56 - In search of limited edition flavors

RAW

Haruto stood beside his grandmother in the kitchen, chopping green onions into small pieces.

With a rhythmic "chop, chop, chop," the fresh scent of green onions filled the early morning kitchen.

"Grandma, I’ll be out all day today. Please be careful and avoid getting heatstroke again, okay?"

"Yes, yes, I know," his grandmother replied, nodding several times as she grilled some salmon.

"Haruto, are you going out with Ayaka-san today?"

"Yeah, that’s right."

Haruto answered as he sprinkled the chopped green onions into the miso soup.

"Oh, I see," his grandmother replied, her face lighting up with deep, joyful wrinkles.

Seeing her reaction, Haruto felt a tight sense of guilt in his chest.

"Are you getting along well with Ayaka-san?"

"Yeah, we’re getting along fine."

As he carried the finished breakfast to the living room, Haruto answered with a smile to hide the guilt brewing inside.

He wanted to see his grandmother's happy face when he introduced Ayaka to her.

Playing along with his wish, Ayaka had agreed to act as his pretend girlfriend.

But was this truly what was best for his grandmother?

The rational part of Haruto knew that his current relationship with Ayaka was not ideal. Yet, another part of him couldn’t deny the comfort he felt in having Ayaka, even as a "fake" girlfriend.

"Be sure to take good care of Ayaka-san," his grandmother said as she sat at the breakfast table.

"Of course, I’ll cherish her," Haruto replied, feeling a whirlwind of emotions towards Ayaka.

Feelings of guilt for involving her in this lie.

A sense of responsibility to act professionally as a household staff member.

Doubt over what she might truly feel about him.

And occasionally, a budding affection that threatened to overwhelm and overwrite all those other emotions like a flood.

Images of Ayaka’s happy, joyful smiles kept surfacing in his mind, making it hard to keep his feelings in check. His heartbeat quickened, and despite his intentions, his face relaxed, and the corners of his mouth turned up into a smile. It felt like his own body was acting against his will.

As he let out a quiet sigh, his grandmother, sitting across from him, set down her bowl and asked, "With all this heat, is Ayaka-san handling the summer okay?"

"Yeah, she’s fine. She’s healthy," Haruto replied, nodding while he brought the miso soup to his lips—then paused.

His grandmother had been talking about Ayaka since this morning, as if she couldn’t keep her off her mind.

Understanding his grandmother’s feelings, Haruto opened his mouth to speak.

"Uh... I’ll have to ask Ayaka, but maybe I’ll invite her over sometime to properly introduce her to you."

"Really? I’d look forward to that!"

Hearing Haruto’s words, his grandmother’s face brightened with a wide, delighted smile.

Seeing her expression, Haruto’s emotions grew even more conflicted, but he focused on his breakfast to distract himself.

---

After finishing breakfast with his grandmother, Haruto heads toward the station where he is set to meet Ayaka. Although he had offered to pick her up from her house, Ayaka requested to meet outside, saying, "It would feel more like a date that way."

"Maybe Ayaka’s already there?" he wonders as he briskly walks, glancing at his phone screen. Last time, when they met at the station to see a movie, she had arrived well before the appointed time. Remembering that, Haruto left his house early, aiming to arrive well before the agreed time.

Haruto reaches the station plaza forty minutes ahead of schedule and scans the area. "She’s not here yet, of course…," he mutters, glancing around the busy plaza. Just as he considers sitting on a bench to wait, he hears a familiar voice from behind him.

“Haruto-kun!”

He turns around to find Ayaka standing there, smiling happily.

“Sorry, did I keep you waiting?”

“No, I just got here myself.”

With a warm smile, Haruto welcomes Ayaka, who beams as she approaches him. Today, she’s dressed in a casual white dress, radiating an air of elegance and charm.

“That dress looks great on you; it’s beautiful.”

“Thanks, I’m glad you like it,” she replies, a shy smile lighting up her face as her cheeks blush slightly.

“You look really nice too, Haruto-kun.”

Since today is meant to be a practice date, Haruto paid particular attention to his appearance, even using styling gel on his hair. Normally, he wouldn’t bother with hair products, but Ayaka’s simple compliment made the effort feel worthwhile.

“Thanks. So, shall we go look for that limited-edition ice cream?”

“Yeah! I hope we can find it.”

Haruto starts walking, thinking how perfect the hot, sunny day is for enjoying ice cream. However, he stops when he notices Ayaka standing still beside him.

“Ayaka?”

She looks up at him shyly. "Today… we’re practicing, right?”

“Yeah, that’s right.”

“So… shouldn’t we walk like a couple?”

“Yeah… I guess so.”

Understanding her unspoken request, Haruto extends his left hand to her. “Shall we go?”

“Yes!” Ayaka says with a cheerful smile, linking her right hand with his left. Haruto glances at their joined hands for a moment, then matches his steps to hers as they start walking together.

“Let’s head to the department store near the station first.”

“Sounds good. I wonder if they’ll have that flavor.”

“They might. Since they stock premium items, there’s a chance,” he replies as they chat, hand in hand, heading toward their destination.

In the department store’s basement food section, they pass a variety of foods: deli items, cakes, souvenirs for tourists, and Japanese sweets.

“Look, Haruto-kun! That cake looks delicious!”

“Wow, those sweets are so pretty!”

“I can smell freshly baked bread… it smells amazing,” Ayaka says happily, her face lighting up as she takes in the sights and smells around them.

Haruto chuckles. "Just don’t wander off too far and get lost.”

“Well, then you’d better keep holding my hand so I don’t,” she replies, meeting his gaze. At that, Ayaka squeezes his hand a little tighter.

“I am holding on,” he says quietly, averting his eyes to hide the flush in his cheeks. Ayaka’s soft laugh makes him blush even more, but he can’t quite bring himself to meet her eyes.

“The ice cream should be over in that section. Let’s go check.”

“Sure!”

Without releasing her hand, Haruto leads Ayaka through the bustling store. Ayaka’s charm seems to draw attention from the people around them, and though Haruto can feel their gazes, he finds himself not caring. The warmth of Ayaka’s hand in his feels worth any looks they might attract.

When they reach the ice cream section, they scan the display case. There’s a wide variety, from popular brands to boxed items, but their target flavor isn’t there.

“Looks like they don’t have it…”

“Yeah,” Ayaka says, her tone unexpectedly cheerful.

Haruto feels a bit relieved inside. If they don’t find the ice cream, it means they have an excuse to keep their “date” going a little longer.

“Guess it wasn’t going to be that easy to find,” he says, pretending to sound disappointed.

Ayaka blushes slightly, glancing down as she murmurs, “I’m actually glad… that just means I get to spend more time with you, Haruto-kun.”

“Is… is that so?”

“Mm-hmm.”

Ayaka’s words mirror the exact thought he’d kept hidden in his heart. Since this is just practice, it makes sense for him to want to stay with her as long as possible, he tells himself.

Haruto feels his heart racing from Ayaka’s heartfelt words. Fighting to keep his emotions in check, he tries to keep his response casual.

“Well, let’s head somewhere else then.”

“Sounds good.”

Haruto, feeling his ears growing warm, leads Ayaka up to the first floor, where they exit the department store. Just then, Ayaka pauses, looking at a display nearby. Following her gaze, Haruto spots a banner for a “Summer Festival Fair,” accompanied by rows of colorful yukatas.

“Want to take a look?”

“Can we?”

“Of course.”

Haruto smiles as they approach the display area.

“These yukatas are so pretty!” Ayaka exclaims, gazing at each one with admiration. Seeing her happy reaction, Haruto’s expression softens as well.

As he watches her, Ayaka suddenly turns to him.

“Haruto-kun, what kind of yukata would you want your girlfriend to wear?”

“Um… let’s see… I think I’d prefer one in cool colors like indigo or light blue, something calm and refreshing.”

“Cool and refreshing, huh…”

“I mean, anything would look great on you, Ayaka,” Haruto adds, slightly flustered by her intent gaze.

If Ayaka were really his girlfriend, wearing a yukata he chose for her would feel like a dream come true. He watches her with a faint smile as she examines the options.

A familiar voice suddenly calls out to him.

“Haruto? And… Tojo-san?”

Turning to the voice, Haruto sees his friend, Tomoya, looking at them with a surprised expression as he notices Haruto and Ayaka standing together.