Blind Date

Baron covered his eyes with one hand, wishing that he didn't have to go over this again. "Mother, I promise you that no one will care if I don't have a date."

"You're very wrong about that dear. If you think you're annoyed, imagine how I feel every time your love life is brought up. Sai's parents are family friends, so they will be at the wedding, and I'm certain I don't need to explain how she will react if you show up without a young lady on your arm."

"It just doesn't feel right, Mother," he stated helplessly. "Would Louise even want a complete stranger in the photos?"

"She agrees with me, but I think it's for different reasons. Humbert, you are a fine man, and I'm very proud of the person you've become. But please, go find a girl to keep your sister's wedding from turning into another free-for-all."

Baron couldn't resist groaning, but at least he remembered to end the phone call on a loving note. "I need a drink," he muttered, standing up from the chair he'd been slumped over and nearly dragging himself into the kitchen.

Muta was fixing himself a sandwich, but his dark eyes flicked up to him once before plopping the second piece of bread on top of his absurdly tall creation. "Wedding drama?" he guessed before attempting to fit the large sandwich into his mouth.

"Theoretically, it's a preventative measure to avoid it," Baron grumbled as he got out his teapot and began filling it with water. "You know that girl I told you is under the delusion that we're childhood sweethearts and that I should stop being shy around her?"

Muta chewed thoughtfully, but at least swallowed before answering. "Sai, right? Because she makes you sigh every time she invades your space?"

"That's the one. She's taken it upon herself to tell everyone in the friend and family group that she's my date for Louise's wedding," Baron groaned while sifting through his herbs for what his gut told him he needed. "Mother was warning me that the best way to keep her from hanging off my arm like a monkey through the whole event is bringing a real date of my own."

"That shouldn't be hard," Muta commented smugly. "All you have to do is walk down a street, and you will have a selection."

"I don't want to do it, let alone like that," Baron informed him while glaring a bit.

Muta was used to that glare, so he took another bite of his sandwich.

Baron took that as a cue to keep talking. "You and Mother make it sound like I can just walk into a grocery store and pick up eggs, milk, and a girlfriend, but it's not that easy. I don't want to waste my time on a girl that's only interested in my body, I want the real thing. But how am I supposed to know what the real thing looks like when the only way I'm permitted to see girls that aren't related as animals in heat?"

Muta stopped chewing for a second, giving Baron a careful look. After a bit, he swallowed so he could talk. "Baron… if I told you I know a really shy girl that knows how to keep her hands to herself even when she's attracted, what would you say?

Baron's head snapped upward. "Keep talking," he stated in a low tone.

"Just so we're clear, if I set up a meeting, you'll have to talk fast and make sure she sits down first," Muta stated firmly. "I've seen her literally take scenic routes to avoid crossing paths with men less pretty than you."

Baron decided to ignore the remark. "That sounds promising. Who is she?"

"My girlfriend's best friend and roommate. You know, this would work out for her, too," he realized. "Hiromi's desperately been trying to find a guy for her, but Haru's pretty good at evasive maneuvers to most tactics. If I approach her with the idea as both of you getting away from being pestered for at least a little while, I should be able to talk her into hearing you out."

Baron blinked. "See if you can set up a meeting time."

"Yes, sir," Muta smirked, putting the sandwich down for now.

ooOoo

Baron couldn't help feeling that the precautions were slight overkill, but for the sake of talking to a girl that wasn't openly drooling on him, he was loitering inside a bookstore across from the street where he was supposed to meet Haru. Despite already knowing that she wasn't here yet, he carefully scanned each table for the description his roommate gave him.

Brunette, slim, large brown eyes, likely wearing a long blue coat. He hoped that she wouldn't forget the coat, since brunettes were hardly rare. He checked his watch, but she appeared to be running late.

Something caught the edge of his eye, making him look up as a group of people crossed the street.

There she was. Strangely, he felt he could have picked her out even if she'd forgotten the coat.

Her large eyes were nervous, and her steps were light. Her entire demeanor seemed to be more in league with a victim in a horror movie than a blind date.

Baron sighed, since he wasn't exactly feeling any different. It helped that Muta had seen how she acts in a natural environment, but he hadn't intentionally tried to go on a date in years. 'Come now, it's now or never, and I don't want to be stuck with Sai again.'

Taking in a deep breath for courage, he waited for her to pick a table before leaving the shop and approaching in a way that she wouldn't see him until he was sitting down opposite her. "Glad you made it, Haru."

Her eyes went huge at the sight of him, and there was the expected blush. "Oh dear," she muttered like she'd made a grave mistake.

"Please just hear me out, Haru," he begged while scooting closer to the table. "If you're even half as annoyed with Hiromi's interference as I am with everyone else's, a small respite has to sound heavenly to you, too."

Haru did a few breathing exercises but managed to stay in her seat. She compensated for that by looking at the place where food would be once they ordered. "… I think bashing my head against a wall would have more results than arguing with her."

"I know I'd rather that than be forced to deal with Sai for another event," Baron agreed while rolling his eyes. "If you've ever met a vain, shallow overgrown entitled brat, you've met Sai."

Haru flinched as her nose wrinkled in disgust. "One of those. I'm sorry, Muta mentioned you've been fending her off since childhood."

"I honestly don't know where her parents went wrong, but they're good enough people that my mother would never consider cutting ties," Baron elaborated helplessly. "If she had a real personality, something could have happened, but when I feel like I'm babysitting a two-year-old that doesn't listen, there's a problem."

"True," Haru agreed, her expression turning dark. She put her elbows on the table and laced her fingers together to brace against her chin as she thought over the matter. "Baron, showing up with a girl won't stop her, she'll just try to get rid of me in subtle ways. I don't enjoy it, but thanks to brats like her, I have ways to defend myself. Unless you're okay with the fallout of pepper spray or a few incidental injuries that won't look good on camera-"

Baron lit up like a Christmas tree. "Please be my date for my sister's wedding," he begged with a wicked smile. "We won't have to do more than holding hands or elbows when we're around people, and the idea of Sai losing her mind and maybe her nose job lights a fire in my petty heart."

Haru grinned wickedly. "A nose job, huh? Guess I know where to hit first. If she presses the issue, that is," she hastily added.

"When she presses it," he corrected with an evil grin.

Haru grinned right back before taking a breath to calm herself. "Okay, so some specifics would probably help. Would we have to travel? Do I need to look at hotel rooms?"

"Louise will probably insist you stay in her room to keep you safe from Sai. She's also tried picking out partners for me, but mostly because she was terrified that I'd let Sai wear me down. She backed off after I iterated that it would never happen, so she'll be very accommodating with you. The wedding is an hour away by train for the last three days of the month."

Haru frowned, pulled out her phone, and started tapping. "It would have been better if I had a bit more warning, but it should be all right with work since it's our slow season. Is there a dress code?"

"The wedding's a garden theme, so pastel and flowy for a dress would be ideal."

Haru brightened. "Thank you, Baron! I've had my eye on a yellow dress like that, but since I don't really go out, I couldn't justify buying it until you said that."

"I'll pay for it," Baron stated outright. He couldn't help smiling wryly. "It's the least I can do for essentially asking you to be a meat shield."

Haru frowned. "Maybe half, but that's it. You know, if you're not that hungry, I could just show you. The shop isn't far."

Baron laughed. "I was a bit too nervous in case Muta misjudged you. Please show me what you have in mind."

She smiled at him, and while they didn't hold hands on the walk, it still felt calm and intimate.

Baron wasn't sure he'd ever been able to just walk with a girl without her 'accidentally' brushing or bumping into him. It was... comfortable not having to worry.

"It probably wouldn't hurt for me to pack a nice shirt and my green skirt in case she ruins the dress at some point. Oh drat, is there going to be dancing?" Haru asked with sudden worry.

"Oh, yes. Louise has booked a live band and everything. Is there a… you can't dance," he realized, since she had very little experience being near men.

"Not very well. It's incredibly uncomfortable for me and I hate people staring, but if there's any point in the night she's going to try her luck, it's going to be then." She sighed in resignation. "I apologize in advance for what I'll end up doing to your poor feet."

Baron thought the matter over carefully. "You know, we do have almost a whole month for me to help you with that."

Haru looked up at him with surprise. "Are you sure? I bet you hate having physical contact with women you don't know."

"Believe me, I do. But you're treating me like a person instead of an object, so I won't mind teaching you."

She looked away with a blush. "I'm sorry. I just have a lot of trouble knowing what to do or what to say when a guy's around unless I can see him as something else."

"Oh? Like what?" Baron couldn't resist asking.

She shrugged one shoulder. "A boss is a boss. A coworker is a coworker. A waiter is a waiter, and Muta is Hiromi's boyfriend. By the way, has he always been that loud and sarcastic?"

"Oh my, yes," Baron laughed with delight. "It's been such a relief to have someone in my life willing to be so blunt."

Haru couldn't resist laughing. "He makes me think of a grumpy teddy bear-this is the shop," she caught herself sheepishly, walking back to the glass door they just passed.

Baron was just able to open the door for her, since he really wanted to make a good impression on a girl that seemed capable and willing to be his friend, now that the ice was broken.

"Thanks," she seemed to say on reflex while smiling at him. "Oh, one more thing," she added as she led him to a specific corner of the store. "It'd be a good idea to keep me under wraps until we actually get there. If Sai's anything like the girls I knew from high school, alerting her that you have a date will just give her time to plan mischief. This way, she'll have to work off the cuff and be more obvious."

"Only my mother and Louise will know," he agreed in a heartbeat while trying to repress a shudder. "I suppose you understand to never be left alone on the trip?"

"I'll need someone to show me around or where things are," Haru smirked, reaching out and pulling a chiffon dress the color of a buttercup off the rack and held it against her front. "This is what I had in mind for your sister's wedding."

Baron studied the dress with interest. 'I have a silk handkerchief I could fold into my jacket pocket to match!' "That certainly fits the style. Have you already tried it on?"

Haru laughed slightly. "I didn't have the time when I saw it. Hiromi was really nervous about the perfect date outfit for Muta when the clock was against her."

"Would you mind taking care of that? I've heard a few too many complaints from Louise and Mother about hidden flaws."

Haru blushed a bit but nodded. "I'll be right back," she promised, turning to the dressing rooms.

Once she was out of sight, Baron yanked his phone out of his pocket for the private chat he shared with his sister and mother.

Don't tell Sai, but I found a date that promises to be up for the challenge.

'About time!' was the unanimous response.

xxXxx

Also, because I really wanted to write this part…

Hiromi was busy wrapping new sports tape onto her lacrosse stick when her phone started belting out her favorite love song. She immediately grinned like an idiot at the implication and reached over to flick at her phone screen. "Hello, my favorite cuddle buddy," she cooed like a lovestruck idiot.

"Hey, Chicky," he answered, his voice gentle although his tone was unusually tight for his normal. "Is Haru home?"

Hiromi blinked. "She's in the living room, is something up?"

He laughed a bit nervously. "That's one way of putting it. If she's not busy, would you mind walking where she can hear me and put me on speaker?"

"You're already on speaker," she informed him, setting her lacrosse stick aside for now so that she could grab her phone and stretch once before walking out of her bedroom. "Is it an emergency?" she asked while walking into the living room.

Haru, who had been reading a book, snapped her attention from it with a worried expression.

"No, I just have a big favor to ask of her, and I don't know how she's going to react."

"Are you two talking about me?" Haru asked suspiciously, swinging from her comfortable position lying on the couch so that Hiromi could sit next to her. She placed a bookmark in the pages before setting her book on the table next to her.

"I'm about to start. Haru, I know you're not going to like what I'm about to ask from you, so I want to make sure we're all on the same page about the important things. Hiromi loves you like a sister."

"Correct," Hiromi answered before Haru could, though she nodded just the same without surprise.

"Everyone here is more than aware that if I did literally anything that would put you in harm's way, Hiromi would beat me to death and then dump me."

"Not sure about the order, but the sentiment is accurate," Haru acknowledged, feeling a sense of dread at what he could possibly want from her to be talking like this. She and Muta were on good terms when they did interact, but they were hardly close.

"Then I hope you will hear me out before panicking. My roommate's in trouble, and I think you are the one that can help him."

"Is this a blood transfusion thing?" Haru asked, standing up from the couch in case she needed to run out the door.

"No, not that kind of trouble." Then he laughed a bit, clearly on the edge of his nerves. "He's got the same sort of problem you have, Haru. He's terrified of women."

Hiromi's eyebrows shot up with interest.

"The biggest reason he avoids dating or having anything to do with women he isn't related to is the daughter of a family friend. She thinks they're childhood sweethearts, no matter how many times he begs to differ, so he's definitely spooked about women that so much as walk too close to him."

Haru looked at the phone suspiciously. "What's this, you're hoping we can 'unshy' each other?"

"Nope, this is strictly a platonic ask. Baron's sister is getting married, that pest is coming and has been telling everyone that she's his date. Even his mom and sister want him to show up with literally anyone else, but Baron doesn't want to deal with keeping two girls at bay instead of one, but he's done everything short of saying he'd rather jump off a cliff than deal with the pest again."

Haru blinked. "So no rom-com setup, strictly a 'bodyguard' situation?"

"Yep, all business. You have my word that Baron isn't just a gentleman, he's old-fashioned, so he'll want literally nothing else, and he'll stand up for you if you need it. But I'll be shocked if the two of you don't walk away from this as friends."

Haru mulled it over while Hiromi couldn't take holding her tongue any longer.

"You know, it could be good for you, too," Hiromi drawled while wrapping her arm around her best friend's shoulders. "Maybe 'unshy' is a bit much to hope for, but if he can help you learn how to talk to a guy instead of taking off like a deer, I'll call it a win. Besides…" she added while giving Haru a wicked smirk, making Haru look over at her.

"A brat that persistent sounds a lot like Sakura, don't you agree?"

Haru's eyes went wide, even as her nostrils flared at the name.

"Of course, you are far too good to take out on a complete stranger what some brat did to you in high school, just because they're personality twins," Hiromi continued as her smirk deepened. "But just imagine the howls of anguish if Sakura had seen you stroll up to a big party in a fancy dress with the boy she liked, even as a platonic date. Her head would have probably exploded."

Haru blinked once before hopping over the couch to grab her coat from the closet. "Can you tell Baron to meet me at the café we visited to celebrate Hiromi's championship?" she directed at the phone while pulling on her favorite long blue coat. "I really should make sure he and I are on the same page about details before saying yes or no to this."

"That's perfect, I'll tell him what you look like."

Haru stopped reaching for the doorbell, holding her ground for a few seconds. "Well, aren't you going to tell me what he looks like?"

Muta's laugh this time made her more than a little nervous. "Oh, don't worry. You'll know."