They say makeup is a girls' best friend. It has various uses, such as enhancing the beauty of the wearer or concealing her flaws. Asuna broke up with her companion and wore the bare minimum with it being a light shade of lipstick, a trace of blush, and a hardly noticeable eyeliner. Why? Because once she heard Alex say,
'I'm scared of girls with too much makeup. Makes you wonder what else they're hiding.'
*Pretty sure it was a joke,* but from that moment on, Asuna wore no makeup. She had to strictly control her diet and work endlessly to bring up and maintain her natural attractiveness. *Notice her already.*
Also, it's the guys' job to wait for the lady, not the other way around, *I think.* This meeting was nothing but a mere friend's hangout to Alex.
She waited for Alex there as he arrived 5 minutes later than the decided time in his casual clothes compared to Asuna, who dressed as this was the most momentous day in her life.
'Sorry I'm late. I hope I didn't make you wait for too long.'
He arrived in a jacket under a thick shirt, a scarf to cover his neck, and plain blue jeans underneath.
'No, I only just got here.'
Asuna felt a quick rise in temperature after seeing him. She had gone on outings with him before, albeit along with a herd of friends. This was the first time they were alone.
'Shall we go?'
'Yes.'
Asuna had hoped that Alex would say notice her dress. How she was looking and complimented her. She certainly looked stunning and worked hard to be, but Alex was clearly not reading the atmosphere. *Seriously, what is wrong with him?* They two walked some distance before Alex stopped.
'Asuna, about your dress…'
She flashed a quick smile to herself. Alex had noticed her dress.
'Yes, Alex?'
'Isn't it a little cold to wear these kinds of things? I noticed that you're shivering.'
Asuna fell silent. She didn't know what to say. She didn't expect that question. Of course, it was freezing out there, and she felt it worse than others, enduring it all for him. But she couldn't just say that.
'Umm..uh…'
'Here, take my jacket. It'll warm you up.'
'Eh…You don't need to-'
Alex took off his jacket and covered it over her. Asuna wore the jacket bashfully, but promptly felt warmth and stopped shivering. His body was now exposed to the bitter cold, but the thick full sleeve shirt did well to provide sufficient heat.
'Thank you…Alex.'
Okay, so maybe Alex was reading the atmosphere, in his own way. Even if he didn't compliment her dress, he still showed that he at least observed what she wore.
The concert was to be held in a large open ground. Several stalls were set up near the stage, and business was thriving. Many came to the show, usually in the form of couples in the teen category. The couples enjoying their youth was an envious sight for Asuna. They were thoroughly enjoying their prime. For Asuna, just being near him was enough.
She had never confessed her feelings to Alex, and she knew she probably wouldn't ever be able to, but the fact that Alex wasn't dating anyone gave her heart relief. She knew about the countless times Alex got a confession letter. Each time she would think that maybe the one for Alex had come and would be guiltily ecstatic when he rejected them.
Asuna also adored this side of Alex, that even if he can't reciprocate those feelings, he still responded and respected them.
***She saw the boy under him bleeding as he consoled her. Who was he? It didn't matter. The important thing was he was there, unaware of the pain he was in and worried for her.
'We all have to die, and there is nothing we can do about it.'
He tried to be as gentle as could. Her face was that of a scared kitten because of what she had gone through and needed encouragement. This was the best he could do.
'If you're looking for a reason, there probably isn't any….except the one you create yourself….'
Those words that formed from his faint voice were louder than any sound she had ever heard.***
'Asuna…Asuna, you okay?'
Asuna snapped back into reality, leaving her vivid memories behind.
'Y-Yes.'
'You seem to be lost somewhere. Is something bothering you?'
'No, no, nothing at all.'
'Hmm…'
Alex carefully looked at her. Asuna couldn't handle Alex's stare, and her heart started to beat loudly.
'It seems you're fine. Anyway, I was asking if you wanted a candy apple.'
'Sure.'
Asuna drew a breath of ease. The concert began shortly after. All of the members had put their hearts and souls into their performance and got an incredible response from the audience. Their cheers reminded them the why working so hard was worth it.
Asuna barely paid attention to the excellent play. The band was one of her favorites but wouldn't dare take her eyes of Alex, who gave such an awe expression.
After two hours of play or so, there was a short break. This was for the members and the audience to get refreshed.
'Hey Asuna, want to get something to eat?'
'Okay.'
They were making their way to the stalls.
'Stay close to me, Asuna. I wouldn't want you to get separated.'
Before they knew it, due to the enormous crowd, they got detached. Asuna tried her phone that provided no service at the time. She tried calling out Alex's name, yet no luck. Though, someone else heard her call. He came in a long pale coat, with a red striped scarf and brown boots.
'Asuna?'
'Hikaru?'
Hikaru's heart skipped a beat. He already saw her as a beautiful, kind-hearted angel, but seeing her like this, he couldn't help but say,
'Wow, you look… gorgeous.'
'Thanks, Hikaru.'
After a subtle pause, he gathered his thoughts.
'I didn't know you were going to the concert too, what a coincidence.'
*Like hell it was a coincidence.* Hikaru had already spent too much money to win the competition. He didn't have enough money to buy the concert ticket, but since he couldn't leave Alex alone with her, he sold some of his possessions to buy the ticket. He rubbed his hair, beaming a smile to make it look natural.
He had been looking for Asuna ever since the concert started and luckily found her.
'I was looking for Alex. We were together just a moment ago, but got separated by the crowd.'
*So that bastard is not here right now. Lucky!*
'That's too bad. Let me help you look for him.'
'Thank you very much.'
A perfect excuse to spend time with Asuna. It was Hikaru's time to shine like a gentleman.
'But first, I'm really hungry. Can we go to eat a little first, please?'
He held his stomach and gave a starving expression. He had to lay the base.
'Umm…sure.'
And so, Hikaru's miniature fanciful date with Asuna began. They ate, they drank, and shared a few laughs as Hikaru supposedly looked for Alex. All that fun time was, unfortunately, cut short.