Moreover, if it’s a hobby that’s not common, I think it’s even more questionable from the other person’s perspective.
It would be nice if I could tell her that I’m writing… but if Sophia were to reject it, I’d be pretty depressed.
Actually, I was already depressed just thinking about it now.
I feel pathetic for not having confidence in my hobby, and I also don’t want Sophia to hate me…
She tilted her head, and realizing that I was taking too long to answer, I hurriedly opened my mouth.
「I… um, read manga and stuff… play games and stuff?」
It’s the safest option. These are hobbies that people around me have, and I’ve never been rejected for them.
And it’s not a lie. I do like games and manga.
…It’s just not my number one hobby.
Sophia straightened her back at my words and widened her eyes.
「I read a lot too! I have a lot of free time during commutes and stuff!」
「Eh, really?」
「I’m really into Hitokoi right now, you know!?」
「Ah, yeah… Tashika, that manga about the love between an Ajin and a human… And it’s getting an anime adaptation soon…」
I’ve been keeping up with popular works, so I understood immediately, but I didn’t know Sophia liked it too.
「Yeah, yeah. Which character do you like? I super like the Tanaka and Medyu-chan pair!」
This work has pairings established from the beginning, and it’s a work where you enjoy the romantic relationships of each pair.
There aren’t any major ups and downs in the overall story, but the atmosphere is really nice.
「I-I also really like those two, but my favorite is the Yoshino and Laala pair…」
「Ah, that’s a good one too! You have pretty good taste! If you’re reading Hitokoi, how about Mekimeki-sou? That’s similar and good too.」
「Mekimeki-sou, I’ve heard of it but haven’t read it.」
If I recall correctly, that work was originally a light novel. It became a big hit with the comic adaptation, and the sales of the novel itself must have increased significantly.
I was interested, but if I bought all the works I’m currently reading, I’d be pretty short on money.
Maybe I should get a part-time job, but I’m socially awkward, so I thought it would be difficult, and I haven’t done anything yet…
It would be best if I could become a novelist and buy them with my earnings, but I’m not in a position to do that.
「I have the manga, so I’ll lend it to you next time. Ah, or would you prefer the novel? Do you read light novels?」
It seems Sophia is into more genres than I thought.
Maybe she reads them during her commute or something because of her job.
「…I’d like to read it.」
「Okay. I’ll bring it tomorrow then.」
I nodded.
──Light Novels──
──Read Here──
…I’m looking forward to it.
We decided to have dessert after the meal, so the pasta was brought out first. Of course, we enjoyed that as well.
After we finished eating, it was time for the dessert, the cakes.
First, the chocolate cake and shortcake were brought out.
Since we ordered a lot, we started with these two.
Sophia’s eyes sparkled as she took pictures of the cakes that were brought out.
She also took pictures of the cake placed in front of me, and then picked up her fork.
「S-So, shall we eat?」
「Yeah.」
…That being said, what should I do?
We talked about splitting each cake in half, but the cakes are triangular.
How much is half? I stare intently at the shortcake.
Also, when it comes to shortcake, the strawberry on top is the main attraction.
I can’t split this in half… I’m wondering what to do when Sophia has already started eating happily.
「Ah, this is delicious. It’s not too sweet and easy to eat. How’s yours?」
Sophia seems to be curious and calls out to me.
Since I hadn’t eaten it yet, I quickly take a bite.
「This is delicious too. The sponge cake is really good.」
I think it would be good even without the whipped cream or anything… the sponge cake is that good.
Anyway, I ate at the same pace as Sophia, and when I reached the halfway point, I turned the plate towards her, but Sophia stuck her fork into the chocolate cake again.
Huh? She’s already past the halfway point. Did she like it that much?
If so, I don’t mind if Sophia eats it all, but there are still more cakes coming.
Can she eat them all?
As I’m thinking about this, she pointed her fork towards me.
「Here, have some. Aaahn.」
「Uehh!?」
Sophia offered me a bite.
She smiles and shakes the fork a little. Sophia tilts her head as she offers it to me, supporting it with her other hand.
「Come on, don’t be shy about this much. It’s a date after all, you do this much, right?」
「…I-I suppose so?」
I don’t really understand, but if Sophia says so, it must be true…!
We need to give each other the impression that we had a proper date today.