Chapter Thirteen: Date A Nightmare [1]
The weekend came quickly.
Unexpectedly so.
The week had been going well, and his training had been going well.
So far, everything was peaceful.
The skies were blue, the sun was shining brightly, people headed wherever they wanted.
Chatter filled the air as cars passed.
Even the chirpings of birds could be heard.
However, one male amongst this almost serene scenery had a look of dejection on his face.
'For real?'
"My~ it is nice to see you again."
It was a girl in front of him.
She giggled with a cute voice. "What is this...?" The second time he'd be meeting her.
Not to mention, it was on the same spot he'd met her two weeks ago.
…. Has some higher power finally decided to begin playing ping pong with his fate once more?
In his previous world, occasionally, things like this did happen.
Meeting people he didn't wish to meet sometimes for example.
Did his curse follow him over here?
Tch.
He had an idea that he was going to face a set back soon since most things have been going way too smoothly.
Regardless, it wasn't this.
"It's nice to meet you here again, beautiful miss. How has Tengu City been treating you?"
Morgan replied politely.
But internally, '... Drats, I'll have to keep on my toes, huh?'
If he thought back.
How did things even get to this?
Right,
He wanted answers to his questions, as such he'd resevred a meeting with his private specialist doctor.
… the one who helped him out with the surgery.
Today had been the day of the meeting with his private specialist.
He was planning to stock up on some foodstuffs, mailing them to his front door before heading over.
Not to mention, he was beginning to prepare for things.
Mostly, the start of the world's main event, that is known as 'plot.'
While he continued about his daily activities in normalcy, he was also doing his best to get stronger.
But yes.
Truly, this was unexpected.
Kurumi Tokisaki.
Meeting her again, that is-
"Ufufu, so far it has not been bad."
Today, she wore her signature black one-piece dress, holding a black bag.
And as usual, using her bangs to cover her other eye.
She had a smile on her face, one that seemed perfect, but one he knew was almost artificial otherwise.
However, just as quickly, she lifted her gaze in the next moments.
"So? Where is 'good sir' heading to?"
Using the brief seconds he had, Morgan deployed a partial territory, accelerating his thoughts.
This was a crucial choice.
He remembered this world's Doki-Doki Sister Series 12 where when one is about to make a choice,
A thirty-second slow-down effect would be applied to the world, and in that moment, three options would appear.
One would have to pick the correct option before time was over.
More importantly, with save data being nonexistent, picking the wrong choice meant starting over again.
But this time,
He had only one life.
Should he reject her? Or not?
He knew better than to meddle with Kurumi Tokisaki. Anyone with common sense would walk away.
But he also knew how dangerously unpredictable she could be.
Especially how quickly a whim of hers could turn fatal. Right now, he couldn't handle her also.
And yet…
'Maybe I should try.'
Naturally, he was aware of how roundabout she might be, but he was willing to test the waters.
At the same time, visibly keep a distance, both physically and in words.
"I was heading to the city mall. I need a few things I want to try getting."
Morgan tilted his head to the side, replying with a rehearsed smile of his own.
"My~ that's wonderful. If you don't mind, then…"
Her tone was smooth and cordial.
In her words contained something else in contrast to her words.
Despite saying that's great, her face showed no change in expression.
But he ignored that.
Soon after he said that, he'd motioned to the bridge in front, one that crossed over the main road.
Additionally, passing there would lead one to the grand building of Tengu Mall.
Both fairly a step of about two steps away,
Rather, Morgan kept that distance.
She noticed this, but decided to say nothing.
"What has my good sir been up to since the past week?"
Even till now, both hadn't formally introduced themselves. Hence they spoke like this…
More like, Morgan couldn't bother introducing himself, or asking.
He didn't want more than he could deal with.
And for Kurumi, since he didn't ask, she too was okay with this.
To begin with it has been almost like a coincidence twice,
… and, it was still a maybe, whether or not her interest in him would hold.
However, Morgan gave a soft hum, eyes half-closed, as though reminiscing.
"Preparing my club president for the Kendo Nationals next month."
Kurumi's head tilted ever so slightly toward him as her crimson eye narrowed on him.
His calm tone and that practiced, easy smile of his… For some reason, intrigued her.
Then, she glanced towards the ground, seeing the side distance between them.
A precious person?
"Ufufu~ how diligent."
Kurumi giggled softly, holding it down as she did. If anything, she didn't mind the avoidance.
Not to mention, oddly enough, he kept his calm in front of her.
Despite it being the second time they'd met, he hadn't stopped to stare at her in admiration.
Instead, his look was... distant. Like he was looking at her, but past her; that was how it felt.
"So? What about miss?"
"Settling in of course, things have been peacful hasn't it~?"
Morgan nodded.
Yes, the calm before the numerous storms that would take over Tengu and the world.
The perfect opportunity for him.
"My~ to think 'good sir' would have his mind on other matters when a beautiful girl is right in front of him."
Her voice cut through his thoughts, prompting him to blink to attention.
"Ah, sorry about that."
"Ufufu. Well, then, my first stop is over there."
They had entered the mall.
A grand hall that spread out in front of them, several stores aligned on both sides.
With its massive width, a flower décor divided the right and left lanes.
Right towards the end was an escalator that led to the upper floors.
This was the first time Morgan had come here himself.
He couldn't keep admiring the beauty of this place for long, as he followed where Kurumi pointed.
'Clothing… store?'
"...right."
He nodded and stopped at the entrance as she stepped gracefully inside.
Time stretched as he waited, leaning against the wall, with his eyes drifting absently over the passing crowd.
When she returned, a small shopping bag in hand, she looked as composed as ever.
"Thank you for waiting, good sir~?"
Morgan exhaled softly and gave a polite nod, the faintest curve of a smile tugging at his lips.
"No problem. You didn't take long."
Her crimson eye widened faintly at that. "My, how patient you are."
Seems like she also kept that distance. So, she probably wasn't as forward as she was depicted to be.
Regardless of whatever it was,
"Good Angel?"
Something caught his eye, a store.
"Hm? Something you know?"
Kurumi tilted her head slightly, following his gaze.
Morgan shook his head.
"No. But a friend of mine recommended it. Wanna try it out? I heard their ice cream's good."
"Oh? Well then I'm looking forward to it."
Her interest had been caught, and she nodded her head.
Both stepped inside the store, the chime above the door giving a soft ding.
Ding~!
It was cozy.
Painted in pastel décor, with faint traces of vanilla and caramel in the air.
A handful of customers chatted quietly at the tables near the glass floor to ceiling windows.
They made their way to the counter.
"Welcome, customer!" the waitress greeted brightly.
"Two ice creams, please."
The waitress at the counter paused; she then tilted her head with a knowing, innocent smile, almost mischievous.
"A couple's ice cream, you mean? There's a thirty percent discount. Would you like that?"
Morgan raised an eyebrow while Kurumi laughed elegantly yet undeniably amused.
"No, just one for the two of us."
He clarified.
The waitress froze for half a second, then nodded.
Naturally, there was a brief flicker of disappointment which she immediately hid behind her customer-service smile.
Morgan noticed, of course.
He just didn't comment.
A short moment later,
the girl returned, sliding a plastic cup toward them, a transparent one with a cover and two straws.
"Here you go. Two ice-cream."
It looked familiar, like something from his previous world.
He accepted it with a nod, reaching into his pocket. "Alright then, let me pay."
Kurumi, watching him from the corner of her eye, twirled a strand of hair around her finger.
"How gentlemanly~ is my good sir trying to impress this poor young girl?"
"No, I was the one who invited you, so let me be the one to pay, that's all."
The waitress blinked, looking between the two of them.
…Huh.
So she was way off.
They didn't give off that sweet-couple vibe she had originally thought at all.
If anything, they felt more like two people politely sparring in conversation.
Which at the end, they will say… "Ah, I had fun today."
That was how it looked.
Not to mention,
'The guy's probably way too self-aware. That one knows exactly what he's doing.'
She thought, eyeing Morgan while bagging the order.
"Excuse me?"
Morgan's voice pulled her from her thoughts.
"Ah, sorry, sorry."
She slid a bill across the counter with a small, apologetic smile.
"Here."