In fact, I’m prepared to prostrate myself as many times as necessary.
I’m willing to do anything to protect my peaceful school life from now on.
「I wasn’t planning on doing that, but do I look like the kind of person who would do that?」
Kiryuuin gave me a sharp look. My previous statement was indeed a self-preserving one that didn’t consider her personality.
I don’t know Kiryuuin that well yet, but I at least know that she wouldn’t do anything to belittle someone.
My self-deprecation is becoming pathetic.
「It’s not that, um, I think you’re that kind of person… but I still wanted to ask you… Sorry.」
「When you apologize so seriously, it makes me look like the bad one. It was a joke, a joke.」
Kiryuuin speaks with a carefree laugh.
To me, who has almost no experience with face-to-face jokes, she seems radiant.
As expected, I’m reminded that extroverts live in a different world from me.
The conversation was progressing smoothly, but then silence fell again.
While drinking the warm tea that was placed on the table, I stretched my legs a little. It should be okay to relax a bit now.
I sip the tea from the cup and rack my brain about what to do next.
For now, I’m pretending to drink tea to buy time, but I have no idea what to talk about next.
There are topics. There are various things related to her, and I could ask her about them, but if I just keep asking questions, it’ll be like an interview.
Since I’m not used to interacting with people, I asked Google-sensei for advice on how to handle the omiai, but it’s not good to ask too many questions.
Also, it said that it’s better to avoid overly private topics or intrusive questions, so honestly, I was at a loss.
What on earth should I talk about?
I didn’t come to this omiai to make her like me, and in the first place, I don’t care about the outcome of the omiai.
Of course, I’d be happy if I could get along with a beautiful girl like her, but the chances of that happening are one in ten thousand.
Ahh, I wish this would just end soon… I can’t keep drinking tea forever, so I put the cup back on the table, and Kiryuuin asked me a question.
「Hey, Doumyouji, how many omiai have you had?」
「Eh? No… This is my first time… What about you, Kiryuuin?」
Judging from her question, it seemed like she had some experience.
She bent her fingers as if counting, and then opened her mouth.
「Since middle school, so quite a few. At most, I had them about once a week.」
「…Ohh, you’re a veteran.」
Once a week, that’s like a club activity.
Kiryuuin chuckled at my words.
「Isn’t “omiai veteran” not much of a compliment?」
Maybe. I just blurted out what I was thinking, but Kiryuuin doesn’t seem to mind and is laughing.
I just pray that her smile isn’t a forced one.
「Well, it wasn’t always one-on-one like this. There were times when I was introduced at parties with my parents’ acquaintances, so if you include those, it’s quite a lot.」
Kiryuuin’s father is an actor, and her mother was a model, so I imagine they attend parties where such people gather.
──Light Novels──
──Read Here──
…Kiryuuin’s mother is a foreigner, and her blonde hair is completely inherited from her mother.
「I see… Sounds tough.」
I thought it sounded tough because I’m an introvert, but maybe it’s nothing to Kiryuuin.
I was thinking about that, but Kiryuuin nodded with a wry smile at my words.
「Honestly, it is tough. My parents absolutely want to see their grandchildren’s faces.」
「…My parents are similar.」
It was an unexpected common point. However, since my first omiai is in high school, it might be better than Kiryuuin’s situation.
Kiryuuin’s lips curve into a smile at my words.
「So, I was thinking of making a good suggestion to you, Doumyouji.」
「A good suggestion…?」
She leans in with a smug look on her face.
My heart skipped a beat. It would be strange if my heart didn’t race when a beautiful face suddenly approached me.
Her scent tickles my nostrils, and her well-colored lips move slowly.
「There’s a possibility that there will be more omiai proposals in the future, right? And there’s no guarantee that a girl who meets your expectations will come, right?」
As Kiryuuin says, my parents might try to set up more omiais in the future.
She smiles teasingly.
「I won’t make such unreasonable demands anymore.」
「So, I wasn’t good enough?」
Kiryuuin looks down with a slightly sad expression. Darn. I didn’t mean to make her sad.
I shake my head to apologize for immediately denying it.
「T-That’s not what I meant.」
「That’s good then.」
She immediately smiles again, and I give her a sharp look.
「Did you just tease me?」
「I didn’t do anything like thatー.」
「If you say so.」
She definitely teased me.
I can only sigh at her drawn-out voice. I’ve never spoken directly to Kiryuuin until today, but she might be more playful than I thought.
As I stared at her, Kiryuuin bursted out laughing as if she couldn’t help it, and then clasped her hands together.
「Sorry, sorry. You have good reactions, Doumyouji, so I couldn’t resist. Anyway, going back to what I was saying, as I said earlier, I have a suggestion for you.」
「…What is it?」
「Why don’t we officially start dating?」
「Eh?」
After being bewildered by her smiling face and outstretched hand, embarrassment wells up inside me.
When I became aware of the heat in my cheeks, what I had been thinking earlier came to mind.
She’s teasing me again, I thought.