Chapter 10.5: Girls Night Out

After Mamoru left the room,

only Emi and Shino remained.
"So, where do you want to go, Shino-san?"
"Oh, I'm not really sure. I rarely hang out with friends after school."
"Eh, really? I thought you were the type who hangs out a lot after school."
"Hehe, I'd like to, but I'm usually pretty busy with student council work."
"Oh, so this is the first time someone's invited you to hang out after finishing student council stuff?"

"Yeah, I guess so." Shino tidied up her desk.
"Hehe, I feel honored. So how about we go to the mall? There's a lot of fun stuff there."
"The mall? Oh, sure. Now that I think about it, there's a new mall that opened near our school."
"Great! Then let's go there." Emi grabbed Shino's hand, pulling her along.
"Ah, wait a second. I still need to tidy up a few things." Shino let go of Emi's hand.
"Huh? Oh, sorry. I'll wait outside then."

Emi left the room, leaving Shino to finish up her tasks.
Shino sighed and looked around the now-empty room to make sure everything was tidy, then turned off the computer and went out to meet Emi.

When Shino came out, Emi stared at her.
"Hehe, you look really excited. Don't worry, I won't leave you behind." Emi put her phone into her bag.
"Ah, hehe, right. By the way, let's go before it gets too late. I don't want you getting in trouble for coming home late."
"Hehe, don't worry. My parents are pretty relaxed — at least my dad is." Shino noticed a hint of worry in Emi's eyes.
"Alright then, let's go." Shino gestured for Emi to follow her.
"Hehe, tonight is girls' night!" Emi shouted in the hallway, which luckily was empty.

Emi and Shino walked out of the school, leaving the now-quiet school building behind.

On the way to the mall, Emi started a conversation.
"So, Shino-san, are you close with Mamoru?" Emi asked with a curious look.
"Huh? Oh, not really. I rarely interact with Mamoru," Shino answered.
"Eh, really? But Mamoru already looked at you with—"
"Ah, Emi-san!" Shino's face turned red at Emi's comment.
"Hehe, sorry, just kidding. You're so cute when you're flustered."
"Ah, is that a French habit — teasing your friends?"
"Hehe, not really. That's just my habit as an older sister — I like to tease people."
"But seriously, Shino-san, are you really not close to or interested in Mamoru?"

"Well... maybe a little." Shino's face got even redder, almost like a ripe tomato.
"Hehe, I knew it. But are you sure it's just 'a little'?"

Before Shino could answer, rows of tall building lights appeared in the distance — they were almost at the mall.

Emi noticed Shino's gaze.
"Ah, looks like we're close to the mall. I'll stop asking, but you have to treat me to crepes later, hehe."

There was a brief silence as they entered the mall, awed by how spacious it was.
"So where should we go now, Shino-san? Want to grab coffee or play at the arcade?"
"Eh, I'm a little hungry. Could we go to the food court?"
"Hehe, okay. Let's go to the food court."

Emi and Shino walked through the fairly crowded mall, passing by various shops like a flower shop, a merchandise store, and a fairly busy office.
"Wait, Shino-san, isn't that the sponsor for our school's culture festival?" Emi asked, pointing at the busy office.
"Ah yes, that's right. It's called [Bratif]. It used to be called Lucky Clean, but the spokesperson complained the name sounded odd, so it was changed to Bratif."
"Really? That's so cool. Such a total girl boss. I'd really love to meet the spokesperson."

"Hehe, maybe you'll get the chance during the school festival."

As they passed by that office, they caught the scent of appetizing food.
"Ah, looks like we're close to the food court. Let's race! Whoever's last has to spill a secret!" Emi immediately took off running.
"Ah, wait, Emi-san!" Shino got ready to chase after her.
"Hehe, try and catch me!"
Shino tried to keep up, panting. "No, I'm just trying to keep pace with you."

The two of them arrived at almost the same time.
"Hehe, looks like we both won. So it's a tie — which means we both have to reveal a secret."
"Hehe, okay. But since you cheated a little, you go first."
"Eh, fine. But you still have to treat me to crepes later, hehe."

They looked for an empty table.
"How about this table? It's close enough to the tenants."
"Yeah, this looks like a good spot."

They sat down.
"So, what do you recommend, Shino-san? I'm not too familiar with the food here."
"Hmm, since this is a new mall, I'm not too familiar with it either."
Shino looked around and spotted a familiar sign.
"Ah, how about we get takoyaki?"
"Oh, I know that. I heard it's tasty and looks really soft."
"Hehe, alright, let's order then."

They left their bags at the table and headed to the takoyaki stall.
"Hi, welcome to Tako Attack. What would you like to order?"
"Eh, what should we get, Emilia-san?"
"Hmm, how about this limited-edition takoyaki?" Emi pointed at the menu.
"Oh, that's the takoyaki roulette. There's a 1-in-6 chance of getting an extremely spicy piece," the staff explained.
"Oh, that sounds fun and thrilling. What do you think, Shino-san?"
"Eh, hehe... sure," Shino answered nervously.
"Alright, one takoyaki roulette."
"That'll be 1,000 yen."

Shino was about to pay, but Emi stopped her.
"Oh, let me pay. I'm the one who suggested it."
"Your order will be brought to your table."

They went back to their table.
"Hehe, while we wait, how about we start revealing secrets?"
Shino sighed. "Ehh... alright. But since you cheated, you go first."
"Hehe, okay. Want to know why I moved here?"
"Sure."
"I moved because my dad got transferred, and his family wanted me to marry one of their well-known relatives."
"Eh, seriously?" Shino narrowed her eyes.

"Hehe, do you think that's true or not?"

"I don't think you're the type to lie, so I believe you."
"Oh, but please don't tell Mamoru-san about this, okay?"
"Hehe, alright."
"Now it's your turn, Shino-san. Your darkest secret."
"Eh... I once cheated on an exam."
Emi laughed. "I feel like everyone's done that at some point."
"Ah, don't laugh."
Emi then whispered, "What about the other secret?"
"What do you mean?"
"You like Mamoru-san, don't you?"
"Eh... I—"

Before Shino could answer, their order arrived.
"One takoyaki roulette."
"Hehe, saved by the timing."
"Since you haven't answered yet, you go first," Emi said, giggling.

Shino picked one.
"This one."
She tasted it. "Safe. Your turn, Emilia-san."
"Hmm..." Emi picked another one.
She swallowed it without reaction. "Safe too."

The game continued until only two takoyaki pieces were left.
"Hehe, sorry in advance, Shino-san.

Looks like I win."
Emi picked one and ate it... then stopped chewing.
"Emilia-san, are you okay?"
"Hmm... spicy."
"Looks like you picked wrong."
Emi hurriedly drank some water.
Shino ate the last piece. "Hehe, victory tastes sweet."
"This is karma for teasing you so much."

"Since it's getting a bit late, how about we head home?"
"Yeah."

They left the food court.
Suddenly, a car pulled up.
"Good evening, ladies. Looks like it's time for Emi to go home."
"Oh, right, Dad. Can you wait a moment?"
"Alright, I'll wait in the parking lot."

"Looks like that's your dad."
"Yeah... I guess this is where we part ways."
"See you Monday. Bye, Emilia-san."
Shino turned to leave.
"Wait, Shino-san." Emi touched Shino's back.
"What is it?"
"Don't call me Emilia-san. Just call me Emi."
"Hehe, okay. See you, Emi."
"Hehe, see you, Shino."
And with that, the two of them parted ways.