"Yahallo~"
"What kind of greeting is that?"
"It's the kind of greeting all the young people are using."
"Are you implying that I'm old?"
"Not at all. I certainly don't mind going on a date with a mature older sister who's a year older than me," Mori Shinra said.
Mai recognized that he was mimicking her own conversational tactics from before, but she didn't engage with it, knowing that the more she reacted, the more smug he would become.
Shinra, meanwhile, took this opportunity to properly appreciate her outfit for the day. Overall, it was a common casual style: a pure white long-sleeved women's blouse with a light gray hooded knit vest, paired with a vividly colored, light purple knee-length skirt. The hem of the skirt flared out slightly and, combined with her long boots, created a look that was elegant and dignified without being overly formal, perfectly suiting her mature appearance.
But if there was one flaw, it would be that the overall style was too conservative, with no revealing parts at all. One could only vaguely see a small section of her knee, clad in sheer black stockings.
"What's with that rude look?" Mai raised an eyebrow, seemingly a little displeased.
"I just feel that Mai-san is being a little disrespectful to our date," Shinra sighed.
"Wh-what do you mean?" she asked, taken aback.
He gestured up and down with his hands. "When you talk about a date, you have to mention a miniskirt, right? To show off those long, beautiful legs!"
"I'll punch you."
Mai waved a delicate fist.
"Sigh..."
"Do you want to see it that badly?"
"I was really looking forward to it..."
"I-I spent a long time thinking about this outfit, okay!" she said, averting her gaze. Then, she hesitantly asked for his opinion. "Should I go back and change?"
"No. Although I didn't get to see a sexy Miss Mai, a cute Miss Mai has a flavor all her own."
"..."
She elbowed his arm irritably, her pretty face turned slightly to the side, as if hinting for him to praise her a bit more.
"Today's Mai-san is super cute."
"Well, an honest child is never disliked."
"Come to think of it, taking a cute Mai out is fine, but a sexy Mai is better kept hidden at home for my private appreciation."
"I feel like this is going to get very disgusting if you continue. Please shut up."
"Roger that. Shall we head out then? Is there anywhere you want to go, Mai-san?" he asked, making an 'OK' gesture.
"Are there any special attractions here in Chiba?" she asked.
"Does a sister complex count?" That was the only thing he could think of.
"How is that an attraction?"
"Then, Disneyland?"
"That's in Tokyo, isn't it? And it would be way too crowded if we went today."
Hearing this, Shinra thought for a moment, then tapped his fist into his palm. "Got it. My place happens to be empty."
Mai said nothing, her only response was to mime calling the police.
After the jokes were over, the two finally decided to head to the station first and decide where to go from there.
Actually, she had done some research before coming out, but she felt that all the options were too ordinary and wanted to hear his ideas.
"If we're talking about an attraction with a 'taste of freedom,' it would have to be that," Shinra said, raising a finger.
She followed the direction of his finger and a look of understanding appeared on her face.
"The sea."
"How about it?"
"Let me ask in advance. You're not hoping to see me in a swimsuit, are you?"
"Haha, how could I..." Shinra's gaze shifted to the left.
She narrowed her beautiful eyes. "Why did you look away?"
"Because I don't want to see a swimsuit," he said honestly.
She nodded with satisfaction, then commented, "It feels a bit cliché, but it also seems quite interesting."
He snapped his fingers. "Then let's go."
The two bought tickets, entered the station, and got on the train.
Since it was the afternoon and not the evening rush hour, there were many empty seats. Around them, one could see students in small groups, out to have fun.
Shinra found two empty seats near the door. He proactively sat on the side with another passenger, separating the passenger on the bench from her.
Hogging her all to himself, so to speak.
"So, really no swimsuit?" he asked, not giving up.
She retorted irritably, "Weren't you the one who just said you wanted to hide me away for private viewing?"
He was silent for a moment, then took out his phone.
"What are you doing?"
"I'm calling to ask if we can book a nearby private beach."
"You're really going to go that far?"
She was moved by his persistence, and then said, "Even if you booked a private beach, I still wouldn't wear one!"
"So heartless!" he said. He was just joking, although he did really want to see it.
However, judging from her reaction just now, she didn't seem to have a strong aversion to swimsuits. So the root of the problem was still her mother...
The train started moving, and the scenery outside the window slowly receded. Shinra noticed that the people around were looking at him... no, they should be looking at Mai.
"Want to wear a mask?" he asked.
"Not used to being stared at?" she found it a little funny.
He replied, "Not really. It just feels like when I was a kid and other people were eyeing my favorite toy. A little worried, but also a little secretly pleased."
"I'm not your toy," she said irritably.
"That sentence feels a little..." he said, scratching his face.
She deliberately leaned in a little closer and tilted her head. "Shy?"
"To be precise, I'm a little excited."
"Hentai!"
She instantly pulled away, assuming a defensive posture at the same time.
"But since you've said so, I guess I'll reluctantly wear a mask."
With that, she opened her bag, took out a pure black mask, and put it on. For her, a mask and sunglasses were essential for going out.
She didn't wear sunglasses because it would be too dark, and she felt that wearing them on a date would be a little disrespectful to him. At her current level of popularity, a mask was actually enough.
And wearing both a mask and sunglasses would, on the contrary, attract more attention.
"Mmm... I feel like Mai-san with a mask on is a little different from usual."
"A little unfamiliar?"
"No, more charming. There's a sense of mystery, making one want to explore the secrets beneath the mask," he said with a straight face.
She sighed. "You really are hopeless."
"Shouldn't you be praising me for having an eye for beauty at a time like this?" he protested.
"I'm beautiful to begin with. Anyone can see that, can't they?" she said in a matter-of-fact tone, though it sounded quite narcissistic.
But if it was Sakurajima Mai saying it, it probably didn't count as narcissism.
After all, she really was beautiful.