บท 64: Sounds Like We're Meeting the Parents
At exactly 10:00 a.m., Shin arrived at the entrance of Akihabara Station, where he saw Yukinoshita Yukino standing alongside Akagi and Tamiya.
"Right on time, but maybe a bit too on time."
Seeing Shin appear, Yukinoshita Yukino glanced at her watch, showing a faintly speechless expression.
"Usually, people would arrive a little early, wouldn't they?"
They had agreed via phone to meet right at 10:00 in front of Akihabara Station, and Shin did arrive on time—almost too on time, as he walked out the moment the clock struck 10.
If Yukino hadn't just happened to glance inside the station, she might've thought Shin was purposely waiting inside, only coming out once it was exactly 10:00.
"This shows I have a strong sense of punctuality."
Shin nodded calmly, making it hard for Yukino to respond with any sarcasm.
He looked at Yukino—she looked as pretty as ever in her casual clothes. If no one else were around, she might've attracted a few admirers.
"But, back to the point, why Akihabara?"
Shin knew Yukino was a literature lover, but he hadn't pegged her as an otaku.
Although Akihabara is known for electronics and not solely otaku culture, it still didn't seem like a place Yukino would choose for a meetup.
"It wasn't my suggestion; Tamiya wanted to come here."
Regarding this matter, Yukino seemed a bit resigned. Tamiya Shion had taken the initiative, suggesting they go out together and proposing Akihabara as their destination.
Yukino typically didn't frequent Akihabara, but since this outing was to help Tamiya and Akagi bond, she decided to go along with it. After all, her purpose wasn't merely to matchmake them but to help them improve their personalities.
Tamiya usually didn't speak much, but once they arrived in Akihabara, her expression brightened considerably—a change Yukino was glad to see.
"I see."
Shin nodded, understanding why they'd ended up in Akihabara.
"So, what's the plan from here?"
"That depends on what Tamiya wants to do, since coming here was her idea."
Yukino massaged her temples, looking somewhat troubled.
"While it's good Tamiya took the initiative, I'm not too familiar with Akihabara either. We'll probably have to follow her lead."
"Isn't that a good thing? Weren't you worried earlier that Tamiya and Akagi would struggle to make conversation?"
Shin thought it wasn't a bad thing and smiled.
"Now that we're here in Akihabara, it looks like Tamiya is becoming more proactive, so you won't need to worry about awkward silences between them."
Following Shin's gaze, Yukino also noticed Tamiya Shion enthusiastically explaining something to Akagi.
It seemed she was introducing the various works advertised on the billboards, and Akagi, intent on winning her favor, nodded along attentively.
Seeing Tamiya this way, Shin could understand why Yukino had described her as being rather forward.
"True, though I didn't expect Tamiya's personality to shift like this in Akihabara."
Watching the interaction, Yukino also nodded.
Initially, she'd been a bit concerned that after she and Shin left, the atmosphere between Tamiya and Akagi might become awkward. But seeing how Tamiya was behaving now, it didn't seem like they'd run out of things to talk about.
"You mentioned that we'd find an excuse to leave later, right? Have you thought of how to explain it?"
Since Yukino nodded, Shin asked.
Yukino had arranged this whole outing, so she must have a plan for how they'd leave.
"Don't worry. Someone will call me around 11:00, and we'll use that as our excuse to leave."
Yukino nodded confidently, as if everything was already well in hand.
…
"Got it!"
Inside a shop in Akihabara, Tamiya Shion held an opened blind box containing a small figurine.
The box seemed to be part of a popular collection, limited to one per person, and she happened to get a rare model.
"Thank you, Yukino, Akagi, and Shin!"
"No worries; as long as you're happy."
Even Yukino looked a bit stiff at that. She hadn't expected Tamiya to bring them all to Akihabara to help her open blind boxes by increasing the headcount.
Yukino felt that calling Tamiya "forward" earlier had actually been a bit of an understatement.
"You all helped me out so much, so let me treat you. Let's head to that café over there."
Tamiya cheerfully put away her figurine, then pointed to a nearby café.
With a signboard and a maid standing at the door, it was obviously a maid café—one of Akihabara's "specialties."
"Hasn't that call come yet?"
Shin looked at the clock on the wall; it was almost 11:00.
As if on cue, Yukino's phone rang.
Everyone turned toward her as she calmly took out her phone and placed it to her ear.
"Hello? Sister, it's me. What's the matter?"
Although she was pretending to speak to her sister, Shin could clearly tell no sound came from the phone.
Yukino and her sister didn't get along, so it was impossible she would actually ask her for a favor like this.
Thanks to his enhanced senses, Shin heard the silence in her phone, though no one else would notice. To the others, it seemed she was genuinely talking to her sister.
"Alright, I understand."
After a brief, fake conversation, Yukino casually ended the call and looked at Tamiya.
"Tamiya, I'm sorry, but Shin and I have some matters to attend to shortly, so we'll need to leave you and Akagi to continue on your own."
"Huh? Wha-?"
Tamiya was taken aback, surprised by Yukino's sudden announcement.
As Shin worried that Tamiya might suggest they disband, he suddenly noticed her glancing between him and Yukino with a curious look.
"So, Yukino's sister called, and then Yukino has to leave with Shin… I get it."
A knowing smile appeared on Tamiya's face as she firmly pulled Akagi beside her, nodding at them both.
"Go ahead, you two—Shin, make sure to seize the opportunity!"
"…"
Shin's mouth twitched; it seemed like Tamiya had the wrong idea.
To be continued…
The Holy Grail War starts!
Diarmuid gets one shot?!
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