The slightly low voice mentioning my last name jolted me from my fleeting relief, and I blinked to see a guy standing in front of me. I knew it was rude to stare but I couldn't take my eyes off of him. I froze. A strange feeling started slowly, made its way from my guts, and then up to my throat. I tried swallowing it back but it was lodged, making me wonder if I should just leave and forget this ever happened.
"Matsumoto-senpai," the guy repeated.
I blinked, patting my hair down, half destroying Nanami's effort. "Ah, yes, that's me. Are you my date?"
"I'm sorry. Yes. I'm Kawashita Akira." He rubbed the back of his neck, raised his phone along with a red ribbon, and showed me a picture of me. "Tachibana-san sent me this."
"You're really my date then?" I broke into a genuine smile, ignoring the strange feeling from earlier altogether even though it still hovered at the back of my mind.
I studied his features again, noticing I have to crane my neck even if I decided to wear heels. He seemed like he just got a haircut. His bangs were short and the sides were not touching his ears. His cheekbones were prominent, emphasizing his thin, slightly small, straight nose.
For a moment, I couldn't believe Tachibana-senpai knew someone like him. That senpai who wears round eyeglasses all year round had a friend this fine. I shook my head. I couldn't tell if I was lucky or not.
Kawashita Akira nodded, giving me a small smile. "Shall we go somewhere else?"
After he asked me if I wanted dinner, we began walking side by side as we headed to the crossing and into the teeming streets of Shibuya.
I followed him, letting him lead but at the same time, remembering the landmarks we passed. It paid off eventually. Maybe I was lucky. Kawashita managed to pick the right place. A restaurant that was not posh but not too shabby. It was the type I would usually go for and the kind I grew up with but not the usual ones for first date. It was nice, bustling, and cozy, perfect for my kind of Friday night.
The place wasn't too packed but seemed busy enough as the staff kept walking around, getting orders, and serving food. We sat at the back corner beside the glass windows, overlooking the street and neon signs on the other side. An old hit song which I couldn't recall the title started playing in the background as the awkward silence between us finally slipped in.
"I guess you're not an Engineering student, Kawashita-kun," I started, holding my glass of water.
He smiled. "You're right, senpai. I'm an art student."
"Second year?"
His eyebrows arched up a little as he nodded.
"What's your major?" I asked again.
"Ceramics."
"Wow. That's awesome." I let go of the glass and extended my hand to him, intending to intimidate him. "I'm Matsumoto Reiko, third year, faculty of law at the University of Tokyo. Nice to meet you, Kawashita-kun."
He gave me a cute smile as he tilted his head a little before he took my hand and shook it firmly. "Nice to finally meet you too, Matsumoto-senpai. I thought I had the wrong person at first because I didn't expect you to be this cute. "
"Oh," I said, flushing, remembering the look I was going for instead of my usual stern and plain style. Nanami had set my waist long hair to the side and curled the bottom part. I was dressed in a one piece, moss green, oversized long sleeved dress, settling just above my stocking covered knees. "Is that a bad thing?"
"No, no, no, of course not." He shook his head.
I grinned at him and took back my hand. He was taller. Check. He didn't seem to care about my school and degree or the fact that I ordered beer—probably with the drink but still, double check. "Are you close with Tachibana-senpai?"
"We're acquaintances. We live in the same dorm," he said then sipped his water. "I feel bad for going off tangent especially when I know you prepared for this, but…"
"Excuse me." The server placed our orders in front of us, diffusing the mood. The smell of it was so divine, it made me forget what he was going to say until I had my fill.
"You were saying, Kawashita-kun?"
He cleared his throat and swallowed. "Are you serious about this dating thing?"
I frowned.
"Or are you looking for something quite the same?" He continued, leaning closer for a whisper. "But easy."
"Are you insinuating a hookup or that I'm easy?" I sat straighter. "If that's what you—"
He raised a hand. "That's not it. It's just I heard about you and your boyfriend."
"Ex-boyfriend," I corrected.
"Right." He nodded. "My friend goes into the same university. He's in the science department but he heard about you and your 'ex' as the It Couple, law students and all. I'm really curious as to why you broke up."
I broke the eye contact and stared at the dripping droplets on my glass of beer. There went the first good impression, spiraling down, stopping in the middle when he added:
"It's not the way you are thinking. I'm merely trying to prove a point." He leaned back, looking relaxed. "If you didn't like your serious relationship with your boyfriend, might you be open to something uncomplicated?"
"Like just sex?" I glared at him. "Get to the point, Kawashita. My previous relationship has nothing to do with this."
He only smirked, amused. "That but not for one night. I—"
Sighing, I stood up, fished out my wallet, and put enough money on the table. "I'm not interested, Kawashita-kun. Thanks for showing up."
I emptied my beer in one go then grabbed my jacket and stormed out of the restaurant, berating myself for expecting more from Tachibana-senpai's friend. I wasn't that desperate or lonely. Not even if he was an attractive guy whom I thought was genuinely interested in me or rather in sleeping with me.
A flash of irritation blossomed as the cold gust of wind hit my face when I opened the door. I shivered. I quickly put on my light cotton jacket and another sigh escaped my lips. A good looking, unintimidated guy like that does not come with a wholesome personality. He even seemed innocent until he opened his mouth and showed his true intentions.
Why was it so hard to find a nice guy? Jun-senpai's face flashed in my mind but I shook the thought. I wasn't going there again.
"Wait, Matsumoto-senpai!"
A hand grabbed me in the elbow and I stumbled a bit, trying not to bump into someone passing by as Kawashita pulled me closer.
"It's true I would like to sleep with you very much but that's not only what I was going to offer."