Chapter 2: The Trials of a First Date
Weeks seemed to blur by after their agreement. For Akihiko, the time was divided sharply. Half the time it was almost like sleep walking… But mostly like a frantic dash. Trying to figure out what he was supposed to be doing, if he was still going to be living in his apartment, or what sort of college scholarship he should even apply for-
And of course, the second he almost had his feet under him, Mitsuru gave him another upset. This time in the form of a phone call, informing him to be ready.
'Ready for… I don't even know what. But it feels like something dangerous.'
Akihiko paced the floor, trying to settle into the role of fiancé as he waited for Mitsuru. With each step he nervously ran his hands together. The ring still felt odd on his finger, making him want to fiddle with it. He also wasn't used to seeing that flash of gold on his fingers, to the point he was ready to pull gloves on over his hands-
'And mask what it is you're wearing? What you agreed to?' He chided himself. 'Don't be a coward about this.'
He forced himself to stop, and plant his feet in the floor. He waited there until footsteps sounded on the other side of the door, and he readily pulled it open.
Mitsuru stepped into his apartment; it was a modest little box in a nice part of town, courtesy of the Kirijo Group. Even before he'd agreed to this fiancé deal, the work with SEES and the initial scholarship granted by the Group had at least given him the funds to live on. Still, he found himself shifting uneasily in his place as Mitsuru looked about. The furniture was a lot more spartan than the dorm, with more than a few old boxes and crates repurposed as tables. The old dining table she walked towards was one of the few pieces of authentic furniture.
"Interesting décor you have here." Mitsuru commented, glancing around as she walked inside. Akihiko gave a half-hearted mumble of agreement… And he wondered at how out of place Mitsuru looked in his life.
"Would you care to take a seat?" Mitsuru continued; at least she was comfortable with easing into one of the old, slightly worn chairs at the table. At her words, Akihiko followed, and found himself blinking at a folder placed between them.
"What's this?" He eyed the document Mitsuru slid across to him. After the business-turned-engagement-meeting, he didn't think she had any more ways to surprise him. Apparently, that was an unvoiced challenge for Mitsuru to do just that.
"A date plan. As agreed on in our contract. We should make at least one public appearance, to start out with. Ideally some place slightly low key… But enough to make the change in my status clear. I'd like to put the rumors to rest." He could understand that. What he couldn't understand was the precise wording and planning on the letter. Granted, he didn't have a lot of experience with dates, but he doubted they were normally typed up with exact minutes, locations, and objectives all outlined.
Honestly, this looked less like an invitation to dinner, and more like a detailed covert ops mission.
'Well, you were right with your first guess. It is at least a little bit dangerous.'
…And that thought made him cough out something between a snort and a chuckle. Mitsuru gave him a sharp glance at that, but didn't comment. Giving Akihiko just enough time to gather his thoughts.
"Okay. So we're going to dinner… And treating it like a mission." Mitsuru gave a hesitant nod at that, shifting in her seat. That was when he realized she was still clinging to what she knew, what she was familiar with.
'And what she knows is missions.' The same was true for him, Akihiko realized.
"I'm at least available for the time… Even if I don't know the location." In fact, he wasn't certain if he could pronounce the place. Trust Mitsuru to pick something that had a tongue twisting French name.
-o-o-o-
In a few more hours, he saw that the restaurant lived up to the name; brilliantly opulent, full of rich smells… And with a set of large and ornate doors to walk through, that seemed designed to draw attention to those who entered.
They'd gotten a few glances on the street as well; Mitsuru wore her hair loose today, and it was like a long, brilliant scarf. Her dress, dark fabric trimmed with violet, seemed to glimmer from the restaurant lighting, drawing whispers and looks alike. For Akihiko's part, he wondered at the near suit he'd found himself in, and the way the restaurant lights glared almost like spotlights.
He swore the lights cut at his eyes so much, he could almost see red in the corners of his vision… At least until he blinked his eyes clear. Thankfully the feeling subsided, leaving him with just that imposing building and a few dozen watchers.
All of it pushed a restless feeling into Akihiko's limbs; like he'd found himself in the middle of a fighting ring, surrounded by spectators… Though he was also well aware that the rules here were different from any fighting bouts.
Mitsuru at least seemed to know the rules of this place, and knew them well enough for two. Her stride was long, her heels clicking across the sidewalk as she pulled Akihiko along with her and through the doors. She kept her head raised, eyes fixed straight ahead. Akihiko tried to follow her example… But found his eyes wandering instead.
"Is that a chandelier?" He blinked up at the glimmering lights hung on the ceilings. It'd been years since he'd seen one of those… And it made him wonder if he measured up to this place. He'd pulled out the best shirt he could find, and kept hoping he'd done up the buttons correctly. The white jacket felt a little tight along his shoulders and constrained at the elbows.
"Yes, it is… And yes, you look fine." Mitsuru whispered to him, and Akihiko tried not to double take at how easily she read him.
"I've got my doubts." He answered, trying not to fidget. He only breathed easily when Mitsuru led him to a table draped in silvery cloth, and settled down to eat. Akihiko made sure to keep his hands under the table cloth so no one could see how they nervously twitched.
"How… Do the menus here even work?" He gave the fine leather binders a bewildered look. Some of the velvet trimming the menus looked so fine he was afraid he'd bruise it, just by picking it up. "…Maybe you should just order for me."
Mitsuru nodded at that, deftly scanning the items and rolling their names off easily when the staff came up. As she spoke, Akihiko risked another glance around the dining hall. He was pretty sure it wasn't his imagination, that they were drawing looks. All from people who appeared to spend more money on their suits than someone like him could make in a year… And also appeared to be measuring up this new presence in their domain, caught between glaring at him and appraising him.
And yet Mitsuru shrugged it all off. Akihiko shot her a grateful look for both that, and when she ordered what sounded like steak with mushroom sauce.
"Add it to the running tab, if you'd please." Mitsuru finished the order, before turning her focus back to Akihiko.
"So… What now?" He slowly brought his hands up to the table. And trying to reassure his fingers that there wasn't any threat, no matter how his heart was trying to pound… Or how he had those flecks of red drift into his vision, and an odd pressure on his neck.
'It's all nerves. Relax, Sanada.'
"Now, we do our best to ignore all the pointed looks, and put on the best image of an engaged, happy couple… Though we also don't do anything indecent, considering the public venue." He frowned at that, trying to puzzle over what the hell 'indecent' meant. Mitsuru took pity on him and elaborated. "We'll refrain from kissing, or invading the other's space too much. In fact, it would be better if we confined this to meaningful glances."
"…Is that why you can read me so well?" He found himself asking, and fighting to meet her eye to eye. Somehow when she mentioned kissing, his mind fixated on that word. That word, and wondering at the way Mitsuru's lips had been perfectly glossed, looked oddly soft, and-
"It's a little on why I can read you so well. Though I must say, you're actually pulling off that meaningful glance quite well." Mitsuru interrupted those thoughts, thankfully before his cheeks could go past pink. "Though… I must say I'm a little curious what's on your mind."
"O-oh. Just… Figuring out how to follow your lead." He had to force a deep breath at that, and screamed at himself to stay casual and relaxed. To follow Mitsuru's instructions. And absolutely not go red in the face, or go back to that thought of kissing-
"…Akihiko?" Mitsuru's voice jolted him back into reality. "I assure you, things are going well… You might wish to relax a little, however."
He followed her gaze down to his hands, and where they were clutching at the tablecloth. His fingers were clutching the fabric so tight, he looked close to tearing rents.
"Sorry." Akihiko managed… And found himself freezing when something else brushed over his hand. His eyes found a collection of pale fingers resting over his hand… And one of them held a matching gold band. In another instant, he realized Mitsuru was holding his hand and trying to steady him.
When he lifted his eyes to Mitsuru, she looked just as shocked as him, that she was offering him reassurance.
-o-o-o-
Mitsuru's thoughts screamed that she was being too familiar. Giving the other patrons a bit too much to gossip over. But somehow that wasn't enough to draw Mitsuru's hand away. At least not until Akihiko finally relaxed under her touch.
"We can also afford to make some small talk." Mitsuru tried to reassure him, even as she took her hand back… And tried not to wonder of that sudden sense of loss. It matched the slight pressure on her shoulders. A sudden twinge of pain, vanishing on the next breath.
But there were more pressing matters to focus on. Akihiko was still too skittish for her liking. Too far out of his element… And she'd sooner not have any rumors spread about how nervous her date was, and how he might be unsuited for her; too weak willed, too easily scared.
'And I know for a fact that couldn't be further from the truth.'
"Wh… What do we talk about, exactly?"
"For starters… You could stand to tell me about yourself. Not necessarily your preferences, your favorite things… I'd like to think I've already memorized those." He opened his mouth and closed it. But she could also see a challenging glint in his eyes, offset by that doubtful twist to his mouth. "You enjoy your morning jogs, though evening workouts will also suit you. You have a fascination for action movies and a passing interest in martial arts shows, and of course there's your love of pancakes-"
"…Okay, okay. Fair enough. You got me there." He dipped his head, admitting defeat… And there was a slight chuckle under his voice. Which Mitsuru found herself preferring. It was better than that nervous stammer by far.
"But as for what more I want to discuss… I admit, I'm curious where you've spent the last year. What it is you've been doing."
"Well… Mostly traveling. Looking for spots where there might be trouble, and doing something about it. South America, a little time in Europe…"
Mitsuru found herself frowning as she listened to him. That odd pang was back in her chest, and growing all the more insistent; no amount of deep breaths banished it this time. And Akihiko clearly picked up on it, with how he trailed off.
"…Not something you'd approve of?" He asked, and Mitsuru shook her head. Whatever that odd pang in her chest was, it wasn't disapproval.
"More like…" She tried to find a voice for it. "Well… Perhaps jealousy, I suppose. Being able to travel as you see fit sounds-"
"I bet you can get enough leverage over those Kirijo suits to let you do that." Akihiko pointed out. His smile was back in place, and growing into a cocky grin. "Especially since you've taken a fiancé now, according to their wishes. They've got to allow you a lot more freedom."
…That WAS a thought, Mitsuru mused. Before she could voice it, though, a plate appeared on the table in front of her. Followed by another in front of Akihiko. Before he could even manage a 'thanks' the staff was already gone, leaving them with a sudden meal and wine to match.
"Wow, they don't waste time, do they?" He reached his hand out, and left it hovering over the closest knife on the table. "…I use this one, right?"
"You've been studying." Mitsuru told him, even as she nodded. She also noted that he correctly folded his napkin in his lap, and even drank from the same spot on his water glass. All things he'd never displayed when they lived in the dorm.
"Got to read up on your opponents before you enter the ring, right? Which… Yeah, I studied. Read a few articles so I wouldn't make a complete idiot out of myself."
"Don't speak of yourself like that. You're smarter than you give yourself credit, Akihiko."
-o-o-o-
Maybe he was a little smarter than he thought. He was also hungry, with how he started to devour the steak Mitsuru had ordered for him. He reminded himself to take smaller bites, pace himself. The last thing he was going to do was embarrass her by bolting down his food.
"H-hope I'm doing okay so far." He said after his plate was half devoured. He noticed with a jolt that Mitsuru had barely touched her food, and that she was still considering him-
And that there was another, sudden flash of red in his vision as he watched her.
"Mitsuru…?" He started to say, only for an odd shiver to work through him. A sudden pressure seemed to weigh down on his shoulder, and even Mitsuru seemed to feel the same as she gave a shudder.
"Something is-" She tried to say, only for a rumble to steal her words. The silverware on the table all rattled, jingling together like they were in the middle of an earthquake… But the tables themselves didn't move, and neither did the chairs. It was like the world was folding and warping around them-
The table cloth turned scarlet, and he was half afraid he'd somehow spilled the wine. Akihiko snapped his head up to apologize… And saw the rest of the building was stained that same crimson color. He surged to his feet the same time Mitsuru did. The chairs clattered to the ground, and no one commented on the commotion. The residents had blinked out, leaving them with an empty dining room.
This felt like an empty, almost pocket of a dimension. He remembered the records from Mitsuru, and how well they matched this strange, warped reality.
"…That's unfortunate." Mitsuru commented, taking in their surroundings. "I was hoping to enjoy the dessert menu, but that clearly isn't going to be an option."
-o-o-o-
'Not an ideal outcome for a first date.' She allowed herself that one moment of regret.
Mitsuru carefully made her way over to Akihiko, scanning their surroundings and searching for any hint on what was happening. None of what she saw was encouraging; the only thing that was more unnerving than people in coffins was an absolute absence of humanity. The chairs were darkened with faint outlines and shapes that were almost human… Like people were casting faint shadows, into this echo of a world.
And it had shades of the Dark Hour, now painted in crimson. It looked uncomfortably like a subspace painted in blood, and ready to shed still more.
"…We shouldn't linger here." Mitsuru whispered. "Particularly without weapons."
"Right. Any suggestions on how we get out of this?" Akihiko bumped against her side. His fists were already balled and held up in a boxer's stance, though she doubted they could punch their way out of this place. "This doesn't FEEL like the Dark Hour. Or at least not quite like it. Especially not with this color…"
He trailed off, as a low droning sound filled the room; something like a siren full of rust, and nails scraping along steel. It didn't sound like anything friendly, and she felt Akihiko tense up. Wherever they were, it wasn't completely uninhabited.
"Something caused this distortion." Mitsuru whispered to him, wary about making too much noise. "If we take care of it, we might disrupt this place."
The silverware and glasses were still clinking together, in strange glassy noises. And that low, blood chilling call was still there, echoing off the walls and pushing a flinch into her muscles. She had to figure out where the sounds were coming from, just what they were facing… But it was hard when the room was still ringing, all the glass chiming-
Mitsuru looked to the table, and realized the wine glasses had settled. They couldn't be making that noise.
'But the only other glass here, is-' She looked up, to the chandelier directly above their heads. Black ichor bled from the glass beads, running down the chains and trying to gather together. Forming into a shadow.
A shadow with too many limbs, too many teeth, and ready to drop straight down on them. The rattle and hiss of noise slipped out of its mouth, as it slowly untangled from the chandelier. Mitsuru went for a rapier that wasn't at her side… Then an Evoker that wasn't at hand. And it was only then, as the shadow broke free and fell towards her, that she realized just how badly she had miscalculated this date.