"By the way, do we have a specific place we're going today?"
Walking out of school with Chihaya Anon, Kamigawa Saku asked the most critical question.
"Hmm... actually, I don't really have anywhere in mind."
Chihaya Anon tilted her head slightly as she replied casually.
"So what are we doing now? Just wandering aimlessly?"
"Pretty much."
After answering, Chihaya Anon pretended to pout and said, "Didn't I already say in my message that we'd just find a random place to hang out?"
"So why are you still asking me this kind of question now?"
"I thought that was just a placeholder excuse because you hadn't decided where to go yet," Kamigawa Saku explained.
She was the one who asked him out today. If she didn't even have a plan for where to go, wouldn't that be a bit odd?
That's why he couldn't help but feel puzzled.
"Well, I really was just planning to wander around with you."
Chihaya Anon tilted her head again, speaking with absolute seriousness.
"Of course, if we could find somewhere interesting along the way, that would be even better."
"So you mean, see if we can stumble upon some fun places while wandering?"
Kamigawa Saku rephrased her words into a more straightforward interpretation.
"...Sure, if that's how you want to see it."
Chihaya Anon didn't bother to refute his interpretation.
"Are there other ways to understand it?" Kamigawa Saku asked curiously.
"Of course! For example, you could decide on a place for us to go—preferably somewhere fun."
Chihaya Anon chuckled lightly as she spoke.
"You want me to decide?" Kamigawa Saku raised an eyebrow.
"Yep! I really can't think of anywhere to go myself."
Chihaya Anon looked genuinely troubled.
"But don't you often go out with your friends? How can you not know where to go?"
Kamigawa Saku found it hard to believe.
If someone like Gotoh Hitori, a textbook introvert, had said this, he would have believed it.
But hearing it from a social butterfly like Chihaya Anon? Not so much.
"It's because I often go out with friends that I've run out of places to go! I've already been to all the fun or must-visit spots nearby."
As she spoke, Chihaya Anon pulled out her phone.
"Wanna see some pictures? We've taken a ton at those places."
"That won't be necessary."
Kamigawa Saku quickly declined.
"Basically, I can't think of any new places to go either, so I could only suggest wandering around randomly." Chihaya Anon passed the responsibility onto him. "I'll leave it to you to come up with somewhere fun."
"But now that you've asked, I can't think of anywhere interesting either."
Kamigawa Saku pondered seriously for a moment, but no ideas came to mind.
"Really? You're not joking?"
"Of course not."
He nodded and then added, "Why would you think I could come up with fun places for us to go?"
"Because you're an Instagram food blogger! You must know tons of cool spots."
Chihaya Anon stated matter-of-factly.
"It's true I'm a food blogger, but the places I know are limited to restaurants and cafes."
Kamigawa Saku explained, but then something dawned on him.
"Wait, didn't we talk about this before? I think I said something similar to you back then."
"That was ages ago," Chihaya Anon admitted with a laugh. "I thought after all this time, you'd know more fun places by now."
"Well, there are only so many options. Even if I rack my brain, I can't come up with anything novel."
He did know some places suitable for casual outings, like aquariums or planetariums.
But those weren't exactly thrilling.
Mostly because he'd already been to those places before. Going again would lack excitement.
"I see."
Chihaya Anon nodded in agreement before suggesting, "In that case, let's just wander around, or maybe..."
"Or what?"
Seeing her pause dramatically, Kamigawa Saku played along and urged her on.
"Or maybe fulfill a small wish of mine," Chihaya Anon said shyly.
"What kind of wish?"
Now he was intrigued.
If it was really a small wish, as she claimed, he didn't mind helping out.
After all, this seemed like a surefire way to earn some goodwill.
No reason to refuse.
"I want to see how you work."
Chihaya Anon finally revealed her wish.
"You mean... my work?"
"Exactly."
She nodded lightly.
"Why would you want to see me work? And why does that count as a wish?" Kamigawa Saku couldn't help but complain.
"You know how people say guys look really cool when they're focused on their work?"
Chihaya Anon explained casually. "And in TV dramas, the female lead often falls for the male lead after seeing him seriously doing something."
"Well, that is a common trope."
Her words immediately raised Kamigawa Saku's guard.
Was she hinting at something?
But if this was a hint, wasn't it a bit too obvious?
"So, I'm curious about what you're like when you're working seriously."
Chihaya Anon paused before adding, "And I'm also curious about what a big-time Instagrammer with 630,000 followers does during store visits."
"These two combined make up your little wish?"
Now Kamigawa Saku understood.
"Pretty much," Chihaya Anon replied, her eyes filled with anticipation. "So, can I?"
"Let me say this first—you better not have any grand expectations. Even if I'm serious about my work, it's just me seriously eating food. That's not cool at all."
After a brief hesitation, Kamigawa Saku didn't reject her request.
It was just letting her tag along to a cafe or restaurant. No big deal.
As for whether her suggestion was a hint?
He preferred to believe she was joking.
He had learned his lesson from overthinking before.
There was no way Chihaya Anon would make such an obvious move.
Besides, she hadn't shown any signs of liking him before.
The best proof? He couldn't even remember the last time they hung out alone.
If she liked him, would she really have gone so long without making a move?
So, her explanation about being curious made more sense than any hidden implications.
"Don't worry. I'm not bothered by that at all," Chihaya Anon answered without hesitation.
"And just so you know, watching me work is really not exciting. It's just finding a place to eat."
"To me, just watching you work is exciting!"
Before Kamigawa Saku could question her further, Chihaya Anon quickly added, "I've never seen you work, so no matter what, I'll find it interesting."
"Alright, just don't expect too much," he emphasized once again.
"I won't."
Chihaya Anon smiled as she agreed.
"Then I'll just follow you. Wherever you go, I'll go."
"No, actually, my method of finding places is pretty much what we're doing now—just wandering aimlessly."
Kamigawa Saku began explaining seriously. "The only difference is, while wandering, I keep an eye on the shops along the way. If I spot a cafe or restaurant I haven't been to, I go in and check it out."
Chihaya Anon teased, "So, technically, you've been working this whole time?"
"Well, if you put it that way."
Kamigawa Saku laughed, admitting it outright.
"Then you've been working so hard!"
"It's not so bad."
---
At a Certain Café
"This is the photo-taking session that you'll post on Instagram?"
Chihaya Anon watched Kamigawa Saku, who sat across from her, engrossed in snapping pictures of the desserts with his phone. Her expression was filled with curiosity.
"That's right."
After finishing, Kamigawa Saku began reviewing the photos he had just taken.
"So, your photography skills must be really impressive?"
Chihaya Anon's thoughts quickly drifted in another direction.
"They're decent. I've self-taught myself a bit of photography," Kamigawa Saku replied modestly.
"Then could you teach me?"
"Teach you?"
Kamigawa Saku looked up from his phone, slightly surprised.
"Yeah! I really enjoy taking pictures."
Chihaya Anon took out her phone, opened her gallery, and showed it to him.
"It's just that, unlike you, I've never formally learned photography. I've always just gone with my instincts."
"I don't mind teaching you, but you shouldn't expect me to turn you into some expert. Even I haven't mastered photography that well."
Kamigawa Saku glanced at the photos on her phone, then added his usual disclaimer.
Girls often loved taking photos, especially outgoing ones like Chihaya Anon or Kita Ikuyo. Her interest in learning from him wasn't surprising.
Besides, agreeing to teach her would give him an excuse to interact with her regularly—a win in his book.
After all, it wouldn't take up much of his time to teach her occasionally.
"Don't worry about that. As long as you're willing to teach me, that's enough."
Chihaya Anon brushed off his concerns without hesitation.
The reason was simple. Learning photography wasn't as important as having him teach her in person.
"Alright."
Kamigawa Saku nodded, clearly pleased by her response.
With the photos taken, the next step was to enjoy the desserts.
"Just as you said, you're really just eating food."
As Kamigawa Saku tried each dessert in turn, Chihaya Anon shared her impression during one of the breaks.
Pausing mid-bite, Kamigawa Saku sighed, "Exactly. That's why I warned you repeatedly—watching me work isn't exciting."
"Still, even if you're just eating seriously, it's very cool," Chihaya Anon remarked, making her point clear.
"That compliment feels a bit odd."
Kamigawa Saku couldn't help but comment on how peculiar her words sounded.
It gave him the impression of parents praising their child no matter what they did.
"I'm just being honest."
Chihaya Anon shrugged before mimicking his approach and seriously tasting the café's desserts herself.
"Just as I imagined, even when you're simply eating, you still look incredibly pretty."
Before she could offer her feedback, Kamigawa Saku preemptively complimented her.
"...I think I understand how you felt just now."
Chihaya Anon set down her fork, her cheeks tinged with a faint blush.
"I already told you, compliments like that are weird." Kamigawa Saku sighed softly.
Chihaya Anon, looking a bit flustered, asked, "Wait, did you say that on purpose to make me feel what you did earlier?"
"Partially." Kamigawa Saku nodded.
"And the other part?" Chihaya Anon pressed curiously.
"Like you said—I'm just being honest."
Kamigawa Saku calmly repeated her earlier words.
"Huh?!"
Chihaya Anon froze for a moment. Her face turned even redder as she averted her gaze. "Then... can I interpret that as you truly think I'm pretty?"
"Of course."
Kamigawa Saku had already noticed the atmosphere shifting, but he chose to answer truthfully.
After all, he couldn't just lie and say Chihaya Anon wasn't attractive, could he?
Facts were facts. There was no denying them.
"T-thank you."
Mumbling her thanks, Chihaya Anon, trying to mask her embarrassment, picked up her coffee and took a small sip.
But for some reason, even though it was coffee, she could still taste a hint of sweetness.
Did I accidentally add too much sugar earlier?