"Brother (Onii-san), are you waiting for someone? If not, do you want to come with us?"
Fish. They really talked to him.
Hayato… froze on the spot.
These girls looked like high school students just like him, but—holy cow—was he actually being picked on? This had never happened to him before, and his brain blanked out. What was he even supposed to say?
Technically, he was much older than them, but right now, standing in the middle of three girls eyeing him with playful curiosity, he didn't feel older. If anything… he felt like a helpless little guy—a shota—trapped in their grasp.
He couldn't just ignore them, even if he wanted to. Taking a deep breath, he raised his head, suppressing his nervousness as he prepared to respond.
But he didn't had to.
Because she came—his savior.
"Sorry for keeping you waiting."
She wasn't actually late. If anything, Hayato was the one who had arrived early. But in this situation, her timing was nothing short of perfect.
She was breathtaking.
Dressed in a full-sleeve white formal blouse, the fabric hugged her figure with an effortless elegance, while a warm chocolate brown long bowtie draped gracefully at her collar, adding a touch of refined charm. Her light coffee brown long skirt cascaded smoothly down, its gentle sway with each step exuding an air of quiet sophistication. Draped over her shoulders, a short, slim coat in the same coffee brown shade rested effortlessly, as if she had just stepped out of a high-class fashion magazine.
Her black heels clicked softly against the pavement, adding a rhythmic confidence to her approach. And despite all the meticulous detailing of her attire, she had kept her hair just as it always was—natural, yet effortlessly perfect.
Her entire ensemble was a symphony of white and brown, a seemingly simple palette that, on her, felt like a masterstroke of elegance. It complemented not just her appearance but her very essence.
"If you'll excuse us."
With those words, she gracefully took Hayato's hand and led him away, her movements smooth and unwavering. He didn't resist—he simply followed, his gaze fixed on her back.
His crimson eyes shimmered with admiration, a single thought echoing in his mind.
'So cool…'
After walking a fair distance away, Hayato suddenly came to a stop, causing Yua to halt as well. Before she could ask why, he reached out, gently but firmly taking her hand between both of his.
Then, with utmost sincerity, he raised it in front of his face, his crimson eyes filled with gratitude.
"Thank you for saving me from that situation."
Yuka tilted her head slightly, "Don't you think the roles have reversed a bit? What are you, a little girl?"
"That's not it!" Hayato protested, his face flushing slightly with embarrassment. "I told you, I'm awkward with girls! I can't talk to them under normal circumstances."
Yuka raised an eyebrow, "But you can talk to me and Mrs. Kojima just fine. Do you think we're not girls?"
Hayato let out a sigh, his tone casual. "I can talk normally to you guys because to me, you're special."
He didn't think much of it, just speaking his thoughts out loud. But to Yuka, those words struck a different chord. She felt happy, yet mix with it was a hint of displeasure.
Though Misaki had called it a date, Hayato wasn't so sure about that. To him, this was just hanging out with Yuka—nothing more, nothing less, she probably thinking the same.
Out of all the places Misaki had suggested, he had only chosen two. There was no need to rush through everything in one day. The rest could wait... for next time.
For their first destination, Hayato had chosen a science museum—something he figured Yuka would probably like.
The museum was significantly large, and taking their time to check out each exhibit one by one turned into an hours-long exploration.
Hayato was glad to see Yuka so engaged, her eyes lighting up with curiosity as she admired various inventions. Although he wasn't particularly into science himself, he had to admit—seeing everything up close like this made it really interesting.
The museum offered plenty of fun activities, but the ones they enjoyed the most were the Holographic Planetarium, the Robot Interaction Zone, and the Earthquake Simulation Room.
The Holographic Planetarium was an enormous room that perfectly mimicked the galaxy, allowing them to explore the vastness of space in breathtaking detail. Stars, planets, and celestial bodies surrounded them in a mesmerizing 360-degree display, their exact positions mapped with stunning accuracy.
Hayato was amazed to discover planets he hadn't even known existed, while Yuka excitedly pointed out familiar ones alongside many she had never seen before. It was an awe-inspiring experience, making them feel as if they were drifting through the cosmos itself.
The Robot Interaction Zone was a fascinating space filled with advanced AI, humanoid robots, and even robotic pets. The technology on display was nothing short of impressive, with robots capable of holding conversations, responding to emotions, and performing various tasks with remarkable precision.
Visitors could interact with them, ask questions, or even request small services—like having a robot make them a freshly brewed cup of coffee. Watching the machines mimic human behavior so seamlessly was both exciting and a little surreal, making the experience feel like a glimpse into the future.
As for the Earthquake Simulation Room, it was exactly what the name suggested—a fully immersive experience designed to simulate earthquakes of varying magnitudes.
The room allowed them to feel the tremors of different types of earthquakes, each escalating in intensity. As the simulation progressed, they also learned about how their country Japan—well-known for facing earthquakes and tsunamis—have developed technologies to combat these natural disasters. It was both educational and thrilling.
During the simulation, everyone was seated with safety belts securely fastened as a precaution. At first, the tremors were mild, making the experience almost enjoyable. But as the intensity increased, things took a dangerous turn—Yuka's safety belt suddenly came undone.
Whether it was due to her not locking it properly or a defect in the belt itself, it didn't matter. The moment the violent shaking threatened to throw her off balance, Hayato reacted swiftly.
With quick reflexes, he caught her just in time, pulling her onto his lap. Wrapping his arms firmly around her waist, he crossed them in front of her belly, holding her close to keep her safe.
This was for her safety, okay? She could have gotten seriously hurt if he hadn't caught her in time. That was the only reason he had her securely in his arms.
But with the intense shaking of the simulation, Yuka was particularly bouncing on his lap. And despite his best efforts to focus on anything else, it took every ounce of his willpower to not have a certain… reaction.
It was certainly an incredibly embarrassing moment for both of them. The awkwardness hung thick in the air, but to Hayato's relief, Yuka was a reasonable girl—she didn't call him out for that.
Though neither of them said it out loud, they both silently came to the same conclusion: To pretend this never happened.
With lunchtime approaching, Hayato took Yuka to a nice restaurant, one that had a warm yet elegant ambiance. As they settled in, he casually told her to order anything she wanted—because he was paying.
Yuka, however, hesitated. "Are you sure? I can pay for my share." Her concern was evident, and she even insisted on splitting the bill.
But Hayato simply waved it off with a reassuring smile. "Don't worry about it. You could say I won some kind of lottery."
As they stepped out of the restaurant, Yuka turned to him with curiosity. "Where are we going next?"
Hayato smiled at her question, a hint of playfulness in his expression. Instead of answering directly, he asked in return, "Where do you want to go?"
Yuka tilted her head slightly. "Me?"
"Yes," Hayato confirmed with a nod. "Isn't there a place you've always wanted to go but never had the chance? This might be a good opportunity."
That had been his plan from the start—first, a place of his choice, and now, a place of hers. While he had a good idea of places she might enjoy, he wanted her to choose.
Yuka thought for a moment before finally saying, "Then... there is a place."
The place she wanted to go was… a book café. That was so like her.
"Sorry, this might be a boring place for you," she said, her voice tinged with apology.
Hayato glanced up from the book he had picked—a title on financial management—and offered her a reassuring smile. "That might be true to some extent, but it's always exciting to learn new things. Don't worry about me. I'm not hating this place; it's really quiet and peaceful."
He paused for a moment before adding, "And it seems you really wanted to visit this place."
Yuka nodded eagerly. "I've only seen it online, and I've always wanted to come at least once. The atmosphere is similar to a library, but it has a different feel to it."
Hayato didn't fully understand all of what she said, but it didn't matter. As long as she liked it, that was enough for him.