Chapter 12 - Our First Date

  I tried to think of everything for our first date, but it’s 8 AM, and I’m unsure about my next move. Do I get dressed first or wait to choose together? What time should I call?

  The questions circle in my head without an obvious answer.

  Unable to decide, I stay in my cami sleepwear and start the video chat. The call connects as I walk over to my bed.

  “Hey, Sakura, can I get your opinion on this outfit?”

  I begin by holding up the pants I’m thinking about wearing.

  She immediately catches on.

  “Oh, so that’s what you’re doing?”

  I walk back from the clothes I’ve tossed onto the bed to get a better look at her.

  I shrug.

  “Honestly, I had no idea what to wear, so I called you for help.”

  I grin when I notice her own pile of clothes behind her.

  It looks like she had the same idea.

  “Didn’t you want to coordinate outfits together?”

  I hold up a white pair of jeans before tossing them back onto the bed. She’s shaking her head, so I wait to see what she has in mind.

  Then she disappears from the camera.

  She steps out of view and returns wearing an autumn-colored orange-red dress. It has a straight cut across the front that shows her collarbone with minimal cleavage. The dress tapers at the waist and ends a few inches above the knee.

  “Okay, I think I have something to match.”

  An idea sparks, and I feel a smile tug at my lips. Looks like I’m going to get a chance to wear that.

  I move back to my wardrobe and select one of my gothic lolita dresses. It has a similar cut and length, mostly black with red highlights. I unzip the back and slide the dress over my sleepwear before returning to the camera.

  I turn slightly so she can see it properly.

  “Yes, you look amazing in that style. I like how the red accents almost match my dress, and the cut and length are perfect.”

  She seems genuinely happy, so I’m glad she suggested coordinating first. Turning up in my street clothes might have been a bad idea. She may be feisty, but she’s a princess at heart.

  Her approval makes it easy to smile.

  “Thanks, babe. You look beautiful in anything, but I really like your dress too. I’m going to finish up here, so see you soon.”

  I give her a wink, which she returns before ending the call.

  Now comes the difficult part.

  I open the door. “Mom, I need some help with my dress and, like, everything else, please.”

  I’m not sure if it’s because we’ve gotten closer or because I said please, but Mom soon arrives with an amused look.

  “Hey, sweetheart. Okay, but let’s start with the underwear.”

  She selects a matching purple set and lays it on the bed. The color is dark enough not to clash with the dress.

  Next, she hands me a pair of black, silky stockings with a lace print and a pair of black boots.

  “Get started with this, and I’ll come back to help you with the rest.”

  With that decided, she steps out, her efficiency almost surreal as I’m still processing.

  As Mom closes the door behind her, I slip out of my dress, the unzipped back letting it fall away easily. I lay it on the bed, then slide off my cami and change into a less comfortable bra and underwear.

  When I reach for the stockings, I pause as I begin to pull them up my legs. My fingers brush along my calf, and I freeze.

  Wait… I hadn’t really noticed before. I knew I wasn’t hairy, but there isn’t even a fine peach-like fuzz. I guess Valkyries are just hairless when it comes to our bodies.

  Over my smooth skin, the stockings glide effortlessly, the silky fabric making the sensation even more noticeable. It feels nice, and I can’t help letting out a soft, appreciative “hmm.”

  Looking into the mirror, I notice that the dark purple underwear is hidden as the tops of the stockings sit just above my hips, right below my belly button.

  “You can come in now, Mom,” I call out as I slide back into my dress.

  Mom opens the door, and I turn to give her access to the zipper.

  “That’s a good look on you, sweetheart,” she says as she zips me up, then wraps me in a hug from behind, our eyes meeting in the mirror.

  “So, first time wearing stockings, and I just realized… no body hair at all.”

  Relaxing into the moment, I enjoy these chats.

  Mom chuckles and lets me go.

  “Valkyries don’t have body hair, and we don’t get periods either.”

  I have a bit of a huh moment. I’d almost forgotten about that part of being a girl.

  My brain decides it’s had enough of this topic.

  Not wanting to continue the conversation before my date—since I’m way too excited to concentrate—it’s time for Operation Subject Change.

  “Help me with my hair, Mom? I want to try something different today.”

  She immediately understands what I’m asking.

  The warmth in Mom’s eyes deepens before she steps away and returns with my brush. It feels nice, her careful strokes adding to the gentle warmth of the moment and helping me calm down.

  Her hands move slowly and confidently, my eyes naturally closing with the sensation.

  Mom finishes the style by splitting my ponytail into twin sections, leaving the fringe the same. Instead of makeup, I apply a strawberry-flavored lip gloss with a light red tint.

  I borrow a small black clutch purse from Mom, the fine silver chain resting from my shoulder to my hip. The overall effect is pretty cute, and I love that I don’t have to carry anything in my hand.

  Just as I’m about to leave, Mom speaks up.

  “Sweetheart, before you go, could you come over to the balcony, please?” Mom asks as I check myself in the mirror one last time.

  I give a quick nod.

  “Sure thing, just give me a second.”

  One more look won’t hurt.

  My mind is slowly agreeing that everything looks good, but I feel better doing a final check, trying to see myself from different angles.

  Finally satisfied, I head out.

  Leaving the bedroom, I see Mom holding the glass door open, her camera ready. I approach her, feeling a slight disconnect. The old me would have almost certainly declined, but now I'm a little excited.

  The thought catches me off guard.

  Sometimes I still forget that I’ve changed, that this new body is actually mine. The girl in the mirror… is that really me? Like, the girl I used to imagine—am I really her now?

  I shake my head to clear the thoughts as Mom patiently waits for me to finish processing. I let out a small sigh, then offer a faint smile.

  “So, how do you want to do this, Mom? I think the city skyline would make a good backdrop if that’s what you’re going for.”

  She nods and directs me through a dozen or so different poses.

  I do my best to follow her lead.

  I’m curious about the results and try my best to meet her requests. Aside from puppy-dog eyes, I haven’t practiced much with my facial expressions and hope my smile looks natural.

  Eventually, she lowers the camera.

  “Great job, sweetheart. With a little training, you’d have real potential for a career in modeling. I’ll keep these shots in my personal collection for now, but if you’re ever interested in building a portfolio, just let me know.”

  You might be reading a pirated copy. Look for the official release to support the author.

  Her words sound carefree, but the look in her eyes tells me she’s seriously considering it.

  I decide to shut that idea down quickly.

  “Ah, that’s a hard pass for me, Mom, but thank you for thinking so highly of my… photogenicity.”

  She just smiles at my reaction.

  “That’s okay, sweetheart. I know you’re still shy about this kind of thing. I’ll ask Sakura as well, because you would do even better marketing yourselves as a pair, and I know you’d do it if she wanted to.”

  That thought makes me pause.

  “Ah… yeah. But no pressuring her, Mom…”

  It’s not even a guarantee they’ll meet, but I still have a feeling this might come back to bite me later.

  Soon enough, it’s time to go.

  After saying goodbye, I leave a little early and arrive at the café first. A few minutes later, I spot Sakura in the distance and walk toward her as she waves, having noticed my approach.

  I take in her outfit as I greet her.

  “Good morning, Sakura-san. You really do take my breath away. That dress is beautiful, and you look amazing in it.”

  She looks pleased, though her expression turns a bit quizzical.

  “Vala, that line… was it from an anime? It’s sweet, and I can tell you mean it, but saying I take your breath away sounds familiar. Still, thank you for coordinating outfits with me. You’re stunning in that dress, and it would be a shame not to see you wearing it.”

  I think about it for a moment, my mind eventually dragging up the reference.

  “Huh, actually, you might be right. I think it was a kid baron meeting another kid princess.”

  She gives me an amused look as I take her hand and lead her toward the café. I hold the door open for her, and when we step inside, I spot a free booth along the wall.

  Sitting across from Sakura, I scan the QR code and hold my phone up so we can both see the menu. I order an iced latte and vanilla cheesecake while I wait for her to decide.

  She studies the menu for a moment.

  “Hmm, can I have the black tea with the strawberry tart, please?”

  I complete the order and pay. I prefer this method since you don’t have to worry about paying before leaving.

  With that done, I finally relax.

  I enjoy the quiet atmosphere of the café. The wooden furniture, combined with the books lining the shelves, creates a comfortable feeling.

  It suits the mood perfectly.

  “You like quiet places like this one?”

  I look back at her and smile.

  “Yes, I prefer a place where you can freely observe your surroundings. I love the apartment I live in. It’s a penthouse with a nice balcony, so I can watch the city from there. It’s also high enough to escape most of the noise. Sakura-san, will you tell me more about yourself? I really want to know your likes and dislikes. Except for candy. I want to keep working on that one myself.”

  I watch the corner of her lip lift into a smile at the mention of candy. A sweet sensation fills my chest, and I can almost imagine pink bubbles floating around us as she giggles.

  Taking her hand, I watch as she inhales slowly before responding.

  She seems thoughtful.

  “Well, I live with my Mom, Dad, and a younger sister who will be coming to our school next year. I like tea, and strawberry is my favorite flavor for most things. I like to wear nice clothes when I go out on dates. This is my first date, so I wanted it to be something special.”

  I smile softly as I reply. “I feel the same way.”

  Our conversation pauses as we watch the waiter approach with our order. I’m slightly surprised when they serve Sakura her tea and strawberry tart first, followed by my iced latte and cheesecake.

  I blink in confusion.

  As they walk away, I ask Sakura, “We ordered from my phone, yet they knew who to serve each item to?”

  It’s not the smoothest change of subject, but I find it hard to tell her how much this date means to me. I’m also unsure if I should pry into her family life.

  “It’s probably because you have a mature air about you. I mentioned it last night, but it’s your eyes in particular.”

  Her comment piques my curiosity.

  I raise an eyebrow and smile, letting my eyes glow just the slightest bit. Enough that Sakura can’t miss it, but subtle enough to pass for a trick of the light.

  She notices immediately. Her eyes widen for a moment before she quickly looks back at her drink.

  Trying the latte, I enjoy the bitter taste that pairs well with the cheesecake. I see Sakura doing the same as we quietly enjoy our food.

  “Say aaah.”

  Looking up, I see her holding a piece of tart toward my mouth. I take a bite and slowly release the fork from my mouth, leaving it perfectly clean.

  “That tasted really nice, babe. Would you like to try the cheesecake?”

  I repeat the same gesture, but she ignores me and returns to her food.

  “It was meant to be payback for how embarrassing it was when I realized you had been feeding me in class. I wasn’t myself that day, so don’t think about doing it in front of others again.”

  That’s pretty cute, but she would probably be upset if I said that.

  “I wasn’t aware of that, and as you noticed, I enjoyed it. We’ll have to go on more dates so I can learn your boundaries.”

  I’m ignored again, but she seems happier.

  After our meal, we rest for a while before I take her hand.

  There’s one more part of the plan.

  “It’s time for the movie. I preordered the tickets yesterday,” I say, my voice a little nervous.

  She tilts her head slightly.

  “Okay, Vala, but I’m struggling to understand why buying movie tickets makes you uncomfortable.”

  Her look isn’t quite the one she gives when she thinks I’m being an idiot, but it’s close.

  I decide to explain.

  “I hope you don’t mind—I got us a loveseat in the back row. It’s a bit of a compromise on screen positioning, but I like the privacy it offers.”

  She nods, tracing a circle on the back of my hand as I lead her out of the café and toward the theater. I can tell she’s nervous too as we walk together.

  The movie theater is about half full when the film starts, but we have the back three rows to ourselves.

  “I’m going to recline my seat and remove the armrest between us.”

  The implication hangs between us for a moment.

  Sakura seems hesitant at first, but eventually she reclines her seat and settles beside me.

  The space between us disappears.

  I take her hand in mine, tracing a circle on the back of her hand with my thumb. She mirrors the gesture, and I finally relax, snuggling close as we watch the movie.

  The quiet comfort makes the time pass quickly.

  Halfway through, I feel her head rest on my shoulder, followed by the soft pressure of her chest against my arm.

  The distraction is immediate, and my attention drifts away from the movie entirely.

  I whisper in her ear, “You’re doing that on purpose, and I can’t concentrate.”

  She giggles and leans closer. Her teasing makes it impossible to ignore.

  I release her hand and wrap my arm around her, gently guiding her head to rest on my chest as I lightly run my fingers through her hair.

  “That’s much better.”

  Another giggle follows, turning into a contented sigh as we both relax, enjoying our cuddles and the final half of the movie.

  The film fades into the background.

  Eventually, the end credits begin to roll, and we incline our chairs. I still have my arm around her, sensing her reluctance to get up. There’s an electric feeling in the air, a tension that makes my breath catch and my heart beat faster.

  The moment stretches.

  I’ve never been one to shy away from a challenge, though this time I find myself uncharacteristically nervous.

  Still, I lean closer.

  It’s dark, but I can still see her eyes clearly. I lift her chin and, before I can stop myself, brush my lips against hers. I pull back almost immediately.

  “Sakura… may I kiss you?” I whisper.

  She answers by closing her eyes and leaning forward, pressing her lips to mine. Soft and warm.

  When I part my lips, she follows, letting my tongue meet hers. The kiss deepens slowly in the darkness of the theater.

  I’m reluctant to stop, but when I feel her strength beginning to fade, I gently pull back.

  The moment leaves us both breathless.

  She rests her head against my chest as I gently stroke her hair, giving her time to recover.

  Neither of us rushes to move.

  When the lights come on, I take her hand and lead her toward the exit. She’s quite red in the face, and I’m not sure I’m any better.

  The cool air outside helps a little.

  We walk for a while, simply enjoying being together, pretending to window shop at the surrounding stores.

  I’m not quite sure how to ask about the kiss without putting Sakura on the spot. Instead, I decide on a safer topic.

  “So, what did you think about the movie?” I eventually ask. “I personally liked it, but those kinds of movies might not be for everyone. I’ve always favored a strong female protagonist.”

  She’s still blushing adorably. I’m not sure if my attempt to rescue her with Operation Small Talk is very successful.

  She takes a moment to think.

  “Hmm, it was nice, I think? I’m not really sure, since I was mostly just enjoying the relaxing feeling between the two of us. I was pretty nervous about today, and being able to snuggle like that was really nice. I was able to let go and just enjoy the time we spent together.”

  She glances up at me, and the warm look in her eyes makes me feel like today was a success after all.

  The quiet between us feels comfortable.

  When her gaze falls away again, replaced by an equally warm squeeze of my hand, I check my watch and see it’s still relatively early.

  “We still have plenty of time. Would you like to do something else or call it a day for now? I’ve had a great time, babe. No stress either way.”

  She lets out a small laugh.

  “I’m sorry, Vala-san. Today has been one of the best days I’ve had, but I’m tired. Perhaps you would like to walk me home?”

  That suggestion feels just right.

  I give her a wink.

  “I didn’t have any plans after the movie, but I didn’t want the day to end so soon. I’m not quite ready to say goodbye, and a walk sounds perfect.”

  The pace slows naturally.

  It’s a quiet walk as we hold hands and enjoy the view.

  As we get closer to Sakura’s house, I feel a little tension starting to build and realize it’s time to say goodbye.

  I glance toward her.

  “So, do you want me to meet your family, or should I say goodbye to you here?”

  She hesitates.

  There’s reluctance in her eyes, but she still nods.

  “It truly has been an amazing day, but meeting my family… it may be a little early for that.”

  I give her a light hug.

  “Okay. Sakura-san, thank you. Today was awesome, and I’m looking forward to seeing you again. Call me if you ever want to chat. I’m always happy to hear from you.”

  She squeezes back before turning around and waving goodbye.

  I’m still buzzing from today, but a little sad to see her go. As I spin on my heels to leave, I can still feel the ghost of our kiss on my lips.

  The thought follows me all the way home.

  I can’t stop smiling the entire way.