Clear:

This is…a park, isn’t it?

Aoba:

Yeah.

Clear:

Why did you bring me here, Aoba-san?

Aoba:

There’s bigger and more impressive parks, but there’s a lot of couples there so it never quiets down. This park’s pretty small, but once it gets dark there’s not many people around.

Clear:

Uuhm, what are we doing at a park?

Aoba:

Having a date~

Clear:

Eh?

Aoba:

It’s a park date.

Clear:

A park…date.

Aoba:

Hey, if you want something to drink from the vending machine I’m buying.

Clear:

Ah, all right.

(Aoba buys drinks)

Aoba:

Here, this is yours.

Clear:

Thank you very much.

Aoba:

Hmmm….all right. Let’s drink on the swings.

Clear:

Huh? Ah…yes.

Aoba:

Uwah, looking at them like this now these swings are really small.

Clear:

Is that true?

Aoba:

Yeah. They seemed a lot bigger when I was a kid. They’re so small now I almost don’t want to go on them.

Clear:

You go on swings?

Aoba:

That’s right. They’re a little small, do you want to sit?

Clear:

Yes.

(they go over and sit, Clear makes a sound of awe)

Aoba:

Clear, is this is your first time on a swing?

Clear:

Yes…

Aoba:

How does it feel?

Clear:

It’s somewhat strange. Even though I’m sitting, it’s like I’m lightly floating.

Aoba:

Ehe. But once you start swinging it’s not really like floating anymore.

Clear:

Huh?

Aoba:

Let’s go–!

(he starts swinging himself)

Clear:

Ooh!

(Aoba stops the swing)

Aoba:

See? It’s pretty intense, right?

Clear:

Yes! Rather than floating, it’s more like flying!

Aoba:

You should try it out too, Clear.

Clear:

Yes! Let’s…go! Ooh! Uwaah! I’m slowly…getting…higher…!

Aoba:

The wind feels…really great…doesn’t it?

Clear:

Yes! (Clear stops the swing) Aah…

Aoba:

(stops his swing) How was that?

Clear:

It was fun! When I was swinging high I felt like I wanted to leap off!

Aoba:

Ahah, it does feel like that. (he opens his can and starts drinking) Ahh…

Clear:

Aha, me too. (Clear does the same) Aah…Um…Aoba-san?

Aoba:

Hm?

Clear:

Earlier you said that you would show me what it really means to be like a lover, Aoba-san. What meaning does this park date have?

Aoba:

It is what it is.

Clear:

What it is?

Aoba:

Mhm. What you heard on that outdoor screen was the same, but if you’re talking about the idea of being “like a lover,” it just winds up being a lot of different difficult things. Going on more dates in flashy places, eating out at an expensive restaurant, things like that. Those things might be fun, but I don’t think that’s what’s important.

Clear:

You…say that, but…

Aoba:

Eheh, what I’m trying to say is… isn’t it important to be with the person you love? As long as you’re with them, no matter where you go no matter what it’s fun. Right now I’m having fun just swinging with you like this. Really being like a lover…it’s something like that, right?

Clear:

Aoba-san…

Aoba:

Or something, I guess.

Clear:

Um…Aoba-san. I have something that I’d like to ask you, Aoba-san.

Aoba:

Hm?

Clear:

What am I to you, Aoba-san?

Aoba:

Eh?

Clear:

Just now, you said that this was fun. However, I’m a very unreliable, unworthy man, aren’t I?

Aoba:

Come on now, stop putting yourself down like that. That’s not true at all. You protected me. That’s why I’m here right now, right?

Clear:

Ah…

Aoba:

You’re fine just the way you are. Probably, I’m the disappointing one.

Clear:

Eh?

Aoba:

Nevermind.

Clear:

I’ve really misunderstood a lot of things. I was insecure. I’m still uncertain now, but…I wonder if I’m functioning properly as Aoba-san’s partner?

Aoba:

Functioning? Come on!

Clear:

Aah!

Aoba:

Don’t say it like that. I don’t like it.

Clear:

I’m sorry. But, when I listened to the special edition on the outdoor screen I really fell for it. I wondered, “How can I become someone suitable for Aoba-san?” I thought about it quite a lot. But then it all ended with my mistake…

Aoba:

Heh… but I’m really glad that you felt that way.

Clear:

If I had something that I could be proud of, that I wouldn’t lose to anyone in, that would be my love for Aoba-san! I won’t lose to anyone when it comes to that. No matter what. I want to be at Aoba-san’s side from here on out. That’s why I…want to do my best… at being Aoba-san’s lover.

Aoba:

Hah, you idiot~

Clear:

Ah, Aoba-san?

Aoba:

You don’t have to try so hard.

(he kisses Clear)

Clear:

Eh-wha-ah?

Aoba:

You’re forgetting something important.

Clear:

Eh?

Aoba:

It’s almost like you’re only talking about how you love me…but I love you so much…I don’t want to lose either.

Clear:

Aoba-san…

Aoba:

That’s why you shouldn’t think weird stuff like that anymore.

Clear:

Yes. Ah, but…

Aoba:

Hm?

Clear:

I don’t want to cause any trouble because I love Aoba-san as well. I want to be at your side. I want to be someone who can support you. For that reason as well, I’m looking for a job, and I want to work.

Aoba:

Clear…

Clear:

There are still many things that I don’t know. Supporting Aoba-san may be talk of the future for right now, but for my own part, I don’t believe that I can stay as ignorant as I am. I have a little confidence in cooking because everyone praises me. However, I’d like to be able to do more and more. That’s why I will do my best.

Aoba:

…ah.

Clear:

Did I… say something strange?

Aoba:

No, I was just thinking…you really have grown.

Clear:

Grown…?

Aoba:

Mhm. I didn’t know that you thought of it that way. I’m really glad.

Clear:

Aoba-san.

Aoba:

I think you’ll be able to do lots of different things. If you think on it hard enough, your wish will be granted. So far you’ve just come to realize it, right?

Clear:

Yes…

Aoba:

Do your best–or I guess I should say, let’s do our best. However! We can’t try too hard.

Clear:

Yes! To that end, first I must have interviews…or rather, I’ve just remembered the interviews that I failed at.

Aoba:

You mean…job interviews? You failed?

Clear:

Yes…for two stores in a row…

Aoba:

Ahh…well, I said it before, but luck and timing are important. Don’t be discouraged. We’ll find some other ones.

Clear:

Yes…even though it’s someone like me, please…let’s do…our best…

Aoba:

Hehe…Hmmm, I told you to cut that out. Plus if you want to stand at my side, you’ll have to stop being so polite.*

Clear:

Eh?!

Aoba:

And then, you’ll have to call me “Aoba,” without the “-san.”

Clear:

Ehh?!?

Aoba:

Here, give it a shot. “Aoba.”

Clear:

Th-th-that’s impossible! Calling Aoba-san just “Aoba”…aaah! I’ll explooode!!

Aoba:

Ahahaha, it’s a joke, a joke. Well, whether you call me Aoba or Aoba-san I don’t really mind.

Clear:

Weeh…it’s like a dream within a dream within a dream…

Aoba:

Got it. Well then, sooner or later.

Clear:

Eeeh…

Aoba:

All right! We should head home before too long. Granny’s probably waiting.

Clear:

Yes, let’s return home. (they start walking) Aoba-san.

Aoba:

Huh?

Clear:

About that dream within a dream I mentioned earlier…I’d like to add that to my goals from now on.

Aoba:

Heh… yeah. I’ll be waiting.