Chapter 6: A Date in Tenryu
Part 1
Touma stood in the central plaza of Tenryu City's shopping district, dressed more casually than usual—similar to what he used to wear when hanging out at arcades with Hina.
This time, however, the day was different.
He was waiting for Shizuki Tokisaki.
The Day Before — Seisen Gardens
Touma walked leisurely through the campus gardens, heading toward the building where the club met.
—Professor Kirishima's going to bore me to death... —he muttered, recalling the living yawn that was his teacher.
That's when he saw her.
Shizuki was pacing near a pergola, making small hand gestures—almost like… rehearsing a conversation?
—Hey, Shizuki! —Touma called out casually, raising a hand.
She straightened up instantly, as if she'd been caught mid-performance.
—Touma… what a surprise. I didn't expect to see you here —she replied stiffly, clearly uncomfortable… or nervous.
—Yeah, I was just heading to the club. You coming?
—I was on my way there as well... —she said, regaining her composure. —But before that, I wanted to ask you something. Are you free tomorrow?
Touma stopped for a second.
—Tomorrow? Uh… yeah, I think so. It's Saturday…
—His schedule is completely empty, Touma-sama. In fact, it's always empty, but I thought I'd remind you —Ellie whispered in his ear, her usual teasing tone present.
Touma exhaled through his nose.
—I was thinking of exploring the city a bit, maybe.
Shizuki nodded, with the gravity of someone who had just received a divine sign.
—What a coincidence. I was hoping to go out too. I need to stop by a bookstore and pick up a few things for the club. I thought, as vice president, you might accompany me.
—Sure. Should we invite the others?
The death glare she shot him was clearer than any verbal response.
—I don't think that's a good idea. I prefer not to draw too much attention.
—Got it, got it —Touma said, raising both hands in surrender.
Shizuki let out a faint smile, like she had just won a small personal battle.
—We should exchange numbers —she said, pulling her phone from her purse.
Touma glanced at the phone.
It was white, with sparkly details and a cute white bunny on the screen.
It clearly didn't match her refined, elegant image.
—That phone... is yours? —he asked, before thinking.
—Don't be fooled by appearances. Rabbits are clever creatures —she replied, as if it were the most obvious thing in the world.
Touma just smiled as they exchanged contacts.
—So... a date?
Shizuki gave him a sidelong glance, her expression unchanged.
—It's not. I'll be waiting at 09:00. Don't be late—I don't like waiting —she said, slipping her pocket watch back into her bag with the elegance of someone finalizing a diplomatic schedule.
Touma was left in silence. He wasn't sure if that had been a joke… or a formal international threat.
Back to the present…
—For someone who prides herself on being punctual… she's already fifteen minutes late —Touma muttered, checking the time on his phone, slightly annoyed.
—Perhaps she's delayed by traffic —Ellie chimed in with a soft, mocking giggle.
Touma looked around. The streets were quiet, with just a few tourists strolling about.
Not a single car in sight.
—More likely she just changed her mind…
—I doubt that —Ellie replied confidently. —Based on her behavioral profile and the time invested in preparations... she doesn't seem like the type to cancel at the last minute.
Though, I must say, the emotional margin of error in humans is... unpredictable.
Touma sighed and was about to say something else when a sleek black car with tinted windows pulled up smoothly in front of the plaza.
—What the…?
The rear door opened with precision, revealing a distinguished gentleman with white hair, a monocle, and impeccable posture. He wore white gloves and held a cane adorned with metallic details. With a slight bow, he opened the door with a formal gesture.
—Young lady, we have arrived.
Out stepped Shizuki Tokisaki.
And for a moment… time truly seemed to stop.
She wore a delicate white dress, simple yet elegantly tailored, cinched at the waist with a fine ribbon. Her silvery hair, now slightly loose, fell naturally over her shoulders.
She wore a light hat with floral details, and matching low-heeled shoes.
She radiated a serene, sophisticated aura—completely different from the perfectly poised girl Touma knew on campus.
—Uh…?
Touma froze. His brain took a few seconds to process what his eyes were seeing.
—That's her idea of casual? —he murmured, as if trying to convince himself.
—According to my visual records… yes —Ellie replied. —Though I must admit, she looks... remarkable.
Shizuki walked toward him at a calm pace. Once there, she pulled out her pocket watch, opened it with elegance, and glanced at it briefly.
—Thirteen minutes and forty-seven seconds. I was worried I'd arrived late —she said seriously, as if she hadn't just stepped out of a limousine in full princess mode.
Touma stared at her in disbelief.
—Excuse me? You were the one who was late!
—Was I? —she replied calmly, snapping the watch shut and putting it away. —In that case, my apologies. Did I keep you waiting?
Touma sighed. At this point, he didn't know whether to be frustrated or simply give up.
—Nah… just a little.
She nodded naturally, as if there was no such thing as time zones between their internal worlds.
A couple of hours earlier…
Shizuki stood in front of the full-length mirror in her room.
On her bed, three outfits were neatly laid out.
One too formal. Another too plain. And the last… pink.
—Ridiculous… —she muttered, setting the third aside.
She looked in the mirror, then at the clock on her dresser.
—There's no need to worry about this… it's not a date —she told herself.
But for some reason, her reflection didn't seem entirely convinced.
She sighed.
—It's just a walk. That's all. Nothing more.
And without thinking much further, she chose the white dress. The most neutral. The most... effortlessly elegant.
Even so, as she buttoned it up, she couldn't help but feel her heart beating just a little faster.
Just a little.
Back in the present…
—By the way, that dress looks really nice on you.
—Thank you… —Shizuki said, glancing down for a second before regaining her usual composure.
—So, where do you want to go first? —Touma asked, a bit nervous.
—I'd like to visit a large home goods store. I want to look at sofa sets to replace the ones in the clubroom. I'd prefer one I can read on comfortably —she said with total seriousness, as if it were a matter of life and death.
—Got it, then! Let's go! —he replied with a smile, encouraged by how naturally she said it.
Meanwhile, crouched behind some nearby bushes, Hina and Mirai were spying on the scene with very different expressions.
—I knew it... it's that homewrecking cat —Hina whispered, eyes narrowed and fist clenched. —That's why Touma was so nervous yesterday.
—M-maybe they're just shopping for some club supplies… —Mirai tried to justify, though even she didn't sound convinced.
Hina refocused on the scene.
Touma and Shizuki were chatting casually.
There wasn't an ounce of tension between them.
If anything, they looked comfortable. Too comfortable.
—We'll be watching… —Hina muttered with the intensity of a spy thriller.
—Eh? —Mirai blinked, huddled low behind the bush.
—Nothing. Let's keep following at a safe distance. But if that girl dares to touch his arm, I'm staging an intervention. Quick. Silent. Effective.
Mirai simply nodded, though she had no idea what Hina meant by "intervention."
Across the street, completely unaware of the surveillance, Touma and Shizuki continued their stroll through Tenryu's shopping district. Around them, the city moved with calm energy: open cafés, shining storefronts, stalls selling candy and souvenirs.
—That store over there looks interesting —Touma said, pointing to a boutique selling home goods.
—Perfect. Let's start there —Shizuki replied, adjusting the ribbon on her hat with a near-invisible motion.
They walked at a leisurely pace.
Even without constant conversation, the silence between them wasn't awkward.
It was simple. Natural.
Touma glanced at her from the corner of his eye.
Despite the distance he had always felt with her, right now… she didn't seem so far away.
The way her dress moved with the breeze, her effortless grace, and that quiet aura only she could carry…
—Don't walk so fast… —Shizuki said softly, without looking at him —I don't want to end up running in this dress.
Touma smiled gently.
—Got it. As you wish, milady.
She turned her face slightly, and for a brief moment, something resembling a smile appeared on her lips.
And while the sun bathed the city in golden light, behind a lamp post, Hina and Mirai continued their surveillance mission at a "safe" distance.
—This isn't over —Hina whispered with dramatic seriousness.
Mirai just pulled her beanie lower over her head… and sighed.