One step forward, two steps back

Part 11 Entrance fee

It was the following day, and Nishikata was in his room, getting ready for his date with Takagi, while going over his plan in his head. "Okay, so, we're going to the amusement park and that's where I'm going to finally confess my feelings to Takagi and make her blush at the same time. I'm going to spend the whole day with her, possibly getting teased numerous times, maybe get something to eat, and end the day with a confession!" He took a deep breath as he pulled a small box out of his pocket, inside of which was the necklace he had gotten her, wrapped up nice and neat. "I give her this ... and confess to her." He felt his palms begin to sweat profusely. "Even if this is the only time I get to tease her in my lifetime, it'll totally be worth it." He let out a sigh and calmed down. "Plus, even if she somehow turns the tables on me, I'll still have confessed and have my answer, so it's a win either way."

There was a knock at his door, and he ran to open it to find his mom standing there. "Hi sweety." She greeted. "All ready?"

"As I'll ever be." He began. "Thanks again for lending me the extra money for the tickets."

"It was my pleasure, after all, you're going to confess to her and give her the present you got her, right?" His mom said in an almost threatening way.

"Um ... yeah, of course I am."

"Great, and remember to take plenty of pictures, and also try to get the one where you manage to kiss her."

"That's ... not possible seeing as that will probably be happening when we're alone."

"You plan too much."

"Well, it's probably going to all go sideways and I'll end up confessing in the most embarrassing way possible."

"Get a picture of that and you won't have to pay me back."

"MOM!" Nishikata exclaimed embarrassed.

Meanwhile, Takagi was also getting ready, only with slightly less stress. "I wonder if I should wear makeup." She asked herself as she looked in the mirror. "Hm ... no, I don't think I'll need it." She paused for a moment before grabbing a few things and placing them in her carrying bag. "But, just in case."

She did one final check and began making her way downstairs and popping into the living room where her mother was. "I'm leaving to meet up with Nishikata now, I'll be back later."

"Be sure to take plenty of pictures." Her mom called back. "And if you get together today, don't forget to take a picture of you two kissing."

"I'll remember, don't worry." She turned around and made her way over to the door and leaving the house. "I wonder what he's planning on doing."

She continued until she reached the candy shop, the place where they had planned on meeting, where she found Nishikata sitting, anxiously tapping his foot.

"Hey." She greeted causing him to look over. "So, are you ready?"

"Yeah, as I'll ever be." He stood up and extended his right hand.

Takagi smiled as she slowly wrapped her hand around his. "So where are we going?"

"I ... we're going to the amusement park."

"Oh?"

"Yeah, they have a two for one special for Christmas eve."

"The amusement park? That sounds romantic." She leaned closer to him, causing him to blush. "Have you decided if this is a date yet?"

"I ... isn't that up to you as well?"

She smiled and glanced skywards. "I think I'll let you decide."

'That almost sounds like she's confessing.' Nishikata thought to himself. 'Maybe I could ... no, I have to stick to my plan!'

"Hey, how about this, if you decide that this is a date, then I win."

"What?!" He recoiled a little. 'I can't do that, it would basically be admitting defeat!' "I ... refuse."

"Huh?"

"I ... don't want any outside factors affecting if this is a date or not."

"Nishikata." 'He really is giving this some serious thought ... maybe ... I should make it easier for him. I mean I've pushed him to do so much, and he seems like he's ready. Maybe I should make it easy on him and tell him my feelings.' Her heart rate picked up, and she turned away to hide her blush. 'Um, when the time is right.' "Let's go, there's probably a crowd there."

"Yeah."

The two of them continued on their way until they reached the entrance, where there was a very long line. "Looks like we're going to be here a while." Takagi said as she tried to peep over the line.

"I'm not so sure, it looks like it's moving at a consistent pace."

"Oh? You wanna make it a bet then?"

"Huh? Okay, what's the bet?"

"How about ... if we get in there in ... say ten minutes, you win."

"Okay." He pulled out his phone and went to a timer app. "Ten minutes, starting ... now." He hit the timer and set it back into his pocket. 'Maybe a small loose on my part, but in the end it won't matter much. Who knows, I might get lucky.'

They began their waiting and much to Nishikata's surprise, the line was moving a lot faster than he had assumed. 'Wow, I might actually win this ... no, it's still too early to call.'

They continued waiting, and before they knew it, it was their turn. "Wow." Nishikata said as they walked up the counter. "Looks like that was faster than I realized."

"You didn't think you would win?"

"No, I just didn't think it would be this fast."

"Well, remember, we need to be inside for you to win."

"No problem." Nishikata said as he strolled up to the counter. "One moment, I have-" He stopped as he realized that his wallet was in his right pocket, and his right hand was busy holding Takagi's. "Hold on." He reached around with his left and began fiddling with his pocket, trying to get it open.

"You know you can just let go of my hand, right?" Takagi said.

"No, I've got this." He managed to open his pocket and pulled out his wallet. "See?" He opened it and paid the man as he handed them two tickets. "All taken care of."

They began walking to the gate as Nishikata smiled triumphantly. 'Maybe this is the start of a winning streak.' Nishikata handed the tickets to the man behind the second counter, and just as they were about to cross into the park, Nishikata's phone sounded.

"Hm? Is that what I think it is?"

"Uh ... yes." Nishikata said as he pulled out his phone and cancelled the alarm. "So ... you win." They continued and crossed into the park as Nishikata silently cursed himself. 'I was so close, if only she had said 11 minutes!'

"Hey, Nishikata?" Takagi began. "You know, you lost because you didn't want to let go of my hand, right?"

He glanced to the side and blushed. "T-there's no way either of us could have known that."

"But you should have been trying everything to get in as quickly as possible, but you drew the line at letting go of my hand?"

Nishikata blushed. "I ... It's not that I wouldn't have, it's ... that it didn't cross my mind."

"Oh?" She leaned closer and Nishikata's blush worsened. "If that's the case-" She shifted her hand a little and interlocked her fingers with his. "I think I'll hold onto this until we get into a line."

"Uh ... if you want." 'Damn.' Nishikata thought as they entered the park. 'This is going to be a long day.'