The school day goes by normally.
Since both Keisuke and Natsumi are 3rd year and 2nd year students respectively, they are quite busy with their classes.
Especially Keisuke, who plans to take university entrance exams next year.
He had always been good with school work and had been granted a scholarship in the school.
He also plans to get a scholarship in college to alleviate the financial stress that it could cause his mother.
As for Natsumi, she's above average in regards to academics but has improved lately due to Keisuke's tutoring. She tries to not put as much focus there as she wants to put most of her energy into basketball.
She had been playing the sport since she was 6 years old and plans to play in college as well, eventually going pro.
After both finished with their club activities, they both went to their usual spot at the riverbank.
.
.
.
As per usual, Keisuke is the first one to get there– and with snacks no less.
He usually gets it for the both of them to snack on while they hang out but today, he seemed to have only bought a hotdog on a stick, a pack of chips and a sports drink.
Natsumi arrived shortly after Keisuke got there.
She was still sweaty from basketball practice and it was quite obvious. Keisuke was quick to notice and shifted his gaze elsewhere. His face was flushed red.
Natsumi noticed and decided to tease him. Their usual antics.
"Kei-chan, what's wrong?" Natsumi playfully said while tugging on the collar of her shirt, briefly flashing her collarbone.
Although Keisuke had already seen Natsumi's bare self before, he still gets flustered whenever he sees her in certain types of scenarios. In todays' case, it's sweat, collarbone and the sunset.
Keisuke blushes a lot more as Natsumi relentlessly continues her teasing. After a while, she stops, already satisfied.
Keisuke pushes the food that he bought in her direction, urging her to take it.
Natsumi took the hotdog on a stick and slowly ate it leaving Keisuke holding the rest of the items.
"So? What do we need to talk about?" Keisuke started the conversation.
"It's about the you know what."
"Ah, that… What about it?"
"So, I was doing research last night and I found an OB-GYN in Tokyo. I think that's far enough from here for us to avoid people we know." (It takes an hour and a half to get from Yamanashi Prefecture to Tokyo)
"Are you sure you want to do it there?" There was a constant ringing in his ears. "What if", it said.
Keisuke, deep in thought, is already thinking of the worst-case scenario. Natsumi, quickly noticing him going completely mute, reassured him.
"It'll be fine Kei-chan. If you're that worried then we can wear clothes that cover a lot of skin."
Keisuke snaps out of his trance and looks Natsumi in the eyes.
"Ah… did I zoned out? I'm sorry."
"It's okay. I think we should just leave as early as possible so we can avoid most people here. Then we can have a date once we get to Tokyo before the check-up."
Natsumi's smile is beaming– blinding, almost. Despite it being a serious trip that could determine both of their futures, she can still find some enjoyment in it.
"We should do that." Keisuke flashes a smile. He was a bit excited at the idea of a date in a place unfamiliar to him.
Natsumi reciprocated the smile as she takes the last bite on her food. "We'll eat lots of food! Don't worry. It'll be my treat."
In their relationship, even though Keisuke spends quite a bit on food and other presents, he has never really spent a substantial amount of money.
Natsumi on the other hand comes from a well-off family. They weren't filthy-rich by any case, but they have considerable wealth with both parents and older brothers working.
In these instances, while Keisuke is uncomfortable with Natsumi treating him with expensive stuff, he never really told her about how he feels– and he has no intention of letting her know.
To him, the man has to be the one paying.
He looks back at her, a smile plastered on his face. "I can't wait!"
"Hmm… today's Tuesday, right? I'll set an appointment for Saturday then. Is that fine for you?"
"Yeah. I'll probably tell mom we have a date so she doesn't ask too many questions."
"Ooh, nice idea! Maybe I'll tell mine too… maybe not dad but I'll definitely tell mom about the date."
The both of them wore a smug grin. Excited, they both continued to talk about their plans while they finish the rest of the food.
Eventually, the sun set and they make their way home. This time too, Keisuke walks his girlfriend back home despite already passing his house.