Kiyoko awoke suddenly, hearing a loud repetitive noise. After rubbing her drowsy yes, she realised someone was knocking on her bedroom door frantically. She stumbled out of bed; her legs not fully functioning yet, and glanced at the clock. She saw that it was a few minutes past 10 AM. What's the emergency, she wondered. She was surprised to see her best friend Ayame when she opened the door.

‟I can't believe you were still sleeping! ˮ, Ayame shouted when her friend finally opened the door.

‟Yeah, it's my day off from library duty. Why wouldn't I sleep in? ˮ, the half-asleep civilian pointed out.

‟Because today is our date! We have to get ready! ˮ, Ayame exclaimed excitedly.

‟Oh right…ˮ, Kiyoko grumbled, remembering their encounter with ninjas their age the day prior. ‟Isn't that thing tonight though ˮ.

‟Exactly, we need to be prepared ˮ, Ayame continued to explain, as if it was so obvious that it was vital to do that several hours before the actual event.

‟Fine ˮ, Kiyoko finally settled, letting her friend take the lead.

In the village, the day was already well advanced. Shops had been opened since morning and the streets were crawling with shinobi and civilians, each taking care of their daily occupations. One of these businesses, the Yamanaka flower shop, was Kiba and Shino's target.

‟Is all this really necessary ˮ, Shino asked his comrade.

‟All girls like flowers, I think. I don't know I've never been on a date, but I'm pretty sure flowers should be involved ˮ, the Inuzuka replied.

They entered the shop, and saw that Ino, their classmate from the academy, was the one working.

‟Oh great ˮ, Kiba said under his breath.

Spotting the two, Ino smiled, like her parents taught her to do with customers, but she was curious as to why they were there.

‟Kiba, Shino, how may I help you today? ˮ, she asked.

‟This is a flower shop. We are here to buy flowers ˮ, Shino bluntly answered.

Kiba rolled his eyes, knowing his teammate's attitude only too well.

‟We have a date tonight and want to buy flowers ˮ, he said, more politely.

Ino's eyes lit up.

‟No way! Do I know them? This is so exciting! ˮ, she exclaimed.

Seeing the boys' expression, she realized she had crossed the line.

‟Gomen, I will mind my business. I have to stay professional after all. So, what type of flowers would be good for you? ˮ, Ino asked them both.

‟Well I want to get roses, because they're the most romantic flowers ˮ, Kiba said.

‟Oh I didn't know you were such a connoisseur ˮ, Ino said, impressed.

While the other two looked at the selection of roses, Shino wandered around the store looking at the other flowers available. He didn't want to get the same thing as Kiba because it would be unoriginal. Even if the dating thing wasn't his idea, he decided he would make an effort just for that night.

After looking at many types of flowers, he realised that perhaps this specific part of nature wasn't his cup of tea. Insects were interesting to him, but flowers were getting boring. Just as he was about to give up and settle for a random bouquet, he spotted some pink flowers. He lingered in front of them long enough for Ino to notice.

‟Those are the Shibazakura. They are very beautiful. ˮ, she commented.

‟I'll take those ˮ, Shino said.

Kiba had already paid, so after Shino did the same, they left the store.

By that time, Ayame and Kiyoko were already getting busy. Ayame took her friend to her home so she could help her pick a dress.

They had been at it for about an hour. Kiyoko was growing tired of seeing her fiend twirl around in different coloured fabric, but she went along with it because she knew this entire experience was making her friend happy. With Kiyoko's minimal nod of approval, Ayame picked a long sleeved baby blue dress to match her eyes.

They went back to Kiyoko's apartment where she quickly selected a sleeveless black dress. It wasn't as traditional as Ayame's pick, but Kiyoko didn't feel comfortable in those types of getups.

After letting Ayame apply makeup on her (Kiyoko settled for black eyeliner) and try to make her hair look tamed, it was finally time for the date.

Ayame planned for them to arrive a few minutes late, so they would seem cool. Kiyoko didn't understand how being late was in any way flattering, but she let her friend make the decisions, since she knew more about that type of stuff.

Despite Ayame's protests, Kiyoko brought her notebook. Her dress had a big enough pocket and she felt more comfortable with her notebook in her reach.

When they arrived, the ninja were waiting by the door with the flowers. Ayame immediately went to Kiba and accepted the bouquet of red roses. She was smiling, clearly enjoying herself already. Kiyoko uneasily approached her own date, who offered her a bouquet of pink flowers she couldn't identify.

‟They match your eyes ˮ, Shino said, while offering them to her.

Kiyoko would've blushed if he hadn't been so dull while addressing himself to her.

‟Arigato ˮ, she forced a smile.

The four of them went in the restaurant, which was pretty crowded, to Kiyoko's dismay. Ayame and Kiba took one side of the bunk, while Shino and Kiyoko took the other. Ayame was sitting across her friend but was not paying attention to her at all.

I guess I'm on my own for this then, Kiyoko established internally.

Not only was Shino very monotonic with his words, but the fact that he wore shades, a hood, and a high collar made Kiyoko uncomfortable.

Ayame, you owe me huge, Kiyoko swore looking towards her friend. She was having an all-out conversation with Kiba. It was no use for Kiyoko to try and get a word in. She sighed and turned towards her date, coming to the conclusion that they'd have to interact at some point.

‟So, your clan harvests bugs ˮ, she started.

‟That's exact. I would tell you more about it, but the waiter is coming. Also, this is a place to eat, and I'm afraid that it'll cut your appetite ˮ, he responded, directly, as usual.

Kiyoko didn't have the time to add more, because the waiter was in fact at their table. Kiba ordered for all of them, after quickly determining without asking everyone that they would all have barbequed meat.

The time between ordering and the food arriving seemed interminable. Kiyoko was tempted to take out her notebook, as frustrating situations were very inspiring to her, but she didn't want to be rude. She listened to the conversation that was happening in front of her, ignoring Shino. She shot side glances towards him a few times but it was useless. His expression was unreadable due to his attire.

Her side of the table ate in silence, and soon enough the date was over. Ayame thanked Kiba for a wonderful night. Kiyoko didn't even bother, but still said bye to Shino. That was the third interaction they had the entire night.

Kiyoko let out a sigh of relief when the boys headed in the opposite direction than her and Ayame. She had a long lecture to give her to make sure she never went through this hell again.