They continued walking together, holding hands, leaving the shopping complex and arriving at the zoo. The place was already crowded — families with kids, groups of friends, a few other couples. Hikaru led the way through the entrance.
"A zoo? I wasn't expecting this," Mizuha said.
"Yeah, I thought it'd be fun. How about we take a look around?"
Hikaru paid for the tickets, and both of them entered the zoo area.
They walked past the enclosures, stopping to look at the lions and then at the elephants. Further along, they came across a capybara enclosure with a feeding session set up, a staff member handing out small trays of vegetables to visitors.
"Ah, feeding time. Want to try it?" Hikaru asked.
"Yeah, let's do it," Mizuha said.
They each took a tray and crouched by the fence. A capybara wandered over and took the food straight from Mizuha's hand, chewing slowly, completely unbothered by the crowd around it.
"It's so calm about all this," Mizuha said, laughing a little.
"Yeah, nothing seems to bother it at all," Hikaru said, holding his own tray out to another one.
Once the trays were empty, they washed their hands at a nearby sink and continued walking. Mizuha pointed at the penguin enclosure. "Look, so many penguins."
They stopped to watch. One penguin was waddling around loudly, bumping into the others.
"Hey look there, that one's so loud and active. Kinda reminds me of Shimizu," Hikaru said.
He pointed at another one, curled up asleep in the corner. "And that one, sleeping like that, reminds me of Zul."
Then he spotted one hiding behind a rock, barely peeking out. "And that shy one hiding there, that's like Eri."
Mizuha tried to hold back her laugh. "Stop it, Hikaru, what if they heard this?" Then she laughed anyway.
Hikaru smiled, watching her laugh.
Ah, looks like Mizuha's having fun now, he thought.
Then Mizuha noticed one male penguin surrounded by several female penguins. "Ah, see, that penguin, it's really similar to you, Hikaru…"
"Wait, seriously, you're comparing me to it? What for…?"
"The famous one, chased by girls."
"Really, do I look like that all this time…?"
"Yes, it really happened, right…?"
"Geez… Mizuha, you still have time to tease me…"
They asked a stranger to take a picture of them in front of the animal enclosure using Mizuha's phone, and thanked the stranger for it.
Mizuha looked at the screen. "It turned out good. Nice and clear."
Hikaru moved closer to look. "Can I see?"
Mizuha held the phone so he could see properly.
"Yeah, we look natural in it," Hikaru said.
"And the animals are visible behind us too," Mizuha added.
Hikaru pointed at the screen. "That one's looking right at the camera."
Mizuha laughed. "I didn't even notice that."
They kept walking until they reached a sign for the dolphin exhibition. Mizuha stopped. "Wait, they have dolphins here too?"
"Guess so. Want to check it out?"
"Sure, why not… let's go."
They found seats near the front of the pool area. A trainer signaled, and the dolphins swam out, jumping and spinning in the air before splashing back down.
"Wow, they're really doing that on command," Hikaru said.
"That one just did a full spin. That's amazing," Mizuha said.
Then one of the dolphins jumped higher than the others and came down hard near the edge of the pool. A wave of water hit the front rows.
Hikaru turned and pulled Mizuha toward him, taking most of the splash on his back.
"Ah—" Mizuha said, startled.
The water hit Hikaru's jacket and the back of his shirt. Mizuha was barely wet.
"Are you okay, Mizuha?" Hikaru asked, letting go of her.
"I'm fine. But you're soaked."
"Don't worry, this is nothing to me. It's just water."
"Geez, you didn't have to do that…"
"Well, I didn't want you getting wet. Also, I don't want you to catch a cold too."
"Oh, you, Hikaru… Here, let me help you dry yourself…"
"Wait, you don't need to do this in front of these people, it's embarrassing…"
She took a towel out of her bag and wiped him down herself, drying his shoulders and the back of his jacket. "You worried about me, but what if you catch a cold instead? Geez."
Hikaru blushed. "Sorry about that, my body just moved on its own, haha."
"By the way, thank you, Hikaru, for that," Mizuha said and smiled.
After the dolphin show, they made their way to the gift shop near the exit. Mizuha wandered around, looking at the shelves.
Hikaru noticed her pause in front of a display of many anime plushies. He picked up one penguin plushie and held it out to her.
"Here, this one's for you, Mizuha," he said.
Mizuha blinked. "Eh, for me?" She took it and looked at it for a second. "Ah, really cute… Thanks, Hikaru. But is it okay for me to accept this…? You spent too much for me recently, and even today too…"
"Don't worry… Just accept it, okay… It's really nothing to me."
"But…." Mizuha still felt hesitant about that.
"Hmm, this feels a bit off… I know, then let me pick up one for you too," Mizuha said.
Hikaru turned confused. "Yes…?"
Mizuha then walked to the keychain area and Hikaru followed her. "Ah, this looks nice…." Mizuha said, looking at a dolphin keychain. She picked up two matching keychains and gave one to Hikaru.
"A set?" Hikaru asked.
"Yeah, so we both have something from today," Mizuha said, handing him one.
Hikaru took it, turning it over in his hand. "Thanks, Mizuha. I will keep this to remember this day."
"Ah, also let me pay you for the keychain. It's not fair if you're the only one paying for me, okay…?"
"Come on, let me pay for that too…" Hikaru said.
Mizuha put her finger on his lips and smiled. "Nope, just let me do it, okay… just for this…"
Hikaru sighed. Sometimes, I really can't win against her, he thought.
Hikaru paid for the plushie, and Mizuha paid for the keychains, then they left the shop. Outside, Hikaru handed the plastic bag with the penguin plushie to her, and Mizuha gave one keychain to Hikaru.
Hikaru then took the keychain and attached it to his phone, and Mizuha did the same.
"Now we match…" Mizuha said, holding her smartphone with the keychain and showing it to Hikaru.
"Yeah… that's right… we match…"
As they left the zoo, Hikaru's stomach suddenly growled.
"Ah… sorry about that, even though we just had crepes earlier, it still wasn’t enough for me, haha" he said.
Mizuha laughed. "It's fine, I'm hungry too. Let's go eat something before it gets too late."
"Yeah, good idea. There's a ramen place nearby, want to try that?"
"Sure, let's go."
They found the shop a few minutes later and went inside. A waiter came to take their order.
"I'll have the extra spicy ramen," Mizuha said.
Hikaru looked at her. "Are you okay with that? It's really spicy, you know."
"Don't worry, I can handle spicy food," Mizuha said, giving him a thumbs up.
Watching her order it so confidently, Hikaru decided to order the same one.
"I'll have the same," he told the waiter.
The ramen arrived a few minutes later, both bowls a deep red. Hikaru's expression changed as he stared at his bowl.
This really looks spicy. I'm not sure if I can eat this, he thought.
He turned to look at Mizuha, who had already started eating, and was surprised.
She's already eating… and so fast! he thought.
Mizuha paused and gave him a confused look. "Why aren't you eating? It's delicious, you know," she said.
"Really, is it that delicious…?"
"Yeah, it's better while it's hot," Mizuha said.
Watching her eat without any problem, he thought, Mizuha can handle this. I think I can too…
Hikaru hesitated, then forced himself to take a bite. A few seconds later, his face turned red.
What — this is way too spicy, he thought, grabbing his drink and gulping it down.
Mizuha glanced over. "Your face is red and you're sweating. Are you okay?"
"I'm fine, I'm fine, haha…" Hikaru said. He was still red in the face, forcing himself to keep eating.
Why did I even order this, he thought.
He glanced at Mizuha, still enjoying her ramen without any trouble. You really are something, huh, Mizuha? he thought.
Once they finished eating, they left the shop.
Outside, Hikaru asked, "Are you satisfied with the ramen shop, Mizuha?"
"Yeah, I'm glad we came here. The ramen was good too. I might come here again next time."
"Looks like you really liked that," Hikaru said.
Then they noticed the day starting to darken with the sunset.
"Looks like it's starting to get dark," Mizuha said.
"Yeah, time really flies without us noticing," Hikaru said.
"Umm, Mizuha, we still have one more place to go, you know. But are you okay with that…?"
"I mean, it's not too late, right…? I don't want your parents worried about this…"
"I don't have a problem with that. Also, I already informed my mom that we're going out to town earlier, and I might return late today. My mom said it's fine if I'm with you."
"Wait, she really said that…?" Hikaru said, surprised.
"Yeah, it looks like she's trusting you… but I never told her that we're dating now. It's too embarrassing to tell her now…"
"Yeah, you're right… Then let's tell her soon if we have time, okay…"
"So where do you want to go next?"
"About that, just follow me, okay."
They kept walking and reached the oceanside area before walking onto the ship deck. The sun was starting to set. Some people were there watching the sunset.
"We're here…" Hikaru said.
"Oh, the ship deck? I've never been here…this area is huge," Mizuha said.
"Me neither. This is the first time I've come here too…" Hikaru said.
A cold wind blew from the ocean. It hit them hard.
"Woah, it's freezing..." Mizuha said.
"Yeah, it's really cold near the ocean."
Hikaru then held Mizuha's hand tightly. "Here, hold on to me, it'll keep you warmer."
Mizuha's face turned red. "Ah… thanks, Hikaru."
Ah, his hand is so warm, she thought.
They stopped at the railing facing the sea and the sunset.
"Wow, this view is pretty nice, right?" Hikaru said.
"Yeah, it's really nice with the sunset. This place has such a nice view that I think I'll draw it for my painting later."
"Oh, that sounds great. Then show me when you finish it, okay?"
"Yes… I'll show you as soon as it's finished…"
They stayed there for a while, just watching the sunset without saying much. Mizuha was still holding his hand, and neither of them let go. A few other people nearby were taking photos of the sunset too. The wind picked up again, and Mizuha shifted a little closer to him.
"It's nice like this too, just standing here," Mizuha said.
"Yeah," Hikaru said. "I don't mind staying a bit longer."
As the sky started turning fully dark, Hikaru opened his mouth, then stopped, thinking for a moment.
"Umm, Mizuha…?"
Mizuha turned to face him. "Yes…"
"How did you feel about today, our date? Were you happy being with me?"
Mizuha smiled at him. "Of course, I felt happy being with you today…"
"Really? That's good to hear," Hikaru said.
"Watching the movie, eating crepes together, visiting the zoo, watching the dolphins…" Mizuha continued. "I really enjoyed doing it all together with you, Hikaru. Thanks for that…"
"Is that so? Haha, I'm glad to hear you enjoyed it…"
As it turned into a completely dark night, Hikaru checked his watch and said, "I think it's time we head back now. Should we return home?"
"Yes, but before that, can we take another picture together, Hikaru?" Mizuha said, holding up her smartphone.
"Sure, why not. Here, give me your phone."
Hikaru pulled Mizuha close to his side and took a selfie together with the deck as their background.
"Done, here, take a look," Hikaru said, handing her phone back.
"It's a really nice picture… I'll remember this day."
"Can you send that to me too?" Hikaru asked.
"Sure, wait a sec…" Mizuha said, tapping on her phone. "There, sent it."
"Thanks, Mizuha."
"Yeah, me too. Should we go now?"
"Yes… let's go."
They started walking and began leaving the place, still holding hands while chatting, until they arrived at their neighborhood area.
Then Mizuha received a text message from Shimizu and Akemi, asking her about the date. She smiled and replied that she'd tell them soon.
"Looks like they're curious to know about today…" Hikaru leaned over to look at her screen.
"Yes… but it feels embarrassing to tell them about it…"
"Yeah, especially Shimizu. I'm sure that tomboyish girl will make fun of me too…haha."
"Oh, I got a message too…" Hikaru said before sighing. "Huh, from this guy…"
"Who is that…?"
"It's Takeru. Looks like he wants to know about today too…"
"Looks like we're in the same boat… haha…"
"Yeah, you're right…."
They kept walking until they arrived in front of Mizuha's house.
"We're here," Hikaru said. "Looks like our date ends here."
"Yeah," Mizuha said, smiling. "I really enjoyed it."
"Then, see you at school," Hikaru said.
Mizuha nodded. "See you."
As Hikaru started moving, Mizuha suddenly grabbed the edge of his clothes from behind, making him stop and turn to face her, her face turning red. She didn't want him to leave yet.
Mizuha… Hikaru thought, glancing back at her.
He looked around. No one seemed to be around them in that area. Slowly, he walked back to her and pulled her into a hug.
Ah, Hikaru hug made me feel warm… Mizuha thought, resting there for a moment.
"Thanks for today, it was a great day," Mizuha said.
"It was my pleasure. I had a great time with you too," Hikaru said.
Hikaru slowly released the hug. "Was that okay, Mizuha…?" he asked.
"Yeah…" Mizuha nodded, then reached up, touching his face, and stared at him for a moment before leaning in and kissing his cheek.
"Good night, see you," she said, blushing, before turning and running into her house.
"Good… night…" Hikaru said, then froze in that awkward, warm moment, touching his cheek.
"Geez, Mizuha... you always really like to do something unexpected like this…" he said, before he started walking home.
He walked home alone, looking at the dolphin keychain tied to his phone.
Today really went well. Mizuha looked happy the whole time.
He thought about the crepe shop, how she'd wiped the cream off his cheek with a napkin without even being asked. She wasn't just being nice to him — she actually paid attention.
Unlike back then with Misaka... I won't let something like that happen again. This time, it's different. I'm not the same person I used to be.
Mizuha is not like that. She really enjoyed today with me.
He looked at his phone and opened the picture they’d taken together earlier on the deck, smiling a little.
I can't wait for what comes next with Mizuha, Hikaru thought, before he continued walking home with a smile on his face.
Meanwhile, Mizuha entered her house with a happy expression and a smile. "Mom, I'm back…" She took off her shoes.
Her mother came to greet her. "Ah, Mizuha, welcome back… You look happy. Did something happen during your date with Hikaru-kun today?"
"Yeah, it was really fun. We went to so many places together today…" Mizuha said, then stopped when she noticed it had slipped out.
"I see, so that really did happen. Looks like I was right," her mother said.
Ah, I accidentally told Mom… she thought, shocked.
"Ah, it's not like that, also— what do you mean by that? How did you know…?"
"Well, you dressed up so cute today and asked to come back late, so I assumed you were going on a date with him."
"So, how was the date? Did it go smoothly today…? Mind sharing with me, I'm excited to hear it."
"About that… well…" Mizuha hesitated, resisting the urge to tell her mother about it.
"Haha, you really can't hide anything from your mother, my dear. Your mother has gotten really sharp recently," her father said, just as he came out too.
"Of course I can tell. I'm her mother, you know," her mother replied.
"Wait, dad…? You're already back? I thought you were coming in two days," Mizuha said, surprised that her father was already back home, since he was supposed to be on his business trip for a few more days.
"Yeah, something happened during the business trip, so I had to return early."
"By the way, you look happy, right? Did something happen today?" her father asked.
"You know, honey," her mother said, "today she actually went on a date with her boyfriend…"
"Wait, Mom… You didn't need to tell Dad yet… It's so embarrassing… Geez."
"Haha, let's have her enter the living room first, okay? You must be tired, right? We can talk about it later," her father suggested.
Even though it was embarrassing, Mizuha ended up telling her parents everything about today's date.
She showed them the penguin doll gift she got from Hikaru, setting it down on the table so they could see it properly. Her mother picked it up and turned it over in her hands, smiling, while her father just watched Mizuha's face as she talked.
Still, hearing all of it from Mizuha and his wife beforehand wasn't enough for her father—he found himself wanting to properly get to know Hikaru someday soon.
ns216.73.216.47da2
and then Add to home screen.