Successful Dates, Partially Successful Dates, Unsuccessful Dates

The couple went on a date a week later, but Hikaru couldn't enjoy their time together. His superior still wouldn't let up on him, as if he wanted to test his limits and when he would finally explode. He was fighting a battle that only he knew about and wanted to win at all costs. The young Japanese was simply overworked and only dreamed of resting in the comfort of his home, but he couldn't break his promise to his girlfriend. Her enthusiasm, smile, and tenderness made up for it to some extent, but he couldn't repay her in the same way.

“Is everything okay?” she was worried when he almost fell asleep standing up. “Let's go home.”

“No, we're only halfway through the exhibition,” Hikaru protested, to which she only shook her head.

“You can barely stand on your feet. You need to rest. We can always come back another time.”

Hortensja couldn't completely mask her sadness, and Hikaru could sense it. He wanted to protest, but the girl was already pulling him towards the exit. The exhibition interested her immensely, but more than sightseeing, she wanted to spend time with Hikaru in a different environment than at home. She had the impression that the Japanese man was only there and at work, and she wanted to break him out of this monotonous cycle a little. Frustration was growing inside her somewhere quietly that she wasn't in the first place. And this was only supposed to be the beginning.

A few days later, Hortensja was woken up by the incessant sound of the doorbell; she sleepily walked towards the door. When she opened it, Akira fell into her arms, bursting into tears. The Pole instinctively hugged her and started stroking her back to calm her down. It took her a moment, but she was able to see the unexpected guest off and sit her on the couch. She gave the girl some water and made herself some coffee to encourage her brain to work and figure out the situation.

The Japanese didn't even wait for the question because she simply started blurting out everything that had happened the previous evening. Her friend had a birthday, and they had gone out drinking. They didn't intend to overdo it; it was the middle of the week after all, but the topic of Valentine's Day came up, which unfortunately encouraged them to drink more. Wandering around the city, they passed a restaurant. Akira, in a burst of courage, asked Matsuo out on a date. She didn't wait for his answer, and now she was regretting it and trying to deal with a hangover.

“What exactly did you tell him?” Hortensja asked.

“Akiyama-kun, I've liked you for a long time, and I want to go out with you. We're going on a date on Saturday. Wait for me in front of the restaurant at six o'clock,” she recited in one breath and hid her face in her hands.

“A bold move,” the Pole admitted with admiration. “Since you invited him, it's worth going.”

“Nothing will come of it,” Akira continued to lament. “Now I have no chance at all.”

“You can't be sure of that.”

“And will you go with me?” the Japanese woman asked, and Hortensja looked at her in surprise. “If something doesn't work out, I would like someone to be with me.”

“Okay, but if you go on this date anyway, you're buying me cake.”

Akira's face lit up with a smile, and it was no longer obvious that she had overdone it with alcohol the previous day. She immediately became enthusiastic and excited about the date. She talked about ideas of where they could go and what outfits she could wear for each option. Hortensja remembered that she had experienced her first date similarly, when she was a teenager, and again here, although in the past at least she had a wider choice when it came to wardrobe.

During the conversation, the girls also referred to the topic of Valentine's Day, and Hortensja was surprised to hear about the concept of this day in Japan and that there was something called White Day a month later. She liked sweets, so the idea of declaring feelings with chocolates appealed to her. She looked at the calendar; it was on Friday. Perfect, she would have time to prepare some surprises for Hikaru, she thought.

“You don't have White Day?” Akira asked, surprised by her surprise.

“No. It's just that couples celebrate Valentine's Day together. People sometimes outdo each other in ideas or the size of bouquets, and they get engaged. Each side tries to prepare something for their partner, but you know, not everyone celebrates this day in a special way.” Hortensja shrugged, recalling the sometimes underestimated efforts she had made so far.

“So, how will you celebrate this year?” “I have to think about it.”

The women smiled at each other. Hortensja was happy that she would have someone to celebrate this day with. Akira hoped that she would soon be able to say the same, they felt that this day was the beginning of their friendship.

Hikaru did not participate in the preparations for the date, but he quietly supported this undertaking because Matsuo himself asked him for advice on how not to stress and make a good impression on a date. Hortensja forbade him from revealing certain details, hoping that Akira would be pleasantly surprised when she found out. The Pole dressed comfortably and tied her hair in a high bun, and her boyfriend wanted to compliment her, but he did not have the opportunity. However, he breathed a sigh of relief when the women left, and he could rest, although he would have preferred to fall asleep next to his beloved.

The way to the restaurant required a lot of strength from Hortensja, Akira sometimes wanted to turn around and had to use force to make her to go in the right direction. She looked lovely, but definitely too nervous, and the Pole was afraid that it would end with heart problems. Hortensja recognized Matsuo waiting in front of the restaurant only when they got close, pushed the Japanese girl towards him and went towards the entrance.

“Do you…” Hikaru's friend turned to her, surprised that they had come together.

“Have fun,” she didn't let him finish and waved them off. “Just bring her back at a reasonable hour.”

He looked at her with silent reproach that she still dared to embarrass him, and Akira didn't understand what was happening. Hortensja hid from her that Matsuo had contacted her to replace him for the date and help in the restaurant.

She found his father staring at the couple through the window. He looked worried. The old Akiyama knew his son and had his suspicions as to why his obvious lack of experience in dating was now coming out. It was rare for anyone to break through his heavy aura, and even rarer to find their way through it and stay there for longer. Hikaru was an exception, which was why he was so happy that his son had a loyal friend.

“It'll be alright.” Hortensja smiled at him; he couldn't help but smile back. The appearance of this girl made things start happening around him, and life took on a slightly different hue.