-Conclusion(5): The Date(1)-

After finishing his talk with his darling of a sister, who lokes to get depressed easily after a setback, he went around the town to show-off until Yuki’s call came, informing him of the time and place to meet her. After that call, he made another call to a person he least wanted to seek advice in this regard, Joy.

“Oh! Man, oh man, you have come to the right person to seek advice. Let this Love Guru, Joy to make your night memorable.” After a lengthy self-praise that made Kenshin regret about his choice of calling him, Joy came to the point, “Kenshin, my man, let me tell you this… girls like to be praised. Especially by the man they have hots… ahem, love. So, when you meet her tonight, praise her looks. Comment her dress first, start from it… then her hair, her face. Don’t forget the hells, tell her it makes her look sexy or something.

Yes, bring her a bouquet of flowers… the ones she loves would be better. It would be even better if you know the language of flower-”

“Joy, please, I don’t have time for something like the language of the flower. And don’t make it sound like its some casual date, I am just asking you on how to not make today’s date boring… not how to flatter a girl. I can do that on my own.” Kenshin cut him off, the time was pressing, and this Joy was wasting his time with this useless chatter.

“Man, you are impatient. Let me tell you girls don’t like impatient men. Anyway, usually, a date starts with receiving the girl you love, then taking her shopping, then to movie. After that, to a good place to eat and then to a good place to complete your date, usually a park with a lake or something.” Joy spoke words without rest, explaining him how he should behave. After cutting off the call, he looked down on the phone screen, feeling complicated in his heart. In the end, he browsed the internet to look for some tips.

Half an hour later…

“I should have done this from the start.” Kenshin honestly felt so. Although there are a lot of bullshits on the internet, some were plausible and didn’t look downright awkward. The flower bouquet idea was also a good idea, it would liven up the night. As for commenting on the looks, the guy on the internet repeatedly warned to keep it moderate and don’t sound like a desperate fool.

Kenshin pulled his car near a flower shop and bought a bouquet of lilies with orchids mixed in, Yuki liked lilies very much and also mentioned she didn’t hate orchids that much. While buying lilies, a strange thought entered his mind, 'lily is also her assistant's name… a coincidence?’

He didn’t dwell on it much, though. After buying, he went to one of the most expensive restaurants around that were given good ratings on the internet and booked a private room for the night. After this was over, it was already time for him to meet with his date, so he drove his car as fast as he could and finally arrived at the same coffee shop he had waited for her last time. This time he didn’t make the mistake of ignoring, he kept an eye on her marking on the map.

He would move in case of any suspicious movements on her part. He was keeping an eye, so he knew she will appear from the back gate of the shop to surprise him. Of course, he had to look the part and not let her find out he was keeping an eye on her. And so, after a few minutes, it came in the form of a soft hand covering his eyes.

“Guess who?” her voice was a little deep, making it different from how usually she spoke. She might have changed it intentionally, Kenshin thought before smirking. Deciding to have a little fun, he adopted a thinking pose before speaking, “That deep voice, it can’t be anyone else other than Lily.”

“Do you take me for a fool? Hmph!” Yuki snorted before coming in front of Kenshin with a smile. Of course, she knew Kenshin was messing with her, as the girl’s name he chose was the worst possible name he could have come up with.

As for Kenshin, his mind no longer in the realm of earth. It had already gone to Lala land after seeing Yuki’s appearance. True to her words, she indeed wore blue shorts and yellow floral top that flowed past her waist to her midthighs. Below her shorts, she wore black leggings or maybe hose and of course, heels.

Yuki smiled secretively, feeling proud for making Kenshin like that before snapping her fingers in front of his face, “Hey, what happened? Haven’t you seen a beautiful girl before?”

“Ahem, well, I have but not as beautiful as you,” Kenshin commented, noting her hair to be done in a one-sided braid, over her left shoulder, and to the front. He didn’t know how, but she had pulled a damn good job of looking like a normal university student look.

“Why… thank you for the praise, shall we go?” she offered her left hand to him, the meaning was clear.

“Ah, yes, come on.” Kenshin grabbed her lightly, feeling very pleased with the softness of her hand that was like fine velvet, and led to the place where his car was parked.

As expected, a crowd was gathered around it, some were taking pictures, some taking videos while a few standing to the side, jealously muttering on how a rich second generation scion squandering his or her father’s money. Both Kenshin and Yuki disregarded these people and boarded the car. Yuki was obviously impressed by the car’s design despite seeing it many times both on internet and with Kenshin.

“Here, it's for you.” While driving, Kenshin handed her the bouquet of flowers.

“Wow, didn’t expect this, to be honest. Who was it, Joy?” Yuki asked, as her eyes resembled half-moons as she lightly and gently touched the flowers.

“Internet. Some guy called One love posted it in his own blog. He also said to praise your date while giving the flower… but it seems my dumb look back there was enough… is it not? But still, you look absolutely stunning in this.” Kenshin lightly praised, he smiled lightly as he eyed the girl beside him. Well, it would be if he said that there were no dirty thoughts in his heart, cause there were a few. He had just suppressed them in a tight leash for the time being.

“Haha, thank you. I have tried to doll up as much as possible, it seems my efforts are rewarded. So, where are we going?” Yuki asked curiously with a bit of expectation in her voice.

“I have a reservation at ‘Casual Roses’ tonight, so until then, we will go for a shopping spree… or maybe a place you like to visit. What do you say?” Kenshin asked. He was driving very slow as he wanted to enjoy the moment.

“Nah, don’t wanna go to some shopping. How about we go to that garden, I haven’t gone there in a long while. I want to go there and sit on that wooden chair with you. That place held a lot of memories of me… us!”

“Ha! You make us sound like some old retired couple. Well, it's alright, let’s go there.” Kenshin stepped on the gas lightly, increasing the speed a bit. This was just the start of their date, the night was still young… or in their case, yet to start.

In another place at that time…

‘Kenshin, you bastard… revenge… I will have my revenge sooner or later.’ Joy growled in his heart, holding bags in both his hands while led by a woman around 45. Suddenly she stopped in front of a home appliance shop and entered it before handing the bag of shopped items she was holding, “Hold on to this Joy, let me check what’s there.”

“Yes, its alright aunty, take your time.” Joy whizzed out with twitching brows. He had come to a shopping mall with Chiba’s mom… the horrors he was living first hand was inexplicable with words alone. Only someone who had lived with the same pain could understand him now.