Ch. 1 - Episode 1 p11 - It seems that a shuraba would be an unavoidable event

<b>It seems that a shuraba would be an unavoidable event</b>

“Ah, senpai! I’m here!”

“I know, I know. Sorry to keep you waiting.”

“I wasn’t really waiting for that long. Let’s go.”

I arrived at the meeting location that I had promised with Lala. I found her quickly and then immediately headed for school.

Today, Lala seemed to be in a good mood, a big smile plastered on her face from the start. A while ago, when she saw me, she started waving her hands around, showing off her presence without a care in the world.

I think something good must’ve happened to her.

“Oh, by the way, senpai. Have you decided yet?”

She asked me with a devilish smile on her face.

“The heartbreak date, right? Didn’t we already decide on that?”

“It’s a great honor to be asked by senpai, you know? By the way, it’s my first date. That adds a lot of value to it. I’ll have the rest of senpai’s life…”

“No, how much? My life is too cheap for that! But, considering how beautiful Lala is, shouldn’t you have been asked out before? It’s surprising that this is your first time.”

“I have been asked out before, but I don’t want to go on a date with some rando. I want to go out with someone I care about.”

As a man, it was natural for me to get nervous when I saw Lala saying this with the expression of a maiden in love.

What is this, a confession? Or is it the usual teasing? I don’t know about this anymore; I really don’t!

As I was in a daze, Lala made a further attack on me.

“In other words, I’m saying senpai is good enough to steal my first date, you know?”

“…Are you joking about that?”

“…I’ll leave it to senpai’s own judgement.”

Lala said with a mischievous smile. Ah, I could almost smell the existence of the little devil within her.

I’m a first-class appraiser for devilish juniors; I know what I’m talking about. This is a complete tease. If I took her seriously, she would say, “Heehee! You’re actually taking me seriously, senpai!” or something along those lines. I’m sure she’ll make fun of me.

That was close. I almost thought she had feelings for me. I was about to confirm it with her.

High school boys are always thinking, “This girl likes me, doesn’t she?” Even if they can’t find a particular reason why, they always try to convince themselves that the girl likes them. This is a devilish act that takes advantage of that nature.

I’ve stepped in on behalf of all the high school boys out there!　Well done, me.

“So, about the heartbreak date… I’ve actually never been on a date either.”

“I-I know that just by looking at you.”

“Hey, that’s rude!”

“I’m sorry.”

I’m sure that she’s not actually apologizing.

When she stuck out her tongue, I deemed her a war criminal. Policeman! This is the girl who plays around with boys’ hearts around the world!

“Well, it can’t be helped. Can I decide on the location of the date on my own?”

“Yeah, please do.”

“I’ll give you the details later.”

“Mhm.”

When I first met her, I never thought… that I’d be able to go on a date with her.

It’s not like we have romantic feelings for each other; it’s just that we enjoy each other’s company… Can a date exist between us?

Wait, just because Lala says she will go on the date, it doesn’t mean that she herself is heartbroken.

I’m sure it’s meant for teasing me… Well, let’s not think too much about it.

I came to that conclusion and decided to enjoy it to its fullest.

Walking next to me, Lala was looking at the screen of her phone, “I won’t be able to tease my senpai here,” she muttered, thinking about a tentative plan for her heartbreak date.

I knew it, she really is trying to tease me! I wonder if I should bring some medicine for my stomach. Or maybe I’ll just watch some cute cat videos the night before…

As I was pondering about what to do, I heard a familiar voice from behind me.

“Good morning, Ritsu.”

I was surprised by the voice… but not the casual greeting.

It’s…

“This is Ritsu’s junior, right? Hi there, I’m Ritsu’s childhood friend! I’m Momiji Karen.”

It’s the childhood friend that I had turned down to go to school in the morning.

“M-Momiji-senpai?! …I think you’re overemphasizing the fact that you’re childhood friends…”

Lala was surprised by Karen’s presence.

I was so taken aback that I couldn’t speak either.

In contrast to us, my childhood friend, Karen, had a smile on her face.

It’s the perfect smile that she had always had.

However, her hair was shaggy, and she was out of breath.

She looks as if she just left the house in a hurry…

Ah, so that’s what it is.