Heart Racing

Well, if there's one thing that Arata could assume about dating. It would have to be that he should at least dress rather well. Not too formal, but definitely better than what he would usually wear in public. That's why he was busy comparing what he would look like in different shirts in the mirror at the moment.

At home by himself, he wasn't too concerned with looking stupid while doing all this preparation. Too bad he wasn't actually by himself right now.

"Ooh, looks like you're getting ready for something." A voice playfully teased him, grabbing him by the shoulders.

"Ahh!" He screamed in fear. It was his dad that sneaked behind him, which was exactly why this spooked him. "Dad!?"

"So what are you doing?" His father was laughing at giving his son a fright. He had never seen Arata do anything like this before. "And don't just say you're going to just hang out with friends."

"I was, um." even though he was fine with telling them if he knew they were here. Now confronted with his father, he started to get a little conscious of telling him. "About to go… On a date."

"I knew it!" His dad gave him a death hug, tightly grabbing around his neck.

"Ah, dad... I can't breath!" Arata struggled to get the words out.

"I'm sorry." Not that it stopped this embrace. "I'm just so happy to hear about this. To think that you've opened up so much these past few months." Arata was finally able to get free from his father. Taking a moment to catch his breath, he was able to respond properly.

"Y-yeah, I guess so." While it might be a picture of joy for his dad. There was the bit of guilt within Arata, given the reason of his escape of the loner life. Even if it was no longer the case anymore.

His dad's advice was appreciated, but he wasn't sure how exactly it was going to help. Arata should've realized that his dad had never been on a date before he even got married.

"Thanks dad." He said, taking the time to look over his outfit. It was an odd feeling, getting himself ready to impress a girl. Which technically didn't need to happen since she's the one that confessed to him. "I hope she likes it."

"Hey, us Kashimura's always look good. No matter what we wear." His dad bragged, giving off a deep laugh from that statement.

"Hehe." Arata just weakly laughed along. He never felt that statement applied to either him or his father.

Ding dong, the bell rung. Obviously the girl he's been waiting for. He walked up to the door and took a deep breath. Calming himself for what was to come.

"Hello…" He greeted her, but Misei's outfit left him awestruck. She was wearing a sun dress, which surprised him since he had never seen her wear a dress outside of school.

"Hello…" She responded to him in a meek voice. Even if she steeled herself for him, she wasn't expecting Arata to be dressed as nicely as he was. It was clear to her that he was taking this seriously. "Are you ready?"

"Oh, I didn't realize that it was Misei you were going with." His dad gave him a jolt. Walking to see who he was going with.

"I thought you were going to make yourself scarce." He told his father. "But, uh, yeah. She's the girl I'm going with." Misei averted her gaze from them. Feeling a bit self-conscious with his dad's presence.

"That's wonderful." Mr. Kashimura said with a smile. "So, before you go. How's your parents?" He asked Misei. "I hope that your mother isn't giving you too much trouble." He laughed, but neither of the kids understood what he was getting at.

"Um, Mr. Kashimura. I didn't realize that you knew my parents. Or anything about my mother." She asked him, not answering any of his questions.

"Yeah dad, what are you talking about?" It was strange for Arata. As far as he knew, his dad only met Misei once during that dinner that everyone just happened to be at.

"Hm?" His dad's response made it clear that they should've known more than what they were letting on. "Oh right, I guess I never told you. But I work for her parent's company. In face, most of my business trips are with them usually."

"Oh okay… Wait what?" Their parents have known each other for years now? More importantly, this girl's parents were also his bosses?

"I see." Misei was deep in thought. "So you're the employee they talk so much about." While he wasn't mentioned by name. It was clear that this man's escapades in work were well known.

"As the world's greatest. I'm sure they've said plenty of good things." That was half true. Though they also had many complaints over the things he's done under his employment. "But enough about me. You two go have fun now." He pushed Arata forcefully outside, then closed and locked the door behind him.

"But my phone…" To those words, his dad opened the door. Tossed Arata his phone, which he nearly dropped, and shut the door once more. "...Thanks."

"So, where are we going?" Misei asked him, once they started to walk. Though they had no destination yet.

"You don't have anywhere in mind?" He asked, to which she shook her head. "Hmm? Normally, I'd think of going to the arcade on a day like this. But I doubt that you'd want-"

"That'll be where we go." She grabbed his hand and took the lead. However, that was short lived. "...I don't know where that is." So now it was his turn to take the lead. The local arcade wasn't far from where he lived, so the trip wasn't a problem for him at all.

However, he could feel the distance between the two of them as they walked. This is hardly how he'd think a date should work, not that he would actually know. Except he couldn't help it, not after that bombshell his dad dropped on him. Why couldn't he have been more interested in his family's work before?

Soon enough, they were at the arcade. As usual, it was filled with plenty of kids and teens enjoying their favorite machines on a weekend. Though a girl like Misei was a rarity, so she felt out of place here.

"So this is, a place you go to often?" She asked, as they walked in.

"I wouldn't say that often." He responded, which was completely false. He was here at least once a week, maybe more if he didn't have anything else planned. Since he wasn't currently spending time to garden anymore, he was able to go here more often. Though his new responsibilities might get in the way of that.

With how many people were here, it wasn't easy to search for a machine to play on. Of course, with her by his side, Arata wasn't certain for what game they should play. What would even remotely interest her?

He decided to settle on a racing one, however there was only one open at the moment. So, deciding that the old saying was best. He let her go first, with him over her shoulder to provide advice.

Misei sat down at the seat. Inserting the coins to start playing. The number of vehicles were overwhelming for her. She wasn't sure of what selection to make. He had to pick one for her, and now the race was to begin. Ready. Set.

Apparently not go. As she very meagerly stumbled out of the gates of the race, Literally. She was going at a snail's pace as every other car passed her.

"What are you doing?" He asked her, dumbstruck with this display unfolding before him.

"I am simply obeying traffic laws." She said. "Isn't that what I'm supposed to do?" He wasn't sure where she got that idea from.

"I-it's a race, just go as fast as you can." He told her. That got her a little antsy, so she put the petal to the metal. This driving was probably even worse that what he was seeing from her. Misei was hitting everything, leaving a wake of destruction behind her.

"I... I don't know what I'm supposed to do!" She yelled back at him, flustered at how bad she was failing in front of her. She had never driven a car in real life, or in a video game. So she wasn't sure how the controls worked.

"Just calm down." Arata reached over her, taking the wheel over her hand. She turned her head to him, he was so close to her now. "Don't take the turns too hard, and only turn the wheel as far you need. No more, no less.

Slowly, he turned the wheel for her, while she keep pace with the petal. The two of them were working together in this race, keeping their vehicle in check. Was it a wonderful display? Not really, but it was certainly better than that car wreak of an attempt she had on her own.

First place? More like third, but it was an enjoyable experience for her once they finished.

"Nice job." He congratulated her, grinning from ear-to-ear. She didn't say anything in response, which prompted him to turn to her. Now he was realizing just how close they were to each other, and how much she was enjoying the view.

"You're cuter when you get excited." She said to him in a matter-of-fact sentence.

"Anyway…" He quickly brought himself back up standing straight. That's not a statement he's used to hearing. "Maybe we should look for another game?" Arata asked her, changing the subject.

"I'd love to." She replied, getting up from the seat. So far, this date's been going pretty well. For now.