I crossed the road with the bustling crowd on the crosswalk. Today was cold, so I put on more layers of clothing than usual. I wore a dark cream-colored puffer jacket with a red scarf. I had a white undershirt and black cargo pants paired with the appropriate winter shoes.
I headed towards the station and saw a boy dressed in a light gray puffer jacket with a sage green hoodie under it and off-white loose jeans. At first, I couldn’t tell it was him because of his hair and piercings. Instead of his hair being tidy and covering his eyebrows, some of his bangs were pushed back to reveal his forehead and puffier than usual.
Ryunosuke looked up from his phone and waved at me. I waved back and jogged up to him.
“If we go now, we’ll be able to board the five-minute train.”
I nodded in response and smiled.
He moved away from the wall and we walked into the station together.
It’s still difficult to be alone with Ryunosuke because of how I always feel self-conscious of my appearance and actions. Everything we used to do together has a new feeling. A five-minute train ride felt like hours.
-
“Hey, Sen, you two should go on a date.”
“DATE?!”
“How else will you know if Ryunosuke is the one?” Akio said while packing his things.
“I guess you're right.” I turned my head to where Ryunosuke was sitting. He was sitting at my desk reading his spellbook. I swear, he should marry his book at this point. I clenched my fists. “Ryu,”
He moved his eyes to the side to look at me. “Hmm?”
“Are you free tomorrow?” I asked.
“Yes. Why?”
Akio giggled while putting his backpack over his shoulder. I kicked his leg, but he swayed to the side before I hit him.
“I-I'll tell you later…”
-
I bit my cheek in distress.
The two of us stood, side by side, holding onto the handles of the train. I was scrolling through my phone to suppress my racing heart. I desperately fought the urge to look at him. I finally gave in and glanced to my left. Surprisingly, his nose wasn’t in a book, but instead, his eyes were closed. I grinned seeing him sleeping while standing.
I heard the announcement that the train had arrived at our destination so I decided to shake him gently. “Ryu, we’re here.”
He blinked a few times but didn’t budge. I decided to drag him out of the train. He rubbed his eye under his glasses and yawned.
I frowned. “Did you get any sleep last night?”
“I got three hours of sleep. I was so tired I didn’t do my hair this morning.”
“What?! Why did you only get three hours of sleep?”
He brushed his fingers through his hair. “I’ve been working on a spell for Nikolas. Since it’s an ancient spell, it's in a language that people rarely speak.” He yawned again. “That means I need to find books about the language before I can learn the spell.”
I pouted. “Don’t push yourself too much. Wizards need rest too, right?”
“Unfortunately we do, even though we’re not exactly human.”
“Wait, you’re not human?”
“We are, but technically not. The use of magic allows us to live longer. Also, the fact we can use magic is not something a human being is capable of.” Ryunosuke sighed. “Although, using magic makes me feel as if my life is being drained from me.”
I shook my head. “Today will be your break so you won't burn out! For now, focus on our… our…” I struggled to finish my sentence.
“Don’t worry,” He sighed. “I'm not thinking about that spell right now.” He gave me a sly look through his glasses and smirked.
I frantically scrolled through my phone and pointed ahead of us. “U-um, let's head this way to our first stop, shall we?”
He nodded and followed beside me.
We arrived at our first location which was a botanical garden. He's never been to one so I decided I could take Ryunosuke there. I paid for our tickets online so we entered the place without having to wait through the long lines.
I took out my phone to take pictures of the flowers I'd never seen before. The leaves of the trees were in different shapes and sizes, all of their trunks varying in height and thickness. I read the strange and foreign names of the plants I passed. I looked over my shoulder and saw Ryunosuke standing under a tree, staring at his feet. I looked through my phone camera to see what he was looking at. Under his feet were a bunch of foreign purple and blue blossoms I’d never seen before.
I sneakily took a photo of him when he wasn't looking. He turned to face me as if on cue and gave me a faint smile. I groaned as he walked up towards me, his hands in his coat pockets.
“How did you know I was taking a picture?”
“Magic.” He sneered.
I rolled my eyes. My eyes fell on one of the plants behind him. “What plant is that?”
“This? It's chamomile. It helps with stress.”
“What about that one?”
“This purple one here is wolfsbane. It's poisonous. Here, you can smell this one.” He gestured to the plant with stubby needles.
I took a whiff and the plant smelled similar to mint but more earthy. “What is it?”
“Rosemary. I use it often for protection and health potions.”
I observed how he casually identified the plants around him. When he delicately touched the leaves, the plant seemed to move to his touch. The way smoke left his nose as he closed his eyes to smell the flowers made him seem at peace. I've never seen this side of him before.
Ryunosuke peered down and noticed a wilting flower beside his foot. He discreetly twirled his finger and the flower flourished once again. He turned his head as I softly clapped. “Did that make you swoon?” He smirked.
“No…” I hid my face with my scarf.
He chuckled and continued walking. Every flower he passed bloomed in his presence. A few fluttering flowers gently landed on me as I tried to catch up to him. I grabbed onto one of the flowers with a grin plastered on my face as we explored the rest of the garden.
Our next place was an arcade near the botanical garden. Ryunosuke and I decided to share money to play the games inside the arcade. My eyes instantly landed on a claw machine. Inside was a light brown sable stuffed plushie.
“Ryu, let's play that one!” I energetically pointed at the machine.
I put my coins into the slot and began to play. I moved the claw so it hovered right above the toy. Once I thought it was in the perfect position, I pressed the launch button. The two of us watched as the claw grabbed the sable, but it instantly slipped right through.
I let out a sigh of defeat.
“Let me try.”
I moved aside to let Ryunosuke play. Ryunosuke placed a couple of coins into the machine and put his hand on the joystick. When the claw was right above the toy, he tapped the button, but this time he snapped his fingers. The claw locked onto the plushie and swiftly placed the toy in the slot.
I playfully punched his shoulder. “Cheater!”
He scoffed. “Those machines are rigged anyways.” He knelt and took the toy out. “Here,”
I hesitantly accepted the toy.
“What's wrong?”
“I wanted to win it for you.” I sulked.
“Oh,” Ryunosuke raised his eyebrows and sheepishly covered his mouth. “I guess I’ll keep it.” He looked down at the toy and started to chuckle. “Sen, it kind of looks like you.” He lifted the toy next to my face and grinned.
I furrowed my forehead as the wizard continued to laugh. I unconsciously smiled back and pulled his arm towards another game to play. After an hour of playing rhythm games and more claw machines, we decided to eat lunch at a cafe. I told him I was treating him this time. Ryunosuke ordered curry while I got a burger, and we both got a signature drink from the cafe. Once we got our food, we quickly started eating.
“Sen, I have to tell you something.” Ryunosuke suddenly said.
I hummed while I chewed on my food.
He aimlessly swirled his spoon in the rue of his dish. “On Valentine's Day, the chocolates I gave you had a love potion inside.”
My jaw dropped. “A what?”
Ryunosuke shook his head before elaborating. “I wanted to test something, but it turned out the potion didn't work at all. I've been feeling guilty about it ever since.” He gave me a sincere stare. “I’m sorry.”
I knew Ryunosuke was sly, but I didn't think he’d go to such lengths. I thought to myself.
“Well,” I started, continuing to chew my food, “thanks for telling me. To be honest, I didn't feel anything when I ate those chocolates.”
Ryunosuke's eyes widened. “You didn’t?”
“Nope!” I placed another mouthful of food.
Ryunosuke covered his mouth and looked to the side. “I still feel horrible about doing it.” He mumbled.
“Why did you do it?”
Ryunosuke crossed his arms and mumbled something. I leaned in to hear better, but his lips were shut.
“Wait, repeat it!” I begged.
His face started to blush. “I was jealous.” He muttered.
“Jealous?”
“Yes! On Valentine's Day.”
I started giggling. “You were jealous? Why?”
“Do I even need to explain?” Ryunosuke rolled his eyes. “There were a bunch of girls giving you gifts and you seemed happy about it.”
I was taken aback. Was he really that into me?I never knew Ryunosuke would be the jealous type. I said to myself.
“I should be mad, but I'm honestly flattered.”
Ryunosuke sighed. “You should be mad.”
“That goes to show how hard you've fallen for me.” I smiled and winked at him.
His cheeks started to turn red. The wizard placed his head in his arms on the table. I could hear him mumbling something, but it was inaudible for me.
I patted his head. “I forgive you, but no more underhand tricks, ok?”
He nodded his head, still glued to the table. “Sen,” Ryunosuke said while sitting up. “Thanks for taking me out on a date.”
My jaw stopped chewing as I slowly comprehended his words. “Y-you don't have to thank me.”
“I never thought I’d get this far. I'm an asshole to deal with.”
I shook my head in disagreement. “I had lots of fun today! I want to take your feelings seriously and make the right decision.”
Ryunosuke smiled. My breath hitched seeing his genuine smile. It wasn't one of those other smiles he'd given me before. For a split second, it made my heart flutter.
“I can wait. If it means I have a chance, I'll wait forever.” He responded tenderly.
I almost choked on my food as he spoke. Ryunosuke's eyes widened as he handed me my glass of water.
“Don't say such sappy things out of nowhere,” I complained.
His smile disappeared while his left eye twitched. “I should've thrown the glass of water at your face.”
The two of us laughed in unison. We spent some time in the cafe, talking and finishing our meals. It was nice getting to know Ryunosuke more on an intimate level. This was nothing like our sleepovers or after-school hang outs.
I wasn't sure if it was the love potion he gave me that day, but I think it has started to work on me. I could feel myself falling for him, more and more with every second I spent with Ryunosuke...
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