My Love Story With A Gangster

Chapter 8: First Date

Banri and Chidori stopped on the side of the road, where food stalls were gathered. There were lots of street foods, such as; Tempura, Kwek Kwek, Fish Ball, Squid Rolls and even Shomai. "W-wow there's a lot of food stalls here", Chidori looks at the stalls, surprised that there are so many of them. "Yeah, they gather here everyday, I even eat dinner here after school", Banri responds. They both approach the stalls and take a look at the menu. "Y-you eat dinner here? What about at home?", Chidori says as she looks at the list of foods on the menu. Banri chuckles and responds, "I don't know how to cook and I don't have anyone to cook for me." Chidori looks at him, surprised at what she heard. "W-what about... your parents?", she looks at him. "They're not around anymore, haven't been for a while now", Banri responds, he smiles at her as their eyes meet. Chidori was hurt by what she heard, she didn't expect something like that. "R-really? H-how old were you when they...", Chidori responds, her tone careful and gentle, not wanting to upset Banri. "I think I was about... 8 years old", he smiles, showing no signs of pain in his emotions. "I-I'm sorry", Chidori responds and looks away. "It's alright, don't worry about it", Banri gently puts his hand on her shoulder, showing her that he's not bothered with her asking about it.

"Come on let's eat, I'll treat you", said Banri as he picked up two sticks of Fish balls and gave one of them to Chidori, to which she happily accepts. The two of them ate street foods the whole afternoon, they even managed to get everything on the menu of each stall. While eating, Chidori realizes the situation she is in right now. She's alone with Banri, eating street foods together and there is no one else with them. It's almost like... a date.

After the two finished eating, they decided to rest on a nearby bench. "T-thanks for lunch, Banri", Chidori looks at Banri with a smile. "Don't mention it, it was worth it if I got to see you smile again", Banri chuckles and looks at her, their eyes meeting once again. For a few minutes, there was silence, the two of them just sitting on the bench, looking at the cars passing through the road. Suddenly, the silence was broken when Banri spoke. "Chidori, are you by any chance dating anyone?", Banri looks at her, his tone serious yet gentle. Chidori was surprised to hear this, her cheeks flushed with red as she looks at him. "I-I...", Chidori couldn't find the words to respond, stuttering everytime she tries to speak. Banri patiently waits for her response, looking at her with a calm demeanor. After a few seconds, Chidori managed to catch her breath and calm down. "N-no... I'm not", she looks away, trying to avoid his gaze. "Are you sure?", Banri responds, his gaze locked on her. "Y-yes", Chidori responds and nods. Just then, Banri moves closer to her and said, "Then go out with me."

Everything stopped at that moment. It was like the earth stood still, the sound of cars, the tweeting of the birds, it was like they disappeared. Chidori felt her heart skip a beat, her eyes widened. "W-what was... that, Banri? I-I don't think... I heard you right", said Chidori, stuttering as she speaks. Banri moved closer, saying it loud and clear. "Chidori, be my girlfriend", Banri speaks into Chidori's ear. Chidori could feel his breath on his ears, her heart feels like it's about to jump out of her chest. "B-Banri...", Chidori is still having a hard time understanding the situation.

Meanwhile, Naoya and Enji were still on the road, on their way to inform everyone about the Blood Brotherhood. For a few minutes, the ride was quiet, both of the two not talking and just focusing on getting the word out.

"Hey, do you think Chi will be safe what that guy?", Enji suddenly speaks up.

Naoya doesn't respond and continues driving, his eyes focused on the road. A few more minutes passed and Enji speaks up again. "Hey answer me, is Chi gonna be safe with Banri?", Enji makes his voice a bit louder. Getting annoyed, Naoya sighs and finally responds. "Will you calm down? Banri's not the type of guy to hurt or do anything bad to a girl", Naoya's tone calm, yet laced with annoyance. They were close to the school, but being a saturday there won't be any students. However, the Eclipse Outlaws hang out at the school every saturday, that way they can meet up without anyone disturbing them. Moreover, the school is open since it's a saturday and the Teachers are still working, so it's not illegal for them to be there, just unnecessary for other students.

After a few seconds passed, Enji responds to Naoya's words. "I seriously doubt it, Banri's the most notorious gangster in Barangay Katipunan", his tone clearly showing that he doesn't trust Naoya's words. "He became the most notorious because of his strength, not cuz of sexual harassment", Naoya responds, his tone and demeanor calm as he moves through the city with high speed. "You worried he'll take Chidori from you?", Naoya speaks up as he looks back at Enji with a smirk. Enji was surprised by Naoya's comment, a look of embarrassment on his face. "S-so what if I am?! She's my childhood friend and I happen to like her!", Enji responds in a defensive tone. Naoya couldn't help but laugh at Enji's reaction. "Wow, you actually admitted it dude", Naoya smiles and looks back at the road.

"Ya know, I suggest giving up on her", Naoya speaks. "If Banri's shown interest in her, then you've got zero chance, there isn't a girl in Quezon City that has ever said no to Banri de la Vega".

"Like hell I'll give up, I was willing to risk my life for her earlier, you think I'll back down just cuz one dude is in my way?!", Enji responds, showing Naoya that he doesn't plan on giving up in pursuing Chidori. "If it were just a normal dude, I'd tell ya to keep pushing, but it's not, It's Banri de la Vega", said Naoya, making it clear to Enji that going against Banri isn't the same as going up against a random guy. "Doesn't matter to me, I love her, so until she tells me that she likes him, I'll keep fighting to win her heart", Enji looks at the sky as he responds to Naoya, his resilience showing he is not the type of person to give up easily. "Then good luck, you're gonna need it", Naoya speeds up as they get close to the school.

Back with Chidori and Banri...

"I see", said Banri as he backs away from Chidori and leans against the bench, looking at the view of the city. "J-just please... give me some time to think about it", Chidori looks at the ground, blushing and shocked. Banri chuckled at her words then sighed, "Alright, take the time you need.

A few minutes later, "Come on, let's get you home." Banri gets on his motorcycle and motions for Chidori to get on the back. They drive off and head for Chidori's house, Banri going at full speed. For a while, it was quiet, the only thing that could be heard was the engine roaring and the wheels of the motorcycle turning. "B-Banri... I want you to know that... it's not like I'm turning you down... I'm just not used to this, so... please give me some time", the silence was broken by Chidori, she asks that Banri understands and not to take it to heart. Banri however, smiled and chuckled at her words. "I'm not hurt, don't worry, you said that you need time, and I'll give you time, all the time you need", Banri looks back and smiles at her, letting Chidori know that he isn't feeling too bad about the situation. "Technically you didn't say no, so that means I still have a chance", Banri looks back at the road, a smile on his face.

About 30 minutes later, they saw Chidori's house close by. "Aww look at that, our magical ride is almost at an end", said Banri as he speeds up towards the house. "Doesn't matter, I got to spend time with you, and I got to see you smile, this'll be a day I won't forget."

Banri stops at the front yard of the house, turning the engine off and letting Chidori walk to the door. But before she opened it, she turns to look at Banri. "W-why do you like me, Banri? W-what is it about me that... interests you?", Chidori asks, curious why someone like Banri who could probably be with any girl that he wants would wanna be with someone as shy and timid as her. Banri looks at her with surprise, he didn't expect her to ask that right now. A soft smile formed on his face as he responds, "Because you're like the sun that shines through my darkness. Back at the abandoned junkyard, I was losing my cool, I couldn't think of anything else but to beat the crap out of Ryu, but your voice managed to cut through. There were so many people there, but I only heard you. You called out my name, and snapped me back into reality. Something that not even Naoya or Raizo can do, but you can. You're so quiet and barely noticeable, but your voice alone brought me back into the light."

Chidori's eyes widened hearing all of this, she didn't expect this much. She never thought that someone like Banri, would notice her or even like her. Hearing all of this, made her feel special, for someone to be interested in her and only her, is something that she never thought would happen. "B-Banri... I-", Chidori tries to respond, but the words wouldn't come out.

"Don't worry, you don't have to answer me now. I know that I don't have much to offer, that I'm just a high school gangster, but I hope you give me the chance", Banri said with a smile before turning the engine back on and driving away, waving goodbye to Chidori as he leaves. Meanwhile Chidori stood at the front of the door to her house, unsure of what to do.