Yuusha Party no Kawaii Ko ga Ita no de, Kokuhaku Shite (LN) v1c6 part1

Yuusha Party no Kawaii Ko ga ita no de, Kokuhaku s.h.i.+te Mita - Volume 1 Chapter 6 (part 1)
デートをしてみた
I tried going on a date.

Translation by Solistia, Proofed by Hobo, MuscleSpark, Flyingjam, Sumguy, Creed, Frost, and Dair


Today, Celia-san suddenly invited me to the Aquarain mansion.
...But before I got there my shoelaces broke, and a black cat-eared person crossed my path. The bad omens were aplenty.

“I’ve got a bad feeling about this…. what should I do?”

Even though I said that, since I was invited I didn’t want to just leave, so I entered the mansion.

“...Follow.”

Hapyneth, now the newly hired maid, led me to Celia-san's room.

“...As you will.”

Hapyneth then left with a beautiful bow.
She really looks the part.
As expected of someone hand-picked by Sophia-san.
I had no idea Hapyneth was suited to this kind of work.
I guess it doesn't matter much now. After knocking, I enter the room.

"Oh my, you're here. Please sit down over there."

Celia-san greeted me with a smile.
Since she usually messes with me, I inspect the the room before sitting.
It doesn't look like she's planning anything this time.
Though there might be some bad news.
I sit on the guest sofa as I was told.

"Did you have some business with me today?"

After all the ominous happenings today, I prayed it was good news.

“Actually, I want you to accompany Cecillia on her day off.”

“Day off?”

Sounds like something good after all!
My heart swells in antic.i.p.ation, and I ask for further details.

"She's getting tired of all the proposals and parties. That's why I want her to be able to relax for a day."

It looks like she’s taking her daughter's well-being into consideration and forcing her to take a break.
Even I've noticed that her stress has been increasing every time I come to see her.

"My goodness, there's so many superfluous proposals and parties. But she's such a conscientious girl, she just can’t flat out refuse them."

That sounds like the Cecilia I know.
So that's why she's being forced to take a break.

"What would you like me to do?"

"It's a long-awaited vacation day, and Cecilia is a girl after all, so I thought a shopping trip would be perfect. But it's too sad for her to go all by herself. So I was hoping you would accompany her?"

In other words, a parent-approved date.
This is a chance I couldn't have even dream of.
A Celia-san approved, undeniable date!

"Yes, understood. Consider it done."

Is such a lucky day really possible?
Maybe those bad omens were just my imagination.
Those shoelaces were old, and meeting the cat-eared person were all coincidences.
That must be it.

"I figured Youki-kun would agree. Cecilia is actually already waiting by the carriage. She's waiting for you, so hurry along."

I bow to Celia-san and hurriedly excused myself.
She told me to go all out.
Even if she hadn't, I'm already going on a date with the girl I love.
Of course I'd give it everything I've got.
I hurry to meet up with Cecilia.

"Youki-san. You came at last."

Cecilia was wearing a large straw hat and gla.s.ses.
It was different from her usual wear, but I must admit I enjoyed it.

“Sorry, did you wait long?”

I always wanted to use that line.
I never had a chance to say it in my previous life.

"No, it’s fine. I knew that Youki-san would make haste to come. Now, please hurry into the carriage and we’ll be on our way?"

I climb aboard the carriage and we head off to the city.
...Oh no, it's just me and Cecilia, alone together.
Even though it's the second time it's happened, I'm more nervous now since it's a date.

"...Your face is red, are you quite all right?"

Cecilia took a good look at my face and...too close, too close!
My face got even redder, and I backed away from her.
...s.h.i.+t, I'm super weak against these kinds of things.
Anyway, I tell her nothing's wrong with me.

"...That's good then. If you start feeling unwell, please tell me immediately. Also, these are for you, Youki-san."

I was given a hat and sungla.s.ses...?
What are these for?

"I think it best if you disguise yourself. Just in case."

I see, that's why she's wearing the straw hat and gla.s.ses.
I've no doubt that if one of the Hero Party members shopped in town there'd be a huge frenzy.
But why do I need a disguise?

"I don't really need one. I'm not very well known."

"If my ident.i.ty is discovered, you might be in danger from being seen with me."

That was certainly a possibility.
I totally understand, a man's jealousy can be a frightening thing.
But at least Cecilia has a lot of loyal female supporters too.

"Got it. ...I'll do my best to help this be a great day off!"

It's our first date, and though my words may not carry any weight, I still think it's what a man ought to say.

"Heehee, I'll hold you to it."

Cecilia smiled at me.
I have no choice but to give it my all now.
I will make this date a success.
Fully resolved, I don the disguise I was given.
With gla.s.ses and hat on I was surprised how different I felt.

“Then let’s be on our way.”

We exit the carriage and mix into the crowd.
The pedestrians steal some glances at Cecilia, but they're merely gazing at a random beautiful girl.
We are still in the clear.

I pay no heed to the whispers of people wondering why such a beauty is with that guy.
I'm gonna enjoy my very first date to the fullest.

I'm not exactly sure what to do on a date, but we start by heading to a clothing shop, which was a given.

The clothing shop we entered had a lot of female customers.
There were some guys here and there, but nearly all of them were here with their girlfriends.

“What do you think of this?”

Cecilia held the clothes in front of her body, and inquired if I thought it looked good or not.
Getting to enjoy a shopping trip after so long, she had a big smile when she asked me.
Honestly I had no idea how to answer, but she gave me a variety of clothes to choose from, so I pick out the outfit I think would suit her best.

"Then I'll get this one. We should also get something for Youki-san." After deciding on Cecilia's clothes, now it was my turn.
This time, I’m the one to pick out a few outfits, and buy the one she liked best.

"We managed to get some nice things. Today has been really fun so far. I've been acc.u.mulating so much stress lately, it's nice to take a day to relax.”

“I’m glad you’re enjoying it.”

The day is still young.
We have plenty of time, and tons of places we can go.
And if we're able to have a lot of fun, I'll be able to see Cecilia smile more.
I bet our friends.h.i.+p levels are increasing too.
After leaving the clothing shop we both smile.
I'm sure Cecilia is thinking the same thing I am, that today will be a great day.
...At least it would have been until that moment.

The incident occurred at the next place we visited.
Near the clothing store was an accessory shop.
Since women are fond of jewelry, I asked her to go there.

“Cecilia, let’s check this place out.”

I'm sure there are plenty of things that will look great on her.
We’ll spend some time here, then go eat—it's perfect.
You might wonder at all the typical first date plans, but all that matters to me is that Cecilia has fun.
I don't need any ulterior motives.

“Accessory shop….is it? I guess that’s fine.”

After Cecilia gave the okay we go to enter the shop, but then a voice calls out to us.

“Eh, can it be? Cecillia?!”