I walked home after school, a dreary and lucid rain surrounded me as I continued my journey to my house. I thought about two things, the second round of the tournament and my talk with ali. What or who would I face in the second round, could I defeat them? Me and ali have such a history together, I just wonder if that could help me in the future. Nonetheless I trundled through the adverse weather with my thoughts inbound. The rain droplets hitting me on the head were a constant reminder of the fluid nature of life and its consequences.

Cael: (...Almost home.)

I say as I approach my house. I step closer and closer to my home and before entering the pathway that leads to my house. I walk slowly along the pathway, looking at everything along the way, the grass, the flowers, the mushrooms in our yard. It was kind of beautiful in a way, almost like a mini-garden in our front yard.

Eventually, I reached the door and opened it. I stepped inside and saw my mother mopping the floor in the main room.

Mom: Hello honey! How was your day!

My mother greets me. I reply with the usual "fine" and head to the kitchen. I open the fridge and see the usual stuff, cheese, milk, eggs, some butter and a slice of yellow cake.

Cael: Hmm.

I grunt to myself, kind of wanting for more.

Mom: Are you hungry, cael? I forgot to re-stock the fridge and pantry, but I can give you some money to make a grocery run!

Cael: Uhh, I don't know. I'll just grit my teeth and make a cheese sandwich or something.

Mom: Cael… Come on. I know you want something tastier.

Bonnie: Yeah big bro!

Biscuit came into the room. She stood in front of me.

Bonnie: I want some more potato chops! We're out.

Cael: You mean potato chips….?

Bonnie: No, Chops! They're blocks made of potatoes, Honey and frosting!

Cael: That sounds disgusting.

Bonnie: it's not! they're delicious!

Cael: If you say so. I know that stomach of yours will ingest anything.

I chuckle.

Bonnie: Come on big bro! Please! I want some potato chops! Potato chops!

Cael: Saying it twice won't change my mind.

Mom: Look cael, I'll let you get some pork cutlets at the grocery stores.

Cael: (My favorite…. Huh.)

Cael: I Don't know if bribery will work mom, I don't feel like going to the-

My mother forcibly put a bunch of money in my palm. Probably around 70 bucks. She winked at me and said:

Mom: You can keep 15 of that.

Cael: Well, I guess I can't argue with that.

I roll my eyes and internally curse my own greed. My mother then gave me a list of other things she wanted me to get at the store and then I turned around and headed for the door.

Mom: Don't be gone too long, honey. I want to make dinner as soon as possible.

Bonnie: Bye big brother!

Bonnie cheerfully said. My hand gripped the doorknob and I headed back out, once again.

The afternoon air hit my face once again as I headed towards the grocery store. A calm wind was blowing as it had stopped raining in the short time I was inside of the house. It would make for an easier walk but a less than interesting one. My thoughts went blank as I continued.

I soon arrived at the medium sized grocery about three blocks away. It was called 'Paola's', named after a local community leader. It had a unique mix of the architecture of the early 2000s and the modern era.
As I enter the store, I see lines upon lines of consumable food items. Some were canned, some were bagged and some were fresh. The inside of the store had a vibrant yellow and white interior who complimented it's 'jovial' feeling and community feeling. There weren't many people inside, probably about 5, excluding the cashiers that I saw.

I grabbed a mini-cart and walked forward and went to the meats section, where I could get my pork cutlets. I walk row by row until I saw the pork masterpieces that I would devour soon. I grabbed them still wrapped in plastic and placed them inside of the mini cart and prepared to get some of the other stuff my mother had wanted me to get.

?: Well, well. What a coincidence.

I turn to the left and see a familiar face. It was ohsaka. She was carrying a mini-cart too, with packets of rice shoved into them along with some olives and fish sauce.

Cael: Ohsaka, Didn't expect to see you here.

Ohsaka: Why not? I go shopping too. I have to eat.

Cael: You know what I meant.

I smirked and roll my eyes.

Ohsaka: My mother sent me here to get some ingredients for dinner.

Cael: No way. Mine did too.

Ohsaka: Huh. Guess were just errand boys for our mothers, huh? Or in my case an errand girl….

Cael: Yeah but I got paid for it. 20 bucks in fact.

Ohsaka: Haha, really and here I am, doing it for free. Doing this unpaid labor just for some fried rice and mom's love.

Ohsaka sighs and looks to the side.

Cael: Well, nothing wrong with that, I suppose.

Ohsaka: Pork cutlets huh?

Ohsaka says, looking at my mini-cart.

Ohsaka: Basic and yet reliable. Just like you.

Cael: Thanks. I guess? (I think that's a compliment.)

Ohsaka: You know cael…. I become more and more curious about you everyday.

She said while squeezing the bag of rice in her cart. I tilted my head slightly in curiousity and was about to say 'oh really' but she cut me off.

Ohsaka: The way you dueled Julia two days ago…. Kept me on my seat. The way you defeated her, pulling that fusion out of nowhere. It was cool.

Ohsaka: Yet I feel like you didn't have a strategy for that entire duel. You were going off your gut feelings and instincts.

Cael: Yeah, I guess you could say that.

Cael: What is it, ohsaka?

I asked, looking at her directly.

Ohsaka: Well, It's just….

She looked to the side, a slight blush in her cheeks.

Ohsaka: I'd like to…..

Cael: You'd like too…

It was a bit unusual to see Ohsaka struggling to say something like this. She's usually quick and straight to the point. It's a but cute though to see her struggle with words like this.

Ohsaka: I want to….. Go somewhere with you.

Cael: Go somewhere….. with me?

Ohsaka: Yes. Like a date…..

Cael: Ah.

I was speechless... Words failed to come out of my mouth as I processed what she had just said.

Cael: W-Well…

Ohsaka: It would just be for us to get to know each other. Nothing more.

Cael: Right…

Ohsaka: …

Cael: …

There was a silence between us.

Ohsaka: Well, are you going to say more than one word?

Cael: Y-Yes!

Ohsaka: Yes to the date or to the one word thing?

Cael: Yes to both, ohsaka. I'd love to go with you.

Ohsaka: Heh. Great.

Cael: Do you have any place in mind?

Ohsaka: No, not right now but I'll think of something. This city is full of adventure.

She exclaims as she looks up briefly.

Cael: Saturday as the date, presumably?

Ohsaka: Yep. I'll think of a precise time later.

Cael.: Then it's a date. I guess.

I said excitedly, still not believing this was happening.

Ohsaka: Great, I'll let you know where we'll go.

Ohsaka nodded to me and pushed her cart forward, Leaving me alone. I wondered about the purpose of this 'date'? Was it truly just to get to know me or was it something else? Something more? I looked down at the pork cutlets I had gathered.

Cael: (A date… Huh?)

I began to push my cart and go around the corner and get bonnie's potato chops, In addition to some of the stuff mom wanted me to buy. I grabbed the items and put them into the cart and went over to the counter to pay for everything. I knew destiny was calling for me to hang out with Ohsaka and yet I felt this coziness in my heart, not pressured by destiny to enjoy this moment. A moment of ease and hope.