Burning the Midnight Oil

Chapter 9

Date Night, Part One

~Futaro~

Studying was a single part of a wholesome education. Studying is opening a textbook and engaging with its contents until they stick like gum under the chair. But it was only the first phase of proper comprehension. After study came exercises in application, reproducing knowledge in new forms through combining and refining bits and pieces into a new product. And the final step, the stage that signified true mastery of subject, was teaching. The last leg of learning was presenting that same information to an open mind and passing it on. And thus the cycle will repeat until the end of space, or time, or willing minds.

For most of his successful academic life, Futaro had limited himself to the first, and sometimes second stages of knowledge. What other choices were there for an isolated academic? He'd thought of himself as a vacuum swallowing facts into a dust trap encyclopedia. But these sisters pushed him into that final stage. They tested his understanding with questions he never considered, they made him think up new avenues of description when his first explanation, one that always made perfect sense to himself, failed to clarify their problem. Teaching was more challenging than any test.

He hadn't noticed in the early months. Tutoring had been a necessary burden to support his family, not an avenue for growth. But overtime he recognized his own comprehension expanding, flexing from rigid metal into soft, forgiving rubber that absorbed blows like sunlight through a prism. For all the sisters had shown him about social bonds and friendship, they even managed to teach him something new about learning.

He never hesitated to stay late and tutor if he was free, which was almost always. He was growing right along with them. So on Saturday night, when Miku asked if he could stay past five for extra help, he almost accepted. But he remembered, even before catching Nino's accusing glare that almost dared him to forget their evening, and said, "Sorry, I have plans tonight."

Ichika blinked, "Oh? What kind of plans?"

"Dunno, something about a scholarship. It's about time I started looking." Lying was an easy science, all he had to do was shut off his emotions. His lies were a bodybuilder flexing his muscles. He caught Yotsuba in awe as his effortless lie, her envy teasing him like a feather.

Ichika said, "Oh, that's incredible. Of course you'd be thinking that far ahead."

Miku asked, "Futaro, where are you going to apply?"

"Tokyo University, or maybe Keio if I can afford it. Their representatives told me a year ago they have spots reserved for me if I want to apply. Or I might go abroad, I still haven't decided."

Miku looked crestfallen, "I see. Those are good schools. With high standards." What's this? Was she disappointed? In him? Did she think he was shooting too low?

Itsuki said, "I'm jealous, I'd love to have those options. I still have no idea where I want to go."

Nino huffed, "You think anyone will take us? Even if we ace this last semester, our transcripts tell sad stories."

Itsuki said, "If you wanna let that stop you, go ahead. I'm not done after high school."

Yotsuba said, "I think you have a good chance of getting into university, Itsuki. Your scores have gotten a lot better since last year."

Futaro looked at Yotsuba curiously and asked, "What about you, Yotsuba? What do you want to do?"

He finally found a question that took Yotsuba from sixty to zero. She hesitated, "Ah, who knows? I mean, it doesn't really matter yet. Does it? I mean I've got to the end of the year."

Not a good excuse. He'd ask her again some other time, when it was just the two of them. The other girls were giving him looks, were they upset he hadn't asked them? He didn't have time for a discussion. He could ask Nino in person tonight, the rest could wait for Monday.

"I'll see you at school, finish your assignments and have them ready by first period, I'll correct them over lunch."

Ichika grabbed a box against the wall and opened it. Resting inside were an array of colorful pastries that looked far too expensive for their budget. "Here, some energy before you go so you can do your best."

Futaro saw one shaped like a tree and wondered why anyone dyed food green. There was no nutritional benefit to coloring, and it made the food appear infested with mold. He almost went for a plain-looking eclair, but Nino's glare once again broadcast caution. She must not want him eating before their date. He waved Ichika away with thanks, she frowned and closed the box, completely missing Yotsuba's and Itsuki's gluttonous disappointment.

Itsuki caught Nino's displeasure and asked, "What's up with you?"

Nino said, "Nothing," in that way that guaranteed there was something. Itsuki grinned wickedly and Futaro realized she knew something. What the hell? Hadn't Nino wanted to keep this secret? What was the point if it was already common knowledge! Could Ichika and Miku know too?

There was a chemistry inside the home that he was completely removed from, and he had the wit to realize this was part of it. Whatever game they , or Nino, were playing, was between her and her sisters. And unlike before he didn't feel that pressing urgency to investigate this trail to its end. He had an experiment to…

There he goes again. Experiment. He couldn't think like that. This was a date. Just two people who might, or definitely are, interested in each other going out and testing the romantic waters. So it was a kind of experiment, only he didn't want to see it that way. To him, experiments were orderly, rigidly structured and emotionally apathetic. Tonight there would be none of that. Scratch that, there'd be order, unlike in his thoughts. Things would make sense, he promised!

He was slipping on his shoes when he heard someone behind him. He turned, "Miku?"

"Futaro, I have a question."

"Go for it."

"Is it hard?"

"Is what hard?"

"Getting into Tokyo University. Or Keio. Could someone like me do it too?"

It wasn't impossible. An impossibility is devoid of even the slightest potentiality of occurrence. There were few true impossibilities in the universe, at least ones that limited human minds could imagine. This was only highly improbable, so improbable that she shouldn't even think of it and save her energy for more practical aspirations. But he didn't tell her that, he caught a glint of hope in her eye. It twinkled like starlight breaking through the misty night. A hope of a dream. And his thawing heart didn't want to be the blow that killed his brightest student's dream.

"I've heard of worse students getting in. But I'd have a few safety schools lined up."

"What can I do to improve my chances?"

"Do as well as you can on the national exams. The mock exams will be a good gauge of where you are."

Miku nodded, then asked, "If I get in, and you go, can you keep tutoring me?"

"I don't see why not, depends on your major though. Ah, what do you want to study?"

"I'll think about it," Miku said, bowing her head as she left. Was she smiling? He saw Nino, her glare wanted to burn a hole though him. What was with her tonight? It's like she's pissed at the world and taking it out on him. His curious glare silently asked what the problem was. She huffed and left for the bathroom. Futaro shrugged, was this a girl thing?

Yesterday, after his long overdue nap, he'd asked his father for a second round of girl advice. He'd hoped that his father would take him out for another father-son chat, but this time his father insisted on making it a family affair. It swiftly became an inquisition. His sister prodded him for details about his mystery woman and he staunchly refused to tell her which of the sisters it was. He lasted five minutes under her barrage. Once Nino's name slipped out and Raiha got over her shock, and her disappointment that it wasn't Itsuki, she wanted to know details. So many arduous details!

And while his sister found new ways of embarrassing him, his father gave him point-by-point instruction on gentlemanly conduct with intricacy that rivaled a chess master's playbook. While useful, the information was overbearing for him, and that was saying something. At one point he asked why there needed to be so many steps, and in frustration he commented how complicated girls were. His father chastised him about putting up simple barriers between the sexes, telling him that he was probably just as confusing to her. He needed to remember perspective.

But now he was pretty sure, girls are weird.

That wasn't going to hinder his plans. He'd scoured the library for any book that even hinted at the secrets of a good date. He proudly designated himself the city's greatest first date expert after five hours of focused study!

He had a plan, he had redundancies, he had a step-by-step instruction manual all in his head! There was a lot to prepare, it'd take another forty minutes, maybe more, but he was up for the challenge. He hoped Nino could wait that long.

~Nino~

Stupid Ichika and her stupid baked treats. She didn't even make them herself, she bought them! What kind of romantic gesture was that? Hey, I think you're cute, and I can spend money. Love me!

And Miku, she couldn't call her stupid. That was well played, so well played that Futaro hadn't even noticed! So Miku wanted to go to the same university as him, did she? Well she'd have Futaro locked up long before that happened. At least she'd better. She'd never been more thankful that Futaro had the emotional intellect of a souffle. She'd had to ram her confession down his throat twice to get it to stick. There's no way he'll notice Miku. Maybe by the heat death of the universe, but she doubted it.

She wondered if this would be easier if she confessed their date to her sisters. She had to rip the bandage off at some point, it'd be just as painful now as then. But she wanted to wait until she had Futaro firmly in her camp. Once they saw them as a settled couple, they'd have no choice but to give up and move on, and the six of them could continue on as before. Nothing there had to change for everyone else, only for the two of them. If this date went well.

With a little prep, she'd make sure it did.

Preparing for a date was a lot like planning a war. Only without the casualty lists, and the national assembly war directives, and you wanted the enemy to love you. Okay, maybe it wasn't so much like war. But they did have something in common: planning for the battlefield. She needed to consider every factor in play: the terrain, the supply chain, and the adversary she wanted to conquer. Unfortunately Futaro was playing coy and refused to give specifics about their date tonight. Who knew he liked surprises. So she'd do her best with what she had.

The recipe for a perfect date, woman's side: a perfect appearance that screamed interest. It wasn't all that different from cooking. There are three steps: get the proper ingredients, the right outfit, then mix it all together, makeup, and finally add heat, or in her case, heat.

After her bath, she slipped into black lace underwear that answered the question why swimming wear was appropriate for public and underwear was not. This wasn't for Futaro, he had no chance of seeing these tonight. This was for her, they filled her with a private confidence, like her own hotness burned away lingering doubts.

Next came the dress she'd chosen the night before. She'd scavenged her closet, then her sisters' closets, then hers again when nothing seemed up to the task, like she was staring at a menu with a hundred entrees and nothing to eat. At last she found an outfit she settled on tolerating: a knee-length emerald dress she'd worried wouldn't fit anymore. Her worries vanished when she tried it on, it fit snug as a blanket on a cold winter night.

Dressing was the easy part, the next step would be trickier. She claimed the bathroom for herself and arranged her plentiful makeup tools and was ready to set to work. Only, now that she looked at herself in the mirror, this dress suddenly lost its earlier appeal. What was she thinking choosing anything with a collar? She did not want to come off looking like a child tonight.

She left to change, searching for ten minutes before settling on an ankle-length dress that matched a cloudy night sky. She zipped up the side and returned to the bathroom after waiting for Miku to finish using the toilet. Miku looked at her suspiciously as she opened the door, "What are you doing?"

"That dress wasn't doing it for me."

"Uh-huh. Why do you care so much?"

"It matters how a girl looks going out."

"A dress is a dress. You spend too much time worrying about those things," Miku walked away, but Nino held her trump card close to her chest. She'd already won, she'd seal the deal with Futaro tonight. Every detail mattered, especially the little ones. They built her up like a mountain of pebbles breaching the heavens.

After she closed the door she took her tools and applied a new face. Makeup was a delicate art, and contrary to what skeptics may think, it wasn't about covering oneself with a mask as if her own face was a personal shame, it was about accentuating what was already there. She knew she was cute, pretty, maybe even beautiful. But beauty can be fragile. A little foundation and blush hardened those features like resin. Makeup is armor women don to face the world. It made Nino feel like she was at the top of her game just by looking at herself, like she could tackle anything that came her way, even Futaro's arctic heart. She finished curling her eyelashes and tracing her eyeliner and looked at herself. Perfect.

Brushing her hair should have been the final step, in a few minutes she should have been ready. But as she looked at herself in the mirror brushing her shortened strands, she began to hate her black dress. Her hair and face radiated color and life and her dress was a black void sucking her body into bland obscurity. She looked like a lighthouse on a starry night, and she didn't think the comparison was flattering. She wanted every part of herself to catch like a painting you could stare at for hours and still find hidden surprises.

She grabbed a makeup protector and left the bathroom. Ichika, Miku and Yotsuba were gathered around the kotatsu and watched her like she was a unicorn prancing from one room to the other. "What're you doing?" Miku asked.

"Changing."

Miku shook her head and went back to her book, the book Futaro chose for her. Miku got a book, Nino would get Futaro.

She opened her closet and scoured it for the third time. She decided she wanted the night to be all about her and didn't check her sisters' clothes again. She kept finding reasons to reject each outfit; this one was too pale, this one too long, this one too showy, this one-

Ah, this one was just right. It was a wine-colored dress that reached halfway down her calves. She'd bought it a few weeks before Christmas, it got buried in her closet after the move and she'd all but forgotten about it. But that changed tonight. She slipped into it and already felt it sheathing her comfortably in all the places she wanted it to hug. The neckline dipped a bit low, plenty to tease if she wanted to.

But would Futaro even care? He never looked at any of them, or anyone, like men look at women. She became angry as she wondered if all this effort was for nothing. Would Futaro even recognize her intentions? Or was all her preparation a wasted effort, as if she could show up in her school clothes and it'd be just as special for him?

Wait, and what if he showed up in his school clothes? He wore them all the time, even on weekends like they were all he had. What if he wore them now? Did he know how unacceptable that would be!?

She calmed down by telling herself that even he couldn't be that dense. He was a guy, a typical high school guy. Okay, maybe no so typical, but he had to be normal enough to know you didn't wear school clothes on a date! And he had to know that girls put effort into things that mattered. He was analytical, surely he could pick up that clue. Then she had an idea to test him. She'd wear a loose-fitting cardigan over her dress, reveal herself at dinner and wait for a reaction. She looked good tonight, dammit, and if there was ever a time for him to look, it was tonight. But not too much, that'd be creepy. An appropriate amount? What even defined appropriate on a date? How could she know, she'd never done this before!

"Shall I zip you up?" Ichika said as she opened the door. She smiled as if watching a needy toddler show off after dressing themselves for the first time. But Nino saw something boiling below that sisterly affection.

She turned and presented her back, a universal sign of trust. Ichika wasn't her adversary, not really. They were competitors in romance, but sisters first and always. Ichika took the zipper and slowly guided it up her back. Nino lifted her hair as she secured it at the top.

"You're sure taking your time. Got something special planned?" She asked, her voice rising at the end like a whip ready to crack. Ichika was a detective of the home, if any of her sisters brought home a secret, she smelled it like a hound smells jerky through the bag. She knew how to pry ever so delicately, almost tickling them out of hiding. But Nino knew her sister's game and was prepared.

"Going to a concert, dancing with some friends," she lied.

"Oh really. It's been a while since we went out, hasn't it?" Ichika knew why, it always came back to money and their newfound dearth of it. The decent teen concert venues, the ones that didn't tolerate creeps and allowed her to have a good time, could be pricey, and she wouldn't risk embarrassment if they weren't letting cute girls in free that night.

"It's been a rough week, I need a chance to go wild."

Ichika leaned in, "This wouldn't have anything to do with that love letter, would it?"

She felt Ichika's chin settle on her shoulder like the tip of a pincer testing her skin, "I already told you, I told him off."

"Really? Alright," Ichika said whimsically like she was casting a spell, it teased Nino like cold fingers stroking her spine. Ichika turned to leave, waving, "Have a good time, try not to step on anyone's toes."

"I'm a great dancer."

"Of course, sis." Even as she walked away Nino felt like eyes were peeking through her pixie-cut searching for any hint of her malfeasance. She felt like she was under a spotlight, her heart beating like a drumbeat that betrayed her battle plans. She told herself she was paranoid, Ichika might suspect she wasn't telling the whole truth, but she couldn't know about Futaro of she'd come out and say it. She just couldn't help prying when she smelled something scandalous. Did she see how unfair that was? Hadn't Ichika been modeling for months before telling anyone? Who was she to play the inquisitor? Nino deserved some personal space just like the rest of them. Let Ichika wonder a bit longer, even if she kept hunting for clues, she only had to evade her for a while. She'd tell her the truth eventually.

She checked her phone and saw a stream of texts going back a half hour. All from Futaro. She read them in order and saw his growing impatience with each new message. She texted back and said she'd be out in a minute.

Futaro responded, 'K'.

Nino cringed, what was he upset about? She told him she'd need time to get ready. Things were off to a great start, she told herself mockingly.

She left the bedroom and slipped on a pair of white heels with little bows on the fronts. She dropped her phone into her matching purse and called, "I'm off! There's leftovers in the fridge!"

Yotsuba held up an open container, "Already on it!"

"And give some to Itsuki when she gets back from the book store!"

Miku called, "Take care."

Ichika smiled thinly, "Have a great time."

Nino pulled on her white cardigan and left her family behind for her next adventure.

The spot where she'd agreed to met Futaro was a few blocks away, well outside the prying eyes of her family. She peered over her shoulder to make sure she wasn't followed, Ichika's muse haunted her like a phantom. She wanted to leave her sisters out of this. But only for now. She'd come back for them later, when all six of them could go forward at once.

She saw Futaro malingering under a streetlight. She wanted to jump for joy when she saw his outfit. It wasn't his school clothes! A blue button-up shirt! Black slacks! Were those leather-yes! Yes, they're leather shoes! Since when did he own clothes this nice?

Nino grinned, "Hey you, you clean up well."

Futaro spoke with the spirit of gloom possessing him, "What kept you?"

With that, he flushed all the charm his outfit worked so hard to gift him down the toilet. "Excuse me?"

"I've been waiting here for over half an hour."

"I told you I needed time to get ready!"

"How could you possibly take that long?"

Having all her prep discarded so easily raised a little ire, and that must have caught in her glare, because Futaro, denser-than-lead Futaro, seemed to realize he stepped in it. "Ah, never mind. Er, you look good."

It was a weak save, but at least he was trying. "You get one tonight. That was it."

Futaro scowled, "Now who's counting points," he quipped, then caught himself and moved on, "Whatever. I, uh, let's get going."

"Are we taking the train?"

"No."

He walked to a familiar motorcycle parked on the street, "Is that the cake shop's bike?"

"Yeah."

"He let you borrow it?"

"Why not? Only the manager and I can ride it and he never makes deliveries."

She almost berated him for not telling her. She was not dressed for a motorcycle ride. Did he notice her dress came past her knees? How was she supposed to show any decency on this thing? But Futaro handed her a helmet and she imagined the pair riding through the night. Together. Was that his intention? Something more intimate than a train ride? She could deal with a little discomfort for that. She took it and said, "Where to?"

"You'll see."

"Be careful of puddles," she warned.

She settled in and raised the hem of her dress to straddle the rear seat. Futaro strapped his helmet and started the engine, it growled to life like a lion in the safari plains. And Futaro was its master. Her prince. She hugged him from behind and held on tight. Futaro revved the engine and she felt the world shift on takeoff.

There was nothing like riding a motorcycle. It was a thin amalgamation of human, metal and raw power propelling them through the wind. Nino clung to Futaro's back, feeling his body shift to guide them in each turn. He felt in control, like a knight leading a charge. She let him carry her away into the wild unknown.

The illusion was ruined when he killed the engine in an alley parking lot, she wished the restaurant had been further away. She slipped off her helmet and checked her hair and ribbons in her pocket mirror. She caught Futaro gazing at her, hinting impatience. She said, "What?"

Futaro was learning the value of discretion, he said, "Nothing, we'll go when you're ready."

Nino snapped her mirror shut, "Done. Where to?"

Futaro guided her out of the alley and into the night strip, a long alley illuminated by a myriad of neon signs and colorful advertisements bathing the streets in color. People of every generation roamed the streets and Futaro led her into the shifting masses. Nino recognized the area, and it wasn't cheap. Even if she hadn't been familiar with it, just glancing at the crowds revealed what they should expect. The abundant light played off of jewelry and wristwatches, she recognized major brands dominating the crowds of shoppers carrying bags proudly emblazoned with the names of luxury stores. Was Futaro's wallet ready for this? Silly question, of course it was. Futaro wouldn't be here unless he planned every detail, down to the step count from parking to hostess of the upscale sushi restaurant he led her to. She'd expect nothing less from him.

The hostess said, "Welcome! Do you have a reservation?"

Futaro asked, "What's a reservation?"

As they left the restaurant in shame, Nino chided, "I can't believe you've never made a restaurant reservation."

"Shut up."

"Not just tonight, but ever."

"I said-"

"I heard you."

"Why should they need reservations? Why don't they just get more tables and make more money? It's basic economics!"

"Exclusivity, quality control, you name it. Point is we're not eating there tonight."

Futaro gleamed, "Not there, but I have a backup!"

"With reservations on a Saturday night?"

Futaro said nothing and confirmed her fears. But his confidence was infectious, she almost believed he could save the night. So she strapped her helmet back on and hugged him.

Futaro paused before starting the engine and asked, "Hey, when we're moving, can you lean with me?"

"What?"

"During turns, lean in with me."

"Towards the ground? That's too scary."

"It's better if both riders work together."

"I've never tried that, what if I fall?"

"You won't. Feel my body, I'll guide you."

She blushed, did he have any idea what that sounded like? She said, "Fine, I'll try."

They took off. When they approached their first turn she felt the momentum carry her away from their curve, but Futaro's torso shifted into it, challenging it as if daring it to reach out and take him. She clung tighter and tried to follow. It was scary, she was terrified she'd slip off. She closed her eyes tight to shut out the world until all she could feel was the wind and his back as she clung on for her life. As he leaned, she leaned into him just to stay close, almost ready to tell him to stop so she could get off this thing.

Futaro stopped at a light and said, "Good work, not bad for a beginner."

That's all she needed to hear. She held on tight as they sped away.

After parking a second time and rounding the corner to their backup restaurant, it was clear they'd have open seats. Just none for them. Because it was closed for renovations.

Futaro sighed, "I can't believe it."

Nino chided, "Didn't you look any of this up beforehand?"

"Kind of."

"Where?"

Futaro held his breath, then said, "My dad."

"You didn't check online?"

"We don't have internet at my house."

"Your phone?"

"Text and calls only. No data."

Nino asked, "So what else you got?"

"Plenty."

Back on the bike, back to the roars and the wind and the fear. She lashed her arms around Futaro's chest so tightly she felt it rise and fall with his breathing. She clung so tightly to him that he might have struggled for air, but if he did he didn't stop her. Her hair whipped through her vision in the wind as if she were a flag branding their territory. The turns weren't as scary as before, as if each turn licked away a layer of fear. She felt more confident to lean deeper with Futaro, shifting her weight until they were parallel with each other, almost like they were driving the bike together.

Futaro complimented her when they parked, "Not bad, I didn't expect you to pick it up so quickly."

"Never doubt me, Fuu."

"Force of habit from staring at your homework."

"Low blow."

This strip was less crowded than the others, Futaro must have shifted his route to a less popular district that might have open seats. His strategy paid off when they entered an Italian restaurant and were given a booth in a corner. Nino smiled when she saw Futaro's eyes sparkled with success, his joy was catching.

The dining area was small and filled with red-and-white checkered tables. Plaster carvings lined the walls in homages to classical artwork and the ceiling was painted with chubby naked babies taking flight with tiny wings in fields of clouds. It was trying so hard to be Italian, but that's the word, it was trying. She knew proper Italian cuisine, her family had taken a holiday to Rome three years ago. This didn't look anything like the restaurants in the city, it looked like a designer had cobbled together a collage of Italian images from the internet and thrown some tables between them. But it was an atmosphere, at least it was trying, like Futaro. Points to the restaurant, and to him.

The hostess offered Nino her seat. She leaned in as Futaro sat and said, "Third time's the charm, Fuu."

Futaro said smugly, "I knew it'd work out. I'm actually happy we ended up here, it's hard to find authentic Italian in Tokyo. Did you know that Italians actually don't put meatballs in their pasta? It's a side dish."

Oh no, he was rolling out the trivia already. "Think it's any good here?"

"Should be. Let's see," he said and opened his menu.

She hit a snag, the place had too many choices. Over a dozen entrees each for chicken, lamb, chef's specials, it just kept going. How did the cooks manage so many different recipes? She liked to scan the entire list and highlight a few favorites that she'd compare later. They'd be here an hour before ordering if she did that now. So she settled on a small shrimp pasta. It was simple, safe, and she suspected the shrimp might even be fresh.

Everything went downhill when the waitress arrived to take their orders. She was pretty with long black hair tied in a neat braid and nice, angular cheekbones framing a preppy smile. She nicely filled out her black velvet skirt and a white top that was a button shy of Nino's standard of acceptable. This was a woman entering her prime, fully formed after leaving the remnants of childhood behind. She looked much too talented to be working here. This woman should be working at the kind of restaurant she used to frequent, somewhere with Michelin stars and high price tags. A restaurant where Futaro wouldn't see her.

The waitress smiled at her, she smiled back. Nino's smile kindly asked her to get lost as quickly as possible. The waitress's smile said she was used to it.

Nino ran a silent stopwatch as Futaro ordered for them, her eyes on his checking for even the slightest dip south to catch a glimpse between those undone buttons. His smile had better just be polite, she thought warningly. But any threat this woman might have posed was killed when she accidentally offered them wine. She bit back a laugh as Futaro just glared like it was the stupidest question he'd ever been asked, high competition considering his students. The waitress got the message and took their wine menu away. She finished taking their orders, collected their menus and left the couple to themselves.

Crisis averted. But Itsuki's early warning rang true and Futaro remained impervious to the allure of femininity. Had he erased the sexual part of his brain to make room for more pointless trivia? She didn't mind him ignoring other women, in fact she hoped that never changed, but she wanted all that attention on herself. A date was an open invitation for him to look at her, to notice her. To appreciate her. She wanted to catch him staring, just once, to know that she could draw his eyes away from the world. It was time to play her trump card.

"It's warm in here," Nino said and slipped out of her cardigan, shrugging her shoulders back as she unloaded it onto the chair.

Futaro said, "Huh? Can't you feel the air conditioning? Why do they even have it on in winter?"

Disaster. Nino bit her lip and said, "Just me then." Was the dress not enough of an invitation!? It was all but screaming 'look at me'! Did she have to wear a dress made prep guides before he'd look at her? She wasn't giving up yet, she had one last trick up her sleeve.

She raised her arms and arced her back while popping out her chest, wining like a tea kettle as she stretched her back. She peeked through lidded eyes and checked Futaro. He checked his watch, then glanced at the kitchen. His eyes never dipped down.

Nino gave up. Why did Itsuki have to be right?

Futaro asked, "You alright?"

"Fine." Just her pride.

"You don't like the place?"

"No, the food smells good. How did your dad find out about this place?"

"Ah, he didn't tell me about this one."

"Then what? Have you been here before?"

"No, this was, well, my mom told me about it. She took my dad here for their first anniversary. He'd been saying how he wanted to visit Italy someday, but they couldn't afford it, so she took him as close as she could get him."

Nino perked up, Futaro actually had a love story! "Really, was he-" she was cut off by her ringtone, a jingle she'd set months ago. It was as cute then as it was annoying now. She frowned and checked the number. "Hang on a minute, it's Yotsuba. I'll be right back," she said. Futaro nodded and she headed for the hallway leading to the restrooms.

She picked up, "What is it?"

"Hello Nino," Ichika said, her voice a flick to the forehead, "How's it going?"

"Why are you on Yotsuba's phone?"

"Mine's charging, just wanted to check up on you." Liar, she must think she wouldn't pick up if it was her number. She thought right. Darn she was clever. "I don't hear any music. Not in the concert yet?"

"We stopped for dinner, what of it?"

"Nothing, just interested in your evening. It sounds so much more fun than what I'm doing. Maybe I should've joined you."

"Sorry I didn't invite you. Maybe next time."

"I'm sure," she said, then continued, "Tell me all about it when you get home, I could use a good story."

"Sure thing. I should get back now."

"Don't let me hold you up. Goodnight Nino."

"Night." She hung up. Her instincts were spot on, she should've trusted them. Ichika wasn't letting her suspicions rest, she was tracking them down like at big game hunter on safari. Nino quickly texted her friends with a story and asked them to back her up in case Ichika called them. She'd deal with their questions after tonight, survival was first priority, after Futaro. Once she was sure she covered her bases, she left the hallway and returned to their table.

Futaro was sitting quietly at their table, his shoulders shifted like he was using his phone. But she'd watched him enough to know that particular shoulder roll. He was flipping note cards. He was actually studying on their date!

She strode up behind him and leaned over his shoulder, "So what's this? Physics? History? Literary quotes?"

Futaro stiffened, then shifted to her like he was held together with gel, "Hey Nino, uh, this isn't what-" At least he knew to be embarrassed.

"Oh isn't it? Then what is it?" She snatched the flashcards away and flipped through them. Maybe she was looking for a fight, but she didn't let herself think that, this was on Futaro for bringing his studies on a date. Their date. He couldn't leave it behind for one night, even for her, even after everything he said. Only as she read the flashcards, she realized he had.

"These are...dating notes?"

Futaro flushed and rubbed his face, "Well, yeah. Kind of, just some things I looked up."

"When? You were supposed to be sleeping yesterday."

"I did! Then I went to the library."

"What about the mock exams?"

Futaro shrugged, "This seemed more important."

You were more important. He didn't say it, but she felt it. Just this once she beat out academics, that was a victory in itself. Her night suddenly became much more promising.

She handed back the flashcards and took her seat, "I suppose it paid off. You landed on your feet after those stumbles."

Futaro grinned like a card shark about to make his play, "I got this night planned inside and out. I got backups to my backups to my backups!"

Another phone ringing, this ringtone was unfamiliar to her. Futaro checked his caller ID and went rigid as an ice cube, "Oh crap."

"What? Who is it?"

"I...gotta take this." Futaro answered and sat straight as a waterfall, "Hello manager...well yes, I...but you weren't gonna use it! Yes, I know...okay, yes, I should have asked, I just thought...what deliveries!? You never use it your-" Futaro listened for a stiff minute, slumping further into defeat with each second like melting cream, "...Okay. Okay. Okay. Yeah, I'll bring it back. Now? Can't I...fine. Yeah. Got it."

Futaro hung up his phone and glared at the floor, "I need to return the bike."

Nino leaned in and asked, "You got a backup for that too?"

A/N

This chapter is only half of the content I had planned. As writing continued it became clear that there was too much to fit into one chapter, unless I was willing to write a chapter over 10,000 words long. That's something I'd like to avoid, for continuity and for ease of reading. So this first date chapter is now a two-parter, and the good news that part of that chapter is already written, so I expect to be able to publish it next week if all goes well. So if this chapter feels at all incomplete, like a cliffhanger, that's because it is, but the conclusion will be published shortly after.

I'd like to request a specific type of feedback, one I haven't received any for yet. I intend for this to be a romance story first, a family drama second, and a comedy third. And given how subjective comedy can be, I'd like you to tell me if this story has been humorous so far. Have you ever laughed, or rolled your eyes at something that was meant to be hilarious? Let me know so I can improve it.

The conclusion to their first date should be up next week, and if not, then the week after. Thank you to everyone who's continued to follow this story and wish it success through completion. Please continue to review and I'll update again soon.

Chapter published: May 16th, 2019.