Mandarin Orange, Kotatsu, And A Found Cat

D-Double date…is it?”

That day Sakakibara said something outrageous to me. As soon as I got home, I immediately reported it to Mashiro.
As expected, she tilted her head at the unfamiliar word and said it repeatedly.

That day when Mashiro and I went to the shopping mall. Sakakibara and his girlfriend, Ayano-san, also happened to be there.
It was not easy to get so unlucky to be found in such a large building…but I can’t deny that Mashiro and I were acting in a way that attracted the attention of others.

I was prepared to be bombarded with questions from Sakakibara, but there was only one thing he said to me.
That was the unrealistic words she was talking about, double date.

“Umm…does that mean the four of us are going out, me, Satou-san, and the two of them?”
“Well, I guess that’s what it means.”
“B-But they don’t know that I…”
“Yeah. As for Mashiro, you’re still a cat, so don’t worry.”
“But if that’s the case, why a double date…”
“That’s the thing…”

To Mashiro’s question, I straightened my posture and told her what I talked to Sakakibara about today.
I was seen at the shopping mall with Mashiro in human form, and people were suspicious of the fact that I always brought my own lunch.

And probably because of that, he misunderstood in the same way as the landlord. In other words, they thought that Mashiro, in her human form, was my lover, as opposed to Mashiro the cat.
That’s why they wanted to meet her in person and talk to her, instead of just me explaining things to them, and that’s how they came up with the double date.

Maybe it was because of the landlord, but Mashiro didn’t seem particularly upset and calmly understood the current situation.
However, it didn’t change the fact that I had caused Mashiro a lot of trouble. After I finished my explanation, I slowly bowed my head to her.

“My bad. I’m sorry for causing you trouble.”
“Please don’t apologize. It’s not just your fault. And…”
“And…?”
“We can’t hide things forever. At some point, people will find out.”

When Mashiro said those words, she seemed to have a bit of a sad expression on her face.
I didn’t ask her much about it, but she was certainly right. I knew that I would have to talk about it at some point.

“At any rate, I have no problem with this double date.”
“Are you sure?”
“Yes. I’ve met them before and they’re friends of Satou-san.”
“A-Alright…”

Mashiro answered with the same smile as always. It was the first time for those two to meet, but from her point of view, it was not the end of the world.
I trusted Sakakibara and Ayano-san. I’m going along with them, and I’m sure it won’t be something that will hurt Mashiro.

“So, I would like you to decide about that.”
“…”
“Is there something else wrong…?”

Mashiro asked me, worried about my silence. She was right, there are other problems.
It was not just her shyness that I’m worried about. It was something I’ve been thinking about since lunch today — her constitution.

“I need to talk to Mashiro about something, okay?”
“Yes. If there is anything I can do to help, please let me know.”

With a natural smile, Mashiro answered with her hand on her chest. When I saw the way she looked at me, as if to say, “I’ll leave it to you.”

”I’ve been thinking about talking to them about your constitution.”
“Is…that so?”
“Of course, I know it’s not something I can decide on my own. I have my reasons.”

This was what I was thinking just before Sakakibara told me about the double date.
It can’t be a good idea to make a big deal about Mashiro’s constitution. But to do so would be to force her into a relationship that was misunderstood by others.
Even if this was not the case, people think that Mashiro was my lover.

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To explain that she was not my girlfriend, I would have to lie again and again.
For example, the landlord and Sakakibara knew too much about me to explain that it was a relative thing.
It would only be a matter of time before the lie would be exposed with a vague explanation. I can’t think of a better excuse than that.

Even if it was to conceal Mashiro’s existence, forcing her into such a delicate relationship as a lover would be a huge burden on her.

I clumsily told Mashiro what I hadn’t been able to sort out in my head.
She listened to me with a serious gaze, and when I was finished, she smiled softly.

“Thank you, Satou-san.”
“Eh? No, there’s nothing to thank me for…”
“It means that you are taking me that seriously. It made me very happy.”

As she said this, Mashiro looked at me with her soft smile and eyes.
I couldn’t say anything when she looked at me like that, so I couldn’t help but look away.
I didn’t have any guilty feelings, but when she looked at me with such a gentle and charming expression, I couldn’t help but feel some strange emotions.

“But you’re worrying a little too much, Satou-san. No matter what people think of you, it doesn’t mean that my relationship with Satou-san will change.”
“M-Mashiro…”
“And it’s not that I don’t…like being misunderstood like that.”

She smiled and then looked embarrassed, which made it even more difficult for me to look at her face.
I know she doesn’t mean anything by her words, but when she said it like that, I almost misunderstood her.

“But if Satou-san thinks it’s necessary, then I’ll leave that up to you as well.”
“I don’t think I want to…lie any more than I already have.”
“I mean it really shows on Satou-san’s face.”
“T-That was not really necessary.”

I couldn’t help but feel awkward when Mashiro let out a giggle. A younger girl told me that my emotions easily show on my face, and I start to feel embarrassed.
I don’t even know which one of us was the guardian anymore. I’ve already been taken care of, so I’m really on the verge of becoming a terrible person.

“Then…it’s fine?”
“Yes. Those two people are people you trust and care about so much that you think so, right, Satou-san?”
“Yes, of course.”
“Then there’s no problem. Besides, I’m…”

After almost saying that Mashiro stopped talking without saying the rest.
I didn’t know what she was about to say, but she respected my will and affirmed it.

A double date that would bring about a big change. With many thoughts and feelings buzzing in my heart, I nervously contacted Sakakibara.