Shutter ➳ CITRUS

Seven - Unconventional Date

Yuzu's POV

I leaned back on my motorcycle at the lot in front of Mei's building, hanging my head down, staring at my red era Vans shoes. They're as beaten as my black pair. Same as the blue, yellow, green, and purple pairs back home. I took my hand from where it's stuffed on my high-waisted jeans pocket and checked the time on my watch. 8:40. 

I huffed and rested my arm on the handlebars of my motorcycle. I arrived quite early and I've been standing here for ten minutes already, debating whether I should go up to Mei's apartment or stay here until 9 AM before doing so. I guess I was looking forward to this date so much I arrived 30 minutes early. Oh well, the heart wants what the heart wants.

I didn't want to scare Mei away by looking overly eager and decided to stay here and kill some time. I pulled up my flannel, tug on my beanie, and walked back and forth on the pavement, humming Skinny Love to myself. I must have walked at least ten laps around my little circle before I stopped, trailing my head up at Mei's building. 

It's a high-rise building, maybe at least twenty floors high, the glass walls are gleaming in the sunlight. My apartment building's not as impressive as this one and I wonder if the rent's even close to what I'm paying at mine. Not that I would like to leave my apartment to live closer to Mei. Hmm... that's an idea worth considering.

I peeled my eyes away from the establishment and looked over at my motorcycle. I find myself grinning. I washed and polished it yesterday and it's now looking impressive with how shiny it is.

 Of course, it's supposed to look good with my date. I didn't entirely consider the fact that Mei might refuse to ride the motorcycle with me though, the thought only occurring to me now. What if she refused? Fuck, well we can always use her car but that would not look good when she's driving on a date I planned. Oh, fuck it. There's only one way to find out.

I took my backpack and slung it on my back as I made my way inside the building, the attendant asking me at the entrance what's my business. I told him I'm going on the seventh floor for Mei Aihara. He let me go and I made my way to the elevators and rode silently alone up to six floors. I find myself getting nervous. Fucking hell Yuzu, get yourself together now. You don't get nervous, yeah? I checked my reflection on the elevator doors, making sure I look nice.

The doors opened seconds later with a ding and I walked on the carpeted hallway to apartment number 712. I took deep calming breaths, checked my watch once again to see it's thirteen minutes before 9 AM, and pressed the doorbell on the right side of the door. I stepped back and waited for Mei to answer. I darted my eyes around to calm my poor heart. Damn it, alright stop fidgeting and keep your cool.

The door opened ten seconds later and Mei's standing in front of me with a black bathrobe on while her still-wet hair hung loose. Shit, too early.

"Hi, God sorry. Am I too early?" I apologized. Mei's eyes traveled over me, staring down then up to meet my eyes. She smiled moments later. I smiled back at her, feeling my palms get sweaty.

"Hey, no I guess I'm running late. I got held up on the phone by someone and I had to rush to get ready." 

She's still breath-taking, especially with wet tousled hair like that. "Come on in," she ushered me, opening the door wider. I move past her and stopped when I'm three steps inside, smelling her freshly soaped skin in the process. I decided it's my new favorite scent. 

She led me to her living room. "Do you want anything? Tea, coffee perhaps?" Mei asked as I sat down on her red sofa.

"No thanks, I'm good," I smiled politely. There's a hint of pale flesh exposed where the ends of her bathrobe meet. I'm trying to keep my eyes on her face and not travel downward, which I'm finding really difficult. I don't want her to think her date's a perv now, do I?