Our Dating Story: The Experienced You and The Inexperienced Me - Volume 4 - Chapter 5.4

After that, I kept Runa company as she window-shopped all the way to Shibuya.

Days were still short at this time of year, and the sun had set at some point on our way. Night was setting in.

“Wow, it’s so pretty!” exclaimed Runa upon seeing the decorative lighting at a certain complex we passed. “They’re still doing the lights! Let’s go look for a bit!”

“Sure thing.”

And so, we entered the premises.

There were decorative lights all the way to the center of the path leading to the complex. As we walked, I looked at the atrium below us and saw that the display was even more vibrant there. The plants decorated with resplendent lighting surrounded an open dining area of a restaurant down there. I was used to seeing the whitish LEDs on the streets that seemed to be all the rage these days, so this orange lighting felt like it gave the place a luxurious and nostalgic feel.

“Ah, so pretty! Imagine what it would be like to sit there!” exclaimed Runa, looking down.

The restaurant below us seemed like a high-class French place, so naturally, everyone sitting in the open area seemed to be adults. They all looked calm and composed.

“That must be nice... I wanna go on a date to a place like that one day...” said Runa.

“Yeah. When we become adults...”

When we become adults...

This winter had been bittersweet, forcing me to face the fact I wasn’t yet an adult time and time again.

When, one day, Runa and I became real adults who could eat at a restaurant like that without losing our nerve...what color would our memories of our current selves be?

I hoped it would be a warm one, just like these decorative lights.

That was another reason I didn’t want to have regrets.

“Of course you’ll get in! You’re really smart.”

As I turned Runa’s words over in my mind, I could feel strength well up from deep inside me.

“What’s this feeling...? I come to Shibuya all the time, and I see lights like these every year...” Runa began, gazing at the lights. Then, she laid her head on my shoulder. “But I feel like these are the prettiest ones I’ve ever seen,” she added with a sentimental look in her eyes before raising her head and looking at me. “I wonder if it’s ’cause you’re by my side?”

Were her cheeks red because of this numbing cold?

As she gazed at me with upturned eyes, her smile looked sweeter than usual. I loved her white breath in the air and the warmth we exchanged between our linked palms.

I wasn’t actually much of a fan of cold weather, but I couldn’t help but wish for winter to go on a little longer.

The budding spring season was just around the corner.