After finishing out drinks, I checked my phone.
"Should we go to the mall nearby?"
"I don't mind doing some shopping."
"You're just happy you have someone to carry the bags for you, right?"
"That's the part you're not supposed to say out loud."
Hikari pouted cutely.
The mall was lively, filled with weekend shoppers. We wandered into a boutique lined with racks of dresses and blouses. Hikari's fingers brushed the fabrics carefully, her housewife nature shining through.
I picked up a short sundress, white with light floral print.
"This would look good on you."
"Souta-kun, that's… too young for me."
I held it up against her anyway. The hem hovered high above her knees.
"You'd be cute in it. Try it on."
"…Just one time."
While she disappeared into the fitting room, I browsed aimlessly, my thoughts already painting the picture of her flushed in that dress. When the curtain slid open, I was amazed.
The dress hugged her curves softly, the neckline dipping just enough to tease. The hem showed off her legs in a way her usual outfits never did.
Her hands fidgeted at the skirt, cheeks red.
"It's… embarrassing. Does it really look okay?"
"It doesn't look okay. It looks perfect."
Her lips parted faintly before she turned away, flustered.
"You always say things like that…"
I stepped closer, adjusting the strap at her shoulder.
"Because it's true."
She recovered quickly, dragging me into the men's section.
"My turn. You can't be the only one choosing."
She studied the racks with a thoughtful expression before pulling out a fitted jacket and handing it to me.
"Try this. You'd look handsome."
I slipped it on, buttoning it up. Hikari's eyes widened slightly. She pressed her hand to her mouth as if to hide a smile.
"…See? I was right. You look good."
"Is this the style you like?"
"Since you're tall, I think you'd look good in anything, Souta-kun."
"That's kind of embarrassing…"
"So you can get flustered after all? Fufu."
Walking through the mall, the flashing lights of the arcade caught Hikari's attention. She slowed her steps, her eyes drifting toward the rows of claw machines lined against the glass.
"Let's go inside, Hikari-san."
"Can we..?"
"Yeah."
"I haven't been to one of these in forever."
"Me too."
The air inside was filled with the hum of machines, electronic jingles, and children shouting as they played. We walked past the bright rows until one caught her eye. A claw machine filled with soft rabbit plushies, their ears floppy and round.
Her steps slowed again, her lips curving faintly.
"You like it?"
"…It's cute."
"Then I'll win one for you."
"Souta-kun… You don't have to…"
"Just watch, Hikari-san. I'll do it in one try."
I slid the coin in, gripping the controls with focus. The claw lowered, pinched the rabbit's ear… and immediately slipped off, leaving it buried deeper in the pile.
"Just warming up."
Hikari covered her mouth with her hand, her shoulders shaking. "…You missed completely, Souta-kun."
I put in another coin. The claw dropped again, caught a plushie by its body, lifted it only for it to wobble and fall halfway to the chute.
"Is this machine broken?"
Hikari laughed softly, her eyes sparkling.
"Fufu. You looked so confident a moment ago."
"I'll get it this time."
I tried again. The claw gripped, lifted, swayed and dropped the rabbit right at the edge of the pile.
Hikari leaned against the glass, chuckling openly now.
"You're terrible at this, Souta-kun. What happened to your confidence?"
"I'm not stopping until I win one for you."
She shook her head, her cheeks warm with laughter.
"You really don't give up, do you?"
The claw descended once more, gripping the rabbit's body tight. It swayed dangerously but, by some miracle, stayed in its grasp. Inch by inch, the machine carried it toward the chute.
"Come on."
This time, with a satisfying thud, the rabbit dropped cleanly into the prize slot.
Hikari gasped, her eyes sparkling as I reached in and pulled it out. The plush was soft, its ears flopping as I held it up.
"Here. For you." I placed it into her arms.
She hugged it instantly, her cheeks glowing red.
"…You actually did it."
"Of course. I told you I would."
Her eyes softened as she looked down at the plush, stroking its ears gently.
"…It's silly, but… I'm really happy. I thought we would be here for an hour."
"I'm not that bad."
I embarrassed myself but just seeing her happy expression was enough to wash it away. If it was to make her happy, I felt like I could do anything.
Hikari was still hugging the rabbit plush to her chest when I caught sight of a row of purikura booths glowing nearby. Bright signs advertised sparkling eyes, smooth skin filters, and sticker frames covered in hearts.
"Let's take some pictures."
Her eyes widened.
"I've never been inside one of those before."
"We can take pictures and you can brag to Kotoha."
"That's silly. What would I brag to her about?"
"Maybe about how young and trendy you are?"
"Souta-kun. That makes me feel old."
"I'm sorry, I'll treat you to some sweets."
"Now you're treating me like a child."
We laughed softly.
The curtain fell behind us, and the small space glowed with soft pink light. The screen lit up, already counting down for the first shot.
"Hold the rabbit up."
Hikari hugged it under her chin, cheeks flushed, her eyes darting nervously to me. The camera flashed, capturing her innocent smile.
The next countdown started. I leaned in, wrapping my arm around her waist, pulling her against me.
Her body was unbelievably soft and she smelled amazing. I smiled happily.
"Souta-kun…- so close!"
She whispered, but the flash went off anyway, catching her red face and wide eyes.
Another countdown began.
This time, I pressed my cheek against hers as the shutter clicked. She froze, the rabbit squished between us, her lips parted in shock.
The final shot blinked on the screen.
When the photos printed, Hikari buried her face in her hands. "…This is too embarrassing… I look like a teenager…"