Chapter 31 – Double Date, Double Trouble

There are many dangerous things in this world.

Sharks, Nuclear war, Airi’s mood swings.

But nothing... nothing is more terrifying than Daiki saying,
“Let’s go on a double date.”

I should’ve said no. I really should’ve.
But somehow, here I am.
At the station. Standing awkwardly in a hoodie I ironed for this. Waiting for disaster.

“Over here!” Daiki waved, already walking toward us with Mika.

I say “us,” because right beside me like it was the most natural thing in the world, stood Usagi.

Yep, Usagi.
Hairpin in, Warm smile and zero threat level.
Which meant the Chaos Fairy had fallen asleep again after yesterday’s cake quest.

“Yuuji-kun!” Mika chirped, waving both hands like we were on a variety show. “You look nice today!”

“Oh, uh. Thanks.” I adjusted my sleeves. “You too.”

She blushed.

Daiki smirked.

Usagi tilted her head and asked, “So... Where are we going?”

Daiki grinned. “First stop isss.... bowling.”

“…You planned this?”

“Yup. You’re welcome.”

Usagi looked at me and smiled. “Shall we go?”

I nodded.

And just like that, the double date began.

The bowling alley was… loud.
Bright lights, thumping music, kids yelling, pins crashing.

Also, I hadn’t bowled in three years.

Mika bounced in place, holding a shiny pink ball. “Okay okay, I go first!”

She did a little spin, tossed the ball—
—and it rolled directly into the gutter.

“…Oops.”

“Nice form though,” Daiki said, totally lying.

“Alright, your turn, Usagi,” I said.

She nodded politely, picked up the ball, walked calmly to the lane…

…and threw a strike.

All three of us stared.

“…Okay,” I muttered. “What can’t she do.”

She turned around with the smallest smug smile. “Beginner’s luck?”

Then came my turn.

I lined up my shot, took a deep breath, swung—

—and accidentally dropped the ball behind me.

It made a huge thud. A kid laughed somewhere. Mika gasped. Daiki was choking from laughter.

I wanted to vanish.

Usagi picked up the ball for me. “Let’s try that again. I’ll teach you.”

“…Huh?”

She stood behind me. Hands on my arms. Warm. Close. Too close.

“Hold it like this,” she said softly.

“I-I got it,” I said, totally lying again.

I bowled. It was average. Maybe even decent.

“Better,” she said.

Mika clapped. “Yuuji-kun’s getting cooler!”

“Didn’t take much,” Daiki muttered.

After bowling, we stopped by a fancy café near the station.
It had twinkling fairy lights, soft jazz playing from hidden speakers, and marble tables that looked way too clean to be real.
Every drink came in a glass taller than my self esteem, and the menus had cursive fonts so dramatic I had to squint.

We took a corner booth. I sat across from Usagi. Daiki and Mika did the same.

“So, how long have you two been dating?” the waiter asked with a wink.

“We’re not,” I said quickly.

“Oh. Sorry. You just give off that vibe.”

I looked at Usagi.

She smiled into her drink and didn’t say a word.

Help.

The place looked fancy. Too fancy. Everything on the menu had names like “Lavender Stardust Chill” and “Peach Whirlwind of Joy.”

I just wanted iced coffee.

Mika’s eyes sparkled like a kid going to Disneyland. “They have the Strawberry Fairy Sundae! Oh! And the Mango Sunlight Fizz!”

“Those sound like anime attack moves,” I mumbled.

She ignored me. “I’ll get both.”

“Two drinks?” I blinked.

“One’s in case the other one is too sweet!” she said with a nervous laugh.

…That’s not how drinks work, but okay.

Next up, Usagi stepped forward, completely calm.

“I’ll have the Sakura Parfait and hot royal milk tea,” she said politely.

Then she turned back to me and added in a lower voice, “Want a bite? I’ll charge you later.” then winked at me.

“I’m already paying with my pride by standing here,” I muttered.

Usagi giggled, covering her mouth like she was enjoying every second.

Daiki was next.

“I’ll take whatever sounds like a sugar explosion.”

The cashier pointed weakly. “Uh… the Pink Galaxy Volcano Latte?”

His eyes lit up. “That... Exactly that.”

When it was finally my turn, I glanced at the board again. Too many syllables. Too much color.

“Iced coffee, please.”

Mika looked horrified. “Just that?!”

“It’s safe,” I said. “Can’t betray me.”

“It’s boring,” she said.

“Just like his love life,” Daiki added.

I ignored them both and paid.

After lunch, we wandered through the nearby arcade.

Daiki and Mika immediately vanished into the rhythm game section, leaving me and Usagi behind.

“You think they’ll be okay?” I asked.

“I think they’ll be fine,” Usagi said. “Daiki’s more responsible than he looks.”

“…That’s not a high bar.”

We stopped in front of a claw machine.
Inside is a pile of plush rabbits.

“Oh,” Usagi said.

I looked at her. “Want one?”

She nodded once.

I cracked my knuckles.

Then proceeded to fail five times in a row.

Usagi didn’t say anything. But I could feel the judgment.

“I swear this thing is rigged,” I muttered.

“Let me try.”

She slipped in a coin, casually moved the claw… and snatched one on the first try.

Of course she did.

She handed it to me.

“…Huh?”

“It’s for you,” she said.

“Wait, what? I thought—”

“I already have one.” She smiled. “Now we have a pair.”

I looked down at the soft little rabbit in my hands.

“…Thanks.”

She stood beside me, eyes on the glass.

Then she said something I wasn’t ready for.

“Hey, Yuuji?”

“Yeah?”

“If this was a real date… would you mind?”

I blinked. Turned. Then looked at her.

“…Are you asking as Airi or—”

“I’m asking as me,” she said. “Right now.”

I hesitated.

Then said, “I wouldn’t mind.”

She smiled.

The kind of smile that made my chest hurt a little.

We met back up with Daiki and Mika, who were red faced and arguing about who missed more beats.
Clearly, progress had been made.

It was late afternoon now. The sky had that soft orange glow. The day was almost over.

But something about it stayed in my heart.

A warmth that hadn’t been there yesterday.

Or maybe… it had always been there. I just never noticed.

Yuuji’s Mental Diary – Day 32

Usagi Status: Parfait queen. Claw machine queen. What can't she do...
Mental State: Still confused, but like… in a good way?
Bowling Skill: 3/10. But I didn’t drop the ball a second time.
Café Rating: Fancy... Too fancy 8/10.
Final Thought: If this was a real date… I don’t think I’d complain.