"Stop messing with your shirt!" Maki huffed and tugged at my hair she was holding in her hand, "I swear even a little bit of nervousness enters you you start messing with your clothes. You look fine so calm down."

I bit my lip and look down at the outfit I was wearing. A grey long sleeve shirt under a (color) tee-shirt. My legs looked longer in my frayed shorts accompanied by a pair of flat sandals Iris lent me. Currently, Maki was doing my hair. She was weaving the (Color) strands in patterns while tacking them in place with bobby pins.

"You look lovely," Iris smiled from her spot beside us, she held out a pin which Maki took, "I think we agreed on a good outfit."

"I'm just glad for the help," I looked over towards Iris but yelped as Maki yanked me back in place, "Why so rough!?"

"You have done nothing but move since you started getting ready," Maki sighed and placed another piece into the bun she had been making at the back of my head.

"I-I'm nervous,"

"Well, i don't think one of the daughters of the Eighth needs to go on a date!" Obi had been huffing about the office once he heard about my going out with Hajiki and Takeru, "It's two guys!"

"Captain, you realize (F/N), Maki, and Iris are all adults right?" Shinra commented from his desk, "and why do you have to do her hair here?"

"More room to move around her," Maki explained then put her hands on her hips, "There! Perfect!"

I glanced at the handheld mirror Iris had thrust into my hands. My hair was bound in intricate braids that met into the bun at the back. Maki had loosened some hair to make the style look more natural than forced. A Whisp of hair framed my face. 

"Captain Obi, We are just friends anyways," I explained as I put the mirror down on the desk, "He doesn't see me any different than he does his squadmates."

"I still don't like it though," Obi huffed and turned away from us.

"It's because he wants to keep you girls, all to the Eighth," Arthur spoke from his desk.

"That's very kind Captain," Sister Ira cupped her hands in front of her.

"(F/N), you should head soon if you want to meet them on time," Maki reminded me while glancing at her watch, "It's close to time."

I glanced at the wall clock and gasped. I would have to hurry if I wanted to make it there on time. I jumped from my seat and headed towards the door. I quickly said goodbye and bounded out the door and to the steps. 

In minutes, I was out on the street and rushing towards Minato ward. It wasn't far from the Eighth as it was from the Second. I had thankfully made it on time where we had decided to meet. I was waiting for about ten minutes before I caught sight of Takeru's taller figure and his smaller squadmate Hajiki. 

Takeru was looking around trying to find me in the crowd. He had dressed comfortably. A light green tee-shirt that showed how slim he was. His pants were normal jeans tucked into his combat boots. Hajiki on the other hand didn't even try. He wore his military-like uniform. 

"Takeru! Hajiki!" I shouted out and waved in the air as I called out to them.

Takeru noticed me first. His thin gaze widened a little bit as they made their way towards me. Hajiki bumped into Takeru and whispered something towards him before they stopped in front of me. 

"You look so cute!" Hajiki grinned and pushed Takeru next to me, who stumbled but straightened himself beside me, "Before things start I got something I want to say...  Inspecting mirrors is a job I could really see myself doing."

I giggled behind a hand and heard a small laugh come from Takeru. Hajiki quickly pulled out a camera and snapped a shot. 

"Hey wait!" I shouted out, "That wasn't fair!"

Takeru had frozen up beside me. Hajiki had laughed and slipped the camera back into his pocket. 

"It was the only way I could get a photo of you both without it looking forced plus Captain Honda wanted to see one of his boys growing up," Haijiki turned and started walking away, "See ya guys later! I got important business in ten minutes."

"Wait, I thought you were coming with us!" I shouted to Hajiki's back as it disappeared into the surrounding people, "That sneaky..."

I turned towards Takeru and felt my nervousness build, "We might as well go. Let's assume Hajiki ditched us."

Takeru nodded and whispered out, "W-where would you like to go?"

"I thought we were going to the movies,"

"That was Hajiki's idea," Takeru rubbed the back of his head, "Since he left us we can do something else... Unless you want to go to the movies."

I shook my head and glanced around until I spotted an ad on the train station's platform, "Why don't we go to the aquarium. They are supposed to have new fish in the exhibit."

"T-that's a great idea," Takeru had taken note of my gaze and turned to look at the ad, "They even have a petting tank."

"Then it's decided," I smiled at Takeru and took his arm while turning to walk, "Let's have the most fun we can."

I knew he probably wouldn't see me differently but at this moment I could pretend it was a real date. I was still pissed at Hajiki for ditching us but I could understand. In my heart, I hoped he had been a secret wingman and plotted this thing from the start. I shook my head mentally, we all knew Hajiki had too much energy and was forgetful, he wouldn't have the focus to set this up.

I walked beside Takeru with my hand around his wrist. There were a lot of people around today and it was easy to get separated. I glanced over at Takeru. He was looking towards every shop we passed. His gaze running over every product. I watched him for a moment.

He's not from here, I reminded myself.

"Do you want to go into one before the aquarium?" I asked.

"N-No it's fine," Takeru said as he was looking over my head.

I stopped and tugged him towards the store he was looking at. We slipped inside and I dropped his hand. We looked around the store side by side. We didn't wander away from each other and if we found something interesting we would show it. 

"Look!" I help up a potato stuffie with a cartoonish face, "It's your favorite!"

"Y-you remembered," He stuttered and took the item, "It's so small."

"Look at this!" I unzipped the small zipper in the back, "Now it's a peeled baked potato!"

He chuckled and zipped the potato back up, He handed the potato back to me and glanced around, "I wonder what else they have..." 

I shrugged as i took the stuffie back and bent forward to dig in the bottom of a deal's barrel. There were all kinds of little toys and trinkets. I found a horn, fox, and a Fire Company One compact.

After looking for a while i decided to buy the potato plush and Takeru had bought something too while i had used the restroom. We were leaving out the door together when i thought i caught sight of Lieutenant Hinawa and Captain Obi standing across the street. I shook my head and tugged the stuffie out of the bag.

"T-Takeru,"

He was a step ahead of me, he stopped and looked back at me, "Hm?"

"Here," I pressed the plush into his hand, "I got this for you."

Takeru chuckled at the stuffie and held up his bag, "I got you one too."

"No way," I said and stood on my tiptoes, i peeked into his bag and sure enough a potato stuffie, "I guess great minds think alike."

Takeru agreed and waited for me to lead us down the strip. It took about ten mins to get to the aquarium and we walked together while chatting softly. A time or two i would glance behind us and thought i saw Hajiki and Shinra.

Takeru and I paid for our tickets and entered the aquarium that was dark and cooler than outside. I walked to a large window and looked in. Takeru appeared beside me, his head bent down towards my shoulder as he looked into the smaller than him window. I gasped as a group of fish passed the window and turned around in the tank. 

We slowly moved away from the window and to the next which held tall-looking crabs. They all huddled together in a spot in the tank. Their small eyes flicking every way. 

"Look," Takeru grabbed my hand and led me towards a tank that had a window taller than him.

I looked inside and watched the sea life spin in the tank. Small sharks, fish i couldn't even name, and rays swam peacefully together. I peered up into the tank as a large whale shark swam past the window. I placed my free hand on the window and felt the vibration the large fish made.

"So pretty," I whispered

"Yeah," I caught Takeru breathe out.

I let him lead me to the next window of the large tank. We followed the whale shark to each window before we spotted a small pool in the middle of the hall. Takeru peered over the side of the tank. I looked down at the small creatures inside. It was the petting tank Takeru mentioned. I dipped my hand into the cool water. 

"(F-F/N)!" Takeru looked around us, "What if we get hurt or in trouble?"

"It says 'Touch tank' next to us," I chuckled and looked up at him, "Plus these are small nurse sharks and seastars, They won't hurt you."

I took the hand he was holding, tugged up my sleeve, and lifted it into the tank. The cool water met our forearms. I let go of his hand and reached down into the sand and rock bottom. I grabbed a seastar and brought it up to the surface. I held it under the water let it move slowly over my hand.

"Feel," I whispered.

Takeru took his hand and rubbed gently over the top of the star. It tensed and relaxed under each touch. I slowly dropped the animal down to the place i got it. A small nurse shark slowly swam past and brushed against my arm. 

Takeru tensed beside me, "It's so close."

"It's not going to hurt you," I repeated and grinned at him as it grazed past him as well.

We sat together with the water. I slowly removed my arm and looked to where a group of people was forming. They spoke quietly together. 

"Let's go see what's going on there," I suggested.

Takeru took hold of my hand. It was like it was becoming a habit to him. He had done the same in my shop. I walked with him to the new tank to see them opening a gate to release two beluga whales... They rushed about spinning and blowing bubbles into the water.

"This is our new female Beluga," A person spoke loudly in front, "Her name is Bell. She's about five years old. She made quick friends with Kila who you see in the back doing spins. Did you know that in the old world they called them 'sea canaries' because of the sounds they make?"

Takeru tightened his hand around mine as he whispered into my ear, "Sounds like they are singing."

I listened. I could hear squeals and bleeps from the tank. The noise sounded like they were in tune and singing with each other. Bella squealed and twilled as she threw her head back. Kila bubbled out in response. 

"It does..." I agreed and watched the two dance together a moment before speeding off around the tank. 

We spent many more moments watching them dance before we left to find a place to rest and eat at. We found ourselves in a cafe down the street from the aquarium. I picked at my plate as Takeru went on about the visit. I watched as he was out of his shell talking about the animals we saw and the whales. 

We finished after a while and were walking together as the sun started resting against the horizon. We bumped arms together and chatted while he led me back towards the train station. He would have to be going soon or he would miss the train back to company two. 

Takeru stopped on the train station's platform and turned back towards me. His face glowed in the pale sun. 

"I had fun," He mused and looked down at me, "I..."

"I had fun too," I grinned up at him, "It's been a while since I was able to relax with someone."

"(F/N)..." He spoke so softly I almost didn't catch what he was saying, "I want to... I..."

I took a big step forward, "I know you probably don't like me the way i like you. Dont force yourself into things you don't feel. I was happy just pretending this was a date."

"No (F/N) It w-"

"All passenger for Ota ward please bord now," A voice called over the intercom cutting Takeru off.

"Looks like you need to go," I glanced at the still-standing train.

"I have to say something first," Takeru stammered out, "This wasn't just friends hanging out. We were-"

"Two minutes till departure," The intercom spoke out.

"Call me and tell me," I pushed him towards the train, "Go before they leave you."

He willingly let me push him to the train doors, "(F/N) It's important!"

"They will leave you!" I warned and pushed him onto the train. 

He turned towards me and quickly grabbed my face, "Listen, I like you too and not the kind of like you think i do. I really like you."

My face turned red and I stammered, "T-Takeru..."

Takeru turned my face up and placed a soft kiss on them. He shook as he held my face. I closed my eyes and melted into his lips. He pulled back and I opened my eyes to see him studying my face. The doors started closing and I gave him a good shove into the train before backing up. The door between us closed and sealed with a small pop.

"I'll see you soon!" I shouted and placed a hand on the window.

Takeru placed a hand on his side and nodded. His face was as red as my own. He looked away for a moment as the train started moving. I let go of the window and stepped back quickly. He stood there watching me as the train took him away.

I stood there for a while. A hand on my lips and a small grin. He liked me.

He liked me!