The computer dinged as Shinobu clocked out for the day then made her way to the employee bathroom to change into her street clothes. She wore dress pants and a comfortable blouse with her work sneakers, she fixed her stray hairs in the mirror and thought good enough.
She had finally mustered up the courage to ask Mitsuri out on a date, and to her surprise, the pink haired girl said yes. So now Shinobu was trying to walk calmly out of Lush and across the mall to Victoria Secrets. Her coworkers all cheered for her as she walked out the door, embarrassed she waved them off dismissively.
The Victoria Secret’s sign was in sight, and she started to nervously adjust her clothes. She wanted Mitsuri to like her so badly. She knew that Kanroji wasn’t one to care about appearance or decide how she feels about a person on vain ideas. She was down to earth, kind, and compassionate; if she were to judge anyone on anything, it would be their personality. Shinobu thought she was fine in that department since Mitsuri said yes to going to dinner with her.
She didn’t even make it through the door before Mitsuri met her with a big hug, her enthusiasm led her to squeezing Shinobu a little too hard. She tried to hug back, but her arms were pinned to her sides.
“Mitsuri--”
“Oh, I’m so sorry!” She let go and covered her mouth in embarrassment, “I just got so excited seeing you walk up. You just look so cute, I couldn’t help myself.”
Shinobu blushed, glancing away and pushing her hair behind her ear nervously, “You look really cute too. Thank you for agreeing to go on this date with me.”
“Of course! I really thought you’d never ask,” Mitsuri giggled.
Shinobu flushed a deeper shade of red, finally taking the lead and looping her arm through Mitsuri’s and ushering her out of the store entrance. Mitsuri giggled and snuggled in closer, placing her hand on top of Shinobu’s. They talked quietly to each other, blushing and giggling along the way to the small breakfast place outside of the mall. Shinobu was completely under Mitsuri’s spell, falling for her completely. Her heart skipped a beat every time the made eye contact, being able to touch her made her feel like her face would soon light on fire. She had never felt such passion for another person before. She hoped Mitsuri may feel the same.
Before they could make their way to the mall entrance, they were stopped by an odd looking man. His hair was two colored and his smile seemed fake, he was dressed extremely well as if he had money. He smiled from ear to ear, bowing slightly with his hands behind his back. Shinobu’s grip on Mitsuri tightened and her smile fell away, completely on the defensive. He seemed like scum.
“Hello ladies.”
Mitsuri, in her infinite kindness, cheerily replied, “Hello sir! Excuse us, we’re trying to make our way to the entrance.”
“Oh? Sorry about that,” he stood straight up and loomed over both of them, “I didn’t mean to stand in two beautiful young women’s way. What could you two lovely girls be doing?”
Shinobu wanted to shove him out of the way and keep going, maybe spit on him or use sharp words. But she didn’t want to upset Mitsuri, so she put on a fake smile.
“We’re going on a date, now if you’ll excuse us we’re going to be late,” Shinobu tried to side step him, but he moved in front of them again. She started to get angry and uncomfortable. He was a lot bigger than both of them, but the mall was still busy and the sun was still out, so they weren’t in danger.
“Two friends going out to catch up? That sounds great,” his eyes darted between the two of them, soaking in their appearances, “I would love to join you both, if possible. I’m always looking to make new friends myself.”
Shinobu’s facade was starting to melt away as anger and fear took over, “Not interested, thank you.”
She finally got them around him, keeping herself in between him and Mitsuri. She may be smaller than her date, but she still felt the need to protect her. The man started walking beside her and she felt her teeth grind.
“Why, can’t we all be friends?” he walked a little ahead of them, “I’m Douma. It’s a pleasure to meet you both.”
Mitsuri just smiled, keeping her mouth shut. There was no way she couldn’t feel the discomfort radiating off of Shinobu, especially with her pulled so tightly against her.
“I said we’re not interested. This isn’t a friend date. We’re taking a romantic evening out because we are involved, can you please leave us,” she snapped.
“Involved? Why that’s--”
It was the last straw. He was too persistent and rude, Shinobu thought she was going to scream. This was supposed to be a magical evening where she swept Mitsuri off her feet, hopefully convincing her to see Shinobu again. But he was ruining it. He was ruining all of her plans and making her look bad because she couldn’t control her temper. She wanted to yell in his face that they were gay and that’s what involved meant, but she didn’t know if Mitsuri was even gay, and didn’t want to start a scene. She floundered for a moment, then came up with a solution that was stupid.
Shinobu pulled Misturi’s arm until they were facing each other. In one quick movement, she placed her hand on Mitsuri’s cheek and leaned up to capture her lips with her own. It only lasted a second, but she put as much passion in it as she could. When she pulled away she was scarlet, and Mitsuri looked the same, covering her mouth with her hand. When she looked back at Douma, he was shocked.
“This is how we’re involved. We’ll be going on our date now, Douma,” Shinobu began pulling Mitsuri away and through the entrance, “Go bother someone else, trash.”
He didn’t follow them this time, and they walked on to the restaurant. Shinobu was embarrassed and was coming down from her anger, so she didn’t say anything, nor did Mitsuri. She began to feel nervous that Kanroji didn’t want to continue their date since she had kissed her without permission, or because of her tantrum.
She stopped and looked at her, “I’m sorry for kissing you without permission and making a fool--”
Kanroji lunged forward and kissed her, it was more like a shy peck on the lips, but it was still a kiss. Shinobu wasn’t sure what to do, completely shocked and at a loss for words. The taller girl was smiling from ear to ear, a faint blush on her cheeks as she giggled. Looping their arms together again, she began pulling Shinobu towards the restaurant.
“You’re so brave Kocho,” Mitsuri snuggled in close, and whispered, “I really hope you’ll keep kissing me. I feel like a princess being whisked away by a knight.”
Shinobu’s stomach did a flip and she held on tighter to Mitsuri. They talked and giggled all the way to the restaurant, through dinner, and all the way home. It was the most magical night Kocho had ever been on, and she thought maybe that gross man didn’t ruin her date after all. Back in her apartment, she wrote down, second date with Mitsuri on her calendar.