Chapter 19: Date With Chinatsu (1)

[Kurogane Tsubasa's POV]

After finishing up cleaning the classroom, Machin and I went our separate ways.

"See you tomorrow, Kurochi!"

"You too, Machin!"

We waved goodbye to each other.

Finally, my task was complete. Now it was time to meet up with Chinatsu. Since today was supposed to be her day, we were going on a date, just the two of us. No Natsumi. That's how they had it scheduled.

Apparently, here was the plan:

Monday — Chinatsu

Wednesday — Natsumi

Friday — Chinatsu and Natsumi

Sunday — Chinatsu and Natsumi

The other days that weren't mentioned were apparently our days off. On Friday and Sunday, I could have my way with them... and maybe get a little frisky together. On Friday, since we couldn't do much in the morning at school, we'd go out at night. As for Sunday, well, we could spend the entire day doing whatever we pleased.

After sneaking back into my house as quietly as possible (since Yui might already be here), I rushed to take a quick bath and change into fresh clothes.

Emerging from my room in my new outfit, I found Akane sitting on the sofa, sipping hot cocoa and watching TV.

"You're late," she said, her voice and demeanor as cold as ever. "Did you mess around while cleaning the classroom? Hmm?" When she turned her gaze toward me, she noticed my change of attire. "Where are you headed?"

"Uh, I'm going to hang out with Chinatsu... We're planning to catch a movie tonight."

She placed her cocoa on the table and got up. "Just her? What about Matsushita-san?"

"Uh, she's exhausted today, so she's skipping it to get some rest."

"That's strange, considering the three of you usually do things together. Are you sure this isn't some sort of date with Morikawa-san?"

She was really probing today, making me feel like I was being interrogated by a cop.

"No, it's not. Chinatsu and I don't have that kind of relationship to begin with. We're just going to watch a movie. What's wrong with friends doing that?"

"Well, nothing, I suppose. But people might assume the two of you are dating, considering how often you're together after class and doing things like watching movies."

"Let them assume what they want. We're used to the speculation, anyway."

Akane fell silent at that, seemingly out of questions. So I made my way to the door. But just as my hand hovered over the doorknob, she said, "Wait."

I turned around to see her. Her head was down, her bangs covering her eyes, so I couldn't gauge her expression.

"N-No, it's nothing. You can go now," she mumbled, then settled back down. Her head remained lowered. I didn't know what to say, so I simply continued to unlock the door. Akane... I wasn't sure how we had reached this point. We used to be close as kids, but now it felt like we were distant. We had gone from being almost like strangers to feeling like siblings, and now it seemed we were back to being strangers.

I had hoped we could be siblings again.

×××

"Sorry I kept you waiting!"

Chinatsu arrived at our usual meeting spot as I was lost in thought.

"I thought you were already here, given that I was running 30 minutes late."

"Well, girls need more time to prepare. I had to do my makeup and choose the perfect outfit for our date."

I was well aware of that fact; that's why I waited for her for nearly an hour. Chinatsu had a keen sense of fashion. She was the type of girl who would rummage through her closet, pulling out every piece of clothing, just to find the perfect outfit. I was certain she had done exactly that today. And her mother would probably showered her with compliments again.

Speaking of her mother, I couldn't help but wonder how Akari-san was doing. Considering she divorced Chinatsu's father due to his infidelity, I wondered how she managed to support her two daughters.

Akari-san worked for Natsumi's mother's company. I wasn't sure what her specific role was, but I assumed it was a professional job, given that she could provide for her daughters. My real birth mother had also worked there once. As for Kasumi-san, my stepmother who insisted on being called "kaa-san," she worked as an office lady, although I wasn't sure where, but I knew it wasn't at Natsumi's mother's company.

Anyway, let's change the topic.

"You look great in that outfit, Chinatsu," I complimented her. If she had put in the effort to dress up like this, she probably hoped for a compliment, so I obliged.

"Hehe, thanks," she replied. Then, she linked her arm with mine, her chest lightly brushing against my arm, and said, "Let's go."

Her habit of linking arms like this was an intimate gesture, but it was something she did regularly, even at school. So, even if someone saw us, they wouldn't find it suspicious.

We strolled through the bustling city, enjoying the vibrant night atmosphere. The dark surroundings with the city lights was a breathtaking sight.

"Oh, I remembered. Chika-chan mentioned that you two became friends. How exactly did that happen?"

"Well, we were on duty together today, so we had a chance to chat."

"And what did you chat about?"

"Oh, you know... This and that."

"So secretive, Tsubasa... Are you sure you didn't get up to something naughty with Chika-chan? I mean, it's you we're talking about, and you do have a bit of a reputation as a lustful devil. It wouldn't be surprising if you pinned her down and had your way with her, especially considering how sexy Chika-chan is."

She thought of me as a lustful devil? Ouch. Despite my occasional aloofness, that stung.

"Would you like me to do that?"

"W-Well, no. And if you did, I'd be pretty upset with you, you know? You're only allowed to indulge with me and Natsumi, nobody else, got it?"

"Yes, ma'am!" I responded.

"I don't want to share my naughty little Tsubasa, not even with Chika-chan," she declared.

"You're quite possessive, you know. But you do remember that you're sharing me with Natsumi, right?"

"Well, I mean... It is my day today, so it's okay to be a bit possessive of you, right?" she said with a playful smile.

That's right. Today was her day, not Natsumi's.

"Today, I'm all yours, my darling," I assured her.

"Yay!"

She tightened her grip on my arm, and I couldn't help but notice how soft her chest felt against me...

"Oh? Wow, miss, you're absolutely stunning. Would you mind if I took you out on a date tonight?"

Suddenly, a smug pick-up artist appeared out of nowhere.