Disclaimer: I don't own The Office or Ouran High School Host Club

A/N: This chapter was updated (July 21st, 2023), as a kind reviewer (thank you FabyVane!) pointed out that it was originally the same as chapter 9. Oops!


Emi POV – a few days later

I stood up from my seat in the classroom as our professor dismissed us, grabbing my bag and hurrying from the room. Tonight was the night! After a couple of weeks of texting and videocalling with Aiki, we finally had a date scheduled. Honestly, I was both excited and anxious. This would be my first date since arriving in Japan, and I would be going to her apartment to watch movies. Now, obviously going to an online date's apartment to meet them face to face for the first time wasn't usually considered to be a safe practice… But we had been videocalling almost everyday so I felt pretty confident that I knew who I was meeting..

Just outside the giant pink building I halted my speed-walking as I heard my name being called. Haruhi?

I turned, seeing the brunette jogging up to me, "Oh hey Haruhi, what's up?"

"Hey Emi, I just wanted to catch you before you ran off, to remind you that the cosplay is tomorrow, so if you can come to the club room about an hour before the guests arrive that would be great," she explained, just slightly out of breath.

"Oh, yeah no problem! Thanks for reminding me!" I responded, "But hey listen, I hate to run off but I actually have to go get ready for a date," I explained, tugging on one of my braids a bit nervously.

"No problem Emi! Have fun!" she answered encouragingly, giving me a thumbs up.

"Hah, thanks Haruhi! If you don't see me tomorrow, you can assume I've been kidnapped!" I teased as I started to turn away, winking over my shoulder.

"That's not something to joke about!" I heard her call out grumpily, probably crossing her arms.

I hurried on to my apartment to shower and get ready. I had a couple hours but I had a whole regimen to get through. Shaving alone always took me longer than it should (What can I say? I'm cautious). Then I also had to pick an outfit and do some light makeup. I quickly texted Avery pictures of my outfit options to get her advice. I was stuck between black jeans with a black tank top and honey-coloured cardigan, and wide-legged linen pants with a white crochet cropped hoodie and pastel pink camisole. I also needed time to prepare myself mentally and calm my anxiety.

In the end, with Avery's advice, I decided to wear the outfit with black jeans. I carefully took my hair out of its braids and separated the now looser curls. Then I ate a light supper, brushed my teeth, and applied some tinted lip balm.

Okay, you can do this! It's going to be fun!

I took a deep breath as I walked up to the apartment building my maps app had brought me to, quickly adjusting my clothes and reapplying my lip balm. My heart was pounding and I felt slightly sick with anxiety.

What if it's super awkward and I can't think of anything to say? What if she thinks I'm weird and ugly? What if we kiss and she thinks I'm a bad kisser? What if there's no attraction and I can't think of an excuse to leave? How will I know the right time to leave? My brain spiralled down the list of all the possibilities and worst case scenarios.

I shook my head and tried to reason with myself, What if it goes as well as things did with the games night? Besides, it's just a first date.

I took another slow, deep breath, feeling my chest and stomach expand, before slowly expelling all the air I'd taken in.

It's now or never. I rang the bell. There was a buzzing sound as the front door unlocked. I hesitantly went in, having expected Aiki to come meet me to bring me to her apartment. I received a text. It was Aiki, telling me her apartment number and floor.

Okay…This was a bit odd, no doubt about it, but I tried to shrug it off as I walked to the elevator.

OMG what if this actually is some sort of catfish or otherwise sketchy situation after all?! And I've been stupid enough to go right into this person's apartment!

Calm down Emi, maybe she just needed another minute to get ready or something.

I continued to reason with myself as I was brought up to the 10th floor, the ding of the elevator doors opening bringing me back to earth.

Again, I took a deep breath as I found her apartment door, and knocked before I could spiral again.

A couple moments later the door opened to reveal Aiki with her long dark hair, her brown eyes looking down at me. She's taller than I realized but it's definitely her!

"Hey Emi, nice to see you in person finally," she said, voice raspy, as she pulled me into a hug.

"Hi! It's nice to see you too," I answered as I hugged her back and then pulled away, feeling awkward.

"So," she said, "We're watching movies right? What do you want to watch?" She led me into her living room which was already darkened in preparation for the movie, sitting down on the sofa and patting the space next to her. I sat down next to her, feeling stiff but trying to appear relaxed.

"Uh… I'm good with anything! Honestly, I'm terrible at making decisions," I answered sheepishly, "Is there anything you've been wanting to watch or do you have like a favourite movie or show?"

"Ooo! Have you ever seen The Office?" she asked, suddenly enthusiastic.

"Okay, don't judge me but no, I haven't seen that one yet," I responded, leaning back into the sofa slightly.

"What?! Okay, then we're watching that, you have to see it!" she declared, quickly pulling it up on her TV and pressing play. She then proceeded to scootch closer to me, placing her hand on my jean-clad thigh as we settled in to watch the show.

It was a silly show, with stupid humour that had us chuckling periodically. By the time we were a few episodes in, Aiki had repositioned herself so that she was laying down with her head in my lap. I had to marvel at how long and shiny her hair was and the warmth she was giving off. She had one hand tracing patterns over the shirt on my stomach, sometimes nearing the underside of my bra. Does she realize? I wondered.

On my end, while I wasn't noticeably tensed up, I could feel the stiffness of keeping my body in one position (stomach slightly clenched to avoid gurgling sounds, trying not to move so I wouldn't disturb her, and hands hesitantly combing through her hair). And her gently meandering hands, hands much bigger than mine, had just the tiniest hint of heat curling in my lower stomach. Her touch may have been innocent enough but for someone like me, who wasn't used to being touched very often, the slight sexual tension that was in the air was thrilling enough.

When it got to be around 9pm we both agreed we should end the night there, since we both had school the next day. We parted with a lingering hug and then I was on my way home, practically skipping to the bus stop (once I was safely out of sight of her apartment of course).

That… wasn't bad at all! I definitely want to get to know her more… and maybe next time we'll kiss!