Notes: There's a little change of plans so the chapter I posted today won't be the last chapter. But rest assured, I have finished writing the whole story (or at least, I thought I did *evil grin*). It also turned out to be longer than I expected so please bear with me. Enjoy reading!

Shiraishi sighed for the umpteenth time that day, the usually comforting atmosphere of the library couldn't even calm her insides. She had purposely left home earlier than she should, taking shelter in the said place before she had to attend the dreaded rendezvous. She didn't realize, but time to time other library-goers wondered of her being there, definitely overdressed for only going to such a place, and thoughts seemingly anywhere but there.

Utterly failed at trying to read the book in front of her, she took notice of the time by the gigantic clock hanging on the library's wall. Shiraishi let out a final exasperated sigh, accepting her fate. She tidied up all her belongings and the books she's supposed to read then headed towards the library reception. She silently returned the book and said her thank you to the receptionist before leaving the place for good.

She could feel the breeze of fall seeping through her thin coat. Fastening her steps to the train station, she's becoming aware of her rising heartbeat. Did it come from the adrenaline or anxiety, she didn't understand. After all, she's supposed to meet an unknown man her mother told her to, as it's really time women her age to get married. See if you like him or not, her mother said. To be quite honest, Shiraishi felt quite grateful for her parents opting to give her the freedom to have a say in this matter at all, since they're quite appalled when she told them she want to go to the university. Well, she's made up her mind to do this, one of her duties she had to fulfil one of these days.

She absentmindedly stood inside the train, opting not to take a seat for her stop is only a station away. Fiddling with the bows of ruffled dress shirt, she made sure everything looked perfect. There's nothing wrong with trying to make a good first-impression anyway, be it for anyone. The rest of the short journey she spent enjoying the sceneries offered through the windows.

Just before stepping out from the carriage, she noticed him. The guy, Aizawa, was it? At the other end of the car, also getting out, apparently dressed with a more formal kind of suit than the one she usually met him in. Not that she took notice of it deliberately. She brushed-off the thought, telling herself she's in a much more crucial predicament. She couldn't be late.

Shiraishi reached the restaurant the supposed date was to take place in, told her name to the receptionist and was led to a quite private part of the shop. Her mother only told her to do as she did before, not even telling her the name of the man she's supposed to meet. She really didn't know what to expect when she saw that she arrived first, no sign of a man on the place she was led to.

Will he thought of me as a desperate woman? Was all she could think of, starting to regret her decision.

What if he took a raincheck on this—, why am I even doing this?

She's started to came up with all sorts of scenarios in her head as she heard the bell by the door chimed, indicating someone entering the shop. Her train of thoughts momentarily stopped and she looked upon the door's direction, just to find Aizawa walking in, with an enormous bouquet of flowers in his hands. She instinctively tried to hide her face with the menu-book, not wanting to be seen in such a state. Diverting her attention to the view offered by the large windows, she tried to be as inconspicuous as possible.

"I'm sorry to keep you waiting. I'm Aizawa Kousaku. Pleased to meet you."

When she heard the voice, Shiraishi could only feel her jaw drop in a very unfeminine way. Her senses only came back to her when he faked an awkward cough. She stood up and received the bouquet he bought for her, albeit still being completely puzzled over everything.

"Aizawa,"

Said male merely nodded to the female as a form of acknowledgement, continuing his steps towards the heliport. With two coffee cans in his hands, he fastened his walking not wanting to miss a second.

"If you're hoping to find Shiraishi in the heliport, you're out of luck." Hiyama stated in a matter-of-fact manner, succeeded in halting his movements.

"She's really out of it today, you know," she let out a small knowing smirk, hoping to see a change in the stoic former flight doctor's expression to no avail.

"But she looked amazing just before she left for the station, I think she's really going to do this omiai properly to make her mother happy."

Without another word, Aizawa left the vicinity of the emergency office. He quickly changed out to his street clothes and clocked off, hoping to catch her just in time. He failed spotting her at the platforms, feeling all sorts of pressure remembering which route he should take. He heard the hospital gossips as to where she's headed, he just wished he took the right train.

He decided to search for her from the very first carriage, in between all the commuters merely trying to get home. He had texted her, asking of her whereabouts and why did you have to leave when I clearly told you I have to talk to you about something but no answer ever came. It's quite hard with every carriage full of people, but the desperation led him to do this sort of illogical thing.

Nearly by the end of the train set, he almost gave up. As he wiped the sweat transpiring in his forehead, he spotted her. Dressed in a nice black dress without any coat, her eyes was closed as she's sitting. Calming himself, Aizawa decided to approach the woman quietly as he finally found her.

"Shiraishi," he called for her faintly, unsure of what to say, and not knowing what else to do.

When she heard the familiar voice she really longed for, she opened her eyes. Aizawa's really in front of her, but she wondered in confusion at the situation. She really couldn't comprehend him. It's just too hard to do.

"I'm glad I found you,"

"Well, I'm here," she replied, testing the waters. "To what am I worth the visit? You're supposed to observe another of Saijou-sensei's operation, right?"

"I…"

He couldn't come up with proper words, explanations. For a while, he fiddled with his thumb, as if thinking hard of what to say. But it never came. She gave up waiting.

"Do you even know what you're doing here?"

"I'm stopping you to go on that marriage meeting,"

"Do you even hear yourself?"

He kept another silence, he knew he's supposed to say something, tell her what she means to him, all the words she needed to hear.

The both knew, they have this unspoken agreement of being always there for each other, that's just what comrades to for each other. Being understanding but also criticizing mistakes each made, for the sake of growth. But she didn't know if she wanted him to be more than a confidante, as she's not sure of his feelings. She didn't want to loose this very precious relationship they built over the years over mere feelings she's not even sure yet. There's always this imaginary line they're trying to cross every time. Just when someone crossed it, it'd be put right back to its rightful place somehow.

A flash of thought came up suddenly on her mind. How convenient it would be, if the one she's meeting turned out to be Aizawa. At least they could enjoy the night as comrades. She didn't knew why the thought even materialized but somehow she felt like it happened before. When, she didn't understand. She was about to say what she thought of, when she heard him, and felt the warmth of his hand on her arms.

"Can you not go?"

His voice sounded so much like a plea she really wanted to heed, but when she remembered her mother, she decided to seal all her genuine feelings. The train was put on a halt as they arrived at her supposed station.

She stood up and took his hands off of hers, mind made. She met his eyes and smiled, one full with bitterness and vain hope.

"I..don't want to be rude. I really have to go." and she exit the carriage, doors closed behind her, leaving a very disconcerted Aizawa inside.

She knew she was running away. But what she's running away from, she didn't understand. She could only felt the pang of emptiness in her heart, constricting everytime it beats.

Aizawa Kousaku turned out to be a very fine young man in which Shiraishi found instant connection with. The fact that they're of similar age helped, and that they have similar interests also played a great deal of making the meeting less awkward than she thought it would be. She might have thought he's quite charming, just, a little aloof once in a while. By the time they run out of topics to talk about, it was already quite late, the sky dark and wind coldy breezing.

"I'm going to walk you home, if that's alright with you?"

The gentleman he was, he offered to accompany her, making sure of her safety. She could only nod in agreement, not knowing what else to do. Shiraishi's still very much disconcerted over the whole thing, how they ended up in this predicament together. But in the meantime, she's going to enjoy getting to know the man better.

She might have to tell her mother she actually liked the guy later. It was actually a very good day.