Our first date

August 15th couldn't come sooner. The bigger question now is, what do I get Akio?

I mean, I don't even know what a girl would want for her birthday.

I didn't want it to be just any old gift - it needed to be special.

Flowers? Too cliche, a watch? Why would a girl like Akio want a watch? I was truly stumped.

It was my first time buying something for someone special, so I was pretty clueless. I couldn't go to Akio because I knew she wasn't fond of others getting her gifts.

"Maybe her friends?"

"Whose friends, Tatsu-kun?"

Akio's head poked around the corner.

"Oh, it's nothing, Akio."

"So anyway, Tatsu-kun, since it's my birthday coming up soon, a few of my friends want to go to Karaoke."

Akio's face went red.

Her voice softened

"And maybe... could you come to?

Wait, wait, wait, friends?

"Too so-"

"Aw, you're such a meanie, Tatsu-kun."

Akio's face begins to droop

"They're nice people - I promise."

"Akio, y'know how I-."

"You are round strangers? Yeah, I know."

Why does she seem mad all of a sudden?

"Wait up, Akio."

Yeah. So I got dragged here.

Karaoke.

Seriously, what did Akio sign me up for?

"So, Kyoshiro-kun, how did you meet Ako-chan?"

I think her name's Akutami Shizune? The usually quiet one.

"Uh, we were - childhood friends... I guess."

Akutami-san's eyes started to water.

"Ako-chan tha- phhh, it's so cliche."

Maybe she was different from how Akio described?

"That's our Ako, Shizu."

I think that ones Suzuku Mei. The overly obnoxious one. AKA the loudmouth.

The questions just kept piling.

"Hey, Kyoshiro-kun, are you always this tense? Dude, we ain't gonna bite."

"Uh, only when Akio is shooting daggers our way."

"Hey Kyoshiro, what are your intentions with Ako-chan?"

Kyoshiro? Dropping honorifics already?

I seriously can't keep up with these girls.

"Hey guys, don't ask Tatsu-kun such personal-"

My voice steadied.

"I plan to marry Akio."

The room fell silent.

Akio hid her head in her hands.

"Wow, Ako-chan, where did you find this guy?

"Seems like you got an ambitious guy on your hands."

Akio grasped my shirt.

Akio's voice sharpened.

"Tatsumi, don't say such embarrassing things in front of my friends, ok?"

The look on her face, it still strikes fear into my soul.

"Understood."

"Phhh, you guys get on so well."

"Gee, thanks, we get that a lot."

"Sorry, guys, I need to go to the toilet quickly. You'll be alright on your own, won't you, Tatsu-kun?"

I say nothing.

I wasn't alright - not when I have these two devils in front of me.

When Akio left, the looks on their faces could strike fear in any man.

"So, Kyoshiro, what have you got Ako for her birthday?" Suzuku-san asked.

My head lowered.

"Well, nothing yet, I've been having trouble trying to decide on a gift."

"Dude, you should totes take her out on a date, shes been going on about one for ages."

She has? First I've heard of it.

"Actually, I have 2 movie tickets here if you want them - I was gonna go with my BF, but he bailed because of work or something."

"Really?"

"Yeah, only if you want them, though."

Who was I to pass up a deal like this?

"Don't tell Ako-chan, though, otherwise she'll get mad."

"Got it, my lips are sealed."

Eventually, Akio came back, and after that, they forced us to duet for hours on end. By the end of the night, I was pooped.

After what felt like an eternity, the day arrived.

I told Akio to meet me at the park by the movie theater - she knew nothing.

"Hey Tatsu-kun."

That day, Akio looked so beautiful. Her beautiful blond hair started to sparkle in the sunlight... her dress was so sparkly.

That day, everything about her sparkled.

"Wow"

Akio's voice became playful

"Aw, you like what you see, Tatsumi?"

I was speechless, seriously, how did I score with a girl like her?

We made it to the theater, and Akio's face wore a puzzled look.

"Tatsu-kun, why are we here?

I had no choice now.

I had to tell her.

"Akio, first off, happy birthday! I know you don't like really making a fuss about today, but since it's our first birthday together, I thought it should be special.

"Will you have this date?"

Akio's smile lit up.

"Oh, Tatsumi - you Idiot."

We both just smiled.

"Two tickets for love's a trainwreck, please."

Mom told me that ever since she was little, Akio loved cheesy romcom films like this.

We take our seats, popcorn in tow, and brace for the wild ride we are strapped in for.

"Please, Johnny! You said you'd never leave me...what happened to us?"

Yep, pretty cheesy.

My gaze met Akio's.

Her eyes-flooded.

"Its b-beautiful Tat-."

"You dummy, if you're gonna cry like that, at least get a tissue ready.

Akio's nose blew into my sleeve.

"Or that works too."

After the film, Akio started to head home.

"Hey Tatsumi, wait a minute."

"Mhm? What's up?"

Just then, I felt something soft touch my lips.

Akio kissed me.

"Y'know... that's like a thank you for today or whatever."

My face started burning red.

"It was embarrassing for me to y'know?"

We said nothing.

"Hey, Tatsu-kun, I've been thinking about something."

Still trying to process what had happened, I stayed silent.

"Since I'm 18 now, I was thinking that maybe...I could try acting again."

You what? Acting, but what for?

"And I thought when you turn 18...we could act together, for old times' sake, y'know?"

"Akio, I'm a different person than I was back then, I mean, I probably forgot how to act altogether."

Akio's smile became warm

"Don't worry, I know you still have it in you."

I was perplexed.

Me acting? That ship had long since sailed, but if it's for Akio, I guess I could give it a try.

"Of course, only if-"

"No, I'll do it."

Akio's eyes lit up.

It was as if she had been waiting for me to do all this time...