Chapter 87: Let's Date
At the Sawamura Family home, Sawamura Sayuri, who received Eriri's text message, also smiled.
Mr. Spencer, nearby, couldn't help but ask, "Is there good news?"
Nodding, Sawamura Sayuri said, "Eriri isn't coming home for dinner."
"Not coming back?"
Due to his busy work, Mr. Spencer was always a bit slow to realize things about his daughter, but he was aware of Kaede's existence and had also immediately investigated Kaede's family situation. It had to be said that the couple's thoughts were truly very similar in some aspects.
Mr. Spencer is British. Whether in the UK or Japan, he wouldn't interfere with his child's romantic affairs. However, Mr. Spencer maintained one principle: just don't get anyone pregnant at an inappropriate age.
After learning about Kaede's background, Mr. Spencer felt quite favorable towards this young man he hadn't met. Although still young, he was excellent in all aspects, good enough for his daughter.
After thinking for a moment, he smiled and said, "Do you think our daughter is finally starting to date?"
"I think so. We'll find out when Eriri gets back tonight!"
"Hmm... What if she doesn't come back?"
"That's impossible," Sawamura Sayuri said with a smile. "Leaving aside the fact that Eriri isn't that bold, I have met Kaede-kun, and I've also learned a lot about him from Reiko. That boy is much more mature than his peers and knows how to act appropriately. Even if they officially started dating today, he would absolutely not do something like that."
Mr. Spencer nodded with a laugh after hearing this. "Haha, I was just saying that; I know that scenario won't happen. Well then, Sayuri, how about we go out for dinner tonight too?"
"Of course!"
...Our focus returns to Kaede and Eriri.
Just like at noon, after calling a taxi, the two arrived directly at the Western restaurant where Kaede had made reservations.
Upon entering the restaurant and giving their name to the waiter, they were led directly to a relatively quiet corner inside the establishment.
After ordering, since neither of them was of legal age, they couldn't drink alcohol, so they only ordered juice.
After taking a sip of orange juice, Kaede looked around and asked, "What do you think of this place?"
"It's quite nice. The decor, lighting, and everything else are good."
Eriri replied softly after looking around, her tone carrying a hint of nervousness.
She had been to Western restaurants many times, but this was the very first time she had come alone with a boy, which naturally made her feel a bit nervous.
It wasn't just Eriri who was nervous; Kaede, who had originally adjusted his mindset, also unconsciously started to feel nervous after entering the restaurant and sitting down.
He couldn't help it. Even though he could advise Takasu Ryuji on pursuing Kushieda Minori and speak confidently about it, he himself was still a novice; he had merely read a lot about it.
When it came down to his own situation, Kaede was also anxious and uneasy; he just managed not to show it.
Sitting face-to-face, the distance between them wasn't great due to the size of the table. Whenever Eriri made eye contact with Kaede, she couldn't help but lower her head, causing Kaede to burst out laughing despite his own tension.
"Do you look like that because you're afraid I'll eat you?"
Eriri dared not speak even more, and she was even more afraid to lift her head.
Shaking his head with a smile, Kaede felt he needed to act fast before the food arrived.
The only regret was that he hadn't contacted the restaurant beforehand to reserve the entire place; otherwise, he would have had more room to maneuver.
Lowering his tone, Kaede said, "Eriri, we've known each other for almost two months now, haven't we?"
Startled, Eriri slowly raised her head, looked at the smile on Kaede's face, and nodded. "Yes, it's almost two months."
"Time flies so fast."
Kaede sighed and continued, "Do you know? If I hadn't happened to run into you at the game store that day, I don't think our relationship would have become this good, good enough for us to be sitting here eating together right now."
"Don't... don't talk about that!"
Whenever she recalled being exposed at the game store that day, Eriri felt a sense of shame, like her dark history had been revealed. Especially since she had tried to cover her ears and steal the bell back then—it was truly hilarious to think about now.
But thinking about it carefully, it was indeed just as Kaede had said.
Normally at school, Eriri always moved around with the girls in her class, either with Usami or a few other close female friends. She rarely interacted with boys alone. It was only during Art Club activities that she would talk with Kaede, Uchimaki Subaru, and the Club President.
But even during Art Club, she maintained her usual Ojou-sama persona and wouldn't reveal any of her private hobbies.
If she hadn't met Kaede back then, maybe she would still be amusing herself alone right now?
"Wait, didn't you already know my identity?"
"Knowing is one thing, but how to close the distance between us is another, isn't it?" Kaede laughed in response to Eriri's question. "I'm not completely clueless. Was I supposed to rush up and say, 'You are Kashiwagi Eri'?"
"...Hehehe, you're right."
In other words, if she hadn't been exposed that day, would she not have been able to happily hang out and go places with Kaede?
Thinking this, Eriri couldn't help but feel a slight sense of relief.
It seems that exposure wasn't a bad thing after all?
Watching the smile gradually appear on Eriri's face, Kaede continued, "Eriri, there's something I feel I must tell you."
Is it coming?
So it really is today?
Upon hearing this, Eriri immediately straightened up, her heart rate involuntarily accelerating. She didn't dare look at Kaede, but she was afraid of missing something, so she could only blush and stare at him.
Gazing into Eriri's beautiful eyes, Kaede smiled and said, "You know what? Since meeting you in the Art Club, I've been very happy recently. Whether it's drawing together in the club, playing games together, or even just hanging out like today, your image, Eriri, pops up in my mind constantly. I don't know what you think of me after this past month or so, but I feel like I can't wait any longer. Although it might be a bit sudden, but..."
"Eriri, I like you. Please go out with me."
After speaking, Kaede nervously watched Eriri, anticipating her reply.
When Eriri heard Kaede's confession, even though she had mentally prepared herself, she was still overwhelmed with shyness.
But at the same time, her heart was filled with another emotion, one called joy.
After taking several deep breaths, Eriri finally looked at Kaede, showed him the smile he had been waiting for, and nodded gently.
Wasn't this what Eriri had been hoping for all along?