Chapter 15: Touko’s Little Date

Saturday mornings were usually quiet in the Nishima house, but today had a small purpose. Kei just wanted to buy a birthday gift for Yui. Something simple. Something thoughtful.

It was supposed to be a quick trip.

“Touko, I’m heading to the market,” Kei said, tying his shoes. “Want to come?”

Touko Nishima looked up from the couch, eyes brightening in a way that made his heart sink.

She rarely reacted to anything.

But when it came to him, she always did.

“Yes,” she answered instantly.

He regretted asking the moment they stepped outside.

Touko walked beside him, pressed close, her hand curled around his arm like she was claiming it. Not shy. Not cautious. Confident. Possessive.

“Touko,” Kei said softly, trying not to draw attention, “you don’t need to hold on so tight.”

She leaned her cheek against his shoulder, as if she had every right.

“It’s a date.”

Kei almost tripped. “It’s not a date. I’m buying something for your mother.”

“It’s still a date,” she murmured.

“Touko—”

“It feels like one.”

There was no arguing with her when she spoke like that, voice flat and certain. She wasn’t teasing him. This wasn’t a joke in her mind. She truly believed it.

The market street was busy, lined with food stalls, bright shops, and chatter rising from every direction. Kei kept his eyes forward, trying to focus.

He wasn’t paying attention when Touko shifted even closer, sliding her fingers between his to hold his hand. Like a newlywed wife.

Kei stiffened. “Touko… people will misunderstand.”

“They misunderstand everything anyway,” she said calmly.

That sent a small chill down his spine.

She didn’t let go.

---

Inside the accessory shop, Kei tried to regain control of the situation. He walked toward a display of bracelets, thinking of what Yui might like. Something gentle. Something simple.

Touko stayed attached to him the entire time, never giving him space. She scanned the shelves, but her eyes kept drifting back to Kei.

“Is this gift for Mama?” she asked.

“Yes,” Kei said. “Her birthday.”

Touko studied his face like she was weighing something.

“Does Mama make you happy?”

Kei blinked. “Of course. Touko, what kind of question is that?”

Touko lightly touched a necklace, then Kei’s sleeve, then the bracelet he was holding.

“If Mama loves you too much,” she whispered, “she might get hurt.”

Kei froze. “Touko. That isn’t—”

She cut him off. “I’m just thinking.”

That didn’t make him feel any better.

He put the bracelet into the basket and tried to guide her toward the register, but she tugged him back gently.

“Papa,” she said softly, “you invited me. So don’t walk away from me.”

The way she said papa —made something inside him tighten.

“I like Papa,” she said simply.

Before he could stop her, she slipped her hand around his arm again and rested her head lightly against him. Anyone looking would think she was his girlfriend. Or his wife.

He didn’t notice the eyes watching from outside.

---

Rurika had been passing by with a bag of cosmetics when she caught the scene. At first, she thought she was seeing things.

Touko Nishima.

The girl who overshadowed her in class.

The girl everyone whispered about.

The quiet beauty who made her irrelevant.

Touko Nishima was walking through the market holding onto an adult man’s arm.

Not just holding—clutching him like she belonged to him.

Rurika ducked behind a vending machine, heart racing.

“What the hell…”

She stared, eyes wide, as Touko leaned closer to the man. He didn’t push her away. He looked uncomfortable, sure, but he let her cling to him. Let her follow him. Let her smile at him in a way Rurika had never seen her smile at anyone at school.

The man was handsome in a quiet way. Early twenties maybe. Adult, definitely.

Was she dating someone like that?

Rurika’s stomach twisted.

Without thinking, she lifted her phone and snapped a picture.

Touko standing close.

Touko’s fingers hooked around the man’s arm.

Touko looking at him like he was hers.

“Unbelievable,” Rurika hissed. “You two-faced bitch… playing innocent at school and flirting with some guy out here.”

She zoomed in.

Touko looked soft, almost in love.

Rurika felt her blood boil.

She had lost her attention, her popularity, her school ranking—

now even boys who liked Rurika whispered about Touko instead.

And now this?

Rurika bit her lip hard enough to sting.

Touko Nishima wasn’t perfect.

She was rotten.

Secretive.

And now Rurika had proof.

A smile crept across her face—sharp, dangerous.

“This is going to destroy you,” she whispered.

---

Inside the shop, Kei finally picked a gift and tried to gently detach Touko from his arm.

“Touko, let’s head home before it gets too late.”

Touko’s eyes softened in a way that made him nervous.

“Kei.”

“What?”

“Thank you for today.”

He swallowed. “Touko, this wasn’t—”

“It was a date,” she said again, quietly, like stating a fact.

She slipped her hand into his one more time.

And somewhere outside, Rurika walked away with the photo that would start the next storm.