Next Steps

02 Evening Catchup

Takagi looked down at her phone impatiently. It was already 8am. Much as she loved her grandmother, she couldn't wait to head back home so that she could see Nishikata. She'd managed to convince her parents to only stay for 2 nights so they were meant to be going home sometime today. Her parents on the other hand were in no particular rush to leave so at this rate she was afraid they wouldn't even make it back home before nightfall. She'd arranged to meet Nishikata tomorrow morning for their date, but she would love it if she could see him this afternoon as well. She'd already let him know she was hoping to arrive back today.

She smiled fondly as she recalled the events of the other night. Nishikata had landed one critical hit after another. He'd caught her off guard so many times that she'd been at a loss as to how to react. She'd fallen back on her old habit of teasing him in order to deal with her own embarrassment and she couldn't help but chide herself for it.

She was almost certain Nishikata would have kissed her that night if she'd let him. She'd known all too well what he'd been thinking when she'd been messing with him about staying back while the crowds dispersed. She was just too scared to go through with it. She'd seen him close his eyes and for a moment she had leaned in herself. It was at that moment that a twinge of doubt made its way into the forefront of her consciousness which had caused her to back off.

It's why she'd decided to tease Nishikata instead, but all that had proven was just how right she was to have hesitated. Nishikata wasn't even able to admit that he wanted to kiss her, let alone that he had feelings for her. She'd replied to his confession, but she couldn't help but wonder if he actually realised he'd confessed to her in the first place.

What exactly was their relationship now? Does he realise what I meant when I'd told him I would make him happy?  Does he realise what he implied when he said he'd make me happy forever?

Takagi sighed.

First, he says he wants to make me happy forever. Then he says his chest hurts when he sees me in pain. And then he says that seeing me happy makes him happy. What does he mean by that? Does he realise that's pretty much a confession of love? Did he hear me when I confessed against his chest? Also, what's the meaning of our date? This is the first time he's actually called it a date. Does that mean he realises there's more than just friendship between us?

Takagi sighed again. Why did this love stuff have to be so hard?

"Hey honey, are you okay?" Her mum asked, after hearing her sigh for the umpteenth time.

Takagi looked up and gave her mum a weak smile. "Yes mum, I'm fine. When are we leaving though? I thought you said we would be back by the afternoon?"

Her mum returned her smile. "Soon honey. Your dad's just gone to get some last minute souvenirs for his co-workers. He should be back any minute now."

"Oh, okay," Takagi replied with relief. If that was all, then he really shouldn't be too long. She herself had already taken care of souvenirs on her first night here. She'd packed everyone's gifts away already, but had taken Nishikata's out ready to go for when they arrived. She planned on meeting with him as soon as they got back and didn't want to wait for tomorrow to give it to him.

"Speaking of which, here's your dad now," her mum pointed out as he walked through the door. "Ready to go sweetheart?"

***

Takagi glanced around nervously as she waited for Nishikata to arrive. She'd been sitting here for what felt like over half an hour now. The moment they'd gotten home, she'd sent him a message asking him to meet her by the shrine at the usual place. She'd then rushed over to the shrine to wait for him, before even checking for a response.