"Come to think of it, I haven't said it yet. Congratulations, Hashimoto."
"Huh? For what?"
We had just regrouped after our run-in with Hashimoto and his girlfriend. Haruka had finished her purchase and joined us, and now the two of us were walking side by side, chatting. Hashimoto tilted his head at my sudden words of praise.
"Making the national top four in the Inter-high. I sent a message on LINE, but I haven't congratulated you in person yet."
"Oh, that... well, I feel like I could’ve gone further. I’m still a bit frustrated, to be honest."
"You’re only a first-year. Besides, I heard you played a huge role in the semi-finals. You can just use that frustration as fuel for next time."
As soon as I said it, I worried I sounded a bit dismissive, speaking like an outsider who didn't know the struggle. But Hashimoto didn't seem to mind. He flashed a confident, competitive grin.
"Well, I am a genius, after all. I’m going to keep soaring higher and higher. Next up is the winter tournament."
"I'll be rooting for you. Anyway, out on a date today?"
"Yeah. And helping Shio pick out a swimsuit. Since you’re here, I take it you’re doing the same?"
"Something like that," I nodded, glancing over at the girls.
They were having a great time looking through the racks. Haruka had noticed Shinohara-san struggling to choose a suit and had immediately volunteered to help. Shinohara-san had tried to decline at first, but Haruka’s persistence—coupled with the other girl's confusion over sizing—won her over. Now, Shinohara-san was accepting the help with an apologetic but grateful expression.
To avoid overhearing any sensitive talk about measurements or body types, we guys kept a respectful distance.
"It’s really best to try them on properly, but did you bring any liners with you?" Haruka asked.
"No, I didn't... Do I need those?"
"I think you can try them over your underwear if you don't have them, but we should probably check with the clerk first. Do you know your size?"
"I measured myself at home, just in case. Um... it’s [mumble mumble]."
"Mm-hmm, okay... thanks for telling me. In that case, I think this size over here would be perfect."
As we watched them from afar, Hashimoto lowered his head with a complicated look on his face.
"Sorry, man. Stealing your girlfriend in the middle of your date."
"Don't worry about it. It’s mutual, and Haruka looks like she’s having fun."
A smile tugged at the corners of my mouth as I watched Haruka laughing and pointing at different suits. I felt a little bad for Shinohara-san, who looked a bit overwhelmed by Haruka's high energy, though.
"How about this one? It’s not too revealing, but the design is adorable!"
"It is cute, but... isn't it a bit too cute for someone like me?"
"You think so? I think it’d look great on you. Oh, what about this one?"
"That one is... oh, I like this pattern."
"Right? Oh, but the price..."
"Hiro is paying, so I don't think you need to worry about that," Shinohara-san said.
I looked at Hashimoto, who shrugged and sighed.
"Can you believe it? Shio was actually planning to wear a school swimsuit on a beach date."
"Is that why you offered to pay?"
"Well, I’m the one who asked her out. I can handle a swimsuit or two."
Despite his bold words, Hashimoto peered into his wallet with a worried look. It was a rather pitiful sight.
While we were talking, the women seemed to reach a decision. Shinohara-san, clutching a few items, and Haruka, looking triumphant, walked back over to us.
"Sorry to keep you waiting!"
"Thanks for the help, Akise-san," Hashimoto said. "I didn't have a clue, and Shio didn't know the first thing about picking these out or what to look for..."
"You were a lifesaver, Akise-san," Shinohara-san added, bowing deeply. "And I’m sorry, Yanagida-kun. I didn't mean to interrupt your date."
"It’s fine. We weren't in any rush," I replied, turning my gaze to Haruka.
She was beaming. "Don't mention it! I had a blast. Shiori-chan, let’s talk again sometime. I want to ask you all sorts of things, since you’re my senior as a couple!"
"...I’m not sure I can be a 'senior' to the school's most famous lovey-dovey couple," Shinohara-san replied, her cheeks flushing as she gave a small, shy smile. "But I’d love to be friends. I look forward to it, Akise-san."
It was a classic display of Haruka’s charm; she had won her over completely. As the girls bonded, we guys exchanged a few final words.
"Thanks for today, Yanagida. It’s summer break, so let’s get the group together soon. We should invite Hamasaki and the others."
"Hang out? I don't really have much experience with that. What do people usually do?"
"Same as before. Karaoke, bowling, the arcade... Honestly, it’s just a bunch of guys. We don't need a plan. We can just meet up and figure it out then."
"If you say so. I’ll look forward to it."
"You bet. I’ll be in touch."
"See ya."
After a few more pleasantries, we parted ways and left the apparel shop. I heard later that they ended up splitting the cost and buying two different suits. Hashimoto had once mentioned that Shinohara-san was the type to flatly refuse anything she truly didn't want, so perhaps she had been more excited about the shopping trip than she let on.
"That pasta was amazing..."
"It really was! We have to come back on our next date. I want to try the other items on the menu."
"I’m down. I went with the Japanese-style pasta today, but the Bolognese looked really good too."
"I’m curious about the Genovese. Although the Mentaiko is a strong contender..."
"Genovese... that’s the one with the green sauce, right?"
"Yep! It’s a sauce made from basil and pine nuts. It has a bit of a unique scent, but it tastes incredible!"
After finishing lunch at a restaurant in the mall, we held hands and made our way toward a variety store to tackle the main goal of the day. We took the escalator down a floor and walked through a simple set of doors.
"I haven't been here since I moved in. The layout is totally different."
"I’ve barely been here at all. I usually just go to the shops near my house."
I checked the list on my phone while looking around the revamped interior. Haruka peeked at the screen from over my shoulder.
"Let’s start with the laundry stuff. Nets, hangers, things like that."
"Got it!"
I grabbed a shopping basket and followed the signs hanging from the ceiling. We passed the detergent aisle first, so I decided to stock up. Since we’d be doing laundry for two people for the next month, my current supply wasn't going to cut it.
"...Oh, found it! This is the one you use, right?"
"Yeah, that’s it. Thanks."
I was impressed she had spotted it before I did. I dropped the refill bottle into the basket and rounded the corner into the laundry supplies section. I started looking for a laundry net with a distinct pattern so I wouldn't mix hers up with mine. Haruka let out a small cheer.
"Look at this one! It has cats on it! Isn't it cute?"
"It is. You want that one?"
"Wait, let me look a little more!"
I left her to her deliberations and checked out the hangers. With an extra person's clothes to dry, I figured bigger was better. I tossed a large clip-hanger and two sets of triangular hangers into the basket. By then, Haruka had made her choice: two large nets with a cat pattern and one small one with hearts. She looked very pleased with herself.
"Next is towels. A bath towel and a face towel... should that be enough?"
"If we run out, you can always use mine... assuming you don't mind, that is."
"As if I’d mind! If anything... hehe."
I decided not to press her on the rest of that sentence.
Next was the tableware. My sister Yui stayed over sometimes, so I had a decent amount of plates, but it was better to be safe. It also felt right for Haruka to have things that were specifically hers. Without overthinking it, I added a set of dishes for two to the basket.
Suddenly, Haruka pointed toward a shelf.
"Tatsumi-kun! Look at those mugs!"
"Hmm? Oh, matching cups."
The shelf held a pair of mugs with animal motifs in different colors. One was blue with a black cat, the other was red with a husky. Haruka looked at them with literal stars in her eyes, and I couldn't help but chuckle.
"...They might be a little too cute for me, but it’s not like anyone else is going to see them. Why not? Let’s get them."
"Yay! Thank you, Tatsumi-kun!"
As I spoke through a flush of embarrassment, Haruka threw her arms around mine. If buying a couple of mugs could make her this happy, it was a bargain.
"Are you really that excited about them?"
"I am! They're so cute... and having matching cups makes it feel like we’re actually living together. It’s nice."
"Yeah, I guess I get that."
Haruka gave me a radiant smile. "We can use these to drink coffee together every morning. I can't wait!"
"...True. That does sound nice."
The image alone was enough to fill me with a strange sense of satisfaction and excitement. Drinking coffee with her every morning using those mugs... it would probably taste better than anything I’d ever had.
We spent the rest of the trip picking up other essentials—toothbrushes, shampoo, and various toiletries. Every time the basket grew heavier, the reality of our upcoming life together felt more concrete.
Despite the weight on my shoulder, my steps felt light as I walked home, hand-in-hand with Haruka.