Chapter 11
Magic Mirror
All of a sudden, I ended up going on a date with Tsukiyo.
And it’s happening now.
I only meant to thank her for helping with the lost child, but somehow it’s turned into this.
I’ve never been on a date alone with a girl before…
“We don’t have to do this now, you know. It could be another day.”
“My brother said that whenever women try to hang out with Taiyō-san, you always make up errands and run away. So I won’t let you escape this time.”
“You siblings never let me off the hook, do you?”
The Kaminagi siblings sure seem to know me well.
I’ll say it again: I’m bad with girls my own age.
I don’t know what to say, I get nervous, I overthink things — so I try to avoid being alone with them whenever possible.
It’s not like I dislike them, and if it’s in a group I’m fine, but… being alone is tough, isn’t it?
Tsukiyo is an easy girl to talk to, but going out to have fun is something else entirely.
“Do you hate being with me, Taiyō-san?”
“All right, all right! Stop asking in a way that makes me feel guilty.”
“Yes!” Tsukiyo spun around, her face lighting up.
Honestly, is there any man who can resist a request made with those upturned eyes?
She’s a little devil. A girl like that is way out of my league, especially since I’m not used to girls.
It was already past 3 p.m. — we met up late.
There probably aren’t that many places we can go at this time… Should I be the one to plan the date?
While I was thinking, Tsukiyo started walking.
“Given the time, there’s only one place we can go!”
“W–where are we going?”
“The science museum!”
“I’m glad I had two free tickets.”
“You’re pretty thrifty, huh.”
I never imagined I’d end up at a science museum on a date.
Tsukiyo looked a little relieved too — maybe this was a spur-of-the-moment idea.
Science museums are basically for kids, teaching them about natural science.
I remember my parents taking me there when I was small.
Back then I thought it was just for children.
“Taiyō-san! Look at this glowing monument. How did they wire the circuit?”
“Let’s ask the staff. I think they’re using switch toggles…”
To my surprise, it was fun.
I’m actually studying physics and chemistry right now, so a lot of it was useful.
We only had about two hours until closing, but it felt like we both enjoyed it to the fullest.
“If I’d known it’d be like this, we should’ve come in the morning.”
“Then let’s come again. That’s a promise.”
Typical Tsukiyo — thinking two or three steps ahead.
This is an easy place to drop by, so maybe I will want to come again.
But next time I want more people.
Being alone together is still tough.
Not sure Tsukiyo would agree though.
“There’s a big mirror over here.”
“You’re right. Something that big would be a hassle to have at home.”
Ten minutes to closing. Time to hit the restroom and go home.
“Sorry, I’m just going to the restroom. Wait here.”
“Okaay.”
I used the nearby men’s restroom and started heading back… but the hallway was different.
I must have taken a wrong turn.
“Huh, was there a room like this?”
It was pretty dark. The sign said “Magic Mirror Exhibit.”
Right — a magic mirror reflects like a mirror on the bright side but is see-through from the dark side.
So the fact that Tsukiyo was right in front of me meant that mirror was a one-way mirror.
Since I was in the dark room, Tsukiyo couldn’t see me.
She was standing in front of the mirror, facing this way.
I crept closer, and the fact that she still didn’t react meant she really couldn’t see me.
Maybe I should take a photo from this close.
Tsukiyo was looking into the mirror, fixing her hair and clothes.
Her chestnut hair, her round eyes — she was breathtaking.
I could look at her like this forever.
This was Kaminagi Tsukiyo — the girl who gets confessed to by over a hundred people a year and rejects them all, earning her the nickname “Princess Kaguya.”
If not for that incident, I probably wouldn’t even be speaking to her beyond small talk, let alone hanging out.
Yet here I am, feeling something at least more than simple affection for her.
Sure, the main reason is because I’m her brother’s friend, but… I don’t want anyone else to take this “brother’s friend” position from me.
Even if Tsukiyo dates someone else, I want to be here, blessing her from this spot.
“Taiyō-san, what’s taking so long?”
Ah, I’d better get back.
“Who is the girl in the mirror in love with, I wonder…”
Tsukiyo started speaking softly, in a voice so low only someone right next to her could hear.
She hadn’t noticed me — she was talking to her reflection.
“I’m in love.”
Oh no. I shouldn’t be hearing this.
But I couldn’t move.
I wanted to know who it was.
“You know, from the very first time I met him, I thought he was so kind and considerate.”
Tsukiyo closed her eyes as if recalling the memory, pressing both hands to her chest.
“After that incident… I started thinking about him. Once I did, I couldn’t stop watching him. When I notice one good thing, I find even more good things…”
A blush rose on her cheeks; her eyes were pure, fixed on some point only she could see.
“Being with him is so fun. So warm. I want to monopolize that kind heart that’s kind to everyone.”
…
“I wonder if someday I’ll be able to say I love him. The person I…”
Wham!
“!?”
I slapped my palm against the magic mirror.
I shouldn’t have done that, but I couldn’t stop myself.
I didn’t want to hear the rest.
My desire to not know overwhelmed my desire to know.
“Huh… why… is someone there?!”
Tsukiyo covered her mouth with both hands, blushing furiously, and hurried away.
I still couldn’t stand up.
My face was burning and wouldn’t cool down.
Tsukiyo’s crush isn’t me — that’s what I told myself.
I’m selfish and not kind at all.
The exact opposite of the person she was talking about.
“Sigh…”
How am I supposed to face her now?
After that, both of us spent the rest of the time feeling awkward.
Tsukiyo probably didn’t think I’d overheard her, but she seemed flustered.
I’m sure of it.
Tsukiyo likes me as a person, but not in a romantic way.
