A Liquid Inspiration

Summary: (A re-telling of Classroom of the Elite sparked by a certain conversation between Masterpiece and Professor.)

One day, Ayanokouji Kiyotaka receives a surprising invitation from his father, Ayanokouji Atsuomi, to join him for a drink. It was unusual for Kiyotaka, who normally wouldn't be summoned by his father without a hidden agenda.

That's why even the emotionless Kiyotaka was surprised when his father began to open up about his own experiences with love and relationships.

For the emotionally distant "masterpiece," this conversation is a rare moment of connection with his father, and it sparked a curiosity within him to explore the world of human relationships, to be more specific: romance and intimacy.

It was that spark that pushed Kiyotaka to demand something from his father:

"Father, teach me everything about human relationships."

This then begins a ripple that changes how Ayanokouji Kiyotaka would approach the world in the foreseeable future.

Do check out this fic on Wattpad. It has the same title and content, but we do have illustrations there to increase immersion for the fic. Thanks, and here's the chapter!

First Date with Chiaki

Ayanokōji Kiyotaka

A week after Valentine's Day, I was once again scheduled to go on a date with someone, this time with Matsushita Chiaki.

Although I did not actually have any obligation to go out on a date with her, given our lack of an actual relationship, I decided to go along with what she wanted as I was curious about the difference between going on a date with a girl with Matsushita's personality and a girl with Tsubasa's personality.

Seeing as I was still in my transformative phase, so to speak, this would prove to be a substantial simulation that would allow me to find an answer to my curiosities.

"Matsuo, am I making the correct move here?" I asked the butler, who chuckled in amusement at my question. "Would going on a date with Matsushita make me a two-timing trash, as literary works would have it?"

"No, Kiyotaka-sama. I don't think that applies in this specific scenario," Matsuo replied, sounding amused at my confusion. "What you're doing here is going out with an acquaintance to better know each other."

"You and Matsushita Chiaki haven't met since the Christmas Gala of last year, have you not?" He asked rhetorically. "Since that's the case, this is simply an opportunity for two people who had positive impressions of each other to see if there's a relationship to be built— may that be as friends, or as something more, in the foreseeable future."

"I see," I replied, nodding my head at Matsuo. "Insightful as always, Matsuo."

"Well then, Kiyotaka-sama," Matsuo said, standing up from the couch. "We'll be going in about thirty minutes. I will be waiting for you outside."

With Matsuo's guidance in mind, I got ready for my date with Matsushita Chiaki. I had learned that appearances were important in social situations, so I took extra care in selecting my clothes and grooming myself. I couldn't help but wonder if Tsubasa would approve of my choice, but I reminded myself that this was a different situation altogether.

5.1

Matsuo drove me to the meeting point, a quaint café near the park. As we arrived, I spotted Matsushita waiting near the entrance. She wore a simple but elegant dress that complemented her features. I took a deep breath and steeled myself before exiting the car.

"Ah, Ayanokōji-kun! You're right on time," she said, greeting me with a warm smile. I returned the smile, thinking it was the appropriate response to convey friendliness.

"Hello, Matsushita. I apologize for arriving later than expected. The traffic on the main highway took a while to settle down," I replied, trying my best to sound genuine. "It's the man who was supposed to arrive earlier, right?"

Matsushita giggled, her blue eyes filled with amusement. "You say the strangest things, Ayanokōji-kun. It's already 2014. It doesn't matter who arrives first."

Oh, so that's the case, huh?

Internet-sensei had failed me, then.

"But you do owe me an apology for lying that you were just out with a friend," the brown-haired girl teased. "I would have been fine if you had just said so, you know? I wouldn't get mad."

"Ah... I'm sorry, I suppose."

"You don't sound sorry at all," Matsushita pouted. "But out of the kindness of my heart, I'll still forgive you."

"Would this be enough to make up for my insensitivity earlier?" I asked her, motioning for Matsuo to retrieve the bouquet that we bought before heading to the cafe.

It was actually the reason why we were cutting late, as Matsuo was unsatisfied with the flowers being offered by the flower shops. It wasn't until the 5th store that Matsuo found something that passed his high standards.

Matsuo stepped forward and handed me the bouquet, which was an exquisite arrangement of roses and lilies. Matsushita's eyes widened in surprise as she took in the beautiful flowers.

"Wow, Ayanokōji-kun, this is... this is really beautiful. I didn't expect this at all," she stammered, clearly touched by the gesture. "Thank you. I accept your apology."

I nodded, satisfied that my efforts had smoothed over the situation. "I'm glad you like it. I hope this sets a positive tone for our date."

Matsushita smiled warmly as she carefully cradled the bouquet in her arms. "It definitely does. Shall we go inside now?"

We entered the café and chose a table near the window.

Soon a waitress approached our table and took our orders. As we waited for our drinks and food to arrive, Matsushita and I engaged in small talk. I found it challenging to maintain a conversation, but she seemed genuinely interested in my thoughts and opinions, which made it easier for me to share.

"For a boy who sounds like... no offense... some kind of robot, you sure are charming, Ayanokōji-kun," Matsushita giggled. "You were running late because you wanted to pick the best bouquet available, right?"

Matsuo did, but since Matsushita looked impressed, then perhaps I could take the credit this time, but not to the point of unrealism.

"Partly. I asked Matsuo, my butler, for advice on what type of bouquet I should give to you," I replied, taking a sip out of the glass of water in front of me. "Since I don't exactly have the best knowledge in the subject, I asked Matsuo, who was an expert, for some advice. I didn't want to half-ass this, after all."

Matsushita nodded her head in appreciation. "You passed the test," she replied, smiling.

I tilted my head in confusion. "What test?"

"I was gauging whether or not you'd simply take credit for everything or admit to the truth," Matsushita explained. "A boy our age generally wouldn't be able to pull off what you had just pulled off. While I do think you're exceptional, especially with what you did in the Christmas gala... you don't exactly look like the romantic type, no offense."

I internally let out a sigh of relief.

It seemed like Matsushita truly lived up to the standards set out for her as the sole daughter of a rich family. She was refined, eloquent, and incredibly crafty when needed.

The test that she engineered showcased her ability to read people and situations, and I couldn't help but feel a sense of admiration for her intelligence.

"It's fine," I replied, fixing my gaze on her admittedly refined, beautiful features. "But I am trying to get better in that regard, as you can obviously see."

"I can tell. This was different to what you gave that blonde-haired girl last week, after all," Matsushita replied, glancing at the bouquet that I had given her. "What you gave her last week looked simple, but oddly enough, carrying a certain charm that matched the recipient."

I raised an eyebrow, surprised by her observation. "You've been paying attention."

Matsushita chuckled softly. "Well, I have to admit I was a bit curious. I was caught off-guard when I saw you at the park with that girl, you know? She was pretty cute, by the way. What's her name?"

"Nanase Tsubasa," I replied. "She is one of the best friends of my... best friend, Eiichiro. She had taken a liking to me and decided to put it in her own hands... to show me the wonders of Valentine's Day, or so she says."

While I answered that on the spot, I found myself surprised at how admitting that Eiichiro was my "best friend" came naturally to me. Had I actually come to see him as such?

No, that wasn't it.

I was simply basing it on how society would perceive it.

Someone like Eiichiro, who had spent a lot of time with me and helped me discover what it meant to be your normal teenage boy, as well as imparted to me key experiences that allowed me to better understand what he was guiding me to, would really be seen as my best friend.

"Nanase Tsubasa, huh?" Matsushita pursed her lips before smiling. "It seems to me like it was a roundabout way of just wanting to go out on a date with you, Ayanokōji-kun. Did she confess to you afterward?"

I nodded my head. "She did, but unfortunately, I don't see her as a possible romantic interest for the time being."

"That must have hurt," Matsushita mused. "How did she take it?"

"She took it well. Strangely enough, it wasn't enough to stop her from pursuing me," I admitted. "Oh, I'm sorry. I shouldn't be talking about another girl when on a date."

"Don't worry. I was the one who asked about it," Matsushita replied, waving off my apology. "So she didn't give up just yet, huh? You must be her first love, Ayanokōji-kun."

I raised an eyebrow at her statement. "You think so? I'm not sure. She's a strong-willed girl, and she didn't seem too affected by my response."

Matsushita's eyes sparkled with curiosity. "She must really like you then. It's not easy to continue pursuing someone after being rejected. You must have made quite an impression on her."

I considered her words for a moment before responding. "I suppose I did, as hard as it is for me to rationalize."

Our conversation continued, touching upon various topics, from our interests and hobbies to our aspirations for the future.

As we spoke, I couldn't help but notice the differences between my date with Tsubasa and my current date with Matsushita.

Where Tsubasa was more carefree and impulsive, Matsushita was refined and calculated. The contrast between their personalities was fascinating, and it provided me with valuable insights into the complexities of human relationships.

"That being said, Ayanokōji-kun," Matsushita said, smiling. "Have you been practicing your conversational skills since we last met?"

I raised an eyebrow and replied, "A little, but I doubt it has made much of a difference. I still have a long way to go."

"Oh, you've definitely made quite the improvement. I remembered simply being amused because of the mismatch between your aura and the words you spoke," Matsushita retorted. "But now, I found myself seeing more of the person behind those words. It's like you've become more... human, I guess?"

I was slightly taken aback by her comment. "You think so? I appreciate the compliment, Matsushita. I have been trying to learn and adapt as I interact with others."

"That's commendable," she said, her eyes reflecting genuine admiration. "It's not easy to change, especially when it comes to social interactions. Most people are content with staying within their comfort zones, but you're actively seeking to grow and understand others. It's quite impressive."

So that was how other people saw it, huh?

I found myself appreciating this date with Matsushita more by the second, as she seemed to be giving up valuable insights that had allowed me to continue my introspection pertaining to my mission and the progress that I had made.

Unlike Tsubasa, who had a child-like innocence to her, Matsushita really did carry a mature air to her, one that probably surpassed most of the girls our age.

"But as mature as you are," I said, thinking of the next words that I was going to say. "You sure do seem to have a mischievous inclination towards stalking, don't you?"

That was one of the techniques taught to me by Matsuo.

While it was great for a date to take a serious and more insightful tone, there was always room for teasing. Matsuo even went as far as to argue that it was a necessary part of building a rapport between two people, as it showed a level of comfort and playfulness.

Matsushita's cheeks flustered, and the brown-haired girl turned away from me, pouting. "I... I'm not a stalker. It was simply my mother's orders because she got curious about our relationship."

"Is that so?" I asked in amusement.

It did not take long, but Matsushita had regained her calm. Her flustered face was now replaced by a more confident, teasing look.

She leaned in slightly, her eyes twinkling with mischief. "But you must admit, my skills were quite good. You didn't even realize I was there until the very end."

"Actually, I did notice someone trailing us," I replied, debunking her claims. "I simply saw no reason to bother with it."

Matsushita pouted. "And here I thought I could tease you. Your composure is something else."

"Well, I have been trained to maintain my composure in various situations. But you're right. Your skills were quite impressive... you seem to have an inclination towards stalking, Matsushita," I teased.

"I'm not a stalker," Matsushita repeated. "Mou~! It was kaa-sama's fault, okay? She was really curious about you. It wasn't my intention."

"Don't sweat it, Matsushita. I was just teasing you," I replied, amused. "I have to admit that it's fun to see a refined girl like you get this flustered over getting teased."

Matsushita's cheeks turned a shade redder, but she couldn't help but laugh at my comment. "I suppose you got me there, Ayanokōji-kun. I'm not used to being the one on the receiving end of teasing."

"That said, I only noticed you because I was specifically looking out for anything unusual."

Matsushita's eyes narrowed playfully. "So you're saying I'm unusual, Ayanokōji-kun?"

I shook my head, smiling. "No, not at all. It's just that I have a habit of being vigilant in my surroundings. It's something that I've been taught since I was young."

"Interesting," Matsushita mused, a smile gracing her lips. "I never would have expected that from you. I suppose there's more to you than meets the eye, Ayanokōji-kun."

"Was it about me somehow having a knack for teasing people?" I asked.

It really seemed like I was doing better now in terms of communication. Although it took some time for me to steady myself, I've eventually become more comfortable in the conversation.

Well, that was probably due to Matsushita's ability to make people ease up on her presence, but I'd argue that boys my age would typically react differently when a girl as beautiful as Matsushita Chiaki paid them any attention.

"One of the reasons," Matsushita nodded. "Well, you've shown signs of it when we first met, but seeing your teasing side in full form... is quite the experience."

"It's a nice change of pace, isn't it?" I said, smiling. "It's good to have fun and let loose once in a while."

"You're right," she agreed, her smile widening. "I'm glad I decided to go on this date with you, Ayanokōji-kun. I feel like I've gotten to know you better, and it's been an enjoyable experience."

"And our food hadn't even arrived yet," I pointed out. "Imagine just how much fun we'd have by the time we finish this date."

Matsushita chuckled, her eyes sparkling with anticipation. "I'm looking forward to it, Ayanokōji-kun."

As if on cue, our food and drinks arrived, and we continued to engage in lively conversation while we enjoyed our meal. I found myself becoming more at ease with the flow of our conversation, as well as with the teasing and lighthearted banter that we shared.

Matsushita Chiaki... sure was an interesting girl.

5.2

After we exited the cafe, Matsushita and I agreed to be more spontaneous on our date, as we both found ourselves interested in spending more time together.

On my end, it was mainly due to my curiosity about Matsushita and how it felt to deal with a person with her personality and aura. As for Matsushita, I could tell she was genuinely enjoying spending time with me, and in her own words, it was refreshing compared to all the times she had to deal with a boy of our age.

With that, I took the initiative of mapping out where we'd go next based on my initial impression of Matsushita, as well as the interests that she had mentioned throughout our conversations.

I've narrowed down our destination to four places: the park, an art gallery in downtown Tokyo, a bookstore, and perhaps a nearby college that allows people to access their music rooms.

Matsushita did mention, after all, that she enjoyed playing the violin. And since there are colleges that allow people to use their equipment for a fee, I figured it would be a good way for us to cool down later on.

"So, have you finally thought about where we're going next, Ayanokōji-kun?" Matsushita asked, glancing in my direction.

"I did more than that," I replied, smiling mysteriously. "I've planned not just where we'd be headed next but the three locations after that."

"I do like leaving an impression, after all," I continued.

Matsushita's eyes widened. "F-Four? Ayanokōji-kun... are you sure you're actually fourteen years old? That's not really normal, you know? People our age are generally uncoordinated in planning out dates."

"And here you are... planning up to the end of our date. And it didn't even take you five minutes."

I looked at Matsushita in amusement. "Impressed?"

"And there comes your well-hidden cocky side," Matsushita replied, shaking her head. "You're really something. So what places do you have in mind?"

"First, we'll visit the park just to enjoy the scenery. Second, since you mentioned earlier that you liked looking at the artworks of more obscure artists, we could visit an art gallery downtown. After that, we could visit a bookstore, preferably a quaint one, so we could appreciate the ambiance."

"Those are really good choices. I've been meaning to go to an art gallery for quite some time, you know? But those are just three. Where would we go for the last one?"

"A college."

"A... college?"

"Some colleges in Tokyo do allow people to access their music room, provided you've gotten permission from the school administration or if you paid a certain fee. You did mention you liked playing the violin, right?"

Matsushita nodded her head.

"I could play the piano as well. We could try a duet if you'd like."

"Is... there something you cannot do?" Matsushita shook her head. "But that sounds perfect, Ayanokōji-kun. I'll be looking forward if you're actually skilled at playing the piano!"

It seemed like I had outdone myself... again.

Matsushita looked genuinely impressed at my quick thinking and organized plans for our date.

Quite frankly, this was only possible because of Matsuo's lesson earlier in the week about going on dates with girls, as he evaluated how I did on my date with Tsubasa. He really liked to emphasize the importance of picking up on the small details and using them to my advantage.

And as expected, Matsuo's guidance ended up benefiting me.

"You'll see how good I am later," I replied before calling to Matsuo, who was watching us from about 50 meters to my right. "That said, shall we go now?"

Matsushita nodded. "Let's go!"

5.3

As we strolled towards our first destination, I covertly sent a text message to my butler, Matsuo, asking him to make arrangements for us to access a music room at a nearby college. Within minutes, Matsuo replied, confirming that he had successfully booked a room for us later in the day.

He really was as efficient as he was resourceful.

We first headed to the park, where we spent some time walking around and taking in the lush greenery and serene atmosphere. Matsushita seemed to appreciate the calm environment, as it allowed us to chat without the distractions of the bustling city.

Next, we ventured to the art gallery in downtown Tokyo. The gallery showcased a variety of contemporary and traditional art, sparking fascinating conversations about our interpretations and preferences. I noticed Matsushita's eyes light up as she shared her insights and passion for art.

It seemed like Matsushita's interest in the paintings of more obscure artists came from the fact that she also painted and had some of her artworks framed in her school.

...

What a cliched sophisticated, charismatic rich-girl archetype.

I shook my head at the thought. I really shouldn't be thinking of her that way.

Then, after we finished exploring the gallery, we decided to visit a quaint bookstore that was actually within walking distance of the art gallery.

We really didn't do much here, as we treated it as a cooldown of some sort.

Currently, Matsushita and I were seated together on a couch, reading a book that caught both our interests. It was a collection of short stories by a relatively unknown author, which made it all the more intriguing for us. We took turns reading passages out loud, discussing the themes and our favorite parts. The quiet ambiance of the bookstore provided the perfect setting for us to unwind and enjoy each other's company.

As the sun began to set, it was time for our final destination – the college music room. Thanks to Matsuo's earlier arrangements, we had no trouble gaining access to the room. The space was well-equipped, with a grand piano and a high-quality violin awaiting our use.

Matsushita picked up the violin with a look of excitement in her eyes, gently running her fingers over the strings as if reacquainting herself with an old friend.

I sat down at the piano, and after a brief moment of discussion, we agreed on a piece to play together.

"What do you think about playing 'Spring Waltz'?" I suggested.

Matsushita's eyes sparkled as she nodded enthusiastically. "Oh, you know how to play Spring Waltz? Let's do it!"

"I do, and you passed my test," I teased, calling back to our conversation earlier.

"Test?" Matsushita chuckled, testing out the violin in her hands.

I nodded my head. "I was going to judge if you were actually worth my time," I explained teasingly. "If you didn't know how to play Spring Waltz, I would have walked away."

Matsushita laughed. "Your jokes really are weird, Ayanokōji-kun. But I'm glad I passed your so-called test."

As we began our duet, the notes from our instruments intertwined and filled the room with a beautiful, harmonious melody. As we played, I couldn't help but glance at Matsushita, who seemed to be completely immersed in the music. Her eyes were closed, and she swayed gently to the rhythm, a soft smile on her face.

What... a beautiful sight.

After a couple of minutes, our performance came to an end, and we both paused for a moment, savoring the last notes that still lingered in the air.

"Wow," Matsushita whispered, opening her eyes. "That was truly magical, Ayanokōji-kun."

"I couldn't agree more," I responded, genuinely impressed by our musical chemistry. "We should definitely do this again sometime."

"I'd love that," Matsushita replied with a warm smile. "But we still have time, don't we?"

I raised an eyebrow at her words. "You want to play another song?"

Matsushita nodded excitedly. "Yes! I'm enjoying this too much to stop now. Do you have any other pieces in mind?"

I thought for a moment and then suggested, "How about 'Moonlight Sonata'? It's a beautiful piece, and I think it would suit the atmosphere."

Her eyes lit up again. "That's a wonderful idea. Let's do it."

We positioned ourselves at our respective instruments once more, and as we began to play, the hauntingly beautiful melody of Beethoven's 'Moonlight Sonata' filled the room. The music seemed to cast a spell over us, and I found myself completely captivated by the sound of Matsushita's violin and the emotion she poured into every note.

She was definitely good enough to win some competitions, but it seemed like playing the violin was simply a hobby that she enjoyed, which made her performance feel more authentic, if that made sense.

There's this weird psychology in music wherein pouring your all into a piece would really make it appeal more, even if you're simply using the same technique that had been taught to you. I couldn't fully explain it, but Matsushita's way of playing conveyed that certain energy to me.

As the last notes faded away, the spell was broken, and we were left sitting in the dimly lit room, enjoying the calming feeling of having played with our instruments.

It was at that moment that the door opened, revealing a middle-aged woman, who I recognized as the same person who had let us into the music room.

"Here, I thought you two were just curious kids trying to test out our equipment," she said, smiling as she walked in our direction. "Ah, I'm sorry for suddenly barging in. I was simply moved by the pieces you kids had played. What are your names again? Matsuo-kun really is babysitting incredible kids, isn't he?"

Ah, she thought the two of us were under Matsuo's care. I suppose that was a fair assumption, considering he made the arrangements for us to play here.

"Ayanokōji Kiyotaka," I said, introducing myself. "Thank you for letting us play here."

"Oh, that's no problem at all. This is just a small favor for Matsuo-kun. He had been helpful over the years," the lady replied, smiling.

"Matsuo-san actually is Ayanokōji-kun's butler. I'm simply tagging along as his date," Matsushita explained. "I'm Matsushita Chiaki."

"Matsushita?" The lady asked, her eyes widening in recognition. "You must be the daughter of Matsushita Akane. The two of you do look alike, you know?"

"Oh, you know, kaa-sama? May I know your name? I'll let her know that I ran into you," Matsushita replied, smiling.

"Okada Chiyo," Okada introduced herself. "Send my regards to your mother, Matsushita. Well, I suppose I've imposed on you kids enough. I'll be leaving now. Just have fun, alright?"

"We will, Okada-san!" Matsushita replied, waving goodbye as Okada exited the room.

As the door closed behind her, Matsushita turned to me with a bright smile. "That was fun! I never thought we'd get mistaken for kids under Matsuo-san's care, but it was a nice experience."

"Want to play another piece?" I asked, glancing at Matsushita, to the wall clock, and back to the piano. "We still have around 30 minutes left, after all."

Matsushita's smile widened. "Yes, please. What other piece do you have in mind?"

I paused for a moment, scanning through my mental library of music. Then, I remembered a piece that I had always enjoyed playing, but had never had the chance to play with someone else.

"How about 'Liebestraum No. 3' by Liszt?" I suggested, looking at Matsushita expectantly.

She looked intrigued. "You sure do have a lot of pieces in your repertoire, Ayanokōji-kun."

"Do you know how to play it on the violin?" I asked.

Matsushita's eyes lit up again. "I do. I learned it a while back."

"Then let's do it," I said, grinning.

And so, we spent the remainder of our time in the music room playing 'Liebestraum No. 3' together, our instruments weaving a beautiful tapestry of sound that filled the room. As we played, I couldn't help but feel a sense of contentment wash over me.

Playing the piano... was always a therapeutic experience for me, as it allowed me to get my mind off things. And as I had just discovered, playing a duet with another competent musician was enjoyable.

As we finished our final note, we both let out a sigh of satisfaction. Matsushita turned to me, a wide smile on her face.

"That was amazing, Ayanokōji-kun," she said, her eyes sparkling. "You know, I've never actually done a duet with someone before."

"Why did you do so now?"

"Because I thought it'd be fun, and I wasn't wrong," Matsushita grinned. "This is the most fun I've had in a while."

"I'm glad you enjoyed it, Matsushita. I had a great time too."

As we exited the music room and made our way outside of the campus, we noticed that the sun had already disappeared below the horizon, and the first stars began to twinkle in the night sky.

Matsushita looked up at the sky and sighed contentedly. "Today was such an amazing day, Ayanokōji-kun. I never expected to have this much fun on a spontaneous date."

"We really outdid ourselves earlier, didn't we?"

"We did."

"Matsushita?"

"Hmm?"

"Thank you."

Matsushita smiled warmly at me. "If you're truly grateful, then there's one thing I want to ask from you."

Now, what was this about? Hopefully, it was nothing nefarious.

"What is it?"

"You call that girl, Nanase Tsubasa... as Tsubasa, right?" She replied. "I want you... to call me Chiaki."

"Chiaki?"

"My first name, you dummy," She answered, pouting. "I want you to call me by my first name too."

"I guess I can do that much... Chiaki."

"Thank you, Kiyotaka-kun." Matsushita - no, Chiaki - smiled at me, and before I could even react, she pulled me closer to her and kissed me on the cheeks.

"Chiaki... What was that for?" I asked, trying to keep my composure.

"For being a great partner in crime today," she replied, still smiling. "And for agreeing to call me by my first name. It's a small thing, but it means a lot to me."

"I see... Well, I'm glad I could make you happy," I said, returning her smile.

We stood there for a moment, just looking at each other, the silence between us filled with a comfortable warmth.

A couple of minutes later, we saw Matsuo walking in our direction, a smile gracing his features.

"Kiyotaka-sama, Matsushita-sama, it's time for us to go," he said.

"Eh? Matsushita-sama? That's too formal, Matsuo-san," Chiaki replied. "Just call me Matsushita, please?"

"Alright, Matsushita-chan," Matsuo chuckled. "But that being said, it's almost six now. We'll have to go."

With that, Matsuo led Chiaki and me into the limousine, and we settled into the comfortable seats. As the car started moving, Chiaki snuggled up next to me, resting her head on my shoulder.

"It was a really great day, Kiyotaka-kun," she murmured. "I hope we can do it again sometime."

"I'd like that, Chiaki," I said, placing a hand on her shoulder. "We're friends now, after all."

"Friends?" Chiaki huffed, although I could tell she was just playing around. "You sure are cold for someone who just took a girl on the best date in her life."

"What are we then?"

"Well... friends certainly isn't wrong," Chiaki replied, a thoughtful look on her face. "But maybe we could be something more than that in the future?"

"What?"

Chiaki giggled. "I'm just kidding! This is just our first date, you know?"

I let out a sigh of relief at that.

It was one thing being confessed to by Tsubasa, who had held a crush on me for a couple of months now, but it was another thing if Chiaki did the same.

"You sure do like shocking me, don't you?"

"It's simply punishment for all the teasing you gave me today."

"Fair enough."

As the limousine drove on, I couldn't help but think about the day I just had.

Everyday... truly was a learning experience.

End of Chapter

A/N: Not gonna lie, I kinda forgot how I wrote Vol 0 Kiyotaka, but I thought I needed to write this chapter so we could really give a more solid reason for Chiaki's growing interest in Kiyo at this point.

It's just a short chapter, but hopefully, it did the job it was supposed to do.