Chapter 28 – “Secret Dates and Stupid Smiles”

Being in a relationship, Riko decided, was way harder than all those shoujo manga made it look.

First, there was the problem of pretending not to be in one.

And second, there was the bigger problem — her complete lack of “girly” experience.

She stared at her reflection in the café window, tugging at her skirt nervously.

“This looks fine… right?” she muttered.

Mina’s voice popped in her mind: ‘Confidence, Riko! You’re his girlfriend now — not his sparring partner!’

Easy for Mina to say. Mina didn’t accidentally punch people when she got flustered.

Just then, Daichi appeared, waving with his usual smile — the same smile that somehow made her heart stop.

“Hey, you actually wore something normal today,” he teased.

“W-What’s that supposed to mean?!”

“Nothing!” He grinned, scratching his head. “You just look… cute.”

Riko froze like a malfunctioning robot. “C-Cute?! You— I— it’s hot, okay? That’s why my face is red!”

“Sure it is,” Daichi chuckled.

They sat together at the small café near school, their “totally secret” dating spot — except Mina had somehow already sent a text saying “I see you two~ ”. Riko nearly threw her phone in the milkshake.

“So…” Daichi leaned forward. “What do people do on dates?”

Riko blinked. “You’re asking me?!”

“I mean… we’ve technically been on like, zero real dates.”

“Okay, first of all,” Riko said, folding her arms, “holding hands while running away from Mina’s camera counts as one.”

He laughed. “True. Romantic and athletic.”

Their “official” date went about as smoothly as one could expect.

Riko tried to sip her smoothie “gracefully” — and got a whipped cream mustache.

Daichi tried to compliment her again but ended up choking on his straw.

They spent most of the afternoon laughing until their cheeks hurt.

Later, as they walked home side by side, Riko’s mind raced. Do I take his hand? Do I wait for him? What’s the protocol here?!

Daichi glanced at her — and for once, he looked just as nervous.

“So uh…” He rubbed the back of his neck. “Can I…?”

Without waiting for her answer, he gently took her hand.

Riko froze. Then blinked. Then looked down at their intertwined fingers.

Her brain officially short-circuited.

“…You okay?” Daichi asked softly.

“I-I’m fine! Totally fine! Just… re-evaluating my life choices right now.”

He chuckled. “You know, for someone who claims to hate romantic stuff, you blush a lot.”

“Do not!” she shot back.

He tilted his head playfully. “You do.”

Their bickering turned into quiet laughter as they walked under the sunset — fingers still linked, steps unconsciously in sync.

When they reached the park, Daichi stopped by a vending machine. “Close your eyes.”

Riko frowned. “Why?”

“Just do it. No peeking.”

Reluctantly, she obeyed. She heard coins clinking, a button press, and the sound of a can dropping.

When she opened her eyes, he handed her a peach soda — her favorite.

“You remembered…” she said quietly.

“Of course,” he replied. “You got mad that one time they were sold out.”

She stared at the can, warmth spreading in her chest. He actually remembers things like that?

He looked nervous now. “I know it’s dumb, but… I wanted to get you something.”

Riko blinked rapidly to hide her blush. “You’re… ridiculous.”

“Yeah, but I’m your ridiculous,” he said with a grin.

Her heart skipped again. For the tenth time that day.

As they sat on the bench, sharing chips and soda, Riko caught him watching her.

“What?” she said, cheeks pink. “You’re staring.”

“Can’t help it,” Daichi said simply. “You’re really cute, you know that?”

She sputtered instantly. “I-I’m not! Take that back!”

“Too late.” He leaned closer with a teasing smile. “Already said it.”

Riko buried her face in her hands. “This is so unfair…”

“Hey, you started dating me. You knew what you were signing up for.”

“Excuse me?!” she said, smacking his shoulder — gently this time.

They both laughed, the kind of laughter that came easily, comfortably — the kind that made the world feel a little lighter.

Unbeknownst to them, Mina was crouched behind a bush with her phone, whispering to herself.

“Operation: Capture Couple Cuteness — success.” Click.

Within seconds, their photo was in the group chat titled:

> “Our Idiot Lovebirds ”

Back at the bench, Riko finally relaxed, leaning back with a soft sigh. “You know… this is nice.”

Daichi glanced at her. “Yeah. It is.”

For a moment, everything felt perfect — simple and real.

She turned to him, smiling shyly. “Hey, Daichi?”

“Mm?”

“…Thanks. For putting up with me.”

He blinked. “What are you talking about? I’m the lucky one.”

She rolled her eyes, but her smile stayed.

As the sun dipped below the horizon, painting the world in orange and gold, they sat there — two awkward teenagers trying their best at love, laughing through every stumble.

Maybe they weren’t the perfect couple.

Maybe they’d mess up again tomorrow.

But for now — this was enough.

 Daichi smiled, leaning closer. “You’re… really cute, you know that?”

Riko turned scarlet, gripping her can of soda. “I-I’m not!”