The fifth date was at the newly opened aquarium.

It has a huge aquarium and there is also a coffee shop where you can relax and enjoy the view.

Having the pleasure to gaze at gigantic rays, whales and sharks swimming around them gave a mysterious feeling that was quite popular with people right now.

After a while, I suddenly noticed that we were surrounded by couples. Feeling a bit uncomfortable at the sight of them snuggling together and acting lovey-dovey with each other, I chanced a careful look at Sasanami. The latter was standing leisurely with a light smile on his face staring at a tank where jellyfishes were swimming.

I imagined him as a student with this same soft expression and wondered if he had gone out like this with her as well.

I felt my heart sting a bit.

I’m sure they were holding hands like the couples surrounding us right now, smiling at each other, and enjoying their date.

I hope that one day he will be able to have that again.

Rather than forcing yourself to forget her, a day will come when you meet someone who can gently submerge you with their love, you will join hands and embrace life together.

“Wow”

I hurriedly turned my gaze away from Sasanami, who turned to me without warning, so that he wouldn’t realize that I was looking at him all this time.

“If you are tired, how about we take some rest?”

I nodded, feeling relieved that he hadn’t noticed my staring.

Sasanami walked in front of me to guide me along the way.

“Well, it looks like there’s a cafe; I hope there’s a table available.”

“It should be fine.”

Sasanami seems to have reserved a seat in advance.

We didn’t have to wait long before the waiter came to lead us to the seat in front of the huge aquarium that had the best view. Sasanami then ordered tea and I ordered a milkshake for myself.

It seemed like I could fall in love with the sight of him cross-legged in the dimly lit space where the blue of the tank was reflected, and he was sipping his cup of tea elegantly.

The migratory fish that swam around in groups looked very happy and free, but I’ve heard that some of them will die if they stop swimming because they would stop breathing.

We gaze at the pretty image of the fish thinking they are swimming so gracefully, but I guess the fish are just struggling to survive.

“You are living on your own, right? How’s that going for you?”

“Well, I’m doing it somehow”

I started living alone last month. The reason was to hide my irregular estrus from parents.

The moment I get close to Sasanami’s pheromones, I go into heat.

I used to lock myself in my room and take strong inhibitors when I went out, but it was getting harder and harder to do that.

You may be able to hide your scent, but if they see my red, flushed face and moist eyes, the odds of being found out would be high.

At this rate, if I don’t leave, my parents will one day notice something wrong with me and will keep questioning me about it or worse, they could force me to go to the hospital.

I don’t know how much the tests will reveal, but in the unlikely event that the diagnose shows that “your son seems to be responding to the pheromones of his fated soul mate”, there will be a huge uproar.

It’s fine if they just make a scene though.

However, if they analyze my behavioral patterns and discover that the other party is Sasanami, then it would be over.

So taking all of this into account, I told my parents that I needed a change of scenery to brighten up my mood.

My father was worried that I was acting strange, so he objected, but my mother agreed on the condition that I regularly visit my parents’ house.

“Sasanami, you have lived alone for a long time, haven’t you?”

I regretted the words right after I said them.

Sasanami started living on his own right after graduating from College.

He had bought an apartment for their future life together, with her.

This conversation was tasteless.

” Well, I bought an apartment right after graduation and started living on my own, so now I’m very good at housework. At first, I couldn’t do any laundry or cooking at all and my room was a mess, but once I got used to it, cooking became a lot of fun. If you have any questions, as a senior, feel free to ask me about anything.”

“Oh, yeah. I’ll have you teach me how to cook next time. I broke another frying pan yesterday.”

I let out a breath, relieved that he’d let it slide so lightly, it seemed like he didn’t notice.

Since our “dates” purpose is mainly to help Sasanami get a bit of distraction from his feelings of heartbreak, I should be careful not to bring up matters that would upset him again.

“Surprisingly, Suzunari seems to be able to do everything without a hitch, but you’re not good at cooking? Okay, I’ll invite you to my house and gave you a treat. Of course, you’ll have to help me with that.”

“Take it easy on me, okay?”

My heart fluttered at the thought of being invited to Sasanami’s house. Even if it is just a social casualty, I was still excited.

”Well, let’s get going now. It’s time for the dolphin show to start.”

“Oh, wait. I’ll settle the bill.”

Sasanami picked up the receipt and started walking briskly.

I had hoped today would be the day I get to pay for once, but I was late again.

Sasanami always ends up picking up the bill before I even notice.

I think the fact that he does these things so smartly is because he is so used to dating. On the other hand, when it comes to things like dating, the only experience I have is going out with Takamichi when we were preparing for our wedding.

I can’t really compare with Sasanami.

“I invited you so it’s only natural that I should be the one to pay.”

“No, but you are always the one who pays for everything. At least let me pay for today.”

” Well then, next time you ask me out, Suzunari. I will let you pay then.”

“Eh!?”

I was taken aback at the smoothly spoken lines. Should I invite Sasanami out?

When to do it? Where to go? What to do? The words, like a play on words, went in circles in my head.

“I am always the one asking you out, but I thought maybe Suzunari couldn’t say no to me and had no choice but to accompany me along.”

“If it’s not a nuisance to go out with me, I want you to ask me out next time, Suzunari. If I don’t hear from you, then I’ll refrain from asking you out from then on. I would still feel sorry though that I had been burdening you.”

“I don’t think you are a nuisance!”

Did it look like I wasn’t having a good time? If not Sasanami wouldn’t think like this!

It’s impossible. Well, our dates have been so much fun, so of course I’m happy.

Besides, having the chance to spend time with my beloved makes it even more amazing!

However, I couldn’t let Sasanami know that, so I tightened my lose face and tried not to show my emotions.

When walking next to him, I’d sometimes touch Sasanami’s swaying fingers at my side, so I would take a step back.

I also walked with my head down because I didn’t want him to turn around unexpectedly and find me staring dreamily at his back.

If our eyes met, all I could do was turn my head away and look at his shoulder instead so that he wouldn’t be able to see the look that screamed “I’m in love with you” like he is used to get from the other guys.

Did this kind of attitude make it seem like I was forcing myself to go out with him?

“Then I’m looking forward to your invitation.”

My heart jumped at the sight of Sasanami laughing like a mischievous child.

I mean, he also can make this the kind of face?

I like his usual aloof look, but the one he has right now has a more intimate feel to it which makes it extremely rare.