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Chapter 33: A Dinner
"Ah, the flowers are beautiful, aren't they, Kamina-kun?" Mishima asks as she stoops in and smells a tulip.
"I think so, too, Mishima."
She stands straight again and says, "It's been so much fun doing this with you, Kamina-kun. I'm going to miss it next semester."
I smile as I say, "Don't worry, Mishima, we can help again next year."
She gives me the thumbs up as she says, "It's a promise,
then!"
When we finish our chores for a final time, we gather in the clubroom.
"I want to thank everyone who helped us this semester, it couldn't have been such a success without all of your contributions. For those of you who will still be here next year, we look forward to seeing you then, and encourage you to invite others."
After the president finishes his speech, Mishima and I walk hand in hand and separate later to go to our respective lockers.
When I meet her after club, I say, "Mishima?"
She looks at me and says, "Yes, Kamina-kun?"
"I think it would be nice if we celebrated the end of the semester together, don't you?"
"Definitely!"
"I was thinking we could go out to dinner, what do you think?"
She latches onto my arm and smiles as she responds, "Let's, let's!"
"What kind of restaurant would you like to go to?"
She narrows her eyes and concentrates. After thinking, her eyes widen and she says excitedly, "Italian!"
I laugh and say, "Sure, Mishima."
"Ooo, I can't wait, Kamina-kun!"
"I'm sure that it will be a lot of fun."
Based on Mishima's request, I chose a nice restaurant not too far form where she lives. I look at my watch and realize I'll have to get going to make sure I arrive on time. Fortunately, my parents have gone out to dinner, so I can escape easily and without questions.
When I arrive, I see Mishima there waiting for me. She is wearing a dark green pleated skirt, a matching blouse with a thin ribbon of the same color tied underneath the collar, and matching shoes. Surprisingly, I also notice that she is wearing make-up. She waves at me and I smile in return.
"Kamina-kun!"
"Good evening, Mishima. You look especially beautiful tonight."
She blushes and smiles as she responds, "Thank you, Kamina-kun."
I take hold of her hand and say, "Shall we go inside, Mishima?"
She shakes her head yes and says, "Yep!"
I give my name to the host and we are soon seated at a table near the window, as I'd requested.
"Ah, what a lovely view, Kamina-kun!"
"I thought you would like a table by the window, Mishima."
She smiles and says, "Thank you, Kamina-kun."
We then both proceed to pick up our menus and review what is available. After some consideration, I decide to get chicken parmesan.
When Mishima puts down her menu, I ask, "Have you decided what you'd like, Mishima?"
"I decided to get lasagna, what about you, Kamina-kun?"
"I think I'll order the chicken parmesan."
"I see, I see, a good choice!"
We laugh quietly and I smile as I look into her eyes.
After we order, Mishima sips her water and starts to eat a piece of bread as we wait for the meal.
"Would you like a piece of bread, Kamina-kun?"
"Thank you, Mishima."
She smiles and says, "Here you go, Kamina-kun," as she passes me a piece.
We eat our bread, Mishima often looking happily out the window, watching the people pass by.
Noticing that it's been quiet for some time, I decide to start a conversation.
"Mishima?"
"Yes, Kamina-kun?"
"You said you were going to be in Tokyo over break, right?"
She nods her head yes as she says, "Yep, you are too, aren't you, Kamina-kun?"
"Yes, I'll be here, too."
"That's great!"
"Of course, Mishima."
She reaches her arms across the table and I place my hands in hers.
"Kamina-kun?"
"Yes, Mishima?"
"Will you be taking an art class again this summer?"
"Actually, I will, so, I'm afraid I won't have a lot of free time, but I'll spend as much of it with you as possible, Mishima."
"I'm glad, Kamina-kun," she says, smiling.
Our food arrives and it is then that I notice that, of course, since this is an Italian restaurant, there are utensils rather than chopsticks. I use utensils once in a while, but I'm not that dexterous with them. I look up at Mishima, and notice that she hasn't started.
"Is something wrong, Mishima?"
She looks at me and blushes as she says, "This is embarrassing to admit, but, I don't have that much experience with utensils, I usually eat Asian food. I chose Italian to try something new with Kamina-kun."
I smile as I respond, "Don't worry, Mishima, I'm the same way."
Surprised, she says, "Really, Kamina-kun?"
I pick up the fork clumsily and laugh as I say, "It's apparent from my poor technique."
She laughs and says, "At least we'll look strange together."
With that, we begin to eat our dinners. I pick up my food and eat slowly and I notice Mishima doing the same, and we smile at each other.
"Ah, that was delicious, Kamina-kun."
"Mine was excellent, too. Would you like to get a dessert, Mishima?"
She shakes her head yes vigorously, "That would be great!"
The server returns soon after we finish, and I ask for a dessert menu.
When it's brought to us, I hand it to Mishima and say, "Here
you go, Mishima."
"Aren't you going to have a dessert, Kamina-kun?"
"I'm going to have a cup of coffee instead, but please, choose one for yourself."
She looks unsure at first, so I reassure her with a smile.
"Ok!"
She closely inspects the menu and orders tiramisu.
When her dessert and my coffee arrives, she looks at the tiramisu excitedly and quickly takes a bite while I drink my coffee.
"This is delicious, too!"
I put down my cup and say, "I'm glad you like it, Mishima."
We talk some more as we finish and leave after I pay.
Mishima entwines her arm around mine as we leave and says, "I had a lovely time tonight, Kamina-kun, thank you."
I look at her and smile as I answer, "I did too, Mishima. I'm glad we could be together."
She rests her head on my shoulder and says, "I'm looking forward to this summer with you, Kamina-kun."
She shifts so that she is looking up at me and I say, "I am too, Mishima," before I kiss her.
Next ChapterA Day at an Amusement Park
