How about we play one more game first? It feels odd for the one who lost to be teaching."

Suzune: "Very well."

And so, in the next game, I overwhelmed Suzune with a perfect game, and continued to beat her mercilessly afterwards.

Suzune: "In the end, I never won again after the first game... Or rather, how are you getting perfect games endlessly?"

Kiyotaka: "I'm good at continuing to move mechanically. Once I grasp the lane conditions on the first throw, I'm confident I can get strikes from then on."

Suzune: "Did you lie?"

Kiyotaka: "I just used you, Suzune, as a model because you were good. After that, I just adjusted to my ideal movements and could do it."

Suzune: "Normal people can't do that."

Kiyotaka: "Sorry. My home environment was special, so I don't really understand 'normal'."

Suzune: "I'm sorry. I was inconsiderate."

Later, as we were parting ways in front of the dorms, I made a suggestion.

Kiyotaka: "I'm thinking of inviting Manabu and Nagumo to go bowling sometime. Would you like to come then, Suzune?"

Suzune: "I'll refrain. As I am now, I can't face my brother."

Kiyotaka: "Manabu seemed regretful seeing you try to walk a path of solitude. But it's different now, isn't it? His view of you should change, at least a little."

Suzune: "...You're right. Please invite me again."

Kiyotaka: "Yeah, look forward to it."

That conversation coming to pass and Nagumo becoming a wallet is a story for another time.