'A bodycon dress, really?'
That was the reaction of the other two girls when they saw Raynare dressed for her date. They couldn't believe how seriously she took these events, especially when the outcome was always the same. To them, it was all a bit ridiculous.
Even now, as she walked through the streets, the stares were unavoidable. Middle-aged men and even children couldn't help but gawk, their faces flushed. Raynare knew she looked good—she always did. It wasn't vanity; it was just the truth. She found it laughable that so many people, especially those who were conventionally attractive, didn't put the same effort into their appearance.
'They think they don't need to care because they're pretty,' she thought with a scoff. To her, dressing well was a necessity. A man with an average face, dressed impeccably, was far more appealing than an attractive one who couldn't be bothered to look presentable.
As she passed reflective surfaces, she glanced at herself, making sure everything was in place. And she was proud of what she saw.
She wore all black: a ribbed bodycon mini dress and a distressed cropped cardigan. Normally, she might've added a bit of white to balance it out, but today, she was in the mood for something darker. She had a little mischief in mind, and she was ready to unleash it.
She'd seen him, the boy— the pervert. As much as she despised guys like him, she couldn't deny that, underneath the lecherous exterior, there was a certain shyness about him. He wasn't used to talking to women, not in the way she was used to.
Until now, he'd only seen her as a shy, timid girl— someone who'd gathered enough courage to ask him out.
He was probably expecting her to show up in something cute, and while it was cute— in her opinion—it was also bold. It was a statement. She was confident.
"I wonder how he'll react to seeing a shy girl suddenly so confident," she mused.
Her dress clung to her body, ending just above her thigh. The simple, clean design hugged her silhouette perfectly, with long sleeves and a high neckline. It wasn't flashy, but she appreciated its versatility. With the right accessories, it could be both formal and casual.
The cardigan, though?
She was in love. The distressed black cropped cardigan, with its frayed edges and chunky knit, was the perfect touch. It gave the outfit an edgy yet feminine appeal, adding a layer of comfort and style that she adored.
Her boots were black, chunky ankle boots— a nod to the overall boldness of her look. The only pop of color was the silver butterfly pendant around her neck, a delicate contrast to the dark tones of her outfit.
But the real surprise, the one thing that would definitely catch his attention, was her hair. She rarely wore it like this— in a messy low bun with curtain bangs. The makeup, subtle yet striking, enhanced her features: winged eyeliner and a muted rose lipstick.
"He'll probably show up underdressed," she thought with a dry smile. She had no expectations—none at all.
Boys his age typically wore rough, edgy clothing—much more than what she was rocking— with attitudes that often matched.
"He's a pervert," she reminded herself, "but hopefully not a jerk."
It didn't matter if the date was meant to end with him dead. She was determined to enjoy it. It was an excuse to embrace the human experience, to indulge in a little fun, because, despite everything, humans knew how to have fun, even if their nature was brutish.
With that in mind, she arrived at the park where they were supposed to meet. She looked around, searching for the boy—hoping to catch him doing something awkward, or perverse, as she had predicted.
But someone had already spotted her.
"Wow."
A voice, hushed and almost reverent, caught her attention. She turned quickly, surprised by how she hadn't sensed the person approaching.
"You look… stunning."
Her eyes locked onto the figure, and she knew immediately who it was.
And then came the shock.
"You… you look good too."
As she took in his appearance, it hit her— it was cold. Her supernatural senses shielded her from most weather effects, but not him. He had to dress warm.
'And damn, does he look good.'
She couldn't help but admire him. He was dressed impeccably, far beyond her expectations. A long, oversized taupe trench coat, perfectly maintained, with a wide collar that added to its elegance. Beneath it, a sleek black turtleneck sweater clung to his form with a sophisticated simplicity.
'He didn't pick this out himself, did he?'
She found it amusing how a boy who usually wore a striped white shirt and pants could suddenly pull off such a refined look. The loose coat paired with the form-fitting sweater created a silhouette that, honestly, she didn't expect to see from him.
His pants were a perfect fit— custom-tailored, slim, and ending just above his ankles, highlighting the sleekness of his outfit.
"Nice… shoes," she said, almost absentmindedly, surprised by her own words.
And, well, they were nice. Black leather derby shoes, polished to a shine, with matching black socks. Simple, yet impeccably put together.
Unlike her, who accessorized to complete her look, he didn't need anything extra. He looked perfect just the way he was, and she hated to admit it, but it was true.
"I bought them not long ago," he said casually. "And despite how they look, they were pretty cheap."
She couldn't decide if he was being humble or if he'd borrowed the shoes for the night, because those leather shoes definitely weren't cheap.
Still, she wasn't one to linger on shoes. Instead, she chose to change the subject, though her mind was still buzzing.
"I love the dress," Issei said, his voice sounding surprisingly sincere. "And I have to admit, I thought your flowing hair was beautiful, but this hairstyle is stunning."
It wasn't the compliment that threw her off— she was used to those. It was the fact that it came from Issei, the same boy who usually fumbled his words and acted awkward.
'This…' she thought. Whatever this was, it was a pleasant surprise.
And, honestly, she liked it. A lot. It was far better than the usual clown act she'd expected from him.
"Thank you." She smiled, genuinely touched. "I tried not to look bad next to you."
She saw him stare at her as though she'd said something silly.
"I'll take that as you being humble," he chuckled. "So, shall we get going?"
She nodded, curious where he was taking her. Maybe, just maybe, she could allow her expectations to rise a little.
As they walked, side by side, she noticed their surroundings had changed. The familiar, laid-back neighborhood he usually hung around in was replaced by a posh alleyway lined with expensive real estate, elegant parks, and high-end hotels and restaurants.
"I don't usually come here often," he said with a smile, as if reading her mind. "If that's what you're wondering."
"No, I—" she paused, surprised by her own awkwardness. 'Why am I so… nervous around him?'
It was as though he was making all the right moves, choosing the right words, intentionally trying to surprise and impress her.
Maybe that was it.
But it was hard to believe that Issei— the awkward boy she knew— was capable of such things.
"There's an amusement park just a few minutes from here," he said. "Unfortunately, it went into maintenance recently, so that's off the list for tonight."
"Did you plan to take me there?" she asked, a smile tugging at her lips. It was cute, really.
"I did." He didn't hesitate. "The evening lights, and the fact that the park's less crowded, meant we could have enjoyed any ride without waiting."
Too bad that couldn't happen now.
"I thought about taking you to a movie, but I figured it'd be too cliché. And honestly, there aren't many good films out right now."
Once again, he wasn't wrong. She'd been scrolling through movie listings earlier and had found a few interesting titles— but none of them would be released for another couple of months.
"So…" He paused, taking a deep breath, "I found this place I think you'll like, though it's still kind of a gamble in my mind."
She turned to him, offering a smile that was both sweet and sincere. "You know," she said, "I'm happy with wherever you take me. It's the company and the intentions that matter, not the location."
She didn't notice it, but his eyes flickered for a brief moment, as if surprised by her words.
"Then…" he returned her smile, "how about the aquarium that opened in Kuoh three weeks ago?"
"The aquarium?" She remembered hearing about it being built in Kuoh, but she hadn't realized it was finished.
"It's an aquarium with a restaurant," he explained. "It's supposed to be really beautiful, and I've got a reservation at the restaurant if you'd like to join me."
'An aquarium…' She thought for a moment. When was the last time she visited one, especially to relax and enjoy it? 'Maybe it wouldn't be so bad.'
With a small, enthusiastic nod, she replied, "I'd like that. I love coral and fish."
Issei's face lit up. "Perfect!" he said. "Let's take a walk over there, it's only three hundred meters from here."
'That close?' She was surprised, and it showed on her face.
He extended his hand, and she took it without hesitation as they started walking.
As they walked, she noticed how, despite his perfect appearance and confident demeanor, he was still a little shy. It was endearing.
'So far, this hasn't been bad,' she thought to herself. 'He's different when you talk to him.'
She was starting to appreciate this new side of Issei more than his usual awkward self.
They strolled along the brightly lit alley, admiring the well-maintained gardens and the sweet fragrance of the flowers. Eventually, they arrived in front of a mostly glass building, lit with vibrant blue lights. Even from the outside, it looked stunning— possibly one of the most beautiful spots she'd ever been to for a date.
"There should be a reservation under Hyoudou," Issei said, speaking to the hostess at a table surrounded by coral-shaped lamps.
"Oh, yes." The lady nodded, confirming their reservation. "A deep ocean show and a table for two?"
She was a bit surprised to hear that the aquarium and the restaurant were two separate events. From the outside, it had seemed like the aquarium was just a way to attract customers to the restaurant.
But apparently, they were serviced separately.
"Let's go," Issei said, gesturing toward the now-open door and the two staff members holding it open. "There's a nice little walk before the ocean show."
It was a bit of a walk, but she didn't mind. Kuoh didn't have many entertainment spots, and there were restrictions on taxi services in these narrow alleys. She didn't blame him for it.
If anything, she was discovering new places she hadn't noticed before.
"It's… it's beautiful," she said, her voice soft with awe as she entered. "It's gorgeous…"
The pathway was paved with marble, beautifully crafted with designs inspired by the ocean. Corals, waves, shells— every step seemed to reveal another layer of artistry, and sometimes, she swore she saw real shells, only to realize they were part of the intricate design.
The surroundings were filled with glass enclosures, but unlike the typical aquarium, this one didn't feel dull or mechanical. The glass was framed with rocks and illuminated with random, colorful lights, creating the illusion of moving through the ocean depths, watching marine life illuminated by rays of sunlight.
"Is that a betta fish?" She gasped as she spotted a vibrant fish with fins that floated like a dress.
"It is," Issei replied, surprising her further with his knowledge of aquatic life. "And from the looks of it, it's pretty angry."
"Enraged?" She asked, amused at the idea of such a beautiful fish being angry.
"Male betta fish get upset very easily," Issei explained, watching the fish intently with a calm smile. "Especially when they see a female they like being approached by other males. The fins you see trembling— almost like a gown swaying gracefully during a ball— that's their way of showing their frustration."
She couldn't tear her eyes away from the fish, captivated by its striking colors and intricate patterns.
"Honestly, they're not much different from us," Issei continued, his voice soft but thoughtful. It drew her attention back to him. "Humans, too, can get angry if they see someone they care about being approached by someone else. They'll make a scene, trying to prove they're better than whoever is competing for attention. All life shares that kind of emotional response."
"You think so?" she asked, a little amused but skeptical. She found it hard to believe that all life was really the same. Part of her felt slightly offended, though she kept it hidden.
"Tell me," he asked, turning to her with a serious look. "Has it ever happened to you? That someone you care about, someone you want acknowledgement from, ignores you because of someone else?"
She didn't answer right away.
"I've felt that way," he said, his voice softer now. "And I believe that every living being—whether human or otherwise—feels the same way. In the end, all life is the same. The way we live might be different, but our emotions and desires are universal."
His words left her conflicted. She wanted to argue, to deny it, but she couldn't shake the feeling that he might be right.
Issei chuckled, sensing her inner turmoil. "Never mind that," he said, offering her a gentle smile. "Those kinds of talks are better suited for later dates, don't you think?" He brightened. "For now, how about we head over to the ocean show?"
She was still a bit shaken by his words, but she nodded nonetheless.
This date was going better than she had expected. She was enjoying herself, learning things she never thought she'd hear from anyone— things she couldn't believe a human could explain so easily.
And here she was, listening to a boy she was supposed to kill.
And, oddly enough, she was enjoying it.
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[[A/N: 25+ Advanced Chapters on Patreon + Other Stories: https://www.patreon.com/Greedyfrog
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