Madoka was finally getting ready for her date.
The day had passed slowly, coming at Madoka in waves of excitement and anxiety. Her hands were nearly shaking as she carefully dotted pale pink blush to her cheeks. She thought of how Ayako might smirk as she appraised her makeup, done more vibrant than usual.
'You've gone all out,' she might say.
Madoka set her blush brush down and studied her face in the mirror. She wondered whether or not she should wear lipstick. It would complete the look, yes, but it would also be a bother if she were to do any kissing…
Madoka jumped as her phone dinged.
1 NEW MESSAGE FROM Ayako
See you in a few? - Ayako.
Madoka grinned as she typed her reply.
Of course! - Mori Madoka
She decided on a lip stain. That way, her lips would have some color but she wouldn't have to worry about smudging.
Now it was time to put on the dress.
Madoka looked in the mirror as she tied the belt around her waist, leaving it a bit looser than before so that it showed her cleavage. She tied the belt to the side, as Ayako had instructed her. After some deliberation, she chose to wear a pair of black heels she had purchased for a friend's wedding.
She was ready. She took her bag and jacket from the coat rack by the door and headed out.
X~X~X
"Madoka," Ayako waved Madoka over from a small table in the corner.
Madoka hung her bag on the back of her chair and made to take off her jacket, revealing the dress Ayako had picked for her.
"How are you?" She took her seat, smiling easily. Madoka found that after their call last night, she saw Ayako quite differently. She was less intimidated now that Madoka knew how much Ayako liked her.
"Fine," Ayako grinned, looking Madoka up and down. "You look amazing in that dress."
Madoka laughed, "Thank you."
"I'm really glad you let me help you find it."
"You look great, too!" Madoka blushed. "That color suits you."
Ayako was wearing a blush pink blouse with black skinny jeans and blush pink heels. Madoka and Ayako almost matched.
"I had already left the house before I realized my shirt matched your hair," Ayako laughed. "I'm sorry."
"It's fine," Madoka grinned, leaning forward on the table. "I like it."
"Thanks." Ayako began flipping through the menu. "Do you see anything that looks good?"
Madoka traced the menu items with her finger.
"The grilled salmon looks good."
At that moment, Madoka's phone began to ring.
"Um," Madoka turned and took her phone out of her bag. "I'm so sorry."
"Who is it?"
"Oh," Madoka stared at the screen. "It's Naru. Should I?"
Ayako rested her chin in her hands.
"Answer it."
Madoka accepted the call.
"Hello?"
"Madoka, I need you on a case," Naru did not waste words.
"Right now?" Madoka frowned. "It's almost dark out."
"It's an emergency, Madoka." Naru sounded serious.
Madoka glanced at Ayako.
"Is everyone coming?" she asked.
"Mai hasn't been able to get Matsuzaki-san on the phone."
"Oh, I'll tell her," Madoka stopped. "Um, I mean…"
"If you can get ahold of her, please tell her she's needed."
"Okay, just send me the address."
She hung up and put the phone away quickly.
"We're needed on a case."
Ayako knitted her brows.
"You're kidding."
Madoka shook her head, frowning down at her menu.
"He said it was an emergency. They haven't been able to get you on the phone."
"Because I silence my phone when I'm on a date."
Madoka blushed.
"Sorry," She closed her menu. "At any rate, we should go."
Ayako's frown deepened but she got up from her seat.
"Right," She picked up her jacket. "I'll follow you there?"
X~X~X
When they arrived, Madoka and Ayako parked behind SPR's van in the large driveway.
Ayako stood outside Madoka's car door and waited for her to get out.
"Do you think they'll wonder how we got here at the same time?" Madoka asked, pulling her bag onto her shoulder.
Ayako laughed, "Madoka, we're turning up at the same time, both dressed in nice clothes. I think we should just tell them."
Madoka nodded resolutely, taking Ayako's hand in her own.
"Good, because I really need someone to hold onto if I'm going to keep these heels on."
Together, they walked up the driveway to the house. It was a moderately sized home, and judging by the toys on the porch, it was home to children.
Ayako knocked on the front door and Mai answered.
"Hey, Ayako! Madoka!" She paused as she saw their joined hands but did not comment. "Um, come in."
Madoka stepped through the door, pulling Ayako in behind her.
"Where did you get that dress, Mori-san?" Mai led them up a flight of stairs. "It's really flattering on you!"
"Ayako and I went shopping yesterday."
They entered a room on the second floor, where everyone was sitting, waiting for Naru to give them the details of the case.
Madoka immediately felt the eyes on her as they entered the room.
"Wow," Monk looked stunned. "What are you two all dressed up for?"
"We were on a date," Ayako held Madoka's hand up. "I hope this is a damn important case."
The whole of SPR looked taken aback, except for Lin and Naru, who retained their usual blank expressions.
"Um," Monk was the first to speak up. "Congratulations."
"Thank you," Madoka smiled graciously. "Let's focus on the case, though, shall we?"
hey so, as I am writing this author's note, it is 5:00 in the morning and I a D. if I sound a bit grumps, it's because I'm sleepy. that being said, I hope you enjoy the end of this story? I really, really just wanted to check the box on it so that I could move on to a new project (and also finish EDStB...) but I hope you enjoyed it nonetheless. maybe I'll return with some ayadokes oneshots in the future, though!
thanks so much to Hannah for beta reading/editing!
please rate and review if you have the time!
Love, Bee