This is not the date I wanted.

War... Hearing Mio's description, Shinji couldn't help but smile bitterly. Although the expression was strange, his state of mind at this moment might be very similar to that of a new soldier who was on the battlefield for the first time.

"Well... maybe it's because the weather is too hot today?"

Shinji shrugged and passed it over vaguely.

“Is it too hot?”

Mio tilted her head in confusion, and a strand of silver hair swayed and slid into the groove of the neckline of her dress like water.

Damn it, you little devil! Why are your every move so alluring?

"Well...it's no big deal, don't worry about it."

"Um...ah, that's right."

Suddenly, Mio had an idea and took off her hat and put it on Shinshi's head.

"How is it? This will make it cooler."

"Uh? Um...thank you..." Shinji was stunned for a moment, then looked at Mio in confusion, "But give me the hat, Mio, what are you doing this with?"

"It's okay with me... this temperature is nothing to me."

Mio shook her head and answered as a matter of course.

"Yeah……"

Indeed, unlike Shinji who had already sweated a lot, Mio was not sweating at all, her fair and delicate skin was even a little dazzling under the sunlight, it seemed that the heat had no effect on her.

She wasn't lying. Shinji knew this very well. Not long ago, the water heater at home heated the water to over 80 degrees due to a program error, but Mio still soaked in the bathroom for half an hour with a leisurely look on her face. It was not until Mana who came in later screamed that Shinji noticed this.

After getting along with each other, Shinshi realized that Mio was just an ordinary girl, full of curiosity, naive and kind.

But at the same time, some differences in daily life made Shinshi feel clearly, even if he didn't want to, that Takamiya Mio was not an ordinary human being.

"...As expected, let Mio wear this hat."

After saying that, Shinshi took off his hat and put it back on Mio's head with a little force.

"But... aren't you really hot..."

Mio said worriedly.

"It's okay... this temperature is nothing."

Zhenshi gave a forced smile.

It's not that I don't care. As noon approaches, the sun becomes more and more scorching. If you set out under this scorching sun, you may get heat stroke before you reach your destination.

To be honest, if you think about it carefully, I need some summer preparations more than Mio who is not afraid of cold or heat. But should I say it is male chauvinism or something else? He always cares about face when it is not necessary, and often ends up in a difficult situation. Sometimes, Shinji also hates his own personality.

However, whether for the sake of face or out of spite, he wanted to treat Takamiya Mio as an ordinary girl.

Just when Shinshi was about to overcome the scorching heat with his willpower, he suddenly heard hurried footsteps behind him.

"——!?"

Before Shinshi could react, a huge push from the back of his head forced him to bend over and assume the posture of a chicken pecking at rice.

(What the hell?)

Zhenshi raised his head in the chaos and saw that the person who had just capped him was now running away quickly.

Although he couldn't see it, the swaying blue ponytail made Shinshi certain that the other person was his sister, Takamiya Mana.

(Fuck! My sister, you actually slam dunked on your own brother’s head?!)

"Really... on your head?"

Hmm? On your head? Hearing Mio's words, Shinshi couldn't help but reach out and touch his head, only to find that he had a sun hat on.

Not only that, he had a small shoulder bag on his body without him noticing. When he opened it, he saw an electric fan, a towel, and sports drinks to replenish his water.

(Could it be that... Shinna is sending these things to me...)

Just then, the phone in my pocket rang with a text message.

[Really, my brother! Don't make such a low-level mistake right from the start. Cheer up! Otherwise, how can I be your sister-in-law? ]

"..."

Looking at the text message on his phone, the corners of Shinshi's mouth twitched slightly.

"Shinshi has a good sister..."

Mio couldn't help but sigh.

"what……"

Shinji didn't deny it. Although he had mixed feelings at the moment, he was still mostly grateful to Mana, and felt that he had not raised her in vain over the years.

"So, Zhen. Where are we going today?"

"Ah, ah... I have something I want to show you."

When Mio asked him about the real purpose of the date, Shinshi couldn't help but touch his nose, feeling a little embarrassed for the chaos just now.

"Something to show me. What is it?"

"I can't tell you now, so just wait and see."

"Yeah, that's true."

After saying this, Shinshi seemed to urge Mio to take a step forward, and Mio naturally moved towards Shinshi.

"—?!"

For a moment, the real man trembled all over as if he had been electrocuted.

The reason was simple. Just now, Mio held his hand naturally. And it was not an ordinary handshake, but a ten-finger clasp for lovers.

"... Ling, Ms. Mio... what are you doing?"

Shinji, overly shaken, starts using strange honorifics.

"Well...Mana and her friends told me that this is how you should hold hands on a date."

After hearing this, Shinshi silently decided that he would cook all of Shin's favorite dishes for dinner when he got home.

"Does Shinji hate this?"

"No, how is that possible?!" Shinji shook his head hastily, "Mio's hands...how should I put it...are very soft and cool...and feel very comfortable to the touch."

"is it?"

Hearing what Shinji said, Mio couldn't help but breathe a sigh of relief and said contentedly,

"I like this kind of grip too...really big hands...very warm...it feels very reassuring to hold."

(Warmth... on this hot day...)

Shinshi couldn't help but smile bitterly, as he was a little confused about Mio's standard for sensing temperature.

(However, it would be too embarrassing to let Mio continue to see me wavering.)

Thinking of this, Shinshi took a deep breath and held Mio's hand a little tighter.

"——Okay, let's get started, Mio. Our date/【war】."

"Ok!"

PS: I made some slight changes to Shinshi's character in the original work.

22 The Past of Shinji and Mio (Part )

==============================

“…Is it ready?”

"Not yet. Soon."

Shinji replied.

At this time, Shinji had already left the city center with Mio and was heading towards their destination.

Wanting to give Mio a surprise, Shinshi decided to keep it a secret and let Mio close her eyes and walk holding his hand for the last short section of the road.

On the way, Shinshi looked back at Mio from time to time. Although he was walking with his eyes closed, he did not see any uneasiness or tension in Mio's expression. Instead, she had a faint smile on her face.

Is this trusting yourself? Zhenshi touched his nose, feeling inexplicably embarrassed.

"Alright. That's enough, Mio."

After reaching their destination, Shinji stopped and said to Mio.

"Um--"

After getting Shinshi's permission, Mio slowly opened her eyes.

Mio frowned reflexively as sunlight suddenly appeared from darkness, but after she adjusted to the light, she couldn't help but open her mouth and her eyes sparkled like gems.

"--ah--!"

Mio couldn't help but cheer.

The water surface dotted with white light seems to have no end, stretching into the distance with sparkling green waves and merging into one with the clear blue sky.

The white sand beach draws a crescent shape in an arc, welcoming the surging waves.

Take a deep breath and you can smell the air which has a completely different smell from the city air, which makes you feel indescribably moved.

"Is this... the sea? That special environment that occupies 70% of the Earth's surface?"

Mio asked curiously. To which Shinji nodded.

"Well, you said before when you were reading a book that you wanted to see what the sea looks like with your own eyes, right?"

"Really...did you hear that?"

Mio's eyes widened in surprise.

"Well... I just overheard it. I thought there was a beach nearby, so I made a note to bring you there someday."

Mio's cheeks flushed slightly at Shinji's answer, and then she smiled frankly.

"——I'm so glad. Thank you, Zhen."

"Ah, well...as long as you're happy."

Seeing Mio's answer, Shinshi turned his head away in embarrassment. For him, the only way to make Mio smile was to make this trip worthwhile.

Looking at the sea in front of her, Mio seemed unable to contain her inner excitement. She took off her sandals and ran barefoot to the shallows to step into the water.

"Really, like a little kid."

Shinji couldn't help but smile bitterly.

"--real!"

Suddenly, Mio stopped and waved excitedly at Shinshi.

Shinji nodded in understanding, followed Mio's example and took off his shoes to enter the sea.

"How about it, do you like the sea?"

"Yes, I like it."

Mio nodded without hesitation.

“The coolness of the sea water touching my feet, the soft sand that slightly sank, the slightly salty sea breeze, the regularly rising waves—I’ve read about it in books, but when I actually feel it with my body, it’s so incredible.”

As she spoke, Mio opened her arms wide as if to embrace everything.

"I—like the sea!"

"Yeah."

Shinji couldn't help but smile with relief.

At home, Mio, who often sits in the study, is like a mature and intellectual young lady who never leaves the house. But once she goes outside, she becomes as excited as a curious child.

Seeing her so happy, even the commonplace scenery will be filled with joy.

"and--"

Looking at Shinshi's face, Mio didn't just say what was going on, but just smiled sweetly.