Chapter 4 - Springtime (4)

As the car took us to a department store, I talked about what I needed in the department store with Kaori, who looked excited like an eager kid who was going to a toy store.

I must admit that Kaori was so cute when she was like that!

Putting all that aside, I'd talked and acted in a manner that would achieve this outcome. And to be honest, I was sort of cheating in this matter.

I'd gathered the predictions from Akashic Records and simulated the best path to achieve this outcome. It looked bothersome, but the truth was it was an easy matter with my immeasurable INT.

Honestly, this reminded me so much of a certain arrogant golden king's crystallized wisdom that allowed him to see and simulate the best path to take.

I wonder if people in this world understand my reference?

I guess not. After all, that franchise doesn't exist in this world.

I'm kind of feeling sorry for this world because it doesn't know the glory of waifus with colorful characters that franchise could offer!

At least, they won't experience the horror of Mapo Tofu, Fake Priest, retractable daggers, and so much salt.

But, I digressed.

Back to myself and Kaori, from talking about school supplies I needed, we moved to another light topic. We continued talking casually until we came to the department store.

Once we got out of the car, Kaori took me into the mall. Her attendant followed after us dutifully.

As we walked inside the mall, we became the center of attention.

It can't be helped, anyway. We are both good-looking and look like a pair made in heaven.

By the way, I didn't forget to lower my charm. Other than Kaori, everyone else would perceive me when I was yet to break the limit, meaning that I was just outstandingly handsome, not supernaturally handsome.

"Hey! Look at that! Don't you think that girl is so pretty?"

"Wow! That boy is so handsome! What a hunk!"

"Look at that woman who is wearing a butler's outfit following them! Is she their servant?"

"Not only are they good looking but they are apparently rich too! How unfair life can be?!"

"They look good with each other, don't you think so?"

"Looking at them heals my heart, somehow."

"Do you think they are lovers?"

"It's obvious, isn't it? I bet they are on a date?"

Suddenly, Kaori stumbled.

Inwardly, I smirked victoriously.

Looks like Kaori couldn't really ignore the voices of the bystanders even though she put on an indifferent face. Granted, it was my fault why their voices sounded loud and clear.

You see, I made the bystanders' words sound loud and clear in Kaori's ears, so she could hear how we look like a couple. I did this so that she could recognize her infatuation with me.

Putting all that aside…

"Kaori-san, what's the matter? Are you alright?"

I turned to her and asked that question, showing a concerned expression. I also saw her reddening face.

Apparently, the topic about how we looked like a pair of lovers affected Kaori so much. Or to be precise, it made Kaori realize something from what I could deduce from her expression… just as I planned!

"Um, an, yes! Do-don't worry, Yuuya-san! I-I'm alright!"

Kaori stuttered while shaking her flushed face. She looked like she was thrown into disarray by her embarrassment.

"Are you sure?"

"Ye-Yes! I'm sure!"

I asked Kaori who answered with a stutter.

"But, your face is so red! Do you have a fever?"

I leaned closer to her and touched her forehead with the back of my hand. Our faces were so close that we looked like we were about to kiss.

Kaori's face turned even redder, but she didn't push me away.

Surprisingly, Kaori's bodyguard didn't stop me. In fact, my perceptions sensed her watching us with warm and kind eyes, spectating us silently.

As for the audience, I could hear "ah!" and "oh!" and whistles of teasing they sent towards us, but I completely ignored them.

Even though I did it on purpose out of following an anime cliché to get into Kaori's heart, I couldn't help but feel embarrassed by what I was doing.

I'm so sorry that I'm such a disappointment!

Despite being cocky and claiming to get a harem, I am so embarrassed by doing this to Kaori!

After all, I'm just a virgin nerd with no romantic experience under my sleeve!

Thankfully, I could hide my real feelings and kept acting cluelessly.

Finally, Kaori reached her limit, but she's not like a certain white-eyed heiress who fainted when near her crush.

She took a step back to create a distance between us, after which she said to me: "Do-don't worry, Yuuya-san! I-I'm perfectly fine, I promise!"

She sounded as if she tried to convince herself instead of me.

As she said that, she flailed her arms in front of her, her face so red and her eyes roaming around as she was unable to look into my eyes.

When I was about to respond to her words, she suddenly grabbed my sleeve and pulled me somewhere.

On top of that, she whispered something to me without looking at my face.

"Le-Let's move somewhere. I feel uncomfortable because we are the center of attention here."

I quietly let Kaori take me away. Her bodyguard quietly and dutifully followed after us.

Kaori took me to where I could buy school supplies. When we arrived, Kaori had already recovered from her immense embarrassment.

Then, Kaori helped me buy my school supplies. Since all my equipment was old and obsolete, I bought everything we could think of.

On top of that, I also bought a new school bag and shoes with Kaori's help. I asked her to choose a good item for me.

After we finished selecting school supplies, we headed to the cashier to pay for everything.

"Yuuya-san, allow me."

"Ah, no need! I can pay for everything myself, Kaori-san!"

"Are you sure? I'm sorry, but isn't your situation…"

Kaori trailed off with a worried face.

Hearing and seeing that, I couldn't help but smile wryly.

As I watched Kaori's concerned face, I said to her: "Do not worry. A few days ago, I found my late grandfather's stash while cleaning the house. He kept a lot of cash in a hidden place. Basically, I don't have any financial problems anymore."

"Really?"

Kaori didn't seem convinced, though she relented after I showed her the content of my wallet.

Normally, what I did could be taken wrongly as trying to show off, but Kaori didn't seem to think so as her gaze at the thick wad of cash in my wallet seemed to say "Ah, I see…".

Then again, she was a wealthy Ojou-sama, so she never lacked money. And it finally hit home that Kaori was a real Ojou-sama despite her down to earth personality.

Still, she seemed dissatisfied because she couldn't pay for my things. Normally, I wouldn't mind getting something for free, but this was different.

Kaori is a girl I like and want to get as my girlfriend, so I don't want to look pathetic in front of her.

Once I paid for my purchases, we left the mall and went to my home.

"Um, etto, ne, Yuuya-san, do you have a cellphone with you?"

Kaori asked that question on the way to my home. I gave her my response with a curious look.

"Yes? I do. What's the matter?"

"Ca-can we exchange contact information?"

Kaori seemed really embarrassed when she asked for my contact information.

On the other hand, I was amused and… excited when seeing her bashful behavior.

"Let's exchange our contact information, then."

After hearing my answer, Kaori looked really happy and eager. She tried to hide it, though.

Not like it matters since I can guess her feelings from her subtle body language.

It was then that I realized how… less reserved Kaori had been. This Kaori was more open and forward than the "her" in the original story.

I couldn't help but become curious, but before I could get the answer, we arrived at my place.

After the car stopped outside my house, Kaori turned to me and spoke up with a melancholic smile as if she was unwilling to part from me yet.

"Today has been fun, Yuuya-san! Thank you for spending time with me!"

"No, it's I who have to thank you for everything, Kaori-san. Not only have you and Tsukasa-san allowed me to attend Ousei Academy but you also took me out to buy my school supplies. For everything, I sincerely thank you, Kaori-san."

I thanked her genuinely with a smile.

Kaori fell into a daze after seeing my sincere smile.

Her exotic reddish brown eyes that looked like the color of finely aged wine were glazed, her face blushing red and her luscious pink lips parting slightly.

Right then, she looked so defenseless.