"So... you want to ask them to go on a date?"
"Yes... I just don't know what to say."
"You're hopeless, Akira..."
Normally, it was always Yachiyo taking the initiative and leading the way. However, Akira wanted to try and do something herself for once. But, she had no idea how to.
Even just trying to ask them out on a date was not going smoothly. She didn't know what to say, where she would take them, or when to do it. She was bad at this. That was why she went to Michiru for help.
"Will you help me or not?" Akira didn't need to be told she was bad at romance. She knew that already.
"What do you need help with? Just ask them."
"But when would be a good time to do it? Where do you think I should take them? I don't know what to do." Akira was ready for Michiru to laugh. She should be able to do this on her own, but yet she was struggling.
"Oh boy... alright. Hmmm, this weekend you could do it. As for where to go... is there anywhere Yachiyo wants to go?" Michiru didn't mock her for it much like she expected.
"Not that I remember."
"Is there anywhere you want to go that they wouldn't mind?"
"Hmm... I don't even know where I'd want to go."
Michiru let out a long sigh, "You are a disaster..."
"Sorry..."
"Well... I guess you could always ask them to choose." Michiru offered.
"Doesn't that ruin the point of me asking them out?" Akira questioned.
"Not necessarily. Make it exciting. If you make it seem like a day all about them, it isn't a bad thing."
"I want to offer a place to go."
"Fine... how about the garden that just opened up?"
"You think they'll like it?"
"Yes. And, at the end why not buy them a flower?"
"Okay. I'll try that."
"Is there anything else?"
"No."
"Then I'm going. I have something to do."
"Alright."
As Michiru left, Akira debated if now was the time to ask Yachiyo. Where were they anyway? She didn't actually know. Were they in their room? It didn't hurt to check, she supposed.
So, she went there to see. And yes, that was where they were at.
"Hey, Yachiyo. What are you up to?" Akira entered the room after knocking.
"Hmm? Trying to figure out some changes for the new outfits." Yachiyo replied.
"How are they coming along?"
"Slowly." Yachiyo sighed, "I keep changing the designs because it still looks wrong..."
Akira took a seat beside them on the bed, "What looks wrong?"
Yachiyo showed her the sketches, "That's the problem. I don't know what part of it makes it look wrong."
Akira looked them over. She wasn't getting that feeling. Nothing seemed wrong with them. They looked perfect to her.
"I'm not following. They seem fine to me."
Yachiyo sighed and leaned against her, "Maybe I've just been staring at them for too long..."
"Probably. Take a break for a bit." Akira wrapped an arm around them.
"So... what brings you here anyway?" Yachiyo asked as they set the sketches aside.
"Well... I... wanted to ask you something."
"Hmm? What is it?"
"W-would you... um... would you like to... go on a... a date this weekend?" Akira was not one to lose her composure and stammer, but that was exactly what was happening.
Yachiyo giggled, "You're so shy just asking that? Cute."
Akira didn't know what to say to that. She was staring at Yachiyo, her eyes wide. They called her cute for being flustered asking the question.
"You're so red." Yachiyo poked her cheek, "You're so hopeless..."
"I... I've never asked you out before..." Akira mumbled in her defense.
Yachiyo kissed her on the cheek, "True. How come anyway?"
"I never know what to say..."
"Well, I'm certainly not complaining here. Seeing you so bashful is a treat." Yachiyo teased.
Akira didn't know how to respond to that. It wasn't like this was an unusual occurrence. Yachiyo did tease her a lot normally too.
"You... like seeing me this way?"
"Yes~ You're so cute when I can see you all flustered."
"Cute..." Akira repeated.
"Yep! It's rare you lose your composure, so it's always a treat to see you be this way." Yachiyo smiled and hugged her.
Akira returned the hug, burying her face into Yachiyo's neck. It was rare their teasing got to her this much, but today it was really making her react. Hearing them call her cute for this was not what she had been expecting.
"So, you wanna go on a date this weekend?" Yachiyo finally came back to the right topic.
Akira nodded. She stayed where she was.
"Where do you want to go?"
"They opened up a garden in town. Would you... like to go see it?"
"Of course~" Yachiyo hummed and kissed her on the head.
Akira pulled back to look at Yachiyo. Yachiyo smiled at her. Akira didn't keep the eye contact for long.
"You know, I wish you'd be more expressive with your feelings like this. But, I know that's a struggle for you to do."
Akira responded by hugging them again and hiding her face in their shirt.
"Am I teasing you too much?"
"You... you've never made me react like this before..."
"Aw... am I finally breaking your shell?" Yachiyo ruffled her hair.
Akira tightened her grip on them, "Maybe you are..."
"Don't you like it?"
"I'm just... not used to feeling like this. But... I don't mind it..."
"I love you." Yachiyo hummed.
"Love you too..."
"I'm guessing you aren't letting go for a while, are you?" Yachiyo teased.
"No." Akira had no intention of letting go of Yachiyo anytime soon.
"You're being very clingy today." Yachiyo commented, "All of today you've been like this. What's the reason?"
So Yachiyo had noticed. Who was she kidding, of course they'd notice her being clingy. As for why she was acting that way... did she tell them?
"I just... want to be with you."
"Aww... how sweet." Yachiyo hummed.
Akira blushed, "S-stop saying that..."
"Am I embarrassing you?" Yachiyo teased.
"Yes..."
"I like seeing this side of you. You're so cute."
...
"So, did you ask them out, Akira?"
"Yes."
"And how did it go?"
"Fine. We're doing it tomorrow."
"Good job."
Akira frowned, "You don't need to be like that."
Michiru smiled, "But you're finally doing things on your own."
"Michiru!" Akira complained.
Michiru giggled, "I'm just teasing you."
"Well, stop it." Akira huffed.
"You're so easy to mess with." Michiru rolled her eyes, "Anyway, it's time for practice."
"Go ahead without me. There's something I want to do first."
"Is there now? And what would that be?" Michiru questioned.
"I have to run some stuff to a teacher. I was asked to earlier today."
"Oh. Okay. Don't take too long."
"I won't."
Evening had fallen now. Akira had just laid down for the night when her door opened. She didn't bother to look. It was probably just Yachiyo.
She confirmed that easily when she felt them climb into the bed. She turned around to face them.
"You were awake." Yachiyo pouted.
"Why does it matter?"
"It just does." Yachiyo huffed.
"Will a kiss make it up to you then?"
Yachiyo blushed, "S-sure..."
Akira kissed them on the forehead. For as much as Yachiyo teased about how shy and easily embarrassed she got sometimes while being flirted with, they definitely couldn't handle it themselves either. How ironic for the person who was always flirting around with girls until they started dating her.
"Goodnight, Yachiyo." Akira closed her eyes.
"Night, Akira." Yachiyo replied as they snuggled up against her, "I'm excited for tomorrow. I'm looking forward to see what you've come up with."
Akira didn't reply right away, "Can I... tell you something?"
"Sure."
"I... didn't come up with any of it..." Akira mumbled, "Michiru gave me the ideas..."
"You asked her for advice on taking me on a date?" Yachiyo chuckled, "I shouldn't be surprised, honestly."
"Am I really that bad?"
"Akira, you've never initiated much. And when you have, it's... not always gone well."
"..." Akira frowned.
"Come on, I don't care. I'm always happy when you try something new. Even if it ends chaotically." Yachiyo kissed her on the cheek.
"I just... want to do something right for once..."
"I'm sure this'll be fine, Akira."
"But I didn't do anything but ask you."
"Then where would you like to go instead?"
"I don't know..." Akira sighed, "That's why I asked Michiru... because I couldn't think of anywhere to take you..."
"I'm sure it'll be fun still. Besides, you have to do the rest on your own now. So, I don't think Michiru-senpai did too much to help you."
"If you say so..."
"Goodnight. It'll work out, I promise." Yachiyo kissed her again.
"Goodnight..."
They were woken up by the alarm in the morning. Yachiyo was closest, so they turned it off. They snuggled back up to Akira then.
"Morning, Akiki~"
"Morning." Akira kissed them on the cheek, "What time is it?"
"Eight."
"Okay. I forgot what time I put my alarm for."
"Ready to get up?"
"Yeah."
They were going to the garden until nearer to the afternoon. They had some free time before then to blow. So, they both got up and got ready for the day.
That was when Akira realized there was something she forgot to ask Michiru about. What should she wear for the date? If they were just going to a garden, she didn't need anything too fancy. But, what should she choose?
Was it too late to ask for advice? Yes. Yachiyo was already back in her room and dressed for the day.
"You aren't ready yet?" Yachiyo pouted.
"I'm debating what to wear." Akira didn't see any point in trying to cover it up, "What's the weather today?"
"Hmm... I think it's gonna be sunny out. Maybe a chance of rain if I remember correctly." Yachiyo replied after some thought.
Akira took in Yachiyo's outfit. They were wearing a loose t-shirt and some jeans.
"You can head down. I'll be down in a few minutes."
"Okay." Yachiyo exited the room. Akira still was a bit self-conscious about changing in front of people.
She chose an older blouse and some pants. Seeing as they were going to a garden, they might get a bit dirty there. And they may get pricked by thorns as they're walking around. Best to cover up a bit for it.
Akira was satisfied with her outfit choice and went to go see if everyone else was out of bed yet. It seemed only Mei Fan was at the moment. Her and Yachiyo were talking in the kitchen.
"Where are Michiru and Shiori at?" Akira questioned as she walked in the room.
"Still in bed. When I went in they were both still asleep so I just left them alone." Mei Fan replied."
"So, what should we make for breakfast?"
"Hmm... we don't have much here. It'd be better to go to the cafeteria instead."
"Should we get them first or leave them here?"
"Let them rest."
"Alright."
The three of them went to the cafeteria. After getting food, they took a seat at an empty table.
"So, you two seem like you have plans for today." Mei Fan commented.
"We're going on a date." Yachiyo hummed in reply.
"Oh. Well, have fun. Where are you going?"
"The new garden."
"That sound interesting. You'll have to tell me how it was when you get back."
"Will do."
As eleven came around, they got ready to go. After exchanging a few words with the other three girls, they left the dorms. The garden wasn't very far away, so they could easily walk there.
"Do you think it'll be crowded?" Akira questioned as they walked, "It only opened up last week, right?"
"Yeah. I bet it will be." Yachiyo agreed, "But that's okay. We have nothing better to do today anyway."
"True."
As they walked, Yachiyo reached over and held Akira's hand. They seemed quite happy. Akira just hoped she could keep it that way. She was a bit worried still that she'd mess something up again.
"Hmm... it doesn't seem too crowded."
"I'm sure it'll get filled before long."
"Well, let's go in."
They entered the building. It was a little crowded inside. A lot of people were waiting in line to get tickets. They had a bit of a wait ahead of them.
It took a good five or so minutes before they got to the front. Michiru had been nice enough to help make sure that Akira could pay for both of their tickets. So, that part went smoothly and they entered into the garden. There weren't as many people now as everyone was going in different directions.
"Which way should we go first?" Yachiyo asked.
Akira shrugged, "What does the map say is in every area? Anywhere you want to go first?"
Today was supposed to be for them, so she wanted to try and let them make the decisions. That and she didn't know what to choose herself.
"Hmm..." Yachiyo looked over the map for a while, "How about we go see the fountain here."
"Sure. How do we get there?"
"I'll lead the way~"
And that was how it began. For the rest of the day, they randomly chose places to see in the garden and visit. Before long, it was already starting to get late. They better head back to the dorms soon.
"They have a shop here, don't they? Wanna go see what they have?" Yachiyo asked as they started heading back to the front of the garden.
"Sure. We have enough time still." Akira agreed.
She wasn't entirely sure about buying them a flower like Michiru suggested. Where would they put it in the dorms anyway?
They browsed the selection of items for a while, before deciding nothing was too eye catching. And it was all pretty expensive. There wasn't much they could even afford anyway.
"Ready to head back?" Akira questioned.
"Yep. Let's go."
They began the walk back to the dorms. The sun was just starting to set, so it was still light out. There weren't many people around. It was nice after being around so many people today.
They returned to the dorms with little issue. It seemed the other three had been busy. They had made dinner tonight. That meant they had to have gone shopping at some point today.
"You're back." Michiru greeted them, "Just in time. Dinner is almost ready."
"I wanna change first. I'll be back." Yachiyo left them to go to their room. Akira hesitated following them.
"Go ahead. By the time you get back everything will be ready." Michiru nudged her toward the stairs.
"Alright."
After dinner, the five of them were in the common room. They were talking and occasionally watching the TV. They were all interested to hear how their day had been.
"Someone seems tired." Shiori commented.
Yachiyo had fallen asleep already. They were curled up against Akira's side. Akira pulled them into her lap.
"It was a long day." Akira replied.
"Well, it seems you both had fun. Maybe we should go there some time too." Michiru said.
"That would be fun."
"Yeah. I'd like to see it too."
It seemed those three were now planning their own date. Akira ignored them as they discussed it. She looked down at Yachiyo. They had nuzzled themselves closer to her. They had grabbed onto her shirt and were tugging it slightly.
Akira kissed them on the head as she pulled a blanket from the top of the couch over them. She would let them rest. There was no reason to disturb them right now.
It definitely had been a busy day with all that walking around. But, it had been fun. Akira was glad they had done that.
