Chapter 37 - First Date with the Social Goddess pt. 1 (リア神と初デート①)

What spread in front of me was a crowd of people forming a long line. I was overwhelmed by the large number.

Even though it was still eight o’clock in the morning, the sun was high and the weather was hot. The summer shine shone brightly, burning my skin.

Well, it’s not just because the temperature that my body was hot…

“Towa-kun, it’s crowded… I didn’t think there would be so many people.”

“Same,” I replied shortly and fanned my face with my hand. “It’s hot.”

The social goddess next to me was holding a stuffed doll cat, humming. She looked like she was in a good mood.

And she was like an adult today.

Rin was usually mature and calm, but she was fifty percent more attractive due to the effect of makeup. Her fit and flare knitted skirts was also perfect. The combination of black and lavender was elegant, and she looked like a noble lady of a certain country. It also made her appear divine.

Such Rin was waiting for the entrance line in a good mood, a smile plastered on her face. She didn’t get lost in the crowd. Rather, she was standing out.

As if proofing that, every man passing by her had their eyes magnetized towards her. Some of them became tranced, as if they were fascinated.

Well, the men who went with their girlfriends had their ears pulled and taken away, though… It’s not hard to imagine what happened to them after this.

...I’ll pray for their wellbeing.

Anyway, because of this, being next to Rin made me feel ashamed.

Fortunately, I was glad that I didn’t hear anyone telling me to get lost… This was probably due to Kenichi’s couple. They helped me with clothes, hairstyles… and many other things. Doing just as they said made me feel miserable, though…

With that in mind, I glanced at Rin. Our gaze met, causing my heart to skip a beat. It seemed like Rin was curious about my hair.

“What is it?”

“Um, did you cut your hair?”

“Hee. So you noticed it.”

“Um… It looks great.”

“I just cut it because it’s getting long.”

“Fufu. I see. I also didn’t know that you had that kind of clothes.”

The clothes…? Ah, she helped me clean up, so she knew what I had, huh? Did that mean she found out that I bought new clothes?

When I realized that, my face became hot.

“...Is it strange?”

“No, not at all. Rather…”

“Hm?”

“It’s cool on you…”

“O-oh. I didn’t expect anyone to say that to me… Er, thanks…”

“No… I just said what I thought.”

Rin blushed, burying her face in the cat to hide it. However, only her face was hidden. Her bright red ears weren’t.

Even I got embarrassed… I didn’t think she would honestly compliment me…

An indescribable air flowed between Rin and me until we entered the park.

It’s really awkward…

◇◇◇

Around noon, after riding some attractions, Rin and I were discussing where to go next by the side of the road.

We went to cute fairy-tail theme thrill rides. By the way, this was the first time I rode something like that. Unlike Rin who didn’t even twitch, I thought my heart would pop out.

To be honest, I didn’t want to ride them anymore. But if Rin told me to go, I would…

The previous ride was cute. There was this cat too.”

Rin showed me her cat, sticking it out. Her being excited was cute.

“I was so happy with the previous ride that I didn’t act my age. How embarrassing.”

“You did? I feel like you were acting like usual, though.”

“That’s not true! I think I was very exhilarated!”

And yet, I could see much change from her usual self. It’s true that she smiled more today, but I couldn’t really tell since her voice was still monotonous… Oh well.

“Towa-kun, look at that. A lot of people are gathering there. What is that?”

“Oh, that’s…”

“I recalled the amusement park map and events I memorized yesterday. Speaking of daytime events——

“It’s a parade. If I remember right, this amusement holds it during day and night.”

“I didn’t know that. Um, Towa-kun. You know a lot about this, huh?”

“Hmm, I just happened to know it.”

Because that’s the only thing I memorized. I didn’t know anything about the anecdotes of the characters in this amusement park.

“Maybe you’ve been here before? ...With a girl?”

“Are you stupid! That’s impossible. I’m just repeating what Kenichi told me.”

As I waved my hand, I denied vehemently. Rin only stared at me.

I wouldn’t admit that I searched the schedule yesterday no matter what. That’s too uncool… It would make me look like I was looking forward to today.

“Dear visitor, the parade will start at eleven o’clock——“

The broadcast in the amusement park echoed around through speakers.

And, in response, a large number of people began to move toward the parade. I thought we could be fine since we stood in the corner, but I slightly flinched at the wave of people. It was a lot more than I expected.

A group was trying to take a position in the front line, moving to our spot. They didn’t see the road since they were talking to their friends.

And they were about to bump onto Rin——

However, I pulled Rin’s arm towards me just before that.

But this was definitely my fault… Rin lost her balance because I pulled her so suddenly, bumping into my chest.

A sweet, soft scent different from her perfume was pungent in my nose.

Despite her bumping into me rather vigorously, I didn’t feel any pain. On the contrary, it felt soft like a feather.

“...Towa-kun?”

Rin looked up at me with a smile.

What a relief… She wasn’t angry.

The word ‘sexual harassment’ came to my mind for a moment, but she didn’t seem to mind… maybe.

“...I’m sorry. I was watching the crowd absentmindedly… Um, did I hurt you?”

“No, not at all. I’m sorry for pulling you suddenly… Rin, I didn’t hurt you too, right?”

“I’m fine. Rather, thank you for preventing me from falling down.”

“Uh, yeah… Thanks.”

Rin chuckled at that. She should be able to take a distance from me now, she wouldn’t.

“Rin, can you move away…”

“There are still too many people, so it’s dangerous…” She looked up at me, acting spoiled. “Can we stay like this a little longer?”

“Sure…”

Unexpectedly, I ended up lending my chest to her. Looking at those upturned eyes at a close distance made me unable to calm down at all.

I never had any experience with girls. Therefore, this sense of distance was bad for my heart. Not to say, the girl sticking on me right now was a very beautiful girl. This was really bad…

We weren’t dating, but I didn’t think this was proper.

Rin didn’t seem to be aware of our position. She was waiting for people to pass by with her usual calm expression.

Well, if you were a beautiful girl who was favored by many guys like Rin, you might not be upset by this.

It’s embarrassing that I was the one who was conscious of this…

The parade began and the crowd of people began to stop moving. Rin, who saw that, moved away and stood next to me.

“Let’s go there.”

“Yeah, sure.”

I reflexively had a bitter smile at how Rin was acting as usual. Turns out I was the only one who was nervous.

Her long hair fluttered in the wind. Was it my imagination when I saw a glimpse of her red ears at that time?

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