...Finally...done...with...chapter...never...again!
But seriously, Date chapters are too hard for me. This is the only one you're getting so you all better enjoy it, but if you don't...I understand. They aren't exactly my forte I suppose.
Anyways, today's chapter is 85% Hanako. None of that false Hanako stuff from last chapter. No siree, all there is in this chapter is Hanako and Hisao...and Lilly...and Kenji. But I promise that's it and that it'll be primarily Hanako focused.
Also, thanks to Brogurt, Daitengu, Oddball, Ascended Flutist, nemz, and insert_name_here92 for the ideas. Oh, and Brogurt, I thought about having a different hairstyle for Hanako, but sadly that's planned for later and I'm not quite versed in hairstyle descriptions anyways so why subject yourself to the pain twice over.
Without further noise, the chapter:
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Previous Chapter
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Chapter 7: Date
I glance down once again, feeling two parts nervous, three parts excited, one part anxious, and some parts frustrated. Honestly, I’ve read about this, and seen movies about it, but I never expected this situation to fall upon myself.
“I think this combination might work,” Kenji says, pointing to two pieces of clothing before us.
“I dunno, I just don’t think that matches,” I sigh. “Why am I trying to choose an outfit again?”
“From past experiences,” He explains. “And when I say ‘past experiences’ I really mean ‘my girlfriend would get angry every time I came to a date with mismatched clothes.’ Seriously, you’ve never seen a person cry so much about wearing pink on red.”
What I don’t get is why his girlfriend would bug him so much about it when he’s legally blind.
“I still think you’re worrying about this far too much,” Lilly says, speakerphone on full volume. “Everything will work out fine.”
“Look, I just want this date to go well. I mean, I don’t want this to turn out to be the worst night of her life.”
“Dude, like I said, it’s all about the clothes.”
“Hisao, don’t listen to Kenji. Just be yourself and everything will turn out alright.”
“Don’t listen to the blind broad’s TV cookie cutter advice! Plan for everything.”
“…Excuse me?”
“…I beg for forgiveness. Please don’t cut off my fingers.”
“…Back to the matter at hand. Hisao, you have your reservations at the place I told you about, correct?”
“Yes, but I don’t know. Are you sure about that restaurant?”
“Akira said it was pretty good, and the attire is apparently rather casual so it should be fine.”
“Alright, I’ll trust your decision.”
“Speaking of decisions, have you decided what movie you will be watching?”
“Apparently there’s a very well reviewed one that’s playing right now. So we’ll be going there.”
“…” Nothing but static on the other line.
“Lilly?”
“Oh, sorry Hisao, I was just a bit busy. Apparently you’re not the only one worried.”
Before I could decipher what she meant, the alarm starts playing, signaling the end of my planning time.
“Kenji, clothes!”
“Here ya go!”
He tosses me a set of clothing that doesn’t look terrible. In fact, it’s rather presentable, down right coordinated in my amateur opinion. I guess experience does win out here, and it’s pretty sad that a conspiracy nut has more experience in these matters than me.
“Good luck man!”
“You’ll do fine.”
With a nod, I stroll out the door, ready for anything.
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…I was definitely, absolutely, most assuredly not ready for that:
Hanako in a dress.
If only I had a thesaurus for all the words I can use to describe the person in front of me. Maybe a few years as well. Though I suppose I am a bit biased…and should stop staring before she slaps me.
“Shall we go?” She asks, smiling nervously as she glances at the restaurant before us.
“Ah, yes,” I agree finally.
That’s it Hisao, use your brain, what comes next.
“You look nice,” I manage to say finally.
“Thanks, you do too,” She replies.
We slip into each other’s hands and walk forward. After strolling through the wooden double doors, I could see several patrons seated at various tables covered in red cloth. In front of us was a man in the restaurant’s uniform, trying desperately to appear professional and not stare at Hanako’s scars. Hanako instinctively brushes her long locks forward. Old habits die hard I guess.
“Table for two?” He asks.
“Yes, reservation under Nakai.”
He sweeps his fingers over the computer screen before answering.
“Ah, yes, right this way please.”
The server quickly shows us a table near the windows. I scout the area once more. The place seems to be…Italian I think. The menu certainly has a lot of strange and foreign words that sound like pasta at least.
“D-do you know what you want?” Hanako asks, eyes peaking over her menu.
“I guess the…em…erm…ah, the Seafood Medley I suppose, and you?”
“Eggplant Parmigiana.”
“Hm, why do they call those things eggplants anyways?”
“In the 18th century, similar plants were white or yellow colored, making them look like hen’s eggs.”
That was rather…unexpected.
“W-what?”
“Nothing, that was just rather out of the blue is all.”
“Y-you were t-the one that asked!” She retorts, face turning a tinge redder.
“You don’t have to be embarrassed about it.”
“I-I’m not embarrassed.”
“Says the girl turning red.”
Her head immediately collapses, like a falling Jenga tower of some sort, crumpling on the table.
“Why are you teasing me so much?”
“I’m your boyfriend, I get to tease my cute girlfriend because she knows it’s all in good fun. Or at least that’s what it says on the pamphlet.”
“…There’s a pamphlet?”
I pull out a small, Kenji-made pamphlet and show it to her. She scans the entries before handing it back.
“Hisao.”
“Yes?”
“I-I know that some couples do have…‘pet names’ for each other, but I would appreciate it if we don’t do such a thing.”
“Of course.”
“I mean…maybe in the future…in private…but not now or ever in public. I-It’s just too embarrassing. Especially things like ‘S-schmoofie’ or ‘h-honey bunny’ or something like that.”
“Of course.”
“While we’re on the subject…”
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About roughly an hour’s worth of debating on what we could and couldn’t do as a couple, we had eaten away our dinner and we were currently enjoying our dessert. However, I couldn’t help but feel as though I was forgetting something.
Something very important.
A matter of life and death.
…What was it.
“Your bill sir,” Our gracious waiter says, handing me a black little booklet.
I glance at the bill and almost spat out my drink.
Oh crap, how did this cost so much.
“Hisao, is something wrong?”
“Oh, nothing, nothing at all.”
Alright Hisao, stay calm. Stay calm. We can get out of this without the night going horribly. Yes, we…just…um…oh…damnit! How did this happen? Gah, I cannot spend tonight doing the dishes. This night has to be perfect! Ok, maybe I can work something out with the owner. Or something. Or maybe the bathroom windows are big enough to crawl out from.
“Excuse me, sir,” The waiter says, interrupting my monologue.
“Yes?” I reply as calmly as possible.
“Apparently your meal has been paid for.”
“Eh?”
“By a Miss Satou I believe.”
…Best. Friend. Ever.
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I am feeling rather confident. Aside from the bill issue, nothing else could possibly go wrong. I have the tickets and we are going to see a movie, then have some conversation about the movie, and finally go our separate ways, feeling satisfied by the date.
“Um, w-what are we going to watch?” My lovely date asks.
“It’s a secret.”
Turning around the corner, we enter the movie theater. Inside I could see several posters lining the wall, no doubt for future and current movies to be held. However, something attracts my eye. It was the poster for the movie we came for. It had a rather large red ‘x’ over it. Leaning in closer, I could just make out the text printed on it.
[This movie has been canceled. Sorry for the inconvenience.]
…Oh, the movie has been canceled.
…Oh crap.
“Hisao, is something wrong again?” Hanako asks, her astute skills of observation clearly not failing her.
“N-nothing,” I reply.
“…The movie was canceled, wasn’t it?”
“Of course not, what makes you say that?”
She points to the movie poster with the ‘x’ on it.
“That? Hah, no we’re not seeing that.”
“Oh? And what are we going to see?”
“Um, that is…we’re going to see…that!”
I quickly point to a random poster. She glances at it.
“It’s a Wonderful Life, I don’t think I’ve seen that one before.”
“Oh, me neither. But I thi—heard it was good. Hm, how about you get us some snacks while I find us some seats.”
“Alright,” She agrees.
As she turns around, I quickly sprint for the ticket office. Sliding in, I quickly show the ticket guy the ticket to the cancelled movie and ask for a change.
“Sure.”
With little fuss, I quickly scout out some seats. Throwing my coat over two of the seats, I sprint down the stairs and head towards the snack area. There, I see Hanako, hands already full of popcorn. I try to calm my breathing as she approaches.
“Did you find us some seats?” She asks.
“Yep, no trouble.”
I help her out with one of the popcorn bags and take her hand.
“Shall we go?”
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This movie…is oddly familiar. Guy down on his luck meets an angel and turns everything around. If I was pushing it, that would describe me perfectly.
…Or, well, I could just be looking way too deeply.
Either way, there is certainly an angel at my side.
“Hisao?”
“Hm?”
“Is there something on my face?”
“Oh, no, you look perfect.”
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As we walked out of the movie theater, I couldn’t help but feel…anxious. I mean, everything so far has not worked out so well. The food was abnormally expensive. The movie we planned to see was canceled. What next, mugging? Meteorite? Car accident?
“Everybody is important.”
“Hm? What’s that Hanako?”
Her head jolts upward, startled by my comment. She quickly turns her head away, trying desperately to not look at me. However, after a minute or two, she looks in my direction.
“Everybody is important,” She repeats. “From the movie…that is what I understand.”
“Oh, well, yeah, that’s what I kinda understood too.”
She takes a few steps ahead of me, does a tiny spin, and faces me fully.
“…Hisao, thank you.”
“Eh? For what?”
“Um, well…you know…for being here…and making me feel…important,” She says, words stumbling over themselves in trying to sound somewhat clear. “That I…matter, really, and that I’m not just a burden. I guess…this makes you my angel, right?”
“…really, that’s a bit rude,” I sigh.
“Eh?!” Surprise clearly showing on her face.
“I mean, you just stole what I wanted to say,” I explain. “I mean, now everything I’m going to say is going to sound like I’m just copying you, right?”
“Huh? I mean, that is to say…” She babbles before growing silent.
“So, before you can steal anymore of my lines, let me say this clearly. Thank you for being there with me. You…really helped me out, and while it did hurt at times…well, the good times just overshadowed all of that didn’t they?”
“Y-yes,” She agreed. “Yeah, they were.”
Smiling, I took her into my hands and we started walking again.
“Though…now that I think about it, we do have another guardian angel over us, don’t we?”
“Y-yeah, we do.”
“She’s coming back pretty soon, isn’t she?”
“Yes.”
“…going to throw her a party?”
“The biggest one we can I guess.”
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Next Chapter
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Again, I'm never going to do this again. Way too hard for me and I don't really approve of the final product.
Anyways, please look forward to the next chapter.
Oh, one more thing, I was going to include a Kiss at the end...but it turns out I can't write a kiss scene without it being absolutely terrible. So imagine one there and be satisfied by it.
