The afternoon of the next day, at four o'clock, the school bell rang.
Kagome didn't dawdle today.
The moment the bell rang, she stood up and stuffed her textbooks into her schoolbag, moving so fast it was like she was going to war.
Yuka lay sprawled over her desk, watching her with a smile.
"Kagome, rushing off on another date?"
"No!"
"Your face is red."
"It is not!"
Eri leaned over from the side.
"Kagome, what does your boyfriend actually look like? When are you bringing him out so we can see?"
Kagome slung her bag over her shoulder and headed for the classroom door.
"Some other time!"
She ran down the stairs, along the corridor, and out through the school gate.
Under the cherry blossom tree outside the gate, Chiyo stood there.
Kagome's steps slowed, but her heartbeat quickened.
She walked up to Chiyo and tilted her head back to look at him.
"Have you been waiting long?"
"No."
Chiyo reached out his hand.
Kagome placed her hand in his palm.
Their fingers intertwined, and the two of them walked down the street.
"Where are we going today?"
"Just wandering around."
"Then I'll take you somewhere."
"Where?"
"You'll know when we get there."
Kagome held Chiyo's hand and turned into a shopping street.
All kinds of shops lined both sides of the street.
A convenience store, a bookstore, a pharmacy, a bakery, and even a bank.
Kagome stopped in front of a crepe shop.
"I want this."
Chiyo glanced at the prices on the menu and pulled a wallet from his pants pocket.
It was the one Kagome's mother had given him yesterday.
"What flavor do you want?"
"Strawberry cream!"
Chiyo bought a strawberry cream crepe and handed it to Kagome.
Kagome took it and bit into it, cream