blind date | kenma kozume

prologue

prologue !

You, Y/n, were a 22-year-old who had just graduated from university, still single despite your mother's constant nagging. She seemed to have a singular focus lately: getting you to date someone and eventually marry. Her relentless pressure had been a regular part of your life ever since you were in middle school. You had turned down every confession of love that came your way, believing that you didn't need a romantic partner and doubting the very concept of finding a soulmate who was "perfect" for you.

Your reluctance to date had always been met with her frustration, but recently, the pressure had intensified. Your mother had been insisting you go on blind dates, trying to find someone who could potentially be a match. No matter how many excuses you made, she wouldn't relent.

This time, as you slumped onto the couch with a sigh of resignation, your mother's voice was filled with a blend of exasperation and hope. "You've been making excuses for months. Just show up on this one date, please. It's important."

You remained silent for a moment, contemplating your options. The thought of facing yet another awkward encounter was daunting, but you knew your mother was determined. You finally muttered, "Fine, I'll think about it," your voice laced with reluctance.

As soon as the words left your mouth, your mother's face lit up with a look of triumph and relief. She clapped her hands together, barely able to contain her excitement. "Oh, thank you! I'm so glad you agreed! This is going to be great!"

Her enthusiasm felt overwhelming, and you couldn't help but feel a twinge of anxiety about what was to come. The entire situation seemed to be spiraling out of your control, but you knew there was no backing out now. Your mother's cheerful squeal echoed in your ears as you reluctantly prepared for yet another blind date, knowing that this time, there was no escape.

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You paced around your room in a frenzy, hands wringing together as you muttered to yourself, "I CAN'T DO THIS!" Your anxiety was palpable, filling the room with a sense of impending doom. Your best friend, Rin Sato, was sprawled casually on your bed, her gaze fixed on you with a mix of concern and exasperation. Rin Sato is Blasian, with long black hair that's sometimes curly, honey-toned skin, big brown eyes, and two-toned lips. Her look is completed by a delicate button nose.

"Y/n, calm down. It's just a blind date," Rin said, trying to sound reassuring but failing to mask her amusement at your dramatic reaction. Rin had been with you through thick and thin since your first year of high school. She had recently moved from the States after her parents' divorce, and while she had settled in well, she was now your rock during this turbulent time.

Desperately, you flopped onto the bed beside her, looking up into her warm, chocolate-brown eyes with the most pleading, innocent expression you could muster. "Can't you just go instead? I'll pay you whatever you want," you pleaded, hoping she might relent.

Rin shook her head firmly, her lips curving into a smirk. "Oh, no way. I'm not bailing you out of this one. You're on your own." Her refusal was swift and absolute, without a hint of hesitation.

You groaned in frustration. "But what if the guy is a complete weirdo? Or worse, a kidnapper? What then?"
Rin flicked you lightly on the forehead, her gesture both playful and exasperated. "Seriously? You have the wildest imagination. I highly doubt your mom would set you up with someone that... unhinged."

You sighed deeply and got up from the bed, dragging yourself to the closet with a resigned air. "Can't be too sure," you muttered, rifling through your clothes. Your closet was a jumble of casual wear and old outfits, but you eventually settled on something that felt somewhat decent.

Rin sprang into action, helping you pick out a chic, yet understated outfit—a sleek, short, long-sleeve black dress paired with tights and a beige coat. She meticulously did your makeup, ensuring every detail was perfect. You glanced at yourself in the mirror and almost didn't recognize the polished version of Y/n L/n staring back at you. The transformation was so drastic that you could hardly believe it was you.

Rin's eyes widened in mock surprise as she took in your new look. "Girl, with you looking this good, I'm tempted to say forget the date and just, you know, come with me instead." She winked at you, her playful tone making you laugh despite your nerves. "Let's get going."

With a final glance at yourself and a deep breath to steady your nerves, you walked with Rin to her car. Her encouragement was a small comfort as you braced yourself for what lay ahead.

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As you stepped out of Rin's car, the crisp evening air hit you, and you felt a shiver of anxiety run down your spine. You were dressed to impress in a sleek, short long-sleeve black dress that clung to your figure, complemented by tights and a beige coat. The ensemble was topped off with black YSL heels that clicked rhythmically against the pavement with every step you took. The effort you'd put into your appearance seemed to be a world away from the nervous tension that gripped you.

"Good luck, Y/n. Enjoy your date~" Rin's voice called out from the driver's seat, her tone light but filled with a hint of mischief. You waved back, trying to muster a smile, but the tight knot of dread in your stomach made it hard to feel anything but apprehensive.

The café was a sophisticated establishment, with elegant décor and a calming ambiance. It was fancy but not overly extravagant—just the sort of place your mother would choose for a date she wanted to be both impressive and understated. As you entered, the soft glow from the pendant lights and the gentle hum of conversation created an atmosphere of subdued luxury.

You were greeted by a courteous hostess who guided you through the café's well-appointed interior. The walls were adorned with tasteful artwork, and the tables were neatly arranged with white tablecloths and fresh flowers in delicate vases. The café exuded a refined charm, designed to make a good impression without being ostentatious.

When you reached your assigned table, your heart nearly stopped. There, sitting casually and sipping from a cup of tea, was Kozume Kenma—the one person you had hoped to avoid more than anyone else. His long faux blonde hair and cool, indifferent demeanor were all too familiar. Kenma had been a fixture in your life for as long as you could remember, someone whose quiet, aloof personality had always grated on you. The realization that you were about to spend the evening with him made your stomach churn.

Kenma looked up from his cup, his usually distant gaze momentarily widening in surprise as he recognized you. You could see the flicker of recognition in his eyes, followed by a faint smirk that didn't quite reach his eyes. "Y/n?"

You felt a rush of both disbelief and dread. "Kenma... I didn't expect to see you here."
As you sat down across from him, the initial shock began to settle into an uneasy silence. The irony of the situation was not lost on either of you. Both of you had been caught off guard by this unexpected twist of fate, brought together by your mothers' relentless efforts at matchmaking.
You took a deep breath, trying to compose yourself as you prepared to navigate this evening with as much grace as you could muster. This was going to be an evening full of surprises, and whether it would end up being a disaster or something unexpectedly pleasant remained to be seen.

────── end of prologue ──────

▸ Y/n and Kenmas moms have known each other since highschool, such a shame their children dont get along well.

(edited)

AUTHORS NOTE:

hopefully i fully commit to this story cause i first came up with the storyline in august of 2022 and now its 2024 and im finally out of my writers block

i appreciate any votes+comments. stay safe, healthy, and hydrated :D