Date night
/I got here way too early./
She looked at her phone.
/15 minutes early, great./
She stared at her phone, the Twitter app open.
/I don’t even want to browse right now, I just don’t want to stand here looking like an idiot./
She flicked through the tweets.
/I hope she get’s here soon./
Yuki was still on the train at that point.
/I’m on time, and totally not nervous./
The truth was around 15 minutes away. Her concept of “on time” was to show up the expected time.
Yuki looked at her phone.
/No messages, so everything is fine./
Triple beep.
| I’m in front of the restaurant. How far away are you?|
/Oh no, she’s early. I hope I’m not leaving her standing there./
Rika was simply standing there.
|Like 15 ish minutes away?|
Rika’s totally casual phone browsing stopped as she opened a reply from Yuki.
/15, ish?! That’s way too long to be just standing here alone./
She looked around.
/Maybe I can sit inside./
She walked in the bar.
The hostess greeted her.
“Hello ma’am”
A vein in Rika’s temple showed, she was annoyed. And shot a death glare at the woman.
The hostess looked scared.
/Stay calm Rika. she’s not calling you old./
She took a deep breath.
“I’m here for a reservation, but I’m a bit early. Is there anywhere I could wait?”
The hostess took a moment to collect herself from the fear, and adjust back to professional mode.
“Uh, Yes! Please have a seat at the bar!”
Rika still had a dangerous aura about her.
“Thank you.”
As Rika went to sit at the bar the hostess wiped a bead of sweat from her forehead and took a deep breath.
/Ma’am... The nerve. I’m clearly a miss./
Rika sat at the bar, and waved to get a bartender’s attention.
“What’ll it be ma’am?”
The dangerous aura increased, and vein in her temple returned.
The bartender gulped nervously.
“I’m not married. Just a miss.”
“R-right, sorry, what would you like miss?”
Rika smiled.
“A glass of the house red please.”
“R-right away!”
The bartender ran off to find the wine. And, because he was scared.
Rika stared at the counter wide eyed.
/I’m a ma’am. This marks my becoming an old maid./
Yuki held her head up with her hand, lamenting her age.
/I mean, I definitely don’t look old. At least, in my opinion./
Rika looked at her reflection in her phone’s screen. As she picked it up the screen lit up from the tilt sensor.
/The year! It’s like a desire sensor, that tells me I’m old!/
She put her phone down and went back to propping her head on her hand disappointedly.
/Just great./
The bartender returned with her glass of wine.
“Here you are miss, one house red.”
He set it on the counter and retreated again.
Rika picked up the wineglass and took a sip.
/That’s pretty good./
She swirled the wine and sighed.
/I even drink like an old person./
She looked around her at all the younger couples on date nights.
/And I’m sitting alone at the bar. This looks so good./
She looked at her phone again.
/Yuki should be here soon./
Rika saw a couple glancing at her from the end of the bar.
/They definitely think I got stood up./
Rika unlocked her phone and opened the LINE app.
/I should update Yuki./
|I’m at the bar inside now, so look for me there|
Yuki had just gotten off the train and was leaving the stop.
|I’m almost there, sorry|
/Oh god, she’s drinking alone at the bar./
She messaged again.
|I’m hurrying!|
Rika’s phone beeped and she saw Yuki’s Messages, and giggled quietly.
/She gets it./
Rika looked at the couple who were still glancing occasionally.
/I’ll show you.../
Yuki arrived at the front of the restaurant, almost out of breath.
/I made it./
She walked inside, and spotted Rika at the bar.
/She looks sad, and drinking alone at the bar makes her look even more sad.../
Yuki walked up to Rika who was still staring at her phone. She tapped her on the shoulder, and Rika turned around.
“Hello!”
Yuki smiled and titled her head to the side.
Rika’s face lit up.
“Hey!”
She grabbed Yuki’s shoulders and stared her in the eyes.
“Thank you for saving me.”
Then she hugged her.
Yuki gently patted her on the back.
“I’m sorry I took so long.”
She looked around at all the couples at the bar.
“Really sorry.”
Rika went back to holding her shoulders and staring into her eyes.
“Let’s go to our table. But first, you see that couple at the end of the bar?”
Yuki looked over to where Rika was.
“Yes?”
“They’ve been talking about me, almost certainly convinced I was stood up.”
Yuki saw them talking and looking at them.
“Yeah, I see it.”
“Can I ask a favor you? Can we walk by them, to show off we’re on a date?”
Yuki smiled.
“That’s ridiculously childish. But yes, let’s stick it to them.”
They began walking along the row of people towards the end.
Yuki slyly kept an eye on the couple who was looking at them.
/We look like friends. We need to be more convincing!/
She grabbed Rika’s hand and stopped them.
Rika looked suprised.
Yuki drew in close to her side, hugging her arm.
“I’m so glad we’re doing this.”
Rika had quickly caught on. She put her hand on top of Yuki’s and stared into her eyes.
“I am too.”
They then continued to walk, Yuki on Rika’s arm.
“They saw.”
“Yeah they definitely saw.”
“I feel like I should look back.”
“No, just sell it.”
“Thanks, for that.”
“You don’t need to thank me, I wanted to.”
Rika smiled and looked at Yuki. Admiring her new outfit.
“You look beautiful.”
Yuki looked back and smiled.
“You do too.”
They approached the hostess, Rika cleared her throat to get her attention.
She had been smiling before, but it quickly turned to fear.
“Uh, hello m-miss and miss?”
Rika nodded accepting the way she had been addressed.
“We have a reservation for two. Under Harrison.”
The hostess looked at the book in front of her.
“Right! Please follow me!”
Rika took Yuki by the hand and led her to the table, walking behind the hostess.
“The hostess stopped and pointed at a table for two.”
“Here you are! Miss and miss.”
Yuki still sensed an aura of fear.
They sat and were given the drink menus.
The hostess quickly bowed and retreated.
“Uhhh, Rika?”
Rika was smiling as she browsed the wine selection.
“Hm?”
“The hostess seemed really nervous around you... And called us “miss”, but in a completely unnatural way.”
Rika gently put the menu down, then put her head on the table, and sobbed.
“I’m an old maaaaaaid.”
Yuki jumped in her seat and began looking around, unsure what was happening.
“Whaaaaa?! What’s wrong?”
She turned her head to the side and looked up to Yuki.
“I was called, ma’am, twice!”
Yuki raised an eyebrow in confusion.
“And ,how does that mean you’re an old maid?”
Rika picked herself up, set her chin in her hands and pouted.
“Everyone used to call me, miss, when I went anywhere.”
Yuki smiled and itched her face.
/I don’t get it./
“I think maybe they just want to be respectful.”
“Because they think I’m old, and probably married.”
Yuki was still smiling nervously.
“They don’t think that. You’re just very independent and mature.”
Rika looked up from the table and at Yuki.
“You think so?”
Yuki nodded excitedly.
“Definitely!”
Rika sat up and collected herself.
“I’m worrying to much, sorry.”
She looked at the wine selection.
“What would you like to drink?”
Yuki pointed at the wine list.
“Not that. Wine stains my teeth red, and I get awful hangovers from it.”
Rika looked at the list.
“I didn’t think about that... I already had a glass too.”
Yuki looked at the rest of the drinks list.
“I’m going to have a beer.”
Rika nodded.
I’ll go with that too.
At that moment a waitress walked up.
“Hello! I’m serving you today.”
She handed them to menus.
“I’ll give you a few minutes to decide, but would you like drinks in the meantime?”
Yuki spoke up.
“We’ll go with whatever draft beer you have.”
The waitress smiled.
“Alright! They’ll be here in a moment.”
She bowed and walked away.
Yuki turned and looked at the menu.
“Hey.... There’s like four things on here.”
Rika nodded.
“Mhm. It’s a tasting menu.”
“Ahhhh. So like chef’s choice. Fancy.”
“I know right? What are you thinking?”
Rika nodded to her menu.
“Sashimi and Makimono, but what about getting two different ones and we share?”
Rika nodded.
“I like it, Hmm, Charcuterie?”
Yuki raised an eyebrow.
“It’s like meats, cheeses and bread.”
“Oh! Sounds great.”
The waitress returned with their drinks.
“So! Are you ready?”
Rika nodded.
“Yes, she’s having that Sashimi and Makimono, I’ll have the Charcuterie plate.”
“Alright!”
The waitress began writing.
Yuki and Rika looked at each other thinking the same thing.
/Cue waitress small talk!/
“So...”
/Every time./
She looked at both of them.
“Are you two friends? Usually, we only get couples.”
/Unexpected!/
Rika rubbed the back of her neck and smiled confusedly.
“Um... Yes?”
/It’s so obviously a date.../
Yuki smiled at Rika, seeing her confusion. She intertwined her fingers with Rika’s. Then, spoke up.
“We’re lovers.”
Rika turned Bright red as she said it, looking right at Yuki.
The waitress continued writing.
“Ohhhh.”
She stopped and quickly looked up.
“Oh?!?! I-I’m so sorry!”
Yuki smiled cutely.
“We’re friends too. But, it’s a popular couple’s spot after all!”
The waitress smiled and nodded.
“Yes, I’ll bring extra plates so you can share.”
Yuki still put on her cuteness to maximum.
“Thank you!”
She turned to Rika, who was still blushing and had a thousand yard stare.
/L-lovers!/
She locked eyes with Yuki then quickly looked away.
/And she looked so cute when saying it!/
She took a deep breath.
/Just remain calm Rika, pure thoughts!/
She suddenly noticed they were still holding hands.
/Don’t blush again! She’ll totally notice!/
Yuki had already noticed.
/She’s so embarrassed right now. I hope she doesn’t faint./
“Hey.”
She lifted her and Rika’s hands, their palms facing.
“I love your outfit.”
Rika, still with blushing cheeks smiled.
“Thanks, yours is great too. I think the shopping trip was a success.”
“Totally. I didn’t take you for someone who likes skirts though.”
Yuki noticed Rika look away.
“I used to wear them more. Pants are more comfortable though. Does it look weird?”
Yuki smiled and shook her head.
“No! It’s a good look on you.”
Rika smiled.
“I didn’t take you for someone who wore her hair down.”
Yuki looked at Rika indignantly.
“It’s not always up! When I’m at home... I just wanted to look more mature while going out. Did I make the wrong choice?”
Rika scanned her up and down.
“I like mature Yuki as much as I like Cute Yuki. But, you still manage to have your air of cuteness. An undeniable talent.”
“Now it’s my turn to blush.”
She giggled at Rika’s embarrassed look.
“Don’t be a Hajidere now, we’re on a date!”
“You’re right... I’m just so out of practice, that alone is embarrassing.”
“I’ve never even been on a proper date, so I think it’s an even playing field.”
/Then how are you so mature already?!/
She was thinking about her own first date underwear. And her misunderstanding from the night at the bar.
/Play it cool, just see how it goes./
“Well let’s get this date started then!”
Yuki smiled her undeniable cute smile.
“I’m not sure what to do now.”
Yuki slowly put her hand down, and unlocked her fingers.
/I almost feel like I shouldn’t, but there’s no logical way we could keep it up./
“I guess start with a toast and drink?”
Yuki nodded.
“I agree with that.”
They both raised a glass.
“Cheers!”
