I Accidentally Sent a Love Letter to the School's Most Prestigious Young Lady Instead of My Childhood Friend, and Now She's Bowing to Me, Asking, "Please Date Me—On the Premise of Marriage!" - 22

I was surprised by the sudden invitation, but according to Shion, she wanted my help in evaluating some shopping items.

Well, if it was just accompanying her for shopping… So the next day, Saturday, I headed out in casual attire—a white shirt and navy jeans.

However, when Shion appeared at the station square fountain, she was in full battle gear: a pure white flare dress, a stylish beret on her head, and high heels that further accentuated her ladylike aura. I couldn’t help but gasp and ask:

“Huh…? This is just for carrying bags… right?”

“There’s no way a meeting between a gentleman and a lady would have such a simple reason. It’s more like a rendezvous—or a date, you could say.”

Shion, in her perfect outfit, smiled sweetly and denied it outright, leaving me at a loss for how to respond.

“Seriously…?”

“…That was a joke. I wanted a gentleman’s opinion on buying clothes. You don’t need to worry about making excuses to Haru.”

“Phew… In that case, just say so… Please don’t scare me like that.”

Then Shion asked with a slightly mischievous look in her eyes.

“You’re quite conscientious, Kisaragi-san. Does going out without telling Haru make you feel guilty?”

“I don’t feel like I’m doing anything wrong, but… Haru would probably get angry.”

“Well, I suppose so. Shall we get going, then?”

With that, Shion linked arms with me, and I found myself being pulled along as we started walking toward the shopping mall.

Arm in arm, we proceeded along the plane tree-lined avenue. The brick-tiled sidewalk shone beautifully in the morning light. Stylish cafes and apparel shops lined the street, and many couples could be seen at this time of day.

“Do we look like a couple too?”

Shion pressed her body tightly against mine.

The soft sensation of her chest against my arm. Since she was wearing a thin flare dress, I could feel her voluptuousness directly, making me flustered.

“Hey… You’re too close, Shion!”

“Once in a while is fine, isn’t it? It feels fresh, different from inside the academy.”

“No, you’re touching…”

“I am touching you. Do you dislike it?”

“…Shion!”

“Just kidding. Though I’m someone who’s honest with my desires at heart, I do choose the time and place.”

Shion gave me a playful laugh.

I couldn’t tell at all what was serious and what was a lie.

While having such conversations, we walked through the weekend town as if we were lovers.

Peeking into trendy shops, Shion would innocently smile and say, “This might suit me, don’t you think?” while I would blush and reply, “No, that’s a bit too much…”

At the amusement park, we got competitive at the shooting gallery, she went all out at the rhythm game, and we both got heated over a stuffed animal that just wouldn’t come out in the crane game.

Then, fully satisfied, we settled down at a cafe for a break.

“This pear tart is delicious. How about it? Say ‘ahh’ ♡“

From across the table, Shion elegantly offered me a forkful.

“…Ahh.”

Thinking it would be rude to refuse, I took the piece of cake into my mouth.

As I chewed, the sweet honey flavor spread throughout my mouth.

After sharing the cake and finishing our tea, we said our thanks for the meal.

Just as Shion finished wiping her mouth neatly with a napkin, she straightened her posture and declared with a look that said she had a request.

“The sun should be setting soon. I should be thanking you for this enjoyable day, but…”

“Um, did I make some mistake? Were you dissatisfied with something?”

“There’s a place I’d like you to come with me afterward.”

“With me…?”

“Yes. It’s a place that has no meaning unless I’m with Kisaragi-san.”

“Well then, as the conclusion to our outing… not our date.”

Without giving it much thought, I agreed with Shion and followed after her.