After I finished my food, our waitress, Kim, returned and asked while refilling our drinks, "Do you need anything else?"
"No, I'm fine," I answered.
Serco then said, "I'd like to order dessert to go. What do you like, Akina?"
"It's okay, I'm not much of a sweets person," I replied.
"Then what do you want?" He gave me a look that made it clear he wasn't taking "no" for an answer.
"Onion rings… maybe?" I conceded.
He chuckled and turned to Kimberly. "An order of onion rings to go, please. And the bill." Her eyes shifted between the two of us, and she looked as if she had something to say, but instead she stayed quiet and returned with the bill as asked.
I didn't have any money on me, so I couldn't protest when he paid for dinner. Next time I get my allowance, I'll have to buy him a meal.
After we left, Serco discreetly teleported me to a spot just a few blocks from my house and offered to walk me home. As we walked, a deep crease formed between his eyebrows, as if he were in pain—or maybe angry. I'm usually too timid to approach people who look upset, but somehow I found myself gently touching his shoulder and asking,
"What's wrong?"
He looked at me, then took my hand from his shoulder and held it. It felt like electricity was flowing from him into me.
"I think I'd like to spend time together again… would that be alright?"
His question surprised me, and it took a moment to reply.
"You've done enough for me already. I didn't really do anything, and you treated me to food and the arcade. I couldn't ask for more," I said.
"That's fine. So in the future, could we spend time together as friends, for no special reason at all?"
His request made my heart race. Out of shyness, I almost blurted out 'no,' but I managed to keep myself together.
"Yeah… but next time, I'd like to treat you."
After I said that, he hugged me. It felt different from the hugs I get from my mom, Nacina, or Will—because it caused an explosion of emotion that was impossible to ignore.
"I apologize… I shouldn't have grabbed you so suddenly. But don't worry about expenses. I don't have bills or taxes, and I barely require groceries. My job as a Guardian pays well, so you're not a financial burden. Still, I will allow you to treat me if that's what you want. I'm excited to see you again, Akina."
With that, he vanished. I only realized I was standing in front of my house once he was gone. Still stunned, I walked inside.
Mom was sitting in the living room with popcorn. She noticed the bag in my hand and the expression on my face and asked,
"How was your date?"
I blushed and rushed upstairs to my room. Sitting on my bed, I took several deep breaths to calm myself before opening the doggy bag. On top of my takeout box was a note. I picked it up. Written on it was a phone number and underneath, the name "Serco." Shocked, I threw the note into the air, quickly caught it before it hit the floor, and entered the number into my phone's contacts.
I needed to make sure I got the right number… should I call? No, I'd just text—we just saw each other, after all. I typed a simple, "Good night." About two seconds later, he replied:
"Good night, Akina."
Yeah… that was definitely the right number.
I rolled around in my bed. Then I texted, "How did you know it was me?"
"Because no one else has this number, and you just received it," he answered.
Of course… he said he's never spent time with anyone else like this.
I switched off my phone and got ready for bed. I always felt like everything should follow a logical path—even my emotions. But today, my feelings made no sense. The strange heart palpitations, the tingling whenever our skin touched, the blood rushing to my cheeks, the sweating… none of it added up. But I'm not stupid. Even though I've never had a crush before, I know that's the only explanation.
What I don't understand is why. Why Serco?
I feel like such a cliché. Everyone I know has had a crush on the Guardian at some point, and now I've followed the same path. I must be stupid. Feelings are so weird.
That night, I dreamed Serco and I were sitting together on a bench, talking about nothing in particular. Suddenly, Serco placed his hand on my waist. Both in my dream and in reality, butterflies erupted in my chest. I'd never felt so comfortable being touched—or so happy.
He was close enough that I could feel his breath on my lips. My mind raced, wondering whether I should close my eyes or wrap my arms around him. But the strongest feeling was the desire to watch him—to see if he intended to kiss me.
My dreams are usually ominous or feature only fictional people I've made up. But tonight, Serco was there—reinforcing feelings I'd only recently acknowledged.
When his lips met mine, I felt a wave of disappointment—there was nothing but air. I pressed in, closing my eyes and adding more passion to the kiss. But no matter how hard I kissed or held him, I still felt nothing.
I was struggling to fuse my mouth to his when I got tangled in my bedsheets and fell off the bed.
What a harsh way to return to reality.
I decided to repress that dream, so I could look Serco in the eye next time I see him.
This is so embarrassing. I wonder how he feels about girls fawning over him… or about me.
I shouldn't get my hopes up, but I know he was serious when he asked to be friends. I don't think it's greedy to want to know him better. I think I can be satisfied with that…
Later, I headed to the kitchen and stuffed myself with the onion rings he bought. Filling myself up so I could fall back asleep.