After watching a slice of lasagna revolve around in the microwave for yet another boring dinner alone, Nanako decided it was time to send her favorite bear a text.
Hey, Teddie. Are you doing anything tonight?
Nana-chan! No! I'm not working. Wait, why? Is something the matter?
Silly bear. I just want to see you.
Oh, Nana-chan! I want to see you, too! My heart is thumpa-thumping at just the thought of it!
Do you want to meet me by the river at 7? I'll bring us a special treat to share.
Yes! Teddie will be there! 3
After she ate her dinner, Nanako packed a basket with the special chocolates she had purchased that afternoon. She opened the fridge and stared at the bottles of chilled wine dad had already forgotten he bought. She shut the fridge. She walked to the door. She walked back and opened the fridge, grabbing one of the bottles and placing it in her basket. Then she was out the front door, heading quickly towards the Samegawa riverbank.
Teddie was already waiting by the picnic table when she arrived. He stood up when she approached. Nanako blushed as he took in her outfit and gulped audibly. She had chosen her shortest black skirt, and left quite a few buttons undone on her pink blouse. The strappy high heels she had decided on at the last moment made her legs look even longer, and her skirt look even shorter. She had her hair up in a french twist, making her neck more visible than usual. Teddie seemed to be having trouble with words, but he finally spoke. "I-I, I brought a blanket," he said quietly.
Nanako smiled. "That was a great idea! Let's spread it out by the water." Teddie nodded and followed her down the steps towards the riverbank. He spread the blanket out neatly in the spot Nanako picked out, then sat down when she told him to. She placed the basket beside her and pulled out the chocolates.
"Oooh! Fancy!" Teddie said excitedly. Nanako smiled again.
"I brought something else fancy, too. Figured they would go nicely together," she said, holding up the bottle of wine.
"Oooooohhhhh!" Teddie said. "But, wait. Aren't we supposed to wait until we're older to drink wine? That's what Yosuke's mom told me."
Nanako stifled a giggle. Teddie was so innocent and good sometimes. "Well, I mean. Yes. But all the kids our age do this, Teddie."
"Do what?" he asked, narrowing his eyes.
"Drink wine and make out by the river," she said, batting her eyelashes. Oh god, I am so stupid, she thought, rolling her eyes on the inside. Teddie's eyes widened in surprise. And then… he was wrapped around her and kissing her before she even registered that he had moved. Nanako started laughing hysterically as he knocked her down with his enthusiasm. "We haven't even opened the wine yet," she said through tears of laughter.
"Oh! Right!" Teddie said, taking the wine and smiling sheepishly. He opened the wine and took a sip, passing her the bottle. Nanako took a long swig, trying to look like she'd done this before. This was not easy as it tasted pretty horrible. She grabbed a heart shaped chocolate and held it up to Teddie's lips. As he took a bite, she spoke.
"I was wondering if you could do me a favor."
Teddie smiled lovingly at her. "Of course, Nana-chan. Anything."
"Will you… take me and my friend Miusagi into the TV tomorrow? He was the one who saw Mayor Namatame get thrown into the TV with me, so I thought it would be good for him to see it. To understand what we saw."
"Hmm. Alright, Nana-chan. I guess that would be alright."
Nanako smiled brightly and hugged him around his neck. "Thank you, Teddie."
"Nana-chan?" Teddie asked.
"Yes, Teddie?"
"Can we.. can we smooch again now?"
Nanako laughed deeply, then crushed her lips to his. It turned out she was pretty good at seducing the bear. She felt bad that she had done it to get something from him. She didn't feel bad that she didn't want to stop kissing him. Nanako and Teddie spent a long time together by the river.
