A/N: This chapter will feature some world building because I haven't been doing that lately like a good author is supposed to. Hopefully, I don't overwhelm you guys. This chapter will feature several different things, including the naming of a fictional town. Yay.


After School; Book Store

Akito and Natsuki walk into the bookstore together. They go over to the manga section and look for the newest Parfait Girls book.

"Jeez, where the hell is it?" Natsuki scans the aisle, but comes up empty.

"Did it come out today?" Akito asks, trying to look for the best possible outcome.

"Yeah." Natsuki sighs as she looks down the aisle once again.

"Maybe this book store hasn't gotten them yet. Full Heart Books is usually behind. Do you wanna try Westside Books?" Akito suggests, trying to help her.

"No, that's the one Rei works at." Natsuki shakes her head. "Is Books Of Joy still open?"

"I believe so. They might carry it." Akito shrugs.

"Let's get to walking then." Natsuki walks ahead.


Books Of Joy

There are three book stores in Orran. Full Heart Books carries a vast array of genres, but is usually pretty late at getting new ones out, which is why it isn't as popular as Westside Books, which carry the most popular genres and sometimes get new books early.

Then there's Books Of Joy. Once a popular book store, it's now a glorified manga shop. The owners made a couple stupid decisions because they thought manga was more popular in Orran than it actually was. This led to them cutting ties with numerous companies and make more deals with several manga companies. Now, they get the occasional customer, just enough to stay in business, but barely make a profit. That is why Natsuki suggested it. She occasionally gets manga from here, though she is convinced it will close any day now.

Natsuki and Akito enter the store and the lone cashier gives a lazy welcome, clearly bored out of his mind. Akito is caught off guard by the store, having never been inside it. It's so...strange. It's dirty and clean at the same time, checkered patterns that go between a completely polished floor and dirt. Even the music playing overhead cuts out every few seconds. Akito is pulled out of his trance when Natsuki grabs him by the shirt collar and drags him to one of the aisles.

"Look for Parfait Girls #11." Natsuki commands as she walks up and down the aisle, looking vigorously for the new volume. Akito joins in the search, looking for it on the other side. Suddenly, he hears Natsuki squeal in joy. He turns to her and she is already waving the new volume in his face. "Look! I'm fucking great!" Natsuki brags as she triumphantly waves the volume.

"Yes. Yes you are." Akito responds, bewildered. Natsuki happily, and proudly, walks to the checkout lane as Akito smiles at her before following along. Akito pays for her manga and they leave the store together.

"Dude, I'm so excited to read this!" Natsuki laughs maniacally as she looks over the book.

"Well, now we need to go get some food." Akito says with a smile.


Crazy Cloud

Crazy Cloud is a...unique restaurant. It has brightly colored walls that look like paint was just thrown at them. The name comes from the "crazy" variation of foods and "crazily" cheap prices, and "cloud" comes from supposedly having food worthy of heaven, so clearly, the owners had high expectations. Luckily for them, the restaurant is pretty popular.

Akito and Natsuki get seated at their table, which is towards the back. "Isn't this the same place you and Crumpets took Sayori and I before the dance?" Natsuki asks as she sits down.

"Yeah? Is this okay?" Akito sits opposite of her.

"Oh, it's fine. I'm just curious." Natsuki shrugs.

"I feel like you are going to kill me." Akito jokes.

"I just might." Natsuki jokes back. "Might push it back a day or two, I don't know. I'll kill Crumpets first, though."

"Understandable." Akito chuckles.

"Man, best friend of the year." Natsuki scoffs. "What a heinous betrayal."

"I'm just speaking the truth. If you killed Leo, I'd understand why. You two argue all the time." Akito laughs softly as Natsuki smiles. She just sits there, smiling at him for a moment. "What?" He scrunches up his face, smiling back.

"Nothin'." Natsuki replies, still smiling. "Just remembering how much I love your ocean eyes."

"Wow... I'm getting complimented by the great Natsuki." Akito chuckles as he places his hand on Natsuki's.

"Yeah, okay buster. You ruined the moment. You aren't getting complimented for the rest of the year." Natsuki jokingly moves her hand away.


Orran Mall

After eating, Akito and Natsuki walked over to the mall. "You know, you should learn how to drive." Natsuki nudges him as they walk down one of the hallways between the stores.

"I'll pass that info along to Leo. He can teach me." Akito nods.

"Adorable." Natsuki teases.

"You should probably learn how to drive too." Akito suggests.

"Are you kidding? My Papa would never allow that." Natsuki scoffs as she looks away.

"What? Why not?" Akito scrunches his face up in confusion.

"Why not what?" Natsuki looks back at Akito.

"Why wouldn't your dad allow you to drive? Doesn't he want to help you mature?" Akito raises an eyebrow.

"Yeah... Of course." Natsuki looks uncomfortable. "Look, can we change the subject."

"Uhh...yeah. What do you wanna do?" Akito replies, still confused.

"Let's look at clothes." Natsuki shrugs before the two walk into a clothing store.

Three Minutes Later

Natsuki sits in a chair outside the changing room, waiting for Akito. He finally steps out of the changing room, wearing dark blue skinny jeans and a black tank top.

"Uhh... I like the tank top, but skinny jeans aren't my thing..." Akito tries to stretch his legs, clearly uncomfortable.

"Oh, I like them even more now." Natsuki laughs softly.

"And why's that?"

"Because they annoy you. I feel all tingly inside when you suffer." Natsuki giggles.

"I'm not getting these." Akito turns back to the changing room.

"Oh, but your butt looks so nice in them!" Natsuki mocks.

"Hahahaha..." Akito sarcastically responds as he enters the changing room again.

"Try on the next pair of pants!" Natsuki yells, a big smirk on her face. Akito is silent for a moment.

"...Absolutely not." Akito responds from behind the door.

"Come on! It'll be cute!" Natsuki laughs.

"Oh, like you?" Akito replies.

"Excuse me?" Natsuki's face turns serious, as does her voice.

"I said that I'm trying to get changed." Akito quickly says.

"That's what I thought. Change the shirt too. I picked that shirt out specifically." Natsuki crosses her arms as a sly smirk paints its way across her face.

"Do you hate me?" Akito questions.

"Nah, I just have a better fashion sense." Natsuki states.

"Just staring at myself in the mirror says otherwise..." Akito sighs.

"Let me see!" Natsuki holds back laughter.

"...do I have to?" Akito asks.

"Yes." Natsuki nods her head, smiling when she hears Akito groan. The door slowly opens and Akito steps out wearing black yoga shorts and a bright pink crop top. Natsuki immediately falls to the side, laughing and squealing.

"You know, I really don't like crop tops. They aren't comfortable." Akito pouts slightly. "However, these shorts are actually pretty comfortable." Akito nods approvingly as Natsuki sits up, wiping her tears away as she does.

"Yeah, they look great." Natsuki stifles another laugh.

"I'm not getting the crop top, but I am definitely getting these shorts." Akito states.

"I'm not complaining." Natsuki shrugs.

"Stop sexualizing me." Akito jokes.

"Hey, you're my boyfriend. That's my job." Natsuki smirks as Akito returns to the changing room.

"Did you find anything?" Akito asks from the changing room.

"Nah, I'm alright. Once we get done here, we should start heading out. My curfew is coming up." Natsuki informs as she looks at her phone.

"Alright, sounds good." Akito replies.

After Akito gets changed back into his normal clothes, him and Natsuki walk to the registers so Akito can buy his yoga shorts, which Natsuki applauds proudly. As they begin to leave the mall, Akito begins to feel nervous.

"You okay?" Natsuki asks, noticing his anxious expression. Akito realizes that he may not have a better chance to ask her.

"Y-yeah... I was just wondering..." Akito feels short of breath, "Well..."

"What's going on?" Natsuki quietly questions as she steps towards him, looking him in the eyes.

"Well... I know we haven't been together long, but I was wondering if...well, if you and your dad weren't busy...if you two wanted to come and spend Christmas...with my dad and I..?" Akito grits his teeth, filled with anxiety.

Natsuki stands there for a moment, genuinely contemplating it. "Well..." Natsuki starts out, trying to give it her best guess, "I can't guarantee anything, but I can ask." Natsuki informs, causing Akito to smile. "Is that okay?"

"Absolutely." Akito smiles as he lets out a sigh of relief.

"Alright, I need to get going. See you later, Aki." Natsuki pushes her fist against his chest before walking away.

"Bye Suki." Akito whispers happily.


Akito's Home

Akito slouches on his couch, wearing a tank top and, yes, his new yoga shorts. He is watching TV when he hears a knock at the door.

"Let me in, Kitty!" Leo screams from behind the door.

"It's open!" Akito screams back. The door opens and Leo steps in with his backpack on, soaked. Apparently, it started raining...heavily. Leo shuts the door behind him and walks over to the couch before shaking off like a dog.

"Bloody hell..." Leo sighs before noticing Akito's attire...and promptly breaks out laughing.

"Laugh all you want. I'm comfortable." Akito proudly informs.

"You are such a loser!" Leo gets out between laughs.

"I'm content." Akito crosses his arms before Leo sits on the opposite end of the couch. "They are actually really comfortable."

"They look stupid." Leo responds.

"I like them." Akito shrugs.

"Whip whip." Leo teases.

"I mean, she did pick them out. But seriously! They are comfy!" Akito defends the yoga shorts.

"Whatever Kitty." Leo waves his hand in the air.

"So, why are you here?" Akito questions.

"Ma and Da are having a date night tonight. I thought it'd be best to give 'em privacy." Leo informs calmly.

"How kind." Akito chuckles.

"How'd ya date with Nattie go?" Leo asks as the two watch tv.

"It was fun. I really enjoyed spending that time with her." Akito replies, a smile on his face. "I asked her if her and her dad wanted to spend Christmas with my dad and I."

"How'd she take that?" Leo raises an amused eyebrow.

"She actually wants to ask her dad about it. So I got a maybe." Akito says, his smile growing.

"Well, that's good, Kitty." Leo laughs lightly.

"Any updates on Sayori?" Akito's face turns slightly serious, as does Leo's.

"No. I was wantin' to stop over there before I got here, but she asked me not to." Leo sighs. "I know she's hidin' something, man. I just want to know what."

"It's alright man. I'm sure she'll feel better tomorrow." Akito puts his hand on Leo's shoulder.

"But what if, Akito... What if this is more serious..?" Leo doesn't show even a hint of his normal arrogance when he says this, instead showing concern and fear.

Akito remains quiet for a moment before one-arm hugging Leo. "Get some rest, big brother. We will deal with it tomorrow."


A/N: Sorry this chapter wasn't too long. I'll be uploading another chapter in a couple days to make up for it! Also, huge thanks to one of the readers for reminding me about this over instagram! I'm very smol brain!