Leo wasn't nervous.
He told himself this five times as he stood in front of the mirror, running his fingers through his hair for the third time in two minutes.
He wasn't nervous.
He was just... hyper-aware of the fact that he was about to go on what might, technically, possibly, potentially, qualify as a date.
With Rin.
Who, a few days ago, had dropped ice cream on his head and accidentally confessed she wanted to spend more time with him.
No big deal.
---
They agreed to meet outside the old train station downtown—a quiet place with a retro charm and a small plaza that led into a winding street of cafes, bookstores, and craft shops.
Leo arrived first. Early. Ridiculously early. So he spent the time pretending to look at his phone while also panicking internally about whether he was overdressed or underdressed.
Then she arrived.
And Leo forgot how to think.
Rin was wearing a simple sundress—pale blue, with a light cardigan draped over her shoulders. Her hair was tied in a low ponytail, and she had a small tote bag slung across her body.
She smiled when she saw him.
"Hey," she said.
"Hey," he echoed.
They stared at each other for a beat too long.
Then Rin said, "You clean up well. No ice cream this time?"
Leo grinned. "I left my protective helmet at home."
They both laughed, and the tension melted like—well, ice cream.
---
First stop: a bookstore Rin had found during a school trip last year. It had floor-to-ceiling shelves, ladders that slid on rails, and a sleepy cat curled in the window.
Rin dragged Leo to the manga section.
"I need to check if volume eight of My Demon Roommate Is My Ex is finally out," she announced.
"That's a real title?"
"Don't judge until you've seen the plot twist in volume five."
Leo humored her, trailing behind as she combed through the shelves with the precision of someone who treated this like a sacred ritual.
Eventually, she gasped.
"Found it!"
Then frowned.
"There's only one copy."
She looked at Leo.
He raised an eyebrow. "What?"
"We duel," she said.
"I'm not fighting you for manga."
"Coward."
She bought the book and handed it to him. "You can borrow it after I'm done. Unless I drop it in a fountain like last time."
"I'll prepare a shrine in its memory."
---
Next: a tiny café that sold only one thing—crêpes. But each one was a work of art. Leo ordered strawberry matcha, Rin got banana caramel.
They sat under a patio umbrella, watching people walk by.
Rin licked whipped cream off her spoon. "So... this is nice."
"Yeah," Leo said. "It is."
She looked at him. "I was worried it might be awkward."
"Why?"
She hesitated. "Because I don't usually do this. Go out. With someone. One-on-one."
"Me neither."
"Really?"
Leo shrugged. "This is my first date."
She blinked. "Same."
They stared.
Then burst into laughter at the exact same time.
---
Later, they wandered through a park.
It was nearly sunset. The sky painted itself in warm hues—orange, pink, lavender. Light filtered through the trees like something out of a movie.
They didn't talk much.
Just walked.
Then, without thinking, Rin reached out and linked her pinky with his.
Leo looked down at their hands. Then up at her.
She didn't look back. Just said softly, "I'm not very good at saying what I want. But I'm trying."
Leo tightened his pinky around hers.
"I'm listening."
They walked in silence again.
But this time, it was warm.
Not awkward.
Comfortable.
---
Back at the train station, Rin leaned against the railing, watching the departing trains below.
"I had fun," she said.
"Me too."
"Would you... want to do this again?"
Leo didn't hesitate. "Yeah. Definitely."
She smiled.
Then reached into her bag and pulled out something.
A small keychain.
It was a chibi cat holding a book.
"For your bag," she said. "To remind you that you survived a date with me."
Leo took it, smiling.
"I think I did better than survive."
She stepped closer.
For a moment, Leo thought she might kiss him.
But instead, she bumped her forehead lightly against his chest.
"Don't fall in love with me too fast, okay?"
He laughed. "I'll try."
"Try harder."
"I'll fail."
She giggled.
Then walked away, waving as she went.
Leo stood there long after she was gone, still holding the keychain, the sunset painting gold across the city.