Sweet Love

Chapter 18: First date

Bokuto hurries out of the house. He had spent too long choosing clothes and styling his hair. "Have fun!" His mum calls out from the kitchen. "Haihai! I'll bring some souveniers home for you and Oto-san!"

It is the Sunday before Bokuto Koutarou's 17th birthday and he is going on a first date with Akaashi. Nothing can contain his excitement as he sprints to the train station where Akaashi had agreed to meet him at.

"I'm sorry! I'm late!" Akaashi looks up from his novel to an incoming Bokuto. He gets a sense of deja vu. "It's ok. I got here not too long ago. Shall we go?" Bokuto eagerly nods. They proceed inside the train station.

After a short ride, they reach the center of the city. From the train carriage, Bokuto can see the towering ferris wheel and complicated roller coaster tracks. That boosts his excitement. "Bokuto-san we are stopping at the next stop." Akaashi's voice pulls Bokuto out of his amusement park fantasies and back to reality.

They both get a one day pass. The park is enormous so when the two enter, they are at a lost of where to go. "The park is so big! It's so cool! Where shall we go Akaahhhshi?"

Akaashi traces the map. "Bokuto-san, shall we follow the zones? So we will start from where we are and move clockwise. Our last stop will be the ferris wheel."

"Awesome! Let's go!" Bokuto drags Akaashi to their first ride of the day - the Bandit roller coaster. Since it is still quite early, the queue is not that long. Soon, they are being strapped onto the roller coaster seats. Akaashi starts feeling very very nervous. He had never been on a roller coaster ride in his life. Sensing Akaashi's tension, Bokuto grabs Akaashi's hand. The roller coaster moves up and Akaashi starts regretting his decision of sitting this ride. In a matter of a few seconds, the roller coaster plunges down. Akaashi uses all his might to stop himself from screaming. Bokuto on the other hand, is enjoying the thrill of the ride.

After a few more rides, Bokuto and Akaashi head to the Sky Cycle. From below, everyone up there on the ride seems to enjoy it very much. The reviews of the Sky Cycle are good as well. Akaashi also reckons that nothing in the amusement park would be as scary as their first ride that day. However when they get on the ride and start pedalling, Akaashi realises how high up they actually are. "It is not that scary," Akaashi tells himself. His quivering legs say otherwise. With the boisterous Bokuto beside him, Akaashi cannot help but feel more insecure. "Bokuto-san, stop moving around. The bicycle is going to derail." Akaashi says while maintaining a death grip on the handles in front of him. "Ok." Bokuto says. Despite what he said, in a few minutes, Bokuto had returned to his original lively state. "Bokuto-san. Stop moving." Akaashi has no idea how many times he had said that during the ride.

Bokuto is surprised as Akaashi energetically leads him to the go-kart family ride. Akaashi is really glad that he and Bokuto are still below 190cm. Close. But still below. Luckliy, or they would never be able to try the go kart ride.

"Akaashi. Let me driv..." Bokuto turns to look at Akaashi beside him. Seeing Akaashi's eager look, he changes his mind, "Akaashi, you drive! It'll be fun!"

Bam!
"Woah Akaahshi! Are you trying to kill me?!" Bokuto laments as they suddenly crash into the wall surrounding the track. "Ah. I'm sorry Bokuto-san." They continue their journey, not without Akaashi bumping the sides of the track every few minutes. Bokuto finds it hard to believe that Akaashi was not intentionally trying to lead them to their deaths. As they walk out of the attraction, Akaashi apologises for the bumpy ride. Bokuto puts a hand on Akaashi's shoulder and says in a serious tone, "Akaashi. Next time, I'll drive."

Akaashi walks out of the Looping Starship attraction exit, one hand over his mouth and the other clutching his stomach. He is very glad he decided to take a light breakfast in the morning. "Akaaashi. Are you ok?" Bokuto walks beside Akaashi, worried. "Arrrghhhhh! I shouldn't have made you take that ride with me! I'm sorry Akaahshi. I'm a horrible boyfriend and senpai!"

Being on solid ground for a while had calmed the turmoil in Akaashi's stomach. "I'll be fine after a bit more rest." Akaashi manages to convince Bokuto.

After a while more, they ride a few more "gentler" rides before heading for lunch at a nearby crepe store. Akaashi peers at Bokuto from the corner of his eyes. Bokuto is happily munching on a choco banana vanilla ice cream crepe. A small smile plays on Akaashi's lips. Other than the traumatising rides, he is enjoying his first date very much. Bokuto turns around and Akaashi hurriedly averts his gaze.

After lunch, they decide to watch the sea lion show first since both of them wanted to be easy on their stomach just after lunch.

"Bokuto-san, are you sure you don't want to ride the Crazy Stooon?" Akaashi points to the drop tower as they walk out of the sea lion show area. Bokuto-san vigorously shakes his head. "It's no fun if you are not going." That made Akaashi blush a little, just a little.

They spend the rest of their time trying out so many other rides. They even sat on the carousel.

The sun starts to set. Both teenagers head to their final attraction of the day - the ferris wheel. Akaashi purposely set it for last. It would be a slow and comfortable ride. Perfect for end the day. With the scenic view, it would add a tinge of romance in the 30min up there.

They get ushered into a cabin. The door closes and the cabin slowly moves up. Now that they are completely alone, Akaashi finds himself at a loss for words. Akaashi shyly looks up at Bokuto seated opposite him. Bokuto is plastered on the glass, staring at the breathtaking view outside. "Look! Akaaashi! Outside looks so pretty!" Akaashi sighs and moves over. He forgot. Romantic stuff is not Bokuto's style.

Akaashi leans over. Bokuto finds himself heating up as he feels Akaashi's warm breath on his neck. "It is indeed pretty Bokuto-san..." He lowers his voice,"I chose this time to ride the ferris wheel just for the view." Bokuto hears it nonetheless and is terribly happy. "Akaashi. I love you."

"...I-I love you too, Bokuto-san."

Bokuto hugs Akaashi tightly and plants a kiss on Akaashi's lips. "I love you. I love you. I love you so much." He pulls away slightly. Akaashi pulls Bokuto closer and once again, they kiss. Bokuto slowly deepens the kiss.
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After a short stop at the souvenier store, they head to a mall near their school for a short dinner. But all too soon, night falls and the date nears an end.

"Akaaahshi. Today was so fun! Let's go there again!" Akaashi is really glad that his research for the date paid off. "M-me too Bokuto-san."

Bokuto hurriedly looks around to see if anyone is near them. When he finalises that no one is noticing, he gives a quick peck on Akaashi's lips. "Bye bye Akaashi! See you tomorrow!" Bokuto runs into the train just as the doors start closing, leaving a blushing Akaashi at the train station.