A few days later, Yugo stood before the main gate of Luminous Academy.
He wore his usual school uniform, but unlike his normal self, his expression was uncharacteristically stiff with nerves.
Inviting Melt on the spur of the moment had been one thing, but now that they were heading out alone on an official date, the pressure had completely overtaken any sense of embarrassment.
It wasn't that he was dreading the date—far from it. But for someone whose age was equal to his years without a girlfriend, the difficulty level felt higher than a lone mook from an evil organization trying to take on a five-man Sentai team plus their additional warrior.
He had hardly left the campus since arriving in this world, and he didn't have the faintest idea which date spots would actually please a girl.
Then again, that had been true in his previous life, too. Reincarnation wasn't an excuse; it was just a personality flaw. As he mentally chided himself, Yugo’s imagination drifted toward pure escapism.
(When people think of dates, they think of movies. And when they think of movies, they think of summer blockbusters... That one about the two-in-one detective was a masterpiece! Personally, I loved the Kamen Driver movies, and the first one of the Reiwa era was just peak cinema... On the Sentai side, that one where the phantom thieves and the police duked it out was so intense I couldn't believe it was only thirty minutes long; it was insane...)
One shouldn't point out that his inability to get a girlfriend stemmed from the fact that he only thought about Nichiasa shows at times like this. Deep down, he already knew.
But while Yugo killed time with his perfect escapist delusions, the other star of today's show finally arrived.
"Sorry to keep you waiting! I didn't mean to be late!"
"O-Oh, no, it’s fine. I just got here myself..."
Despite the weirdness of hearing himself recite a classic anime protagonist line, Yugo pressed on, hoping the "correct" response would hide his mounting anxiety.
Yugo noticed she was also wearing her school uniform. When she saw him looking, Melt gave a little giggle.
"Ahaha, I knew it! You really did come in your uniform, Yugo. I had a hunch, so I'm glad I wore mine too."
"I-I feel a bit bad about it. This is the only decent thing I own..."
Since being evicted from the dormitory on his first day in this world, Yugo did technically have some clothes that were meant for private wear. However, while they were undoubtedly expensive, they were so gaudy and over-the-top that they clashed with every fiber of his being. They were the kind of clothes that would make him want to avoid anyone wearing them in public.
In the end, the school uniform was the only respectable thing he had to wear, so he wasn't exactly lying.
Still, he worried about what Melt thought of him wearing a plain uniform that lacked any sense of occasion for their big date.
"Now, now, I figured as much. So, our first stop today is buying you some proper private clothes! Then we can have lunch and just relax. Sound good?"
"O-Oh, yeah, that's fine."
"Mm-hmm! Today's date course is officially de-ci-ded! Well then, shall we? You'd better be a perfect gentleman, Yugo!"
"Y-Yeah!"
While feeling apologetic that he was leaving all the planning to her, Yugo nodded with determination. He would at least do his best to be a good escort.
He looked at Melt in her uniform again and scratched his cheek, offering a small apology.
"...Um, sorry. You wore your uniform just to match me, didn't you? Thanks for being so thoughtful."
"Hmm...? Ahaha, well, maybe! But look at it this way—if we find some clothes you like today, we can go out in our own clothes next time, right? You can look forward to seeing my outfit then!"
Her bright smile made Yugo’s heart skip a beat.
Based on the way she spoke, she seemed to assume they would be going out together regularly from now on. The thought made him so embarrassed he had to force himself to focus on the task at hand.
(F-Focus! I just need to make sure Melt has a good time today. That’s all that matters! Holy Wing!)
...One really shouldn't judge him for the fact that his inner Nichiasa otaku refused to be silenced. He was well aware of the problem himself.
And so, despite the shaky start, their date began in earnest as the two of them set off toward the city.