After successfully arranging a date with Saito, Tanaka consults his advisor, Hiiragi, about the plan. Tanaka, who got the approval for his date plan, is looking forward to the date yet didnāt realize her declaration of [Be aggressive] on that day.
It was Ichinose who asked me in a classroom, lowering the volume of his voice a little. He looked at me with a somewhat expectant glint in his eyes.
[Ahh, I succeeded in asking her out. She readily agreed]
[I see, Iām glad to hear that. So, you talked to Hiiragi-san about the date already, right?]
[Well, she gave me a lot of inputs and advice]
[Well, what did she say?]
[She said she didnāt have a problem with the date plan]
[Oh, thatās great]
[Yeah. She looked a little awkward when we talked about the details though]
After all, as a girl, she probably felt a little uncomfortable about things like flirting with other people. Remembering the slightly embarrassed Hiiragi-san when she gave me advice, Ichinose nodded his head in agreement.
[Well, I suppose she would be]
[Also, she left me with a warning, I think]
[A warning?]
[She said that just like Iām trying to go on the attack on this date, I might be the one getting attacked, so I should watch out] (TN: Attack is aggressive, just so weāre clear)
[Heee, Hiiragi-san said that?]
Ichinose opened his eyes as if he was a little surprised. I guess he canāt imagine Saito being as aggressive as I am.
[Yeah, I canāt see that Saito acting aggressively, in my opinion]
[Well, yes, butā¦. Since Hiiragi-san told you that, shouldnāt you at least be prepared for something of the sort?]
Somewhat happily, Ichinose gave me a small smirk.
[Well, itās Hiiragi-sanās warning, so Iāll take it to heart]
[Yeah, you should]
The fact that Hiiragi-san went to the trouble of warning me must mean that as a girl, she has some insight about it. I decided to keep it in one corner of my mind.
Talking to a third party like this again, I began to realize I was going on a date with Saito. She accepted my invitation because she trusted me, and Iām guessing that she also likes me as a member of the opposite sex.
I know for a fact how rare and gratifying that is. Thatās why, on this date, I want to lead herĀ well and show her my manly side. But I was curious about one thing, and for this reason I decided to ask about it.
[Hey, if Iām going on a date, I should dress well, right?]
[Ah, you mean, should you dress like you do at your part-time job? Iām sure Saito-san would be happier with the cooler look, and wouldnāt that be better?]
I knew it. Saito asked me once before when I didnāt dress more fashionably when we went toĀ Hatsumode.Ā At the time, I refused because of the possibility that Saito would find out I was working part-time, but as of now, I could believe that if she did find out, she would keep quiet. So thereās no problem if I went out dressed like that.
[I see, in that case. Letās try it out. Iām sure sheāll be surprised to see something sheās never seen before]
[For the first time, huh. Well, Iām sure she will]
Ichinose seemed to freeze for a moment, then narrowed his eyes and smiled loosely.
[I hope so]
[I think sheāll be more pleased with the way you look in your disguise, and I think itās better that way. And at least with that look, people around you wonāt associate you with Tanaka, so Tanaka wonāt be a subject of rumors]
[Is that so? You noticed me like, right away though?]
When Ichinose came to my part-time job, this guy figured out who I was even though we were barely in contact. So I thought my disguise wasnāt working surprisingly wellā¦
[Well, Iām an observative person. Itās easy for me to notice that kind of thing. Besides, thereās a hint on your nameplate. Without it, I donāt think a normal person wouldāve realized that Tanaka in that outfit at his part-time job and the Tanaka at school are the same person]
There was no reason to go to the trouble of lying, and if Ichinose went so far as to say so, it must be true. And if itās true, even if the rumor about Saito going out with a guy spreads at school, the risk of the guy finding out it was me will be reduced. In that sense, I can kill two birds with one stone.
[ā¦I see, then I guess Iāll dress up like I do for my part-time job]
[Yeah, do that. I guess Saito-san would be surprised]
[First of all, though, thereās a good chance she wonāt recognize me at all]
[ā¦.I know, I know. But, if you talk to her, sheāll know itās you, wonāt she?]
[But Iāll have to be very careful with my words first]
[Thatās true. Well, Iām sure youāll eventually figure it out]
Itās easy to imagine the cold look on her eyes the moment I spoke to her, and brought a wry smile to my face. Still, if I talk to her, sheāll know itās me. Itās a hassle to clear up misunderstandings, but if it makes her think I look cool, Iāll do my best.
Imagining Saitoās surprised look made me even more excited for the date.