"Kinda scared of Chinese food though."
Francis complains with sarcasm after hearing of Chie's plan to meet up at Aiya..
"Why?" Chie asks curiously. She then says cheerfully. "Aiya's good."
Chie cheerfulness prompts a blissful smile from Francis. He then continues jokingly.
"Not the Chinese food in the US.".
"I swear Aiya will change your view of Chinese food." Chie says with determination.
"Well, since my lady insists…" Francis says suavely.
"Your lady?" Chie shouts embarrassingly.
"See ya there." Francis says happily.
At Aiya, Francis and Chie decide to share their orders.
"I will leave the ordering to you. Like I said, I had terrible experiences with Chinese food." Francis says playfully.
"I am gonna make you love it, one way or the other." Chie says with determination.
As Francis reads the items on the menu, he feels a sense of familiarity with the language.
"This is weird." Francis says in English as he reads the menu.
"Zato isu wato?" Chie asks curiously.
"Oh, weird?" Francis says 'weird' in English before explaining it in Japanese. Chie then proceeds to practice speaking English.
"Wierdo."
Francis chuckles. "Weird. No 'o' after D."
"Wierd."
"You are getting the hang of this." Francis praises Chie.
"I have a good teacher." Chie says happily and playfully. After Chie orders, Francis asks playfully.
"How was training?"
"Would love to have a sparring partner." Chie says with energy while looking at Francis, her expression conveying embarrassment.
"I promise I will train with you soon." Francis replies while smiling.
"Next Tuesday. I can train with you on that day." Chie says with a smile.
"I look forward to it." Francis replies. "Don't think I am particularly good though. I know it's due to our Personas, but I have seen you kick Shadows that I had to use a sword and a spear for."
"That's why I am training you. I will whip you to shape!" Chie says cheerfully and with determination.
Francis smiles blissfully in response to Chie's energy. Chie stares at him, her smile matching his. "You look happy."
"I am."
The two stare and smile. Their orders arrive soon. As they eat, Francis holds up a piece of green pepper with chopsticks and brings it to Chie's mouth.
"Ugh, pepper…" Chie grumbles.
"I thought you like Chinese food?" Francis says playfully.
"Well, I can't stand spicy." Chie says with defeat.
"I love spicy. Used to have Indian and Thai in the US. It hurt at first, but it was just too damn good." Francis says cheerfully.
"You really are pretty foreign, are you? I think a lot of Japanese aren't good with spicy." Chie comments with energy.
"American. I am American." Francis replies. "Sorry, just you know, foreign is a pretty big term."
"All right, American." Chie says playfully.
"Try it. Peppers is one of the few veggies I am good with." Francis says.
"All right." Chie says with defeat, though her smile tells a different tale. After she eats the pepper, she coughs and reaches for water.
"Sorry. I didn't know you were that intolerant of spicy." Francis swiftly apologizes while rubbing Chie's back.
"It's fine. Your turn." Chie gives Francis a piece of Sweet and Sour Pork, slightly smiling as she does, with a blush on her face.
"Ugh, sweet and sour. Who decided sweet and sour was a good thing to put into food?" Francis complains with humor.
"Try it. I love it. Plus you made me have pepper." Chie says while grinning impishly.
"It is just me or do we love seeing each other suffer?" Francis asks humorously.
"I love seeing you in general actually, except for when you are… you know."
Chie comes to an awkward pause despite her initial cheerful tone. As she speaks, her tone shifts to fear, with her face following suit.
"The Shi word?" Francis asks with concern. Chie nods her head while fear covers her face. She then holds up the pork again.
"Try it." Chie says strongly, a grin appearing on her face despite the presence of fear in her eyes.
"Well, I did make you have pepper. Guess this is karma." Francis says with humor before eating the meat.
"So?" Chie asks playfully as Francis chews.
"Holy s**t." Francis exclaims in English. He then looks at Chie, who has a wide playful grin on her face. "Sorry, that was good."
The two continually share what they have over the course of the meal.
"Oh, Chie!" A housewife calls out from behind.
"Ah, Ms Hanada." Chie says politely. She then stands up and bows.
"My, my, who is that charming fellow?" Ms Hanada teases Chie playfully.
Chie and Francis look at one another, blushing as they do. A blissful smile cracks over Chie's face.
"We aren't dating if that's what you are wondering. We are just… trying it out. He's called Yamada Francis, by the way."
Chie introduces Francis with embarrassment as Francis stands up and bows.
"Furen?" The housewive responds with confusion.
Francis speaks up kindly. "It's an English name. I pronounce it the American way though."
The housewife leaves the two alone and proceeds with her business.
"You get around." Francis jests.
"Told ya I did." Chie responds playfully and cheerfully, continuing to smile as she does.
After they finish the meal, the two split the bill. Seeing the sun setting, Chie and Francis take a walk around the shopping district.
As they walk, Francis puts his hand out. He then asks kindly. "You wanna hold hands?"
Chie looks at him, blushing. She then speaks bashfully with a smile. "I do… but… you know…"
"I don't actually do." Francis says kindly.
"I...I get embarrassed…" Chie replies bashfully.
"Alright."
After smiling at Francis, Chie rubs her temple while frowning. Before Francis can speak up, she complains.
"I should get home…. But…."
"Something urgent?" Francis asks.
"No. Usually I go home by now. I can call Mum and tell her I am hanging out with a friend, I suppose." Chie says.
"A friend, huh?" Francis says with a hint of sadness.
Chie looks at Francis with surprise. "I am sorry, it's just… well… you know." Chie comes to an awkward pause.
"It's fine. I know you aren't ready." Francis responds kindly.
Chie looks away while blushing, she then speaks bashfully. "Yet…"
After Chie informs her Mum, Francis and Chie find a place to sit. As they sit, Chie brings herself next to Francis, with her thighs touching Francis' pants.
When Francis looks to her with wide eyes and a red face, Chie simply smiles while looking down, blushing heavily as she does.
"By the way, I met Ichijo Kou just now." Francis says cheerfully and playfully.
"At the soccer club? Ah. he's probably there to bug Nagase again." Chie replies happily and playfully.
"He said you think I am funny." Francis says proudly while smiling, with a hint of mischief.
"I did say you are the first time we met." Chie replies with energy. She then mocks him. "Your jokes are the type that's so bad that it's funny though."
"Well, I aim to impress." Francis says humorously, prompting a chuckle from Chie.
"You are making me think thrice before dating you." Chie says mischievously.
"Thrice?" Francis asks playfully.
"Your jokes aren't the only lame part about you." Chie goes on.
"Damn, you are pretty good at this. Guess you really are the perfect girl." Francis says with defeat at first, but praises Chie suavely at the second.
"Perfect?" Chie responds in embarrassment and panic. She then scowls at Francis, though her blush and the grin at the corner of her mouth conveys something different.
"Marie was right. You are a flirt."
"I only speak the truth. While there are many beautiful girls out there, you are the only perfect one." Francis continues suavely.
"Perfect, huh?" Chie says while looking away, the cheer on her slowly changes to gloom.
"Chie, what's wrong?" Francis asks with concern.
While still looking away, Chie's eyes and mouth droop with discomfort. As Francis eyes her with a kind and worry-filled eyes, she speaks with slight annoyance.
"It's about Yukiko. I know you pretty much expressed that you have no interest towards her, but I am still scared."
Francis puts his hand on Chie's shoulder. He then speaks kindly. "Yukiko, huh? Say, Chie, do you wanna hear a lie or the truth?"
Chie asks angrily, while her face drops with fear. "You are interested in her, after all?"
"But I love you."
Chie stares at Francis with wide eyes. As she does, Francis continues to smile at her. After a while, Francis notices tears coming out of her eyes.
As Chie turns her face away to wipe it with her other hand, Francis uses his hands to wipe her tears.
As he does so, he can tell that she is surprised from her eyes, although he is uncertain whether it is due to his words or his actions.
"Sorry if I shocked you. I just want to convey how I feel." Francis apologizes gently.
"No. It's fine." Chie says sternly. She then says calmly.
"Let's sit together a bit more."
Chie moves her head to Francis' chest. As her head lies there, she looks into the distance. Despite her face turned away, Francis makes out a weak smile on her face. The two sit in that position for a bit longer before Francis walks Chie home.