Romantic Date (9)

Fufu, what a productive day!

U-uuu. Tatsumi-san, I’m glad you’re happyyy…

Oya, Mayoi-san, why do you look so exhausted?

It’s odd that you would ask “why”…Tatsumi-san, you lose control so easily. Not just with cars…

…?

Eh? Didn’t you notice at all? Tatsumi-san, you grabbed my hand and pulled me to all kinds of stores endlessly, and made me try all sorts of beautiful clothes—I was made into a mannequin!

Not only that, I was pulled into doing things you wanted to do like arcade games and karaoke!

I can’t take any more! I’ve been drained of my strength! I’m completely exhausted!

I-I didn’t even realize that…I’m sorry to have put you through my “fun”, Mayoi-san.

I assumed that if I was having fun then you must have been too. It seems that wasn’t the case.

I repent. Ohh, I’ve succumbed to desires at Mayoi-san’s expense.

N-no, that’s not it! It was a great and dandy time for me too, but there are limits! I’m just tired…!

I’m a human being too, and I can easily break down if I keep getting tossed abouuuut!

I apologize. I have a bit of a bad habit of losing myself when I’m having a little too much fun. I’ll reflect on my actions and do better next time.

Next time?! I-if something like this happens again surely I’ll diiiiie!

Ahaha. Sounds like you two had a tough date. Our time was more quiet and relaxing.

N-no, um, it was actually a very valuable experience! I just don’t know if I even deserve this kind of reward?! But, for a bug like me it was like a miracle…!

Fufufu~

—Well, by the look of Anzu-san’s expression while she filmed the whole time, we probably managed to get some kind of good footage.

Oh, yeah. Anzu-han signaled to us the “OK” from a distance.

It would’ve been a problem if she hadn’t…

I know it was the whole point of this project, but Tatsumi-san kept whispering words of adoration to me at every turn. A-and that’s probably why my ears have gone numb…

My eardrums must’ve melted. No, my heart must’ve melted too, since it’s been pounding so much it’s basically butter.

Poor thing. HiMERU feels sorry for you. Tatsumi is always the type to drive others crazy and destroy them without realizing.

How harsh…I want nothing more than to spread love to the people around me.

Sure, that’s an idol’s job. However, ordinary people are not at all strong enough to endure endless amounts of love.

Uuu, you understand my struggle don’t you, HiMERU-san? Since you both attended Reimei, maybe you’ve gone through it also…?

No. HiMERU never noticed how dangerous Tatsumi was until long after he’d met him.

Dangerous? Me?

…

Eh, huh? HiMERU-san why aren’t you saying “that’s not true” or something?

Oh God, am I more of a sinful creature than I’d originally thought?

Are you finally starting to realize it?

Uuu! From deep in my heart, I repent! I repent! Oh God, guide me from my foolishness!

Instead of looking for wisdom and strength from God, look for it from those around you, like how we did here.

Aah, if only you and “I”—had realized this sooner.

“I”…h-huh? Could it be, you–

Hmph. Tatsumi, there’s something that we need to discuss privately, so please come this way.

Ayase. Oukawa. You both can stay here.

Nn? What’s with you two going off to talk in secret…do you not want us to hear what you’re talking about?

Yes…please don’t worry, this won’t take very long.

—Alright. There’s no one here.

? What’s going on, HiMERU-san?

…Just how is it possible that the affinity is maxed out when you’ve been on a date with Ayase this whole time?

Ummm?

Well, that is what a “special relationship” entails. Or maybe it’s special because it’s different.

???

Tatsumi. It seems you were having so much fun that you’ve forgotten the dire situation HiMERU was in.

Ah, yes. Gaming and reality was blurred for you. I’m still unsure of how that can feel.

Fufu. Nobody can be aware of how another person feels, or how they perceive the world. That’s why…

…? Hm? Why are you, um, kabedon-ing me? That is what you’re doing right?

…

Fufu. HiMERU-san, you did this same maneuver during our shoot yesterday. I wonder if you usually like this type of thing.

…

I thought so yesterday too, but you’re beautiful even up close like this.

(Ahh, how naive…you’ve always loved and trusted others from the depths of your heart, even “me”.)

(That’s why you’re never distrusting or defensive. You just accept anything that’s given to you by others.)

(That’s why you lost everything. Your position, your pride, your leg, a happy life.)

(Yet, even when you say you’ve repented, nothing has changed, has it—Kazehaya Tatsumi.)