After leaving the alley, Ren held Umi's hand and led her toward the bus stop. Their date began with a visit to a zoo on the outskirts of the city.
Under the bright blue sky, they walked side by side along a shaded path. Umi, her eyes sparkling, eagerly pointed at various enclosures—from graceful giraffes to adorable pandas.
Ren watched the radiant smile on Umi's face, occasionally brushing her hair gently. He didn't hesitate to buy her an animal-shaped ice cream, which quickly melted in her hand, creating an awkward moment that made them both laugh.
They then moved on to a massive aquarium. In the dimly lit, blue-hued room, they walked through a glass tunnel where sharks and rays swam overhead.
With uncontainable awe, Umi clung tightly to Ren's arm, whispering about the beauty of jellyfish moving like a ballet. Ren let himself be swept up in Umi's wonder, her hand clasped tightly in his feeling warm and comforting.
As the afternoon approached, they visited a vast flower garden. Fields of lavender and sunflowers glowing under the late afternoon sun created a mesmerizing scene. With her phone camera, Umi asked Ren to take pictures of her among the sea of flowers.
Usually viewing women merely as objects of desire, Ren patiently fulfilled Umi's request this time, even kneeling to find the perfect angle.
They sat on a wooden bench, enjoying the gentle breeze carrying the scent of flowers, talking about trivial things like the Archery Club and school lessons, as if they were an ordinary couple unburdened by the complexities of their relationship.
The sun began to set, painting the sky in shades of orange and red. Ren took Umi to a rooftop café overlooking the city center. They sat on the terrace, ordering cake and tea, watching the city lights flicker on one by one like fireflies.
As the sun fully set, giving way to the darkness of night softened by the city's neon glow, Ren escorted Umi home.
Throughout the date, Ren's behavior was markedly different from usual. His hands restrained themselves, avoiding any inappropriate touches. He deliberately let Umi experience what it felt like to go on a normal date, enjoying simple moments without pressure.
"Wow. Spending today with you was really fun. How about you, Umi?"
"Mm. I felt the same. Being with Ren-senpai made time fly by."
"Glad to hear that. Well, it's getting late. I'll head home then. Good night, Umi."
Ren turned to leave, but before he could take a step, a shy voice stopped him in his tracks.
"W-Wait, Senpai!"
Ren looked back. Umi stood with a hunched posture, her hands tightly gripping the hem of her uniform skirt, her fingertips white from the pressure. Her head was bowed deeply, as if trying to hide her face, which was surely flushed red.
"What's wrong?"
"W-Well…"
Umi's voice trembled with hesitation. Blood rushed to her cheeks, creating a deep blush that spread even to the tips of her small ears. Her chest rose and fell with a slightly quickened rhythm. She seemed to be battling her shyness.
After a deep, audible breath in the quiet night, Umi finally spoke, her voice as soft as a mosquito's hum.
"My parents aren't home. They won't be back until late. W-Would Senpai like to stay for a bit? I… I can make you some tea."
"…"
Her words hung in the air between them.
Hearing this, the corner of Ren's mouth curved into a faint smile.
A girl inviting a boy into her house when her parents are away?
This was a signal clearer than a cloudless sky. Only a dense, foolish protagonist would fail to understand the hidden meaning behind such an invitation!
"Sure. I'd love to. I've actually been curious to see your room for a while."
"Mm."
With awkward movements, Umi opened the door for Ren, letting the wolf—er, her beloved senior—step into her home.
After handing Ren guest slippers and asking him to wait in the living room, Umi hurriedly went to the kitchen with nervous steps.
Ren sat down, his eyes scanning the room.
(This house isn't much different from a typical middle-class family's.)
An ordinary sight: a soft sofa, a clean wooden table, and a neatly hung landscape painting. After a moment of observation, Ren quickly lost interest.
Soon, Umi returned carrying a tray with two steaming cups of tea and a plate of biscuits. Shyly, she sat across from Ren, keeping a polite distance.
The atmosphere fell into a tense silence.
Compared to Ren's relaxed demeanor as he casually nibbled on a biscuit and sipped his tea, Umi seemed nervous and restless. Her hands were sweaty, her eyes darting everywhere except toward Ren.
Her unease was palpable, reflecting how unusual it was for her to invite a boy into her empty house.
"S-Senpai. I'm going to change first! My room is on the second floor, the one on the left. Later… later, when I call you, you can come up."
"Okay."
Standing quickly, Umi left the living room in a hurry, almost as if fleeing.
While waiting, Ren leaned back on the sofa.
"Could Umi be preparing some sexy outfit for me? No way someone as polite and Yamato Nadeshiko-like as Umi would do something like that."
Thinking of Umi's shy and gentle personality, Ren dismissed the possibility, though a small spark of hope flickered in his heart.
"…"
After about ten minutes that felt like an eternity, Umi's soft, shy voice finally called from upstairs.
"Senpai! You… you can come up now."
Eagerly, Ren stood and hurried up the stairs to the second floor.
Reaching the door she'd indicated, he paused for a moment.
"Umi, I'm coming in."
"Mm…"
A faint, almost sigh-like response came from behind the door.
Turning the knob, Ren pushed the door open slowly. As his gaze swept the room, his eyes widened. Umi's appearance before him far exceeded his expectations.
In the middle of the room stood Umi, dressed in an outfit inspired by a shrine maiden's attire, but the aura she exuded was anything but sacred. Instead, it was a provocative distortion of the traditional garb.
Umi wore a striking red hakama, but the upper part had been drastically altered. The white kosode, which should have modestly covered her body, was reduced to a thin strip of fabric at her chest, barely supporting rather than concealing. The outfit boldly exposed the curves and fullness of her breasts. A red ribbon, meant to secure the garment, instead framed a deep, eye-catching cleavage.
Attention inevitably drifted to her hips and waist. The red hakama was strategically cut at the front and back, leaving only a thin, fundoshi-like white cloth covering the most vital areas. The white ties, almost resembling underwear, were deliberately provocative, creating an alluring illusion of exposure beneath the fiery red hakama.
"S-Senpai… Don't stare too long…"
Her hands shot up to cover her deeply flushed face, unable to bear Ren's intense gaze.
"You're so cute, Umi… I can't take my eyes off you."
"Really? Senpai doesn't think I'm… indecent?"
"Why would it matter if you're indecent? In fact, I love this side of you."
Seeing Ren's sincere expression, with no trace of deceit or rejection, Umi let out a relieved sigh. Her deepest fear—of being despised by her beloved senior—had not come to pass.