"Are you okay?" Akatsuki asked worriedly since she could see that Mizuto's face was slightly pale.
"I am okay. You don't need to worry." He patted her gentle hand that held his hand firmly, telling her that he was okay.
"I have never said anything before, but why are we here? Still, no matter how many times I see it, this building is amazing."
Akatsuki had never asked him why he had decided to visit Oike Street and just followed him obediently, as his presence was enough to make her happy. Still, watching the Dipper, the new building on Oike Street, had always given her a unique feeling as it was probably the best building on this street, considering the rest was all old.
"I want to see the buildings around this street and what kind of companies can have a building in this area."
"Why do you want to see that?" Akatsuki was confused.
"I am just interested." Mizuto didn't mind Akatsuki's confusion and explained, "This is Oike Street, the best and widest street in Kyoto. There is no doubt that those who can have a building in this area are the best companies in Kyoto."
While Akatsuki might not be as smart as Mizuto, she thought of something and asked, "Then, in the future, you want to work for those companies?"
He only smiled and didn't say anything.
Akatsuki pouted and felt that this guy loved to pretend to be mysterious, which made her teeth itch, wishing to bite his face somehow, but—
"Irido-kun, try not to smile in front of others in the future."
"Huh? Why?"
"I am afraid that you might be raped by women in the future."
"...it isn't so serious, right?"
However, when he looked at Akatsuki's face, she only smiled and said nothing. Still, her actions made him speechless. "Is this a payback?"
"Haha..." Akatsuki laughed.
"How about we have dinner now? I am a bit hungry after a long trip."
"Huh? Here? Are you sure?"
"Why not?"
"I mean... having dinner in this place is probably expensive, right?"
Unlike when they had dinner near the driving school or Akatsuki's home since those places were rather cheap, so even if he treated her, she thought that it wouldn't trouble her, but here it was different.
This was the best street in Kyoto, and naturally, the consumption was high, right?
"Not really. There are many salarymen in this place. While some might have a high salary, some don't have much. While it is true that there might be some expensive restaurants, which are aimed at a certain market, like an expensive date dinner for a lover and other important events such as welcoming an important client or other things, there is naturally a cheap restaurant. If not, those salarymen might not be able to feed their family."
"...if you say it like that, it is true."
She was probably slightly intimidated by the luxury and glamour of this street, so she was a bit hesitant to eat in this area, especially when she was reluctant to buy something expensive to eat, but when she heard Mizuto's words, she felt she was more confident to walk on this street.
"But, really, since I decided to bring you to this place, you don't have to worry about those other things. I am your man; after all, I want to appear cool in front of my woman, okay?"
She smiled sweetly when she heard his words, lightly bumped his arm, and then advised, "We're high school students. You don't need to act like that."
"It's because we're high school students that we should try those expensive restaurants."
"Huh? Why?"
"In the future, we will be working. We will have our own money. By then, if we want to go there, it will be easier, and we will lose the specialness that comes from coming to such a place."
"...it's not like I don't understand, but don't force yourselves, okay?"
While she was happy with his effort, she didn't want him to force himself.
"What you see is only about what I want to see you, Minami-san."
"Huh? What do you mean? Where did those cool lines come from? Is it an anime?"
"It's an original quote from me."
"...." Akatsuki.
"Come on. Let's have dinner. I am famished."
Shaking his head, Mizuto felt a shallow being as they were unable to see the greatness behind his quote.
"Are we going to eat?"
"Let's be wild."
"Wild?"
"Have you tried Mexican food?"
"Hmm?"
He didn't mind her reaction and brought her to the nearby Mexican restaurant that he found on the recommendation. Originally, he might have come wishing to see his building, but since he was there, he might as well have tried to eat in the nearby restaurant.
While Oike Street might be mostly filled with offices from famous companies in Kyoto, it is also connected to the most popular shopping district area, Kawaramachi Street.
There were many things on this street, from famous luxury brands to a drinking bar.
The night was lively, and it had never been quiet, which was a scenery that was hard to see in Kyoto since most streets would become quiet when the night came.
Frankly, this wasn't his first time being here as he also came to this street to sell an antic. At the same time, he thought about how prestigious the status of the antic shop was as the shop was located in this area. Still, unlike before, he wore his uniform, and it was definitely a dangerous thing to do since that manager in training might see him and realize that he was a high school student. Nevertheless, it didn't matter since the transaction had happened, and since the manager didn't notice his status, the manager was also partly at fault.
At this moment, to maintain the reputation of the shop, Mizuto could imagine that the manager in training, Kiyotaka Yagashira, would pretend that they were a stranger. Yet, when he thought about Kiyotaka's nickname "Holmes," he also felt that the guy might do something stupid by confronting him.
Still, as he walked, he noticed Akatsuki's eyes were drawn to a certain clothing store. He didn't say anything and just followed her gaze as he noticed a cute yellow Adidas tracksuit. "Do you want that?"
Akatsuki was startled and quickly said, "No, no! I am just looking! Anyway, let's go eat! I am hungry!"
"If you want to buy it, then let's buy it. I also want to buy a sweatshirt."
"Huh? Why?"
"It's because we appear to stick out with our uniform. I don't want to be called by the teacher anymore." Still, his expression was quite subtle when he said the last words.
"We can just take off our blazer, right?"
Mizuto looked at Akatsuki and knew that this was the politeness of a woman. She might say that she didn't want it, but the fact that her eyes drew into that yellow tracksuit didn't change.
"Look, Minami-san. I can't be for you alone, so let me compensate you with something."
"But I am satisfied as long as I am with you."
"But I am not satisfied if I don't do anything for you. Just be obedient and let me buy that for you."
Holding her hand, he brought her to the shop and told the shop assistant that he was going to buy the yellow Adidas tracksuit for Akatsuki and a black Adidas pullover for himself.
Watching how decisive he was, Akatsuki felt helpless since no matter how she said that she didn't need the clothes bought by him, he kept buying them for her, but she would be lying if she didn't feel happy. "You know... if you keep treating me like this, instead of being a lover, you might become my sugar papa."
"Sugar papa..." Mizuto fell in silence, then said, "That has a nice ring."
"..." Akatsuki.
"Try to call me Papa, then." Mizuto looked at Akatsuki with anticipation.
"...huh? Are you serious?"
"Anyway, I have bought you something. It isn't fair if you don't give me something in return, right?"
"But even so, there is still a limit! How can I call you that?!"
They were lovers, and he wasn't her Papa!
How could she call him that?!
Moreover, she felt like she might lose something within her if she really called him a Papa.
"Hmm... so this is how it is, huh? You often say fairness between us, but when I ask you for fairness, you try to dodge."
Guilt trip.
This is a technique used to manipulate other people by preying on their emotions and feelings of guilt or responsibility.
Like Akatsuki, who had read psychological knowledge, Mizuto also knew one or two.
Akatsuki's lips twitched, feeling a little guilty and ashamed. She lowered her head before looking at him with reddened eyes and calling him quietly, "Pa... Papa..."
"..." Mizuto.
"Why didn't you say anything?!" Akatsuki felt so embarrassed at this moment, and even worse, this guy who wished to be called that way fell into silence, which made the situation even more awkward.
"It feels weird to be called "Papa" by a girl of the same age, but I don't hate it at all. I almost have an erection."
"Pervert!" Akatsuki blushed as she admonished him, but somehow, she felt better, and the two went out to have dinner together after they took off their blazers, changing them onto the tracksuit and pullover that he had bought.
"Papa, come eat~!"
Looking at Akatsuki, who tried to feed him as she called him a "Papa," Mizuto wondered whether he had broken her, but he didn't mind it since she was cute. Still, he could see that the others were staring at them weirdly, considering how they called each other.
"Thank you, Minami-san."
"...."
Watching how eased and calm Mizuto was when she called him a "Papa," while she was so embarrassed that she felt almost dying, Akatsuki sighed helplessly, thinking that this guy was shameless, but she didn't hate him at all since it was fun.
Their dinner was great as they ate tacos, an ajillo with a spicy sauce, and also a fresh Limonada. They even had a traditional dessert, Crema Catalana, and enjoyed their time together before they went out after they finished their meal.
Mizuto thought that they should go back since it was quite late, but—
"Irido-kun, can we walk for a bit?"
"Where?"
"Kamo River."
"Sure."
Hearing her request, he also didn't mind accompanying her for a while.
Kawaramachi Street is located near the Kamo River, the most popular river among the residents and tourists that come to Kyoto. Whatever the time was, the riverbanks are popular spots, especially for lovers.
Walking side by side, he could hear the sound of the river flowing and felt so relaxed as he had escaped from the massive crowd of Kyoto. Still, he had to say that he liked the night since his appearance wasn't so noticeable during the night, so there weren't many who came to approach him. Well, partly because Akatsuki was by his side, such a problem was lowered, though she often got into a fight due to being mistaken as his little sister.
"The sakura is still blooming, huh?"
As they walked, he noticed the pink cherry blossom that gave a gentle color to the surrounding scenery. They were like pink-colored fireflies, he thought.
"It isn't the peak time, though."
"Even so, we're lucky, right?"
"You are right."
Enjoying the quiet night, they only walked, enjoying each other's presence. They might not say much, but sometimes, there was no need for a conversation when one was together. This quiet warmth, knowing that their partner was by their side, was the reason why everyone enjoyed a relationship.
Yet, while he was calm, Akatsuki couldn't take her eyes off him, wishing the time to stop so they could be together forever.
Still, they couldn't be like those lovers who sat on the riverbank, staying until midnight, especially when they were just a student and needed to go to school, so when he felt it was time, he sent her back to her home.
After kissing her lips, which tasted sweet for some reason, he decided to go home. "Then, Minami-san, I will go back first." However, when he was about to leave, his wrist was grasped tightly like before, which made his heart beat hard for some reason.
"Minami-san?"
"...Irido-kun, do you want to stay tonight?"
At this moment, Mizuto didn't expect that a simple date on the river with this girl would give him such a result.
---
Note:
I plan to go somewhere, so early chapter.
Nevertheless, there are so many words in these two chapters.
By the way, there are a total of 30 advanced chapters for "My Stepsister in Kyoto"!
You can check the link below:
https://www.patreón.com/akikan40