Shinobu was all dressed up for her date with Mendou. She didn't know how it came about. All of a sudden he asked her out. All her waiting and pining were finally coming into fruition. Maybe Shinobu was getting what she wanted after all.

She waited in her burgundy dress and matching hat, trying to hold in her excitement. He would be picking her up, but she stood by the door anyway. Any moment now, there would be a knock from him.

To confirm her suspicions, there was a light rapping at the door. Taking a deep breath, Shinobu shifted her weight. Hopping from one foot to the other. She purposely hesitated for a few moments to not give the impression that she was desperate.

Finally, she opens the door to reveal her date all dressed in white. Mendou wore white usually but today he was wearing a suit with a deep red dress shirt underneath.

"Miss Shinobu..." he says breathlessly. "You look amazing." His eyes sparkled at the sight of her. They always sparkled but now the sparkle because of her.

Bashfully, Shinobu bends her head down so that her hat would conceal her face. "Thank you." She stepped out and closed the door behind her.

Mendou offered up his arm for her to take and she accepted. "Ready to go?"

Shinobu smiled. "I am."

Together they head to the shopping district for a nice walk. They planned to watch a movie but it wasn't showing until the evening.

They talked and laughed and everything was perfect.

Until...

They were riding the escalator, lost in each other eyes the only thing that broke them away was the sound of Lum's voice.

"Shuutaro!" she called out, "Shinobu! Where are you going?"

Lum must have assumed that the two were going out as friends. They just stared at her as their escalator went up and Lum's went down. Realization creeps onto Lum's face as she started back. Who knows what the alien was thinking at that given moment.

She didn't appear upset or happy, just confused. Lum quietly calls out their names again.

Was it really that strange?

Once Lum was out of sight, Shinobu glanced up at Mendou beside her. His expression was equally unreadable.

After that, they did not speak about it. It was probably for the best. Shinobu wanted Mendou to focus on her and just have a good time.

And they did.

They watched their movie, a reshowing of a drama flic. Neither of them could really say what it was about as they were enraptured with each other, holding hands in the theatre.

After the movie they went out for drinks and ended up sharing one. It was a tall teal drink. Mendou paid for it.

Mendou actually paid for everything so far. The movie, the snacks... All Shinobu had to do was pick out everything. She knew Tombiki Town better after all. Mendou was confined to his estate for the longest until he transferred to Tombiki High.

Shinobu closed her eyes and took a sip, savoring the fruity flavor, just taking in the moment.

When she opened her eyes again and lifted her gaze, she saw Mendou smiling softly at her. Wordlessly, he reached over and pulled her hat down to cover her eyes.

Cheeks tinged pink, Shinobu raised her chin a bit so she could see him. "What was that for?" she asks.

"You are a cute girl, Miss Shinobu."

Shinobu's heart skipped a beat. Cute! He was calling her cute! She did her best to remained composed. Of all the times she's ever dreamed of a moment like this.

How all the girls in their class would be jealous right now.

Mendou just kept smiling at her, resting his head in his hands. How calm he appeared to be.

After finishing their drink, the two head out one last time.

The sky was dark as they tried to recall what the movie was about. The wind picks up, causing Shinobu to shiver.

"Here," Mendou draps his coat around Shinobu's shoulders. He was carrying it around all day so he wouldn't miss it. Even if Shinobu was already wearing long sleeves.

The slowed down near a bus stop and stood in silence. Their date was quickly coming to a close.

Mendou acts first and angles his body towards her, lowering his head down.

This was it. Mendou was going to kiss her. Shinobu closes her eyes, her lips tingling with anticipation of the kiss. Time felt like it was slowing down to a crawl. She felt him grasp her shoulders.

Shinobu waited.

And waited.

She tilts her head upwards in attempts to lock lips, but something held both of them back.

Suddenly, Mendou pulls back. He recalled earlier when Lum saw them together on the escalator. "Miss Lum!" He was reminded of his unrequited feelings for her.

And thus Shinobu was reminded that her feelings for Mendou were unrequited as well.

He could never love her like he loves Lum.

The feelings were there and they were real. But if he can't get over Lum, they could never be together.

Mendou retracts and begins running away. "Miss Shinobu, forgive me!" As he's trying to get away from his feelings, he skips and falls right onto his face.

The pavement tastes of salt and defeat.

Regardless, Mendou bounces back and continues on his path home. "Forgive me!"

Shinobu calls after him in vain. "Mendou!?"

He didn't responds, nor did he come back. The boy disappeared into the night.

She was now alone. Shinobu wanted to cry, tears welling up in her eyes. However, she turned her sadness into anger and grabbed the bus stop sign in her hands.

She tears it out of the ground and bends it easily. "What the... Hell!?"

Anger fuels her strength. After all that she went through, she still couldn't have him.

After everything...

There was no way Shinobu could compete with Lum. Even if Lum harbored no romantic feelings towards Mendou. She was obsessed with her Darling Ataru.

Rather than wait for the bus, Shinobu walked home herself, mulling over the details of the day.

How could it go so wrong? Everything was perfect, they were enjoying each other's company. Mendou even initiated a kiss! Not her!

Boys.

Lest it be known that Shuutaro Mendou goes home and dreams about Shinobu tonight. She wasn't the only girl of his dreams, but she would be right by his side at his grand wedding.

If only she knew.

If only he knew.

If only he knew how much it hurt her to be second place. Maybe Shinobu was just bad at love. She took off her hat and bunched it up in her fist.

Fighting the onslaught of tears, she tossed her hat to the ground and trampled over it.