.
.
"Giddy" isn't quite the word Kazuma would use to describe how he's feeling, but he cannot deny he feels a certain excitement as he opens his closet and looks for a shirt to wear that isn't part of his uniform. He and Veena are going on a date. A real date, without her other shinki, in the human world, and though they have been coupled for some time now, it is the first time they've stepped out like this in public.
As it turns out, the only non-uniform shirts Kazuma owns are a ratty black jersey Yato had left when he was still recuperating from the Underworld and a novelty Capypaland T-shirt Yukine had given him as a souvenir. Kazuma sighs quietly, then pulls out another white button-up.
This is a date. A real date, where she holds his hand without compunction, laughing and talking with him. Kazuma can't stop smiling.
They're at a cafe, eating sandwiches and talking, when Kazuma gets the sudden urge to kiss her. "What is it?" Veena says. Kazuma looks up.
"Oh," Kazuma blushes. "I was just thinking it'd be nice to kiss you right now."
Veena laughs, then leans forward, pressing a small kiss against his lips. "You're allowed, you know."
And she looks up at him with wide, trusting eyes. Her lips tug into a smile. Wisps of long hair trail across her cheek.
Veena gasps, wincing and grabbing the back of her neck. Kazuma's eyes widen.
"I'm so sorry!" Kazuma says. "It happened so quickly, I couldn't help it-"
"That's okay, I just-ow."
Veena doubles over, and Kazuma realizes he's stinging her because he feels guilty over stinging her the first time.
Get a hold of yourself! he thinks. Calm down! and the pinching sensation at the base of Veena's neck finally lessens.
"What was that about?" Veena says. "Kazuma, you haven't stung me for awhile. Was that just from me kissing you?"
"I...I had an impure thought about you," Kazuma says.
"We've had sex before," Veena says. Kazuma shakes his head.
"No, this was different. Degrading."
"...Oh?"
Kazuma can't look at her, ashamed.
"Oi, Yato. Maybe we shouldn't crash Kazuma-san on his date," Yukine says. He trails behind Yato, who marches down the sidewalk, confidently.
"But Hiyori said she picked that lame-o bitch's outfit! Dontcha wanna see what Hiyori thinks is good for a date?" Yato says.
"No," Yukine says.
"Oh c'mon. That four-eyes owes me. I'm pretty much the one that got them together," Yato says. Yukine snorts.
"You just want to try to score a free meal, you shitty ass-pincher."
They round the corner toward the cafe, where Kazuma and Bishamon are sitting and talking. Kazuma looks troubled. He's staring at the table, shoulders hunched, while Bishamon is speaking to him encouragingly.
"It's okay, Kazuma," Bishamon is saying, in an understanding, soothing voice. She takes his hand in hers and looking deep into his eyes, reassuringly. "If you wanted to bend me over the table, I'm pretty sure the humans wouldn't even notice."
"HUH?!" Yukine says, as Yato pushes forward.
"The hell are you saying, you crazy nympho?!"
("STOP MEDDLING WITH ME!" Bishamon says, while Kazuma stands behind her looking positively mortified. Yukine shakes his head while Yato ducks and tries to shield himself from her blows.)