Piening for you

5. The Big Date

"See you tomorrow, Gouenji." Endou said and waved him goodbye.

Gouenji took a deep breath. It was just him and Kira left in the store now. He remembered Kidou's warning and decided to finally take the matter somewhat further.

"Kira?" He called out to her.

"I am ready to go. " She stepped out of the kitchen and closed the door behind her.

"Actually, I wanted to talk to you about something. " He managed to say.

"Yah, sure. " She became attentive.

"I was wondering if..." He stalled a little, "You'd like to go for dinner tomorrow... with me. "

He braced himself for a response.

A smile immediately played on Kira's face, "I'd love to. "

He sighed in relief and smiled awkwardly too, "That's great! Tomorrow then. "

...

The following day, Kira went shopping instead of work and Gouenji closed his shop early. They were both giddy about their date and couldn't focus on anything else all day.

"Don't stay quiet on your date. Do actually talk to her. " Endou had advised him.

"And make sure you don't bore her with a single topic. " Kidou added to it, "Had to learn it the hard way. " He muttered after.

"Ok, I'll remember. " Was all Gouenji said because the sooner that conversation would be over, the sooner he could head home.

"And buy her flowers!" Endou yelled after as Gouenji speedily walked towards home.

Kira was ready when he came home. She was wearing a purple dress and dark purple lipstick. Gouenji was taken aback for a moment.

Her eyes lit up as she saw a bouquet of lilies in his hands that also happened to be purple.

"How'd you know I love purple?" She said excitedly.

"You told me once... in school. " He said as he put the bouquet on the table for her to pick up. He didn't wanna risk anything by directly handing it to her.

Kira was taken aback by the fact that he still remembered it. She picked the bouquet up and eyed it adoringly.

While she put the flowers into a vase, Gouenji quickly freshened up and changed into something nicer. When he walked out, it was now Kira's turn to be awed.

"Ready to go?" His question brought her back to reality.

At the restaurant it was crowded and Gouenji began to regret picking a busy day. He was greatly scared that someone would push him towards Kira. He walked as far away from her as possible so much so that one couldn't guess that they had arrived together.

At last, they could settle on their table however, Gouenji remained cautious of not accidentally touching their legs together under the table the entire time.

"Talk to her." He suddenly remembered Endou's words.

"So, what were you up to before..." He trailed off awkwardly and realised it was a bad start.

"Oh, I worked in a company that dealt with antiques. " Kira responded, "I was in charge of making sure they were transferred safely from one place to another. "

"That sounds interesting. " He said.

Kira paused for a minute, "Come to think of it, that is why I was on the ship. I remember it now!" She exclaimed, " I was personally transferring an antique to a rich man who had won it in an auction. "

"Somebody must have wanted to steal it!" She was hyped up now that she was on a roll.

"Where do you think it is now?" Gouenji asked.

"I don't remember that at all. " Her enthusiasm died down. She stayed still for a while as if to hope it could still come to her.

"Anyway!" She suddenly jolted out of her thoughts, "I got carried away. All that doesn't matter right now. " She softened her expression.

Food was served and they began eating. Kira still seemed to be in thought and he knew she was still stuck on the previous topic. He knew her habit of being unable to easily move on from something that had caught her attention. He had seen her struggle many a time when they were kids.

"Let it go, Kira. " He said, catching her by surprise.

"Huh?"

"I know you're still hoping to remember the rest of the story. But you will only tire yourself out if you force yourself like this."

Kira stared at him in wonder, "You're right...Shuuya." She said quietly.

Gouenji's heart bubbled up again at the mention of his name from her mouth. He looked down and hid his eager smile.

...

After dinner they took a walk together. This is where Gouenji had decided to be straightforward with his feelings.

"I had a great time. " Kira said as she stopped.

"Mmhmm..." He stared at her.

"That's all you'll say?" She asked in amusement.

"Actually, I have a lot to say. " He began, "And for a long time."

"For a long time?" She was surprised by that part.

"Since school. " He revealed.

Her eyes widened but she remained quiet.

"Yes. If you hadn't suddenly moved away I'd have told you that I... love you. "

He couldn't even believe himself that he had finally said it, the words he had been carrying in his heart all these years.

"I can't believe it." She had not expected that. She had thought he had only recently begun liking her. She couldn't understand what was so special about her that he would have liked her back then.

"So, what do you say? Will you be my girlfriend?" He grinned hopefully.

"You want me to be your girlfriend? Despite our condition? " She asked, " Will you be okay never kissing your girlfriend?"

"No, I won't be okay. In fact, it's driving me crazy. " He confessed, "But I can't let you go. Not again. "

"Oh, Shuuya..." She spoke in a defeated tone, "I wish we had met sooner. "

"Just say 'yes'. " He looked at her with vulnerability in his eyes.

"Of course yes. " She said softly and flew a kiss towards him.