Just a wholesome date. I guess.

I sat in my room, my thoughts swirling like a tempest in my mind. The events of the past few days had left me in a state of confusion. I found myself questioning my own feelings, particularly towards one Hikigaya Hachiman. It wasn't a feeling I was accustomed to, nor one I was prepared to confront.

I trusted Hikigaya, more than I would ever admit out loud. He was different from the others, someone I felt comfortable enough to let my guard down around. And so, when I found myself in need of the Service Club's assistance, it was Hikigaya I turned to, tears streaming down my cheeks as I poured my heart out.

However, my heartache only deepened when I confessed my feelings to Hayama Hayato, hoping against hope for reciprocation, only to be met with rejection. It was a bitter pill to swallow, but amidst the pain, Hikigaya was there to offer his solace, his understanding, and his warmth.

Now, with a resolve born from the depths of my turmoil, I concocted a plan. I would ask Hikigaya out on a date, under the guise of a simple errand. The idea came from a certain foxy kohai. It was a feeble attempt to mask my true intentions, to shield myself from the vulnerability of my own emotions.

As fate would have it, Yukinoshita had a family event to attend, and Yui was spending time with her other friends, leaving Hikigaya alone. Isshiki-san was busy managing the soccer team, leaving me the perfect opportunity to execute my plan.

Gathering my courage, I made my way to Hikigaya's location, my heart pounding in my chest with each step. I knocked on the door, my palms clammy with nervousness. When the door swung open, revealing Hikigaya on the other side, a small smile tugged at the corners of my lips.

"Hey, Hikio. I was wondering if you could help me out with something," I began, my voice betraying none of the turmoil raging within me.

Hikigaya arched an eyebrow but nodded nonetheless. "Sure, Miura. What do you need?"

"It's just a small errand, really. I need to pick up something from the bookstore downtown, but I don't want to go alone. Would you mind accompanying me?" I asked, my tone casual, though my heart raced with anticipation.

Hikigaya's expression softened, and he offered me a reassuring smile. "Of course, I'd be happy to accompany you."

0o0o0o

I slipped out of my school uniform, eager to change into something more comfortable for my bookstore date with Hikigaya. As I rummaged through my wardrobe, my fingers brushed against the soft fabric of a pastel pink sundress. With a smile, I pulled it out, knowing it was the perfect choice for the occasion.

The sundress was a vision of effortless elegance, with its delicate floral pattern dancing across the fabric like whispers of springtime. The bodice hugged my curves gently, accentuating my figure in all the right places, while the skirt flowed gracefully around my thighs, swaying with every step I took.

The neckline dipped slightly, adding a touch of allure without being too revealing, and thin spaghetti straps adorned my shoulders, allowing her sun-kissed skin to peek through. A thin belt cinched at my waist, emphasizing my slender frame and adding a subtle hint of sophistication to the ensemble.

Completing the look, I slipped on a pair of white espadrille wedges, their heels adding a few inches to my height while still providing comfort for the long walk ahead. I opted for minimal jewelry, letting the dress speak for itself, but couldn't resist adding a delicate silver necklace with a small pendant shaped like a book, a nod to our destination.

With a final glance in the mirror, I smoothed down my dress and adjusted my hair, a soft smile gracing my lips as I admired my reflection. I felt confident, radiant, and ready to embark on this new chapter of my journey with Hikigaya by my side.

0o0o0o

I stood outside the bookstore, my heart racing with anticipation as I waited for Hikio to arrive. I had asked him out under the guise of running errands, but in reality, this was my chance to spend time alone with him, to explore the depths of my feelings in the quiet sanctuary of the bookstore.

As I scanned the bustling street, my eyes lit up with excitement when I spotted Hikigaya approaching. He looked handsome as ever, his usual black attire replaced with a casual yet stylish ensemble that caught my eye.

Hikio wore a fitted navy blue button-down shirt, the sleeves rolled up to his elbows, revealing the toned muscles of his forearms. The shirt hugged his frame perfectly, accentuating his broad shoulders and slender waist. Paired with dark jeans and a simple brown leather belt, the outfit exuded an effortless charm that drew me in like a moth to a flame.

His tousled dark hair fell messily across his forehead, giving him a rugged, devil-may-care appearance that sent a shiver down my spine. And yet, there was a softness in his eyes, a warmth that made my heart flutter with a mixture of excitement and nervousness.

As Hikigaya approached, a smile tugged at the corners of his lips, and I felt my cheeks flush with color. I couldn't help but admire the way he carried himself, with a quiet confidence that spoke volumes.

Is this the reason those girls, also have feelings for him?

"Hey, Miura," he greeted me, his voice soft and gentle as he reached out to brush a stray strand of hair from my face.

I love you.

"Hey, Hikio," I replied, my voice barely above a whisper as I met his gaze. At that moment, all the doubts and fears that had plagued me melted away, leaving only the overwhelming warmth of my feelings for him.

As we stepped inside the bookstore together, I felt a sense of peace wash over me. This was where I belonged, by Hikigaya's side, exploring the world one book at a time. As we lost ourselves in the rows of shelves, our laughter mingling with the scent of ink and paper, I knew that this was just the beginning of our journey.

I savored the moments spent browsing books with Hikio, the quiet intimacy of our shared passion for literature filling the air between us. As we perused the shelves, exchanging thoughts on our favorite authors and genres, I couldn't help but feel a sense of contentment wash over me.

However, as I excused myself to visit the restroom, little did I know that my brief absence would lead to an unexpected encounter.

0o0o0o

Upon returning to our table nestled in a cozy corner of the bookstore cafe, my heart skipped a beat as I witnessed a scene that sent a pang of jealousy coursing through my veins. A teenage girl, roughly my age, stood before Hikigaya, a playful smile gracing her lips as she leaned in closer, her eyes sparkling with mischief.

Hikio, ever the oblivious one, seemed completely unaware of the girl's advances, his attention solely focused on the book in his hands. I felt a surge of frustration rising within me as I watched the girl flirt shamelessly with him, my irritation mounting with each passing second.

Summoning my courage, I approached the table, my steps faltering slightly as I prepared to intervene. Clearing my throat, I caught Hikigaya's attention, his gaze flickering up to meet mine with a look of confusion.

"Miura, you're back," he said.

The teenage girl, undeterred by my presence, flashed me a knowing smirk before turning her attention back to Hikigaya. "So, what do you think of that book? I could give you a more personal recommendation if you'd like," she said, her tone dripping with innuendo.

Hikigaya blinked in confusion, seemingly oblivious to the girl's not-so-subtle advances. "Uh, thanks, but I think I'm good with this one," he replied, gesturing towards the book in his hands.

I bit back a sigh of exasperation, resisting the urge to roll my eyes at Hikio's cluelessness. Summoning my best fake smile, I turned to the girl, forcing myself to remain polite despite my growing irritation.

"Thank you for the offer, but we're actually on a date," I said, emphasizing the word 'date' in the hopes of getting my point across.

"Date?"

I ignore him. The girl's smile faltered slightly, a hint of disappointment flashing across her features before she quickly recovered. "Oh, I see. Well, if you ever change your mind, you know where to find me," she said, shooting Hikio a flirtatious wink before sauntering off into the depths of the bookstore.

As the girl disappeared from view, I let out a sigh of relief, the tension easing from my shoulders as I turned to face Hikigaya. "Sorry about that," I said, offering him an apologetic smile.

Hikigaya blinked in confusion, his brows furrowing slightly as he looked between me and the now-empty space where the girl had been standing. "What was that all about?" he asked, his tone laced with bewilderment.

I couldn't help but chuckle at his obliviousness, shaking my head fondly as I reached across the table to take his hand in mine. "Nothing, Hikio. Just a case of mistaken intentions, that's all," I said, squeezing his hand gently as I gave him a reassuring smile.

As we returned to our conversation, the incident was quickly forgotten, and I felt a surge of gratitude wash over me. Despite the unexpected interruption.

00000

As the evening drew to a close, Hikio walked me to my house, the cool night air swirling around us like a gentle embrace. The bookstore date had been a resounding success, filled with laughter, shared interests, and stolen glances that spoke volumes without a word.

As we reached the familiar street where I lived, a sense of reluctance crept into my heart. I didn't want the night to end, I didn't want to say goodbye to the warmth of Hikigaya's presence just yet.

Summoning my courage, I turned to Hikigaya, my heart pounding in my chest as I spoke. "Hey, Hikigaya," I began, my voice barely above a whisper.

Hikio glanced at me, his expression curious. "Yeah, Miura? What's on your mind?"

I took a deep breath, steeling myself for what I was about to say. "Next time, let's go on a date," I blurted out, the words tumbling from my lips before I could stop them.

For a moment, there was silence as Hikigaya processed my words, his expression unreadable. I felt a surge of panic rising within me, fearing rejection, fearing that I had overstepped my bounds.

But to my surprise and relief, a small smile tugged at the corners of Hikigaya's lips, his eyes softening with warmth. "Yeah sure, Miura," he replied, his voice gentle and reassuring.

My heart soared with joy at his response, a weight lifting from my shoulders as I realized that maybe, just maybe, there was hope for us after all.

"Great," I said, a grin spreading across my face as I turned to walk towards my house. "I'll see you soon, then."

And with that, I left Hikio standing on the sidewalk.

00000

I returned home after my bookstore date with Hikigaya, the events of the evening swirling through my mind like a whirlwind of emotions. As I closed the door behind me and made my way to my room, a sense of contentment washed over me, mingled with a lingering sense of excitement and anticipation.

Flopping down onto my bed, I let out a contented sigh, relishing the sensation of soft sheets beneath me and the comforting embrace of my pillows. I closed my eyes, allowing myself to bask in the warmth of the memories I had made with Hikigaya.

The laughter, the shared moments of understanding, the way his eyes lit up with genuine interest as we discussed our favorite books – it all played out in vivid detail in my mind, each moment etched into my memory like a precious treasure.

As I lay there, lost in thought, a smile tugged at the corners of my lips. I couldn't deny the flutter of butterflies in my stomach, the exhilarating rush of emotions that came with the realization that maybe, just maybe, there was something more between Hikigaya and me than just friendship.

But amidst the joy and excitement, there was also a twinge of uncertainty, a lingering doubt that whispered in the depths of my mind. What if Hikio didn't feel the same way? What if I had misinterpreted his kindness, his laughter, his smiles?

Pushing aside the doubts, I took a deep breath, determined to savor the happiness of the present moment without dwelling on the uncertainties of the future. I had taken a leap of faith by asking Hikigaya out on a date, and now all I could do was wait and see where our newfound connection would lead.

With a final sigh of contentment, I snuggled deeper into my bed, the events of the evening playing out like a vivid dream behind her closed eyelids. Whatever tomorrow held, I knew that tonight had been special, a moment in time I would cherish forever. And as sleep claimed me, I drifted off with a smile on my lips, my heart full of hope for the future.