IWSBSB 12

Chapter 12

”Hiro-kun, May 4th is your birthday, right? Let’s have our first date!”

Mana’s single line last week had led to this very day—our first date.

She’d really wanted to go to an amusement park a little ways from here. The one little snag was that I’d never been on a proper thrill ride before.

We met up at seven in the morning by the station, switched between the train and the bus, and finally arrived at nine.

Even though it was a full thirty minutes before the park opened, the long line snaking up to the entrance was absolutely massive because of Golden Week. I was so glad I’d listened to my gut and bought the advance tickets at the convenience store right after Mana asked me out.

As soon as the gates opened, everyone scattered, bolting toward their favorite attractions.

”Hiro-kun, let’s go!” Mana called, holding her hand out to me. Without a second thought, I took her hand and ran right along with her.

I felt like it was the very first time I’d ever held her hand.

It was so soft and wonderfully warm. “Ehehehe…” Mana’s delighted laugh was blindingly bright.

We waited for our turn in front of the roller coaster, our fingers intertwined in a lovers’ lock¹. People around us kept glancing over at Mana.

I even saw one guy getting scolded by his girlfriend for staring. Since Mana was cute enough to be an idol, I knew it was obvious, but I couldn’t help but worry about what people thought of me, the not-so-handsome guy standing right beside her.

As I talked with Mana, it was finally our turn. Even though we’d waited for over thirty minutes, the ride itself was done in about five.

Mana was screaming her head off and totally into it beside me, but my very first roller coaster experience was intense.

I still hadn’t fully recovered when she dragged me off to the next machine. But by the time we’d ridden four different attractions, I guess I’d either built up some kind of immunity or just resigned myself to the terror.

”Hiro-kun, this is so fun!” Mana squealed. Her joyful excitement was like a cool, refreshing breeze to my frazzled nerves.

Later, when I went to the restroom, Mana was being flirted with by a stranger when I got back. The guy quickly backed away and left as soon as I walked up and spoke to her.

That taught me a lesson: I absolutely couldn’t leave Mana alone in a crowded place. So, for our late lunch, we stood in line together and then searched for an open table together.

After we ate, the lines for almost every attraction had become even longer, so you couldn’t get on anything without at least an hour’s wait.

The haunted house was relatively empty, but Mana absolutely refused, so we gave up on that. We decided to walk around the park, nibbling on snacks and touring the attached botanical garden instead.

We finished the day by riding the observation wheel.

”A date must end with the observation wheel, right?” Mana whispered. “Kissing at the very top was my dream.” The staff waved us off, saying, “Have a great time!” as our gondola started moving.

As we rose higher, Mana was exclaiming over the changing scenery.

I did look where she was pointing, but my mind was a million miles away after she mentioned the kiss. I’d kissed her many times, but this was our first time in public, and I felt so nervous and jumpy about being seen.

As we neared the top, Mana got her phone ready.

”Hiro-kun, it’s almost time, so lean in closer.” My heart pounded, and I thought, Girls sure get bold at moments like these. Just then, her face came closer: a gentle, lingering smooch and then a flash!

”I sent you the photo,” she giggled. “You can set it as your wallpaper, but you absolutely mustn’t show it to anyone, okay?” While my heart was still hammering away, we had already reached the bottom. I didn’t remember the scenery at all.

Before leaving the park, we stopped at a shop to buy a souvenir for our first date. After looking around, I gave Mana—whose birthday is in August—a silver necklace with a sunflower motif.

In return, she gave me a black cap with four red roses embroidered on it. Mana told me that roses bloom in May, and I realized we were thinking the exact same thing about our birth-month gifts.

We’d had a great time, and it was past seven by the time we got back to our neighborhood.

We ate dinner at a family restaurant near the station. “I’m going to stay over tonight,” Mana announced.

”Is it okay with your mom?” I mumbled.

”Mom said she’s taking a two-night, three-day hot spring trip with her friends to ‘heal from the divorce,’ so I’m going to be staying at your place for two nights,” she explained. “I’m going to cook you something delicious tomorrow night, so look forward to it!”

After finishing our meal and chatting, we took the bus back to my house. Just as we were about to go in, Mana said, “I need to make a quick stop, so you go on in first.”

I went inside, started running the bath, and went back to the living room, only to find Mana already in the kitchen.

She told me to get out of the bath first, so I did, and then I waited in the living room, watching television until she was done. “Don’t feed Bogie if he wakes up,” she instructed.

So, when Bogie woke up and made the gesture for food, I gently consoled him. “Mana’s going to feed you, so wait a little longer.”

A little while later, she came into the living room wearing my shirt. The white fabric was see-through, and I didn’t know where to look.

”This is my pajamas now,” she declared. “I wear it at home, too.” She lifted the hem slightly, and I caught a flash of her white panties.

”Oops! Did you see? You’re such a pervert, Hiro-kun. But… I’ll let you see properly later on.” Today, she was a full-on little devil² Mana.

”Wait just a minute, you too, Bogie.” Mana let Bogie out of his circle and went into the kitchen.

”Happy Birthday to you~♪”

Mana came into the living room carrying a cake with eight candles on top.

She set it on the table, finished the song, and I blew out the flames. My parents had only passed away six months ago, so maybe I should have held back on celebrating, but Mana’s thoughtful kindness made me so happy.

Mana cut slices of the cake and placed a dog-friendly cake on the floor for Bogie.

”Come here, Bogie. You can help celebrate Hiro-kun’s birthday, too.” Bogie let out a happy woof and started eating the cake.

It truly turned out to be the best birthday ever.