Mei reread the same line in her book for the sixth time. She was unable to focus on the words on the page, the buzz of activity from the cafe around her seeming to drown her thoughts with its 'calming ambiance'. She checked the time on her phone once more and noted that her date was late.

How she had been talked into going on this blind date, she would never quite understand herself. Harumi had insisted for weeks that she needed to get out more often and have fun, that she knew the 'perfect' person for her. Mei had argued that there was no such thing, that she was too busy for a relationship anyhow and that spending her days working overtime was plenty of fun.

Mei started to feel frustrated with herself and began preparing to leave. This had been a terrible idea.

It wasn't like she was feeling lonely, or her days empty with the same mundane routine to keep her mind at ease, with Harumi or Himeko as occasional company. Her career did not suffer thanks to her efforts, so she had no justified reason to feel this personally unfulfilled. There was no reason for her to feel this cold both spiritually and physically. Not to mention she was fully capable of fulfilling her own needs whenever she felt the urge arise in her body!

… Actually, perhaps it wouldn't hurt to wait five extra minutes for this blind date of hers.

Mei gave up on the book, closing it on her lap and watching the entrance instead. Everyone who walked in so far came in pairs, so she supposed she was watching for someone to come in as alone as she was.

She wished Harumi had provided more of a description of this person. All she knew was that "they'll stand out for sure!" Mei didn't know what that meant, but it couldn't be favorable.

Just as Mei was about to give up entirely a lonesome figure finally walked in. A woman with blonde hair, flushed as if she had been running to get there, curiously looking around her. She was dressed colorfully with huge earrings and her hair done up, though she pulled off the look in a fashionable way. Mei wondered if this was what Harumi meant by 'standing out'.

Since Mei was observing her, their eyes met fairly quickly. Green eyes blinked curiously at her and the blonde pointed at her questioningly. Mei merely raised a brow at the woman, not giving anything away.

After a moment, the blonde started walking towards her, a shy smile playing at the corners of her lips. "Um… Mei?"

So Harumin told this woman her name. That was slightly unfair.

"That's me," Mei confirmed in a subdued voice, feeling at a disadvantage. Though the other woman's smile only grew, holding out her hand in a disarming way. Mei accepted that hand after a short pause, shaking it briefly. Her hand was very warm.

"Nice to meet you, my name is Yuzu," she introduced herself, on her cheeks colored.

'Yuzu,' Mei repeated in her mind. 'I wonder if Harumi paired us up because both of our names are related to fruit.' Seemed like something their mutual friend would do.

"I'm sorry I'm late," Yuzu seated herself across from Mei. "I thought we were meeting at the cafe down the street."

That explained that. "Not a good first impression, I'll admit," Mei said, gauging the other woman's reaction.

Yuzu laughed nervously, fingering her thick locks. "I suppose not…" There was a beat of awkward silence between the two before a waitress cut in. Yuzu quickly ordered an iced tea and a sundae, glancing at Mei all the while. Mei just asked for a refill of what she had ordered when she arrived, and Yuzu looked guilty at that. She couldn't seem to keep her eyes off Mei, blushing all the while as she traced her face with those expressive eyes of hers.

Though Mei was guilty of the same thing since she was taking the other woman in as well. She wasn't bad to look at.

Yuzu bit her lip and cracked a shy grin. "Wow, you're really gorgeous…" It was an honest statement not meant to seduce the other woman. Mei broke eye contact as she felt the beginnings of butterflies in her stomach.

"Thank you."

Her second impression was much more favorable.