Each holding a cone, walking down the streets at dusk... Eh?
In a clothing store, changing into new clothes and putting on a hat to avoid excited fans... Eh?
Crowded in front of an arcade machine, playing a newly released fighting game, controlling characters to brawl while mocking each other's skills... Eh?
Carrying dolls won from the arcade, going to a buffet together, startling the owner, and finally being begged to take a free meal on the condition of never returning... Eh?!!
Tatsumaki was dazed.
Shopping, buying clothes, playing games, eating together... She looked up, gazing at the profile of that guy under the brim of his hat.
Isn't this just a date?!!
Generally speaking, the next steps would be watching a movie, and then going to, going to...!!
Tatsumaki pulled her baseball cap lower to hide her panicked, blushing face.
What's with this development?!
Didn't he say he didn't like me?!
After all these days, meeting again and he suggests hanging out—no, this is an invitation for a date!
Tatsumaki's thoughts were in complete disarray.
She had always expected that Aokiji would continue to mock the joke she made out of a misunderstanding last time.
As it turned out, he didn't mention a word of it.
They were even getting along... quite pleasantly.
If he really suggests [doing that], what should I do?!
Tatsumaki's first thought was to refuse; that would be moving way too fast!
But... it's rare for him to be so proactive, and he's not speaking in a way that makes people anger like before. Could he really have fallen for me?
Tatsumaki subconsciously moved a bit closer, comparing their size difference.
Her small face under the brim of the hat showed a look of conflict.
Can the sizes really match... No! What on earth am I thinking!!
Embarrassed and annoyed, Tatsumaki slapped her face with both hands, trying to drive out the strange thoughts.
"What are you doing?" Aokiji asked with a strange expression.
It's rare that she's been normal all day; why is she getting weird again?
"Mind your own business! Can't I have a bug on me?!" Tatsumaki said defensively.
Her clothes had also been changed into an inconspicuous casual outfit.
A baseball cap identical to Aokiji's obscured her face.
Her curly green hair was combed back, poking through the opening above the adjustable strap of the cap and tied into a high ponytail.
Aokiji's gaze lingered on the high ponytail that swayed with her movements.
"If you have time to swat bugs, why don't you carry some of the stuff?"
Aokiji shook the bags in his hands.
Inside were the clothes they had changed out of and the dolls from the arcade.
"Humph! You decided today's itinerary, so why should I carry them!"
Tatsumaki turned her head away in refusal.
It was late, and the last glow of the sunset had long since vanished.
That Mosquito Girl should be gone by now.
It's about time to head back.
Just to be safe, let's kill a bit more time.
"Tatsumaki, want to go up and take a look?"
Aokiji tilted his chin toward the place he mentioned, indicating the direction.
Tatsumaki hadn't been looking at him, but upon hearing this, she subconsciously scanned the surroundings.
Go up and look? Where to... Her gaze naturally drifted to the nearest... hotel??
Her face instantly turned beet red, and Tatsumaki instinctively used verbal abuse to cover her panic:
"Pervert!! Are you an idiot?! You actually dare to say that on the street!! Do you think inviting me out to play means I'll agree?! You haven't already prepared protection, have you?! Disgusting, disgusting! I haven't thought about that kind of thing at all!!"
Aokiji silently freed up one hand.
He reached toward the incessantly rambling Tatsumaki.
"I can't believe it! So eager?! Was everything you said last time a lie— Mmph—!"
Aokiji lightly tugged her high ponytail, making Tatsumaki look ahead.
At the end of the road was a giant domed building under construction.
"The Association is building a Shelter. I want to go up and see." Aokiji lifted her hat.
He looked at Tatsumaki's stunned expression.
"Where were you thinking of going? Surely not this hotel next to us..."
"Shut up, shut up, shut up!!!"
Tatsumaki shouted in extreme embarrassment, her Psychic Powers surging instantly.
Not only did they cover her, but they also wrapped around Aokiji.
"You want to go up and see, right! Then I'll take you up!!"
Wrapped in Psychic Power, the two of them soared into the sky!
Reaching the height of the clouds at extreme speed!
Instantly changing direction at an almost impossible angle, they hurtled toward the domed Shelter!
Aokiji's expression was relaxed, not at all worried about Tatsumaki's action of diving toward the concrete with him.
He simply shook the bags in his hand again and said:
"Don't want the doll anymore?"
The doll came from a crane machine at the arcade.
It seemed to be a mascot from a PSA, reminding children not to waste food.
It was shaped like a puppy with cabbage-like features and green fur.
Aokiji thought it looked like Tatsumaki, so he caught it.
Although Tatsumaki was dismissive, saying it didn't look like her at all, she still asked the staff for a packaging box before they left.
At least it was more decent than that crappy snow globe.
The Psychic Power faltered.
Tatsumaki gritted her teeth resentfully, but her speed slowed down.
The two landed atop the giant dome.
"Give me the bags!"
As soon as they landed, Tatsumaki immediately reached out to demand them.
Aokiji simply threw all the bags to her.
"It's not the first time there's been a misunderstanding, yet you're still so irritable. anger will make you old, but it won't make you grow up."
One sentence hit two sore spots.
Veins popped on Tatsumaki's forehead, and her Psychic Power was about to erupt again.
But Aokiji suddenly sat down on the surface of the dome.
"Let's take a break. Tell me what you originally came to see me for today."
Seeing that he had no intention of fighting after his provocation.
Tatsumaki flew over in a rage and pounded his back.
She was really hitting him hard.
Aokiji's body even elementalized on its own.
After hitting him over a dozen times, Tatsumaki finally managed to dissipate her anger.
"Humph... Has [Tsukuyomi] not appeared lately?"
"At least they haven't come looking for me."
"Those guys are even more annoying than you, popping up from the shadows every now and then, and their hideout can't be found!"
Tatsumaki stomped her foot in frustration, causing the surface of the dome to vibrate incessantly.
"Based on what I know about those pests, their long absence definitely doesn't mean they've given up. They're probably preparing something. You..."
She hesitated for two seconds, organizing her words before saying:
"If you beg me, I might reluctantly help you out!"
"Someone who only moves when requested can't really be called a hero, can they?"
Aokiji sat there, looking out at the city nightscape filled with neon lights.
The scenery was just average.
However, the view from this unique location was somewhat novel.
Tatsumaki frowned and retorted, "I'm not a hero!"
Aokiji: "You just haven't joined the Association. Haven't you been solving Monster incidents all this time? It's not wrong to call you a Civilian Hero."
"Mm-hm—" Tatsumaki's mood inexplicably improved, and she floated down to sit beside him.
"In that case, does the Professional Hero want to request the help of the Civilian Hero?"
"No," Aokiji refused flatly.
"Anyway, given your grudge with [Tsukuyomi], you'll interfere no matter what. You just want to hear me beg you."