"Yakumo-senpai?"
Noticing that Mikoto's expression did not look very good, Shido asked with concern.
"No… it's nothing."
Mikoto shook her head, then hesitated for a mont before speaking.
"I was just thinking that Doma-san seems to intend to investigate this matter deeply. Is that really all right?"
Regardless of whether Hina was a Wizard or not, Doma himself was undoubtedly only a detective. Whether he had to face a Spirit or sothing else, either would be a power far too great for him.
"That's true…"
Shido sighed. Although Mikoto did not say it clearly, he still understood what she ant.
"I hope he can move past this shadow soon."
Mikoto looked in the direction where Doma had disappeared and said sowhat sadly.
"Yakumo-senpai… you really care about Doma-san."
Noticing Mikoto's expression, Shido said.
"Yes. Maybe… it's because Doma-san reminds of my own father."
Mikoto said.
"Yakumo-senpai's father? Is he very similar to Doma-san?"
Shido asked in surprise.
"That isn't what I an, Shido."
Hearing Shido's words, Mikoto gave a helpless wry smile, then explained.
"You see, whether it's Doma-san or my father, they are both people who lost their child, aren't they?"
"Ah…"
Then Shido understood. The girl before him had crossed into his world for so reason. But at the sa ti, that also ant that in Mikoto's original world, her father must have suffered the sa grief as Doma-san.
"So I was thinking—if Doma-san can pull himself together, then maybe… I can also believe that my own father will surely pull himself together too, and live properly together with my mother."
Mikoto's gentle smile carried a little sorrow and confusion.
Although she rarely showed it, being separated from her family was undoubtedly painful for Mikoto. Shido thought so.
"Hey… let's go on a date, senpai."
"Huh?"
"A date, a date. See, Doma-san said it before he left too, right? Since he isn't here, we can put the shrine work aside for now and go have fun together. It's a rare trip to Izu, after all."
Shido thought about whether there was anything he could do for Mikoto. Rather than letting her sink into sadness, perhaps the better choice was for the two of them to properly enjoy Izu's beautiful scenery together.
"Shido…"
Understanding Shido's feelings, Mikoto showed a moved expression.
"Yes, then let's go on a date. Where do you want to go, Shido?"
"…How about Shuzenji1?"
Shido thought for a mont and asked. After all, it was a famous sightseeing spot in Izu, and it was also nearby. It should be a good choice.
"Shido… You're taking the initiative to go on a date with a girl in Izu, and in the end, you pick Shuzenji?"
However, after hearing Shido's choice, Mikoto showed an expression caught between laughter and exasperation.
"Huh? Is there sothing wrong with that?"
"No, there's nothing wrong with it. It's just… Shido, there is sowhere I want to go. Could you co with ?"
Although Mikoto rarely chose the destination for dates herself, when speaking of Izu, there was indeed one place she absolutely had to visit.
"Yeah, no problem."
Although Shido did not know where Mikoto wanted to go, he still nodded.
And so, the two took a bus to Toi. Then Shido understood why Mikoto had wanted to co here.
"Lovers's Point… huh…"
Looking at the na of the scenic spot written on the wooden sign, Shido suddenly understood.
"Yes, Lovers's Point."
Mikoto smiled and nodded. Speaking of Izu, it was a cultural sacred place filled with romantic atmosphere thanks to [The Dancing Girl of Izu]1. As for Lovers's Point, it was one of the tourist spots that attracted couples the most.
"Um… are we really going to a place that's all couples?"
Shido looked around. Although it was a popular spot, there were not as many people as he had imagined. However—single people were practically nowhere to be seen.
"Of course!"
Mikoto nodded, showing no intention of leaving at all.
"But…"
Shido scratched his cheek. He and Mikoto were not lovers—although he wanted to say that, it also felt a little wrong. It felt like it was the truth, but also sothing he did not want to admit.
"No… good?" (TL:Ugh...I can imagine that puppy eyes)
At that mont, the girl leaned closer, lightly grabbed Shido's clothes with both hands, and asked cautiously with a timid expression.
"Ugh… Of course… it's fine…"
Shido sighed and gave up resisting.
'Being stared at with that pitiful expression like a small animal in a cardboard box being rained on… there's no way I could say no.'
He thought helplessly.
And so, the two entered the scenic area. Today's weather was sowhat chilly, and Lovers's Point, located by the sea, had even colder sea winds blowing through it.
"Are you cold, Yakumo-senpai?"
Shido asked.
"Yes, a little."
Mikoto nodded.
"In that case, there's a shop selling scarves over there."
Shido pointed at a shop inside the scenic area. It seed to have seen through the fact that so people would underestimate the seaside in this season, and specifically sold scarves, hats, and similar goods to poorly prepared couples.
"Huh? I thought Shido would say sothing like, 'If you're cold, then co a little closer.'"
Mikoto smiled mischievously.
"Ugh… L-let's go look at scarves."
Hearing Mikoto's words, Shido bashfully walked toward the shop.
However, once he arrived there, he regretted it. Because—the scarves were extra-long couple scarves. In other words, they were scarves ant for couples to share together, with heart patterns embroidered on them.
"Ugh… P-please give two scarves."
Shido said softly.
"Two? What are you two going to do with two scarves this long?"
The shop owner looked at Shido and Mikoto with so confusion. Since they were couple scarves, people normally chose one scarf for two people to share. That was exactly why the scarves were extra-long. If one person wore one alone, it would actually be rather long.
"No… actually… um, we're just normal…"
Shido said, sowhat embarrassed.
"Sorry, Shido has a shy and reserved personality. One scarf is enough for us."
At that mont, Mikoto smiled and spoke to the shop owner.
"What, so that's how it is. These days, boys are getting more and more timid. Pull yourself together, young man! You've got such a cute girlfriend by your side, you enviable jerk!"
As if he had understood sothing, the owner patted Shido on the shoulder with a tone that suggested he was disappointed in him for not living up to expectations.
"One couple scarf. Thank you for your purchase!"
And so, the two bought the scarf and walked out of the shop.
"Shido, co closer. Right… mm… ehehe… there we go."
Gently pulling Shido to her side, Mikoto wrapped the scarf around the two of them. Like magic, even though it was only a scarf, it seed to bring the distance between them much closer, surrounding them in a warm and peaceful atmosphere.
Mikoto hugged Shido's arm, rested her head on Shido's shoulder, and revealed a happy expression.
[!!!]
Sideways, looking at the girl as if she were in love, Shido felt as though his whole body were floating.
a town located in Tagata District, Shizuoka Prefecture, Japan, in central Izu Peninsula.
a short story by Japanese writer and Nobel Prize winner Yasunari Kawabata first published in 1926
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