Tonight’s date was at the cinema. It had been years since I’d last watched a movie in a theater, and honestly, I was excited. Popcorn, a huge screen, and Keiko sitting next to me—it felt nostalgic.
For three nights in a row, Keiko and I had been going on dates after work. It was honestly the best time I’d had in a long while. Being with her like this, just the two of us, made me feel something I hadn’t felt in years.
However, not everyone was as happy about it as I was.
The moment we stepped into the house that night, Rin was waiting for us with her arms crossed, her eyebrows furrowed. "What are you guys doing? You're coming home late every day now," she huffed, looking between me and Keiko.
I scratched the back of my head, already feeling guilty. "We're sorry, Rin—"
Rin immediately turned her sharp gaze toward me. "I wasn’t talking to you, Dad. I was talking to mom." She pointed at Keiko.
Keiko blinked and tilted her head. "Me?"
"Yes! You! You’re an adult, but you keep sneaking off every night with dad—who, may I remind you, now looks like a teenage girl!" Rin threw her arms up. "Do you have any idea how weird that is? And you’re leaving me home alone every night!"
Rin must be feeling lonely, judging by the way she sounds.
"I am sorry... But Rin," Keiko said bluntly, "your dad is trying to fix our relationship. That’s why we’re making up for lost time."
I almost choked. "Keiko! Can you not say it like that?"
Rin’s eyes widened, her face turning a little red. "Fixing your relationship? You mean like… dating?"
Keiko nodded casually. "Pretty much."
Rin gagged. "But he's in a young girl’s body! Doesn’t that feel… strange to you?"
Keiko shrugged. "Even if he turned into a fish, he'd still be your dad. So I don’t see the problem."
I nearly fell over. "A fish?! That’s the example you’re going with?"
Rin looked just as disturbed as I was. "I… have so many questions, but I don't even wanna ask." She sighed, rubbing her forehead. "Fine, whatever."
I let out a breath of relief. "Thanks, Rin."
She waved a hand dismissively. "Yeah, yeah. Just don’t be gross about it."
Keiko smirked at me as we walked past Rin. "See? She understands."
I sighed. "Keiko, you have zero self-awareness, I swear."
---
The next night, however, Keiko chose something very unexpected.
"The Ferris wheel?" I asked, my voice slightly shaking.
Keiko nodded, looking at the tall, glowing structure. "Yeah. Why?"
"Uhm… nothing," I muttered, glancing away. Truthfully, I still had a little trauma from last time—when Keiko exposed me up there.
Keiko seemed to pick up on my hesitation. Her expression softened as she turned to me. "I'm sorry for forcing you like that last time."
I quickly shook my head. "No, no. It was my fault for lying to you in the first place."
She stared at me for a second before smiling. "Then, let's make a new memory here."
I felt my chest tighten at her words. She’s really changed... or maybe, she’s just finally letting me see this side of her.
---
As soon as we got inside the Ferris wheel car, I noticed something different from last time. Instead of sitting opposite each other, Keiko sat right next to me.
There was a comfortable silence as we watched the city lights below. It was beautiful—almost mesmerizing.
"Wow," I breathed out. "I didn’t even realize how pretty this view was last time."
Keiko chuckled. "Me neither."
Then, without warning, she reached over and intertwined her fingers with mine.
I froze.
Was… was this a signal?
I turned my head slowly, and our eyes met. Keiko leaned in, her face getting closer and closer. My heart pounded so loudly I was sure she could hear it. I instinctively closed my eyes, waiting—
"Woah, that side looks pretty too!" Keiko suddenly said.
I snapped my eyes open.
…She was looking past me?!
My face turned bright red. Oh my god, I thought she was going to kiss me. I was so embarrassed I wanted to jump off the Ferris wheel.
Keiko turned back to me and grinned. "Why’s your face so red?"
Crap. She noticed.
She leaned in, her eyes full of mischief. "What were you thinking just now? Tell me."
I panicked. "N-nothing!"
Keiko smirked. "Didn’t you say you’d always be honest with me now?"
I gulped. My brain was in shambles. I couldn’t lie—she’d see through it. I averted my gaze and muttered, "I-I thought… you were gonna kiss me…"
Keiko blinked, then burst into laughter.
I buried my face in my hands. "I really wanna die right now."
Keiko suddenly stopped laughing and leaned close. "Well…" She cupped my cheek with her hand, tilting my face toward hers. "...you weren’t wrong."
And before I could react—
Her lips pressed softly against mine.
I froze, my mind going completely blank.
She didn’t pull away. She stayed there, gently holding the kiss, as if waiting for me to respond.
I finally snapped out of my shock, pulling back slightly to look at her. Her cheeks were a little pink, and she looked—
Adorable.
Without thinking, I leaned in again, this time kissing her back properly. I wrapped my arms around her waist, pulling her close, while she cupped my face with both hands. It was warm, soft, and—
Click.
The cart door suddenly opened.
We jumped apart, turning toward the Ferris wheel staff. The poor guy stood there, eyes wide in shock.
"I-I—uh—" He stuttered, looking between us. "I-I’ll give you a free round! Please, enjoy!"
He slammed the door shut and left.
Both Keiko and I sat there, completely stunned.
Then Keiko sighed. "Well, we have no choice but to go another round."
I smirked and leaned in to peck her lips quickly. "You mean this kind of round?"
She blinked in surprise before smiling. "Oh, you’re getting bold now?"
I grinned. "Might as well make the most of it."
This time, when I kissed her again, neither of us hesitated.
And honestly, I was thankful for the extra round.