After discussing schedules with Olivia-san, we decided that the three of us——– Kaori-san, Olivia-san, and I———- will go out next month on Kaori-san’s shop’s day off.

I assumed we’d be hanging out in Friendship City, but it seems we’ll be visiting a trade city in the Archlesia Empire instead. Well, given that Olivia-san is famous in Friendship City, so even if she’s in casual attire, it’s understandable that she’d prefer to avoid a commotion by going somewhere else.

Still, I do have some concerns. Outside Friendship City, Olivia-san’s physical abilities are below average…… or rather, while she thinks she has average stamina, considering our last outing…… I think I’ll need to pay extra attention to support her.

[……It’s strange, isn’t it? How did things end up like this? I’m sure Kaito-kun is wondering about this too, but honestly, I feel it even more…… Here’s your egg-bound katsu set meal.]

[Thank you…… Unn? Kaori-san, did you not know about this?]

[Well, Olivia-san consulted me about the date plan, but I didn’t expect to be joining in myself.]

[Hmmm…… I thought Olivia-san was just being overly serious by calling it a date and that we’d just be hanging out as a group, but if she’s making a detailed plan, I suppose that isn’t the case.]

As I ate the meal Kaori-san served, I reconsidered my assumptions. I thought it was just a date in name, with us mostly hanging out as a group, but if Olivia-san is earnestly planning a date, it’d be disrespectful to not take it seriously.

[Unn. Olivia-sama put a lot of effort into researching and planning. That’s why I’m wondering why I was invited too…… No, I do get it. I understand that she sees it as a thank-you for my help…… I do get it but…… but it was so sudden that my stomach hurts. Ahh, no, I am looking forward to going out with you though.]

[I’m glad you’re not dreading it, Kaori-san. But well, I think it’s fine if you treat it more like a casual outing.]

[Hmmm, yeah, but you know, having two women and one man on a date is probably common in this world, but even still, for us, it feels a bit odd, so I’m worried things might get awkward.]

[……Y- You’re right.]

[……You…… You’ve had experiences dating multiple women at once, haven’t you? ……You really are a ladies’ man……]

In the past, I’d been on dates with both Lilia-san and Sieg-san, and even though that one’s kinda baby castella-related, I had also gone on dates with Kuro and Alice. Heck, if you count our beach trip, I’ve also gone on a date with not just two of my lovers.

[A- Ahaha…… Well, putting that aside, this is unexpected…… but I’m happy to go out with you, Kaori-san. We talk a lot at your restaurant, but we’ve never gone out together. You’re cheerful and easy to talk to, so I think it’ll be fun.]

[……You, it’s because you’re like that that…… seriously, it’s because you’re like that!]

[Eh? Errr……]

[Hahh~~ you’re a really troubling kouhai. But well, I guess you’re right. Not like I could just dismiss this at this point, and since we’ve decided to go out together, I’ll make sure to have a good time. I’m looking forward to seeing how smoothly the romance-savvy Kaito-kun can escort us.]

As usual, Kaori-san’s ability to quickly shift her thoughts was impressive. She shifted to a cheerful expression, seemingly having pulled herself together, and gave me a playful wink.

[You’re raising the hurdle quite high there…… Or rather, is the plan already made?]

[Ah~~ Well, neither Olivia-sama nor I have much experience with dating, so we thought cramming in too much might lead to failure. It’s a fairly loose plan, so we’re somewhat counting on Kaito-kun to take the lead.]

[I see. I don’t know how well I’ll manage to escort you both, but I’ll do my best to make sure you and Olivia-san have a great time.]

[Guh, there’s that d*mn ikemen smile again…… S- So this is the aura of a popular guy……]

[Hmm? You said something?]

[Nothing!? I said nothing at all, so don’t worry about it!!!]

[Eh? Ah, yes.]

When I promised to do my best to meet their expectations, Kaori-san gave a somewhat strained smile, then looked away, mumbling something under her breath that was too quiet to hear.

Well, since she told me not to worry, it would be rude to pry further, so I decided to simply enjoy my meal.

<Afterword>

Serious-senpai : [Guh, even though she’s a stomachache character, she’s still got high heroine power, so I can’t let my guard down…… Oh, come to think of it, not sure if it’s one of the extra chapters or the intermission chapters, but someone, Shigenobu, I think? Someone mentioned that Kaito comes to her place to eat fairly often. In that case, it seems he visits her on a regular basis……]