The White Room Dropout - A CotE Fanfic

Part 28: A Café Date

Warning: May cause diabetes.

School had ended for the day, and I found myself walking alongside Karuizawa, as had become our usual routine. The hallways echoed with the fading sounds of conversations and footsteps, while my focus remained on the simple task of returning home.

Karuizawa glanced in my direction, her eyes filled with curiosity. We had recently started dating, a decision fueled by my innate curiosity rather than an overwhelming emotional connection. The concept of romance intrigued me, and I agreed to explore it with her, viewing it as an opportunity to gain insights into the complexities of human relationships.

As we walked side by side, a sense of tranquility settled upon us, interrupted only by the soft echo of our footsteps. Karuizawa broke the silence, her voice slightly faltering as she spoke, betraying a hint of shyness that danced within her eyes.

"Um, Ayanokouji," she began, her words punctuated by a gentle stutter. "C-Can I... call you by your first name? Especially now that we're... d-dating?"

I regarded Karuizawa for a moment, her request hanging in the air. With a calm and measured tone, I responded, "I don't mind."

A soft smile tugged at the corners of Karuizawa's lips, her eyes sparkling with a mixture of relief and anticipation. Encouraged by my acceptance, she took a small breath, gathering her courage before uttering my name.

"Kiyotaka," she said, her voice laced with a newfound familiarity. It was a simple utterance, yet its significance was not lost on either of us.

Returning her gaze, I felt a subtle shift within me. A faint inclination to reciprocate her request emerged, and I spoke the words that would mark a mutual progression. "Then, I'll call you Kei from now on."

Her smile widened, a delicate blush gracing her cheeks. The sound of her name on my lips carried a subtle tenderness, one that hinted at the evolving dynamic between us. It was a moment of mutual understanding, a shared acknowledgment of the growing bond that extended beyond the confines of friendship.

As we walked, the air between us felt charged with a newfound closeness. Kei's voice carried a hint of anticipation as she mustered the courage to express her desires. "Um, Kiyotaka!" she exclaimed, her words bursting forth with a mix of excitement and shyness. "Since we're already a couple now... I want us to go to school together, and I want us to hold hands, and maybe even go on a date sometime! Oh, and I'd love it if we could share lunches and take cute couple photos together. And, and... can we exchange small gifts on special occasions, like birthdays and anniversaries? Oh, and can we have our secret couple signal, like tapping our fingers twice? It would be our special way of communicating!"

Her voice continued, brimming with enthusiasm. "And, um, can we call each other at night? Just to talk and share our thoughts... and maybe watch movies together while on the phone? Oh, and what about celebrating our monthly milestones? Like, marking the day we officially became a couple? And, and..." Her voice trailed off as she noticed the faint chuckles of some passing students who had overheard her passionate requests.

Cutting through the noise, I interjected with a calm and composed tone, "Kei, you can do whatever you want. If those things make you happy, then we can certainly explore them."

A wide smile graced Kei's face, her eyes sparkling with delight. "Is that so?" she exclaimed, her voice filled with joy. "In that case, can we start today? I'd love to experience some of those things we talked about. And... I was wondering if you'd like to go on a date with me. There's this new café that just opened, and I've been wanting to check it out. What do you think?"