Chapter 52
Moonlit Hiking (Part 2)
The best part of today’s date plan… was the handmade lunch.
I like hiking itself, of course, but what really made me choose this spot was the fact that I’d get to eat Tsukiyo’s homemade bento.
I’ve eaten her cooking a few times when I’ve been over to Seiya’s house, but a bento feels like a whole different level.
I’ve been looking forward to this for so long—counting down the days.
I spread out the blue picnic sheet we brought and took out paper plates and chopsticks.
Tsukiyo opened her backpack and pulled out not one, but three large stacked lunch boxes.
I’d noticed her backpack seemed huge, but I didn’t expect it to be half-filled with just those boxes.
When she lifted the lids, the inside was packed with a colorful mountain of dishes.
It looked like a treasure hoard.
“Did you make all this by yourself?”
“It was a bit much for one person, so Mizusato-chan helped me.”
“Ah, that makes sense. Two kitchens would speed things up. But I’m surprised Seiya let you make such a luxurious meal.”
“Hehe, it’s fine. This food isn’t for me and Seiya—it’s for me and you, Taiyo-san.”
What does she mean by that? Maybe the food had another purpose besides this date?
Well, whatever. Let’s just dig in.
“Itadakimasu~!”
I immediately picked up a piece of simmered pork belly. …Delicious! Then I tried the kinpira gobo next to it—perfectly seasoned too.
“This is amazing! The pork and kinpira are both incredible! You’re such a good cook, Tsukiyo.”
“Ah… yes.”
Huh? I expected her to blush or beam proudly, but instead she turned away, looking a little dejected.
“That part was Mizusato-chan’s section. Of course, the innkeeper’s daughter’s cooking would taste better than mine, right?”
“Pffft—!”
I screwed up! I massively screwed up!
“Th-this meatball here—”
Tsukiyo smiled sweetly. Too sweetly.
“You sure seem to love Mizusato-chan’s cooking—three bites in a row! She must really adore you.”
Snap! She broke her chopsticks in half with her grip.
That voice—so heavy with intimidation. Wow, Tsukiyo, you have presence.
So this is what “date practice” means, huh? I have to avoid eating the wrong person’s food or face instant death.
I didn’t sign up for a quiz like this…
Okay, focus this time. The next dish I grabbed—
“This cheese-filled omelet is so smooth and mellow. You can taste the kindness of the person who made it.”
“R-really? Ehehehe…”
Whew, I picked the right one!
I’m glad I remembered her mentioning that one earlier.
Her mood flipped instantly. I’m not sure if that’s endearing or terrifying… better not say it out loud.
“I probably can’t finish all of this, so can you tell me which ones you made?”
“Umm, this one, this one, and this one…”
Should’ve done that from the start. I’ll remember that next time we share cooking duty.
After stuffing myself, my stomach was packed full.
It was already past noon—perfect timing for a break.
Tsukiyo began packing up the boxes and putting them back in her bag.
I felt drowsy… maybe just a quick nap—
“Taiyo-san, please wake up.”
Ah crap, I must’ve dozed off. The clock said about fifteen minutes had passed.
I’d left all the cleanup to her. I owe her one for that.
“U-um…”
She was blushing, fidgeting, looking like she wanted to say something but couldn’t.
What’s going on? Must be another one of those “date practice” things, but I had no clue.
“There’s no one around… so it’s okay.”
“Okay for what?”
“I mean… you wanted to touch my hair, right?”
I sat up immediately. No way… she remembered that?!
When we shared an umbrella before, she promised I could touch her hair next time… and she actually remembered!
“I was going to postpone it since I’ve been sweating, but I’ve taken good care of it every day, and… it’s in good condition right now.”
“You’re really going to let me touch that silky hair?!”
“You’re sounding totally like a pervert! Ugh, gross!”
Call me whatever you want. If it means I can touch that hair, I’ll do anything.
She set her hat down on the sheet. Her soft chestnut hair spilled out, glinting in the light.
It really did look especially fresh and glossy today. I couldn’t take my eyes off it.
She sat on a tree stump with her back to me. That was clearly permission.
I moved behind her.
Her long chestnut hair flowed down to her back. It was exactly my type.
Short hair has its own charm, sure, but I’ve always preferred long.
And I love thick hair even more.
Someday, I’d like to fall asleep wrapped in Tsukiyo’s hair.
“If you don’t like it, tell me, okay?”
“I don’t like it.”
“That was fast. At least let me start!”
Normally I’d never do something that made someone uncomfortable… but just this once, I was breaking my rule.
Starting at the tips, I ran my fingers gently through her hair, letting it slip through my hands like silk.
If I had to describe it… it was like a river.
A river so clear it could rival Japan’s cleanest streams.
The chestnut strands caught the breeze and shimmered with waves of light.
Pure, 100% natural beauty—without a single kink or flaw.
“Incredible… I’ve never seen hair this beautiful. You’re amazing, Tsukiyo.”
“Stop whispering that in my ear! It’s embarrassing!”
I gathered her hair and lifted it slightly, taking in its fragrance—like roses, or maybe another kind of flower.
I breathed it in again and again.
Then I lifted her hair higher, draping it around myself like a curtain.
The silky strands brushed over my face like a gentle waterfall.
“Haah… haah…”
“Don’t do anything weird in my hair, okay!?”
When I lifted the hair at the back of her neck, I caught a glimpse of her nape—
I remembered the summer festival, how beautiful she looked back then.
Before I knew it, my hands were brushing lightly along her neck.
“Hyann!”
She yelped and quickly pulled away, spinning to face me.
“N-no touching my neck! You know I’m ticklish there!”
Right—Mizusato-san teases her like that in the mornings sometimes, doesn’t she? I’ve heard her laughter plenty of times.
Phew… I’d enjoyed myself enough. I gently patted her head.
“You’ve gotten good at that… did you practice?”
“Just watched some online guides. But really, Tsukiyo, your hair is so silky. Keeping it this healthy with that much volume must be tough.”
“It’s a lot of work. I’ve thought about cutting it so many times…”
“I can imagine. That’s a big commitment.”
She handed me a comb, and I helped smooth out the parts that had gotten a little messy.
“But… it’s really beautiful.”
“Th-thank you… It’s worth it if… well… if it means someone will want to touch it every day.”
“Huh?”
“Never mind…”
Her voice was so soft I couldn’t make out the last part.
Ahh… what an amazing texture.
She’s not an animal, but her hair made me want to describe her that way—it was that soft and perfect.
“Thanks, I’m satisfied now.”
“Already? You don’t want to do more?”
I’d touched plenty, honestly.
I thanked her again, and she stood up, lightly combed through her hair, and put her hat back on.
“I thought for sure you were going to, you know… eat my hair or wrap yourself up in it or something.”
“I’m just going to ignore that horrifying comment.”
After eating Tsukiyo’s homemade lunch and getting to touch her hair,
I was in absolute bliss.
