A couple of days ago, I asked Mazui out on something that might maybe be called a date.
For some reason, she agreed.
I meet with her fairly early in the afternoon at the library, a place we both realized we enjoy equally. We take an innocent trip inside and browse the fiction section, laughing a little and commenting on the plots outlined on the book jackets of some of the good novels. We briefly delve into the shinobi section and discuss more on some of our own combat styles; she tells me she is pretty good with a sword and we bond a little over our shared love of genjutsu.
When we both have small bags of literature in hand, she points us in our next direction; a half-hidden little noodle stand just outside of the Akasen. I have a bowl of traditional udon and she orders cold soba, laughing at the face I make at her for it.
Next, it's my turn to pick so I order her to follow me in the most intimidating voice I can muster; we both laugh at that one. I bring her to a small little clothing shop on the outskirts of the market district, fairly close to where a portion of the Naka River loops around close to the village walls.
We each try on clothes and even pick up a few things; I offer to buy her something, but she tells me her teaching salary is more than enough, thank you, and gives me a glare. I rush to apologize, but she still seems a little miffed as we leave.
I am frustrated during most of the rest of the date, even when she offers to let me just drop off the things I bought at her apartment before we go into one of the larger training grounds. We are both fairly tired at this point, so we just lay in the shade underneath a grouping of big trees.
It takes a little while, but I ease back into my own skin and let out a heavy sigh, nature's calm aura surrounding me. My arm jolts somewhat as something brushes against my palm and Mazui's hand slips into mine. She knows about my sister, about the stress I carry around during these exams, so perhaps I shouldn't be surprised by her attempt to comfort me.
Yet, I am somehow surprised.
I turn my head to look at her, her body sprawled in the grass next to mine, and she is smiling; just barely but it is so sincere and warm that I almost think I feel my heart stutter.