heyyyyyyy you know who

[harpbeat]

Drinker and Aneko's shifts at work end at the same time today, which means that they're walking back to the employee's quarters together. Which means, as far as Drinker's concerned, now's a good a time as any to talk.

"Aneko, have you heard of that newest dessert house to open here?"

It's high quality. She went and checked for herself, because there's no allowing a date with Aneko to have anything but the best in food.

Comments

[thirdbeauty]

Oh! She gives a little squeak of surprise when she sees him there waving. She immediately straightens up, fidgeting with her hands behind her back while that nervous smile and blush come back in full force. She'd certainly found a cute new dress though, as well as wearing her hair down with a little white flower clip on one side. She'd opted for heels too, which make her even taller compared to Drinker than she normally is. But since when have either of them cared about that?

"Ah, hey!"

The suit is definitely something very different from what the girl Drinker would normally dress them in, and has the added effect of making Natsuru look even more feminine by contrast. Surprising herself a little again, she doesn't mind that so much right now...

"Yeah..." She nervously tucks her hair behind her ear as she answers. She's been on very few dates in the past, and this is the first she's actually willingly agreed to. She's going to be nervous for a while, but at least it's a happy kind of nervous.

[harpbeat]

Drinker looks her over once and - damn it, he's blushing a little too, that's so embarrassing.

"You're gorgeous. Have I told you that? 'Cause it's true."

He offers her his arm to hold. Might as well make an attempt to be a gentleman.

/judges self for forgetting only one work name

[thirdbeauty]

Time to surprise herself again, by actually taking the compliment.

"... Thanks."

Aneko is certainly familiar with the gesture from formal balls and parties too, so she takes the offered arm. She keeps being reminded that she's the girl here... for the moment, at least. But it's surprisingly nice, being escorted like this by someone she genuinely likes.

"You look amazing too! Really cute..."

Suddenly, her blush deepends even more. "I-Is it okay to say that?" Since he's a guy now, she's not sure if 'cute' is really coming across as the compliment it was intended as.

pats

[harpbeat]

"Fine with me. I know you remember I'm a guy."

With other people, he might take offense, but since it's Aneko Drinker's sure that she can keep the two of them straight.

"Wanna get going? We've got reservations."

Of course.

[thirdbeauty]

"Sure!"

She's actually really excited! In case he can't tell by how she clings a little to his arm. It takes a second for one detail to sink in...

"Ah... you made reservations too?! ... I didn't know it was that kind of place..."

[harpbeat]

"Shouldn't be that busy, but just in case, we didn't want anything to spoil tonight like a wait."

He knows he gets impatient about long waits at restaurants. It's a character flaw.

[thirdbeauty]

"I don't think I'd mind waiting if it was with you."

That slips out before she can really process what she's saying. Once she realizes it, she blushes. But, surprisingly, she doesn't awkwardly fumble over trying to take it back or explain it.

"B-But, I'm glad we won't have to! Thank you..."

It's not even a big gesture, or anything. But it's nice, and she appreciates it.

[harpbeat]

He definitely caught that. "You're sweet, you know that? I don't mind spending time with you either - I mean, probably wouldn't be trying to date if you if I did."

[thirdbeauty]

"Y-Yeah... I really like spending time with you too. Both of you..."

This is just getting more embarrassing, and she can't stop it. Still blushing, she glances around to see how close they are to their destination. As if getting there would make her heart race any less or the butterflies in her stomach go away.

"Um... how long have you... thought about dating me?"

She can't help but be curious, with all the mixed up feelings she's had for Drinker since they met.

[harpbeat]

"How long? Huh..."

He has to think about that one.

"Snowball fight. Not as much as I want to date you right now, but I started thinking about it way back then."

It's not that he hadn't thought Aneko could get down and dirty before, but he hadn't thought about it at all. Knowing that she could enjoy herself and relax had made her cooler.

[thirdbeauty]

"Wow... that long?!"

Another part of her is thinking about how she was a total mess that day. She didn't look her best or most poised at all. But... they did have a lot of fun that day, didn't they? It brings another smile out of her, thinking about it.

"Was it the same for her? I think... it was for me. With you, I mean."

It's confusing when the person you're going on a date with is only one side of the whole. She's pretty sure she's had a bit of a crush on the girl Drinker ever since they met, but something about spending more time with the guy Drinker put him on equal footing there.

[harpbeat]

"A little earlier, for her. She's thought you were cute since she first saw you."

His girl half has a tendency to spot people she wants to go for and just go for them. He has a tiny bit more subtlety, and that's saying something.

[thirdbeauty]

Gosh, they really have been on the same page the whole time. She had no idea! It makes her wonder if she should have tried asking sooner...

"Wow... I'm glad you finally asked."

... That just slips out. It's kind of embarrassing when she realizes it. Maybe if she changes the subject quickly, it won't be too weird?

"Um, so what is your favorite dessert, anyway?"

Perfect. She's so good at this dating thing.

[harpbeat]

He chuckles, not feeling awkward at all. "Man, you're really putting me on the spot here! We've both got sweet tooths... uh, I guess fudge? Hard to mess up fudge."