188 Forever

"How did you get this car?" 

As expected, this car attracted Yume a lot, considering its small size. 

"I borrowed it from a friend." 

Still hearing his answer, Yume sighed in relief as this guy didn't spend any money.

Looking at her naive face, who believed in his every word, Mizuto was helpless. This car was his, but as expected, it would be hard for one to believe it. Nevertheless, he liked this car. Yes, many might say that this might be a "girl's car," but it had a raging machine, and more importantly, it was easy to drive. Still, talking about a car to the girl definitely wasn't a fun conversation, so instead, he changed the topic, "Do you want me to open the roof?" 

"Eh? Open the rooftop?" 

Yume looked up and wondered whether this car's rooftop could be opened like those in the movies. Somehow, it seemed quite interesting, but Mizuto said, "But let's open it when the street is quiet. Let's see... when we are near Lake Biwa, it might be perfect to open the rooftop." 

"I agree." 

Yume nodded as it would attract much attention to open the rooftop of this car when they were still in Kyoto. While it might be weird, it has always been the general trend of this country to be low-key. Even the wealthiest would usually have their drivers drive a Toyota, Suzuki, or Isuzu instead of a foreign luxury car brand. 

Moreover, this car had already attracted attention, and Yume also didn't have a hobby to flaunt something. More importantly, Mizuto was too attractive at that moment, and she was afraid a bad woman might molest him. 

If Mizuto had known what Yume was thinking, he would have said it was too late. 

Still, as he drove the car calmly, Yume stared at him in a daze, causing him to glance at her and ask, "What's wrong?" 

"No-Nothing!" Yume shook her head shyly, then looked at his left hand, which was so relaxed, before she poked it hesitantly with her slender finger.

Mizuto glanced at Yume again, who showed an awkward expression and held her hand quietly. 

Feeling his hand wrapped around hers, Yume smiled. As expected, this guy knew what she was thinking. 

"If you want something, just say, okay? I am not Esper." 

"I-I know, Onii-chan!"

Mizuto fell in silence once again when the word "Onii-chan" came out from her soft and cherry blossom lips. While it was subtle, he could see that she put a tinted lip balm on her lips, making them appear more moist and alluring. 

"By the way, I know what you are thinking, Onii-chan," Yume suddenly said. 

"What is it?" 

"You want to kiss me, right?" 

Mizuto stared at Yume and thought that this guy was as smug as ever, so he pulled his hand away. 

"Ah! I'm sorry! I'm sorry! Don't stop holding my hand!" 

As they had their usual bicker, their trip became more lively before Mizuto asked, "I have never asked you this, but are you alright with height?" 

"Height?" Yume wondered whether their destination would be in a tall place. "I should be fine, and more importantly..." 

"More importantly?" 

"You are with me, right? So, it will be fine." 

As the car was pretty small, Yume could lean her head on his shoulder. 

"How cheeky..."

Still, Mizuto was helpless, wondering whether Yume was proud in her heart, thinking that she had gained a score on his heart. Yet, he would be lying if he said this cheekiness wasn't cute. According to the survey he had read, a little sister usually had this "cheeky" attitude, and everyone thought that it was adorable. 

While he couldn't agree completely with this idea, he couldn't deny that she was cute.

So, he put his hand on her head and rubbed her head softly, causing her to "meow" like a cat and couldn't get away from him. 

Staring at him, who appeared nonchalant with his gentle gestures yet still focused on his driving, Yume loved this side of him so much that she wanted to hug him tightly. Then, she told everyone that Mizuto was her boyfriend. 

"By the way, haven't you learned the Russian language now?" 

"I do." 

"Then, why did we listen to an Indonesian song?" 

"Well... the Russian song is a bit..." 

The Russian song wasn't bad, but the mood just wasn't right to be played when he was on a date with Yume. 

"But this song is nice." 

Yume enjoyed this song a lot, even if she didn't understand the language. She could somehow feel the love that came out from the singer when she sang it. "Who is the singer, and what's the title?" 

"The singer is Mytha, and the title is "Denganmu Cinta." 

"Dengan... mu cin...ta?" 

"With you, my love. It's played randomly. Don't give me that creepy smile." 

"I-I am not creepy!" 

Well, she was, but she pouted when that word came out from Mizuto's lips. 

She was slightly hurt, so she pouted and folded her arms while looking away. 

However, Mizuto didn't say anything and continued to drive while rubbing her hair softly. Still, he moved his head to the side slightly and subconsciously sniffed the scent of her hair. "Your hair smells good." 

"Right? I just changed my shampoo!" 

Watching her excitement, Mizuto thought to appease a woman's anger, instead of apologizing, you should distract her anger.

"Does it really smell good?" 

"Yeah, I love it." 

Yume smiled sweetly and rubbed her hair to his face. 

"I am driving! Don't do something dangerous!" 

Mizuto was helpless. 

Still, even so, their trip continued, and as Yume asked him, Mizuto just answered as he knew that sooner or later, she would know the answer. "Lake Biwa Terrace." 

"Lake Biwa Terrace?" 

When Mizuto visited the Shiga Prefecture with Yuu before, he had thought to visit this place too, but there wasn't much time, so he just settled with a few places before they went home after they ate something. 

This time, Mizuto brought Yume to Shiga Prefecture. He came to this place for the second time, and this time, he wanted to see this beautiful luxury resort located on Mount Uchimi, which is 1,108 meters above the ground.

"We're going to go to the mountain?" 

"There's a gondola there. We're not going to climb." 

Hearing his answer, Yume sighed in relief. Unlike Mizuto, who was a stamina monster, she didn't have much stamina. Still, she thought for a while and asked, "Let's say... if we climb up this mountain by ourselves, can you climb up the mountain while carrying me?" 

"...you want me to carry you to the mountain?"

"It's just an example! I just want to ask." 

Mizuto thought for a while and nodded. "It should be possible. It's rather easy." 

"...do you think it is too late if I start working out now?" 

Mizuto only smiled and said, "Don't think stupid things all the time. Oh, we're near the lake now. I will open the rooftop." 

"Okay." While Yume was pouting, she couldn't deny that she was thinking something stupid, but then his words attracted her once again, so she looked up and saw the rooftop of the car start to move by itself and retract into the trunk area, transforming the car into an open roof car. 

Yume was in a daze, but she would be lying if she didn't feel novelty and excitement from this scene. Still, when she saw him, Mizuto was as calm as ever. 

"Hmm?" 

His face stared at her, doubting her, but Yume only smiled and held his hand once again. Yes, the car was amazing, but as expected, what she loved the most about this trip was being with him. 

As long as it was with him, everything seemed to be completed. 

It felt like she was flying; her heart was all fluffy and happy. 

With him, it was perfect, and that was why she was going to be with him forever. 

Rubbing her cute nose against his shoulder, Yume peeked at him and wondered when they had arrived, as she wanted to kiss him now.