Lately, we hadn’t been going to the Academy.
The reason was simple. A reward for what had happened at the front lines.
They said we’d been a bigger help than expected, so the Academy told us we needed rest.
Our bodies had healed, but they figured young kids like us would still be mentally drained after such a huge ordeal.
Maybe because it had been a major incident where the front line’s heroes had nearly all died?
Perhaps they’d taken into account the special circumstances of us being at a scene so dangerous it had made headlines, but the Academy had readily agreed.
And this was the result.
At the hour when other students were probably starting their morning commute, I was adjusting my clothes while waiting for Yu Siwoo.
"...Arte, are you *sure* this is okay?"
-Of course it is. How could it *not* be?
A confident voice rang through the phone and into my ear.
Amelia seemed convinced this was fine, but...
"I’m not so sure..."
-About what?
Could I really... do *that* with Yu Siwoo just because of this?
Honestly, I had no idea.
No matter how I looked at it, seducing Yu Siwoo and coming here didn’t seem all that connected.
When I voiced that thought, Amelia let out a long sigh and scolded me.
-Think carefully, Arte. You were trying to have sex with Siwoo—
"WAAAAAH! WAAAAH!"
-...Sigh. Fine. *Why* were you trying to seduce him?
"Why? What do you mean..."
I just wanted to do things couples do.
I’d only done it because I thought it was the kind of thing Yu Siwoo would like.
After all, that’s what couples usually do, right?
-Right. So that’s why you tried to seduce him?
"Yeah."
-Then this is fine, isn’t it?
"...Is it?"
-Yeah. You should take things step by step, anyway.
Amelia wasn’t wrong.
Couples didn’t *just* do that, after all.
Now that I thought about it, this was actually the first time Yu Siwoo and I had gone out somewhere together, just the two of us.
-You haven’t even been on a date, and you’re already trying to jump into bed? Honestly...
"I-I wasn’t trying to jump into bed!"
-Sure you weren’t. Make him dinner at home. Handmade meals are surprisingly effective, you know?
"Well, that *is* true..."
Amelia wasn’t wrong about that either.
A meal made by your lover? Just the thought of it was incredibly romantic.
Was it because I’d never been in a relationship before?
I’d always had this almost dreamlike image of that kind of situation.
But there was one big problem.
"There’s no food in the fridge..."
-Oh? Then I’ll have the old man send over some ingredients.
"Huh? Is that okay?"
-It’s not a big deal. You know I don’t care about the cost of a few groceries, right?
"...Thanks."
-Don’t mention it. Just make me that dress you promised. And make it pretty.
"Leave it to me."
With all this sudden free time, there wasn’t much for me to do.
After all, ever since I’d come to this world, the only thing I’d really done was stalk Yu Siwoo.
I’d tried playing games, but they felt too awkward—interesting at first, but I quickly lost interest.
Going out somewhere for fun also felt unappealing. And it wasn’t like I had a lot of friends, anyway.
Of course, spending time with Siwoo was fun…
But I always ended up feeling like I owed him, so it made me a little guilty.
That’s why I decided to take up making clothes as a hobby.
Since my Thread Extraction Ability let me manipulate thread with ease, it seemed like the perfect fit.
At first, it felt a little awkward…
But I got the hang of it quickly—so much so that I could soon make intricately crafted clothes that even Amelia admired.
Maybe she’d taken a liking to them.
Because in exchange for helping me organize today’s schedule, Amelia had asked me to make her some clothes myself.
While I was still chatting with Amelia—
Siwoo arrived much earlier than the time we’d agreed on.
"Sorry, am I late?"
"…! A-ah, no! I just got here too!"
That was a lie.
I’d been so excited to go out with Siwoo that I’d left way too early.
And since we lived in the same house, there was no way he wouldn’t see through it.
But even knowing that, I lied anyway—just so Siwoo wouldn’t feel burdened by my selfishness.
Naturally, Siwoo, who knew full well I’d left early, just gave me an awkward smile.
"We could’ve just left together…"
"I-I don’t want to!"
"Why? It’d be better if we arrived at the same time."
"Th-that’s…"
I can’t say it.
“Sorry, am I late?”
“No, it’s fine. I just got here.”
I couldn’t possibly admit I’d come early just to hear that exchange.
Siwoo might even understand, but then he’d probably look at me weird.
Honestly, it was kind of disappointing how ordinary it felt…
I shouldn’t have come so early.
I should’ve just left with Siwoo.
It would’ve been better to walk and talk naturally on the way.
Now I’d gone and ruined it by coming first…
Lost in my thoughts—disappointed that the moment wasn’t as romantic as in the manga or novels I’d read—I failed to notice Siwoo gazing at me with affection.
"Who were you talking to? Dorothy? Amelia?"
"A-Amelia. Amelia, I should—…Huh?"
We’d definitely been talking just a moment ago.
But now the call with Amelia had ended, leaving only a black screen staring back at me.
When did she hang up?
That was fast.
"We can talk about Amelia later. Today’s our first date, after all."
"What’s that supposed to mean? You’re not… jealous, are you?"
Embarrassed by Siwoo’s deliberate mention of our first date, I tried to deflect with a joke to hide my fluster.
But Siwoo’s response was nothing like what I’d expected.
"Yeah."
"…Huh?"
What did I just hear?
J-jealous…?
Siwoo… of Amelia?
Why?
"You’re mine. This is our first time going out as a couple, so today, focus on me."
"W-w-w-what are you—?!"
My face burned crimson in an instant.
What had Siwoo just said?
What had I just heard?
Joy, embarrassment, shock—
A storm of emotions pounded against my heart.
Siwoo watched my face intently, then let out a soft chuckle.
"Why are you so flustered?"
"W-well, of course I am! J-jealous? What kind of—!"
"What? You’re the jealous one, Arte. Why can’t I be?"
Higher than usual voice, twitching lips.
Only then did I realize.
Siwoo, this guy...
He was messing with me...!
"Y-You! Stop joking around!"
"Ow, that hurts."
"I know it doesn’t hurt at all!"
My face burned again at the fact that I’d been completely fooled by Siwoo, who was grinning as he teased me.
Where on earth did he learn to do this?
Desperate to cover up the fact that I’d been tricked so easily, I frantically changed the subject.
"C-Cough...! Let’s go inside! We’re running out of time!"
"Why? The aquarium’s fine to take slowly. The schedule shows the show still has a while to go..."
"...! ...!"
"Alright, alright."
Maybe it was because we’d wasted so much time bickering with Siwoo, but the area, which had been quiet in the morning, started to fill with people passing by.
When I realized those people were looking at us with warm smiles, I gave up and slumped over.
Normally, it’s fine.
But sometimes, Siwoo can be way too mischievous.
As I glared at him with a pout, Siwoo just laughed it off and approached the aquarium entrance to speak with an employee.
"Two, please."
"Yes, understood."
"With the superhuman discount... I heard there’s a couple’s discount on weekdays here too."
"Ah, yes. I’ll apply it for you."
"...Don’t you need to verify anything?"
"You two don’t need to. Anyone can see you’re a couple."
Ah.
So they *were* watching.
Well, we *had* been making a scene right in front of them. It’d be weirder if they *hadn’t* noticed.
“Anyone can see you’re a couple.”
At the aquarium employee’s amused remark, a smile unconsciously tugged at my lips.
"C-Cough... Is that so...?"
"Well, yes. You haven’t been together long, have you?"
"Y-Yes, well..."
"Don’t tease your girlfriend too much. She’s cute—if you make her mad or sulk, you’ll regret it."
"I’ll keep that in mind."
"Oh dear, I shouldn’t keep you two any longer. I’ll help the next customer."
Have a pleasant visit.
With that, the employee let us in and turned to assist the next guest.
"Hehe..."
"We haven’t even seen anything yet. What’s so funny?"
"It’s just... they said anyone could tell we’re a couple..."
A couple. A *couple*.
How could I *not* be happy hearing that?
I kept smiling even as we entered the aquarium.
"...Arte."
"Yes?"
"There’s one thing you’re misunderstanding."
"Misunderstanding...?"
Misunderstanding? About what?
I stared at Siwoo, confusion in my eyes, only for him to grin mischievously.
"Did I ever say I was joking?"
"Huh?"
"So don’t smile so prettily in a place like this. It makes me jealous when other people see you."
"...?!?!?"
"Focus on me?"
"W-Wait, what does that—!"
"It’s my first time at an aquarium. I wonder what’s inside, don’t you?"
Ah.
They say in love, the one who falls first loses.
But that was a lie.
Because if it were true, there’s no way my face would be this red right now.