Haruto stood under the tree, waiting for Miku.
Waiting for someone can be really boring. Anyone who has ever experienced it can surely relate.
At times like these, it's best to find something to do.
For instance, having a cup of coffee at a nearby café, reading for a bit at a bookstore, or even counting ants under the tree.
Since he didn't have to wait long, Haruto didn't go for coffee or anything but instead chose to take out his phone.
In modern society, the "head-down" situation among young people is a big issue.
In short, you can't live without your phone.
Whether you're on the bus, taking the subway, walking, or even eating, your phone is always in your hand.
Then, you ignore everything around you and immerse yourself in the world of your phone.
Jokes, short videos, dramas, comics, games, novels, etc., there's always something that keeps you from looking away.
This actually brings a lot of uncertainty to transportation issues, so don't mess with your phone while walking!
Even if Haruto didn't watch the road, he wouldn't bump into anyone.
Of course, he wouldn't mess with his phone while walking. It's not only irresponsible to himself but also to others.
Before long, Haruto felt his clothes being gently tugged.
He turned around to see Miku, dressed in her Sobu High School uniform, with long hair, a side fringe covering her right eye, and headphones around her neck, staring straight ahead seriously.
But her hand was outstretched, gently poking him.
Haruto's mouth twitched.
Seeing him looking at her, Miku whispered, "Come over here..."
After leaving the train station, Miku sighed and stood in front of a vending machine, taking out her wallet and buying two bottles of matcha soda.
Handing one of the bottles to Haruto, Miku looked away, "This matter has to be kept secret from Ichika and the others. This is a thank-you gift."
Haruto took the matcha soda and said casually, "Let's go! What are we going to buy?"
Miku looked away, "I'm not telling you."
Because she saw on her phone that the nearest mall was selling limited edition commander figurines in the gashapon machines today, and it was also a special gender-bender version of Kenshin. The male-to-female transformation version is a special limited edition.
The figure obtained from a gashapon machine is entirely different from buying it from someone else.
Therefore, Miku didn't want to miss this opportunity.
However, she didn't want to say anything about her interest in history and military commanders.
Because that would be embarrassing.
Other girls her age like pretty clothes, cosmetics, idols, etc., but she liked history and bearded old men.
Haruto didn't care.
Everyone has their own privacy or secrets. Since Miku didn't want to talk about it, he wouldn't pry.
But this is the way home, right?
Haruto looked at Miku and thought for a moment without asking. Could it be that the place Miku wanted to go was over there?
If it were over there, except for the next town, there wouldn't be any shopping malls at all!
Because Miku didn't know the way, don't lead!
Sensing Haruto's gaze, Miku felt embarrassed as if the secret in her heart had been exposed.
Miku puffed her cheeks and glared at him, "Kuromori, you're being reckless, don't look at me!"
Haruto raised his eyebrows, "Miku, please tell me where you want to go."
"The shopping mall."
There's only one place that could be called a shopping mall in Chiba City!
'This Miku doesn't know where the shopping mall is! I knew it would turn out like this.'
Haruto covered his forehead and said, "Miku, did you go the wrong way?"
Miku was slightly surprised, then her beautiful face flushed at a speed visible to the naked eye, and her cheeks puffed up like a hamster stuffed with twenty or thirty sunflower seeds, looking really cute.
"Guilty!"
"Don't ever think about it. Just give up. No way I'm doing seppuku!"
"Ugh~ oppression."
"Who's oppressing you! You clearly wanted to lead, but you took the wrong path."
Miku puffed her cheeks and stared at him.
Haruto raised his hands, "Okay, it's all my fault. I misunderstood Miku-sama. It's all my fault for not reminding Miku-sama in time. I'll write a review when I get back."
"…Oppressing me."
❀❀❀
On the other side, Yuigahama's eyes suddenly lit up, and she quickly pulled Yukino, saying excitedly, "Yukino-chan, look, it's Kuromori-kun."
"Mm."
Yukino's eyes shifted slightly and focused on the girl who was half a step behind Haruto.
"Huh? Is that Miku?"
Yuigahama was about to run over, but after noticing the girl behind Haruto, she immediately stopped and muttered, "After school, they're together… Is this a date?"
Yukino calmly said from the side, "Not necessarily. If it were a date, the two of them would be holding hands, and the distance between them doesn't seem too close."
Seeing Yuigahama staring at her without blinking, Yukino pursed her lips and said, "What is it?"
"Hmm~"
Yuigahama placed her finger on her lips and looked at her without blinking, "Yukino-chan seems very experienced. Have you ever dated another guy?"
"Never."
"Huh? What a pity." Yuigahama looked disappointed, but then she smiled and said, "Even though you haven't, surely there's a guy you like, right?"
Yukino thought seriously for a moment, then shook her head and said, "No."
Liking someone means you'll miss them, want to be with them, and want to see them all the time.
But now, she didn't feel that way.
Yuigahama blinked, "How about someone you care about?"
Yukino pursed her lips and said calmly, "No."
"That's enough, don't ask any more questions."
Yukino glanced at Haruto's back, then looked away and said, "Let's go."
"Oh… But it's outrageous. He didn't come to see Shouko-chan with us, but he ends up going on a date with another girl."
Yuigahama bit her cherry lips and puffed her cheeks in displeasure, "I'm mad."
Then what? Interrupt their date? That would only make people upset!