Chapter 288 288: Yakumo Shopping

"We're out of ingredients."

January 3rd, 8:00 PM.

Mikoto found Shido and told him that.

"Not even enough for tomorrow morning?"

Shido asked in surprise.

"That's right. Since we ordered takeout tonight, I didn't have a chance to check the fridge in time."

Mikoto said with a troubled look.

After such a busy day, even Mikoto had been too tired to cook, so everyone had ordered pizza.

And because of that, they had discovered the food crisis a step too late.

"There's no helping it, then. We'll have to make a trip to the supermarket."

After thinking it over, Shido got to his feet.

If they didn't get breakfast ingredients, Tohka might start eyeing the kagami mochi that had been set out as an offering.

Especially considering just how excited she had been about the idea of "breaking the kagami mochi."

"Mhm. Then I'll be relying on you to come with me, Shido."

Mikoto smiled and said that.

"Ah... it's snowing."

Because it was New Year's, every house had festive decorations like kadomatsu 1set out by the entrance.

Although there weren't many people out on the residential streets, the whole area still felt full of holiday cheer.

Before long, tiny snowflakes began to drift down.

Gazing up at the sky, Mikoto murmured softly.

"The first snow of the new year."

Shido nodded.

Snow was rather rare in Tengu City, so getting one snowfall on Christmas and another on New Year's really did feel exciting.

"Nobita kage wo hodou ni narabe

(Our lengthening shadows line up across the pavement)

Yuuyami no naka wo kimi to aruiteru

(I'm walking with you through the twilight)"

Maybe it was because the moment inspired her, but Mikoto gently clung to Shido's arm and began singing softly.

"..."

The girl's voice was warm yet tinged with a faint melancholy, as though it were painting a scene of the two of them together on a snowy night.

Shido couldn't help but stare.

"Kotoshi, saisho no yuki no hana wo, futari yorisotte

(This year's first snow flower draws close to us together)"

It was a love song about snow, softly echoing down the nighttime street.

"Yakumo-senpai..."

Shido whispered her name.

Still smiling sweetly, Mikoto held his arm tighter and sang softly:

"Amae toka yowasa ja nai

(It isn't dependence, and it isn't weakness)

Tada, kimi wo aishiteru

(It's just that I love you)"

Her voice, like a confession set to song, drifted straight into Shido's ears.

(TL:ugh so sweet I'm dead)

(!!!)

In an instant, Shido's heart began pounding helplessly. His face turned red, and he looked away awkwardly, scratching his cheek, unable to properly meet the gaze of such a sweet and adorable Mikoto.

By the time the song ended, the two of them had reached the nearby supermarket.

"What are you planning to buy, senpai?"

Shido picked up a shopping basket and asked.

"Let's see... for seafood, some shrimp and fish."

Mikoto thought for a moment with a finger to her chin, then answered.

"Got it. Then let's head to the seafood section first."

Shido nodded.

"Oh! Isn't this Yakumo-chan and your boyfriend? Since we're almost closing up, how about I cut you a little deal tonight?"

Spotting Mikoto and Shido, the shop clerk greeted them warmly.

Because the two of them came grocery shopping together so often, they seemed to have been completely accepted as a couple.

"..."

Glancing once at Mikoto, who was smiling brightly, Shido wisely refrained from correcting the phrase boyfriend.

Of course, there was also the fact that, after waking up together in the same kotatsu that very morning, he felt like there really wasn't much left he could explain anymore.

"I can't believe the shrimp this fresh are already discounted just because the store is about to close."

Mikoto smiled as she placed shrimp and fish into the basket.

"Ugh..."

Still hung up on what the clerk had said, Shido only gave a distracted reply.

"What's wrong, 'boyfriend-kun'?"

Mikoto grinned and lightly tapped Shido on the nose with her finger.

"I was just thinking... is it really okay to let people keep misunderstanding things like this?"

It wasn't just the seafood clerk. The bookstore owner, and plenty of the clerks at the other food shops too, had all come to think of him and Mikoto as a couple.

Though, to be fair, that was hardly surprising, considering how often the two of them shopped together.

"Then how does Shido want to explain it? As 'just ordinary friends'?"

Mikoto tilted her head.

Hearing that, Shido froze.

Ordinary friends?

Before he realized it, he had already fallen far too deep into the tender paradise Mikoto had created around him.

At this point, saying something like just ordinary friends felt terribly weak.

He let out a helpless sigh.

"...Senpai... you're really unfair..."

"Ehehe."

Hearing that, Mikoto smiled and clung to his arm. (TL:EXPLODE)

And just like that, the soft sensation of her chest pressing against him stole away all of Shido's attention that had still been devoted to trying to figure out exactly what kind of relationship he and Mikoto were supposed to have.

"Wow... the snow's starting to pile up."

As they came back out of the supermarket, Mikoto gazed at the silvery white world outside and said softly.

"Yeah. We should remind everyone to bundle up."

Shido nodded.

"Ah, let me carry some of that for you."

Mikoto took a few of the bags out of Shido's hands.

"N-no, it's okay..."

Shido tried to refuse. No matter what, it didn't feel right to make a girl carry the heavy bags.

"In return... can we hold hands?"

Mikoto asked quietly.

"Ah... of course..."

Only then did Shido realize that both he and Mikoto now had one hand free.

Blushing, he stretched out his hand, and Mikoto took it.

Under the lonely glow of the streetlights, the two of them walked home together through the thin layer of accumulating snow.

"Oh, there's a convenience store here."

Along the way, Shido noticed a convenience store.

"The cheese sweet potatoes at this place are really good. Should we buy some for everyone on the way back?"

Mikoto suggested.

"Senpai, your little foodie side is showing."

"Ugh, but they're really good. Sweet and tasty."

"Yes, yes."

And so the two of them went into the convenience store and bought a whole bunch of cheese sweet potatoes to bring back for everyone.

"Senpai, you should eat one now. Sweet potatoes are best while they're hot."

On the way back, Shido pulled one out and handed it to Mikoto.

"Mhm, then I won't hold back... ahm..."

Taking it, Mikoto took a small bite and smiled in satisfaction.

Watching that sweet smile and the way she seemed so fully immersed in enjoying something delicious, Shido felt there was an indescribable kind of cuteness to her, like some small animal.

Perhaps noticing his gaze, Mikoto tilted her head, then seemed to think of something.

She held her sweet potato up to Shido's mouth.

"Ugh..."

Shido's face reddened, and after awkwardly scratching his cheek, he leaned in and lightly bit off a piece.

(So sweet.)

That was what Shido thought as the sweetness spread through his mouth.

But even he himself could not say for sure—whether that sweetness came from the sweet potato...or from the sweet girl walking beside him.

(TL:The song name is Snow Flower by Mika Nakashima , super sweet and good song)

traditional Japanese New Year's decorations placed in pairs at the entrances of homes, businesses, and shrines.

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