Chapter 18: Girl's Troubles (4)
—What exactly should a couple be like?
Reinhild observed the couples in the crowd, but the more she watched, the more confused she became. Some couples looked like mortal enemies, some looked like father and daughter, some had women who seemed absent-minded while the men were overly happy, and of course, there were couples who acted very much like how she and Subaru interacted…
—If only I had understood Subaru's customs better back then, things would have been…
"Reinhild!??"
A familiar voice interrupted her thoughts. Reinhild noticed Subaru not far away. Instinctively, she glanced at the glass nearby. Even with the Windproof and Dust-Removal Divine Protections, she adjusted her appearance in the few hours since she had gotten a little messy, at a speed invisible to the naked eye.
"Wasn't our meeting supposed to be at 10 o'clock? Did I get the time wrong, or is the clock broken?"
Subaru looked at the large clock nearby showing roughly nine o'clock and at Reinhild, who seemed to have been waiting for a long time. He began to panic slightly, because he didn't want to be late for their first official date.
"No, it's just that it's our first date. I was afraid of being late, so I came a bit early."
"No, no, no—being an hour early is clearly beyond the definition of 'early,' right?"
"Subaru, you were an hour early too."
Reinhild said, walking up to Subaru and preparing to hold his wrist.
But then she noticed something off. Wearing heels, she was now about the same height as Subaru. If she tried to hug him like the couple she had seen earlier, it wouldn't look cute—it would look very strange.
Her mind flashed through images of all the couples she had observed over the past seven days. She naturally took Subaru's left hand with her right and, stepping slightly ahead, turned back to smile at him:
"Since we've met early, let's start our date."
In her summer dress, Reinhild's smile left Subaru momentarily stunned. By the time he recovered, the best moment to compliment her outfit had passed. Their first date began in a way that completely defied their plans.
.
.
.
"Are we going to the theater?"
Having spent over a month in the capital, Subaru gradually realized their destination by observing the streets.
"Mm, there's a new play today."
Reinhild nodded, handing him the tickets while carefully watching his reaction. Initially, he had hoped to go to a cinema. While this world had magic items that could record movies, such precious items clearly weren't intended for common entertainment.
"Come to think of it, I've never seen a play before."
Subaru's delighted expression eased Reinhild's tension slightly.
"Subaru, if you don't want to watch, we can go somewhere else. Don't worry about me. I no longer represent my family."
Reinhild whispered.
"Mm…"
Subaru was momentarily startled, but seeing Reinhild's sincere expression, he realized he had overthought things and hesitated.
"Everyone…"
But when he saw 'himself' on stage shouting lines he'd never spoken during the defeat of the white whale and the crowd reacting passionately,
"Sorry, let's go somewhere else."
Subaru whispered.
.
.
.
Walking side by side through the shopping street, Reinhild and Subaru probably wouldn't be recognized as a couple by anyone. The awkwardness wasn't because of the theater incident, but…
—When I hinted during shopping just now, wasn't it obvious enough? Or did I misremember? During a date, isn't it supposed to be the boyfriend buying the gift for the girlfriend?
Reinhild watched Subaru remain motionless, thinking about asking, but she knew that if she asked, Subaru would certainly buy it.
—Then I'd be forcing him to get me a gift.
She didn't know what went wrong. Other couples she had seen only needed to subtly hint, and the boyfriend would understand immediately—just like Ferris said. Was her hint too hidden?
—As a knight and noble, I can't hint like that to Subaru. I should trust him.
But still…
Looking at the street exit not far away,
—We're almost out, and this is our first date. Isn't receiving a gift from your partner proper?
But…
—Isn't the purpose of this date to get closer to Subaru? Again letting my knight/noble pride stop me from doing anything? I'm no longer a knight or noble.
"Subaru, do you think this hairpin suits me?"
Determined, Reinhild said this while placing the hairpin slightly forward in her hair.
Thanks to her Divine Protection of Clothing, Reinhild could be considered a leading fashion designer. The blue flower hairpin she had painstakingly chosen maximized her charm.
"It's very pretty."
Hearing Subaru's praise, Reinhild smiled.
Reinhild and Subaru froze, then Subaru seemed to finally realize something.
"Um, Reinhild… did you forget your money?"
—Is this really the Subaru I know?
Reinhild looked at Subaru, who was completely serious, and suddenly had this thought. But it wasn't Subaru's fault.
After all, he knew her very well—he could never imagine Reinhild asking someone else to pay. Probably only he could have deduced this.
—Perfect opportunity!
Subaru quickly grabbed the hairpin from Reinhild's hand, and thanks to his lack of malice, he didn't trigger Reinhild's Divine Protection of Anti-Theft.
"How much is this, boss? Okay."
Subaru hurriedly paid, then hesitated.
"For Reinhild. You don't need to pay me back. Consider it a souvenir from our first date."
Reinhild hesitated for a moment, then slightly lowered her head.
"There's no mirror here, so can you just put it on for me?"
Subaru froze for a second, then carefully placed the hairpin in her hair.
"Sorry, it seems a bit crooked?"
Looking at Reinhild, Subaru thought she still looked great, but somehow not quite as perfect as before.
"Subaru, does it look good like this?"
"Of course it does, but…"
"Then it's fine. But since my wallet got stolen, it's about time anyway."
Mm~
Reinhild stepped back a few steps, looking at Subaru, who was still stunned.
"Then let's go shopping together next time. I really enjoyed today's date."
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