First Dates Don't Exist!

“Are you okay?”

Akito stares blankly at Akari, his speech seemingly ripped from his mouth. All he can do is sit and stare in awe at her.

Akito’s face becomes red, then snaps back into reality, grabbing a hold of Akari’s hand and getting up off the ground. They exchange smiles, and Akito finally takes in the outfit She’s wearing

Wow…I mean…just…

Akito realizes he’s still holding onto her hand, and pulls it back adamantly, putting it back in his pocket.

“Thanks for…coming?” Akito says skeptically, sweating in nervousness and uncertainty

Is that what you’re supposed to say on a date? I really hope so.

Akari smiles back, her long eyelashes glistening from the ambient light of the mall.

This moment was new to him, but it was one he’d never forget.

They stand together for a moment, unsure of what to do, Akito spotting a bookstore he frequents out of the corner of his eye, and points over toward it.

“Would you want to…uhh…go there with me?”

Akari’s face is still red from before, but agrees with little hesitation.

They walk toward their destination, and the mall seems to be bustling with people all of a sudden. Akito had been so focused on Akari that nothing else mattered, and those things just…slipped from his view.

The foot traffic seems to only be getting heavier, Akito and Akari almost losing each other in the sheer amount of people. Akito keeps getting run into by people walking by, and is shoved into someone who nudges him back. Akari is pushed in a similar fashion, leading to them hitting shoulders. Akito goes to move away, and that’s when Akari reaches out and grabs his hand. Akito’s hand is visibly shocked by this, not grabbing back at first.

Akito looks up to see the nervous face of Akari, red with nerves.

She’s the same as me…why didn’t I notice?

Akito grabs her hand back, startling Akari at first, but from her face he knows: She wouldn’t want it any other way.

They make it into the bookstore, only to find a massive line to the cashiers. Akito looks puzzled at first, then reads the signs around the store:

<MEGA SALE!>

That makes more sense than I’m willing to admit. Hopefully she’s fine with the people, though.

Akito looks over and starts to apologize to Akari

“Sorry, Akari-chan…I didn’t know there was a sale today!”

Akari laughs at this, to the confusion of Akito.

“It’s fine, crowds aren’t that big of a deal” Akari replies, still chuckling at the sentiment but appreciating it.
“What if someone from school sees-”
“It’s okay, it’s not like they know what I look like, let alone who I am”
“What if they see me with you? Wouldn’t it look like we’re on a date?”
“...”

Akari’s face turns red, confronting the fact that this was a date right in the store, at this very moment. She covers her face and crouches down, Akito concerned for a moment.

“What’s wrong with that?” Akari quietly chimes out.

Akito’s face blushes, then he grabs her hand and leads her in the store

“Nothing.”

Akito looks away from Akari to hide his face, not noticing that hers is the same way.

…

They begin browsing the manga collection, Akari drawn toward the romance section, picking up a book and flipping through the pages, captivated by the art, the story, and the characters. Akito recognizes this book.

I remember reading that not too long ago. That story really was nice, I can’t help but hate the ending though. I mean, if that were me in that situation I would’ve chosen Nin-

“Have you read this series before?” Akari asks Akito, handing the book over to him.
“Yeah, I liked basically all of it, minus the ending” Akito replies, unsure if she agrees or not with this opinion

Akari’s eyes glow for a moment, like Akito hit the gear of romance knowledge in her brain.

“You too huh? I personally think Miku was the best but I can see how people like the others”
“I didn’t dislike her, but I think that the ending that I would’ve chosen is the one with Ni-”

Akito is abruptly cut off by an announcement on the loudspeaker.
<ATTENTION ALL CUSTOMERS: Please do not sit around and read for too long, there are far too many people here today to be doing that. Thank you>>

Akito and Akari look at each other, then realize that’s what they’ve been doing, laughing this off.

Akari reaches for another romance manga, as she does Akito asks her a question:

“Is this what you normally read?”

Akari grabs the book she was looking for off the shelf, holding it close to her and a soft look rolls on her face.

“Yeah…I really like these kinds of things. I never thought something like this would be in my life”

She opens the book, and flips through the panels to find a scene of a couple on a date, showing the panel to Akito.

“...at least, not this early”

Her message is read loud and clear in Akito’s head, beginning to blush at what she’s just implied.

Akito looks away to not make eye contact, looking toward the Shonen section

“W-Well I like shonen stuff more!” Akito spurts out, trying to pretend he’s not the same as her.

He grabs a book off the shelf and pretends to read it, but is actually looking over at Akari’s book, the back cover showing a happy couple sitting together.

It’s not like I hate romance manga, just the thought of it feels like someone’s showing off something they know I don’t have, but would give up anything to get. The endings made me feel empty, like that was just how it goes and the realization that something like that would never happen to me was….crushing.

Akito sets the book down and reaches for another, when Akari sets her book on the shelf once more and asks Akito a question:

“Is there any specific book you wanted?”
“No, not really. I defaulted on coming here again” Akito laughs this off, nervous about his decision to bring her here on a date.

“I see…so nothing’s stopping us from going anywhere else in here?”
“Not particularly..why?”

Akari grabs Akito’s hand and runs out of the store with him

“We’ve got the whole world to see! Why wait now?” Akari playfully asks, smiling the entire way.

Akito’s confused face turns to a happy one, laughing along with her question. The walk around the mall for a bit, pointing out stores and shopping in some.

…

Some time of shopping passes, and that’s when Akari’s face turns red, to Akito’s confusion.

“...There’s actually a store I needed to go in…would you want to…come with me?” Akair asks shyly

“Of course, I’ll come with you,” Akito replies, in a soft tone.

In a bold move, Akari brings Akito to a women’s store, Akito staring at the sign, and Akari gesturing in. The workers inside are giving weird looks to this strange teenager standing in front of their store.

Akito moves beside the store, refusing to go on on principle (dignity), Akari’s face bright red still, but tries to pull him to come with her, him refusing.

“Anywhere but here…I just…I’m sorry, Akari. I can’t go in there” Akito tells Akari, his embarrassed face the only thing notable.

Defeated, Akari walks in saying back to Akito before going behind a corner “Suit yourself. I won’t be too long, alright? Just wait for me!”

Akito looks down, face still read, and leans out against the wall. He tries to blow off some of this embarrassment and focus on something else, pulling out his phone from his pocket, only to find 10+ missed Messages from a group chat with Kenji, Takuma and Ryu called “Unification of Stupid and Aki”.

Takuma: So what time are we meeting for the movie?

Kenji: You think we can go a bit later in the day? I got some things I gotta buy.

Ryu: Anytime works for me. 👍

Takuma: Wait
Takuma: I just had my first ever great idea I think

Kenji: Which is?

Takuma: Why don’t we go to the mall before the movie? There’s a theatre there too, I think
Takuma: That makes it so we can hangout and see the movie in one go!

Ryu: Yeah, I the mall does have a theatre

Kenji: Works for me
Kenji: So what time again?

Takuma: Let’s say 14:30, that work?

Ryu: Sounds good 👍

Kenji: yeah, should be fine for me too

Takuma: Too bad Aki couldn’t come this time 😢

Kenji: @Aki You better have one hell of an excuse not hanging out with your best friends ever, traitor!

Kenji: 😆 just kidding man, have fun in whatever you doing

Takuma: Since Aki’s not coming, do you guys mind if I invite someone else?

Ryu: No problems on my end.

Kenji: Same here.

Takuma: Cool, See you guys then! 🥳

Akito grazes through the texts, then lets out a small chuckle, a slight smile building on his face.

They never change. Sometimes it’s a good thing, I guess.

Akito shuts his phone off and is about to slide it back in his pocket, when the realization that his friends are going to be at the same mall as him, at the same time finally hits him.

Akito’s breathing quickens, unsure of what to do in this situation.

If they find me outside this store, with Akari, her life’s gonna be screwed because of me!

AKito tries to calm himself down by taking some deep breaths to slow the loud and rapid beating of his heart.

Calm down…it’s okay. This mall is pretty massive, there’s a chance I won’t even see them!

Just as he finishes his thought, he glances toward the escalator, and like they were just summoned by his thoughts, Takuma, Kenji and Ryu are descending toward his floor.

Akito nervously begins to sweat, and his mind races of possible outcomes of this situation. Just then, the solution comes to his mind. A wave of determination and nerves are evident by the look on his face, but he’s not backing down this time.

I guess this is the only option…

Akito looks straight at the ground, staring at the floor tiles and takes a step toward the women’s store that Akari is in.

He walks into the store, being greeted by the cashier.

“Welcome! Is there anyth-”
“NO I’M FINE THANK YOU!” Akito abruptly cuts off the cashier in a shaky tone, trying his best to dismiss any…temptations.

Akito speedwalks through the store with his head down, running into a mannequin. Without paying any attention and thinking that was a real person, Akito apologizes for running into them and heads toward the back of the store.

The cashier looks in confusion at Akito’s actions, then shakes her head.

“I don’t get paid enough for this”

Akito is aimlessly still walking through the store, trying to find a good spot to hideout until his friends leave. That’s when he spots the changing rooms, speeding over and walking in, shutting the curtain behind him.

Thank god I made it in time, I would’ve been screwed if they’d seen me with…

His thoughts are lost, as his eyes begin to notice where, and who, he’d just walked in on. Akito tries to defuse the situation, nervously smiling, saying in a shaky tone:

“...hey”

Akari opens her mouth the shriek in embarrassment, but Akito covers her mouth with his hand, indicating with the other hand to be quiet.

“I’ll explain once they leave”

Akari looks confused at this, so Akito peeks his head out the curtain, Akari’s head right below his. They see Takuma, Ryu and Kenji talking with Um, Rei, Fumiko and Miki, basically in front of the store they’re currently in.

…

Ryu becomes flustered, breaking his normally cool demeanor, spurting out “W-W-What are you guys doing here?!?”

Miki, equally as flustered but tries to keep a calm tone, replies “It’s a mall. On a weekend. We’re going shopping. Use your brain for once”

“She has a point there Ryu” says Kenji, holding back a laugh at seeing his friend acting stupid in public.

Ryu stammers on his words for a moment, before retorting “I meant it’s weird seeing them here!”

“It is pretty unlikely to be in the same place, at the same time…” Fumiko chimes in with a monotone and calculated response.

They look toward Takuma and Rei, who are in a conversation about something, neither seeming surprised at meeting here.

“...If it weren’t planned, that is.” Fumiko finished her sentence with the same tone.

Kenji walks over to Takuma and Rei, pointing toward the group of girls

“Takuma, you may have left out some very key details about the trip today”

Rei bows toward Kenji, which surprises both him and Takuma

“Sorry, Hitonoka-san! It was my idea to bring my friends along!” She says in a sincere tone.

“Don’t apologize, I invited them too!” Takuma interjects, wanting to take the blame partially for it too.

The group of girls and Ryu all look toward Takuma and Rei, Kenji a bit off to the side, but they all share a unifying thought:

There’s gotta be something going on there.

Rei stands up straight, looking Takuma in the eyes, her face getting red.

“...ok” Rei replies lightly, averting her eyes to avoid contact with Takuma, him seemingly not noticing.

Everyone gathers together, with a distinct separation between the girls and guys, Takuma and Rei in the middle.

“Sorry, Everyone! Rei and I thought it would be fun for all of us to hang out today!”

Takuma bows once more, pleading for the 2 groups to “get along, please!”

“A heads-up would’ve been nice, you know!” Kenji spits out in a semi-sarcastic tone, walking over and karate-chopping Takuma’s head.

He then closes the gap between the 2 groups, extending a hand for a handshake

“I wouldn’t mind hanging with you guys today” Kenji says, with Ryu nodding in the background to support this position.

Miki walks over and shakes Kenji’s hand, replying in true tsundere fashion

“Hmph! I guess that leaves us with no other choice”

Her tone weakens, swallowing her pride

“What I meant is….t-thanks for having us..” Miki corrects herself, happy to be in their company.

She makes eye contact with Ryu, instantly looking away and pointing at a shop, leading the group toward a different store than the one Akito is in.

As they walk away, Umi grabs the sleeve on Takuma’s sweater to get his attention.

“Umm….where’s Azuma?” Umi asks in a quiet and shy voice

“Sorry, he’s busy today with something else. Is there anything you wanted to tell him?” Takuma sincerely replies, but not thinking any deeper into why she’s looking for him.

“...no, sorry to bother you” Umi ends the conversation, quickening her pace to catch the rest of the group, Takuma not far behind.

…

Akito pulls his head back into the room, sighing again with relief. He sits down next to Akari, his eyes closed and just remains there for a moment.

“Sorry, Akari. I saw them coming down here and I got worried”

“It’s okay I’m not mad or anything, I was just surprised”

They both linger in silence, taking in the situation they’re currently still in, both of them looking in the opposite direction as the other person, their faces turning bright red.

Akito and Akari remain in the changeroom for a bit, then Akito steels his resolve one final time, slapping himself on his cheeks, startling Akari.

“I’ll head out now, just wait a few before following, alright?” Akito whispers to Akari in a warm tone.

Akito then stares straight at the ground once more, and begins the path out of the store. He runs into a mannequin on the way out, again, and apologizes to it before getting out of the store. The cashier notices all of this, then exhales.

These kids are getting more and more confusing each year, I swear.

Akito waits outside of the store for a few minutes, then Akari exits, meeting up with him.

“Where to next?”
“Does there really have to be a plan?” Akari replies, giggling about how nervous Akito is.

“You’re right, so why not explore them all?” Akito laughs, then takes charge by grabbing Akari’s hand, and walking toward more stores.

They look in various stores, one with jewelry, another with furniture, all the while looking like they’re enjoying it. They enter a clothing store, and head over to the male section.

“This one would look good on you, I think”

Akari holds up a shirt to Akito’s chest, still on the coat hanger, then switches it to another one in her other hand. Akito is nervous the entire time, but manages to keep his composure.

“You think? I was always more of a plain color kinda guy, not really a graphic shirt person”

Akari looks slightly disappointed at this sentiment, Akito scrambling to fix his misstep. He reaches for one of the shirts in her hands, taking it from her and walking to the changerooms.

I didn’t mean it like that! I just hope this’ll make up for it…

Akito exits the changeroom, wearing a graphic shirt of a clock, the hands all warped and messed up. The writing below it says “Time Lost”. Akari is happy to see Akito wearing something she picked, blushing extremely hard at this fact.

“So…how does it look?” Akito nervously asks, his face red from embarrassment.

Akari is left speechless, Akito noticing this and looks to the ground in sadness.

I knew it, what I said can’t be taken back so easily. I guess I ended up ruining one of the only good things…

Akito turns to change back when Akari grabs his hand, her eyes filled with excitement.

“You look super good, Akito! I knew I was right to choose this one!” Akari exclaims, her smile emanating warm light toward Akito, him just taking in the scene.

Akito heads back in the changeroom, then exits immediately, the shirt in his hand. Akari smiles at this, but Akito is a bit embarrassed to admit his fault, so stays silent.

They head over to the girl’s section, Akito trying not to look around, Akari gleaming at the variety of clothes. To avoid looking at the women’s clothing out of courtesy (his personal courtesy), Akito fixes his gaze onto Akari.

She looks like she’s having fun. I’m glad that she’s enjoying this time…our time together. Seeing that face, seeing the sincerity in her eyes, it almost makes me wish that these times would never end, as foolish of a wish that that would be.

Akari’s eyes fixate on a specific dress; a red and strapless, long and flowing dress. She stares for a moment, admiring its beauty. Akito does the same thing, but to a different end.

She walks away to look at other things, Akito finally looking at the dress, then back at Akari.

They find some bracelets while heading out of the store, and they’re part of a pair, a matching set. Akito and Akari are both looking at it with the same thought.

I want it.

They head to the cash, handing the bracelets and the shirt to the cashier, who rings them up.

“Are these for a special someone?” the cashier teases

Akito blushes, looking away for a moment, before looking back to the cashier and paying.

“Yes…yes they are”

Akito and Akari leave the store, when Akito holds his stomach for a moment, realizing he needs to go to the bathroom.

“Can you wait here for a moment? I have some…uhhh…unfinished business…” Akito tries explaining to Akari

“Sure! I’ll be waiting here for you, just don’t take too long!” Akari waves at Akito, as he heads back to the store.

A few minutes pass, Akito finally leaving the store, another bag in hand.

Akari tries sneaking a peek into this bag, but Akito gets defensive about it, refusing to let her see.

“Why don’t we get something to eat?” Akito suggests, half-ly because he needed an excuse to stop her prodding, and because he was hungry.

“Sure, lead the way captain!” Akari playfully remarks, them both heading to the food court.

They buy some food, then sit down and eat some french fries and Akito gets a hotdog. They eat in awkward silence, neither knowing what to do from here. Akito looks around, seeing a movie theatre.

Seeing a movie wouldn’t be a bad idea…

Akito thinks about the romance movies he’d seen before, a scene replaying in his head where the MC and love interest go to a scary movie, a scary part of the movie frightening the girl who clings to the MC. This gives Akito a good idea.

“Would you want to go see a movie?” Akito suggests to Akari, who’s a bit busy eating fries, to notice.

Akito reaches out to grab Akari’s hand, then repeats what he said. Akari is more than happy to see a movie, but when Akito says a scary movie, her face turns blue.

“Do you not like scary movies, Akari?”

“They aren’t my favorite…but if you like them…then…I could be convinced to”

Akito blushes for a moment, then takes a deep breath.

I am about to tell probably the biggest lie I’ve told anyone before, so please forgive me.

“Yes. I love horror movies” Akito proclaims, emanating all the false confidence a man could ask for.

…

They finish up eating and head over to the theatre, going to the ticket booth.

“2 tickets for The Devastator, please” Akito politely asks the booth operator, who stands there in silence for a moment.

“What, Isn’t a guy supposed to pay for things on the first date?” Akito follows up, the booth operator shrugging it off and letting Akito pay for 2 tickets, and they head into the theater.

Their seats are in the upper-left of the theater, mostly obscured from the rest of the people in attendance. They take their seats, watching through previews when Akito hears some familiar voices.

“...I think that you’d beat a bear in a fight before I could run 3 miles, Takuma”
“That’s probably not true, Kenji. I wouldn’t fight the bear in the first place.”
“Yeah, Takuma’s a total pacifist”

Kenji, Takuma and Ryu enter the theater, popcorn in hand, followed by Umi, Fumiko, Miki and Rei.

There’s no way…the same movie, AT THE SAME TIME!

Akito begins to nervously sweat, taking deep breaths to calm himself. The lights dim, indicating the movie is about to begin, which works in Akito’s favor.

….

About half of the movie passes, but Akito doesn’t realize this, as he’s been staring at his friends the entire time, trying to monitor them so they don’t look toward him and Akari.

A loud scream from the movie is heard, followed by a SLASH.

Akito leans back in his chair, setting his hand on the armrest, which ends up on top of Akari’s hand.

Akito blushes, but looks over to see Akari watching the movie, her hand shaking in fear. As he’s about to pull away, she turns her hand and holds onto his, trying to calm herself.

Akito faces the screen, trying to pretend his hand isn’t his hand, but rather a fake hand and is definitely not being held by Akari right now. Though his face is pointed at the screen his eyes and still fixated on Akari, but her’s are now closed from fear.

She’s not lying about hating horror movies…so let me at least make up for my lie.

Akito grabs her hand back, and her breathing steadies. Just as the audio quiets down for a moment, another scream is heard, which makes Akari hold onto Akito’s hand even harder.

Akito smiles, looking back toward the screen, his mind now only focused on his hand, and his connection to Akari.

Forgive me, Akari. I know this is what I’d planned would happen, but I tried to forget how it’d make you feel. Sorry, but allow me to keep being selfish, at least when it comes to you.

Akito looks toward his friends, then we shift perspectives to the friends in the front.

…

Takuma takes a handful of popcorn out of his bucket, snacking while watching the movie. He reaches to grab another handful, but is shocked when there isn’t any left in his bag.

“Aww man, I thought I had a bit more left” Takuma silently weeps, which Rei catches onto.

Rei reaches her popcorn bag over, tapping Takuma’s hand with it, whispering “Feel free”.

“For real?”
“For real.”

Takuma grabs a handful, finishing it in an instant. Silently Cheering at the flavor of the popcorn, which is no different from his own.

“This tastes good!”
“It’s just popcorn, the same as you got…”

They both laugh at Takuma’s comment, and he reaches for another handful at the same time Rei does, with their hands making slight contact. Rei blushes at the contact, but Takuma is focused in on the movie, and eating the popcorn.

Fumiko notices Rei and Takuma’s laughter, glances to the screen, then back at them.

“I don’t understand them.” Fumiko coldly whispers
“Understand who?” Kenji whispers back

Fumiko discretely points to Takuma and Rei, still slightly giggling.

“This is a scary movie. What is there to laugh at?”

“Maybe they’re seeing something that the rest of us don’t” Kenji jokes back, still managing to keep the volume to a whisper.

Kenji’s joking face turns to one of fake anger towards his friend, slightly waving his fist at them and whispering “Damn you Takuma! You better loop me in later!”

Fumiko sees this, and lets out a half-hearted laugh, to Kenji’s surprise, which makes him smile.

Fumiko observes Kenji’s smile, with a single passing thought, before they both resume watching the movie.

…odd

Ryu is sitting next to Kenji, and he’s staring intently at the screen. He reaches for his drink, not looking at which one he’s going in to grab. Miki sees Ryu’s hand reaching for a drink, but grabbing hers and not his own.

Hey…wait that’s my drink! What are you planning on…?

Ryu moves the drink closer to his mouth and takes a sip, to the shock of Miki. Ryu looks confused at the drink.

Weird, this tastes a bit different.

He looks to the cupholder, and sees his mistake, glancing over to Miki, whose face is red but is “watching” the movie. His face turns bright red, and tries to slide the drink back into her cupholder without her noticing.

She must like this movie, with a face looking like that there’s no way

As soon as Ryu places her cup back, she immediately grabs is and takes a sip, which stuns herself and Ryu, the 2 of them thinking the same thing:

T-T-T-That’s an…I-I-I-INDIRECT KISS?!?

Miki takes a big sip, her face still completely red at her own actions but refusing to stop. Ryu’s eyes are wide open, zoning out while facing the movie, taking in the fact that he and Miki just shared an indirect kiss.

Umi just watches the movie with a blank expression, not really paying attention to what’s going on during the movie…or right next to her.

If he’s not even here, why’d I even come?

Umi, of course, if referring to Akito, unknown to her is actually in the same theater, watching the same movie.

The movie finishes up, and the lights turn on, everyone but Akito and Akari getting up and stretching after sitting for so long.

“That movie was something else, huh? It’s got a pretty similar story to other slashers, but it has its own kind of charm” Kenji critiques, most people taking it as sarcasm.
“There's a story…? I thought horror movies were for that ‘scare’ factor” Takuma replies, confused about a horror movie having a plot.

“The killer was inefficient. He could’ve-”
“I think you should end that sentence there.” Umi cuts off Fumiko, who was about to plan a theoretical murder.

Akari is about to get up, but Akito puts a hand on her shoulder, indicating her to stay sitting with him for a moment, then indicating his friends in the front.

“If they see us here, nothing good can come of this. For your sake, we’d better wait a bit” Akito whispers to Akari.

She’s happy that Akito’s thinking of her, seeing as her face is bright red. They wait for ~5 minutes, and the theater is completely empty, which allows them to make their escape.

They head into a hallway outside of the theater, then an exit at the end of that hallway. They leave the mall, the exit leading to the outside world, the setting sun reflecting off business building setting the scenery, the 2 of them taking in the beautiful view.

Akari and Akito stand there in silence, Akari looking to the left as Akito looks to the right, their gazes meeting.

“...so”
“Did you have fun?” Akito skeptically asks

“I never really liked horror movies…” Akari replies, to Akito's slight disappointment.

“...but with you..”
“...I never wanted that movie to end.” Akari finishes her sentence, Akari’s face glimmering from the sun.

Akito chuckles, then sets his bag on the ground. Akari smiles, then begins to speak again.

“Thanks to you, I don’t have to wonder what a date could be like anymore” Akito blushes at this sentiment, and follows it up with his own.
“I never could’ve guessed dates could be this…fun”

He reaches out his hand, grabbing both of Akari’s hands with his, and he closes his eyes. The sun lowers to a point directly between them, each of their faces lit up from the descending sun.

“I…”

Akito opens his eyes, and the 2 of them look into each other’s eyes.

“...might finally be starting to see the brighter side of things” Akito finishes, in a happy and warm tone.

“I-”

RIIIIIIIING

Akari is about to say something, but is cut off by Akito’s phone ringing, he picks it out of his pocket, seeing that his brother, Shoya, is calling him.

“Do you mind if I take this?”
“Sure, go ahead”

Akito takes a few steps away, answering the phone.
“How’s the date going Aki?”
“NOW’S NOT A GOOD TIME”
“Oh, sorry. I’ll call back at-”

Akito hangs the phone up, and walks back to Akari, setting his phone in his pocket.

“Who was that?”

“It was my brother. Just wondering where I was”

They stand there for a moment in silence. Akari's watch timer begins going off, and as she looks at it, her eyes widen and she realizes that her parents are supposed to be here now.

“ Crap! Sorry, I lost track of time, I gotta go now!” Akari speedily replies, while turning to head to the front entrance.
“I had fun today! So…let’s do this again sometime, alright?” Akari asks, just about to start leaving.

Akari begins walking, and Akito stands there in silence still staring at his hands, the thoughts in his head clouding his vision, possibilities of a future, with Akari.

He snaps back, and tries to reach out and grab her hand, but misses.

I don’t understand myself, and these irrational impulses. What good would holding her hand do? My mind was so clear a moment ago, yet now it seems like I’d convinced myself to believe something that wouldn’t have made any difference. I felt like if I missed this chance to hold her…that she’d just disappear, and never come back. And now I don’t understand myself, let alone my actions.

Akito picks the bag up from the ground, seeing a red tinge peeking from the top of the bag, and stuffs it back in without a second thought. He heads back into the theater absent-mindedly, still thinking about Akari. He heads through the hallway, then turns toward the main lobby. He starts paying attention to his surroundings, and focuses on a group of people in the lobby; his friends.

If they notice me here, I’m surely done for!

Akito runs toward the hallway he just came from, but Takuma spots him just as he turns the corner.

The group still talks, but Takuma, usually loud and energetic, is now silent.

Ryu and Kenji notice this, then Takuma runs in the direction he saw Akito in, screaming back to his friends.

“I SAW HIM. HURRY UP”

Kenji and Ryu have no idea what this means, but follow anyway. Left in confusion, Rei, Miki, and Fumiko chase after them, but at a slower pace, with Umi notably absent.

Akito takes shelter in an empty theater, just below the window on the door. He hears footsteps running by, and all of their faces are seen passing by through the window. Akito passes this stealth-check, and exhales out of relief.

He sneakily heads toward the lobby, looking over his shoulder the entire way to make sure they don’t spot him.

He turns a corner, and begins walking a bit faster, not looking in front of him as he’s doing so.

…

A sink turns on, and a set of female hands wash up, then dry off with a paper towel. They open a door, then look toward where the group was just moments before, and an unknown voice lets out a sigh.

Where’d they run off to now?

The female takes a step outside the washroom, then turns to see Akito speed-walking toward her. Akito looks forward, but not in time. The 2 collide, both falling on the ground. Akito gets up and extends a hand to the girl, with glasses on them

“Sorry about that! I should really look where I’m going. Are you okay?” Akito, the girl taking the glasses back reaching her hand out.

What’s he doing here?

Akito recognizes the girl, one he’d met before, but only briefly; Umi Nishikawa.