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Main Story 10 - After School Date -Part 2-

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After finishing our tapioca drinks, we leave the shop. Compared to earlier, there seems to be more people in uniform.

“The tapioca drink was delicious.”

“Yeah. Both the coffee and matcha latte were delicious.”

“I see. I'm glad you liked it. There are other delicious drinks here, so I want to come here again with Akito-san. It's fun talking with Akito-san while drinking drinks.”

We got excited talking about things like what flavor of tapioca drink we liked, and about the puzzle game I was playing while waiting for Hiori.

She wants to come here again with me... huh? I'm really happy that Hiori also wants to spend time like this again.

“Let's come here again together.”

“Yes.”

As Hiori says that, her grip on my hand becomes a little stronger.

“Hiori. Which shop are we going to next?”

“The bookstore inside that Tohyu.”

Hiori points to Tohyu in front of us. By the way, Tohyu is a large supermarket chain.

“We have a Tohyu in Hagikubo as well. Our family buys our groceries there. I wonder if we can buy clothes there too.”

“Is that so? Our family is the same. When I was small, I used to go shopping with my mother and run errands with my sister.”

“I see. I also used to go on errands with my sister when we were small. Even now, they ask me to buy things on the way home from my part-time job though.”

“Since I started high school, my mother also asks me to buy things on the way home sometimes.”

“That's true isn’t it? I wonder if it happens to everyone near their school or part-time job? Anyway, this Tohyu here is more splendid. The Tohyu in Hagikubo doesn't have a bookstore after all.”

“I see. The bookstore... Yotsuba Bookstore is on the 6th floor.”

We enter Tohyu and start taking the escalator near the entrance and head to the 6th floor.

On the way, there is a chain rental shop on the 4th floor that I also know, so we stop by there as well. By the way, this rental shop is also not there in Tohyu in Hagikubo.

It seems that Hiori sometimes comes here to rent DVDs of movies, dramas, and anime, and watches them after finishing her assignments or on her days off. She also sometimes borrows CDs of her favorite artists and anime. When I ask the names of the works and artists, there are several that I like as well. It seems our taste in visual works and music genres match as well.

After leaving the rental shop, we head to Yotsuba Bookstore on the 6th floor.

The entire floor is occupied by Yotsuba Bookstore, with many books and stationery on display. Because the whole place is a bookstore, the space is relaxing and quiet.

“Ooh, what a splendid bookstore.”

“This is the most splendid bookstore around Kasagaya Station. I have often bought books here since I was little. I also buy stationery here.”

“So that’s how it is. I don't think Hagikubo has a bookstore this big.”

“I see. I often go to the comic and light novel section. Do you want to go there?”

“Yeah, let's go.”

I walk with Hiori towards the comic and light novel section.

There are a few people here and there, but it's really quiet. Maybe it's because I've been walking in crowded places and visiting a bustling tapioca shop, but I feel like I've come to a place far away from Kasagaya.

We head to the new issue section of shounen and seinen comics.

There are recently released works stacked flat here. There is also a small shelf in the new book section, filled with minor works and works that have been released for a while. The same is true for the newly released light novel section nearby.

Also, there are many works that come with purchase bonuses such as postcards.

“It’s nice that they have a good selection of comics and light novels, it’s like an anime shop. Also, there are quite a few works that come with bonuses.”

“You can buy most of the works you want here. One of the things I like about this bookstore is that many books come with special bonuses. Come to think of it, Akito-san, where do you go when you want to buy books? You said earlier that Hagikubo’s Tohyu doesn't have a bookstore.”

“For comics and light novels, I buy them at an anime shop called Animake in Romine. For general paperbacks and reference books, I buy them at a different bookstore though.”

“Is that so? Come to think of it, there was an Animake in Romine. I went there only once a few years ago.”

“I see. Animake often comes with bonus and I can earn points there as well. But, I think I'll drop by here as well from now on. The atmosphere inside the store is also nice. And it looks like they also have some good bonuses as well.”

“I'm happy to hear that.”

Hiori's voice was livelier than usual as she said that. It’s probably because the bookstore she likes was complimented. Also, since she loves books and belongs to the literature club, coming to a bookstore might naturally lift her spirits.

“...Ah, there's the latest volume of [Miyabi-sama wants to be confessed to]. I'll buy it. I like rom-com manga, but I especially like this one.” (Akito)

[Miyabi-sama wants to be confessed to] is a school romantic comedy manga. It has sold more than 10 million copies and is so popular that two TV anime seasons have been aired and a third season is in the works.

“I see that Akito-san also likes Miyabi-sama. It's one of my favorite manga too.”

“I see. When the first volume of the comic was released, I bought it to try it out and found it interesting.”

“I got into it from watching the first season of the anime.”

“The anime is pretty interesting too.”

“Yes. I'm also going to buy the latest volume of Miyabi-sama. I'm looking forward to reading it.”

Hiori also picks up the latest volume of Miyabi-sama. Her eyes are shining as she looks at the latest volume and me. I guess it's because the latest volume of her favorite manga is on sale and that she knows that I like that manga too.

By the way, I'm pretty excited to know that Hiori likes Miyabi-sama. I even want to watch the TV anime and talk about Miyabi-sama with Hiori.

After that, we take a look at the previously published sections of comics and light novels. It’s nice that there is a good selection of not only new publications, but also previously published books. Once in a while, Hiori will say, “This work was interesting.” If it's a work I've also read, we briefly talk about our impressions of it.

Then, we head to the general literature paperback of the previously published books section. Apparently, they are displayed by publisher.

“There's an author that I started following recently. I looked it up on my smartphone and found out that his collection of short stories is being sold as a paperback, so I was thinking about buying it. I think I’ll buy that collection of short stories now.” (Hiori)

“Okay, I got it.”

We go to the shelf that has collections of short stories published as a paperback.

Hiori searches to see if they have the collection of short stories she is looking for. Then,

“They have it... but it's on the top shelf. I might not be able to reach it with my height.”

“The top shelf is pretty high. I'll pick it up for you.”

“Thank you very much. It's the third book from the left on the top shelf.”

“Got it.”

I reach out with my left hand and pick up the book that Hiori specified from the shelf.

“Is this it?”

When I handed it to Hiori, Hiori nodded her head.

“This is it. Akito-san, thank you very much for picking it up.”

“No no.”

“...I vividly remember the time when you picked up the book for me in the school library. Just like now, Akito-san picked up the book I pointed at and handed it to me with a kind look on your face.”

As Hiori says that in a soft voice, her eyes become kind and the corners of her mouth turn up slightly. Seeing her like this, I remember what happened in the library, and my heart skipped a beat.

I wonder if Hiori has changed a bit compared to the several times when I picked up a book for her in the library. She thanked me like she did just now. However, instead of being soft like just now, she was expressionless. I wonder if this change is due to the fact that we started dating on a trial basis.

“But, my happiness when you pick up a book for me now is stronger than it was back then. From now on... when we're together, can I ask you to pick up books from a high place?”

Hiori asked with an upturned eyes. She's criminally cute.

“Of course!”

If Hiori is going to rely on me, I will do my best to respond no matter what it is.

Also, I ended up replying in a louder voice. I look around and... there are no customers or staff who seem to be bothered. I'm relieved about that.

Having finished looking at the shelves of general literature books, we go to the counter and purchase the books we have picked up.

“I'm satisfied to be able to buy the collection of short stories and Miyabi-sama.”

“I was able to buy Miyabi-sama, too, and I'm glad to know that there's a bookstore like this near our school. Thank you, Hiori.”

“No, no, I'm also glad that I was able to come with Akito-san. Of course I’m happy you picked up the short story collection, but I’m also happy to know what kind of books Akito-san reads, mainly the comics and light novels. I’m curious about what kind of books are on Akito-san’s bookshelf.”

She’s curious what kind of books are on my bookshelf... huh?

If I go ahead and invite her to come to my house like this, will Hiori come along? Spending time with Hiori at home after school and on holidays is one of my dreams .

“I see. Then, will you come to my house before the next holiday?”

I mustered up the courage, and invited Hiori to come over to my house. My heart is beating as fast as that time with an indirect kiss at the tapioca drink shop.

“Is it okay? Even if I visit?”

“Of course.”

“I understand. Well then... tomorrow is a public holiday and school will be closed. So, how about tomorrow? My schedule is free, so I can go then.”

“I have a part-time job until afternoon tomorrow. I'll check on my smartphone to see what time my shift ends.”

I take out my smartphone and check the calendar app. I have gotten into the habit of writing my part-time job schedule in this app.

“Umm... I have a part-time job from 10am to 3pm. If you don't mind after 3pm.”

“3pm is it? I don't mind.”

“Then, shall we meet at the Zosol where I work part-time after 3pm tomorrow?”

“Since Akito-san have a part-time job, can I go to Zosol during your part-time job? I want to see Akito-san working and serving customers. Also, I'd like to relax while drinking coffee or tea.”

“Of course it’s fine. You're more than welcome.”

To think she would not only come to my house, but to the store while I'm working part-time. It looks like I'll be working extra hard at my part-time job tomorrow.

“We look forward to seeing you tomorrow at Zosol Hagikubo North Exit branch.”

“You're like a clerk. Let’s meet tomorrow at Zosol. I'm looking forward to it.”

“Yeah. I'm looking forward to it too.”

I was disappointed because I had a part-time job tomorrow even though it was a public holiday, but my thoughts took a complete turn. I'm glad I have a part-time job tomorrow. I’m really looking forward to tomorrow now.

*

By the way, at night, Himura-san asked me, [You didn't do anything weird during the after-school date, right?] on a message. It’s because she gave me a warning about the after-school date right after school ended after all.

[We drank tapioca drinks and bought the same manga at the bookstore. Also, we exchanged one sip of the tapioca drinks.]

I replied honestly. Because I thought it would be better to talk about exchanging one sip here than have her find out about it later.

[You said the same thing as Hiori. Well done. Also, I'm jealous of the one sip exchange! I want to do it too!]

She replied like that. Did she also ask Hiori about today's after-school date?

After that, Himura-san seems to have received a message from Hiori saying, [He didn’t do anything strange to me]. Perhaps because of that, she didn’t pursue it further.

But, when she heard about the at-home date from Hiori, Himura-san sent a message, saying, [Don't do anything strange even on the at-home date!].

────

(T/N: ‘comic’ is in katakana, ‘manga’ is in kanji.)

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