AN:This particular piece takes place in a typical college AU. Nothing special, I just wanted to branch out a bit. Also, they are still in the UK, so they are using Celsius, not Fahrenheit.

"So, how do I look?" Akko asked her roommates, giving a slight twirl.

"Like an idiot worrying too much about what to wear," came Sucy's dry reply. Akko was less than amused with this answer.

"Lotte!" Akko said with a whine, turning to her other friend. "Sucy is being mean!"

The girl in question gave a nervous chuckle in response.

"I'm sure what Sucy is trying to say is you are worrying too much Akko. You look lovely," Lotte said.

Akko perked up a bit at this, but her smile soon faded once more into a nervous frown. She turned back to her full body mirror, taking in her appearance. She wore a short, white skirt and a sleeveless red blouse. Despite having just bought the outfit for this occasion, Akko couldn't help but feel like it wasn't enough, like somehow it looked cheap. Sensing her friend's discomfort, Lotte walked up behind her, placing a hand on her shoulder.

"Akko, trust us. When Diana sees you, she'll be speechless," the orange haired girl said sweetly.

Placing her hand on Akko's other shoulder, Sucy nodded in agreement.

"That lovestruck dork is obsessed with you. You could probably show up wearing a potato sack and she would gush about it for hours."

"Sucy...," Lotte began with a slightly disapproving tone.

Sucy rolled her eyes before responding, "All teasing aside your outfit looks great Akko."

Akko let out a sigh of relief. She knew in her heart that her friends were right, but couldn't help the insecurity she felt. She was going on a date with Diana-freaking Cavendish. The star student of the University, the heir to a wealthy family, and the most beautiful girl Akko had ever seen. Akko had harboured a crush on the British girl ever since she met her on her way to her astronomy lecture. She had gotten herself hopelessly lost trying to find the science building, and had been looking down at a map when she quite literally ran into Diana. From the moment she met her eyes, Akko felt herself fall head over heels for her. Thankfully, the girl was as kind and helpful as she was beautiful, and spent next to no time sending the blushing Japanese girl on her way. Akko didn't remember anything from her lecture that day, her mind was too preoccupied, filled with daydreams of the platinum blonde.

Over the next few weeks, Akko had done absolutely everything in her power to "run into," Diana again. From waiting outside her classes, to "coincidentally," going to the same coffee shop as her. Luckily for Akko, Diana had been just as smitten, and was glad to spend time with her. Still Akko had been quite shocked, and very pleasantly surprised, when Diana had asked her out for what would be their first official date. Akko cringed internally as she thought back to how badly she had stumbled over her words, desperately trying to get out a coherent response. In the end, she could only offer a nod.

The Japanese girl was shaken from her thoughts as she realized that Sucy was trying to ask her a question.

"Eh? What was that? Sorry I was-"

"Spacing out again?" Sucy asked flatly, cutting the her off mid sentence. The pale girl rolled eyes before holding up a brush in her hand. "I was asking that if I could help you with your hair finally, if your done having a meltdown about your outfit that is."

Ignoring the small jab, Akko nodded, a smile on her face. She pulled a chair from her desk to in front of her mirror, and plopped down into it. After she had told her friends about the date, they had offered to help in all sorts of ways, with Sucy surprisingly offering to do Akko's hair. According to her, Akko's normal 'mess of a ponytail' simply wouldn't do for the date. As Sucy set about brushing out Akko's hair, Lotte helped her apply her make up, and before long Akko was ready to go.

Standing in front of her mirror one more time, Akko took in her updated look. She didn't often wear her hair long, she thought it was more trouble than it was worth, but had to admit that she looked quite good with it down. Akko couldn't help but smile. She really did have some incredible friends. Thanks to them, Akko was finally starting to feel like she was ready for her date.

"Alright! No more worrying from me!" She exclaimed excitedly. "Akko Kagari is ready to sweep Diana off her feet!"

Akko Kagari decided that she was so not ready for this date. She sat in her chair, fiddling with her hands as her mind ran wild. Sure she had shown up to their regular coffee shop quite early, probably one of the only times she was early in her life, but she couldn't help but grow more and more anxious with each passing second. What if Diana didn't show up? What if she decided that Akko wasn't as charming as she initially thought? What if this wasn't even really a date at all? The thought had just popped into Akko's head and she already felt her stomach flip out in dread. Had she misread the situation? Sure Diana had asked her if she wanted to grab a coffee with her, but what if she meant it as a friend thing, not a "I think you are cute and want to date you," thing? If that was the case, Akko was sure she was about to make the absolute biggest fool of herself.

Akko had been so self absorbed in her increasingly negative thoughts that she hadn't even noticed when Diana walked in through the door. When she gave a small cough to get her attention, Akko nearly jumped out of her skin. Diana couldn't help but giggle at her startled reaction.

"Is this seat taken?" she asked smoothly, gesturing to the chair across from Akko.

"Diana!" Akko Shouted as she leap up. She could feel her face start to heat up before continuing, "I didn't see you come in…"

Diana gave another giggle before sitting down, and motioning for Akko to do the same.

"I-I have to say Akko," the heiress began, showing a rare, flustered moment. "You look quite beautiful…"

Akko felt her heart soar at these words. Sucy and Lotte had been right all along! Her worries were all but melted away when she heard Diana continue,

"But are you not...maybe a tad bit...overdressed?"

If she could have, Akko was pretty sure she would have melted into the floor right then and there. She was so wrapped up in worrying about looking her absolute best, that she hadn't even considered that she could have been going over board. Looking at the other patrons in the shop, Akko could see that Diana was right. The shop had always been a small one, and with it so close to the university, it was highly popular with the students. There was practically no one else besides her that looked to be wearing anything beyond casual. Even Diana herself, Akko noticed, was in casual wear, although with her regal air she made any outfit look ballroom worthy. The blonde girl was wearing a beige sweater, with a white shirt underneath, along with a pair of black pants, and brown zip up boots. The date had just started and already she had messed up. Akko's mind spun as she tried to quickly think of a game plan. Maybe she could go back home and change? Or maybe she could go back home, crawl under her bed, and never leave the house again. Yeah, that sounded good.

Diana must have noticed her distress, and spoke again.

"Not that there is anything wrong with that of course!" she said quickly. "You really do look absolutely lovely. It's just- I usually- I don't know, I guess I have an eye for these sorts of things." the heiress gave a small frown. "I'm sorry, Akko. I shouldn't have said anything."

Akko was quick to respond.

"No, no it's fine, Diana really! I just feel a bit silly is all," the brunette said with a nervous chuckle.

This made Diana's smile return, as she leaned across the table and took Akko's hands in her own.

"Don't. You are fine." Diana gave a sly smile before continuing, "The jewelry might have been a tad overboard though." Diana broke into a fit of laughter as Akko gave her a playful pout in response.

After that, the date progressed very smoothly, if Akko did say so herself. The two spent a long time talking about practically anything and everything, and all the nothing in between. As their time together was starting to wind down, Akko decided to self evaluate how she did. While she had screwed up in the beginning, she thought she did a pretty good job in recovering. She was able to offer Diana all kinds of sweet compliments, and was even able to order Diana's favorite drink for her completely from memory. That must have totally looked suave right? She felt herself grin proudly at her accomplishment. She was way wrong earlier. She could totally get the hang of this dating stuff.

Hearing Diana laugh again, Akko looked up at her date.

"What's that look for?" Diana asked playfully. "Deciding which fancy outfit you will wear next?"

Akko blushed at the slight tease, shaking her head to clear her earlier thoughts.

"Nah, I was just-just thinking about some stuff.." she replied lamely.

Thankfully, Diana didn't press the issue.

As the two made their way to the exit of the shop, Akko couldn't help but feel sad that the date was ending. Sure she had been an absolute nervous wrecking going into it, but once she had gotten past that she couldn't help but realize how much fun she had simply talking to Diana. She decided right then and there that she would extend their time together.

"Hey Diana, let me walk you home!" Akko said brightly.

Diana turned to look at her, raising an eyebrow questioningly.

"Are you sure about that Akko? My apartment is in the exact opposite direction of your dorm."

Akko smirked at this, putting her hands on her hips proudly.

"I'm super sure! The distance is no big deal for someone as fit as me." she said boastfully, a playful air of bravado about her. Being on the cross country team payed off in more ways than one.

Diana giggled at this, before putting a hand on Akko's shoulder.

"I was more referring to the fact that it's 10 degrees out and you aren't wearing any sleeves."

As if to prove the heiress' point, a gusty wind blew, causing Akko to shiver. Moving to rub her bare arms she realized that maybe a sleeveless blouse wasn't the best thing to wear in the middle of November.

"I see your point," Akko conceded.

Diana gave her a soft smile, before pulling her into a tight hug. Akko could feel her face heat up again, just knowing that she probably looked as red as her blouse.

"Don't catch a cold on your way back okay," Diana whispered into her ear.

Akko could only nod dumbly in response. Leaning back, Diana looked her directly in the eyes, and proceeded to place a light kiss on her cheek. Turning away, Diana waved goodbye to the now stunned Japanese girl.

"Bye, Akko! I'll see you on Monday!" Diana called over her shoulder, as she walked off towards her apartment.

Akko gave a weak wave goodbye, before slowly lowering her hand to her face, touching where Diana had just kissed her. All she could do was simply stand there in shock, as a feeling of absolute giddiness wash over her. It may have been bitterly cold out, the wind maybe have been blowing harshly, and she may have not been wearing sleeves, but as she touched her cheek, Akko could feel nothing but warmth.