I Can't Write Romance Novels. / Lesson 15: "My First Date Ever!?"

――I couldn't bring myself to refuse.
The atmosphere around me was part of it, but as I continued my own research, the thought that "I'd like to experience a date at least once" had started to surface. Besides, the other person was a childhood friend from elementary school whom I felt comfortable with. I had a desire to know what a date was actually like, and half of it felt like research.
I didn't know what kind of clothes to wear on a date, so I looked it up on the internet, but only outfits for young people came up. I thought about just going in a suit, but considering the burden it would place on Yamazaki, that was a "no-go."
For now, I'll go with an outfit that isn't too casual, isn't too stiff, and uses high-quality materials.
Since we were meeting in the city this time, I decided to wear fake glasses just in case something happened.

"Sugawara-kun!"
I met up with Yamazaki at a station in the city.
Yamazaki's bob-cut hair, wrapped in a beige, warm-looking coat, created a halo as it was illuminated by the sunlight. Even objectively speaking, Yamazaki's appearance was that of a very attractive, mature woman. That Yamazaki was smiling and waving at Yosuke.
Since he was here partly for research, Yosuke had a desire to properly keep Yamazaki's remarks in his mental notebook.
"Sorry for making you come all the way out here."
"No, I didn't have any particular plans, so it's fine."
"Actually, I got these from a business partner, and they expire tomorrow."
What Yamazaki pulled out of her brown handbag was a complimentary ticket to an aquarium.
"An aquarium, huh?"
"Are you... not interested?"
It wasn't that I wasn't interested. Yosuke's first love was an "Animal Encyclopedia," so he was interested in sea creatures too. It was just that he didn't know if that was the optimal choice for a first date.
"No, I like animals, so that's not a problem."
"I'm so glad! I didn't know your preferences at all, Sugawara-kun, so I was just hoping for the best."
Seeing Yamazaki laugh so openly, Yosuke chuckled.
"Hey, don't laugh. I put a lot of effort into this, like using my paid leave and taking time to choose my clothes."
What did she put effort into? I couldn't ask that. If I asked carelessly, she might get angry at me like Ayano, saying, "You don't understand a woman's heart!"
"Alright, let's enjoy ourselves to the fullest today! Okay?"
Yamazaki, who smiled as she said that, was a wonderful woman who, despite being beautiful, still retained traces of her elementary school self.

As if she knew that Yosuke wasn't used to dating—or rather, not just not used to it, but that today was his very first date—Yamazaki led the way the entire time.
The aquarium on a weekday was sparsely populated and felt somewhat cool. What spread out before the two of them was a world of blue.
"Oh, there's a cafe bar. Shall we have something to drink?"
"Sure. I'll treat you to this, so feel free to order whatever you like."
"Oh, well then, I'll take you up on that!"
Watching Yamazaki cheerfully order, "Excuse me, two draft beers!", Yosuke felt a slight ache in his chest. What was this chest pain?
"Beer in the middle of the day is delicious!"
"Yeah, beer tastes good when you drink it in a place that feels out of the ordinary."
Trying not to let his feelings be known, he walked around the aquarium.

The two of them stopped involuntarily where the water tank formed a tunnel.
"It's beautiful..."
"Yeah."
For a while, the two were silent.
It was when a manta ray passed overhead.
"You know."
It was Yamazaki who broke the silence.
"Hmm?"
"I've liked you since a long time ago, Sugawara-kun."
"Eh?"
"I've liked you ever since we were in elementary school."
Yamazaki's eyes locked onto Yosuke.
"I'm sorry."
Yosuke was inwardly surprised that he had naturally refused.
"There it is! The Minister of Apologies!"
"...I can't return your feelings, Yamazaki-san."
"Yeah, I kind of knew that."
The expression on Yamazaki's face, as if to say she felt relieved after confessing, made Yosuke's heart uneasy.
"Why?"
"Because you never showed interest in anyone, Sugawara-kun, right? You loved books, and it looked like you were going to marry a book."
Ah, this girl really was watching me properly, Yosuke thought, feeling a little moved.
"You were watching me closely."
"Yeah, I was watching you the whole time."
That's why I was happy to see you at the reunion. Tears shone in Yamazaki's eyes as she said that, and Yosuke didn't know what to do. Would it have been better to say something clever? Even though he knew that repeating the question to himself wouldn't yield an answer.
"That's why I wanted to make just one memory."
"A memory..."
"A memory of having Sugawara-kun all to myself! I'm not letting you go home yet. Just for today, be with me! Okay?"
Yosuke watched Yamazaki, who wiped away her tears and acted cheerful, thinking it was complicated but "so like her."
Was she the right person for his first date? He didn't know, but he thought that at least it wouldn't remain as a bad memory for Yosuke.
"Maybe it's true that first love doesn't come true. I understand that very well now!"

First love doesn't come true—hearing those words, Yosuke found himself worrying about Ayano even though he was with Yamazaki, wondering how Ayano had overcome her own wounded heart.

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Click here for Lesson 1 ↓