My date with Fate-san started amidst an unexpected nervousness. I was strangely embarrassed, so I didn’t hold hands with her, and although we walked side by side, there was a little space between us.

  However, this subtle distance between us makes it feel like it’s our first date again, making me strangely conscious of it…… Well, this is actually my second date with Fate-san……


  [……Ummm, Fate-san.]

  [U- Unnn! What is it?]

  A nervous, innocent-like reaction, it looks really dangerous. How should I say this…… It’s that kind of reaction that cascades like a chain, making one increasingly nervous with time.

  [E- Errr…… Is there a place you’d like to go?]

  [Ahh, s- sorry. I actually wasn’t able to prepare for this date at all. I was so preoccupied with the thought of going on a date today that I didn’t have the composure to think about it……]

  Wait, Fate-san…… I’d like it if you please stop blushing. It almost makes me writhe in embarrassment.

  [No, please don’t worry about it. Well then, let’s just look around without thinking too much about it.]

  [Unnn. Thanks…… Kai-chan.]

  [………………]

  [………………]

  What should I do!? The conversation won’t continue at all! Seriously, Fate-san’s gestures are just so different from the usual her that each of her gestures makes me nervous, and strange pauses appear when I try to continue our conversation.

  H- However, the longer the silence between us, the harder it is to continue our conversation, so even if we force it, I need to continue the conversation here……


  [……Ahh, errr…… I- It’s a little hot, isn’t it?]

  [Y- You’re right! With the incoming season, it would have been better if it’s a bit more cooler, isn’t it?]

  [………………]

  [………………]

  And…… we’re stuck again. I really can’t find the next words to say. T- This is strange? I’ve already gone on several dates with Kuro and others, so I should be able to lead a date for a bit…… but I feel so embarrassed that I couldn’t look at Fate-san’s face at all.

  D*mn it, s- staying like this won’t do…… I mean, I still feel embarrassed thinking about turning my face away from my date. Alright, let’s nonchalantly face Fate-san and make small talk with her.

  I guess we could talk about our mutual acquaintance, Alice, or any other thing that had nothing to do with the current situation so that we could change this atmosphere……


  [ [!? ] ]

  Thereupon, Fate-san and I turned to each other at the exact same time, and as a result, our eyes met and both of us completely stiffened.

  Ahh, this is bad. All the things I thought about just now just leaped out of my mind. Errr, what was it again? What was I going to say? Errr, errr……


  [……F- Fate-san! H- How about we buy a drink!?]

  [Y- Y- Y- You’re right! It’s hot, so we’ll get thirsty! Let’s do it!]

  [T- Then, let’s check out that store!]

  [A- Alrighty!]

  Even though there’s a strange nervousness around us, the situation still isn’t that bad. If we have something to drink, we should be able to calm ourselves and it would give me something to talk about.

  Thinking about this, I quietly walked to the stall and bought two juices for Fate-san and I. Then, since we can’t stand around the shop, we walked to a small plaza nearby and sat down next to each other on a bench before we started drinking.

  [……………….]

  [……………….]

  Kuhh…… There’s this silence again…… Fate-san seemed to be bewildered by this too. I’m the man here, so I think I should somehow lead her. Let’s take a deep breath…… Alright.

  [……It might be because I’m pretty thirsty, but this is delicious.]

  [……Unnn.]

  [How should I say this…… I guess being laid back like this isn’t so bad huh.]

  [……That’s right. Unnn. This is also good.]

  Thanks to my efforts to calm things down, Fate-san’s voice gradually began to calm down.

  Just as I was thinking that the nervousness within our hearts would gradually disappear like that…… Fate-san muttered to herself.

  [……Kai-chan, I’m sorry.]

  [Eh? For what?]

  [I thought we were going to have a decent date but…… I’m no good at all. I’m all flustered and can’t keep my composure at all. I have no idea what to do at all. My mind kept on drawing blanks and words won’t come out of my mouth.]

  […..That’s actually the same case for me too.]

  [……Kai-chan too?]

  Seeing Fate-san talking with an apologetic expression on her face, I felt my heart somewhat calm down. How should I say this…… I’m relieved to know that Fate-san felt the same way I did.

  [Pathetic it may be, I’ve been unable to speak my mind at all since a while ago…… and was feeling troubled how to say it.]

  [We’re the same then.]

  [Yes, that’s right.]

  [……Fufufu.]

  [Ahaha.]

  Fate-san and I looked at each other and laughed. Yes, that’s right. This is a date, there’s no point in me worrying about it all by myself.

  Since neither of us wasn’t in a situation where we could lead well, we should just discuss it with each other.

  Feeling a little less tense, I stood up, juice in hand, and smiled at Fate-san.

  [Fate-san…… Where do you think we should go next?]

  [……I want to see the ocean.]

  [Then, let’s go to the harbor.]

  [Unnn!]

  Hearing my words, Fate-san finally stands and stands up. We don’t really have to hurry ourselves, we still have plenty of time.

  Let’s put these “I need to calm down” and “I need to lead” thoughts somewhere in the corner of my mind. For now, the best thing I can do is to enjoy my date with Fate-san as much as I can.

  Dear Mom, Dad————- I was nervously grinding my gears, thinking of what to say, and wasn’t able to talk well…… But even if that’s so, I still feel that this isn’t so bad. As if we’re exploring the distance between us, little by little, and even though it might be a bit pathetic————– I still feel that the distance between Fate-san and I we’re getting closer.

  **********