Phase 6: A Romantic Candlelight Dinner...
Well, the entire day had been a colossal failure, Hashimoto thought miserably. He was almost ready to throw in the towel and just escort Megumi home.
But he wasn't going to give up just yet! The final romantic spot, the best he saved for last, was just coming up! His trump card was just about to swing into action!
And best of all...it had the ultimate love seat!
Right at the back of the cosy restaurant, nestled between two obscure trees, was the perfect love seat that was sure to set the mood exactly how Hashimoto wanted.
The seat was shaped like a carriage, a small capsule one would find on a cable car...or a ferris wheel. In fact, it looked exactly like the ferris wheel carriage they had ridden on their very first date.
Yes! Nothing could possibly go wrong from here!
Even if Hashimoto spilled half of his drink on his jeans, or struggled to cut the steak for his lovely girlfriend, or found that the bill was slightly higher than expected, it would be perfectly alright.
He paid the fee, surprised he didn't feel as upset by the bill as he should, and rising, grabbed Megumi by the hand. He pulled her excitedly to the back of the restaurant, waiting for her eyes to light up when she looked at the love seat.
But instead of delighted surprise, she simply looked over, nodded offhandedly, and then turned to Hashimoto.
"Shall we go?" She was turning away, oh no! Hashimoto stayed her with his hand. "No, wait, look-" he turned.
The love seat, the perfect spot Hashimoto had counted on to seal this should-have-been perfect moment, was taken by an elderly couple who had dozed off. The oba-chan was learning against her oba-san, drooling on the railings that protected her from falling off.
The world was crashing down all around him, Hashimoto was sure of it.
"Haaaaaaaah…." Hashimoto crouched down to the ground and covered his face with his hands. An alarmed Megumi immediately hovered over him.
"What's wrong? Was the food bad? Do you feel unwell?"
How could he tell her what was wrong?! It would officially end his life. Forever. He could only sit there and silently shake his head.
Amid her concern over her boyfriend, Megumi thought over the day - Hashimoto's quiet intensity to take care of her, the way he suspiciously hovered over her no matter how many times she asked him not to, the overt sweetness he was clearly unused to and was making a supreme effort to muster up, and the way his eyes flickered to hers, and then to her lips..
And then, something clicked.
Hashimoto heard a gasp and then an amused chuckle. He looked up curiously to find Megumi smirking from ear to ear.
"I was wondering why this was so over-the-top", she began.
He buried his head in his hands. God, please, surely she hadn't seen through his plans, surely she didn't know-
"Hashimoto-kun, don't tell me you planned all this just to kiss me."
He kept his head buried in his hands as he felt a fresh red blush creep across his face. How could she be so smart? How did she figure everything out…?
The duo kept quiet as they walked away from the restaurant, Megumi giggling silently while Hashimoto contemplating ways to end his existence.
"You could've always just asked me, you know?" Megumi said casually, narrowing her eyes and looking at the bus stop where they were to catch the bus home, trying to ignore the rushing sound in her ears and her quickening heartbeat.
"Ah, here's the bus!" She bounded ahead of him, turning around to beckon to Hashimoto. Hashimoto sighed. I've gone and blown it, yet again.
They sat on the bus in silence.