"Sen," Juuzou said, looking at the green and blue gummy worm he was holding. He had been released from the hospital that morning, and just as Sen promised, she had taken him to a candy shop and bought him whatever he wanted. He tried to enjoy the mountains of sweets in front of him, but there was a question that kept bouncing around in his mind. Sen was sipping an iced coffee. Her hair was up in a messy bun and she wore a yellow turtleneck and a navy blue dress. "Are we dating?"
Her green eyes widened in shock of Juuzou's sudden question, and then a thoughtful look crossed her face. "I don't know," she finally said. "Do you want to?"
"Yeah," Juuzou said, blushing. "Well, I mean I think so."
"You think so?" Sen asked, cocking her head.
"Well, I've never really dated anyone before," Suzuya muttered, embarrassed.
"Neither have I."
Juuzou looked at her, shocked. This beautiful woman had never dated anybody?
"Do you want to date me?" he asked uncomfortably.
Sen stirred her coffee. "Yes," she finally said.
"Really?" Juuzou said, smiling and blushing. "Why?"
She paused. What could she say? "I have strong romantic feelings towards you," Sen said finally.
A blush spread across Juuzou's face. "Well I was-," he stammered, fiddling with a gummy worm. "I was wondering if you love me."
Sen's heart began to beat rapidly. Naki's words ran through her head.
If you do love him, don't wait to long. You may be the one eyed owl, but that doesn't make you invincible. And I don't know who he is, but I can tell you he's not invincible either. Because if he really is the one for you, and something happens to him, he'll never be able to be replaced.
She swallowed. It was now or never. "Yes," Sen said softly. "I love you Juuzou," she paused. "Do you love me?"
Juuzou was silent for a moment. He had never really loved before, but he was sure this is what it felt like. "I love you too."
Sen couldn't help but smile. It felt like she had been waiting her entire life to hear those words. Sure, she had only known Juuzou for a month but, she knew that he really meant it.
"Sen," Juuzou said, repeating himself. "Are we dating?"
Sen smiled at him, all of her feeling warm and happy. "Yes, I suppose so."
Juuzou smiled. He closed his candy bag and stood up. "Do you wanna go on a walk in the park?"
"Sure," Sen beamed.
The candy shop's bell jingled as they walked out the door. The park wasn't far. In fact, it was right across the street. Being January, it was still chilly out.
"So," Sen said as they walked through the park. "Are you going to um-," she hesitated. "Tell people?"
"About what?"
"Us."
"Oh," Juuzou said. "Um, I didn't really plan on it. Why?"
"Publicity reasons," Sen lied. "I don't want the press and stuff all up in my business."
"I sometimes forget you're famous," Juuzou laughed. "But I wasn't going to either. The people at my work wouldn't leave me alone about it, and you can only imagine what Kiniko would be like."
"So it's our secret," Sen said, giving her boyfriend a flirty smile.
"For now," Juuzou said, blushing.
"Yes, for now."
Juuzou swung his arms as they walked along, and he accidentally touched her hand.
"Sorry," he said.
"Don't be," Sen whispered, taking his hand in hers.
Nobody paid any mind to the couple holding hands walking through the park. Nobody except the person who watched them from across the street with blood red eyes hooded by eyelids smeared with cheap gray eyeshadow.