Shiori Novella One-shots

Date with a Not-Miko

Surveying your surroundings, your eyes dart quickly from left to right, uncertainty lingering in the air. You question whether this was the designated meeting spot for you and your friends. In the midst of your contemplation, a woman with hair resembling a blend of monochromatic colors approaches you. Her smile is gentle, and she extends a warm welcome. “Welcome to the shrine. You looked a little lost,” she observes, her words prompting a sheepish smile to form on your face. 

~~~~~

"Well... Less lost, than hoping I'm in the right spot... I'm supposed to meet my friends here, but they're pretty late..."

"Oh? When were you supposed to meet them?" the woman asks with a surprisingly adorable tilt of her head to her right.

You look down at your watch, sighing. "They should've been here a half hour ago... I guess I'll go home, sorry to loiter like this," you bow a little, apologizing.

The woman watches you in silence for a moment, the cicadas calling in the summer heat, and the wind blowing through the willow trees providing some relief. Despite the silence, it's not uncomfortable.

You turn to leave, but feel a tug on the hem of your shirt. Turning around to look back, you see her blushing slightly, the pink spreading on her cheeks as she lets go and lets her arm fall back to her front.

"I-if you'd like... I could show you around...? It'd be a shame to come here and not enjoy your time here, right?" she asks, her head tilted down, but her eyes looking up at you through her bangs.

You stand, transfixed by the mesmerizing gaze of her golden eyes. With a gulp, you nod slowly as you feel your face heat up. She's adorable.

It's only when you notice it getting darker as the skies turn to a burnt orange that you realize you've spent a couple hours just walking around and talking with the woman.

"Oh! I'm sorry, you were probably here to meet someone for a date or something weren't you?" you ask, suddenly realizing that this woman isn't a shrine maiden here, despite her kimono.

She smiles gently up at you from your right side. "Oh? I thought we were having a wonderful date, were you not having fun?" she asks, her gentle smile turning to a pout.

Watching her, your face feels like it's on fire. "No, no! I've had a great time, but... You came here in a kimono, so I just thought..." You're interrupted by one of her slender fingers gracing your lips.

"Don't worry about it... Let's just enjoy our time here, together. Ok?" she smiles, and wraps her arms around your right arm, leaning her head on your shoulder as you walk down a path.

The next thing you know, you're at home, sitting on your couch staring at the wall, still shocked at what happened.

You hear your phone ding and you find yourself leaping at it. Looking at the notification, you see a text message from a name you don't recognize.

{ Shiori Novella - Thanks for spending time with me today! I had a great time! I hope you're ready for our next date... }