Volume 13 Chapter 261 Yukishiro Emily, What Should I Do On A Date？
Edited by: Kanaa-senpai
A date… with Aqua-sama!?
I nearly froze on the spot.
This was totally unexpected. I honestly thought Aqua-sama would be spending the Cultural Festival with Kanon.
No way… I didn’t see this coming at all! I need backup—and Rin’s right here!
”S-should I tag along too? Actually, I’ve been helping out behind the scenes…” She offered, trying to play it cool.
”Of course! The more the merrier!” I smiled warmly.
Rin, usually calm and composed, looked uncharacteristically nervous.
Sorry, Rin. If we end up going into a haunted house and something weird happens with Aqua-sama… I might lose control of my right hand. If that happens, please stop me. Seriously.
Just as I was steeling my resolve, my phone buzzed in my pocket.
Ugh, who’s messaging me at a time like this?
I glanced at the screen.
[Verification Team Group Chat]
Maiden Tashinami@Middle-aged Aqua is also a vibe…!:
Emily-senpai, enjoy it for all of us. And tell me everything later. Can’t wait~
”You traitor!! You set this up, didn’t you?!”
Wait… was it because I swapped out your favorite childish underwear for some fancy lingerie?
No, that can’t be it. There’s no way easygoing Kanopon would notice something like that, even if the drawer contents changed. Besides, Pegonia-san returned the old underwear I hid—though that’s more of a personal fashion choice I hoped Kanon would appreciate…
Or—wait—was it because, during kotatsu setup, I pretended to be Shiro and accidentally licked Kanon’s feet… with Aqua-sama watching!?
No way! I was sure no one noticed!
[Verification Team Group Chat]
Maiden Tashinami@Middle-aged Aqua is also a vibe…!:
I had no idea about any of this! What are you even doing!? Geez!!!
Maiden Tashinami has removed you from the group.
Eh? Are there… two versions of them?
Well, whatever! I’ve been exposed this much already.
Just thinking about shy little Kanon is enough to refill my energy. Yep, I could eat like three bowls of rice right now.
I slid my phone back into my pocket and rolled my shoulders to shake off the tension.
”Hey, Rin. Try to relax a little.”
”Ah, U-UA…”
Rin looked startled as Aqua-sama gently touched her shoulder to calm her.
”Alright! Let’s go!” Aqua-sama beamed.
Rin and I each took one of Aqua-sama’s hands.
Just a year ago, if a guy held out his palm to a girl, it was usually to ask for money.
But now? It’s a sign of trust.
Looking around, I saw all kinds of people:
A couple holding hands, maybe on a date.
A middle school boy walking with his mom, probably checking out Otomezaki Academy for enrollment.
A family standing together, clearly evaluating the school’s atmosphere.
Aqua-sama really is incredible. I couldn’t stop staring at his face beside me.
”Hm? Emily, is something wrong?” he asked, noticing my gaze.
Ahh! That embarrassed expression—so different from his usual cool, composed self.
He’s strong, kind, dependable… and sometimes adorably childish.
Please, Aqua-sama, stay just like this forever.
”By the way, yesterday after walking with Akimaru, Shiro got really jealous.”
”Oh, Shiro acts like a jealous little princess sometimes,” I replied.
Aqua-sama and Rin both smiled at that.
”But Shiro’s jealousy has that unreasonably intense vibe, kind of like Kohina Yukari-san…”
”Yeah, totally.”
We both said it at the same time and locked eyes.
Once again, perfectly in sync.
”But honestly, Shiro and Akimaru are close. This morning, they were even curled up sleeping together.”
That’s not the whole story, Aqua-sama…
According to the Holy Aqua Religion’s Pet Translator, they’re actually watching each other like rivals, all to earn your affection.
And yeah, people doubt this translator’s accuracy, but it’s already been scientifically proven to work.
[Shiro]
Whoa… It’s Hogegorilla. I better behave, or I’ll get a rough head-pat…
[Akimaru]
This aura… It’s definitely the king of beasts. Our king evolved from a gorilla and now blends in with humans!?
Apparently, both pets instantly dropped into submission mode in front of Kaede-senpai.
Yui translated their thoughts and turned serious on the spot.
Kaede-senpai glanced at Shiro, who had rolled onto its back.
She thought, “Are they mocking me?”
But no—it was pure respect.
Animals instinctively know who’s strongest.
”Oh! There’s a big crowd over there,” Aqua-sama said.
”Wanna go check it out?” I asked.
”Yeah!”
The three of us—Aqua-sama, Rin, and I—headed toward the commotion.
Looks like we’ve got a debt to repay.
…Wait, baseball? At the Cultural Festival?
I turned my gaze to a nearby sign.
[Endless Baseball – Hosted by the Baseball Club]
Endless Baseball…? What even is that?
I squinted to read the posted rules:
・The game time is from the start to the end of the Cultural Festival.
・Members of the baseball club, alumni, coaches, and helpers will take turns serving as umpires and fielders as needed.
・Basically, experienced players will be added to the losing team, so please self-report if you are experienced.
・Those who guess the final score and which team, red or blue, will win will receive something sent by mail.
・Participants will receive a special sports drink from the baseball club. Be careful of heatstroke and enjoy the Cultural Festival!
Wow, this baseball event actually sounds pretty cool.
I slid behind Aqua-sama and Rin, gently nudging them toward the reception desk.
”Since we’re here, why don’t you two at least try one at-bat?” I suggested.
”If Emily says so, I’ll do it,” Aqua-sama answered.
”Understood,” Rin nodded.
As we walked up, the crowd around the field suddenly cheered.
Looks like the red team is losing badly. Two outs, bases loaded—this is the perfect moment!
Everyone by the field seemed frozen, scared to step up as batter or pitcher in this tense situation.
”No way! I can’t hold back Aqua-sama!”
The baseball club’s ace girl shook her head nervously.
Yeah, makes sense. Aqua-sama, Kaede-paisen, and Iria are in a league of their own. When Aqua-sama swung before, the sound wasn’t a light “thud”—it was like a car crashing.
”Well then, I’ll pitch! Rin-chan, you bat!” I said.
The club members eyed tiny Rin with mixed worry and hope.
But don’t be fooled—Rin’s a serious hitter for the Little Bearz, batting around .350 and fast enough to steal bases easily. She’s tough despite her small size.
I moved closer to Rin, coaching quietly.
”Rin, Aqua-sama will try to get you swinging at balls just outside the strike zone to tire you out. Watch out for the balls coming from his inside course attack. Unlike others with wild throws, Aqua-sama’s control is solid. Stay calm and just focus on making contact.”
”I’ll do my best,” Rin said, putting on an oversized helmet and stepping into the batter’s box.
At least I’m not catching for Aqua-sama’s team—catching requires tricky framing skills to fool the umpire. I’m pretty good at those, which helped when I played catcher for the Little Bear Bears. Now that I’m out (you know, pregnancy reasons), it depends on Rin’s catcher how well Aqua-sama’s strike rate holds up.
”Play ball!” The umpire’s call made the crowd cheer even louder.
First pitch—a perfect high fastball!
”Ugh!” Rin swung but just missed. It was a foul ball, rolling to the right.
Usually, high pitches are what Rin aims for, but powerful, aimed throws are hard to hit back.
On the next pitch, number two, Rin carefully watches the ball’s path.
Next pitch: “Ball!”
Good, that makes the count 1-1. Keep it up, Rin.
Next pitch, number three, Aqua-sama throws a sweeper from outside to inside course to get the count.
Hey, hey! That was clearly a ball just now!!
Rin didn’t swing at all. No doubt!!
Me, acting like the coach, stop the game and walk to the umpire.
If I was the manager of the little bear team who always gets kicked out and fined every game, I’d definitely protest like this.
”No, that was a ball! Not a strike!”
I made a big frame with my hands like a catcher trying to trick the umpire.
The crowd in the outfield laughed.
”I saw that on the internet!”
”You’re copying Kohina Yukari, lol.”
”Emily-sama’s impression is too perfect.”
”Even the gestures are spot-on.”
”Too much of an entertainer.”
”Aqua-sama’s laughing so hard.”
”Little batter, your chance! Go get ’em!”
I winked at the umpire like a pro.
But next thing I knew, I was ejected.
”Even the way she leave is the same.”
”Still complaining, lol.”
”This is definitely Kohina Yukari.”
”By the way, Kohina Yukari got volunteer cleaning duty for punishment afterward.”
”Even Emily-sama wouldn’t go that far.”
No way, I’ll clean up tomorrow for real.
But I’ll post about it online like a joke. Gotta keep the act perfect.
Back on the field, “Ball!”
Count is now two balls and two strikes.
The aura of Kohina-paisen helped me get that borderline pitch called a ball. Reliable as always.
Rin fought through three more pitches, fouling off tough balls on the edges of the strike zone.
Phew…
Aqua-sama had been throwing fastballs and mix-ups rapidly but took a brief breath.
On the eighth pitch, she threw with sharp focus.
”Ah!”
Rin made a surprised sound—the ball spun less than usual, maybe from a loose grip.
She hit it well. The ball rolled past first base and through the outfielders.
The right fielder threw it home, but the runners on second and third stayed safe.
The runner on first advanced to third, and Rin reached second base.
That hit tied the game—nice work, Rin!
Notes:
• Akimaru – Male. A ninja dog given to Kazami Rin as a birthday gift. He had brown fur and was very loyal to Rin. Their relationship was close, but he was tragically killed during Rin’s ninja training. His death deeply affected Rin.
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Edited by Kanaa-senpai.
Thanks for reading.
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