“Are you okay?”


    Akito stares blankly at Akari, his speech seemingly ripped from his mouth. All he can do is sit and stare in awe at her.


    Akito’s face becomes red, then snaps back into reality, grabbing a hold of Akari’s hand and getting up off the ground. They exchange smiles, and Akito finally takes in the outfit She’s wearing


    Wow…I mean…just…


    Akito realizes he’s still holding onto her hand, and pulls it back adamantly, putting it back in his pocket.


    “Thanks for…coming?” Akito says skeptically, sweating in nervousness and uncertainty


    Is that what you’re supposed to say on a date? I really hope so.


    Akari smiles back, her long eyelashes glistening from the ambient light of the mall.


    This moment was new to him, but it was one he’d never forget.


    They stand together for a moment, unsure of what to do, Akito spotting a bookstore he frequents out of the corner of his eye, and points over toward it.


    “Would you want to…uhh…go there with me?”


    Akari’s face is still red from before, but agrees with little hesitation.


    They walk toward their destination, and the mall seems to be bustling with people all of a sudden. Akito had been so focused on Akari that nothing else mattered, and those things just…slipped from his view.


    The foot traffic seems to only be getting heavier, Akito and Akari almost losing each other in the sheer amount of people. Akito keeps getting run into by people walking by, and is shoved into someone who nudges him back. Akari is pushed in a similar fashion, leading to them hitting shoulders. Akito goes to move away, and that’s when Akari reaches out and grabs his hand. Akito’s hand is visibly shocked by this, not grabbing back at first.


    Akito looks up to see the nervous face of Akari, red with nerves.


    She’s the same as me…why didn’t I notice?


    Akito grabs her hand back, startling Akari at first, but from her face he knows: She wouldn’t want it any other way.


    They make it into the bookstore, only to find a massive line to the cashiers. Akito looks puzzled at first, then reads the signs around the store:


    :MEGA SALE!:


    That makes more sense than I’m willing to admit. Hopefully she’s fine with the people, though.


    Akito looks over and starts to apologize to Akari


    “Sorry, Akari-chan…I didn’t know there was a sale today!”


    Akari laughs at this, to the confusion of Akito.


    “It’s fine, crowds aren’t that big of a deal” Akari replies, still chuckling at the sentiment but appreciating it.


    “What if someone from school sees-”


    “It’s okay, it’s not like they know what I look like, let alone who I am”


    “What if they see me with you? Wouldn’t it look like we’re on a date?”


    “...”


    Akari’s face turns red, confronting the fact that this was a date right in the store, at this very moment. She covers her face and crouches down, Akito concerned for a moment.


    “What’s wrong with that?” Akari quietly chimes out.


    Akito’s face blushes, then he grabs her hand and leads her in the store


    “Nothing.”


    Akito looks away from Akari to hide his face, not noticing that hers is the same way.


    …


    They begin browsing the manga collection, Akari drawn toward the romance section, picking up a book and flipping through the pages, captivated by the art, the story, and the characters. Akito recognizes this book.


    I remember reading that not too long ago. That story really was nice, I can’t help but hate the ending though. I mean, if that were me in that situation I would’ve chosen Nin-


    “Have you read this series before?” Akari asks Akito, handing the book over to him.


    “Yeah, I liked basically all of it, minus the ending” Akito replies, unsure if she agrees or not with this opinion


    Akari’s eyes glow for a moment, like Akito hit the gear of romance knowledge in her brain.


    “You too huh? I personally think Miku was the best but I can see how people like the others”


    “I didn’t dislike her, but I think that the ending that I would’ve chosen is the one with Ni-”


    Akito is abruptly cut off by an announcement on the loudspeaker.


    :ATTENTION ALL CUSTOMERS: Please do not sit around and read for too long, there are far too many people here today to be doing that. Thank you:


    Akito and Akari look at each other, then realize that’s what they’ve been doing, laughing this off.


    Akari reaches for another romance manga, as she does Akito asks her a question:


    “Is this what you normally read?”


    Akari grabs the book she was looking for off the shelf, holding it close to her and a soft look rolls on her face.


    “Yeah…I really like these kinds of things. I never thought something like this would be in my life”


    She opens the book, and flips through the panels to find a scene of a couple on a date, showing the panel to Akito.


    “...at least, not this early”


    Her message is read loud and clear in Akito’s head, beginning to blush at what she’s just implied.


    Akito looks away to not make eye contact, looking toward the Shonen section


    “W-Well I like shonen stuff more!” Akito spurts out, trying to pretend he’s not the same as her.


    He grabs a book off the shelf and pretends to read it, but is actually looking over at Akari’s book, the back cover showing a happy couple sitting together.


    It’s not like I hate romance manga, just the thought of it feels like someone’s showing off something they know I don’t have, but would give up anything to get. The endings made me feel empty, like that was just how it goes and the realization that something like that would never happen to me was….crushing.


    Akito sets the book down and reaches for another, when Akari sets her book on the shelf once more and asks Akito a question:


    “Is there any specific book you wanted?”


    The tale has been taken without authorization; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.


    “No, not really. I defaulted on coming here again” Akito laughs this off, nervous about his decision to bring her here on a date.


    “I see…so nothing’s stopping us from going anywhere else in here?”


    “Not particularly..why?”


    Akari grabs Akito’s hand and runs out of the store with him


    “We’ve got the whole world to see! Why wait now?” Akari playfully asks, smiling the entire way.


    Akito’s confused face turns to a happy one, laughing along with her question. The walk around the mall for a bit, pointing out stores and shopping in some.


    …


    Some time of shopping passes, and that’s when Akari’s face turns red, to Akito’s confusion.


    “...There’s actually a store I needed to go in…would you want to…come with me?” Akair asks shyly


    “Of course, I’ll come with you,” Akito replies, in a soft tone.


    In a bold move, Akari brings Akito to a women’s store, Akito staring at the sign, and Akari gesturing in. The workers inside are giving weird looks to this strange teenager standing in front of their store.


    Akito moves beside the store, refusing to go on on principle (dignity), Akari’s face bright red still, but tries to pull him to come with her, him refusing.


    “Anywhere but here…I just…I’m sorry, Akari. I can’t go in there” Akito tells Akari, his embarrassed face the only thing notable.


    Defeated, Akari walks in saying back to Akito before going behind a corner “Suit yourself. I won’t be too long, alright? Just wait for me!”


    Akito looks down, face still read, and leans out against the wall. He tries to blow off some of this embarrassment and focus on something else, pulling out his phone from his pocket, only to find 10+ missed Messages from a group chat with Kenji, Takuma and Ryu called “Unification of Stupid and Aki”.


    Takuma: So what time are we meeting for the movie?


    Kenji: You think we can go a bit later in the day? I got some things I gotta buy.


    Ryu: Anytime works for me. ??


    Takuma: Wait


    Takuma: I just had my first ever great idea I think


    Kenji: Which is?


    Takuma: Why don’t we go to the mall before the movie? There’s a theatre there too, I think


    Takuma: That makes it so we can hangout and see the movie in one go!


    Ryu: Yeah, I the mall does have a theatre


    Kenji: Works for me


    Kenji: So what time again?


    Takuma: Let’s say 14:30, that work?


    Ryu: Sounds good ??


    Kenji: yeah, should be fine for me too


    Takuma: Too bad Aki couldn’t come this time ??


    Kenji: @Aki You better have one hell of an excuse not hanging out with your best friends ever, traitor!


    Kenji: ?? just kidding man, have fun in whatever you doing


    Takuma: Since Aki’s not coming, do you guys mind if I invite someone else?


    Ryu: No problems on my end.


    Kenji: Same here.


    Takuma: Cool, See you guys then! ??


    Akito grazes through the texts, then lets out a small chuckle, a slight smile building on his face.


    They never change. Sometimes it’s a good thing, I guess.


    Akito shuts his phone off and is about to slide it back in his pocket, when the realization that his friends are going to be at the same mall as him, at the same time finally hits him.


    Akito’s breathing quickens, unsure of what to do in this situation.


    If they find me outside this store, with Akari, her life’s gonna be screwed because of me!


    AKito tries to calm himself down by taking some deep breaths to slow the loud and rapid beating of his heart.


    Calm down…it’s okay. This mall is pretty massive, there’s a chance I won’t even see them!


    Just as he finishes his thought, he glances toward the escalator, and like they were just summoned by his thoughts, Takuma, Kenji and Ryu are descending toward his floor.


    Akito nervously begins to sweat, and his mind races of possible outcomes of this situation. Just then, the solution comes to his mind. A wave of determination and nerves are evident by the look on his face, but he’s not backing down this time.


    I guess this is the only option…


    Akito looks straight at the ground, staring at the floor tiles and takes a step toward the women’s store that Akari is in.


    He walks into the store, being greeted by the cashier.


    “Welcome! Is there anyth-”


    “NO I’M FINE THANK YOU!” Akito abruptly cuts off the cashier in a shaky tone, trying his best to dismiss any…temptations.


    Akito speedwalks through the store with his head down, running into a mannequin. Without paying any attention and thinking that was a real person, Akito apologizes for running into them and heads toward the back of the store.


    The cashier looks in confusion at Akito’s actions, then shakes her head.


    “I don’t get paid enough for this”


    Akito is aimlessly still walking through the store, trying to find a good spot to hideout until his friends leave. That’s when he spots the changing rooms, speeding over and walking in, shutting the curtain behind him.


    Thank god I made it in time, I would’ve been screwed if they’d seen me with…


    His thoughts are lost, as his eyes begin to notice where, and who, he’d just walked in on. Akito tries to defuse the situation, nervously smiling, saying in a shaky tone:


    “...hey”


    Akari opens her mouth the shriek in embarrassment, but Akito covers her mouth with his hand, indicating with the other hand to be quiet.


    “I’ll explain once they leave”


    Akari looks confused at this, so Akito peeks his head out the curtain, Akari’s head right below his. They see Takuma, Ryu and Kenji talking with Um, Rei, Fumiko and Miki, basically in front of the store they’re currently in.


    …


    Ryu becomes flustered, breaking his normally cool demeanor, spurting out “W-W-What are you guys doing here?!?”


    Miki, equally as flustered but tries to keep a calm tone, replies “It’s a mall. On a weekend. We’re going shopping. Use your brain for once”


    “She has a point there Ryu” says Kenji, holding back a laugh at seeing his friend acting stupid in public.


    Ryu stammers on his words for a moment, before retorting “I meant it’s weird seeing them here!”


    “It is pretty unlikely to be in the same place, at the same time…” Fumiko chimes in with a monotone and calculated response.


    They look toward Takuma and Rei, who are in a conversation about something, neither seeming surprised at meeting here.


    “...If it weren’t planned, that is.” Fumiko finished her sentence with the same tone.


    Kenji walks over to Takuma and Rei,  pointing toward the group of girls


    “Takuma, you may have left out some very key details about the trip today”


    Rei bows toward Kenji, which surprises both him and Takuma


    “Sorry, Hitonoka-san! It was my idea to bring my friends along!” She says in a sincere tone.


    “Don’t apologize, I invited them too!” Takuma interjects, wanting to take the blame partially for it too.


    The group of girls and Ryu all look toward Takuma and Rei, Kenji a bit off to the side, but they all share a unifying thought:


    There’s gotta be something going on there.


    Rei stands up straight, looking Takuma in the eyes, her face getting red.


    “...ok” Rei replies lightly, averting her eyes to avoid contact with Takuma, him seemingly not noticing.


    Everyone gathers together, with a distinct separation between the girls and guys, Takuma and Rei in the middle.


    “Sorry, Everyone! Rei and I thought it would be fun for all of us to hang out today!”


    Takuma bows once more, pleading for the 2 groups to “get along, please!”


    “A heads-up would’ve been nice, you know!” Kenji spits out in a semi-sarcastic tone, walking over and karate-chopping Takuma’s head.


    He then closes the gap between the 2 groups, extending a hand for a handshake


    “I wouldn’t mind hanging with you guys today” Kenji says, with Ryu nodding in the background to support this position.


    Miki walks over and shakes Kenji’s hand, replying in true tsundere fashion


    “Hmph! I guess that leaves us with no other choice”


    Her tone weakens, swallowing her pride


    “What I meant is….t-thanks for having us..” Miki corrects herself, happy to be in their company.


    She makes eye contact with Ryu, instantly looking away and pointing at a shop, leading the group toward a different store than the one Akito is in.


    As they walk away, Umi grabs the sleeve on Takuma’s sweater to get his attention.


    “Umm….where’s Azuma?” Umi asks in a quiet and shy voice


    “Sorry, he’s busy today with something else. Is there anything you wanted to tell him?” Takuma sincerely replies, but not thinking any deeper into why she’s looking for him.


    “...no, sorry to bother you” Umi ends the conversation, quickening her pace to catch the rest of the group, Takuma not far behind.


    …


    Akito pulls his head back into the room, sighing again with relief. He sits down next to Akari, his eyes closed and just remains there for a moment.


    “Sorry, Akari. I saw them coming down here and I got worried”


    “It’s okay I’m not mad or anything, I was just surprised”


    They both linger in silence, taking in the situation they’re currently still in, both of them looking in the opposite direction as the other person, their faces turning bright red.