10:00 AM.
The second hand ticked onto the dot as I stepped into the station plaza, heart pounding like I was late for a confession.
I wasn't late.
I was exactly on time.
But somehow… she was already there.
Rin Kamoshida.
Sitting on the edge of the flower planter beside the fountain, looking like she belonged to a gentler decade. Not this messy, urban present with neon signs, vending machines, and people who thought crocs were acceptable date wear.
She wore a cream-colored blouse, its collar trimmed in lace like something out of a Victorian painting, and a pale blue skirt that swayed with the breeze every time a train rolled past. White tights, low heels. Her handbag was shaped like a bunny.
…A bunny.
I repeat: A bunny.
Was this a date or a magical girl debut?
And yet there she was, holding up a compact mirror and nervously checking her bangs like a soldier sharpening their sword before battle.
She looked…
…adorable.
Too adorable.
Like someone I wasn't worthy of standing next to.
Like an angel had dropped down from the clouds and said, "Oh, hey, wanna emotionally devastate a middle school boy today?"
I adjusted my mom-approved semi-formal outfit—white collared shirt tucked into charcoal slacks, no tie, one button undone at the top. I looked like I was going to a job interview to become a background character in a 9:00 PM drama that gets canceled in five episodes.
Still, I cleared my throat and took a step forward.
Okay, okay. You can do this, Kaito. Just play it cool. Don't overthink. Channel your inner shoujo manga protagonist. Smile, say hi, don't explode.
This was fine.
I could do this.
It's just a date.
With a girl who confessed her love for me.
Because of a divine blessing.
Whose affection must never drop below 50% or I'll die.
No pressure.
I approached, trying to maintain a calm expression. Not easy when your face is doing its best impression of a pressure cooker.
She looked up. Our eyes met.
Boom.
She flinched, nearly dropped her mirror, and then shoved it into her bunny bag like it had insulted her ancestors.
Our eyes met.
She blinked once, then twice—like she was confirming it was really me.
Then her entire face lit up in pink.
"A-Ah! Mizuki-kun!" she squeaked, standing up too quickly.
"...Y-You're here!"
Nope. I ascended from the earth like a summoned beast. Please, summon me gently next time, Princess.
"Yeah… sorry. Am I late?"
"N-No! I was just early… I mean, I didn't mean to be! I just—um—got here and—then—I thought maybe it's better to be early and—and I…"
She fiddled with her sleeves and gave me a sheepish look that hit my heart like a meteor made of marshmallows.
She looked down.
Then up.
She scanned me with her puppy eyes with a heart.
"…Y-You look nice, Mizuki-kun."
Her cheeks turned into tomatoes.
Like—not just pink. Full-on supermarket produce aisle red. If a farmer walked by, he'd try to harvest her.
Hey hey! Why are you getting embarrassed? Why give compliments if you're gonna combust?!
I panicked.
There's no correct response, is there?
My brain flipped through possible options like flashcards on fast-forward.
[Option A] "You too." – Basic. Safe. Boring. Zero romantic EXP.
[Option B] "You look… really cute." – Flirty. Might spike affection. Might also cause fatal system error in her brain.
[Option C] "My mom dressed me." – True. But also social seppuku.
[Option D] Run away. Not ideal. Might trigger divine wrath.
I went with:
"You look really nice too, Kamoshida-san."
Middle ground. Neutral. Politely appreciative. Grandma-approved.
Her eyes widened slightly.
Her fingers tightened around the strap of her bunny bag, as if the bunny might hop away and take her courage with it.
"T-Thank you…"
And then silence.
Long, quiet, train-schedule-reading silence.
We just stood there. Like two background NPCs who ran out of dialogue options. The fountain behind her gurgled awkwardly, like even the water was trying to fill the void.
I tried to think of something—anything—to say.
But my brain was currently buffering.
I kept my mouth shut, panic-level at "volcano on standby." Rin's bunny bag was clutched so hard the ears might spring off any second.
Okay, focus, Kaito. I ran a hand through my hair. Don't stare like a goldfish at the surface—act natural.
Then—perfume. A gentle waft of sweetness, floral and soft, like soap and violets dancing at a tea party.
Oh no, I'm about to be a weirdo who sniffs girls.
Do I comment on it? I rehearsed the line silently.
"You smell nice." No. Too creepy.
"Is that lavender?" What am I, a botanist?
"I like your perfume." Too direct. What if she thinks I've been sniffing her?
Abort. Abort mission.
I said nothing. She clutched her bag tighter.
We both stared at the station sign like it held the answers to the universe.
The next train would arrive in ten minutes.
Ten very long minutes.
But strangely…
Despite all the awkwardness, despite my heart still pounding like a war drum.
She kept glancing at me out of the corner of her eye. I knew she was nervous. That made two of us.