The Date

Akira tugged on his jacket closer as a cold breeze took over the train platform. His mind flooded with insecurities as he checked on his phone with every passing second.

As someone who was used to taking exams ever so often, he thought he had found a way to overcome his nervousness and anxiety. However, to his dismay the skills did not translate when it came to going on a first date with a girl.

“Maybe I should say I am not feeling well and cancel on her… She would understand right…I mean the chances of me falling ill just before the date has a high probability right..right” Akira thought to himself contemplating his actions.

As he stood leaning on the platform pillar his mind started to wonder on ways he could escape this anxiety filled predicament. Mustering all the courage he had, he sheepishly turned towards the exit and started briskly walking away.

“Akira right ?” a light cheery voice echoed behind him.

The fear that gripped at the moment felt similar to the first time he had gotten back his report card. A gnawing feeling at the bottom of his stomach as if he was at the summit of a roller coaster which was about to drop.

Akira slowly turned to face the voice that greeted him and was shocked.

“ Hey ! Its Akira right, it's great to finally meet you in real life” she smiled

The girl’s voice drowned in the background noise of the station, causing him to not notice exactly what she was saying. However, even if the station was dead silent he still wouldn't have paid attention to her as he was in awe of her, which also caused his nervousness to reach a new level.

Akira had come to accept his fate that he was not the best looking guy out there, early on in life. Hence it came as a surprise to him when he had matched with this girl on the dating app. He felt like he had won the lottery when he found out he matched with her and when she agreed to go on a date with him he felt like the king of the world.

As he was trying to regain his composure. He felt a chill at the back of his neck. Slowly, he started to realize that many passersby were staring at them. Although he didn’t see them face to face it felt as if their eyes were casting their judgements upon him.

He could already start hearing the gossip the passersby were whispering as they walked past him.

“How did that guy pull a model like her”

“Wow she’s beautiful… Is that guy her boyfriend…No way..Maybe a rental ?”

“ hello ? are you feeling okay akira ? if you don't feel well ..” the girl said, waving her hand near Akira’s face.

I am sorry…Is this a prank or some kind of dare ? ” Akira haphazardly splurted.

“Huh?” she muttered and looked straight at his puzzled face. As she stared continued staring at his face she quickly broke into a giggle.

“Hahaha no no… I assure you this is not a prank…or anything…But I really don't like the vibe over here…” she said as she gave an angry stare to those who were looking at them.

“Wanna just get out of here ?” she said with a small smile.

“Sure…lets” as soon as he finished his reply. She grabbed onto Akira’s hand and pulled him through the crowded train station towards the exit.

Although he could still feel the cold eyes from the crowd, a warm sensation took over Akira as he slowly recalled vague memories from his past.

As they approached the exit the two were engulfed in the warmth and light of the sun. It had been weeks since Akira had gone out and had fun due to the mid term exams that had been going on.

“Ahh the weather is great isn't it” the girl exclaimed

“Yeah it is, not too hot and not too cold, just nice” he replied

“Right…” she said, looking around and smiling like a kid who had been brought to a toy store for the first time.

“By the way I’m sorry for just now, I don't know what got over me but I wasn’t being myself…Can we start over ?” Akira replied realizing how bad of a first impression he might have made earlier.

“Hahaha no worries at all..well than nice to meet you Akira..My name is Yuki” she said.

Although Akira was nervous, Yuki’s smiles really reduced his anxiety and made him feel more comfortable and less nervous around her.

“Nice to meet you too Yuki” he said, trying his best to make a smile of his own.

“Hahaha you don't smile that often do you?” she chuckled.

“I do..I do..I think I do?” akira replied thinking about the last time he had actually had a genuine smile.

“Hey, hey you know that cafe i was talking to you about…the new one that just opened.. Wanna go " Yuki exclaimed with excitement.

“Sure I don’t mind” Akira replied realizing he didn't really have a plan for the date at all.

“Let's go ! that's one more thing off my bucket list” Yuki said

“Is there something special about this cafe ?” Akira replied curious to why Yuki considered it bucket list worthy.

“Hehe.. you’ll see” Yuki replied with a smug smile.

As soon as they reached there Akira realized why the cafe was bucket list worthy. The cafe was called Sweet Paradise Cafe and only sold the most outlandish deserts.As the two approached their seats Akira caught glimpses of some of the dishes and was shocked that an establishment even sold such dishes. As soon as they sat, Yuki's eyes dotted across the menu scouring for something.Like a predator stalking its prey she never lost focused until she found it.

“The jumbo ice cream cake paradise in size godzilla” she exclaimed

“Uhhhhh” Akira replied with hesitation. Akira thought that the shop was insane. The dish already had jumbo in its name but still had sizes to choose from, which ranged from L , XL and godzilla. Godzilla being the largest size there was.

“Are you sure we can finish it ?” Akira replied nervously

“I haven't eaten for days..I’m up for the challenge !” Yuki said with fiery determination in her eyes.

Akira gave in and believed Yuki’s unwavering confidence and decided to order the dish. Although he didn't want to think so much about it he also realized that the dish caused a pretty penny as well. Slowly accepting the pain it will cause to his already starved wallet.

While the dish was preparing, Yuki went on to see the other items in the menu talking to Akira about how it might taste and wondering how they were even made.It had been awhile since Akira had mindless conversations like these as he never had many friends growing up. He had the usual classmates that one would talk to during class, or about projects and assignments but nothing more than that.

“Sorry for the wait.. 1 jumbo ice cream cake paradise in size godzilla..thank you” the waitress said, placing the dish on the table.

The Godzilla size was no joke, this dessert was so tall that it blocked my view of Yuki. She slowly peeked from the corner and giggled.

“Are you sure we can finish this?” Akira asked, truly shocked at the size of the dish.

“Of course…Let's dig in !” Yuki said immediately starting the quest in devouring the mountain which was between the two.

“I guess we got to start from somewhere right” Akira said, taking his spoon and plunging it in.

“Ahhh I can’t … no more” Akira groaned placing his head on the table having accepted his defeat

“Hmphahaha… you are weak young one” Yuki said trying to imitate a wise old sage.

“Its way too much” akira whined raising his head from the table.

“Hahahaha you’ve got cream all over your face” Yuki said bursting into laughter \

Akira face flushed a red hue, quickly taking a napkin from the table and wiping his face.

“Better ?” Akira asked

“Yeap its gone.. Hahaha you are too cute” Yuki replied

This caused Akira's blush to further redden.

“Ohh yeah I have been meaning to ask you what’s your major ? I remember you saying you were a first year in college right ?” Yuki asked.

“Yep I’m doing…law in Tokyo University” Akira replied

“Wow you must be very smart huh ? My sister is also studying there now and I never get time to spend with her anymore” Yuki said with a tinge of sadness in her eyes.

“No..No..I just really wanted to do law ever since I was a kid and I just gave my best in school and luckily I got accepted…How about you? What are you doing now?” Akira asked

“Ahhh hahaha I am doing marketing in Waseda University but lately I don’t even know if it is really for me and sometimes I just feel like I don’t know where I’m headed ? '' Yuki said. Although she had her usual smile on her face, it didn't feel as genuine as the one’s she had before.

“Its okay…You don't need to be so hard on yourself…I mean we all live life in a different pace..So it's okay to spend more time to figure out what you really want to do if you haven't figured it out yet” Akira replied trying to cheer Yuki’s spirits.

“Thank you for that” Yuki replied

“Ahh don't mention it” Akira replied, losing the previous cool and calm composure he had.

“Ahhh I did it !” Yuki squealed after finishing the desert.

Akira was truly impressed at Yuki’s ability. It was as if her stomach was a black hole or something. Even the store employees were impressed by Yuki’s feat.As the two came to make payment for the dessert Akira took out his credit card.

“No no you are not paying, I ate the majority so I’m paying for it” Yuki said. Pushing Akira’s hand away from the cashier and passing them her card instead.

“Are you sure..” Akira asked with hesitation,

“Hmph hmph I’m sure plus I get paid quite a bit for my part time” Yuki replied with a small grin.

“Ohh what do you do for part time” Akira asked curiously.

“Ahh I do a bit of modeling actually” Yuki replied embarrassed at her answer.

“Ohh that's pretty cool..I mean it's not surprising.. you are really beautiful” Akira said sincerely but as soon as he realized what he had, he started to feel embarrassed.

Yuki who had heard this reply was further filled with a sense of shyness. Although there were many guys who had approached her before, no one had casually and sincerely just complimented her. It was her first time and she didn’t really know how to react.

“I mean..I didn’t mean it that way..like..you are not beautiful ..no n..as in you are beautiful but ..you know” with many stammers and stutters Akira tried to salvedge what he had said.

“Hahahaha it's okay.. its okay..I get it” Yuki replied trying to control her laughter.

“Haaa” Akira breathed a sigh of relief.

“By the way do you still want to hang? Or do you have to go” Yuki asked.

“I have got time” Akira replied.

“Well, do you want to check out the aquarium ? they have a new exhibit” Yuki asked once again back to her usual enthusiasm.

“Sure lets go.. I haven’t been to an aquarium in a long time”.

As the date continued Akira and Yuki opened up more and more. They talked about their hobbies, likes, dislikes, most embarrassing moments, values they look for in people and many other things. It felt weird for Akira at first as he never really had this kind of conversation before. It was hard for him to describe what he was feeling as well. As they continued to talk more and more he felt like he could be himself and say anything he wanted and she would understand.

The sun was beginning to set as the two left the aquarium, they decided to admire the sunset by walking down the beach which was near the place.

“You know when I was younger, my family would visit this beach very often..Me and my sister would build sandcastles and pretend to act like princesses who lived there haha”although Yuki said it with a chuckle there it was once again.This tinge of sadness which was attached to the smile weighing down on her deep inside.

“Must have been nice,” Akira replied with a gentle and reassuring smile.

“ahhh I miss being a kid and having no problems in life..What about you Akira what did you and your family do as a kid” Yuki asked.

“uhhhh it’s kind of a sob story but…well.. when I was 5, my mother and father met with an accident.Since, my grandparents and relatives were against my parents marriage, they had cut all ties with them and moved..So after their death I was sent to an orphanage, I got taken in by a few families but it didn’t work out..eventually I turned 18 and left the orphanage and I have been living by myself since then” Akira said looking peacefully at the sea.

“I am so sorry..I shouldn’t have presumed..I am soo sorry” Yuki replied with glistening eyes.

“No no don't be.. I mean it has been over 14 years so it's been a while, plus it happen to me when I was really young so I can’t really remember much… But there is one memory though..I don’t really know the place or time but I do remember my mother holding my hand and walking with him.. Its not the greatest memory but it is my most precious one” Akira said.

“Shmp shmp I am so sorry” Yuki replied trying to wipe her tears with sniffles.

“Ahh it's okay really.. I’m fine..do you need a tissue?” Akira asked, trying his best to console her.

“ I have become so emotional these past few weeks..I think I always was but I kept hiding it trying to put on this always happy and cheery girl look, but I can't keep up with that anymore..honestly I’m starting to care less and less on what people think of me anymore” Yuki said wiping away her tears.

Akira took a deep breath staring straight at the stars which were starting to illuminate the sky as the last glow of the sun slowly faded away.

“Sometimes it's okay to just cry and let everything out..We are always taught to keep our emotions to ourselves and never show it to others or cause a scene..But honestly I think it's better to let it out and process those emotions instead of just letting it bottle up inside of you..you know” Akira said.

“You know when I first saw you.. I thought you were a very shy guy who was pretty bad at conversations hahaha..But you look really cool right now” Yuki said staring straight into Akira’s eyes.

“Ahh ahhh what did I just say ?” Akira fumbled once again

“Hahaha and now we are back to shy Akira” Yuki said laughing.

As the two made their way to the train station Akira wished if every day of his life could be like this.He truly cared for Yuki and wanted to get to know her even better. Although, it was only 1 day Akira felt like maybe he found the girl he had been looking for.

“I had a lot of fun today..actually I have never really gone out on a date before but this seemed like everything I would have dreamed off..thank you ” as soon as Yuki said she leaned forward and gave Akira a kiss on the lips.

Akira was stunned and totally shock on what had just happened.The two of them mirrored each other on how red they were both engulfed by embarrassment.

“I gotta go now..bye bye” Yuki softly said and left getting lost in the train crowd.

Although Akira was feeling a mix of emotions, he felt like he was the happiest man in the world.

As he made his way back home he couldn't stop thinking of the events that had happened that day.The whole night it felt like Akira had reached nirvana.

Lying in bed, Akira wondered if he should text Yuki.As he wrestled in bed with his pillow he came to a conclusion that he would text Yuki in the morning and slowly dozed off to sleep.

The next day Akira woke up with a big smile on his face. The happiness he had felt yesterday had overflowed onto today as well.Akira immediately texted Yuki on the app.

“Hey I didn’t catch your number yesterday and also if you are up for it I would love to go out again with you soon so let me know when you are free :)”

Akira had a wide smile as he sent the message. As the soft glow of the morning sun filled the apartment he went about his usual sunday routine of watching the news and making breakfast.

“Breaking News..19 year old Makino Yuki, a part time model who was studying at Waseda University was found dead in the train tracks along Tokyo station.The police are already at the scene investigating, they have chosen to give no comments on the case.We will keep you up to date on any further updates. Our heart goes out to the victim’s family and friends” the news anchor said, her words echoing through the apartment.

Akira’s mug crashed onto the ground breaking into a thousand pieces. He couldn’t believe his eyes as they focused on the picture that was being shown on the screen.His heartbeat started to grow louder and louder to a point where that was the only sound he could hear, as the realization crept in that it was indeed the same Yuki he was speaking to less than 24 hours ago. The shock and trauma came crashing into Akira all at once causing his legs to give up as he too came crashing onto the floor. As scenes of the murder were shown onto the TV screen he couldn't help but feel this guttural feeling of wanting to throw up. Akira started to violently cough uncontrollably as his eyes filled with tears.As he lay on the ground unable to control his emotions, it felt to him like he was stuck in some kind of sick nightmare. Unfortunately for him this was reality.