I don't own K-ON!
Chapter 9 is finally here! Sorry for the wait!
Enjoy!
It's finally the weekend and as Jun suggested, I asked Ui on a date to the zoo and asking her was definitely not easy. It's like confessing again but with less pressure. I was too shy to even inquire if she had any plans on the weekend but in the end I was able to do it and here I am now at the station waiting for her.
I checked my clothes for anything weird or dirt – all clean; my hair for any mess – all fine; my breath just to be sure – *sniff* good; then my watch to check for time – still early. I've been doing the same things over and over again every 3 minutes for the past 15 minutes – I feel restless. I arrived too early from our agreed time to meet and I guess I can't help it; I don't want to make her wait. I've already made her wait twice last summer when we met before and after our training camp so this time I made sure it's the other way around. Plus, I'm the one who asked her out so it'd be weird if I'm late. Also, I'm excited.
While standing by the stairs I noticed a shop just flipped their sign from 'Closed' to 'Open'. It's just a small pastry shop that sells different kinds of breads, cakes and other baked sweets. Though it sounds normal their cakes are quite famous. They're not only delicious but also incredibly well decorated. They make cake art in short. From a cake that's shaped like a ball to a cake shaped like a bowl of ramen – they can do anything. I have yet to see latter one in person though. They just opened recently and I hear the shop's doing very well. Though the price is a bit higher than normal it's still reasonable considering the quality of work they do. Maybe I could buy Ui something; I thought. I hesitated at first because Ui might suddenly arrive but I checked my watch again 8:25 there's still 5 minutes left, we're supposed to meet at 8:30. "I'll be just quick," I said and went to the shop.
"Welcome!" the clerk said to me with a big smile.
I smiled back and looked around. Ah macaroons!
"They're our best seller," the proud clerk said when she noticed me looking at them.
Maybe we could have them for snack later, I thought. "Then I'll take a box of 6 – no make it a dozen please." Ui might want to bring some home for Yui-senpai later.
"Will that be all?"
I was about to say yes when I noticed a cute little mini cake shaped as a basket of flowers.
"We just finished making that," she said to me.
I want to get them for Ui but I'm having second thoughts. It's not about the price but, will she even like it? I spent a few more minutes deciding and ended up buying it anyway. I guess this is better than real flowers.
"Thank you come again!" the clerk said when I exited.
"Now I better hurry, Ui might – "
"Azusa-chan!" she called out while waving at me.
"U-Ui…!" She's here?! Now it might look like I'm late. The one thing I'm trying to avoid has happened and it's kind of frustrating. So I just quickly went to her and not make her wait a second longer. "H-How long have you been waiting?"
"Don't worry I just got here," she said with a smile.
"I see, thank goodness. Oh here!" I gave her the box of macaroons. "I thought we could have some later and here's another box for Yui-senpai."
"Whoa! Macaroons! They look delicious!" she excitedly said.
"A-And this…this is for you…," I said shyly as I gave her the cake.
"Wow! Thank you Azusa-chan! So cute!"
"You like it?"
"Yeah! But…"
"What is it?"
"But this looks so well done that I'd feel bad for eating it somehow."
"Really?" I said feeling a bit discouraged. "I-I was thinking of giving you flowers but I thought that this would be better because at least you can eat this."
"If that's the case, then you made the right decision Azusa-chan. I really appreciate it, thank you I love it. I'll gladly eat it later. Will you eat it with me?"
"Eh?"
"I'm sure it'll taste better when we share it, okay?"
"Okay!" I guess I just love her too much and want to give her everything that I easily forgot about Ui's humble nature. Note to self: Give only simple gifts from now on.
We then went to the platform to wait for our train afterwards. The train ride only took less than 10 minutes so we're by the zoo entrance in no time. Our first date as a couple, I can't help but blush at the thought. I'm both excited and nervous. Just the two of us together holding han – wait! Is it all right for me to hold her hand?! I tried reaching for her right hand but stopped midway. She might think I'm being too forward, so I pulled my hand away only to stop again. Couples hold hands, right? So if I don't hold her hand, she might think I'm embarrassed of this kind of relationship that we have. Convinced by my own thoughts I start to reach for Ui's hand and once again I instantly hesitated. But what if Ui doesn't want to? What if it's too early for us to go that far? I mean we just started dating and –
"Azusa-chan?"
"EH?! W-W-What is it?" I smiled nervously, startled from Ui suddenly calling me.
"What's wrong? Did you forget something?"
"Huh? N-No I'm fine…"
"Really?"
"Yeah…"
"Then let's go?"
"Okay…" Whatever! I'll just enjoy this date and not think about anything else.
Since I'm the one who asked her out, it's only right that I make sure she has fun. From what animal we're going to start with to what we'll do after the zoo date. And if everything goes according to plan we'll probably have time to spare for a peaceful walk in the park later before going home. All right! This could work! I thought as I review my notes.
"A walk in the park later, huh?"
"Yeah I – EH?! Ui?!" she saw my 'To do' list for today! Somehow I panicked and immediately put away my notebook.
"Sorry Azusa-chan I didn't meant to read it. I was just wondering what you're doing."
"Ah no! It's okay! It's fine! I-I was just…"
She giggled and said, "You really like to plan things don't you Azusa-chan?"
"W-We don't have follow it if you want, it's really okay."
"No, I know you spent a lot of time planning this day so let's do it. Besides, I don't really have any problems as long as it's with you," she said with just the most sweetest smile.
"R-Really? Are you sure?"
"Yeah, plus I like to do the last one too."
Hearing her say that made me more excited now than nervous.
"Then shall we?" she asked.
"Lets!"
So we spent our whole morning exploring almost half of the zoo, watched some animal shows and pretty much enjoyed our hearts out – hopefully that's what Ui's feeling. Also, at the same time, I've been debating with myself on whether I should hold her hand or not. And if I choose to do so should I just reach for it or ask for her permission.
"Let's see…where to next?" Ui asked with pure excitement in her eyes as she checked the zoo map.
~GROWL~
"Huh? Azusa-chan, did you hear that? Didn't we pass by the lions already?"
"Uh…sorry…um…that was me…" Oh man! How embarrassing!
Ui chuckled and checked the time on her phone. "No wonder, it's noon already. Sorry Azusa-chan, I'm having so much fun I lost track of time."
"Ah no! It's okay! Really!" Thank goodness she's really enjoying this.
"Come on! Let's go to the dinning area I made us lunch."
Ui's cooking! Instantly I remembered what Jun said the other day about Ui making food just for me as her g-girlfriend that made me blush heavily I forgot about my hunger for a moment. Ui's cooking…, I said again feeling very excited and trying hard not to show it very much.
"Here you go Azusa-chan," Ui said to me smiling as she opened and gave me the lunch she prepared. It looks delicious! Chicken meatballs, packed with ham shaped like a flower, an orange, some strawberries, cherries, crab salad, half hard boiled egg, rice and broccoli. It's simple but very attractive. Just like her, I thought and I can't help but smile as I'm reminded how wonderful Ui is.
"Thank you for the food Ui," I said.
"It's no problem. Now, go ahead and eat," said Ui happily.
"Then… Itadakimasu!" I said and took my first bite.
"Well?"
"~Mmmm!~ It's really good Ui!...I-I really mean it no bias or anything."
Ui giggled and said, "Really? I'm glad."
I'm actually a bit surprised. Not that I'm expecting her cooking to be bad, I know for a fact that Ui makes good food. What amazes me is the dish; every thing in this lunch box is not anything new even I can make this and know how it tastes like, yet this one tastes like it's something new entirely. I'm not sure exactly how to explain it, only it's more delicious than any chicken meatballs I ever tasted. I wonder what she put in this. And now I'm starting to think if I'm actually being unconsciously biased. But I guess that doesn't matter because whether I'm biased or not Ui's cooking is still very good. So I just continued to enjoy my lunch with Ui. And a few minutes after, we had the macaroons and cake I bought for dessert.
"This cake is really cute! Thank you again Azusa-chan!" Ui said after taking a bunch of pictures of it. "Sorry for the wait. Let's ea – "
~VRRR~
It's my phone. A message. "Ah hold on Ui…," I said and checked. It's from Yui-senpai.
[I'm bored. What are you doing?]
Huh? "Ui, what did you tell Yui-senpai when you went out earlier?"
"I said I'll meet with you…," Ui then paused while blushing. "W-Why?"
"Geez, that Yui-senpai must've forgot. She said she's bored and asked what I was doing."
"O-Oh…"
"Just a minute Ui. I'll just give her a reply."
"Okay." As I type my reply Ui suddenly said, "Onee-chan seems to be really attached to you isn't she?"
Immediately my thumb stopped moving and looked at her. Is she…? I leaned in and said, "W-We're not that close really Ui…!" I somehow began to panic a bit. "I-It's just Yui-senpai she…she always clings on to me and just doing what she wants and asks me for a lot of stuff and dragging me around and…and…," I stopped and just looked at her looking at me, still with a calm expression and smile on her as if she already knows. And probably she already does.
Again she chuckled and said, "I can see why she's so fond of you. And whatever my sister's reason is it's most likely the same as mine."
What am I panicking for? I straightened up and collected myself. I said to her, "You have nothing to worry about. No matter what happens Ui."
She smiled at me and said, "I'm not worried."
"Come on. Let's eat this cake."
"Are you done texting onee-chan?"
"Nah! It's fine," I said to her and as I was about to close my phone I noticed that senpai's message was a group message to all of us and not necessarily just for me. What the heck was I thinking?
"By the way Azusa-chan…"
"Hm?"
"Are we going to tell onee-chan about us…?"
The question really made me think, though I'm not really sure why it's something to think about. "I guess we should. I have no problems with that but I feel like we shouldn't say anything yet. Somehow, I feel like I'm not ready yet."
"M-Me too," Ui said, "…b-but eventually she needs to know."
"You're right. Let's do it when we're both ready, okay?"
"Okay."
"But do you think she'll understand? I mean, I don't think that kind of love has ever crossed her mind before…"
"W-Well, I'm sure she will when we tell her about us later."
"I guess."
"Anyway let's eat we've kept our desserts waiting long enough."
So we finished lunch with dessert and went to continue with our date. We took a lot of pictures and selfies, bought souvenirs then had some snacks afterwards at a café near the zoo. And fortunately, we're able to follow the schedule and now on our way to the park. We're almost at the end of our date and I'm still arguing with myself on whether I should hold her hand or not. Argh! I'm so pathe –
"U-Um…Azusa-chan?"
"Y-Yes? What is it Ui?" Did I look bothered right now that made Ui suddenly stop walking?
"Um…," she held her hand looking very hesitant and blushing heavily.
"Ui?"
"Um…ca – …ca-can I…hold your hand?" she finally said shyly.
She's been having the same thoughts the whole day too? I looked at her with a face as red as hers and smiled. I gently took her hand and said, "I've been wanting to ask you the same question too."
Ui looked surprised but just smiled quickly afterwards still feeling shy.
I should've known that holding her hand wasn't much of an issue. I got worried over nothing. As we walk now through the park I noticed that we're both very tense and neither of us said anything since. Oh man! What are you doing me?!
~VRRR~
While I pressure myself to think of something to say to Ui, she suddenly received a message. So we stopped for a while for her to see what's up and she's still holding my hand. I feel overjoyed. Well she only does need one hand to check her phone plus I'm holding her left hand so her right is free but still…!
"It's Jun-chan," she said.
I'm feeling really good but hearing her name somewhat made me upset.
Then seeing Ui smile as she reads her message made it worse.
Hold on…why am I feeling this way? Jun's my friend, so what if she texted Ui? This is no big deal. Then I remembered our talk the other day; about her taking Ui away and being my rival again. I realize now why I'm feeling this way. Is she making a move?! But I haven't done anything to Ui!
"Azusa-chan? Are you okay?"
"H-Huh? Ah yeah…what did Jun say?" I asked trying to force myself to smile.
"Oh she just asked if I could bring the next volume of the manga she's reading."
"I-I see…" Azusa what are you thinking? Just relax. You guys are friends; Jun will never break her promise. Don't overthink.
"You looked like you're worried about something," Ui said.
"N-No I'm not! I'm not worried at all!"
Ui put her phone back in her pocket and looked at me in the eyes. "Azusa-chan even if you say that I can tell that you are. You're not that hard to read."
I guess there's no point in hiding it if she really can tell. "S-Sorry…"
"It's all right Azusa-chan. I might sound selfish but I want to be the one to help you if there's anything bothering you. So tell me next time, okay?"
"Okay Ui."
"So about Jun-chan? You don't have to worry about anything. Everything's fine, she's our friend, okay? I don't want to see any fights or anything like that, promise?"
"You're right Ui. I promise."
"Good. Now, why don't get some ice cream," Ui said with a smile feeling satisfied.
She's right, Jun's our friend and it's wrong of me to think of her in a bad way. I should have more faith in her. She has never broken any promise with regards to Ui. I should stop overthinking things and just focus on making Ui happy so that I won't give Jun any reason to be my rival once again. We both promised to stay friends no matter what and that's what I must do.
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Ui's room that night.
Mmmn…!
Azusa-chan's hand…felt so nice.
Azusa-chan…
Ever since that night of our confession my urges somehow increased. I want to hold her so badly. This seems troubling, it has only been less than a week since then and I'm already like this. I don't know how long I can hold back. I know she needs to know eventually but I'm not ready to tell her yet. I need to endure this for now.
To be continued...
And that was Chapter 9!
Hope you liked that! Anyway I'll most likely set the next chapters during the first and probably the third Growing Old With You. So stay tuned for that! ;D And as always feel free to comment or whatever.
See ya in Chapter 10 ;)