One step forward, two steps back

Part 13 Break time

Both Nishikata and Takagi separated before anyone could see them and stood a good few feet away from each other as they heard someone approach. "Guys?" Nakai said as he and Mano rounded the corner. "I didn't expect to see you two here."

"And we didn't expect to see you either." Nishikata replied.

Mano studied Takagi, then Nishikata. "Um, are we interrupting something?"

Takagi glanced at Nishikata and then shook her head.

"Well now that we've run into each other, why don't we get something to eat?"

'What do I say? I can't confess to Takagi if Mano and Nakai are with us! Then again, based on what happened, it might be best if we stick together for a little while, so I don't accidentally confess early.' "I ... wouldn't mind getting something to eat together." He said nervously.

Takagi glanced at Nishikata for a moment before looking back to Nakai. "Yeah, sounds like fun."

"Great, now all we have to do, is find our way out of here."

"Oh, that's easy." Takagi began. "I've already figured out the trick here, just follow me."

The group began following Takagi as Nishikata sighed. 'Because of course, she's amazing everything.'

They soon reached the end and Nakai blocked the sun with his hand. "Man, I didn't think we'd actually get out of there."

"We weren't in there that long." Mano said.

"Yeah, maybe, but it made me extra hungry, let's get something to eat." He turned to Nishikata and Takagi. "You guys want to get funnel cake? I haven't tried it, but I've heard good things about it."

"I've had it once, and I liked it." Takagi replied.

"Then I'll try it as well." Nishikata added.

"All right then, let's go."

The group made their way over to a nearby area where they found it packed with long lines. "Maybe we should split up." Nakai suggested.

"Yeah." Takagi added. "Mano, how about you and I find some seats, while the boys wait in line."

"Uh ... okay."

"Alright, we'll see you two later then." Nakai and Nishikata made their way to one of the lines and began their wait, as Takagi and Mano began looking for a table.

"You know, I'm actually really glad we ran into you two." Nakai said as he and Nishikata waited in line. "Believe it or not, this was supposed to be a date, and I'm really dropping the ball on it."

"Yeah? How's that?." Nishikata asked.

"I don't know, Mano's just been looking so glum recently, and I have no idea how to make her feel better."

'She must really be upset if even you noticed it.' "So then why did you invite us to hang with you?"

"So I have an excuse for things to not be very date like, that way she won't realize how much I'm dropping the ball."

"That seems like it would have the exact opposite effect that you want it to."

"I know, and the last thing I want is for her to break up with me."

"Huh? Why do you think she's going to break up with you?"

"Because she's barely said anything to me for the past two days."

"Past two ... days?" 'Why do I have the feeling that this has something to do with Takagi and I kissing?'

"Yeah, I tried asking her, but she just said she can't talk about it."

"Uh huh." 'This definitely has something to do with the kiss.'

"I just don't know what to do, it's driving me crazy, and my relationship with Mano has never driven me crazy like this before, which is driving me even crazier."

"Nakai, I don't want to be rude, may I ask something personal?"

"Go on." Nakai said with a reluctant sigh.

"When was ... the last time you and Mano ... kissed?"

"Huh?" Nakai said as he almost looked guilty of something. "Why do you ask that?"

"A hunch."

Nakai sighed. "I ... have actually never kissed her."

'Yeah, that would explain it.' "Well, maybe that's part of the problem, you just need to remind her that you love her."

"Yeah ..." Nakai said as he scratched the back of his head. "That's ... going to be a problem."

Nishikata slowly turned to him and glared. "Why is it going to be a problem to tell your girlfriend that you love her?"

"Well ... I ... haven't actually told her that I-"

"Don't finish that sentence." Nishikata interrupted. "I think that might possibly be why she's upset."

"Yeah, but how do I fix that?"

"Tell her that you love her."

"I wish it was that simple, but a romantic moment isn't going to just appear."

Meanwhile, Takagi and Mano managed to find a table and were having a similar conversation. "I wonder what they're talking about." Mano said.

"Well, Nishikata's probably thanking Nakai for arriving when he did, saving Nishikata some embarrassment." She began to rub her arm.

"What happened?"

"Well." She gave a slightly guilty smile. "We ... almost kissed."

"You ... almost kissed?" Mano asked in disbelief. "Again?"

"Yeah." Takagi blushed as she continued. "He- wait!" Takagi turned to Mano. "I'm sorry, you and Nakai-"

"No." Mano interrupted. "I want to know."

Takagi nodded. "He ... had his arms wrapped around me, our foreheads were touching, my heart was racing, and it felt like there was no one else in the world." She paused and opened her eyes. "Until there was."

"Yeah ... I'm sorry."

"Don't apologize, there's no way you could have known. And besides, Nishikata said that he wanted to hang out with you guys, so he must have not been ready for it."

"Still, you guys could have had such a romantic moment, and it was ruined because of me."

"Hey, there will be other chances, we're still young."

"Well, I might have an idea."

"Hm?"

"They say that if you and someone you like are alone on the ferris wheel, and kiss while it's at its apex, then you'll be together forever."

Takagi looked at Mano surprised and a little in shock. "That ... would be nice." Her smile softened and she shook her head. "But ... you should take advantage of that with Nakai."

"But Takagi-"

"If Nishikata found out, then he wouldn't go anywhere near the ferris wheel with me. Not to mention, I can't lie to him."

"Takagi."