"Kana-chan?"
Something was definitely off. One moment she'd been her usual animated self, and the next she was standing there like someone had pressed her pause button. The sudden shift in her demeanor sent a small spike of concern through me.
Uh oh. Did I say something wrong? Was it the mating comment? Please tell me I didn't somehow make things weird.
"Ah… that… Sousuke-kun… sorry…" Her face was still painted that adorable shade of crimson, and she was fidgeting with her leopard gecko figurine like it might provide some kind of moral support. "I think I got a little too excited… I kept rambling about all sorts of nonsense…"
Nonsense? Is she kidding? That was probably the most interesting conversation I've had about animal reproduction in my entire life.
"No way," I replied, keeping my voice as steady and reassuring as possible. "I think everything you said was fascinating, and I was actually hoping you'd continue."
Smooth, Sousuke. Remind her that you were genuinely interested in her passionate reptile talk. That should help.
Her eyes widened slightly, like she couldn't quite believe what she was hearing.
"Sousuke-kun is just trying to make me feel better… I thought you'd find what I said embarrassing…"
She lowered her head, her voice dropping to barely above a whisper. "It's just that I always feel so relaxed when I'm with you, and I end up saying everything without even realizing it…"
She feels relaxed with me? That's… actually amazing. And here I was worried I was making her uncomfortable.
"You're overthinking this, Kana-chan," I said gently, hoping my tone conveyed just how sincere I was being. "Wouldn't it be nice to relax a little more often?"
Seriously, the fact that she feels comfortable enough to geek out about reptile genetics with me is actually incredible.
"Besides, I think the knowledge you shared was incredibly professional—definitely on par with those people running specialized channels. If you ever decided to start your own channel, I'd absolutely be your most loyal viewer."
And I mean that. 'Kana's Reptile Corner' would probably be the most educational and adorable content on the internet.
The magic words seemed to work. I watched as her flustered expression gradually smoothed out, replaced by that warm smile that never failed to make my chest feel weird.
"Really, Sousuke-kun? Thank you so much," she beamed. "As for the channel… I hope you'll become a loyal viewer of 'Kana's Daily Life Channel' first."
'Kana's Daily Life Channel'? Sign me up immediately. I'd probably watch her organize her sock drawer if she posted it.
"Consider it done," I grinned. "I'm officially Kana-chan's number one fan from this moment forward."
By the time we finally left the gymnasium, the day had melted into evening. The sky was painted in soft oranges and warm purples, with the sun creating this perfect golden halo on the horizon as it prepared to call it quits for the day.
Has it really been that long? Time flies when you're having fun, I guess.
"Let's find somewhere to eat, Kana-chan," I suggested, suddenly becoming very aware of the fact that we'd survived on nothing but convenience store snacks and temporary stall food since morning.
"Yeah, you must be hungry too, right, Sousuke-kun?"
Starving, actually. But I was having too much fun to notice until now.
She pulled out her phone and started browsing through restaurant review apps with the focused determination of someone conducting serious research.
"Since neither of us really knows this area well, I guess we're at the mercy of internet reviews," she murmured, scrolling through options.
"Sousuke-kun, what do you think of this place?" She held her phone out toward me, displaying what looked like a cozy Western-style restaurant.
"Looks perfect," I agreed without hesitation. Honestly, I'd probably agree to eat at a convenience store right now if it meant extending our time together.
Weekend Ikebukuro was like stepping into a different world. Neon lights were beginning to flicker to life, painting the bustling streets in electric blues and hot pinks. The energy was infectious—couples strolling hand in hand, groups of f riends laughing loudly, the whole city humming with life.
This is what Tokyo nightlife looks like. And I'm experiencing it with Kana. Definitely filing this under 'best day ever.'
The restaurant we'd chosen turned out to be this charming Western-style place with a slightly retro aesthetic. According to the reviews, it was popular with locals and reasonably priced—about 5000 yen for a full set meal.
Not too expensive, not too cheap. Perfect for a… wait, is this technically a date? Are we on a date right now?
The hostess led us to our table, and I had to admit the internet reviews were spot-on. The atmosphere was absolutely perfect—soft, soothing background music, elegant tables and chairs that looked like they belonged in a much more expensive establishment, artistic oil paintings decorating the walls, and strategically placed foliage plants that created this incredibly romantic and sophisticated environment.
If someone were planning a date, this would definitely be an impeccable choice. Hypothetically speaking.
We both ordered the signature set meals, and the food arrived surprisingly quickly. The first bite of steak made me question why I'd ever settled for convenience store meals.
"Mmm, this is incredible," Kana sighed contentedly. "I haven't had steak this tender in ages."
"Agreed. Coming here was definitely the right call—you have excellent taste, Kana-chan."
Everything about today has been perfect. The exhibition, the claw machines, and now this. How did I get so lucky?
"Come on," I said, raising my water-filled wine glass—because apparently being underage has its limitations—"let's celebrate your promotion today. Cheers!"
"Thank you, Sousuke-kun," she smiled, clinking her glass against mine. "Cheers!"
This is it. This is the perfect moment. Nothing could possibly—
I looked up from my meal to find Kana staring down at her plate with an expression that was completely at odds with the celebratory atmosphere we'd been maintaining all day. The brightness in her eyes had dimmed, replaced by something that looked dangerously close to sadness.
Oh no. What happened? She was fine literally thirty seconds ago.
"Is something on your mind, Kana-chan?" I asked softly, hoping I didn't sound as concerned as I felt.
"Eh? Um…" She looked up with surprise, as if she hadn't realized her mood shift was so obvious. "As expected, Sousuke-kun figured it out…"
Her attempt at a smile is breaking my heart a little bit.
"It's nothing serious," she continued, though her voice suggested otherwise. "I just feel a little sad that the time I spent with you went by so quickly."
Oh.
"I'll be starting work at the head office next week. The workload is definitely going to be very heavy—I can already imagine how busy I'll be."
Oh no.
"I don't know if I'll be able to see you often anymore, or when I'll be able to have such a happy day like today again…"
And there it is. The reason behind the sudden melancholy.
Every word she spoke felt like a small revelation, each sentence pulling back another layer of her true feelings. When she finished, she let out this soft, self-deprecating laugh that made my chest ache.
"I'm sorry, Sousuke-kun. I seem to have dumped all of that on you at once. It's really a very common thing—maybe I'm just overthinking it."
She picked up her glass and took a sip of water, as if trying to wash away the vulnerability she'd just shown.
Common? There's nothing common about what she just said. She's worried about not seeing me anymore. That means… that means I matter to her. That today mattered to her.
"Don't worry, Kana-chan," I said, making sure to look directly into her eyes so she'd know I meant every word. "Remember what I told you—my door is always open for you."
Please believe me. Please understand that I'm not just saying this to be nice.
"You can come to me anytime you want. Whether it's about work or life, whether you're annoyed or happy, you can tell me everything."
Because honestly, the thought of not seeing you regularly is kind of terrifying now.
"I am the number one fan of 'Kana's Daily Life Channel,' right?"
Her eyes widened instantly, and then her face flushed that familiar pink. For a moment, I could swear I saw her eyes getting a little glassy, like she was fighting back tears.
Did I say something wrong? Or right? I can't tell anymore.
A whole storm of emotions seemed to cross her face in the span of a few seconds, leaving her speechless. But then, slowly, she smiled—and it was the most beautiful, complicated smile I'd ever seen. There was sadness there, like she was saying goodbye to something, but there was also hope, like she was looking forward to whatever came next.
"Thank you, Sousuke-kun," she said finally. "I'm so lucky to have met you."
Lucky? I'm the lucky one here. Definitely the lucky one.
The restaurant's background music shifted at that perfect moment, transitioning to something lighter and more upbeat. As if on cue, our dessert finally arrived—some elaborate Italian creation that probably took them twenty minutes to plate properly.
After we finished the last bite of what might have been the best tiramisu in existence, we settled the bill and stepped back out onto the streets of nighttime Tokyo.
And just like that, the day is ending. But maybe… maybe it doesn't have to end just yet.
Saturday night in Tokyo was like being inside a living, breathing kaleidoscope. Despite the late hour, the commercial district was still packed with people—couples on dates, groups of friends bar-hopping, salarymen finally cutting loose after a long week.
We walked side by side through the controlled chaos, and I found myself hyperaware of every accidental brush of our arms, every moment when she leaned closer to avoid the crowd.
This is what it feels like to walk through Tokyo at night with someone special. I could get used to this.
While we waited at a crosswalk for the light to change, I noticed Kana turn to look at me out of the corner of my eye. When I glanced over, she quickly looked away, but not before I caught something in her expression that made my heart rate spike.
Was she… checking me out? No way. I'm probably imagining things.
But then she did something that nearly stopped my heart entirely.
She reached out and gently tugged on my sleeve, her touch so light I might have imagined it if not for the way her fingers lingered for just a moment longer than necessary.
"Sousuke-kun," she said softly, her voice carrying a note I'd never heard before. "Should we… not go back to the apartment tonight?"
Wait. What? Did she just…? Is she asking what I think she's asking?
My brain immediately went into overdrive, running through approximately seventeen different interpretations of what she might mean, none of which I was prepared to handle.
Stay calm, Sousuke. She probably just means grabbing coffee somewhere or finding an all-night karaoke place or something totally innocent and not at all what your perverted mind is thinking.
Right?
…Right?