Daichi's New Groove

"Dapper! Looking dapper! CAW!"

Crow was flapping around on a nearby chair in the boutique's fitting room. Tight walls didn't allot Daichi much maneuverability, but it was enough for him to finish wiggling into new clothes.

"F-Feels weird wearing something different, haha." He peered into the tall mirror ahead of him. Fitted around his legs were new, beige trousers made from fine linen. Deep pockets were empty, but he snuck his hands inside to test things out. And the white sleeves sheathing his arms belonged to a buttoned-up dress shirt that was perhaps a size too large for him.

"Looks like date material to me!" Crow squawked. "Now your girlfriend's gonna be salivating for sure!"

"Remember, the whole reason we're even here is because of you," Daichi grunted while he fiddled with a black bowtie around his neck. "I fell off our canoe because you kept thrashing on my shoulder!"

"Couldn't help it! When I gotta cough, I gotta cough! CAW!"

"Yeah well, now I need dry clothes since I don't have much else to wear . . ."

"Sucks to suck. But good news is: I think Raven is liking what she's seen so far! Especially that romantic canoe trip across the lake! CAW!"

Tsk. Daichi flung off his bowtie into a basket behind him, realizing the accessory didn’t feel right. Instead, he tied a tie around his neck and shimmied himself into a vest that matched his silver hair. The final look was a bit pompous but appropriate considering today's occasion.

"We just gotta make Raven think me and Sanae are on an actual date, right?" Daichi asked as he put on formal-wear shoes. "And the quest is accomplished?"

"Yeah! So far so good! CAW!" Crow flew a short distance onto Daichi's left shoulder. "Though honestly, this date feels like the real deal! You lovebirds totally have the hots for each other!"

"E-Eh . . ." Romance was never something he'd really prioritized. Even with an amazing woman like Hanako confessing to him, he'd rejected her so he could further pursue his goals. But ever since meeting Sanae, he could practically feel his cold heart thawing from whatever state it resided in. He'd built metaphorical walls around himself—barriers that shielded him from the unwanted attention of a certain incident that propelled him into controversy. But even as the spotlight faded, pity he didn’t ask for remained.

Though perhaps now, he could let himself take a breather from it all, and enjoy the company of someone he truly cared about.

"CAW! Bet she's out there right now waiting for y—" Crow started another coughing fit mixed with caws. His wings flapped around as he struggled to balance himself on Daichi's shoulder.

"No offense, but it's gonna be hard setting the mood if you keep flipping out. That's why I fell off our canoe too."

"Can't help it! CAW! The more I talk the more I need to caw!"

The solution seemed obvious, but he didn't want to sound rude. "Just do your best then."

"CAW! I know! I'll try talking less! I'm just a third wheel after all!"

Could be a third wheel, or a literal wingman depending on how you look at it. But satisfied with his look in the mirror, Daichi emerged from the fitting room and back into the clothes boutique. It was a shop that specialized in designer wear, lending an air of lavish extravagance.

"Now where did she go?" he mumbled to himself. His date said she'd be waiting nearby but was nowhere in sight. A few other people were wandering about, so he took a similar initiative. Daichi peeked behind mannequins, strolled into the women's clothing section, and snuck around some girls that were admiring him—though found nothing. He ended up back by the fitting rooms to plan his next move.

"Maybe she went out to pee?" Crow on his shoulder said.

"Nah, probably did before we left. I think maybe—"

But then, a delicate hand emerged from one of the fitting rooms closeby. She pulled back the curtain and stepped out for everyone to see.

"Oh, Daichi!" Sanae said. Her brilliant smile lit up his world. "I was just trying something on—what do you think?"

"Hmm?" He examined her from head to toe. She still wore the same mesmerizing robe from earlier that displayed camelia flowers, but now her long hair sported an azure petunia. While artificial, the vibrant hair clip accentuated Sanae's aesthetic perfectly. And she'd also applied extra layers of mascara, making her dazzling eyes glimmer even more.

A few other people had gathered around, as if curious what Daichi's response to her would be.

Never really been good at compliments . . . "I-It looks great on you! Kinda matches with Abby actually, haha."

"Thanks—you look really nice too." She replied with a bashful nod. Her rosy cheeks became even rosier while both teens likely contemplated a natural way to continue their chatter.

"Yeah! Yeah!" Crow squawked. "This is good stuff! CAW! Save some romance for when my girlfriend is watching though!"

The loud bird had sullied the mood, but in a way, he was a good icebreaker to help lighten an awkward moment; effectively what a third wheel should be.

Soon, all three friends were making their way towards a checkout line. Sanae offered to pay for all of Daichi's new clothes, which he was forced to accept considering he couldn't afford even half the cost. Apparently, the boutique was a special importer of apparel from Trinket—a manufacturing powerhouse of real-world goods. There were also other aspects of Trinket that Crow tried mentioning but Sanae shut him up fast.

"Alright, where are we headed next?" Daichi said as they all gathered by the shop's exit.

"CAW! Anywhere outdoors! Raven's gotta watch us, remember!"

"Maybe not so outdoors that I almost fall into a lake." Sanae's menacing aura crept towards Crow. "I wouldn't react well to getting my hair or clothes messed up."

"C-Caw . . . I'll be good."

"Mm."

Daichi chuckled at the funny scene like he was watching some comedy skit. While the bickering continued, he poked his head outside to start brainstorming their potential next stop. As he observed a busy street full of upper-class pedestrians, a poke on his elbow directed his attention sideways.

Sanae's left hand had spread wide and revealed her tender, enticing palm. She presented it like an open invitation.

"G-Go ahead," she stammered, cutely avoiding eye contact. "We might as well look the part if we're gonna be on a date."

"Huh?"

"My hand. Hold it." she said a bit more sternly, as if worried her courage would peter out.

All Daichi could do was stare in bewilderment, cautious if she was trying to prank him. Perhaps Makoto's antics had rubbed off on her? Maybe she didn't sleep well? But if she was serious, it wasn't a proposal he could refuse. Or would want to.

"A-Alright, if you say so . . ." The allure of her touch beckoned his hand towards hers until the partners finally interlocked. Surreal sensations more poignant than goosebumps crawled up his arms as he finished clasping himself around her. It was the first time he'd held her palm of his own volition since their second encounter, when they shook hands in a friendly greeting. But now it seemed their relationship—even coerced—had evolved to the point of being comfortable with each other's intimate touch.

Even Crow did well to stay quiet during the blissful moment between two paramours, while their hands were busy being soothed into one another.

Sanae gave Daichi a light squeeze, as if assuring him he could feel free to play the part of her boyfriend.

"Your skin feels softer than I remember," she smiled. "Though, a bit sweaty too."

"O-Oh! Sorry!" He hurriedly tried detaching himself but Sanae tightened her gentle grasp.

"Geez, I'm just kidding, hehe. You're fine."

But my right hand does feel a little sweaty! Maybe she's lying to not make me feel bad? Or maybe . . . it's her sweat?

"CAW! We should get going! Daylight's thinning!" Crow's wings flapped about.

"Yeah, I think there's somewhere nice nearby we can visit," Sanae said. Her face was trying hard to not appear flustered. "Outdoors too!"

"Mm! Lead the way then!" Wherever she had in mind, Daichi knew he could trust her intuition, but he'd follow her anywhere she desired anyway. Perhaps both teens were already linked in more ways than one.

And then, hand in hand, they stepped outside once more into their vast world—and ready to experience the myriad bonding that was to come.