Saturday morning.
The sun filtered gently through the curtains as Riku Kazehaya stared at the mirror, trying to decide whether to wear the hoodie Aika said "looked decent" or the button-up she said made him "look like a college professor."
He went with the hoodie. It was safe.
"Are you ready or should I go without you?"
Aika's voice called from the door, clearly impatient.
Riku opened the door, hoodie and joggers neatly worn, and found Aika waiting in her favorite oversized cardigan, crop top, and short skirt — still somehow casual but every bit stunning. She had her signature glossy black hair tied into a ponytail, with a small bag slung over her shoulder and pink-tinted lips curved in a smirk.
"Took you long enough," she teased. "Now let's get this date started before I lose interest."
---
Stop 1: The Café
The corner café was cozy, tucked into an alley near the station. They ordered matcha lattes and waffles.
Riku sat across from her, watching Aika play with her whipped cream with a spoon. It looked less like she was eating and more like she was trying to paint a masterpiece.
"You're weirdly focused," he said.
"I'm creating art. Don't interrupt the process."
He chuckled. "Didn't know waffles required sculpting."
Aika glanced up. "Didn't know national boxers were sarcastic."
"…Touché."
---
Stop 2: The Aquarium
The blue lighting of the aquarium gave Aika's features a soft glow as they stood before a wall-sized tank. Jellyfish floated like cosmic creatures, drifting lazily behind the glass.
"I always liked aquariums," Aika said softly. "They're peaceful. Nothing pretends here."
"Not even the fish?" Riku asked, tilting his head.
"Fish don't lie."
"Fair."
She moved closer to the tank. Her shoulder brushed his.
Riku's heart thudded. Not because of the touch — well, maybe a little — but because this whole moment felt like it shouldn't exist. He wasn't the romantic type. He threw punches, not pickup lines.
"Hey," Aika said, without looking at him. "You're doing pretty good for a boyfriend on his first official date."
Riku's mouth twitched upward. "You too. For someone who claims she loses interest easily."
"…Shut up."
---
Stop 3: The Pet Store
Rows of excited puppies greeted them in the store, barking and wagging their tails. But one stood out: a quiet, snow-white American Spitz, small but with bright, alert eyes.
"She's cute," Aika said, crouching down.
The puppy tilted its head, staring at Riku.
Then barked once — softly — and stepped forward, tail wagging.
"…Guess she picked you," Aika said.
"I was going to say the same about you."
Aika turned away, ears turning pink. "You're getting bold."
He smiled. "You're rubbing off on me."
They filled out the paperwork, got a small bag of essentials, and walked home with the new member of the family nestled in Riku's arms, yawning.
"What should we name her?" he asked.
Aika glanced at the white fluffball, then smirked.
"Punch."
"…Seriously?"
"You got a better name, Boxer Boy?"
"…No. Punch it is."
---
That Night
Punch slept soundly in a small bed near the foot of Aika's bed, while Riku laid back beside her, scrolling through pet care articles.
"Thanks," Aika said suddenly.
"For what?"
"For today. For making it feel like an actual date… not just a thing we're doing because we're living together."
He looked over at her. "It was an actual date."
"…Yeah. I guess it was."
There was a pause.
"Hey," Aika whispered, turning to face him.
"Yeah?"
"You still shy?"
He blinked. "I mean… maybe."
She leaned in and kissed his cheek.
"There. Now you're not."
He stared, stunned, as she turned off the light and pulled the covers over herself like nothing happened.
"…Did you just—"
"Good night, Riku."
He smiled into the darkness.
"Good night, Aika."
To be continued ...