Totally not a Date

“Now can we just order now?” I say, pulling out the tablet to see the many different options. “I don’t want you spending so much on me, so I’ll just take whatever’s cheap.”

“It’s all cheap, so you don’t have to worry about that.” She’s really flaunting her wealth to me. I don’t know if I should be insulted from either that action on its own, or that I’m a part of the reason for her to be so well off.

“Still, it doesn’t seem right…” My voice trails off as I finally see the prices for our menu. “Huh? It’s really not that expensive.” This is much cheaper than I expected. Even I could afford to eat her often if I wanted to.

“That’s what I’ve been saying this whole time.” She laughs. “It doesn’t even cost that much to rent one of these rooms during lunch. Now if this were dinnertime, oh, I would not be taking you here for a make up meal.” I guess they decide to be open during this time just for more business, but prices are heavily discounted due to lack of demand and what I assume would be lower quality in comparison.

“If that’s what you say, then I guess I should believe you.” I feel much less bad having her treat me if this is how little she’s going to spend. Though I still feel this is wrong for other reasons, such as how others might view this little together we have.

“Okay, I’m ready.” As a regular of this establishment, she already picks out what she wants practically instantly. “Whenever you’re ready, just press the button down there and it’ll be on its way.”

“Sure.” I don’t want her waiting on me seeing as this is just a lunch break for the both of us. So I just pick something safe and put down my tablet once I’m finished.

This lunch we’re having together couldn’t possibly be more awkward. I haven’t shared a lunch with someone else in a long time. Let alone in a situation like this where the two of us are alone in a nice restaurant. “So, how are you?” I don’t know what else to say other than some meaningless platitude. It’s not even a question I’m interested on knowing the answer to.

“I’m great, thanks for asking.” She just naturally takes it as if there’s nothing wrong. “I hope you’re enjoying it here. If there’s anything you need, I’m more than happy to accommodate.”

“No, there’s nothing I need.” The only thing I want is to leave right now, but that would be rude so there’s no choice for me but to stick around.

“Are you nervous right now?” She speaks with such confidence, it’s like she thinks she knows me.

“Why would I?” I would say I feel that apprehension of being here with someone I barely know. Though nervous wouldn’t describe it as it’s not like I’m worried about impressing her or anything.

“It’s just that now that I know how much you like Mimie. I’m just curious on if I’ve been making you uncomfortable ever since you learned the truth.” I had nearly forgotten about her revealing her knowledge on knowing who I really was. This restaurant was so odd, that I had been distracted from a more pressing concern.

“No, it has nothing to do with what you do online.” I need to put a stop to her assumptions on me. “You’re nothing like Mimie, so I don’t even think about her when we’re together.” I answer in a firm voice that should be convincing enough. “It’s just that you took me to a place like this. It’s kind of out of my element.”

“Right, sometimes I forget we have different lifestyles.” She’s not wrong there. Though considering how she lives at home, it’s not in a manner that most would expect from first glance. “Should I have asked you where you wanted to go? I’m sorry, this was supposed to be my way of paying you back. So I should’ve taken your feelings into consideration.”

“No, you wanted to treat me and it’s not like this place is bad or anything.” As much as I’ve complained internally about her being so pushy on me for this. It’s truly a kind thing she’s done. I shouldn’t be so disrespectful on her feelings for this. “And I should’ve said this from the start, but thank you so much for this. You’re awfully kind.”

“You don’t have to worry about that. I’m just glad you like it.” She pulls out her purse to grab some money for payment, even though we’ve yet to get our food. “Anyway, now that I know how much you watch Mimie, I’m guessing you don’t have a girlfriend?”

“That’s very presumptuous.” I reply. I should be much more offended over this statement, however there’s one fact holding me back from feeling this way. “But yes, that is true.”

“See, that’s why I think you’re feeling a bit weird about this.” That’s an understatement, if you ask me. “For some reason, people think this is some kind of date, but we both know that’s not true.” She’s right on both cases there. “Call me old fashion, but it’s because I’m the one paying, so it doesn’t really count as a date.” That’s not why I would call this not a date though.

“I guess you really are old fashion indeed.” On stream, Mimie never mentions her age. I wonder if it’s due to how old Sena actually is, whatever that may be.

“I guess people your age don’t feel the same way, but I’m 35 so it’s just something I’m more used to.” I can’t believe she just told me her age, unprompted without me asking. Not that I could ask, seeing as that’s rude, so it’s useful in that case. “How old are you?”

“20.” I can’t believe this woman is nearly twice my age. Well, I can believe it seeing as I’ve always thought she was over 30. It’s just that talking to her, I wouldn’t feel that there’s a generation gap between us.

“Wow, you’re a lot younger than I thought you were.” She sounds pretty impressed by this fact. I don’t know how old she thought I was, but I can’t be surprised seeing as I act much more mature than her. “I was still in college at that age, are you no longer taking any schooling?”

“No, never went to college.” I answer. Back then, I had no idea at all one what I wanted to do as a profession for the rest of my life. So I decided to hold off on more schooling until I figured things out and got the retail job I have now. Of course it’s been a couple of years since and I’ve fallen into a bit of a habit at this point.

“Wow, for someone as smart as you, I’d figure you’d be able to do anything you’d want.” Now that’s some flattery if I ever heard any. I only helped her with one computer. It’s not like I’m this amazing expert everyone can go to during their times of need. “But I guess if you were in college still, then we’d probably never meet.”

It’s more than just never meet. I have to wonder, if I wasn’t the way I was back then, would I even be watching her perform online? “I hope this doesn’t come off as strange, but I’m glad I met you.” She says.

“You are?”

“Yeah, because we’re friends, aren’t we?” I’ve never once considered her a friend. I’m not sure where to put this type of relationship, to be honest. I’ve had friends during high school, but these days haven’t been as social until I met her. “Maybe I’m being too forward, but it’s been a long time since I’ve done anything with anyone who wasn’t from work.”

I hadn’t thought about it from the way she acted. Though it makes sense seeing how much of her life is either spent in some office or at home with an online stream where no one even knows what she looks like. It must be so lonely sometimes, being surrounded without an actual connection.

“You’re not being too forward.” I speak, realizing this will seal my fate. There’s no going back on this now, but even with all my reservations. There is a charm in having this woman I’d normally never interact with as a friend. Maybe it’s the bias of her being a VTuber, even if that’s normally a detriment for me. Or maybe I’ve been going for far too long without companionship. Either way, she will be my friend. “You’re right, we’re friends after all.”

“Now you’re acting all confident.” She has a smile of relief on her face. Maybe her asking me to lunch wasn’t just meant for repaying me for all the things I’ve done. Speaking of lunch, it’s finally arrived as the servers lay out our meals before us. From the way she’s eyeing her chicken, I can tell Sena’s more than ready to start chowing down the moment they leave us alone.

To be fair, so am I. I’m starving for some food and it’s not so bad sharing it with her. Even though I’ve never had a date during lunch, I can confidently say this is the best lunch that’s totally not a date I’ve ever had.