Mob Character Reincarnation Loner: As a Result of Supporting the Heroine Who Had Been Rejected, I Ended up Being the Recipient of Her Heavy Emotions…
After school, I was invited on a date by Serizawa Misuzu, Nanase Hiyori’s best friend, and the two of us headed to a large shopping mall.
Honestly, I was a bit skeptical if this was really a date, but since Serizawa-san herself said it was a date, I guess it was a date.
…How did this happen?
Glancing over at Serizawa-san walking beside me, she had her usual sleepy eyes and expressionless face.
I couldn’t tell what she was thinking.
Come to think of it, Serizawa-san was insanely popular, right… She mentioned getting confessed to again during lunch break…
Could it be… she’s experienced? Maybe this demeanor comes from being used to guys.
“…Are you nervous?”
“…Huh? Well… yeah. It’s my first date ever.”
In stark contrast to my slight nervousness, Serizawa-san seemed calm. Was she really that experienced?
By the way, the movie with Nanase… I’ll decide not to count that as a date.
“…You don’t need to be nervous. It’s my first time too.”
Wait, so it’s not your first time…?
Feeling confused by Serizawa-san’s smug peace sign as she insisted, I decided to ask.
“Um, why did you… ask me out on a date today?”
“…Actually, I kind of lied.”
“Lied?”
“Yeah. Because this isn’t a date.”
This wasn’t a date.
“The real purpose is to pick out a present for Hiyori… Her birthday’s coming up soon.”
“Huh… That’s why?”
Seriously… I had no idea… And I’m a fan of the original work. Even though she’s my “favorite,” my own superficial fandom made me feel a little down.
“I thought Hiyori would be happier if I brought a present too, so I called it a date and invited you to pick one out.”
I see… So you lied about it being a date to avoid her finding out you were getting her a present.
“…Then why did it have to be just the two of us? Wouldn’t it be better to invite Tsukimi-san too and go pick it out as a trio?”
I mean, you could’ve met up with Tsukimi-san at the mall or something. There are ways to make it work.
“…That’s true, but I wanted to go with just Irie.”
“…Why?”
“I told you. I’m interested in Irie. So I wanted to do something date-like while helping Hiyori pick out her present.”
“…I see?”
So, in the end, this is…?
“So this is… a pretend date. Right?”
I see. It’s a date, but it’s not a date… I didn’t know dates like this existed…
“So no need to be nervous. It just determines how I’ll interact with Irie going forward—whether you can satisfy me or not.”
That’s freaking important.
“Ah, Irie, Irie”
Serizawa-san tugged at my sleeve. Following her gaze, I saw an ice cream shop. Curious, I approached. Rows of ice cream lined the display—apparently a famous place.
“What’ll you have, Serizawa-san?”
“Heh, the date’s already started. Guess which ice cream I want.”
“…And if I guess wrong?”
“Date over, I guess.”
Seriously? This is some shitty game.
Under Serizawa-san’s expectant gaze and the shopkeeper’s warm watchful eyes, I chose carefully.
Honestly, picking just one ice cream flavor Serizawa-san wants from all these options is impossible.
…Thinking about it is pointless. I’ll just pick the one I want.
“Um, then I’ll take the melon and peach.”
“Wh-…!?”
Serizawa-san looked utterly shocked, as if it were the most shocking thing ever.
“H-how did you know which ice cream I wanted…?”
Apparently, I’d guessed correctly.
“Huh? No… I just picked the one I wanted myself…”
“I-is that so…”
The smiling clerk handed us our ice cream cups, saying “Enjoy,” and we left the shop.
In my hands were melon and peach ice cream.
“Now then, Irie. It’s a choice between two. Hand me the one I want.”
Serizawa-san held out both hands, looking oddly pleased with herself.
“Here. The peach ice cream.”
“…!?”
That shocked expression—I’d seen it before.
“Eh, Irie… are you… psychic?”
“Not psychic, but I picked the one I wanted to eat… Probably because Serizawa-san and I have similar tastes.”
“So, you mean we’re physically compatible?”
“Well, sort of… but not exactly… Here.”
“Hm?”
When I handed her the melon cup ice cream, she tilted her head.
“You want some melon too, right? Just a couple bites is fine. I haven’t touched it, so go ahead.”
“Irie… don’t people call you a charmer?”
“Why?”
Maybe Serizawa-san is actually pretty easy to charm.
I wandered around the shopping mall with Serizawa-san, who was happily eating her peach ice cream.
While browsing at a variety store, something caught my eye.
…An aroma stone.
It’s easy to use, and depending on the scent, it seems to have relaxing effects. It might be just what Nanase needs lately, with her mind feeling so tired.
“…Ah, so you went with that after all.”
“…Did you happen to be thinking of getting an aroma stone too, Serizawa-san?”
“It’s fine, I still have other options. Relaxing bath salts… Hiyori loves baths.”
Choosing something with a relaxing effect meant Serizawa-san seemed to be thinking along the same lines as me.
After that, we went to some fancy bath salt specialty shop, and Serizawa-san successfully bought her present too.
While heading toward the exit, a giant bear stuffed animal caught our eyes by chance, and we both stopped.
If I gave this as a surprise present, it could be kind of funny, right? It’d be super impactful and probably get everyone hyped…
I glanced sideways and saw Serizawa looking right at me too.
“This would be funny as a surprise present, huh?”
“Yeah, but honestly, this size would be a bit much to receive…”
“It’ll be fine. I think she mentioned before that she wanted to buy a big stuffed animal at least once in her life… I think. Probably. I’m pretty sure.”
“Can we really trust that information?”
But, well… I might want to see Nanase’s surprised reaction to this. Plus, she should like bear stuffed animals in general.
“How about we chip in together?”
“Sounds good… Since the birthday party’s at my villa, I’ll have it delivered to my place first.”
In the end, carried away by the moment, we decided to buy the giant bear stuffed animal together, splitting the cost.
“We bought it on impulse, but if Hiyori actually accepts it, how are we gonna move it?”
On the way home, we’d calmed down a bit and were facing the practical problem head-on.
“Why don’t Serizawa-san and Tsukimi-san carry it?”
“Hey, Irie, don’t try to get out of it.”
“But… aren’t the three of you having the birthday party?”
“Huh? Irie, aren’t you coming?”
“…Is it okay if I do?”
“Yeah.”
Serizawa-san nodded as if it were the most natural thing in the world.
Oh, so I can join…
“…We’ll probably get yelled at by Hoshino, have Hiyori cover for us, and then Irie and I will struggle to carry that giant stuffed animal all the way to Hiyori’s house.”
“Somehow, I feel like we’ll end up going home regretting it a little, thinking how tough it was for the two of us…”
Imagining that likely future, we looked at each other and laughed.
“Irie…”
“Hm?”
“I’m looking forward to it… aren’t I?”
Saying that, she looked up at me with a shy smile.
“Yeah, I guess so…”
“…Ah, Irie. Wait a sec.”
Serizawa-san suddenly said that, then scampered off at a light jog. Ahead of her was a taiyaki stand.
“Here. This is for Irie. Eat.”
“Eh, ah, thanks.”
Confused by the sudden gift of taiyaki, I took a bite.
“Matcha azuki…! This is my favorite kind!”
“I knew you’d say that, Irie. Heh heh.”
Serizawa-san grinned smugly, clearly pleased with my reaction.
“Ah, how much was it?”
“Money’s fine. I’m rich, after all. Since today was fun… well, maybe next time you could treat me to something?”
“No, I’ll pay for it.”
Honestly, there might not even be a next time…
“If I take your money now… well, it’ll be harder to find an excuse for a next date…”
Uncharacteristically, Serizawa-san looked away, seeming embarrassed.
“I don’t really get it, but I’ll cover both of us this time. Next time, Serizawa-san can treat me to something.”
Well, it’s not like it’s a huge amount, so even if there isn’t a next date, that’s fine too.
“…Does that make it easier for you to ask me out?”
Serizawa-san took the money, looking satisfied.
Just then, my phone buzzed.
Huh? A message came in. Who could it be…
Hiyori: ‘Can I contact you after your date with Mii-chan is over?’