Nightmares of the Past - Part 2

[Have you heard of the story of The Little Red Riding Hood"? I'm pretty confident to say that you do. If you're unfamiliar with it, look no further, as this part of the story I was about to tell you can be seen as a modern incarnation of the story itself, whereas I am the Little Red Riding Hood, and she is the wolf.]

"Yes, I am free after this 'dinner' we are in," she replied with a smile.

Our eyes met, and suddenly, I had to grasp for a breath. I was lovestruck by her; this was the first time I'd experienced this feeling.

"Sweet," my only response.

"Well then, I will go back inside if that's okay with you," she told me.

"Oh, that's alright. I will finish this one right here," I reassured her, referring to the cigarette I had on hand.

As soon as our exchange finished, I suddenly felt my face warm. I assume that my face is all red, embarrassed and shy at the same time. At first, I did not know how to react, nor do I know what to do. I took a puff of my cigarette to cool myself down, and when I felt that I could go back inside, I put it off and threw it in the bin outside the restaurant.

"Calm yourself down, Tobe. This is your first step, don't mess this up." I gave myself a pep talk.

I went back inside, trying to entertain every question they had for me, and so the night ended, and everyone went on their way. Outside the restaurant, it was just me and her left standing.

"So Tobe-kun, what do you want to do after this?" she asked me.

"Do you want to drink somewhere else? I heard there's a good spot nearby where they serve a high-quality atsukan* there." I suggested.

*atsukan - hot sake

"Sure, we can go there." she nodded.

I led the way to the bar I was referring to. It is a bar hidden from the public's eye and is a famous spot among locals. I'm sure it is an excellent spot to show off my knowledge by showing her places people would not usually find due to its discreetness.

"Here it is," I told her as we stood at its front door.

"O-ho, I did not know there was a place like this in the middle of the city," she said out of disbelief.

"I told you, it will be a good spot for after-dinner drinks, Naomi-san," I replied.

As I tried to hide my brimming confidence, the bartender came and asked for our order. We both went down for a shot of the atsukan in one go. As the heat coming from the alcohol started tracing down my throat, I put down the shot glass, and I was left amazed by the quality of the drinks we had.

"Woah, that's a perfect one right there," I commented.

"Yeah, it sure is," she added.

Our night continued until the time for us to part ways has come. We stepped outside, basking in the bliss from the good drinks we had inside. Our eyes met once again, and this time, instead of me making the first step, she stepped in and said:

"Say, Tobe-kun, do you want to go out with me?" she asked me.

I was left dumbfounded as her confession came out of nowhere. I don't know why, but it might be because of overjoy or the mood of the situation, but before the night ended that day, I said yes and we became a couple. It was indeed a day to celebrate, or so I thI never knew that this day would be the trigger for the nightmarish experience I had during my college years. One that will continue to hunt me up until today.