47 - Ayaka Tojo's Love②

RAW

"How are things going with Otsuki-kun?"

Hearing Saki’s voice through my phone, I replied in an upbeat tone.

"Yeah, I think it's going well. We did a lap pillow for each other today."

"Oh! Sticking to the plan and making bold moves, Ayaka!"

"Yep, so far the 'practice dating plan' is going smoothly!"

The plan to erase Haruto’s guilt for lying and to make him fall for me for real—I've dubbed it the 'practice dating plan.' With this, I’m aiming to get Haruto to confess to me.

Sitting on my bed in my room, I continued consulting Saki.

"We're calling each other by our first names now, and Haruto-kun has stopped using formal language. Plus, in our first 'practice as a couple,' we told each other 'I like you.'"

"So, what was Otsuki-kun’s reaction?"

"Well, when Haruto-kun told me he liked me, he said it with such a serious look in his eyes. His expression was so cool that I kind of blanked out."

"…I see. Sorry, Ayaka, I think I need a coffee."

"Drinking coffee this late won’t keep you up?"

I glanced outside, where the sky was already pitch black. Drinking coffee at this hour would definitely make it hard to sleep and might mess up her schedule. Even though it's summer vacation, it’s still important to keep a good routine.

"Lack of sleep isn’t good for your skin, you know?"

"Thanks for worrying, but right now I just feel like I need something bitter."

"Hmm, is that so?"

"Yeah, just wait a minute."

I heard Saki moving around as she prepared her coffee. While she was busy, I reflected on the time I spent with Haruto today.

It was my first time ever doing a lap pillow. Haruto’s lap was a bit firm but warm. I felt so nervous and embarrassed, but at the same time, it was strangely calming—like my heart was full. It was such a happy moment.

When he petted my head, I thought my heart was going to stop from embarrassment... but it also felt really nice.

It was dangerously good.

If I ever became Haruto-kun’s real girlfriend, I might end up asking him for lap pillows every day. That’s how comfortable it was.

And when I gave him a lap pillow? That was dangerous too.

When his head was on my lap, he just looked so cute. As I stroked his hair, I almost felt like he was mine. Plus, I discovered something new—his earlobes were so soft to the touch. They were squishy, a little cool, and kind of felt like dough. I was tempted to nibble on them.

Of course, Haruto-kun told me, "Don’t bite me, okay?"

But maybe, if I ever became his real girlfriend, I could nibble just a little, right? A playful bite wouldn’t make him mad, would it?

As I was entertaining these thoughts, I heard Saki return with her coffee.

"Sorry to keep you waiting. So, what's next in your 'practice as a couple'? You’ve told each other 'I like you,' done the lap pillow—what's your next plan?"

"Oh, right! Actually, Haruto-kun asked me out on a date today."

Saki started coughing a bit, seemingly caught off guard.

"Wait, what? Otsuki-kun asked you out on a date?"

"Yeah."

"Huh. So, what’s the plan for this date?"

Her voice sounded excited through the phone as I recalled the moment when Haruto invited me. I couldn’t help but grin as I replied.

"We're going on an ice cream-hunting date."

"…Ice cream hunting? That’s quite the unique date."

Saki's voice was filled with curiosity, so I explained how it came about.

When we went grocery shopping together a while ago, I mentioned how Ryota ate my limited-edition ice cream, and Haruto suggested we go looking for it together. He remembered and asked me to go next week to search for it.

"Ohh, that ice cream. Yeah, it was really good."

"Wait, you’ve had it too, Saki?"

"Yeah, I went to like three supermarkets before I found it. Got lucky with the last one."

"See, it’s not easy to find. I wonder if we’ll be able to get it next week."

"But isn’t it better if you can’t find it right away? That way, the date will last longer."

"True, but… I really want to try that ice cream too."

"Greedy Ayaka."

"Ugh…"

I pouted at her teasing.

But seriously, everyone who’s had that ice cream says it’s delicious! It’s only natural that I want to try it too!

"Well, at least you’re getting a date out of it, so that’s good."

"Yeah, I guess. Oh, by the way, Saki, I wanted to ask your opinion on something…"

"Sure, what is it?"

"Since Haruto-kun asked me out, does that mean my efforts to appeal to him are working?"

I asked her nervously. If he’s making moves like this, it must mean he’s starting to see me differently, right?

But Saki was more cautious than I was.

"Hmm, maybe. But it could also mean he’s finding it a bit hard to be alone with you in your room."

"What!? I haven’t done anything to make him dislike me, have I?"

Sure, I’ve been pretty forward with him, but he didn’t seem to mind. He just blushed a bit, right? Suddenly, I started to feel a bit anxious, but Saki reassured me.

"I don’t think he dislikes you. But, you know, Otsuki-kun’s a teenage boy, and being alone in a room with someone like you might be… a bit much for him."

"A bit much? What do you mean?"

I tilted my head, confused by her words. Saki seemed a bit unsure how to explain but eventually continued.

"Well, let’s just say you should keep appealing to him the way you’ve been doing."

"You think so? That’s good, right?"

I still felt a bit uneasy with how she phrased it, though.

"Anyway, back to this ice cream-hunting date. You’ll be going to a bunch of different stores, right?"

"Yeah, I’m hoping we can hit some malls with food sections."

"That’s perfect! You can sneak in some window shopping too."

"Exactly!"

The ice cream hunt was just a pretext for spending time together. My real goal was to enjoy a day of shopping with Haruto!

"Are you planning to ask him for advice on clothes? Like, 'Which looks better on me?'"

"Hmm, I don’t want to be too annoying, but… I do want him to pick something out for me."

"That’s when you bring out the 'practice dating.' Ask him what he’d like his girlfriend to wear—it’s the perfect excuse."

"That’s genius! Saki, you’re a mastermind!"

I clapped my hands in excitement. I could hear Saki’s smug voice through the phone, "Hehe, I know, right?"

We kept chatting about our ice cream-hunting date until I happened to glance at the clock on the wall, realizing how late it had gotten.

"Should we call it a night?"

"Hmm? Oh, wow, it’s late. Yeah, we should."

"Oh, by the way, are you free the day after tomorrow?"

"The day after tomorrow? Saturday? Let me check… Nope, no plans. Why?"

"Well, we’re having a barbecue in the garden at home, and I was wondering if you’d like to come?"

"Really!? I’d love to!"

"Yeah, my mom mentioned she hasn’t seen you in a while and suggested I invite you."

Before Saki moved to her current house, she lived right next door to me, so she’s familiar with my family. My mom really likes her, and we used to go shopping together a lot.

"I haven’t seen Ikue-mama in ages! I’d love to come!"

"Great! I’ll let them know you’re coming."

"Thanks! Oh, wait, Otsuki-kun’s going to be there too, right?"

"Yeah, I told him you might be coming."

"That’s fine with me, but are you okay with it? I mean, am I going to be in the way?"

I shook my head, even though she couldn’t see me.

"Of course not! Having you there will be a relief."

"Alright then, I’m looking forward to it."

"Me too!"

"I’ll get to see Ayaka and Otsuki-kun flirting up close then, huh?"

Her teasing made my face heat up.

"No way! I wouldn’t flirt with him in front of my parents!"

"So you would, as long as Ikue-mama and Shuuichi-san aren’t watching?"

"Well… if Haruto-kun wanted to, then…"

I trailed off, imagining the scenario and feeling embarrassed.

"Hah, this coffee tastes especially good tonight."

I could hear Saki’s contented sigh through the phone.

"Be careful with the caffeine, okay?"

"Yeah, yeah, thanks for the reminder. Alright, I’m hanging up. See you the day after tomorrow."

"Okay, goodnight."

I hung up after hearing Saki’s "Goodnight."

The day after tomorrow, we’ll have a barbecue with my family, Haruto, and Saki.

And next week, Haruto and I will go on our ice cream-hunting date.

I’m really looking forward to it!

But, before that, I need to make sure I’m ready for the barbecue first.

With that thought, I closed my eyes and drifted off to sleep.

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Ayaka's resolve towards Haruto: "Haruto-kun's earlobes..."