Chapter 1189 - A Maid's Holiday: Part 2
I had thought that, knowing Itsuki-san, it wouldn't be a simple development where she just flatly rebuked me. Rather than a mere expectation, it would be more accurate to say I believed it with absolute trust.
—Even so, this was really...
I, of course, never would have imagined that 'Let's go on a date' was an invitation to hang out as a man and a woman in the original meaning of the phrase, and I was utterly taken aback.
Hence, last night. When a message like 'Please treat me like a lover tomorrow' flew in with the vibe of a final confirmation of our plans, I tumbled off the sofa, and it is still fresh in my memory how I reread the text displayed on the screen easily thirty times, thinking I must have misread it.
What, is it a joke...? Is she teasing and playing with me as usual, or is this the first arrow to rebuke me for exposing myself as the fool of the century...? While doubting such things.
However, accepting the request as a request.
Even while confused, I put on clothes suitable for a date with an important person and, psyching myself up, went to the meeting place—and as a result.
"...Um, as I thought, this hand is really..."
"Oh? Won't Nozomi-san even lead a lady by the hand on a date?"
"No, well..."
To repeat, there was no way I'd think it was a real date, right?
Like, she's incredibly close. The hand I ended up taking in my confusion shows absolutely no sign of letting me go... —and for some reason, she's in an incredibly good mood.
Despite it being Monday, or rather, it's only been five minutes since we started walking through the streets overflowing with crowds on a weekday afternoon.
What am I doing again? Didn't I rush over here prepared to be scolded or lectured, no matter what form it took? It was nothing but thoughts like that.
Naturally, dragging my confusion and being utterly at a loss—
"It really is exactly what it means."
Truly, without looking back.
Just like a real lover. Just like walking beside someone she truly loves. Itsuki-san, showing an endlessly joyful face, displays an extremely natural smile once again.
"For today, please treat me like a lover."
"......"
"How you interpret it, how you behave, you may decide all of it."
Captivating me, while gently holding my hand.
Carelessly stealing the glances of the people passing by whether they like it or not, the older lady... casts a gaze upon me from right beside me, as if watching over me—as expected, I understand.
What she wants to say, her intention, I kind of got it.
...If that's the case,
"........................Later on."
"Yes?"
"If I feel like apologizing to the person I should apologize to later, please apologize together with me as an accomplice, okay?"
Of course we aren't in a romantic relationship, but she is, needless to say, an important person to begin with.
Just as she, who is the important person of my important person (Sora), now thinks the same of me—who is, though I say so shamelessly and proudly, the important person of my important person (Sora).
Since it was the intention of such a person, I swallowed everything that came to mind and gave her a half-lidded look.
"Let's see... We shall consider that as well, depending on the satisfaction level of the date."
Itsuki-san, even more mischievous than usual.
Even more unreserved than usual, fully teasing the pitiful younger boy—
"Okay, stop, that's the line."
"Oh, quite a nimble move. That evasion just now gets high points from a maid's perspective."
"Seriously, what kind of stance and tension are you in right now..."
Since she tried to link arms rather than just hold hands, I naturally evaded that.
◇◆◇◆◇
Now then.
The situation is actually extremely chaotic, but putting that aside, whether I should be proud of it or not, I have quite a lot of dating experience. As a fact that I definitely shouldn't be proud of, in order to meet the expectations of three girls of different types daily, I have many "drawers" to pull from when on the scene.
Therefore, I wouldn't clumsily get lost or stand frozen along the way. ...Or so I thought, facing the maid with "some degree" of pride despite my confusion—
"...Itsuki-san."
"What is it, Nozomi-san? —Ah, look. It seems to be a seasonal limited new release."
And so, over there.
"...Itsuki-san?"
"What is it, Nozomi-san? —Oh, look. It seems to be a seasonal limited new release."
"I heard that just now—"
And so, over here.
"Itsuki-san."
"What is it, Nozomi-san? —My, my, look—"
"Okay, please wait a moment, just for a second. Let's stop for a second. Look, um, no, yeah. You can keep eating your gelato, but really, stop for just a bit."
"As expected, it is a bit cold at this time of year."
"Right? Should I go buy some warm coffee... wait, no...!"
To put it plainly, there was no room to escort her.
Despite making implicit demands like leading a lady by the hand, in reality, she was the one who was coooonstantly pulling my hand, or rather, dragging me around.
Giving her the benefit of the doubt, I could let the sudden street-food eating tour that trampled over all the date plans I had thought of slide, but this maid is seriously way too free-spirited.
And on top of that,
"Fufu... Since it has gotten cold, shall we head indoors? Movies or window shopping... would be too ordinary and boring. Do you have any suggestions?"
"Hmm... Ah... Well, let's see. Around here—okay, stop."
"Splendid. ...Splendid, but..."
Just like before, whenever there was an opening.
"Don't you think it wouldn't hurt to show a little cuteness at least once?"
"I don't. Divine punishment would normally strike me, so please spare me."
Trying to hold my arm, or trying to lean her body against me, there are way too many attempts at physical contact, and I'm at a loss on how to handle it. Seriously, I'm troubled in so many ways.
Honestly, her usual "characteristic" self and her unusual "uncharacteristic" self are mixed together so intensely that I can't read her inner thoughts at aaaall, even more than usual. What is this person doing?
Even if she was being playful, she wouldn't tease me in that way... I had thought she was someone who would never cross the line, precisely for the sake of the 'young lady (Sora)' whom she probably loves more than anyone.
"Good grief... Since you seem to have energy to spare, shall we go do something active?"
"Oh. That sounds a bit indecent—"
"It's not indecent. I don't have a millimeter, let alone a micrometer, of indecent intentions, so seriously, give me a break, or I'll throw you into a karaoke box and go home."
"My, karaoke. Surprisingly, I didn't think of that. That sounds fun too."
"Are you listening to me?"
It won't stop.
The cheerful maid is not holding back.
"What kind of songs do you like, Nozomi-san? Is it anime songs, as expected?"
"What do you mean 'as expected'? I don't watch anime that much."
Perhaps I should just prepare myself for this to continue all day today. Having seemingly reached today's truth early on, just an hour after the date started—
"Do you have a preferred model? Around here, the recommendation is..."
"Why do you seem so knowledgeable? Is that also a maid's accomplishment...?"
Without putting up any futile resistance, I was dragged along by Itsuki-san, who went her own way.
Have you noticed?
That these two are incredibly compatible.