Chapter 394: Don't Take Her to a Hotel
At Kaede's signal, everyone didn't go over immediately. They waited until a few more tourists joined the line behind Takasu Ryuji and Aisaka Taiga before walking over and taking the last spot.
The reason, naturally, was to continue observing those two.
This was the first time Shinomiya Kaguya had done something like this, and she seemed highly amused. She hadn't had much contact with Takasu Ryuji and Aisaka Taiga, so this was the first time she realized that something seemed slightly off about the two of them.
Coupled with the amused, "watching a show" expressions of Kaede and Eriri beside her, she was basically certain that their situation was probably similar to how things used to be between her and Shirogane Miyuki.
Standing a few customers back, the four continued watching the interaction between the two with gossipy expressions.
Standing on her tiptoes, Aisaka Taiga looked at the line, which still had about ten people ahead, and said gloomily, "It's so slow... When will it finally be our turn?"
Takasu Ryuji said, "We should have to wait a little longer. Be patient; it will be our turn soon. Making milk tea is pretty quick. I'm just worried that if we go back with milk tea and they find out we didn't bring them any, they might threaten us. After all, even though Kitamura isn't here, Asakura is still very fond of causing trouble."
"Hmph, does he dare?"
Aisaka Taiga snorted and said, "You're really timid. You should learn from me, you know? But... I should have brought my wooden sword. If I'm bare-handed, I really am no match for Asakura."
"Hahaha, too bad. Whose fault is it that your arms and legs are short? Ow, ow, ow!!!"
Having been stomped on by Aisaka Taiga, Takasu Ryuji jumped up, grimacing, "Why did you use so much force? That hurts!"
"Hmph~"
Aisaka Taiga tossed her long hair, then stuck out her tongue at Takasu Ryuji. "Ryuji, there's one more thing."
"Hmm? What is it?"
"Didn't Yasuko say she wouldn't be back for dinner? What should we do about our dinner?"
"What else can we do? We'll buy groceries on the way back and cook at home."
"Aigh~" Grabbing Takasu Ryuji's clothes, Aisaka Taiga took out her phone, showing him a page on the screen, and said, "Let's eat here! It's a new restaurant, and it looks really tasty!"
"A restaurant?"
Takasu Ryuji looked at the phone and saw an introduction to a Chinese Cantonese restaurant.
"Cantonese food, huh? Are you sure you'll like it?"
"As long as it tastes good! Let's go, let's go!!!"
Unusually, Aisaka Taiga started acting spoiled while pulling Takasu Ryuji, making him blush slightly. He turned his head away and said, "Well... going once isn't impossible. I just got paid from my part-time job, and the prices at that place don't look too high."
"Yay!!!"
Seeing that Takasu Ryuji agreed, Aisaka Taiga happily jumped up. "But you don't have to worry about the cost. We'll split it! I can afford my own share!"
Takasu Ryuji smiled and nodded. Looking at Aisaka Taiga's smiling face, a thought suddenly occurred to him.
The two of them going out to eat alone like this... wasn't this a date?
Hmm... The confusion he had been feeling suddenly started to clear up after Aisaka Taiga suggested going out to eat.
"...This seems nice?"
"Hmm? What's nice?" Hearing Takasu Ryuji muttering to himself, Aisaka Taiga asked curiously.
"Nothing, nothing, just thinking out loud."
Aisaka Taiga didn't believe him and leaned closer to carefully observe Takasu Ryuji's expression.
The difference in their heights was quite significant. With Aisaka Taiga leaning in and looking up at him from below, Takasu Ryuji was caught off guard and instinctively leaned his body back slightly.
Noticing the unnatural expression on Takasu Ryuji's face, Aisaka Taiga instantly understood, giving a sly smile. "Hmph, hmph, are you embarrassed? Ryuji, you're so useless. A girl just leans in a little and you get shy!"
"Shut up! You, you mere Taiga!"
"Huh? What did you say? Ryuji, you're the one! Don't you think about who else would be willing to wait in line here with you besides me? You still scare people on the way to school every day. You should be grateful that I haven't abandoned you, got it?" As she spoke, Aisaka Taiga raised her hand and poked Takasu Ryuji's cheek repeatedly.
Arguing about other things might have been fine, but when it came to the issue of his eyes, Takasu Ryuji truly couldn't refute her. Although he didn't care about it anymore and wouldn't get angry, it still instantly defeated him.
After being poked several times, he couldn't take it anymore. Takasu Ryuji seized the chance, extended both hands, and *smack!*—cupped Aisaka Taiga's cheeks, squeezing them until her lips puffed out, and she struggled, making muffled sounds.
Amidst the commotion, Takasu Ryuji seemed to sense some stares. He turned his head and saw Kaede, Eriri, Shirogane Miyuki, and Shinomiya Kaguya watching them from a few customers back.
Shinomiya Kaguya covered her mouth and chuckled softly. "Ara, we've been spotted."
Kaede nodded and said, "It's about time. We'll be next soon anyway, so it doesn't matter if we're discovered."
Meanwhile, Eriri immediately took out her phone and snapped a photo with a *click*. "Don't worry, I'll send it to you later, Taiga."
Aisaka Taiga quickly broke free from Takasu Ryuji's hands and ran toward Eriri. "Eriri, don't just take pictures!"
Since there were people he knew behind him, Takasu Ryuji simply abandoned his spot in the line and walked back to join Kaede and the others.
Bumping Kaede with his elbow, Takasu Ryuji whispered, "When did you guys get here?"
"Relax." Kaede patted Takasu Ryuji's shoulder and smiled. "We saw everything. We didn't miss a thing."
"...You might as well not have answered."
Still smiling, Kaede hooked his arm around Takasu Ryuji's neck and whispered to the embarrassed boy, "What's up? Have you finally figured things out? You've been dragging your feet for a while now. Isn't it time to make a move?"
"Uh... We'll talk about that later, later."
Shirogane Miyuki came up on Takasu Ryuji's other side and whispered, "Takasu, some things can't be postponed. When you need to be decisive, you must be, or you'll regret it later. For me, if I had confessed to Shinomiya earlier, things would probably be even better than they are now."
"Mhm..." Glancing at Aisaka Taiga, who was still playing with Eriri and had completely left the line, Takasu Ryuji nodded. "I understand."
"But, there's one thing I need to make clear to you first, Takasu."
Kaede's tone suddenly became serious. "Let's not talk about dinner, and splitting the bill is fine too. But please, don't take Taiga to a hotel or anything like that. I'm worried that the moment you walk in, the hotel staff will see Taiga and immediately call the police."
"Huh?"
Takasu Ryuji didn't understand at first, but when Shirogane Miyuki couldn't hold back his laughter, he finally realized what was meant.
"Of course not! What kind of person do you take me for!??!"