Capítulo 27: Yukari's Day Off
Instead of dropping off at their usual bus stop, Arata decided to go with Yukari who was going to take Yuuki to his school. He normally goes with their mother or just his brother; now that neither could take him there, Yukari had to go.
"Eh, but you might get late, too, Arata." Yukari hummed as she fixed Yuuki's collar and combed his fringe with her fingers. "Yesterday, I was late."
"I don't mind." The player chuckled as he stroked at the kid's hair, enjoying the first time he saw Yuuki in person. He only heard about them from his sister, and to know that Yuuki was the silent twin made him a lot excited in meeting him. "Hey, Yuuki, are you okay with going with Big Sis today?"
"Yeah..." The kid answered, a little weary about the man sitting next to him at the bus. His sister was familiar with him so it would not hurt if he answered questions.
"He's so cute!" Arata gave him a last pat before pushing the kid's patience. He wanted to pinch Yuuki's chubby cheeks but that was not someone should do to a child they just met. He was fond of children, but he never had the confidence to get near one, until now that he lived in a different world.
Yukari only laughed at the Arata who was like fangirling over her cute little brother. Last week was quite a hassle since the stabbing incident and the one where he got locked up in the school shed. He was also running around, helping Attori and her mother in the booth. The best friend was just relieved to see him smiling and purely enjoying himself.
They got off the stop nearest to Yuuki's grade school, and waved at the boy as he went in on his own. There were a lot of mothers around, but the two students did not bother when they were getting attention. Arata led her to the main road and was about to turn the crossing when Yukari took a hold on his sleeve. The player turned behind him with a curious look.
"Arata, let's skip school today," Yukari spoke softly to him, her lips curling a little. "I feel tired, and I don't get to rest when I'm home or at school."
[You have triggered a date with Secret Admirer Ginmachi Yukari! Initiating a Kiss will give you 1 Cosmos Crown during the event! You have 1 in your inventory, with 11 remaining to be obtained. Are you ready to impress the date-able? Yes / No]
He held his hand out and petted his best friend. "We shouldn't go around in our uniforms. Let's shop first." He then smiled widely, earning the same reaction from Yukari.
Instead of taking a bus towards the school, they took one back to the Lumen Park. The mall was not open yet, so they just ended up strolling around and waited while having snacks in a cafe. The manager asked them why they were not in school, and Arata just had to lie about them waiting for a friend who just came back from America after ten years of separation. They just received a message on their way to school so they skipped to see their friend. The conversation got so emotional- that the manager even gave them cakes that were on the house. With extra-maximum Charms, no one could resist the god of the living.
"How good are you at lying? Geez." Yukari snickered as she enjoyed the fruit of Arata's heartfelt performance.
"I know it's bad, but I just have to do it sometimes." The man sighed as he sobbed inwardly, getting by scenes without Attori's passive and limited dialogues. Then again, it felt more natural for him to act like it was his guts that made him do so. Not to mention that gold prizes could come at any given moment during a Date.
[You have fulfilled the secret request: defend your seats from Manager-san! Each request will give you a chance to get a second event scene! You have 20% of the required secret requests! Good luck!]
Arata just had to hiss in mixed relief and annoyance. He then followed it with ridiculing chuckles. He started eating the cake, and chatted with the best friend for almost two hours. In that time, he managed to slip a text to Attori about him skipping school for the fun of it, and would be meeting her in Hibiya later. However, like what happened before, he was not able to ask Yukari to leave the cafe until it was twelve.
The two hit the mall as soon as the action time chime sounded inside his head. They bought clothes from a store and changed in the same fast food chain where they had their lunch. Arata and Yukari, who were suited in designer clothes, walked around like it was the weekend. Since it had many sights that Yukari enjoyed, Arata chose the Blue Pavilion Mall as the Dating Spot.
[You just pulled off a stunt! Your destination choice gave a boost of 35 to Secret Admirer Ginmachi Yukari's Date Meter! It is now at 35/100! Keep on going!]
"These clothes are really expensive. How come you have a lot of money on you?" Yukari hummed as she twirled in front of a glassed display- which black background giving her a black mirror to see herself wearing the clothes he just bought for her. She stared at her reflection wearing a pink skater dress with white leggings and brown sandals. "Aren't you spoiling me a lot?"
"Nah, looks perfect on you." Arata made a photo frame with his hands, only to remember he did have an instant camera. He took it out and aimed at Yukari who got flustered. "Come on, just one shot is good enough! Let me have a souvenir!"
"I should have known better!" The girl pouted, but she still did a pose for his shot.
[You just pulled off a stunt! Your gift: Designer clothes, gave a boost of 20 to Secret Admirer Ginmachi Yukari's Date Meter! It is now at 55/100! Keep on going!]
They then continued walking, and Yukari crossed her arm with his as they walked. She was quiet, but she wore a rather big smile on her face. Arata could notice the light mood she had, and would love to let her keep it. But then again, he had no idea when the date will stop, and failing it would be a loss. However, he somewhat had this feeling to just let it happen, if it makes Yukari stay happy in silence. His conflict made him sigh, much to Yukari's attention.
"Are you getting bored, Arata?" The girl asked, her tone quite disappointed from what she heard.
"Ah, no. I was just thinking if we should start talking. You look so happy even though we're not, so I wasn't sure if we should." The man chuckled, finding it hard for him to lie to Yukari despite his deception skills. It was about his heart to lie after all.
"Oh, it's fine to talk. I'm just really happy. I..." -she averted her gaze from him, wearing an awkward smile- "I've never been on a date before. I don't know what I should be doing." Yukari only chuckled. "Walking around with you is enough for me. Asking for more is... kind of too ambitious."
"Well, if this helps..." Arata hummed as he stroked at his chin. "I think you should forget thinking it's too ambitious. Let's just have some fun!" He then took charge of their arms that were crossed together. "Wanna watch a movie? I'll treat you."
"But! You already bought so much!" Yukari complained, pulling Arata against the direction he wanted to go. She then held his arm closer to her, even to the point of pressing it against her chest. "Let's just walk around. I'm really satisfied with this." A deep smile rose from her lips, even though she lowered her face to hide it. "Thank you for being so kind."
[You just pulled off a stunt! Your pep talk gave a boost of 20 to Secret Admirer Ginmachi Yukari's Date Meter! It is now at 75/100! Keep on going!]
Arata did not feel obliged to fight for his opinion. He only smiled and did what Yukari asked of him; after all, he just wanted her to enjoy truly. They had gone around the first floor and saw a lot of shops that Yukari seemed to miss whenever she was in the mall. She did not go to the mall a lot; she was more of an athletic type, but breaking out of that zone was the purpose of the date. He was hoping she was getting a break and a rest for the day.
The second floor was filed with specialty shops, and she just kept on looking at almost everything. She was fascinated by the mall shops, and it worried Arata. It was not like he just found out that Yukari knew so little about them; it was more of the 'she seldom goes here to enjoy the trip at least, so I need to make sure she will have a memorable time with me today' kind of worry. But with her refusing his offer, he would find little to no means of making it a lot more special.
"I didn't know you can watch them make the candies from outside!" Yukari would flatten herself against the glass wall as she watched the workers shape and cut candies on a working area next to the selling stands. There were children watching so she did not want to embarrass herself. She then pulled on Arata's sleeve. "Can we- uhh, can we...?"
"I buy you candy if you like!" Arata had light come back inside his eyes when he heard her demanding for something.
"Well, I was thinking we should buy some for the twins, too." Yukari scratched her head in shame. She pulled him away from the crowd gently. "My allowance is a little off this week so..." She then started waving her hands as if dismissing an idea. "I'm not trying to use you as a wallet! I swear!" She sighed and dropped her shoulders before looking away. "I'm trying my best not to sound like I am, really. I mean, you're so kind you'd probably be okay with it. Then again, it starts to make me feel like... I only like you because of it.
"I don't know how Attori stomachs being spoiled by you, or maybe it's because she's the girlfriend. I don't see you treating the other girls, too." The best friend stammered as she struggled to get the words right. "I feel guilty of receiving special treatment despite not being the girlfriend. I hope you're okay with that. I have a feeling you've been waiting for me to say something..."
Arata ended up embracing her lightly. "Okay, I understand then. But I thought I've already told you. You're more important than most of them so of course, you'll get special treatment from me!" He pulled back and smiled at girl. "You're the best friend I had ever had. I'm so willing to make you feel I appreciate you a lot."
Yukari could only blush. She started combing her hair in embarrassment. She then turned behind her to see the candy store, before looking back at Arata. "I'm still drawing the line when it comes to the price of your gifts." She smile at him, which soon turned into a chuckle. "Can we get the candy?"
[You just pulled off a stunt! Your pep talk gave a boost of 15 to Secret Admirer Ginmachi Yukari's Date Meter! It is now at 90/100! Keep on going!]
After purchasing the candy, the duo walked to the top floor which led to a viewing deck. Since it was a little warm and not air-conditioned at all, only a few people came to stay. Yukari picked a seat at a bench behind the monument, making them face the view outside rather than the glass walls that show the mall.
The girl smiled as she felt the wind on her face. She fished for a small pack of candy and opened it. She popped a small piece in her mouth before offering some to the man. She watched him took a piece before resealing the plastic pouch. "Thank you for coming with me today, Arata. I feel really lighter." She turned to him. "How about you? Feeling better?"
"Better?" Arata echoed her word with confusion.
"You know... Keiko had been causing trouble. Not just once, I believe. Hamada-sempai shared things to me, and I'm worried about her. You two used to be so close." Yukari chuckled, tasting the candy as it melted in her mouth. Her grip on the plastic tightened. "I thought we're both suffocated at the moment. So I forced you to go with me today..."
"Oh, that." Arata scratched his head. "Sorry, I was dealing with it in my own way. I didn't think I was bothering you as well." He smiled at the girl. "Thanks, Yukari. I really like you for being so thoughtful. I wonder how long I would have survived without you."
"Eh, but you have Attori." Yukari twitched, the blush reforming on her face.
"Like I said, two hands! Two hands!" The player laughed out. He then used an arm to lift behind her back, as if asking for the permission to hug her. He watched Yukari skid closer, and so Arata embraced her with both arms. "I feel so blessed with you around."
"T-Thank you!" She hummed and rested her chin on his shoulder. "I love you so much."
[You just pulled off a stunt! Your pep talk gave a boost of 20 to Secret Admirer Ginmachi Yukari's Date Meter! Congratulations! It is now at 100/100! Why don't you go for a Kiss?]
Arata initiated pulling back, but he still stared at her at close distance. He then placed his forehead against hers and rubbed his nose against hers as well. The player moved to peck at Yukari's lips, and the date-able did not even resist or hold back in kissing him.
[You have initiated a Kiss! Congratulations! You have earned 1 Cosmos Kiss as a reward from the event The Autumn Flowers have Risen! You can give it to any date-able of your liking...]
The sound of the notification died down as Arata started making out with Yukari outside of anyone else's eyes.
PENSAMENTOS DOS CRIADORES 
droopyghost
droopyghost Am I uploading too late in the evening? I'm sorry for the delay! Thank you for reading! If you're enjoying the story, please don't forget to vote, comment, or review!
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