A/N: Thank you all so much! The response that I have gotten to this fanfiction is amazing. I mostly just started writing it because it was an idea fairy that would not leave. Then my best friend got super into the story, which made me want to write for her. Seeing the reaction from all of you, I am definitely enjoying the writing aspect. I strive to update Monday-Friday.
I OWN NOTHING! I am just borrowing Naoki and Kotoko for my own amusement.
-3K+N3-
After Naoki and Kotoko stepped off the train in Tokyo, Naoki looked down at his companion, taking the large bag from her. "What would you like to do for our date?" he asked as they walked out of the station.
"I was thinking a movie, dinner, then a walk in the park," she responded shyly, brushing a strand of hair behind her ear.
"Maybe switch the order a bit," Naoki mused. "If we eat popcorn at the movie, we probably will not be very hungry after." Seeing her nod, he led the way to the movie theater with her walking next to him. They did not feel the need to fill the silence with pointless chatter, so the walk was pleasantly silent. "What are we seeing?" he asked about 20 minutes later when they stopped in front of the cinema.
"I wanted to see a romance," she responded. Naoki grimaced, but tried to hide his expression from her. "But I figured you would prefer something else. There is this really cool movie about a cyborg. It has a love story as well as the science aspect, so I thought it would be a good compromise." Naoki was touched that she actually considered his feelings about the movie before making the decision. He reached down and squeezed her hand, smiling softly at her when she glanced up before he walked over to buy two tickets to the movie with two medium drinks and a large popcorn. He led them into the theater and let her choose their seats before settling in, putting the bags in front of them.
"Thank you for taking my feelings on the movie into account," he told her as he grabbed a handful of the buttery cinema snack. "I was honestly expecting that I would have to sit through two hours of sappy girly nonsense. Now there is something that will possibly pique my interest too. You did not have to do that, but I appreciate it all the same."
"Why would I not consider you when choosing the movie?" she asked genuinely confused.
"Well, I did say you could plan the date," he explained. "I would have gone along with anything. I am simply happy to spend time with you out in the open away from people that would make a huge deal out of us being out together." He watched as she blushed and smiled to herself, happy that he could make her happy just by being honest with her.
"It is nice not having to act like we dislike each other," she commented. "But you said to plan OUR date. If I chose something only, I would enjoy, that would make the date about ME, not about US. Which is not at all what I want." Naoki could not resist leaning over to kiss her gently on the lips, amused that she tasted of butter and salt.
"Thank you," he whispered as he pulled back before settling into his seat beside her as the lights dimmed and the previews started. 'She really is a special girl,' he muses to himself. 'Literally every other girl would have insisted on just a romance to try and set a mood. She considers my feelings before her own. What did I do in a past life to deserve this kind of devotion?'
Naoki focused on the movie, intrigued by the humanoid cyborg that was on screen. 'The technology needed to make something that detailed is astounding. I wonder if it is something I will get to experience in my lifetime. Maybe I should look into doing something in the research and development trade," he pondered as he watched the action taking place. The love story was subtle but involved, so it played well into the movie's storyline.
About halfway through the movie, they finished the popcorn, so Naoki set the bowl on the floor before putting his arm on the arm rest, his head was in the hand of his other arm as he continued to be enthralled in the film. He startled slightly a few minutes later when Kotoko reached out and put her hand on his. He watched as she flushed and started to quickly take her hand back thinking she had upset him. Naoki reached for her hand, lacing their fingers together and placing their arms back on the arm rest. He half smiled when he watched the colors dance in her eyes, a giant grin on her face before he looked at the screen again.
When the credits started to roll, Naoki squeezed Kotoko's hand gently before releasing his grip so he could gather their garbage and bags. His companion took the trash from him so she could throw it away as they made their way out of the theater together.
"So, what did you think Irie-kun?" she asked excitedly.
"It was good," he replied honestly. "The love story aspect was very well thought out, and the cyborg was incredible. I am honestly curious about how far away the modern world is from that type of technology."
"I thought it was good too," she continued the conversation as they strolled into a large park. "I am so happy that she ended up with that one guy. The other one was super evil and treated her horribly." Naoki chuckled as she instantly focused on the love story.
'She is so easy to please,' he thought. 'Between holding my hand and a trivial romance plot in a movie, and she is basically on cloud nine.'
"Oh!" she exclaimed. "Look Irie-kun, a boat. Can we go out on the lake?" Naoki wanted to disagree but decided to do something nice for her after she considered his feelings on the movie. Nodding to her, she bounced over to the owner and asked to rent a boat. After paddling into the lake, he decided to have some fun.
"You know, Aihara," he began in his best no-nonsense tone. "There is a famous legend that says any couple that shares a boat together on this lake are destined to break up."
"WHAT!?" She screeched, jumping up quickly, causing the boat to rock violently.
"BAKA!" he laughed. "Sit down before you make us…." At that moment, the boat tipped over, causing them to land in the water.
"Irie-kun," Kotoko whined at him. "Why would you take us out here knowing about that legend."
"Because it was a joke," he snickered softly as her mouth dropped open. He pulled himself back into the boat before reaching down to pull her in too. "Well, how about we head back so we can change into dry clothes."
"I do not have a change of clothes," she responded shyly. Naoki continued to think about the problem as he rowed them back to the dock, picking up their bags and apologizing to the owner. Grabbing her hand, he pulled her into a sunny spot in the middle of some trees where they could still see the lake. Putting down the bags he pulled off his jacket, leaving him in just his tank top and shorts. He opened his tennis bag and grabbed his towel and the spare out of the bag Kotoko had brought. Then he grabbed the shirt from his tennis uniform.
"Here," he handed her the shirt on the clean towel. "Dry off and put that on. At least you will have something dry so that you do not get a fever." He then began to dry himself off before plopping down in the sun, thankful that it was so warm so he would dry off relatively quick. He looked over as he heard the sound of rustling, noticing that Kotoko was throwing her flowy dress over the branch of a tree to dry out. 'She looks really good in my clothes," he mused as he saw her blushing while pulling on the hem of his shirt. He stayed quiet until she was sitting next to him. "So, we might need to adjust our plans again."
"What do you mean, Irie-kun?" she asked, wrapping her arms around her knees.
"Wait here," he responded before he got off, grabbed his wallet and phone out of his bag, and headed off out of the park. Looking around he quickly found a McDonalds, ordering three burgers, two fries, and two drinks. He then started to head back to the park, stopping when he noticed a clothing store. He stopped inside as he noticed a white dress that turned more of a light pink towards the bottom. He quickly found a size that may fit her and purchased it. Naoki then made his way back to the park. "I am back," he announced, sitting beside her.
"Oh! Welcome back, Irie-kun," she said startled. He shook his head with a smile, clearly, he had caught her dazing. "Where did you go?" He handed her a bag with her food and her drink before passing her the bag with the dress in it. "What is this?" she asked, curious about the bag. As soon as she opened it, she gasped. "It is beautiful, Irie-kun! Thank you. What is it for?"
"You need something dry to wear home," he explained practically, not wanting to get into the fact that he saw it in the window and thought of how fitting the dress would be for her. "I figured we could eat here and then head back." Seeing her nod, they settled in to eat their dinner together.
"Irie-kun," she voiced softly. He grunted at her in reply, so she would continue with her question. "Do I cause a lot of problems for you?"
"Honestly," he started, gazing out in the distance unseeing. "A bit. Before you came into my life, I had the answers to everything. My day-to-day routine was well established, and nothing surprised me. Then you presented me with your letter, and I just had to know you. So, while you cause problems from time to time, I would not have it any other way. My life is much more exciting now. I like it."
"So, you enjoy living with me?" she asked hesitantly. He just shot her a look that clearly said: I just said that. She paused briefly as she blushed before continuing: "What do you mean that you had to know me?"
"Ah," he drew out the word, thinking about how to phrase it. "I do not fully know how to explain it. There was just something in your eyes that made me unable to reject you like I did everyone else." Naoki stopped talking, realizing that he had revealed a lot that day. 'I think I really do like her,' he thought, shocked.
"Well, I am happy too," she responded. "You make me happy. Irie-kun, I love you." She beamed at him. Naoki leaned over and kissed her cheek before smirking.
"I know," he responded, laughing at the blush on her cheeks. "Are you ready to head back?" He watched as she nodded and stood, walking over to the bushes to change into her new dress. He gathered their wet clothes and trash, storing things in the bag that she had brought. When she came back with his uniform shirt, he threw that into the bag as well before turning to her."
"Aihara," he whispered, seeing her turn her face up to him. "Thank you for today. I had a lot of fun. And thank you for supporting me at the tennis tournament." He did not give her a chance to respond before leaning down to kiss her. He applied pressure to the kiss, bringing her body close to his, relaxing the second he had her in his arms. 'Well, mostly relaxing,' he thought to himself as he fought to control his reaction to having her that close to him. Pulling back, he engulfed her in his arms, hugging her tightly.
"I am glad my first date was with you, Irie-kun," she whispered.
'All of them will be with me,' he swore to himself as he pulled her tighter against him before releasing her to lead the way back to the station, scanning their passes to take them in the direction of home. Their day together unfortunately coming to an end.
