Chapitre 32: A Bronya Date
A Day Later...
As I slowly opened my eyes, the dim morning light filtering through the curtains cast a soft glow over the room. Blinking away the remnants of sleep, I surveyed my surroundings, recognizing the familiar setting of Kiana's room.
"Too bright..." I muttered, squinting against the light.
My gaze fell upon Kiana, still peacefully asleep on her pillow.
I quietly got up from the floor, careful not to disturb her slumber. As I glanced around the room, my eyes landed on a notebook sitting on the table nearby. Curious, I picked it up and flipped through the pages, my eyebrows rising in surprise.
"Oh? I didn't expect Kiana to ACTUALLY help me with this," I murmured to myself, a smile tugging at the corners of my lips. It seemed that she had secretly been assisting me with planning the date.
With a grateful nod toward Kiana's sleeping form, I made a mental note to return the favor once the date was a success.
Patting her gently on the head, I tiptoed out of her room, eager to set my plans in motion.
Now then... I should go back to my room.
With a sense of anticipation bubbling inside me, I hurried back to my dorm room, eager to prepare for the day ahead.
As I stepped inside, I glanced around the room, expecting to find Bronya either getting ready or waiting for me.
"Huh? Where's Bronya?" I mumbled to myself, noticing the absence of her usual presence.
I checked the bathroom first, but it was empty. Then, I peered into her bedroom, but she wasn't there either.
"Strange... Where could she have gone?" I wondered aloud, feeling a pang of concern creeping in.
It was unusual for Bronya to be absent without a word.
"Well, I should get started at least," I murmured to myself, determined to make the most of the day ahead.
Returning to my room, I wasted no time in beginning my search for the perfect outfit for today's date.
As I rummaged through my wardrobe, my mind raced with thoughts of what Bronya might like. Should I go for something casual yet trendy, or perhaps opt for a more polished look?
The seconds ticked by as I sifted through various shirts, pants, and jackets, carefully considering each combination.
After what felt like an eternity of deliberation, I finally settled on an ensemble that struck the perfect balance between stylish and laid-back. With a nod of approval, I swiftly changed into my chosen outfit.
Stepping in front of the mirror, I assessed my appearance, making sure every detail was just right.
Satisfied with my reflection, I straightened my collar and ran a hand through my hair, trying to exude confidence.
Taking a deep breath to steady my nerves, I cast one last glance around the room before striding out the door.
"Now then... Let me text Bronya," I muttered, reaching for my phone in my pocket. Just as my fingers grazed the screen, the device buzzed in my hand, indicating an incoming call.
I raised an eyebrow in surprise. "Oh? That's good timing."
Answering the call, I held the phone to my ear, eager to hear Bronya's voice.
"Hello Bronya, where are you right now?"
"School gate of St. Freya," came her concise reply.
"Ah, I see. I'll head there now," I responded, a hint of excitement creeping into my tone.
"Mhm," she acknowledged, her voice betraying no further emotion before abruptly ending the call.
With a small smile playing on my lips, I pocketed my phone and made my way out of the dorm room.
As I approached the school gate, my eyes fixed on Bronya, who stood there with her twin tails swaying gently in the breeze. The sunlight danced in her hair, casting a warm glow around her, and her smile seemed to illuminate the entire area.
"Bronya!" I called out, unable to contain my excitement as I waved enthusiastically in her direction.
Bronya turned towards me, her expression softening as our eyes met. Her smile, so pure and genuine, sent a surge of warmth coursing through me, and for a moment, time seemed to stand still.
I couldn't help but admire her, taking in every detail of her appearance. From the elegant curve of her eyebrows to the delicate shape of her lips, she was truly a vision of beauty.
"Shin," she greeted me, her voice soft yet filled with warmth.
"Hey," I replied, unable to tear my gaze away from her.
My heart skipped a beat at the sight, overwhelmed by the sheer beauty of her presence. It was as if time stood still in that moment, captivated by the ethereal aura that surrounded her
Crap... My heart is beating so fast! Alright, I needed to keep my composure and approach this date with maturity and confidence.
"Shall we go now?" I asked, extending my hand to her with a reassuring smile.
Bronya nodded silently, her gaze still lowered as she summoned a sleek motorbike with a simple snap of her fingers.
My eyes widened in surprise at the sudden appearance of the vehicle. "Wait, Bronya?"
She turned to me, her expression unreadable. "What's wrong?"
I hesitated for a moment, unsure of how to express my thoughts.
Should I ask her to be more romantic, or should I let her be herself?
After a moment of contemplation, I decided to embrace the familiar and comforting presence of the normal Bronya.
I mean I'm sure everyone would appreciate a Bronya who gives you a cold gaze.
"Alright," I said with a resigned smile, hopping onto the back of the motorbike and wrapping my arms around her waist.
But for some reason, I feel like I'm the one who got asked out on a date.
As we rode along, Bronya's driving style remained as daring and reckless as ever, causing my stomach to churn with each sharp turn and sudden acceleration.
After enduring several minutes of this intense ride, I couldn't take it any longer.
I quickly hopped off the motorcycle and stumbled over to a nearby pole, clutching onto it for support as I tried to quell the rising nausea.
"Urgk... I feel like vomiting..."
Bronya turned to me with a concerned expression. "Are you alright, Shin?"
Am I alright!?
I nodded weakly, trying to steady my breathing. "I'll be fine... Just need a moment to catch my breath."
Just as I began to regain my composure, I noticed Bronya's gaze fixed on a couple entering the gates of the amusement park, holding hands and laughing together.
Curiosity piqued, I turned to Bronya, only to find her looking down with a faint blush tinting her cheeks.
"W-What is it?" I asked, surprised by her sudden change in demeanor.
"Bronya wants to hold hands..." she murmured, her voice barely above a whisper, before covering her face with her hand.
A rush of warmth flooded my chest at her shy admission. Without hesitation, I reached out and gently took her hand in mine, interlocking our fingers together.
Bronya's cheeks flushed a deeper shade of red, her usually stoic expression softening as she glanced away, unable to meet my gaze.
With our hands intertwined, we wandered through the bustling amusement park, the joyful sounds of laughter and excitement surrounding us. Despite the chaos of the crowd, it felt as though we were in our own little world, connected by a simple gesture of warmth and affection.
Feeling Bronya's delicate hand in mine, I couldn't help but notice how small and soft it felt, a stark contrast to her usual stoic demeanor. It was a simple gesture, yet it spoke volumes about her feelings in that moment.
Despite her typically reserved nature, Bronya's boldness in asking to hold hands took me by surprise.
"Shin, what should we do?"
I glanced around at the various attractions, considering our options. "Well, there's so much to choose from... How about we start with something exciting, like the roller coaster?"
Bronya looked at me with a hint of uncertainty but then nodded. "Alright."
As we approached the roller coaster, the excitement in the air was palpable. The rhythmic clatter of the carts, as they roared along the tracks, echoed through the park, mingling with the gleeful screams of the riders.
Bronya and I took our seats in one of the front rows of the roller coaster, fastening our seatbelts securely.
I could feel the adrenaline coursing through my veins as the ride attendant gave us a thumbs-up, signaling that we were ready to go.
Speaking of adrenaline...
I slowly took a glance at Bronya who seemed to be giving her usual expression.
With a sudden lurch, the roller coaster began its ascent, slowly climbing higher and higher until we reached the summit.
Wait a second... Isn't this too HIGH!?
From there, we could see the entire amusement park spread out below us.
Ah... There goes my soul leaving my body.
Then, with a heart-stopping drop, we plunged down the first hill, hurtling through twists and turns at breakneck speed. The wind whipped past us, tugging at our hair and clothes as we soared through the air.
Despite the exhilarating rush of the ride, I couldn't help but steal glances at Bronya beside me, her expression unreadable behind her stoic facade.
How the hell are you keeping up with that expression!?
As the roller coaster ride came to a thrilling end, Bronya and I unfastened our seatbelts and stepped out of the cart.
"That was... exciting (Scary.)," I said, trying to catch my breath.
Bronya nodded in agreement. "Indeed. It was."
Her stoic expression remained unchanged, but I could sense a subtle shift in her demeanor. Despite her calm exterior, I had a feeling that she was enjoying herself, even if she didn't show it outwardly.
Shall we move on to the next attraction?" I asked, smiling warmly at Bronya as I extended my hand to her.
Bronya's eyes widened slightly, and then she returned my smile with a small one of her own. "Mmhm."
With that, we continued our date at the amusement park, trying out various attractions. We hopped onto the bumper cars, where Bronya kept bumping her car into mine.
Next, we tested our aim at the shooting stand, where Bronya showcased her remarkable accuracy, nearly clearing out the entire prize stock.
Of course, the stand owner almost cried.
And finally, we found ourselves at a HOMU event show, despite the expensive tickets. Bronya insisted we attend, and I couldn't refuse her.
Throughout it all, Bronya's stoic demeanor softened, and I could see glimpses of her enjoying herself, especially when we were together.
As the day drew to a close, we found ourselves seated at a cozy restaurant, waiting for our dinner to arrive. Bronya held her HOMU plushie close, her gaze lingering on me as I watched her with a curious smile.
"Something on my face?" I asked, noticing her intense stare.
"No... nothing," she replied softly, her voice barely above a whisper.
I chuckled, "Well, you must be hungry. Let's wait for our meal."
"Mhm," she nodded, her eyes still fixed on me.
As we waited, the ambiance of the restaurant enveloped us, the gentle hum of conversation and the soft music creating a tranquil atmosphere. Bronya's gaze remained on me, her expression inscrutable yet somehow filled with warmth.
When the waiter finally arrived with our food, I couldn't help but feel a sense of relief. I picked up my chopsticks, eager to indulge in the delicious dishes before us.
"Mhm," Bronya murmured in agreement, her eyes still fixed on me.
I served myself, stealing glances at Bronya between bites. There was a quiet intensity in her gaze that intrigued me, stirring something within me that I couldn't quite put into words.
"Is there something on your mind, Bronya?" I asked gently, unable to shake the feeling of anticipation in the air.
She hesitated for a moment before speaking softly, "I... just wanted to say thank you, Shin. For today."
Thank me...?
Surprised by her words, I felt a warmth spread through me. "You don't have to thank me, Bronya. I had a great time too."
Her lips curved into a small smile, "I know. But still... thank you."
...
"Yeah, No problem."
With that, we continued our meal, savoring each moment of our time together, and as our meal finished, we left the restaurant and ode back to St. Freya, the cool night air brushing against our skin as Bronya's Project: Bunny propelled us forward with its characteristic speed.
Despite her reckless driving, we arrived back at the academy safely, albeit a bit earlier than expected.
État de l’alimentation hebdomadaire
-- Classement
Power Stone 
-- Power
stone