Chapter 88: After Starting to Date, What Is the First Thing to Do?
Does this count as a success?
After seeing Eriri nod, Kaede stared at her blankly for a few seconds before finally bursting into an excited smile.
After being single since birth for many years, he finally had such a cute girlfriend today!
Wait a minute.
Since they were officially a couple, what was the first thing they were supposed to do after becoming a couple?
Kaede couldn't help but start thinking.
But before he could think for more than a few seconds, a waiter arrived beside them, carrying a tray.
"Customers, here is the steak you ordered."
"..."
Watching the waiter professionally serve the dishes, Kaede and Eriri exchanged glances and smiled simultaneously.
"Let's eat first."
"Mhm, let's eat first."
He cut the steak and put it in his mouth. Hmm, the taste was good, definitely worth the price here.
Seeing Eriri across from him also eating contentedly, Kaede thought for a moment and said, "Eriri, don't you think my confession today was a bit impulsive, given the setting? Should I have chosen a better environment?"
"Eh?"
Eriri paused the movement of the knife and fork in her hands and said, blushing, "No... I don't think it matters. Isn't the environment here quite nice?"
"Still, I feel like having so many people around isn't ideal. I really should have reserved the whole place."
"Forget about reserving the whole place!"
Eriri puffed out her cheeks and whispered, "I'm not the kind of person who cares about that sort of thing. Although, maybe that would have been... quite romantic, it's fine even if it wasn't."
As long as the person across from me is you.
Eriri didn't dare say that last sentence out loud; it was simply too embarrassing.
"Is that so?"
Kaede also breathed a sigh of relief, though he inwardly decided he would make up for it on another occasion later. After all, even if Eriri said that, he didn't believe a girl would dislike a romantic setting.
Eating slowly, when she was halfway through her steak, Eriri glanced at Kaede across the table, feeling the smile on her face was completely uncontrollable, and her feet under the table were unconsciously swinging gently.
After thinking for a moment, Eriri finally spoke. "Um... Do you think I should change how I address you? Since we're, we're dating now."
The more she spoke, the quieter Eriri's voice became.
Fortunately, Kaede heard her and realized what she meant, smiling as he said, "Then you can call me whatever you like."
Eriri hesitated for a moment, then shyly said, "Then... Kaede... Kaede-kun?"
"That's fine, Eriri."
"Hehehe~~"
Watching Eriri smile, Kaede picked up his glass and took a sip. Although it was only juice, it felt somewhat intoxicating.
After more than an hour, having finished their post-meal dessert, the two finally walked out of the Western restaurant. The sky outside was gradually growing dark.
Looking at the girl beside him who was now his girlfriend, Kaede said, "I'll walk you home."
"Mhm." She nodded, but Eriri immediately added, "Let's not take a taxi. The bus is fine."
"Alright."
Since Eriri had suggested it, Kaede didn't refuse. Besides, taking the bus wouldn't drop her right at her doorstep, allowing them to walk a bit further.
As they walked toward the bus stop, Kaede's gaze fell upon Eriri's small hand beside him.
Holding hands should be okay, right?
Eriri also noticed Kaede's gaze, and with a slight blush, she bumped his hand with her small one.
Receiving the signal, Kaede no longer hesitated and took Eriri's small hand in his.
It was so small compared to his own hand, and also very soft.
However, Kaede could also feel the tension radiating from the palm of Eriri's hand, as this was their first time holding hands.
Gently squeezing her hand, Kaede said, "I was nervous too, but actually holding hands doesn't feel so bad? Though your hand is really small, Eriri."
"I'm a girl, of course it's different!"
After retorting, Eriri finally stopped being nervous. A smile hung on her face, and she gradually got used to holding hands with Kaede on the street. Then, every now and then, a couple of goofy laughs escaped her lips.
When Kaede heard this, he couldn't help but ask, "Why are you laughing so foolishly?"
"I am not foolish!"
After glaring at Kaede, Eriri finally said, "It's just, it just feels so fast! Our relationship suddenly advanced by leaps and bounds. It feels unreal."
"What's wrong with that?"
Kaede said dismissively, "I like Eriri. After spending this past month together, my desire to take the next step became increasingly clear. Honestly, I hesitated for quite a while, or I would have confessed even earlier. Given your charm, Eriri, it was hard enough for me to wait this long."
"Ugh... don't say it so bluntly! Don't you feel embarrassed?"
"What is there to be embarrassed about?" Kaede squeezed Eriri's hand and said, "I don't think there's anything wrong with expressing your feelings to the person you like. Besides, didn't you accept my confession because you like me?"
"I... I also..."
Eriri, who was looking down, had cheeks that were completely flushed. She struggled for a long time, too shy to speak. If Kaede hadn't been holding her hand the entire time, she probably wouldn't have known where she was walking.
Seeing Eriri like this, Kaede said helplessly, "Alright, alright, you don't have to force yourself. I already know."
"No!"
Eriri was surprisingly firm this time. She said, "I know I'm not good at talking and I get embarrassed easily, but things that need to be said must be said."
Then, she struggled again for a while, until they were almost at the bus stop. Finally, having gathered her courage, Eriri looked up at Kaede and shyly said, "I... I like Kaede-kun too. If I didn't like you, I absolutely wouldn't have accepted your confession."
Listening to Eriri reveal her feelings, Kaede also showed a happy smile and nodded. "Mhm, I know. Thank you, Eriri."
"Hehe!" After a laugh, Eriri still couldn't help but say, "It's still so embarrassing!"
Upon arriving at the bus stop, the two were lucky; they didn't have to wait long for the bus. There happened to be seats available, so they sat in the back row, their hands firmly clasped together the entire time.
Twenty minutes later, the bus stopped at the station near Eriri's house. After they got off, Kaede walked Eriri toward her home.
Soon, they saw the lights of Eriri's villa. Kaede stopped and said, "Alright, I'll see you off here. Go home now."
Looking at Kaede in front of her, Eriri initially wanted to nod, but then she became hesitant and fidgety, unsure of what to do.
Seeing Eriri in this state, Kaede couldn't help but tease her, "What's wrong? If you don't go back soon, I might not be able to resist kissing you."