A/N: Have no fear! For I have come (back)!

Alright, onto the story; you can think of this one as a sequel to chapter 3 "Eyes". I think it's more amusing that way.

Enjoy!

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Date

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"Hey, Chiba,"

The boy looked up from his coffee at his companion's call. "Yes?"

"Do you like dates?" Hayami asked out of the blue.

"Huh?" Chiba asked, surprised and confused at the sudden question. She had specified, when she asked him to come, that this was not a date, just friends hanging out. But now she was asking if he liked them. "What do you mean?"

"I'm simply asking if you like dates. What else would I mean?" Hayami said, her expression reading 'isn't it obvious?'

"Umm… I guess so…" Chiba trailed off.

"Why the hesitation if you do?" Hayami asked, skeptical.

"No, it's just… I'm not certain how to respond to the question," Chiba admitted. But Hayami's face said she didn't get what he meant.

"Why? Dates are fun aren't they?"

"I suppose…" Chiba paused. "But it depends really,"

"Hmm, true. If it's a bad one, it won't be very fun." Hayami agreed with a nod. "But speaking on the good ones, what do you like about them?"

"Uh…"

"…You know, you're being awfully unsure for someone who likes what's in topic." Hayami said, skeptical once more and even slightly amused.

Chiba scratched his cheek. "Yeah… it's kind of an odd topic considering the moment."

"Really?" Hayami asked, still not sure what to make of Chiba's hesitation. She certainly didn't find it odd, relating to the moment or not. And to the reason she initially wanted this meeting… 'I really want to know what he's interested in, and if he's interested in the same things as I am. I don't want to just stop here.'

With her mind made up, Hayami decided to proceed with the subject. "Alright, then how about I mention things about dates and we talk about them one by one?"

"Uh, okay,"

"Great! Then first is appearance. Do you like how dates look?"

"Appearance…?" Chiba asked slowly.

'Maybe she means how the partner looks and the places we go. It would also depend, but since she said we're talking about the good ones…' The boy thought before speaking. "Generally, yes, I do."

"Right? I especially like the color. The variant brown shades become like a transparent chocolate in contrast to its different flavor."

'Transparent chocolate?'

"Ah, then next is the flavor. How do you like its taste?"

'First appearance and now flavor? She's being pretty metaphoric about this.' Chiba considered, "Um… it's s-sweet so I like it?"

"Hmm, sweet would be the most obvious and simplest way to describe its flavor. Well, I'm no Toutsuki student myself, but I think dates have this syrupy, different taste that sets it apart from everything else. I really like it."

"…"

"Next are health benefits!" Hayami piped up. But before Chiba could even start thinking about the heading, the girl continued. "Ah, health benefits aren't really up for opinions huh? I mean, it's a fact that dates are good for your health, and who in their right mind doesn't prefer good health?"

'I may need to do some research on this when I get home.' Chiba thought to himself.

"Moving one, next would be… texture,"

This time Hayami didn't even give him a chance to answer and piped in her own view. She seemed pretty enthusiastic about this.

"It's texture is another one of its high appeals in my opinion. It has a relatively harder outer sheet covering the mushy, and in my personal view, bubbly interior. Oh, I love the feel of it on my tongue!"

'…I'm completely lost now.'

"Hey!" Hayami suddenly chirped up. "Do you want to go get some right now?"

"Huh?"

"Do you want to get some dates right now?" Hayami repeated.

"S-Several at the same time?" Chiba stammered.

"Of course! Just one wouldn't be enough." Hayami said before taking his hand. She stood up and started dragging him behind her. "Come on,"

Chiba quickly fumbled through his pocket and managed to leave the appropriate amount of money to cover the coffee before he was tugged out of the café.

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Chiba now stood at the fruits section of a shop, staring down at the little dark edible objects in front of him with a look of realization, as Hayami next to him continued to excitedly pick up a hefty amount for them to buy.

"Oh… dates."

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A/N: You know those times when a companion says something, you misunderstand, and you continue with that misunderstanding no matter how obvious it gets, until eventually the actual thing is mentioned by name or shown to you? What? You don't have those instances?

Well I've certainly had those experiences and I love dates (the fruit!), so this one features those two things! Short, I know. But this was mainly to get myself back up after my longest absence in this collection (4 months?). Next one, if it ever comes, will be bigger and will probably feature the biggest cast yet!

Hope you enjoyed this one! I'll hopefully be back with a party next time -Plus Ultra Bye!