She’s the Cutest… But We’re Just Friends! - Volume 1 - Chapter Ep

Epilogue 

May 3. The year’s Super Golden Week was now well into its latter half. And unfortunately, Kai had a shift at his job. He worked hard, but he took every break to message Jun over LINE while she was on her family trip. He’d sit down at the break room table and immediately tap away at his phone. 
Jun, who was currently at Izumo Airport, sent a sticker of a penguin saying “I’m on my way home!” as it waddled along. Kai responded with a sticker of Yotsuba saying “Welcome back.” Jun continued with text messages. 
“I got you a souvenir.” 
“Thx!” 
“When’re you free?” 
“10.” 
“That’s late!” 
To calm Jun down from her anger at not being able to give him her gift, Kai sent a sticker of Eiji Shinozuka and Kazuyoshi Morino putting their hands together and saying, “Our sincerest apologies!” He also sent a message with it: “I’m off work tomorrow.” 
“So, can I be over in the morning?” 
“Okay. Let’s play Warships.” 
“Is it good?” 
“Yeah, in a different way from Tanks.” 
“Okay, top player, gimme some tips next time!” 
Kai replied to Jun’s self-serving request by chuckling and making clear that he had just started playing, too. Once he hit send... 
“It’s quite the relief to see you back to your cheerful self, Nakamura,” said Kotobuki from across the table. She had just gone on break too. Kai paused his conversation with Jun by telling her that a coworker wanted to speak with him and responded, “You can tell?” 
“You tend to let your emotions appear on your face.” 
“Well, I have you to thank, Kotobuki. Your guidance proved to be quite enlightening.” 
“Why, thank you.” 
Kotobuki huffed with pride. Kai had to snicker at how he couldn’t bring herself to hate her no matter how obnoxious she got. He continued, “Ah yes, speaking of which, I suppose I ought to show my appreciation.” He did promise to repay her kindness for both the time she listened to him talk about Reina and the time she pushed him to talk it out with Royalteach. 
“How about getting some good food to eat?” 
“A suggestion I’m not opposed to. However...” 
Kai figured she would’ve jumped at the chance, but Kotobuki shook the head atop her dainty neck left and right. 
“...There happens to be a film I wish to see.” 
“Very well, I shall accompany you.” 

“Of course, I can expect it to be your treat, correct?” 
“Of course. It will be my treat.” 
“After the film, I wish to go shopping for clothes. Though of course, I wouldn’t ask you to pay for those too.” 
“...Very well, I shall accompany you for that as well,” answered Kai after some hesitation. Frankly, shopping trips for girls are boring to boys. Boring enough that Kai would try to dodge the situation even if it were Jun he was shopping with. Still, this was to show his appreciation for Kotobuki’s help, so he figured it was best to tag along without making a fuss. 
“Of course, I can expect you to select my purchases, correct?” 
“Is that enough of a given to warrant being predicated by an ‘of course’?!” 
“I jest. Still, I would like to have a boy to provide a second opinion.” 
“Very well. However, I suggest you don’t place much stock in my fashion sense.” 
“I’m excited nonetheless,” said Kotobuki as she giggled deviously. But she wasn’t done. “And last, I’d like to have a meal once we finish shopping.” She pulled up the website of the place she had in mind on her smartphone and showed it to Kai. It was, er, quite the fancy-pants Italian restaurant. It might have been labeled “casual dining,” but it still seemed a tad ritzy for high schoolers. 
“...They seem like they’d command a high price.” 
“Splitting the check would be perfectly acceptable.” 
“In that case, very well, I shall accompany you. To show my appreciation.” 
“I’m growing ever more excited,” said Kotobuki, giggling again. But this time, she seemed genuinely happy. As he gazed at his coworker’s lovely smile, Kai pieced together what exactly he had just agreed to. 
The two of us are going to see a movie, then I’m helping Kotobuki pick out clothes, then we’re getting dinner at a snazzy restaurant... 
He realized. 
“...Does this not sound a bit like a date?” 
“Would it present any problem if it were?” 
“Um.” 
Kai was taken aback by this unexpected answer. 
“Would it present any problem if it were a date?” repeated Kotobuki. Her attitude and expression were devilish, daring Kai to say no. But of course, it was just an act. She had the emotional stability of a wet paper bag, as evidenced by the comical extent to which her eyes were shifting around. Her shoulders were shivering so much as she waited for his answer that he just felt bad for her. She was probably trying to hide it, but she sure wasn’t doing a great job. Kai couldn’t avoid the truth if he tried; she wasn’t joking or teasing here. She was dead serious.

“N-N-N-No way,” asked Kai, his stammers coming out almost as a shriek. “Do you actually like me?!” 
“Um, well, er, you see... yes.”

Kai’s face was stuck in an unnatural, statue-esque smile as he screamed internally. 
Even though we’re just coworkers?!