SCPK 53

SCPK

Posted by Akame, Released on November 1, 2025

Chapter 53 Moonlit Hiking (Part 3)

It seemed we’d rested a bit too long. Counting the train ride home, it was about time to start heading down.

After all, we still had school tomorrow.

The way back was downhill, the slope was gentle, and though it’d be easier, we still had to hurry before it got dark.

“Taiyō-san, look—over there.”

Following Tsukiyo’s voice, I saw a couple in their forties or fifties. The man—probably her husband—was sitting on the ground, looking exhausted.
Something must’ve happened.

“Is everything all right?”

I called out to the woman, who didn’t seem to be in distress.

“Oh, sorry about this. We ran out of drinks. My husband insisted on pushing himself, and now he’s worn out… If you don’t mind, could we have a little water?”

Tsukiyo quickly took her thermos from her backpack, poured some sports drink into a cup, and handed it to the man.
He drank it in one gulp.

“Phew…”

He seemed calmer now—he’d probably recover with a bit more rest. I also had a spare bottle of juice, so I handed it to the wife.

“Thank you so much!”
“Not at all—it’s only natural to help each other out.”

In a place like this, mutual aid is a must. That’s just how it is—everyone looks out for each other.

Then the wife spoke again, this time with a gentle smile.

“Are you two high school students?”
“Yes, ma’am. We came from the city. Since it’s the weekend, we thought we’d go hiking.”
“Oh, that’s lovely. So… does that mean you two are a couple?”

“Uh—” “Uh—”

Both of us hesitated.

Technically, this was supposed to be a date, so the correct answer should’ve been yes.
But… I’d never confessed, nor been confessed to. Could I really say yes just like that?

“Y-Yes, we are.”

Tsukiyo answered, but her voice wavered just slightly.
The wife seemed to sense the awkward atmosphere and clapped her hands together.

“Oh my, did you two have a little fight?”
“N-No, nothing like that.”
“When that happens, you should try the ‘Ten Words Game.’”
“The… Ten Words Game?”

Tsukiyo tilted her head. The woman nodded.

“It’s simple—you each say nine good things about the other, and the tenth one is, ‘That’s why I love you.’ My husband and I always do it when we argue.”

Nine compliments and then a confession!? That last one’s a huge hurdle!
And of course, knowing Tsukiyo, she was bound to jump right into it.

“Taiyō-san, let’s do it!”
“Ahaha… haaa.”

Under the wife’s cheerful supervision, we faced each other. My face was already burning.

“All right, the boyfriend should start,” she said.

Fine. I’ll just say the nine compliments and… somehow get through that tenth part.

“Give me a second.”

Tsukiyo rummaged in her pocket, then looked up with a bright smile. “Okay, go ahead!”

Man, this is embarrassing. But it’s a date, right? I might as well do it seriously.

“Tsukiyo is… first, she’s very considerate. She helped me a lot with preparations today.”
“Yes.”
“Second, she has beautiful hair. It’s so well cared for—it’s soft and elegant.”
“Third, she’s kind to her friends. When they’re sad, she comforts them; when they’re happy, she celebrates with them.”
“Fourth, she’s smart, but never arrogant—she uses her knowledge to help others.”
“…Uu.”

Tsukiyo covered her face with her hands, making a tiny squeak. Five more to go.

“Fifth, she’s a great cook. Lunch today was delicious.”
“Sixth, she’s really cute in her gestures—I could watch her all day.”
“Seventh, her voice is beautiful. I could listen to it forever.”
“Um… w-wait…”

“Eighth, she’s kind to children. She’ll definitely make a wonderful bride someday.”
“Ninth, because she’s the most beautiful girl I know.”
“Tenth… that’s why I—uh… I l-love you, Tsukiyo—!?”

“Uuuuuu! Uoooooohhh!”

Tsukiyo dropped to her knees, rolling on the ground with her hands over her face, her ears and cheeks blazing red.

“You’re so passionate, young man!” the wife said with a laugh. “But you know, ‘ten words’ means short phrases, dear.”
“Wait—what!? You mean short ones!?”

Now I’m the one who’s dying of embarrassment.
But really, Tsukiyo just has too many good qualities—coming up with ten was easy.
Judging by her reaction though… maybe I went overboard.

After about ten minutes, she finally managed to stand up, still flustered.

“Taiyō-san, that was way too powerful! Were you trying to kill me!?”
“No! I meant every word!”
“That’s not the point! Geez!”

She raised her fist in mock protest—still impossibly cute even when she was angry.

Now it was her turn. I had no idea what she’d say—there might not even be ten good things about me! Maybe she’d end up listing stuff like “has hands” or “has hair.”

She began.

“Um, Taiyō-san… you have such a kind personality.”

Okay, that’s… unexpectedly embarrassing. If she keeps this up for ten… I might die too.

Her smile softened as she continued.

“Your eyes are beautiful, your nose is straight… your face is really handsome.”
“Wait, what?”
“You’ve got a nice build, you’re a natural leader, always at the center of things.”
“Hold on.”
“You’re so fast, athletic… like a prince to me. That’s why I l—”

“Who exactly are you talking about!?”
“Y-You, of course! The ‘prince’ part was just… you know…”
“The first one was fine, but the rest—no way! That’s totally Seiya!”
“My brother’s got a terrible personality!”
“I know that!!”

“Ahahaha!”

The wife burst into loud laughter, clapping her hands.
Tsukiyo and I could only sit there, completely red-faced and speechless.

“You two are adorable,” she said warmly. “Such a lovely young couple.”

“Ah—!” “Ah—!”

We both quickly looked away, hearts pounding.
Being told that… made it impossible not to think about it.
What Amatsu said yesterday… what this woman just said now…

Does Tsukiyo feel that way about me? And me, about her…?

On the way back down, silence hung between us. Neither of us knew what to say.

“Taiyō-san.”
“Y-Yeah!?”

It was Tsukiyo who broke the silence.

“Today was… really fun.”

Her smile was so radiant, it almost hurt to look at.
Ah… I forgot one more thing.

The eleventh compliment—she has the most beautiful smile.

Then she pulled out her smartphone and started tapping.
Suddenly, my own voice came out of it: