"The dark sky… shallow black water… the red esclipse… These are something from my dream…" Shouichi pondered.
"Am I trapped here again in this nightmarish abyss?" Shouichi wondered. He swept his eyes around the realm without a horizon. There was nothing beyond where he stood. Nothing but darkness.
"Whaaaaaa?! I'm sinking. Help!" Suddenly, he felt like his body was pulled into the water below.
"Water…, Water…, Water!" Shouichi saw a vision of a man in a suit asking for the water.
Tap! Tap! Tap! The sound of a bloody man tapping his head on the glass window.
"Die!" A man in a raincoat shouted, his face twisted in fury as he walked down the familiar corridor. Without warning, he lunged, driving a knife into Shouichi's chest. A sharp, burning sensation surged through him, followed by a rush of dark blood pouring out.
"Hmm?!" Shouichi opened his wide eyes in panic. He quickly got up but it was not a single-size bed that he usually slept on. Still disoriented, he rubbed his eyes and saw his mother sleeping next to him. He felt relieved after he recalled that Yoko invited him to sleep with her last night.
"Hmmm…" Yoko moaned in her sleep. It could be her response to a ruckus he made earlier.
Yoko was wearing a satin blouse, but a top button was undone leaving her lewd upper chest exposed. Despite having her teenage son, she still appeared young and enchantingly beautiful.
"Man… I need to get up and shake this unsightly image out of my head." Shouichi banned ugly thoughts.
"One month has passed but those bizarre events still haunt me… Am I slowly losing my mind?" Shouichi thought while brushing his teeth.
"Gooood morning, Shou-kun!" Yoko stretched and let out a big yawn, covering her mouth with her palm. She still hadn't buttoned the top button of her blouse, leaving a hint of her white upper chest visible. Shouichi instinctively turned his gaze away.
"Oh my! Shou-kun, are you flustered by me? Fufufu. Well, Mommy's still young after all." Yoko teased him even more while covering her upper chest with her hands.
"Damn you, Mom! You indecent woman!" He cursed in his mind.
"Wanna see the whole thing?" Yoko continued her teasing with a slight red face, it made her very alluring.
"EHHH?!" His jaw dropped so far it almost dislocated. Yoko burst into laughter, clearly enjoying his bashful reaction.
"This isn't one of those lewd anime moments, right!?" Shouichi thought to himself, his mind racing.
***
On Saturday, Shinji and Shouichi made a plan to watch a movie together. It was one of those scary movies where a vengeful ghost haunted a house and couldn't be exorcised, a bit cliche but they heard it had a good scare with above-average reviews. Ayane refused to watch any scary movies so she backed out immediately when invited. Momo got to tend to her Maid & Tea Bliss. As a result, that left with just two handsome duo.
Shouichi stood in the public bathroom, checking his hair and overall look. His bangs had grown longer, now just above his eyelashes. "Man, I do look a bit edgy. I might ask Yoko-san to trim them for me tonight," He thought.
Still, the longer bangs gave his pretty face a touch of mystery. Believe it or not, girls seem to like men with long bangs these days. Shouichi slid on a stylish pair of sunglasses. While it was common to wear them in Australia due to the high UV index, it wasn't quite the same in Japan, where sunglasses could be seen as a sign of insincerity or deceit.
"I couldn't care less, the sun was too bright today." He argued in his mind.
Shouichi walked out of the bathroom and waited for his friend in front of a cinema, it was the only cinema in town. It was quite crowded in the afternoon. But Shouichi managed to secure two tickets for Sadoko's Haunted House Part 7, and it was almost meet-up time so Shinji should be arriving soon. For the record, Shinji was a punctual guy as he was never late more than 5 minutes.
Shouichi kept scrolling on his phone to pass the time and to appear less awkward.
"Oopsie!" A girl bumped into him and scattered all her belongings. There were Gachapons with cute cat figures of different breeds and poses. Utilising his quick reflex, Shouichi managed to grab her small waist, preventing her from planting into the floor.
"I'm so sorry, I didn't see you!" The girl responded and stepped back. Her voice was so gentle, sweet, and cute. Shouichi kneeled to help her, picking up her stuff.
"My bad, I should have seen you coming," Shouichi said, finally getting a proper look at the girl. There stood the prettiest girl in his dream, a literal ten. Her eyes were strikingly large and expressive, an obsidian hue with a subtle pink undertone. She dressed in a pastel off-white blouse and pastel blue poodle skirt, exquisitely adorned with ribbons and bows — a perfect example of the "Sweet Lolita" style. Her long, black hair caught hints of dark purple in the sunlight and was styled into twin tails, each secured with large, cute bows that allowed the curls to cascade elegantly. Unfortunately, the lower half of her face was covered with a black mask.
"Here, lady." Shouichi helped put her items into a paper bag.
"Thanks, you are so kind, umm… If you don't mind, may I ask for your name?" She asked. Even her voice was angelic, matching perfectly with her look.
"Not at all, I'm Seito Shouichi. Nice to meet you." Shouichi introduced himself and consciously extended his hand out for a shake.
"I'm Ishikawa Misaki, nice to meet you, too!" The Lolita girl pulled down her mask to show her sweet smile with her delicate finger and shook his hand. It was one of the sweetest smiles, he had ever seen in his life. "On goodness! She's so darn cute!" The girl's sweet fragrance engulfed him, it had an appealing sweet and flowery scent.
"Everything about her is just perfect, per~fect. " Shouichi was lost in sauces.
"Ding!" A notification on his phone. Shouichi finally snapped out of his euphoric state.
The message read, "Sorry, bro. I have bad diarrhoea, I can't go to the movie with you. Unless you want to watch me strain the whole seat, XD. ~Sorry, Shinji."
"Um, what happened? Did your date stand you up?" Misaki probed him after seeing his frown expression. Shouichi was surprised that she was still around.
"No, nothing like that. Well, it's not a date. My friend, he got sick all of sudden so..."
"Really? Is he alright?"
"He'll be fine."
"Well, um, do you have a girlfriend?" The Lolita girl asked anticipatingly out of the blue.
"Eh? That's quite a sudden… I don't have any." Shouichi replied honestly. "Hmm, where is this going? " Shouichi asked himself.
"Really? I'm so glad. You don't strike me as a person who would stay single for long." Misaki's obsidian eyes sparked with anticipation, she intertwined her fingers together and put them on her chest, Shouichi could see her long beautiful pink nails. "Is it my just imagination or does the girl want to talk to me?... She looks like a girl that would either be the biggest love or the biggest heartbreak… Man, should I shoot my shot or back out before I get hurt?" Shouichi was contemplating hard in his mind.
"By the way, you look like a senpai to me, how old are you?" She asked with an intriguing expression. The girl appeared to be roughly the same height as Shouichi.
"I'm 17 years old. What about you, Ishikawa-san?" Shouichi replied and asked.
"I'm so correct! Yippy! I'm your junior, just one year younger. Can I call you Shouichi-Senpai?" She replied excitedly. "What a sweet and gentle girl... Misaki couldn't be more perfect, she's the best. Does that mean that I fell for her already? Damn it, Shouichi, Pull yourself together" He thought, daydreaming already.
"Yeah… yep… you can call me that, Misaki-chan. Haha."
"Don't call me Misaki like everyone else, Shou-senpai. Call me Misa-chan, please?" Misaki asked him politely.
"Oh! I'm on cloud nine right now… Are we really skipping straight to the cute nickname phase?" His thoughts raced, imagining their life together already.
"Hahaha. Shou-senpai seems a bit zoned out. Is your head alright? Is it because I bumped into you previously?" Misaki asked caringly, outstretching both of her delicate hands to gently touch his cheeks. Undoubtedly, her hands were soft and warm. Her sparkling eyes stared deeply into his heart and soul, Shouichi couldn't stand them so he forced his gaze down at her voluptuous chest instead. "E-cup? Or F-cup? What am I thinking? Damn my eyes!" Shouichi cursed at himself.
There was one solution left, he awkwardly resorted to looking up instead.
"Hahaha, you are so funny senpai, what are you looking at? It's just a ceiling." She giggled gleefully and pulled her hands back.
"Time to shoot my shot! Or else, I'll never see her again!" Shouichi made up his mind at the end.
"Misa-chan… Do you know the haunting house part 7?" Shouichi asked while feeling his heart pounding like crazy.
"Sadoko's part 7?! Yes, I know that one. I wanna watch it too but the ticket queuing was too long." Misaki replied with a hint of disappointment in her tone.
"W~Would you like to watch it with me? I got two tickets and my friend just happened to no-show." Shouichi mustered his remaining strength and invited her.
"Wow! Is it really okay? Like really, really okay?" Misaki asked to confirm, her pale face lit up with enthusiasm.
"Yes! Please join me! Misa-chan!" Shouichi spoke firmly with confidence.
"I'm so happy, who could have thought I'd get to watch it today? I thought Part 6 was such a cliffhanger and it's been almost 6 months before we got to see Part 7! Let me grab popcorn and drink first, Shou-senpai." Misaki responded, beaming brightly.
"I guess it's not bad after all, thanks Shinji. I'll remember your sacrifice. I'd treat you green tea boba next time." Shouichi saluted to his friend.
Shortly after, the sweet Lolita girl came back with a big popcorn bucket and a drink.
"Shou-senpai, try this one. It's a new flavour soft drink called 'Bloody Diamond'." Misaki suggested, putting her index finger on the straw and aiming it at his lips.
"Aaaah! Open wide, please!" She ordered. Shouichi submissively opened his mouth to drink but she mischievously pranked him and stuck her finger into his mouth.
"Eh?! Misa-chan, what are you doing?" Shouichi asked. He had never been so confused. The girl just tricked him into sucking on her finger.
"...Like this…" Misa then seductively licked the tip of that finger then pretended to bite it erotically. Shouichi's face was in a deep shade of red. He felt like his breath became hot and heavy. "That's an indirect kiss on the first date (which I wasn't sure if I should call it a date), This is so cliche." Shouichi thought bashfully.
"Hahaha I gotcha!... For real, this time, senpai. Try it! It's so good, I can guarantee." Misaki seriously let him try her drink this time. It was a sweet pomegranate soda with a hint of vanilla.
"Oh… It's really refreshing, Misa-chan."
"Hahaha I'm glad you like it, Shou-senpai." She giggled and replied cheerfully.
"Let's go! The movie will start soon!" Misaki urged as she wrapped her hand around his arm and walked side by side. Her bosoms brushed against his skin as they went. "This is what it's like to have a clingy and loving girlfriend!" Shouichi teared up with joy.
The movie was terrifying with a great amount of jumpcares. Every time it happened, Misaki would hide her face in Shouichi's shoulder. Shouichi hoped that the jumpscare would never last. The movie ended with a signature undying ghost even when the haunting house had been demolished. The Sadoko's curses still remained attached to the soil, setting up for a sequel, part 8 the final chapter.
"Aah! The movie was so scary and fun, senpai." Misaki spoke, stretching her body, her physique appeared alluring and really erotic. "How could this girl blessed with such large assets? The gods are so unfair." Shouichi wondered about his taller friend Ayane.
"Yeah, it's overall fun. The ending was kinda meh though."
"Hahaha, like, ever. All of their endings suck because they weren't meant to be. It's all set up for the next sequel. I'm sure Part 8 will have a satisfying ending for sure!" Misaki rambled excitedly. She must be one of those movie geeks, even if she didn't look the part.
"What would you like to do next? Misa-chan?" Shouichi asked, embarrassed but determined. He felt like it was the right time to ask.
"Hoho? Did you just ask me out on a date, Shou-senpai?"
"Eh?...something like that," Shouichi admitted softly with a blushed face.
"Then, Let's go on a date. I feel like it's our fate that I ran into you today. It'd be such a huge waste if I don't get to know you more, right?" Misaki replied with a gentle smile.
"GOAL! GOAL! GOAL!" Shouichi imagined himself scoring a rugby goal again and again.
The couple looked around at the clothing shop, it was one of those Lolita-style merchandise that Misaki was wearing. She tried a few combinations in the changing room, showing it to him. Her divine beauty and model-like physique could make all of them fit her nicely.
"Senpai, what do you think about this one?" Misaki asked after she stepped out of the curtain.
"Wow!" Shouichi exclaimed, stunned by her stylish costume. Misaki wore a light pink blouse that hugged her silhouette, accentuating her curves. Her mini skirt showcased her long, slender legs, which were completed with white patterned leggings.
"Any comment, please?"
"Oh, hahaha. This one suits you well, Misa-chan. The mini skirt is so cute." He replied, looking at her in admiration.
"Right? I think it made my legs look longer." She agreed cheerfully.
"If you don't mind, can you take a picture for me?" Misaki requested politely.
Shouichi took out his phone and began signalling, "Got it! Say, one, two…shoot!" The clicking sound of taking photos occurred.
"One more, Misa, The, Cutie!" Shouichi cheekily invented his way of counting, it caught Misaki off guard that she let out a unique and fluttering smile. She smiled lovingly at him and they both giggled gleefully.
"How's it, senpai? Am I cute?" She asked and clung to his arm with both of her hands. She leaned in closely to look at his screen. Her twin-tails brushed softly against his shoulder.
"You are the cutest!"
"Haha, I like this one the most. The one when you said those words, fufufu!" She pointed at one of the photos that Shouichi took. She beamed widely, happiness in her eyes. Her sweet and flowery scent engulfed them revivingly.
"Please send it to me, senpai. Here's my number!" Misaki requested pleadingly.
"All done! Did you get it?" Shouichi sent the picture through a messenger. She nodded happily in response.
"❤️❤️❤️" Misaki replied in the chat.
Although Misaki seemed to like clothes there, she decided not to buy any at this time. The girl mentioned that she would usually wait for a sale at the end of the month.
"What would you like for dinner, senpai? I'm feelin' a bit peckish already." Misaki probed, her big eyes interlocked with his.
"Whatever you like."
"Strawberry Crepe!" Misaki exclaimed loudly like a little kid. "But that's not a real dinner…" He exhaled but decided to indulge her anyway.
The two of them ordered two strawberry crepes from a food truck. Later, they found an empty bench under the tree.
The sky, once clouded, glowed orange, gradually fading to purple as it stretched toward the horizon.
"It's so beautiful… The sunset, I mean." Misaki told him, taking a small bite out of her crepe. It was sweet and delicious. Misaki appeared to be glancing over distance clouds in awe.
"Yeah… The sunset is indeed beautiful." Shouichi muttered as he gazed tenderly at her face, his eyes tracing every feature of her with affection. He knew that he had already fallen for her.
"Misa-chan… Would I be able to see you again?" Shouichi asked her, uncertain of their future.
"Why not? You can come to see me at school if you want, senpai." She replied flatly.
"Wait, wait, wait?! Let me ask you this. Are you a Seihei student? All this time?!" Shouichi asked repeatedly. He was shocked by that fact. His brain was not braining properly.
"I thought you already knew… if you ever read my letter…" Misaki replied, keeping her eyes on the ground.
"What letter?" Shouichi asked, and then he realised it could have been one of those love letters in his shoebox. He hadn't had a chance to read them.
"Nothin'! It's embarrassing, it's just an intrusive action anyway. Please don't mind it, Senpai!" Misaki brushed him off. Her face turned slightly.
"Eh? So you are my junior at the school?!" Shouichi asked again, his brown eyes widened with astonishment.
"Yes! That's true!" Misaki confessed, mischievously sticking her tongue out to the corner of her lips. "That means she knew me before we bumped into each other..." Shouichi pondered.
"Say… I had so much fun, Shou-senpai. I really don't want the day to end," Misaki said as they walked past a bookstore.
"Oh, that's the first store I visited when I came to this town," Shouichi recalled in his mind.
"Me too~Eh?" Shouichi was a bit surprised to run into Morimura Ayane this time. It appeared Ayane just exited after book browsing.