Chapter 8

Ichika could not believe what was happening. Mirio was kissing her. Mirio was kissing her! He was actually kissing her! Here, in the dim light of the cinema at the most unromantic moment of the movie and yet he had made it romantic.

Before she could complete let it sink in however, he pulled away. A smile on his lips as he looked at her with those bright blue eyes of his. His reddened cheeks visible even in this light and she knew hers were no different. Her face cheeks were burning red and her lips slightly parted as she looked at the buff teen with wide eyes.

Mirio had taken her by surprise even if part of her had seen it coming. But she had been too busy arguing with herself and denying that he might actually like her too to register what was actually going on until his lips had touched hers. But at least she now knew, right? This did mean Mirio liked her back, right? Right? God, why was this so confusing? And why was she just sitting there, looking like a fool? She should move, pull him in again for another kiss like all those romantic movies. Or look away shyly. For heavens sake, at least blink, girl!

But she could only stare at Mirio as her she continued her internal arguing once again. The conflict evident on her face as she did so making Mirio chuckle quietly, as he placed his free hand on her cheek to make her look at him.

'You're always in your head too much, Ichika,' he whispered with a grin, before leaning in for another quick peck on her lips. 'There, that should make it clear that I in fact actually kissed you. Or perhaps you need another one?'

'N-no, I-I mean yes! I mean... I...'

Oh god, she was making this awkward! And her sudden outburst totally did not gain her a glare or two from the other moviegoers. Way to make a fool of yourself, you idiot! Act like a fool right after your first kiss! What would Mirio think of you now? This was nothing like she usually was. Sure she could be shy and she could be bold at times too. And of course she did have her awkward moments. But this, this was a whole new level of awkward!

'Aaand she's in her head again.' Mirio poked her forehead playfully to gain her attention again. His grin still plastered on his face as he looked at the smaller teen. 'Come on, let's get out of here. I think I might have some explaining to do.'

'But-but you've been waiting to see this movie for months,' Ichika stammered bewildered. 'Don't you want to see the ending?'

'Nah, I haven't been able to focus much,' was his bashful confession as he rubbed the back of his head. 'Besides, all the more reasons to go see it again soon, don't you think so?'

And with that he stood up and beckoned Ichika to do so as well. Without another word, she gathered her belongings and followed after the boy. Both, in confusion and embarrassed. What did he mean when he said he had some explanation to do? What was there to explain? He kissed her, right? So that meant he at least liked her. It wasn't like she was ugly. Unlike most cliche movies where the girl was oblivious to the fact that she was gorgeous, Ichika knew she was good looking. How could she not, with the genes she had inherited.

So perhaps Mirio only wanted to kiss her because he thought she was pretty? No, he wasn't that kind of guy, was he? Her eyes trailed to his hand holding hers as he guided her through the hall, towards the exit of the cinema.

No, Mirio was definitely not that type of guy! Perhaps it had been an accident then? But she immediately pushed that thought aside. He had made it pretty obvious that he had meant to kiss her. He had given her a quick peck on her lips to prove that. So what was it that he needed to explain? What made him want to leave with about half an hour of the movie left?

Her eyes widened as another thought entered her mind. Had it been a bet? She remembered Takeshi Shimada had stated once that girls like her liked to play hard to get. He had said so during the time he had his eyes on her - a pursuit he luckily had given up on not long after - and perhaps he had waged a bet with Mirio? Seeing as the chimera boy often liked to place a bet.

But then again, that didn't seem like something Mirio would do. Right?

Ichika let out a silent sigh as her mind worked overtime. She was only going to drive herself insane with all the possible scenarios. It would be better if Mirio would just stop and tell her whatever he needed to say.

But it wasn't until they had reached the park across the cinema that the teen stopped. The sun was slowly setting by now, and there weren't a lot of people at the park. Just a handful, walking their dogs.

'This will do,' she heard Mirio say, making her turn her attention towards him again.

'So, what did you want to say,' Ichika asked timidly, her cheeks still flustered. And the fact that the two of them were still holding hands didn't make it any better. 'What did you need...'

'I really like you, okay,' he cut her off. His face flustered and his eyes closed, as he started his confession. 'And then I kind of overheard Nejire last week, when she urged you to go and ask me out. You have no idea how dreadfully long that day was for me. With you acting all flustered and cute - like you're doing right now.'

He chuckled as her cheeks flushed red once again.

'I was afraid that perhaps I had misunderstood Nejire and that she perhaps had said another name,' he then continued, his own cheeks dusted with a faint pink hue. 'Because you didn't ask me, while there had been plenty of opportunities. But then again, I knew you liked me, so I decided that I would ask you out the next day, but then you surprised me with a phonecall!'

'Wait! You knew I liked you?'

'Yep.' He replied and gave her a nervous grin. 'Well, sorta. I guessed it a couple of weeks ago. But I'm glad I guessed right though.'

He looked at her, his grin still present as he did so. And as Ichika looked down to let it all sink in, she noticed he was holding both of her hands. When had he even reached for them in the first place? She didn't even remember. She had probably been too shocked to even take notice of it. While she wasn't even that shocked to hear Mirio had found out about her crush, she was surprised to hear his confession.

Her eyes trailed up to meet his and it was then that he pulled her in closer. His hands were still holding hers, though his grip wasn't tight. She could easily pull away if she wanted to. But the real question was, whether she wanted to or not.

'So now that we both now that we like one another,' Mirio began, his voice deeper than usual and completely, so unlike his usual cheerful voice. 'Why not give us a try? Let's skip the whole dating thing and everything and be my girlfriend?'

It wasn't at all the romantic scene she had always imagined it to be. With a setting sun, at the beach. He didn't ask her out on a romantic dinner, with a beautiful bouquet of flowers - the flowers carefully rearranged of course to truly express his feelings for her. And the way he had asked her, was much more casual than she could ever imagine. Yet it was so much like him and what she liked about him. So...

'Yes,' she answered with a shy smile. Though her eyes shone brightly. Yes, she would love to be his girlfriend!

'He what?!'

Ichika quickly hushed the girl, glaring at the screen of her phone as she did so.

'He what,' came the question once again, though this time much more quiet. 'What did you say? What did you say, 'Chika? Please tell me you said yes!'

'Shh,' Ichika once again shushed her friend as she continued in a hushed tone. 'Of course I said yes. But please, keep your voice down, I haven't told my mom yet. She's gonna make me sit and have "the talk" with me.' Ichika used her fingers to quote, making Nejire giggle.

True to her word, Ichika had called Nejire not long after she got home - which was about half past 11. Though not before texting the girl to see if she was still awake of course. And with the big word out, Ichika continued by telling Nejire about her evening. How Mirio had suggested a walk through the park before going home. Though instead of taking the train back home, Mirio had insisted he'd call his father to bring her home. Apparently Mr Togata had shipped the two of them from the moment he had seen them together and he was more than psyched when he heard they were now officially boyfriend and girlfriend. Of course there was that embarrassing moment when Mirio had kissed her goodbye at the doorstep of her apartment, right in front of his father, who sat behind the steering wheel. And the wink Mirio had given her as he turned around.

'See you tomorrow, girlfriend.'

The words still made her heartbeat quicken. He had actually called her his girlfriend!

'At least things won't be awkward between the two of you anymore,' Nejire said after Ichika finished. 'And it won't be for Tamaki and me either. Do you know how difficult it was to sit between the two of you, while knowing how you felt?'

'Tamaki knew too?'

'Yeah, of course! You weren't exactly subtle, ya know. And neither was Mirio. The two of you were just too oblivious to notice.'

She laughed, as Ichika felt her cheeks heating up.

'Anyway, I'll see you tomorrow, okay? Oh and thanks for letting me know!' She let out another cheerful giggle. 'I'm so happy for you! Nighty night, 'Chika!'

'Goodnight, Nejire.'

And with that, the girl disappeared from her screen. So apparently Tamaki knew about this not-a-date-date. God, how much of a fool had she been? But before she could even ponder over it, her door slammed open. A furious Inko stood in the dooropening, glaring at her taller daughter.

'Ichika Midoriya!'

Ichika immediately shot up from her chair, stammering as she looked at her mother with wide eyes.

'Y-y-yes?!'

With quick strides the rond green-haired woman stood in front of the desk, her green eyes glaring as she stopped right in front of Ichika. Then her eyes softened and she pulled her into a crushing hug.

'You have a boyfriend now? I'm so proud of you! Not that I should be surprised, you're such a beautiful girl. I should know, you take after me of course. I'm more surprised that you've hadn't had a boyfriend before, but that's because you were waiting for the perfect match, right? Oh honey, I'm so happy for you!'

The woman kept on rambling as she tightly held onto her eldest child, squeezing her and shaking her as she did so.

'Mom...'

'You should have told me you were going on a date with Mirio. I would have happily driven you. Why didn't you tell me? I thought it was just your regular movie night.'

'Mom...'

'Do you know how happy I am for you. My little angel is growing up so fast! I remember when you were born. So small and fragile. And now she has a boyfriend! Next thing I know you'll be married and have a family of your own!'

'Mom!' This time the woman did stop rambling, as Ichika tried to pry herself out of her iron grasp. 'You're exaggerating! Geez! I'm sixteen! I'm years away from even wanting to get married and have a family!'

Inko finally let go of her, her eyes filled with excitement as she grinned at her daughter. This was wasn't the reaction Ichika had expected from her mother. Well, minus the exaggeration. Her mother could definitely overreact, but she had expected her mother to be furious about her having a boyfriend, reminding her that she had to focus on her education before even wanting to think about having a boyfriend. Or embarrass her by explaining her where babies came from - which at sixteen, Ichika ready knew! But instead of that, the woman was talking about marriage already. Though luckily there was no one else to hear, or else it would have been humiliating.

'So tell me,' Inko inquired as she let go of Ichika and instead sat down on the teens' bed. 'How was it? Was he being kind? No scratch that, of course he was. He's always such a polite boy, with such good manners. Was it romantic?'

Ichika quirked a brow at her mother's behaviour.

'Since when did you turn into a curious schoolgirl?'

'Since my little girl is growing up and I want want know all about it,' Inko replied with a grin as she crossed a leg over the other. 'So, is he a good kisser? Oh goodness, look at those cheeks! You're face is glowing red honey.'

'What'd you expect, mom,' the redhead replied as she tried to hide her face behind her hands. 'My mom's being an idiot because I now have a boyfriend! How did you find out anyway? You were downstairs when I was on the phone.'

At this the woman chuckled before replying.

'Oh, hun. You didn't think I didn't see the two of you outside the apartment?' She winked at Ichika, causing the girl to grumble in embarrassment. 'I heard a car stop at the driveway and voices. Of course I had to make peek out the window to make sure my baby got home safe.'

'You're too curious for your own good, mom,' Ichika muttered as she glared at the said woman. 'There is this thing called privacy, you know? There was no need to spy on me.'

'Which is why I didn't say anything when you entered the living room,' Inko said. Her green eyes still shining brightly and her grin still present. 'Though when I overheard you talking on the phone with Nejire, I couldn't help but embarrass you. You just look so adorable when you're flustered.'

'Mom...'

Ichika rolled her eyes as she watched her mother behave like a teenage girl again.

'Don't "mom" me,' Inko scowled playfully. 'I'm just stating the obvious. Now off to bed, young lady. You don't want any circles under your eyes when you meet that boy of yours tomorrow. Ah, I still can't believe it. Anyway, goodnight sweetheart.'

With that said, the woman stood up, gave her daughter a peck on her forehead and left the room. Though before she closed the door, the woman couldn't help but throw one last embarrass remark at het already flustered daughter.

'Oh and hun, do make him wear a rubber for now. No babies while your still a child yourself.'

Then she quickly closed the door behind her. An Endeavor plushie hit the door with a soft 'thud' as Ichika yelled after her mother. Then she sighed and stood up to pick up the small item. At least it wasn't as bad as she had expected.