2.2 - The Date (a free meal…?)

As if the heavens heard my pleas for help, the waiter brought us our meals. With a desperation I couldn't hide in my voice, I thanked the waiter. Meanwhile, my date hesitated about focusing on her newly-arrived meal or to reach for her phone. "If… it doesn't trouble you, I'd like to show you something before we start eating." I had already reached for my fork but I put it down instantly. "Oh? Sure, I don't mind at all."

Since I had already ruined everything, it'd just be for the best to follow all her wishes…

Umi started to scroll her phone gallery with the most solemn expression. I couldn't help but get deeply curious about what I was about to be shown.

When she seemed to find what she was searching for, she took a moment to gather her words. "I… am not the most knowledgeable about this whole manga deal, but… My older brother happens to be a mangaka. Do you recognize him…?"

She turned her large phone screen towards me, and my heart almost jumped out of its cage. It was Haneta Tondari, a very well-known author of a shonen manga. "Maybe you don't know him, since you said you're more into shoujo series, but—"

"No, this…! Woah, I can't believe it…" I explained that my initial silence was due to my shock. How awesome was it to have a famous mangaka as your dear onii-san?!

Hearing this, she shut off her phone screen and looked down with a regretful expression. "Me and him, we used to be close but… Due to this and that reason, we got further apart. Not to mention…" She continued with a sigh. "He's super busy anyway. Even our parents don't get to see him much."

I didn't know what to say, I was honestly a bit stunned: as hearing the family drama of a famous mangaka wasn't really what I had been expecting from my date that day…!

"Oh, umm… Being a mangaka is a job of sacrifices after all… And I'm sorry about your relationship together… I'm sure he still cares about you dearly, though." A faint yet sorrowful smile. "I sure hope so…" She suddenly perked up and clapped her hands. "Anyway, look at me being such a mood-lowering person! Please, start eating."

Truth be told, my interest was totally piqued in this brother and sister relationship, but I was pretty hungry (and eager to try a new dish!) so I dove into my plate. The rice was absolutely delicious, the seasoning and various types of sea food accompanying it to a perfect, harmonious dance. With each bite, I got to experience a different flavor, so this was quite the ideal meal for someone like me. Hey, maybe this date wouldn't go as bad as expected…?

…

Hold on a minute!

I stopped chewing from the sudden entrance of a realization inside my mind. "Umi-san… Could it be that you weren't bothered by my enjoyment of shoujo series?"

She seemed to be taken aback with my urgent voice cutting the peaceful silence. Once she understood what I was talking about, she laughed. It was a true, unfiltered laugh—perhaps the first time tonight where she showed genuine joy.

"Yuuma-kun…! Oh how pure you are…! Why would I be bothered? I'm sorry if my face fell as I talked about my older brother. If anything… I found your interests to be quite endearing. Could I hear more about them?"

Her encouraging words, combined with her gentle gaze persuaded me to talk more, even though usually I tended to keep to myself. I scratched my cheek sheepishly.

"I hope you won't regret this, Umi-san…"

"I highly doubt I will."

And so, I started to tell her about how my love for shoujo manga came to be since my childhood days, and how I loved to make my own scenarios. She'd sometimes nudge me to not forget about my meal in front of me—it was true that having a listening ear made me forget about the world. I turned into a total chatterbox, and talked for a long time. This resulted in an unexpected response from the cool Umi-san. "How charming you are, Yuuma-kun! I can't believe you're still single, even though you're this talented and beautiful."

I moved my hands in front of me to mirror her statement. "You too, Umi-san! Even though you're this pretty, you do not have a partner! That is very unexpected!"

Somehow, even though we were on a date together, it seemed like we were two distant strangers, or rather, two stars who wouldn't collide and just keep going forward in their respective space journeys. And somehow, all of it felt so natural, and true. As if this wasn't a date, but rather, a special and sacred time of confessions.

Deeply buried confessions, which wouldn't find their way up under normal circumstances… I went first. "Actually… Today is my first date where I was able to show my true self. A little bit more of it, at least."

Both of us were finished with our meals. Satisfied and comfortable—it felt like the perfect opportunity to reveal just a bit more to one another.

"Growing up… I was always bullied for my 'feminine' appearance and interests. I refuse to believe 'haha, you're a girl!' could ever be an insult, as I have the greatest respect for the opposite sex. However… The isolation really takes a toll. So, in order to avoid that, I got into the wrong friend groups, tried to change my appearance, and pretended to be more 'manly' in front of my dates, but…" I looked to the side, to a random corner of the restaurant, reminiscent of not-so-fond memories.

"I guess, even if one tries so hard to conceal, the true self shows through."

I thanked her for allowing me to show my genuine self and even being supportive of it.

She shook her head, making her soft orange locks flutter following the movement. "It's me who should thank you, Yuuma-kun. I…" She paused. A bittersweet smile decorated her pretty face. "If it isn't troublesome for you, is it okay if I talk about my own life for a bit? I… never talk about these things with anyone… But I feel like I can share them with a gentle soul as yours."

My chest filled with warmth at her words. The last part felt like the greatest compliment I had received as of late… "Umi-san, why do you even ask? It's only fair, it was only me who talked this evening. By all means, if you'd like to share anything, I'm all ears." After reassuring me that she didn't mind listening to me at all, she started telling her own story.

"I was never 'the talented one', that'd be my brother. I never had any special abilities, intellectual capabilities or anything that I could consider my 'weapon' other than my looks. The only praise I heard growing up was 'You're so pretty, Umi-chan!', 'What a beauty!', 'You take care of your appearance very well!'... What could I do? It was the only good card I was given to work with. Despite my efforts at studying or trying new hobbies, nothing ever stuck. I'm talentless. I simply had to accept that sooner than later."

How much I wanted to intervene and tell her how much she mattered, but all I could do was to keep listening.

"Forget about talent, I didn't even have one thing I loved. Something to be passionate about. Something to pour my time and entire self into. Nothing. Nothing at all. Before I had realized, I had become an adult that was left behind. My brother had a rough start in his career, but his devotion paid off. But me? I couldn't even become a quarter of his brilliance. No higher education, no career, no relationship. Just me. The talentless, stone hearted me. The… 'Beautiful' me." Her eyes became cloudy. Cloudy, as if rain would start to pour in any second.

"And do you know what this 'beauty' everyone oh-so-much admired brought me? Happiness? Love? Some kind of fulfillment? No. All it brought me is… Harassment, bullying. Men only seemed to look at me as an object of their desire, and most women hated my guts, they insulted me with all kinds of words I don't even want to speak of right now." She clutched her hand bag, pursing her lips. "And… I can't help but wonder if they're right. All I have going on in my life is working at one of those cafes which exploit women's looks for the satisfaction of the customers and… from time to time, I go on dates with sponsors, who give me luxury items in return. So many people think I have it easy, that I have so many good things with 'minimal effort' involved, but… None of this… None of this brings me happiness." The tremble in her voice exposed all of her pain she had been enduring.

"Umi-san…" She looked right into my eyes and I met her tearful gaze. "Even the dating app, I just use it to write to random people and talk with them, as if it'd change anything in my dishonest life. But tonight, I think I finally met someone who gave me the bright light I needed to see ahead." She extended her arm to me, and I happily held her hand. "I'm so lucky to meet someone pure and genuine like you. Your honest, passionate self has moved my soul, and given me the push I needed to find my own thing. I won't forget this evening."

She let go of my hand to grab a tissue and gently dabbed her eyes. "Crap, it won't do if my makeup gets messed up from tears…!" We chuckled together. "Umi-san, don't worry. Even that won't tarnish your beauty." I suddenly gasped. Was it okay for me to praise her looks, after all she told me about…?

Seeing me panic, she laughed more. "Yuuma-kun, do not worry. You… can't imagine how much it means to have a person compliment me honestly and without any ill intentions behind it. I'll cherish your praise for a long time, remembering when I look in the mirror. Instead of cursing myself, I will remember your sweet self, cheering me on. Would that be alright?"

"That… would be an incredible honor."

Her emotions seemed to subside a bit, and a more serious expression replaced her tearful gaze. "I'll be honest. As much as I got charmed with you, it'd be better if you went forward with someone else. I just wanted a break from my hellish day to day life, maybe have some fun while I am at it, but—you gave me way more than I bargained for. I'll be doing some real soul searching in the days going forward. I know you're looking for a serious connection. And I'm sure you'll find that person. Real soon. I can feel that someone awaits you, if fate does exist; as eager to meet you as you are to meet them."

Someone awaiting me in my fate… How much I wished that were true. I closed my eyes as a soft sigh left my mouth. A sigh that was filled with a million different sentiments.

"Umi-san, you have no idea how much hearing something like that matters to me. Thank you. I really needed that."

After emphasizing that she was dead serious, she insisted on paying for the dinner all by herself. "U-Umi-san? That won't do! Please, let me pay for it all—" She laughed in response, a laugh that sounded like a cheerful kid. It definitely contrasted with her general vibes, but it made me happy to hear, I had to admit.

"Just let me! I've been on a million meaningless dates getting the men to pay for me… Since I finally got to truly enjoy my time, this much is a given for me to do. Really, please let me do this as my way of thanking you. For this lovely evening, for listening… For everything."

She was a stubborn person, there was no way of persuading her. I grinned in defeat, raising my arms to show my surrender. "Fine, fine~ But at least let me pay back with a few words from my heart." Putting aside my playful expression, I got serious. "Umi-san, please know that I won't forget tonight, as well. While I am looking for a long term relationship, I'm glad that we got to meet, regardless. It's an honor to meet someone charming like you—and I can see it in your eyes that you're a woman who can do anything if you put your mind to it… When you find your passion, it will be a sight to see."

I took out my phone and shook it near my face. "Do keep me updated." She had a slight pout gracing her lips, I seemed to tug her heartstrings with my words of encouragement. She shook her phone in return as well. "You too! Don't forget to share your stories with me. Huh, maybe I could even give you my brother's contact list if you ever want to try your shot in becoming a manga scenarist yourself, right~?" My face immediately flushed with the idea, making her chuckle brightly. "My, you really are a sparkling fella! Oh—and if you attend the anime con next weekend in cosplay or something, send me a picture. Hope you have fun to your heart's content!"

—

Well… That was certainly a date.

After sending off Umi-san to her own way, I got into the train to go back home. As soon as I turned on my phone data, my screen got flooded with messages. It was from my childhood friends' group chat.

mayuyu: do u think it's going well or nah rikkun?

Rikkun: I think we should wait for him to talk instead of speculating…

mayuyu: BOO!! boring rikkun! -3-

Rikkun: …yeah, fine. Whatever

Their bantering always made me grin. I typed my message and hit Send. To my surprise, they replied almost immediately.

Mattsun: hi, guys! well… it went okay? though not in the romantic sense ig.

Mattsun: i did get a free meal though, so there's that…?

mayuyu: NO WAY you made a lady pay for your meal!!!!!

Rikkun: Surely there must be a reason, calm down Mayu

mayuyu: I'M SO CALM RN

Rikkun: ^^;;

mayuyu: SO HOW'D IT GO ANYWAY

mayuyu: (replying to Mattsun's msg) not well in the romantic sense? O: wym??

I explained that though we didn't hit it off in a romantic attraction sense, we had become quite charmed with each other—as people.

mayuyu: oohh well, that's good in its own way, no? u could also became good friends like u became with ayane-chan after your dates together

mayuyu: this girl sounds sweet too! though i'm a bit shocked… she's got that expensive gyaru vibes… they tend to be super pretty, but i can't help but get intimidated a bit… (trembling emoji)

Rikkun: Anyway, you must be tired, Mattsun. You can tell us the details later

After exchanging good nights, I leaned my head towards the window of the train, lost in deep thought…