Banri - Chocolate Date - Main Story

Banri - Chocolate Date - Main Story

Chapter 1 - Meeting Up

Kingdom of Chocolate, Chocolute*, February... Yesterday, when I received an invitation to this kingdom, I had an unexpected reunion.

T/N: Rica's kingdom

-Flashback-

Banri: What a coincidence, to think that I would see you here again... If you'd like, shall we go around town together?

-Flashback-

Then, the next day... I hurried to the place where I was meeting with Banri-kun early. 

(I'm still early, but since it's Banri-kun, could he be there already?) 

Banri-kun was the Prince of Rakanboshi that's affiliated with the movie company, Bioscope, as a kung fu actor that takes pride in his large popularity. 

(I hope his fans haven't seen him and caused a huge commotion...)

Feeling worried, I arrived where we were meeting up...

(Banri-kun, he doesn't seem to be here yet. Am I just worrying too much?) 

??: Sorry to make you wait. 

MC: Eh!? 

When I turned towards that voice behind me, Banri-kun appeared from the shadow of a pillar. 

Banri: My apologies, did I surprise you? The town is so crowded, so I was hiding my presence a little. 

MC: You can do that? 

Banri: Yeah, silent movements is one of the basics in action movies... Now then, shall we go?

Despite what he said, Banri-kun seemed to be somewhat excited... 

(I wonder what's up.) 

When I looked to where his gaze was at, the town seemed to be a bit more lively than usual. Then, as Banri-kun was being cautious of his surroundings, he held out a small keychain. 

MC: Is this... "Panda-chan"?

Banri: Yes!

Just as the sharp look on Banri-kun's face disappeared, he broke into a smile like a blooming flower. Panda-chan was a character that's popular with young women with it's panda motif. The truth is, Banri-kun loves cute things, especially Panda-chan... 

Banri: I thought about giving this to you as a gift. It's a new product that was recently released. 

(I see... As usual, Banri-kun sure loves cute things.)

Banri: ...Isn't it cute? 

MC: It's really cute. Thank you. 

Banri: That's good. You're welcome. 

Banri-kun when he's smiling so carefreely was really nice... 

(When he was being excited earlier... Could it be that it was because he was happy?) 

Feeling a little relieved, I forgot about it as I smiled...

Chapter 2 - Looking Forward to Today

As a sweet scent was lingering all over the lively town of Chocolute... While walking beside him, we went around the main street that had many stores that stood out. 

MC: It's been a while since I came here, but the town seems a bit different than before. 

Banri: ...I guess so... 

MC: Banri-kun? 

In the lively town, Banri-kun seemed to be distracted and somewhat agitated. 

(Banri-kun somehow seems different today.) 

MC: Could it be that you have work after this?

Banri: Eh? 

Banri-kun looked at me in surprise... I... 

///Choices///

- Worry about Banri (☽)

MC: You don't have to push yourself if you're busy... 

Banri: That's not it! Because I finally got to see you again.

- Ask him again (☼)

MC: Um, if you don't have that much time before work-

Banri: No, that's not it!

///Choices///

Banri: It's just that... 

Soon after saying that, he raised his face and held my hand tightly. The strength of that hand made me flinch. 

Banri: ...I was really looking forward to today. Let's go, MC-chan. 

MC: ...!

(Just now... Banri-kun said my name...) 

The moment my heart tightened...

He started walking while holding my hand. 

MC: Um... Please wait. 

His slim steps were larger than my steps. When I quickly sped up my walking pace, Banri-kun became surprised and matched his pace with mine. 

(What's wrong? He seems more excited than when we met up before today...) 

His large hand that was holding mine warmed me up. 

(Also, the town is really lively too...) 

MC: Since the town seems to be filled with excitement, just walking together is fun. 

Banri: Yes. "Love Day" is approaching, so that has something to do with it. 

MC: Love Day?

Banri: You don't celebrate it in your kingdom, MC-chan? Love Day is said to be "a day when you convey your feelings with a gift" and that day just happens to be tomorrow. 

MC: I see... How nice!

(Conveying your feelings with a gift... Could it be an event that's like Valentines Day?)

The brown and red decorations in the streets and refined high-quality goods were all so cute. 

(Could it be...) 

While walking next to him, I looked up at his face. I thought he looked a little nervous, but he seemed to be filled with high expectations. 

(Banri-kun likes cute things, so could he be happy from looking at the town?) 

Banri: Using chocolates as gifts to convey your love... I think it's a nice idea too.

MC: Yes, eating sweet chocolate does make you happy. 

Just as we were talking about our favorite chocolates... 

Town Girl: Huh? Could that have been Banri-sama just now? 

MC: !

A girl that walked past us stopped and looked at Banri-kun's back... 

Chapter 3 - A Close Call

In the lively streets of Chocolute during Love Day, as I was walking beside Banri-kun... 

Town Girl: Huh? Could that have been Banri-sama just now? 

A girl that walked past us said that when she saw Banri-kun. The girls that were with her suddenly turned towards us. 

(What do we do, if they make a commotion...!) 

I looked up at Banri-kun in a panic...

MC: Ah... 

Banri-kun's large hand suddenly lets go of mine. When the wintery breeze made my hand cold, I felt pain at that moment. Although... 

Banri: Over here!

MC: !? 

Just as he whispered that to me, Banri-kun held me with his arm to hide me from the girls. 

(Banri-kun's arm... is so strong...) 

As my heart was going fast, I looked up at him from within his arm... 

Banri: ...It'll be okay. There's a blind spot there, so we won't be seen. 

Hiding near the corner of a store, Banri-kun placed his index finger on his pale lips as a way to tell me to be quiet. When we looked at the main street from the building's shadow, the girls looked around. 

Town Girl 2: He's not here? Could it have been my imagination? 

Town Girl 1: Must've been someone that looked like him... Too bad. 

After a while, the girls tilted their heads in puzzlement and left. 

Banri: Looks like it's okay now... Ah. 

When Banri-kun saw me in his arm, he released me in a panic. 

Banri: My apologies! It was a sudden decision... that it made me do something so rude to you. 

As Banri-kun was feeling ashamed of himself... 

///Choices///

- It's okay (☼)

MC: It's okay, um... given the situation. 

Banri: I'm glad that you understand. 

After sighing, Banri-kun looked at me. 

- Why are you apologizing? (☽)

MC: Eh...? Why are you apologizing? 

Banri: ...MC-chan?

///Choices///

Banri: ...

MC: ... 

Despite that we were apart, the distance between us was close. As we looked at each other, our faces turned red... 

(What should I do...) 

Just as I slowly looked away from Banri-kun while getting a somewhat ticklish feeling... 

Banri: ...This is a little strange. 

MC: Eh...? 

When he said that softly, I looked back at him. Then, Banri-kun chuckled softly. 

MC: Banri-kun? 

Banri: My apologies. Somehow, right now... The atmosphere feels strange. But, I'm glad that we didn't get spotted. I wanted to take my time to be with you today... ..That it's making me feel bad for my fans. 

His hand slowly reached for mine again. I... 

///Choices///

- ...Me too (☽)

MC: ...Me too. 

Banri: Really? 

MC: Yes, I've been looking forward to going around the town of Chocolute with you like this, Banri-kun. 

Banri: Hearing you say that makes me happy. 

- You sure treasure your fans (☼)

MC: You sure treasure your fans. 

Banri: Eh? Yeah, movies are what gives people's hearts dreams after all. But, who would've thought that they've heard of me over here... 

MC: ...? 

Banri: It's nothing, I'm fine. 

///Choices///

Straightening himself up, Banri-kun headed towards the shop that had various colorful chocolates in the main street. 

Banri: Shall we go around town again? There are all kinds of chocolates on display after all. 

MC: Yes, Banri-kun. 

When I nodded, he held my hand tightly again. After that, I noticed that the sweet scent was lightly spreading within my heart... 

Chapter 4 - Going Around the Shops

When Banri-kun and I chose a path that had less people on it, we went around various shops. 

Banri: Come to think of it, there was a shop that I wanted to go to, let me look it up. 

I looked at the notebook that Banri-kun took out. 

MC: It looks like it's close by. 

Banri: Yes, it's a shop that not a lot of people know about and was opened recently, but... It looks like a cute store.

MC: How nice. Let's go check it out!

When I smiled, Banri-kun happily smiled as well... 

The shop that Banri-kun took me to was a cute shop that had a nostalgic feel to it. It was like being inside a general goods store and all the various kinds of chocolates were so eye appealing. 

MC: Ah, this is pretty... 

A small flower shaped chocolate that was on display in a glass case caught my eye. 

Shop Employee: This is a new product, try some. 

MC: Thank you... Mm, it's so good!

When I ate the chocolate that the employee gave me, the mild sweetness and heavy richness was spreading within my mouth. 

Banri: It's really good!

MC: Yes, despite how pretty and cute it is!

Banri: MC-chan, over there...!

Excited, Banri-kun looked at the glass case that was in the middle of the shop. In it, there were adorable chocolates that were animal themed on display. 

MC: S-So cute!

Banri: S-So cute!

MC: Ah... 

Banri: ...

Just as we said that at the same time, we looked at each other. 

MC: ...We spoke at the same time. 

Banri: Yes... They're just so cute that I got carried away. Hey, MC-chan, look. The wrapping paper in the shop is cute too. 

MC: Really? 

When I looked towards the register, an employee was handing a product to a customer. The light pink shopping bag was really cute too... 

MC: Was that a rabbit keychain on that bag? How nice... Even the shopping bags are cute, it's making me want to buy something. 

Banri: You think so too? That's good... I was thinking that just now as well. 

Scratching his cheek, Banri-kun said that as he blushed a little. 

(Fufu... Despite that Banri-kun is a first-class kung fu action star...) 

Seeing his true face right now made me happy... 

(Seeing Banri-kun like this... Am I the only one that does?) 

Holding back my throbbing heart from that presumptuous thought, I looked at the side of his face. 

Banri: MC-chan, can we go to one more shop? 

As he looked at me with a bright smile, I...

///Choices///

- I'm looking forward to the next shop (☼)

MC: Yes, I'm looking forward to the next shop. 

Banri: It'd be nice if it lives up to your expectations. 

Holding back my loud heartbeat, I smiled at Banri-kun. 

- I want to look for a bit longer (☽)

MC: Um, can I look for a bit longer? This shop is just so cute. 

Banri: Of course!

Calming down my loud heartbeat, I looked back at the glass case that was like a jewelry box. 

///Choices///

Banri: Love Day in the town of Chocolute... goes way beyond of what I've imagined. I'm sure that... 

MC: Eh?

Banri: Ah, just now... No, it's nothing...!

Banri-kun waved his hands in a panic. 

(Love Day...) 

After hearing that word, my heart throbbed sweetly... 

Chapter 5 - Cake Shop

In the town of Chocolute with Love Day approaching... The next place that Banri-kun took me to was a small cake shop in the back alley. 

MC: This shop is nice too...!

When I looked at the show window outside the shop, there were various kinds of chocolate cakes on display in it and on top. 

Banri: MC-chan, there are some cute cakes! Let's hurry and go inside!

Unable to wait, Banri-kun urged me to go in. 

(Banri-kun might be... the one that's cute.) 

With that thought, I hurried in with him... 

When we went inside the shop, the sweet scent of chocolate drifted. 

MC: Wow... These are all chocolate cakes? 

Banri: There are so many of them... It's truly a sight to see.

Gateau chocolate, sachertorte, opera, brownies... Banri-kun looked at each of the various kinds of cakes that were on display in the glass case. 

(Banri-kun looks so serious...) 

I looked at the glass case with him for a while, but... 

(Banri-kun is still looking at them zealously.) 

Banri-kun wasn't making his usual face when he's looking at something cute... 

Banri: ... 

Sometimes when Banri-kun would narrow his eyes puzzledly, I would tilt my head to the side a little... 

(There are other customers too... Maybe I should step aside a little.) 

When I moved over to the front of the store, I looked up at the winter sky from the window. As I looked at the clouds that were drifting in the sky for a short while... 

Banri: My apologies!

MC: Are you done? 

When he returned, he had all kinds of flyers and catalogs for some reason. 

MC: Huh? Even though you were so focused, you didn't get any cake? 

Banri: ...It's fine. More importantly, I made you bored even though I'm the one who invited you... My apologies. 

When Banri-kun's shoulders dropped, I... 

///Choices///

- Not at all (☽)

MC: Not at all. 

Banri: But, I'm the only one that's all worked up... 

He held the pile of catalogs under his arm. 

- As long as you're having fun, that's fine (☼)

MC: As long as you're having fun, that's fine. 

Banri: ...MC-chan. 

Banri-kun looked straight at me. 

///Choices///

Banri: That's not it... But, thinking of choosing just one, it got me all worked up. My fans that are children, I wonder if this is how they feel when they're choosing a present for me... 

(Banri-kun...) 

Banri: ! My apologies, even though you're here with me, I... 

MC: ...It's okay. 

As he frowned apologetically, I broke into a smile. 

MC: I think it's nice that you're always thinking about your children fans the most. But... Seeing the real you makes me happy. 

Banri: MC-chan... 

MC: Ah... 

The words that I just said made my cheeks heat up... 

Banri: Okay... I've decided!

MC: Eh? What did you decide on? 

Banri-kun looked at the various cakes that were on display in the store and took a deep breath. His eyes were shining like a young boy's... 

Sun End

Moon End