Note: A big "Thank You" to everyone who reviewed. I appreciate it. :)

Theme: Ten - Bravery
Genre: Romance/General
Version: Animanga/AU
Rating: PG

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Carpe Inguen
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Ami tried to be nonchalant, but the fact she was helping Makoto with dinner was strange and awkward in itself. Cringing at the messy job she was making of the fish batter, she tried to ignore the overwhelming presence of her own immediate failure. After all, what had Haruka said? Something about swallowing insecurities and grabbing life by the balls.

Something like that. It sounded a little like Haruka.

"I mean, I was just wondering," stuttered Ami. "Since you don't have any classes tomorrow, and they gave you the week off at the bakery…" She could already feel the blush taking over, ruining her desperate attempt at remaining composed. "Would you like to go out to dinner?"

Makoto paused, spatula poised over a sizzling skillet. "With the group?" she asked. The fish in the pan slapped loudly against the bottom of the skillet as it was flipped. Ami barely repressed the urge to flinch.

"No," Ami began at length. "I thought maybe it could just be us?"

There was a pregnant moment of silence.

"Like a date?" The fish had Makoto's undivided attention. Ami envied how her hands weren't shaking as she handled the skillet.

Gripping the sides of the mixer more firmly, Ami tried to keep herself together. Her stomach was already rolling around, playing tag with her other organs. Ami took a large breath, constricting the butterflies that had also somehow found their way into her gut.

She could deny it was a date. It didn't have to be anything more than the two of them, out to dinner. They'd done it before when the other girls were busy, and it wasn't awkward or uncomfortable. It was just Ami and Makoto, two girlfriends— girls enjoying each other's company. It didn't have to be a date. Why had Makoto even asked? It didn't have to be a date.

"Yes, like a date!" shrilled Ami.

Makoto didn't say anything for a second, and Ami stared into the mixer miserably, surprised by her own hysterical word vomit.

The fish sizzled. Makoto shrugged. "Sure," she said.

Bravery depleted, Ami let the mixer drown out her soft, but triumphant reply.