Hello! Happy Labor day! Sorry, it took a while. I did a lot of research on this one, hoping to depict it more accurately. Also, I realized my chapters weren't synced (I got confused with the numbering) so I edited that one as well. Long chapter ahead.

EEEK, I edited the story 4 times after uploading! sorry!

Enjoy!

Chapter 29: Steak, Wine, Chocolate, Coffee

She paced back and forth, panning her view between her phone that was on the bed, and the closet that was on the other side of the room. On her was a white, long-sleeved, button-down blouse, with black lace vertical stripes, and a short skirt. Raking her fingers through her hair, she sighed in frustration as she hastily removed her top.

It's not that she had a problem with dates, nor that she cared about what he would think when he sees her. However, a part of her was rebelling against the idea. It's not like they didn't go out as friends, right? But a part of her was feeling quite giddy about it too.

"Treat it like a normal hang out, treat it like a normal hang out," she chanted. Finally, a notification popped on her phone, and she nearly rushed toward it.

"Is everything okay?" it was Michiru, replying to a previous message that Haruka sent. It was barely 9 am in Paris, and senshi of the sea would have probably just finished breakfast, ready to go on a rehearsal for her concert.

"Yes, I'm sorry to trouble you. I have an emergency and I need your help," she typed frantically, replying quickly to her partner in crime. It's been half a year since the two had reconciled, and it was as if Haruka had regained her best friend, both updating the other about what's going on with each other's lives, and hanging out whenever they're in the same town. While she was still typing, her phone rang.

"Haruka? What's wrong?" the voice on the other line was thick with worry.

"Michiru! Please don't worry, I just need your opinion…I…I don't know what to wear."

"My, my. I don't recall a time that it was a problem of yours. Where are you off to?" Michiru's tone lightened.

Haruka plopped down onto her bed, sighing loudly once again.

"Um, Aragawa. With Seiya," she nearly whispered under her breath.

A peal of demure, amused laughter was heard on the other line.

"Well that escalated quickly," the aquamarine haired senshi said, sipping tea. "He asked you out." It was more of a statement than a question.

"Mmhm."

"Just wear what you'd normally wear when you go out. Aragawa right? Then something a bit dressier than usual. You don't have to be nervous, you are beautiful and he already likes you for who you are."

There was silence on Haruka's side of the line. Finally, the short-haired senshi sat up, taking another look at the closet in front of her.

"I guess you're right."

Michiru put a hand over her phone and lowered her voice. "Have you kissed?"

Haruka winced, knowing that senshi of the sea had a bit of a gift of precognition and discernment.

"Yes," she said between her teeth. "Now help me please," she pleaded, evading the topic, putting the phone on speaker as she scanned through her closet, holding out a pair of mid-waist leather leggings, assessing it, before putting it on.

"Wear what makes you feel good and comfortable. It's a bit cold today, isn't it? Might be nice to wear something warm," checking Tokyo city's temperature on her tablet. Michiru suppressed another giggle, excited at the development that was unfolding before her. The senshi of the sea already had a feeling that there was something between the two even before the incident a few days ago.

"Good point," Haruka acknowledged, now considering a long wool grey coat in front of her.

"Hey, I gotta go. By the way, I know you. You're probably wearing a sports bra right now."

The wind senshi looked down at her chest, before rolling her eyes, lazily pulling a white sleeveless chiffon blouse over her head, doing a french tuck as she finished.

"You might want to consider wearing a nice pair. You know, like that nice white lacy one that you wore six years ago during our anniver"—

"Oi oi, MICHIRU!" Haruka exclaimed, nearly growling, knowing what her ex was saying. She was met by a burst of laughter on the other line.

"You'll never know, you might even thank me later," in a singsong voice. The wind senshi could already see her best friend winking at her in her mind.

"You're hopeless," the wind senshi said in an airy voice.

"I just know better. We have lots of catching up when I get back! I need to go. Have fun! Ganbatte ne, Haruka-san," Michiru said.

"Take care," Haruka replied with a smile now, before the hung up. She paused for a while, considering. Taking a peek at her chest through her blouse once again, she then pulled something white and lacy from her dresser, inwardly cursing.

The doorbell rang. Ever since her last trip from the future, Seiya knew the access code to her home, but the wind senshi knew he probably wanted to do this date "properly." Haruka put on one last coat of mascara on her lashes and a layer of light-tinted gloss over her lips, looking at the mirror one last time before getting the door.

"Hi," her raven-haired neighbor greeted with a smile, one hand to his pocket, another holding out a huge single stemmed rose, and he was looking straight into her eyes. Tailor-fit black coat, a black button-down with pinstripes, two buttons at the top unbuttoned, and a thin, dark greyish blue woven scarf loosely hanging around his neck. The wind senshi tried to contain her surprise. It's not as if she hasn't seen him dress well, and she knew he was a looker—else he wouldn't have a good fan base. It's just that it's the first time that he greeted her with that look in his lovely midnight blues, and that smile. She wordlessly took the rose from his hand, still looking at him before finally finding her voice.

"Hi," she finally chuckled nervously, feeling the heat rising to her cheeks. "This is beautiful, thank you. You didn't have to Seiya."

His smile softened, as he planted a kiss on her forehead. It's only been two hours since they've kissed, but he's been looking forward to this date like he planned it all day. For a few seconds, they just stood there for a while, both taking in this new setup. Feeling a bit awkward.

"Oh yeah, I'm driving, let's go," she said, suddenly walking toward one of her cars which she had already parked outside. Seiya followed her and sat on the passenger's seat, and they drove wordlessly to the restaurant.

Upon arriving at the place, Seiya quickly got out of the car, going toward Haruka's side, holding out his hand to her. Raising an eyebrow, Haruka laughed at him and got out the car without taking his hand, going ahead of him, allowing the waiter to take her coat.

Haruka looked around, taking in the environment as they were being seated. The place had an old, romantic vibe to it. Quiet, dark wood and brick walls, white table cloths with fine silverware, each table lighted by small candles. A deer head hung at the center of one of the walls, mirroring the logo that the restaurant had. Only two other tables were occupied because it was such an exclusive experience. Her eyes finally landed on the raven-haired alien that had his cellphone out, his camera pointing at her.

"Whaaaat?" her smile widened as she looked away. They rarely took photos while with each other's company, unless it was a wacky selfie on Seiya's phone, or candid shots when they're somewhere different and beautiful. He chuckled, as he snapped photos about three or more photos, causing Haruka to put a hand to her forehead, hiding her blush.

"You're beautiful, that's what," he said casually, as he took one more photo of her before hiding the phone back to his pocket. The wind senshi's blush deepened. 'He sure had a way with words,' she thought. 'cheesy or not'

The rest of the night was more relaxed, as if they've hung out like normal: full of laughter, conversation, and red wine. Dinner was phenomenal, with Amuse Bouche starting the night—tomatoes and fresh buffalo mozzarella. The meal was then followed by a choice of Linguine with caviar or foie gras. Naturally, her carnivorous companion picked the rich, small slab of foie, while she opted to take the pasta option. As it arrived though, as always, Seiya looked at her plate with a bit of want. They ended up trading small bites, which none of them regret.

Then the legendary steaks the restaurant was known for arrived next. While she was busy observing her surroundings earlier, Seiya had ordered Choice steak: Grade 12 Kobe beef sirloin for Haruka, and Ribeye for himself, cooked to medium-rare. Their plates were served with a bed of scalloped potatoes on the side, roasted vegetables decorating the plate. As she cut through the beef, Seiya had his phone out, taking a video of her again. Actually, he was also taking a video of the beef too.

Haruka rolled her eyes at him and stuck out her tongue before lifting the fork to her mouth.

"Mmm, oishi!" she exclaimed, nearly dropping her fork to her plate. The beef was incredibly tender, an almost crispy, perfectly seared outside, and slightly pink toward the center. When she took a bite, it melted in her mouth like butter-the piece of meat was moist, juicy, with a depth of flavor that she had never encountered before, probably from fine marbling of the meat. Eyes wide, she looked at Seiya with an incredulous expression.

"Delicious, right?" Seiya said, feeling satisfied with just her expression. That expression from her alone was well worth the money.

Dinner continued with a refreshing salad before ending with a sweet note: a slice of chocolate cake and of basque burnt cheesecake. They were served with coffee after their stories and laughter have died down.

"Haruka," his tone had changed, it was serious but gentle.

"Hmm?" the tall blonde looked up with a soft smile at him. Her eyes glistened, like almond-shaped aqua blue crystals under the candlelight, one hand on her coffee cup, the other under her chin.

"You're not alone now. I'm with you. I will battle through everything with you and change destiny with you. I won't leave you. I love you, Haruka," the raven-haired starlight took her hand that was resting on the coffee cup, drawing gently strokes on her palm. He kept saying it to her but he felt the need to say it nonetheless.

Her smile widened. Somehow, this time, it gave her hope. "I know," she said sighing happily, intertwining her fingers with his.

"I know."

As the night ended, they gave each other a rather long good night kiss before Seiya decided to walk toward his own house, neighboring hers.

As Haruka entered her home, she took her coat off, happily sighing. She smiled as she saw the thread of messages the senshi of the sea had left for her.

"Omg, I can't believe you're finally out on a date with him." The first one read. It was as if it had just sunk in on the aquamarine haired girl. There were a few more from the senshi of the sea, but the last one took her by surprise.

"And Aragawa? Daaaamn, girl." The tall blonde cackled, as she changed into sleeping shorts. That chat was so out of character. Haruka looked into the mirror, with an amused smile that she couldn't wipe off. She can't believe it took her so long to figure it all out.

Another notification sounded off her phone. It was from her alien neighbor.

"Hey you. Still up?"

"Yeah, what's up?"

"Sooo, I went on a date," it read. The ash-blonde smirked as she typed her reply.

"Ah yeah? How'd it go?"

"It was great. It broke my bank though."

"HAHAHAHA. Weell, you chose the place right?" she found herself deleting "HAHAHAHA" that was in all caps, but putting it back there again.

"Yeah so I was a bit disappointed though," he messaged back. She quirked an eyebrow at that, before typing her reply. The night seemed to have gone well according to her.

"Why is that?"

"The night went by so fast, I wish it didn't end too early." Haruka blinked, knowing she had felt the same by the way they wouldn't stop at her doorway. It was as if her heart had skipped a beat. She exhaled lengthily, leaning against the wall of her room before her phone beeped again. It's been a while since she's felt like this.

"Care to swing by for coffee?"

Her feet took its course, like it was automatically carrying her, rushing toward the front of his house making her head spin. Maybe it was the alcohol? But she had coffee already. She rang the doorbell, momentarily forgetting his house's security code. And as if he was just waiting for her, the door swung open quickly, the raven-haired starlight's one arm pulling her close to him for a demanding kiss, and securing the door with the other.

Note:

You can follow some parts of the date visually by googling Aragawa and clicking through Trip Advisor's photos. The set that they had was Set B. No, I'm not plugging Aragawa, I just took inspiration from it hahaha!

If you've noticed, I've tried to lessen using Japanese words into my more recent chapters. But some Japanese words do not have a super exact, direct translation, without losing context, so I kept them here:

Ganbatte – "Do your best" translated literally, it's kind of like saying good luck.

Oishi – delicious. I wanted to use the slang word for it "Umai", but thought maybe it would have been improper in such a high-end restaurant.