Vol 6 Chapter 5 (1/2)

Chapter 5 - Date Progression

Part 1

G.o.dou was spending Friday night worrying in his room.

A date. The first time in his life. And a date with the one and only Erica

Blandelli.

She had said 'Since it is a rare opportunity, G.o.dou, show me your true

worth. I leave all the details of tomorrow's planning in your hands... If I find

it boring then it's not acceptable.'

Girls were just so unreasonable — besides, where could he bring Erica that

would satisfy her? Nothing came to mind at all!

Then the ringing of a cellphone interrupted his vexation. Seeing the caller

ID on the LCD screen, G.o.dou could not help but be surprised. It showed a

very nostalgic name.

”It's been a while, Miura, how have you been?”

”Yes, well enough, how about you?”

The one who called was G.o.dou's middle school friend, back from the days

when he still played baseball.

Miura was one of the few famed fastball pitchers in Tokyo, and currently

attended a high school there. Naturally, he joined the baseball club which

was renowned for its strong team. They also partic.i.p.ated in the National

High School Baseball Champions.h.i.+p this year.

”So, Kusanagi, you've already seen that, right?”

That? G.o.dou had no idea what Miura was talking about.

”Yes, that. How should I put it, me, my first appearance.”

”...Ah yes! Congratulations on entering the National High School Baseball

Champions.h.i.+p. So basically, you've stepped upon the pitcher's mound as a

First Year, I didn't even realize that earlier.”

Though Miura's high school had qualified for the National High School

Baseball Champions.h.i.+p, their run ended in a second round defeat. It was

during the last inning, when defeat was imminent, that Miura was sent to

the pitcher's mound.

”Uh, is that so? But I was certain I'd be able to play eventually, hahaha.”

His mood brightening up so suddenly, what a simple man.

But when G.o.dou had watched the live broadcast of that match, he could

not think of any words of congratulations. Miura's appearance had not

been able to reverse the defeat, and in the final moments...

”No, it's wonderful that you got to play, but shaking your head at the

catcher's signal resulted in a two point homerun that ended the match. You

probably refused his suggestion of throwing a curve ball and decided to

pitch a straight, right? Actually, your judgment was...”

'Y- You're nagging too much! Since you're no longer a catcher, don't make

a random guess!'

It was not a random guess. Since G.o.dou understood Miura's habits and

preferences, he could tell from observation.

Anyway, Goudou was happy to see his friend partic.i.p.ating actively(?) in the

sport.

'Anyway, let's get back on track. Our school, which was fortunate enough

to enter the Champions.h.i.+p, is now restructuring the team in preparation for

challenging the Champions.h.i.+p again next year... And today, the coach's

wife is having a baby.'

”That's great news, but what does that have to do with me?”

'Listen well. Due to this, to celebrate the birth of the child, there has been

an amnesty. Tomorrow, I can finally take a break from practice. A whole

day! I've never had a day off ever since I joined the club!'

”Oh, that truly is amnesty.”

Normally, a sports club that aimed for the National High School Baseball

Champions.h.i.+p could not possibly take a break on a Sat.u.r.day.

Precisely because of that, G.o.dou understood why Miura was so happy.

'So, let's all go out and have some fun tomorrow! I already confirmed with

Rui and Nakayama. That guy Rui said he had a great idea for something to

do as a group. We should let loose together because we've been apart for

so long!'

”Rui and Nakayama are coming as well!?”

G.o.dou could not help but feel shocked, for those two were also friends

from middle school.

The four friends had played under the same uniform during the Tokyo

selection even though they were in different teams. But just like G.o.dou,

Rui and Nakayama had since stopped playing baseball.

It felt wonderful to meet his fellow baseball friends again after so long.

G.o.dou's shoulders slumped when his thoughts reached this point. No way!

He had to go on a date with Erica tomorrow.

However, let's listen to the details of Miura's planned activities before

reconsidering.

'...Something like that. I still want to find one more person, but everyone

else is busy with baseball club activities and couldn't come. I guess we'll

just have to find a random person to play...'

”If that's the case, I have an excellent candidate. Leave the last person to

me.”

G.o.dou confirmed with Miura, and then took a deep breath.

With that, the date tomorrow would not be a problem. Erica doesn't dislike

playing sports and competing with others, so she should be happy, right?

Finally, everything is resolved.

— Of course, G.o.dou did not realize that this was commonly known as

digging one's grave.

On the fated Sat.u.r.day, after half past eight in the morning.

At the public sports ground in the Adachi ward, in an indoor soccer field.

Today was the opening of the amateur indoor soccer tournament. In such

a facility —

Erica Blandelli was sighing in a most depressed manner.

”I know I was the one who let you make all the decisions, but still...”

The blonde Caucasian beauty was wearing a sporty and casual

short-sleeved outfit that accentuated her graceful figure, making her stand

out very much.

”After hearing we had to meet in sportswear and bring a change of clothes,

I already had an ominous feeling.”

That was the message G.o.dou left with Arianna when he called that

morning.

Complaining repeatedly, Erica was displaying a tone of mockery more

vicious than she had ever used.

”Even if I were to take a step back, and play your soccer tournament with

you, it should not be like this. It should have been impossible for this to

happen. Underestimating your inability to read the mood was my mistake.”

After much complaining, Erica glanced at the friends G.o.dou had not met

for so long.

The first was Miura. Pretty well-built for a high school first year. Very

capable fastball pitcher.

Next was Rui. Slender build with very cute face despite being a man.

Former second baseman and first hitter.

Last was Nakayama. Puffy hairstyle and strongly-built body reminiscent of

a wandering warrior.^ Former left outfielder and strong hitter.

They too were glaring at G.o.dou with reproachful eyes. The joy of the old

friends' reunion was all but gone, as if facing off against a troublemaker —

”Clearly all I wanted was to have a date with G.o.dou alone, but you went

ahead and invited three interlopers. Virtually impossible to comprehend.

Are you really unable to read the mood?! I am completely aghast!”

”To get a girlfriend before me, who entered the National Champions.h.i.+p...

And a foreigner to boot...”

Next to Erica who was scolding G.o.dou, Miura was muttering like he had

lost his mind.

”Kusanagi-san was always like this. He acted as if he didn't know how to

get along with the opposite s.e.x, but then the cutest girls would keep

pestering him. This hasn't changed at all.”

Rui simply shrugged knowingly.

”You traitor...”

Even Nakayama was crying a river of tears. Despite his wild appearance,

he was actually a crybaby.

Finally, everyone but G.o.dou breathed a deep sigh.

”Really, that is why I say G.o.dou is no good. Slow, dense, and doesn't

know how to catch the mood!”

Erica declared as if representing everyone else, while the other three boys

nodded vigorously in agreement.

Why? G.o.dou was completely baffled, why was everyone talking about him

like that?

”Whatever, since I'm here anyway, and this is a tournament, running away

doesn't suit my style. Fine, indoor soccer? You guys make sure you don't

drag me down. I, Erica Blandelli, can tolerate the incompetent, but will

definitely not forgive anyone who hinders me.”

Erica changed her mood and declared.

This instigating tone was just like their first encounter. In a certain way,

these were her true colors.

”Kusanagi, your girlfriend is so arrogant! What's going on!?”

”S-Sorry, because she's still angry at me, so excuse her mood. However,

she is one to stick to her words, so please do your best... Also, she's not

my girlfriend, just an ordinary friend.”

G.o.dou quickly apologized for the blonde beauty's arrogant words which

displeased Miura. Watching this unfold, Rui laughed awkwardly while

Nakayama continued to mutter to himself.

”I knew Kusanagi would suffer due to girls one day, it's exactly as I

imagined.”

”To build close relations with pretty girls, how nice...”

And so, the five high school first years have gathered.

The one who proposed entering the amateur indoor soccer tournament

was Rui.

With great apt.i.tude for sports, he not only excelled in baseball but also

displayed outstanding talent in soccer and basketball. After graduating

from middle school, he switched to indoor soccer.

By the way, for some unknown reason, Nakayama choose to join the

fis.h.i.+ng club in high school.

Other than Rui, everyone else was essentially a newbie. The opposing

teams were mostly composed of university students and those who have

entered the workforce, as well as former soccer players, so the level of

compet.i.tion was quite high.

Before the five partic.i.p.ating teams started the tournament, Erica

announced:

”Your jobs will be to defend and gain possession, then pa.s.s the ball to me.

I will then score. Understood?”

Another delivery of grandiloquence.

Teammate Miura was very angry, Rui simply forced a smile, while

Nakayama was happy for some reason.

Even though G.o.dou insisted that teamwork was very important, Erica

ignored him. Usually this would have been fatal, but with these teammates,

they ended up winning repeatedly and obtaining second place.

Truly, the athletic ability of all the team members was nothing to sneeze at.

Erica required no explanation, while the remainder were all strong healthy

youths and official athletes. They were all highly selected elites gathered

together, and most importantly, they were young and vigorous.

As matches reached the latter half, those in the workforce who lacked

regular exercise had to stop running.

And so, the tournament lasted from nine in the morning to one in the

afternoon.

...In a corner of the public sports ground, G.o.dou was merrily chatting with

his old friends when his s.h.i.+rt collar was grabbed from behind.

”Hey, G.o.dou, fun time is over. Do you really think you can just put me

aside? What you should do next is take your beautiful lover on a date,

right?”

Erica had returned at some point after going off to take a shower.

”Hey, you have to watch the situation. My friends are here, so...”

Not only was her att.i.tude dismal, but fire also seemed to be emanating

from her eyes.

G.o.dou felt himself huddling in fear. Erica's imposing presence was

currently most frightening.

”Then let us lay out everything on the table. Who is at fault from the start?

You? Or me? My mood is terrible, so please give me a swift and correct

answer.”

”S-should be me... right?”

”Remove the 'should' and the 'right?', there is no one else but you.”

Erica's words were sharp and incisive, and G.o.dou shrank back as he

realized his error.

”But you are fortunate, for I, Erica Blandelli, possess the virtue of

generosity and forgiveness. As long as you show contrition, I will not

hesitate to present my love as a gift to you, how's that?”

”T-Then — what should I do now — ”

As he tried hard to turn his head, he found Erica glaring at him.

G.o.dou panicked. If this was baseball — no, no matter what kind of

compet.i.tion, or even a battle against a G.o.d or a devil king, he will always

find a way!

Unable to bear the heavy atmosphere, Rui tried to lighten the situation.

”Ok, you don't have to mind us any longer, Kusanagi. Why don't you and

Erica-san go for lunch now, just the two of you!”

”Eh, how can we let Kusanagi be alone with his girlfriend! I will not allow it!”

”Nakayama, I leave Miura in your care.”

”Yes, just do your part and don't mess things up.”

Following Rui's directions, Nakayama immediately reached out his hands

and covered Miura's mouth from behind. Unable to form words, Miura

could only roar. Satisfied, the former second baseman happily said:

”Quick, leave while the coast is clear. Goodbye, Kusanagi-san.”

”Ah, yes. Sorry... then let's go, Erica.”

As his three old friends watched them go, G.o.dou left the sports ground

with Erica.

Part 2

Finally, G.o.dou had a chance to be alone with Erica for the first time that

day.

In any case, he decided to walk towards the main streets with lots of

shops.

”G.o.dou, my love for you has never changed, but that is simply not enough

to suppress the vortex of anger swirling in my heart, please take a little

care in the activities from here on, okay?”

”Has what I've done really been so terrible...?”

”If you have something to say, then speak out clearly. If you want to know

exactly where you have messed up, I can grade each of your actions

starting from yesterday.”

”Spare me. It's all my fault, okay. But please don't take out your anger on

my friends.”

”If this were the second or the third date, then no matter how displeased I

felt, I would still treat them as guests with utmost politeness. However

today is an exception and I will not tolerate it.”

Angrily finis.h.i.+ng her words, Erica s.h.i.+fted her gaze away from G.o.dou.

”A first date is a rare event, and clearly a day to commemorate. You truly

are dense and completely failed to understand how I feel!”

G.o.dou surrendered. To think Erica would express her feelings with such

forthright honesty.

Her face that had turned away in anger perhaps carried a bit of shyness.

”Yes, yes it's my fault. I will try to improve in the future. Please don't be

angry, be happy.”

”It's fine, you don't have to apologize. Actually, I expected nothing from you

from the very beginning!”

Erica's tone was still very critical, and G.o.dou tried very hard to emphasize

he was reflecting on his actions. He spent over twenty minutes trying to

placate her.

Her anger finally subsided, they decided to find a place to eat.

”Arianna originally said she could prepare lunchboxes for us — ”

Erica mentioned the name of her live-in a.s.sistant and maid.

”But since we often eat her lunches at school, I told her not to, as it is rare

enough for us to go out on a date.”

”Yes, and I would feel bad asking her to make lunch on a holiday.”

”Perhaps it would be better if I made something for you personally?”

To Erica's suggestion, G.o.dou immediately shook his head.

”That thought has never crossed my mind.”

It is rumored that Erica's only cooking experience was boiling water for

instant noodles.

This wise, capable, and universally talented girl was in essence, an even

more sheltered high-cla.s.s young lady than Yuri was. Uh, probably best to

just call her a princess or a queen.

To imagine Erica toiling in the kitchen with her unpolished cooking skills,

perhaps such a scene might make one smile, but it definitely did not suit

this girl.

Rather than watch Erica suffer doing something she was not good at,

G.o.dou preferred seeing her surrounded by glory and prestige like a

princess.

”Is that so? But being described that way does not make me happy.”

”Everyone is different, isn't that for the best? Anyway, what do you want to

eat?”

Since they have arrived in an area with many different restaurants, G.o.dou

sought her opinion.

A Tokyo native and a Milanese, there was probably no commonality in their

eating preferences, but fortunately neither of them were picky eaters, and

any choice would have satisfied them both.

”Let's go to that Chinese restaurant first? A safe bet.”

Right in front of their eyes, was a tiny Chinese restaurant.

Ethnic Chinese were present in every country of the world, and, of course,

Italy was no exception. While staying there, the two of them had often

visited Chinese restaurants.

”I don't really want to. I visited a similar shop a few days ago.”

”In that case, which one should we pick...”

”Trying something j.a.panese occasionally would be nice, how about sus.h.i.+

and tempura?”

In truth, Erica's understanding of j.a.panese culture was nowhere as

advanced as her mastery of the j.a.panese language.

Once you realize that she has merely spent three months in this country,

too much cannot be expected from her. However, her unfamiliarity with

j.a.panese culture seemed rather odd in light of her ability to converse with

others in perfect j.a.panese.

But to pick those two things out of everything else, G.o.dou could only laugh

awkwardly as he surveyed the surroundings.

”It's actually a bit unsuitable for high school students to be eating those

types of food. I don't know where you want to go, but I'm kind of against it...

However, if it's that kind of shop, I can still accept...”

Discovering a rotary sus.h.i.+ franchise, G.o.dou made a suggestion but Erica

refused.

”Though I have no idea how well that shop is rated, I don't want to eat

there. How should I put it? The server uniform looks smelly and the shop

gives an impression of zero individuality. In my opinion, wasting time in that

kind of shop would be even worse than having to endure poor cuisine.

Let's not go there.”

Without even checking out the decor inside the shop, she had already

made up her mind with a single glance from the outside.

Erica's value system was rather peculiar. Compared to fast food or family

restaurants that were small and clean, but lacking in distinctive style, she

preferred eating at roadside stalls or messy and dirty little shops.

Caring neither for taste, appearance nor comfort, but deciding where she

went based on 'level of interest.'

The fact that she depended heavily on the slightly problematic Arianna,

was probably due to the same reason. G.o.dou was once again reminded of

her unique tastes.

”Let's go there then, it is j.a.panese and should probably have what you like

to eat.”

”I see, it feels okay, but I can't tell what this shop is selling.”

It was an Osaka-style okonomiyaki^ shop with a quiet atmosphere.

Opened since the middle of the Shouwa period in the twentieth century,

the shop gave off a sense of cleanliness. G.o.dou and Erica pa.s.sed through

the curtains and entered the door.

Out from the kitchen came a middle-aged woman, who led them to their

seats in the hall. There were no other customers.

”...Iron plate?” [3]

It goes without saying that Erica was not kneeling on the tatami, but sitting

slanted.

Seeing the large iron plate unique to this kind of restaurant, Erica tilted her

head incredulously.

”Using this metal plate, you fry things to eat yourself.”

”Ah, it's a self-served restaurant. Then let's hurry and start.”

”The fire was just lit, and the iron plate hasn't heated up yet, you can't start

even if you wanted to.”

The two first chatted as they waited for the food to arrive.

Their orders were the two specialties innovated by this restaurant — the

a.s.sorted pancake and the pork pancake.

Of course, G.o.dou was not some kind of optimist, and he never expected

Erica to start frying the pancakes herself, so he placed the ingredients on

the iron plate, adjusted the shape, then repeated frying until it was done,

and finally added the condiments.

”Ah, I never knew you could cook so well, this gives me a bit of a surprise.”

Erica praised G.o.dou as she ate the a.s.sorted pancake that had been

divided into several slices.

”Simply spreading out ingredients to fry can't really be considered cooking.

At most, it's just imitating how others do it.”

”Really? ...Then let me try.”

”If you are serious, I won't stop you... But you sure you're fine?”

The results proved that G.o.dou's worries were redundant.

Though all she did was watch from the side, Erica's frying skills were

actually not bad at all.

Furthermore, she made delicious fried noodles just by following G.o.dou's

verbal instructions, and she even successfully fried the monjayaki^, a

supposedly difficult task for novices.

”G.o.dou, you are truly fortunate. To this day, there has been no one else

who has eaten cuisine I personally prepared... not even grandfather. You

must savor this from the bottom of your heart.”

”I am truly thankful for this meal you have prepared... But really, when you

put your mind to it, you really can do it quite well...”

G.o.dou marveled at Erica's talent as he used his chopsticks to pick up the

food.

But then again, for such a small task as frying a pancake, one could hardly

feel her earnest effort. Truly, it was very much in her style.

Just like a queen bestowing rewards upon a subject, or a princess allowing

a knight to kiss her hand, Erica watched with such an expression as G.o.dou

ate.

”However, cooking once in a while feels quite nice. If you don't mind, I will

do it again. Just for G.o.dou, I will personally cook.”

”Uh, sure if another chance comes along, thank you for your efforts...”

”Ah, that tone of voice doesn't sound too confident. You've already

witnessed my talent just now, right?”

”I know you are very capable, but if you suddenly have the impulse to

make something 'that seems very interesting' and end up creating

something like Anna's cooking, then my stomach is in peril.”

”The way you put it, really sounds interesting...”

”Which is exactly what I'm saying, don't go making those strange

creations!”

Anna was, in other words, Arianna. In the field of cooking, she was a

woman who could reach world-cla.s.s levels of innovation. The two of them

finished their meal with Anna as the topic of conversation.

Erica mentioned that she had something to do at Ueno, so the two of them

set forth.

Due to G.o.dou's strong protests against taking a taxi, they took the

streetcar to their destination instead.

”What you meant by something to do, couldn't be shopping, right?”

”Correct, I want to buy a few articles of western clothing.”

Having the experience of being dragged off by his sister to accompany her

shopping, G.o.dou began to review his options for killing boredom, but he

was greatly surprised when they reached their destination.

”T-This is not a clothing store! l-lt's an underwear store!?”

”Broadly speaking, this also falls under western clothing. G.o.dou, don't be

so hung up on these minor details.”

Located in one of the high-cla.s.s department stores in Ueno was an

underwear store on the floor specializing in female fas.h.i.+on.

All sorts of different mini articles of clothing (cannot describe them in too

much detail) laid out in rows, or swirling like a vortex into a small hill, or

forming their own universe like a mandala.^

Erica smiled at G.o.dou who was just about to get up and bolt for the door.

”I need your preference as a basis for judgment. So why don't you start, tell

me which style you'd like me to try?”

”Any style will do, after all there's no difference!”

”To say something like that, you are really hopeless. One day I will have

you strip them off personally, isn't that right? I believe they have to be

chosen with care.”

”S-Strip off—!?”

G.o.dou was silent, for her to say something so bold in such a place.

And while they were conversing, the saleslady (looks about

twenty-something, and quite pretty too) must have heard!

The saleslady returned a polite smile when he stole a glance at her.

Unlike the so-called professional smile, this was the kind of smile that

seemed to say 'ah, these kids are so young.'

”Anyway, why do you have to come to this kind of store, they must sell

underwear near where you live?”

”You won't be able to buy imports unless you come to this part of town.

Though the ones made in j.a.pan have great quality and the designs are

rather cute, they don't really match my image. What do you think of this

one?”

Erica pointed at a pair of white panties sewn with plenty of lace.

A cutting applied to the nonessential portions of the fabric created a light

fluttery feeling. It exuded an air of regal, extraordinarily upper cla.s.s taste

and achieved a fully glamorous effect.

It really did suit Erica very well... no no.

G.o.dou forcefully shook his head and dispelled this frivolous thought.

”That piece was imported from France, truly excellent.”

The saleslady from just now chose a perfect opportunity to chime in.

”If you like it, why don't you try it out?”

”I see. Then I will. So G.o.dou, I want your opinion, accompany me to the

changing room and let me listen to your thoughts.”

”W-Who would agree to such a thing?”

Erica ended up trying a whole stack, and decided to buy them all.

She settled the bill by credit card and arranged for the merchandise to be

delivered to her home.

Despite seeing her shop frequently, G.o.dou still could not get used to Erica

squandering money like this. Leaving the store helped lighten his mood a

lot.

”Your mission has not ended. Can you go over there with me?”

Erica spoke to G.o.dou whose mood had turned for the better.

The two of them left the department store and entered the crowd.

As expected of the Ueno area on a holiday, it was very lively.

Leaving behind the JR train station and the Ameyoko market street, Erica

made her way towards nearby Yus.h.i.+ma with G.o.dou trailing after her.

Choosing her path without a shred of hesitation, it seemed like she has

fully accustomed herself to the geography of Tokyo.

That was Erica. Even though she was not well-versed in traditional

j.a.panese culture or the customs and habits of ordinary people, she had

mastered the geography around Tokyo and all other places related to

either her organization or her own personal activities.

Entering a residential neighborhood near Ueno and following an uphill

slope, G.o.dou was apparently taken to the outskirts of a cl.u.s.ter of

shady-looking love motels.

Part 3

G.o.dou fell silent, what on earth were Erica's intentions!?

”Erica, wait a moment first. What are you planning next?”

”Hmm, what am I doing... Preparing to resolve the conflict that arose

recently.”

G.o.dou felt greatly shaken.

Speaking of conflict resolution, did she mean clarifying their ambiguous

relations.h.i.+p in a decisive manner?

— How do you truly feel about me? Today you must give a straight answer.

— This time I will not allow you to dodge the issue like usual, please show

some manliness now, and demonstrate clearly with your words and

att.i.tude.

G.o.dou feared that Erica would catch him unaware with such lines, and

wracked his brain preparing responses.

Was he truly cornered this time...?

”What is it, G.o.dou? Your face looks like you have a stomach ache, are you

unwell?”

Erica noticed his odd behavior and questioned.

This woman had the attractive exterior of a devil, the strong will to

materialize her wishes, the overwhelming charisma that was impossible to