Chapter LX: The First Date
On a lovely Saturday morning, Kota gets up from his bed and gets prepared. He then waits at the fountain. Ten minutes have passed and he wonders,
"Where is she? Wait, let here have her time, besides this is our first official date"
An arm then pokes his side making him to leap out of his spot. He looks at the one who poked him and it turns out it was Akiko all along. Looked astonished and surprised,
"Y-you look beautiful today"
"Aww c'mon, please don't flatter me"
"Well you really pulled it off lol"
"Oh, so you say I'm not pretty everyday then?"
"I mean yes of course, everyday you are pretty and cute but today you're much prettier"
*raises eyebrows* "You sure"
"Honest to God, yes with that really cute outfit"
"You think I'm cute?"
"Of course girl, cute as a button"
"Aww, that's so sweet of you"
They then go to the old mall. They look at some accessories. While looking at some,
"I think this looks good on you", says Kota while he hands out a purple shoulder bag to her.
"Yeah, it's cute and OH! It has a special pouch here. Will you buy it for me?"
"I'll check if I still have money"
Kota checks his pocket if he still have some cash.
"What's the price?"
"Oh shoot! 18,000 yen"
"18-wha?! 18,000?! Yeah, pretty sorry I haven't earn for that much", he says as he facepalms with embarrassment.
"Hey, it's ok, we'll earn for it"
"Nah, I'll be the one who'll earn for it"
"It's ok, I still have many bags back at home, just earn big for something necessary in the future, ok?"
"Oh alright"
They then go to the cinema to watch Web-Slinger: Across the Web-Verse, a spectacular movie a bout a guy who has the abilities of a spider travelling through different dimensions. During the climax of the movie, they both hold hands until one guy behind them says,
"He's Spanish?!", they all laugh out loud due to this.
After that, they then escalate to the third floor to play some billiards. Unfortunately, all pools have been occupied. So they descend to the first floor to go window-shopping again.
Since it is noon, they need to go for some lunch. They go to a café near the mall and as they wait for their order,
"Hey, what'cha reading there?"
"Oh nothing, just reading again the First One who Confesses First, Losses the Game! Manga"
Akiko looks at his phone.
"Oh, the last chapter?"
"Apparently so, want to read it with me?"
"Yeah sorry, I've already seen it"
"Btw, did you know that there's another side story on My Sister is a Demon?"
"Oh, really?"
"Yes, it's about that lightning dude"
"Let's read it then"
As they're about to read it, Kota's phone lags and glitches.
"Oh my! It's ok, we'll just read it on my phone"
Akiko pulls out her phone.
"Oh SHHEEESH! A latest model of the myPhone, a myPhone 12"
"Yeah, well my cousin who is a teen artist in Tokyo gave it to me. But he sadly passed away in a car accident, I think it was between February and April"
"Aww, I'm so sorry to hear that. You know, you are very lucky"
"And why would you say that?"
Kota looks down.
"You got a loving prominent family members and relatives there in the capital, lending some financial support, and going to some places in abroad where most people dreamt of going. Well look at me, no prominent cousin/relatives from the capital/abroadat all. We only base on the store's income. You went to Tokyo when you were already young, but look at me, just 17 years old when I went there. Games and latest accessories, yeah I don't have that either. As of now, there's just a bit of disappointment in me. No one cheering me up although I always cheer people up. There's a slight motivation somehow but through all this, idk."
"Kota, I might be lucky to have such prominent relatives from abroad, in the capital, and other parts of the country. But it doesn't mean that being famous or anything makes you happy. Don't be disappointed of yourself because I feel bad for you. But I know that you're struggling but to be honest, you're the one who's lucky. You know why? You're smart, you're talented, a down to earth person, and keeping up the fight of your life. Even with that lifestyle, you struggled to make the best out of it. I'm proud of you doing that as my lover, and a caring, kind, good, and cool bf"
"Thank you so much for saying that my ai. You've been such a great help to motivate and support me"
Their orders is then ready so they eat their lunch.
After their lunch, they go to the arcade to play some games. At the claw game, they take turns to get a small My Sister is a Demon Nendoroid. Akiko tries but gets defeated as the item slips from the claw. Kota gets a go and indeed he gets one in the pocket.
"Um, can you…?", asks Akiko with sad puppy eyes.
Kota then tries and he gets another one.
"Nice, the Sun-breather and the flower-breather, a nice couple of Nendoroids for the perfect couple" (Akiko)
They then fist-pump one another. They go to different shops to buy some things especially at the cosplay shop.
"Yow, what are you getting?"
"Hmm, idk. Maybe these umbrellas?"
"Oh sheesh man, transparent Avenge of the Titan designs"
"Yeah, how about you?"
"Maybe I'll go with this fan"
"Oh sheesh, The Twins! That's a good one"
After shopping, they go to the riverside, at the dike. They seat under the Sakura tree.
"Hey Akiko, you still remember what I said back the café?" (K)
"Yeah? Why?" (A)
"You really are lucky, to be honest, I've read some articles about your artistic cousin in Tokyo. You were almost in the spotlight. That got me thinking, what if I'm not perfect/worthy for you?" (K)
"Kota, I know you've been disappointed of yourself because of your lifestyle. But that makes you unique from others. I don't like being in the spotlight you know, because it's too dirty work. You got the media, you got the fame and everything. And once dead, the media and the community will just backstab you. I got to admit that I have been spoiled by my uncles and aunts and of course cousins and relatives but I didn't choose to get spoiled by them. I'm not some bratty spoiled mf who forces them to get something although they're rich. That's just so wrong. You worked hard to get allowances and I'm grateful for that. Most people are rich but don't know the value and consideration of loving others. Stand up, you are rich. Technically not in money, but you are rich in talent, heart, kindness, bravery, intelligence, fidelity, humbleness, and above all, LOVE.
Richness is what you have in your heart, it's not about the money.
I may be rich in money Kota, but you are worthy for the true richness is in you, that is what I love about you, you are worthy enough to be my ai" (A)
Kota then sheds tears upon her saying. They both then hug.
"Kota? What brings you here?" (???)
"Takeshi? Is that you?" (Kota)
"Takeshi? Oh sh*t!" (Akiko)
"Why? What's wrong?" (Kota)
"He's my uncle from my mother side and has a bit of Filipino in his genes" (Akiko)
"Aking? Is that you?" (Takeshi)
"Your WHAT?! How is that even possible?" (Kota)
"Idk, we have a complex family tree there at home" (Akiko)
"Oh sh*t he's coming!" (Kota)
As Takeshi draws closer to them, they expect the worse to happen. Takeshi lifts his arms on them until,
"Aww, I didn't know he's your boyfriend Aking" (Takeshi)
"Aking? What is Aking?" (Kota)
"My Filipino nickname when I visited the Philippines and that's what these dudes call me" (Akiko)
"Oh I see" (Kota)
"Aww, I'm happy for you. You're very lucky Aking, you're with a great guy, despite any downfalls he had taken, he is very silent about those and managed to rise from it all" (Takeshi)
The two has a bright smile on them hearing what he said.
"Anyways, I'mma go first because I have something to buy at the music shop", as he waves them goodbye.
"See what I told you earlier?" (Akiko)
"Yeah, but I thought he was going to punch me" (Kota)
"Of course not, he's a good guy and uncle" (Akiko)
They then hug each other and conclude their date with a kiss on the lips as the Sakura petals dance in the wind.