Chapter 13: The Date

Important Note: This is a really important chapter. I poured everything into writing this. Well if you get cringed then I apologise. My girlfriend read it and she said I am evil. Am I? Consider leaving some votes and comments, as a token of appreciation?

***

(1st POV)

We walked.

Hand in hand. I didn't know if trusting her would do me any good. Denji paid for it in Reze's arc, and I didn't wish to fight her unless I had to.

I could pry into her memories and find out if she was lying or not… but if I did that, then I'm no different than those telepaths like Charles Xavier who need to read people's memories before putting their trust in them.

I wanted a bond. Teammates, lovers, whatever the fuck you call it. But I—

"Aleks-kun? Aleks-kun?" Reze tugged me, snapping me out of my thoughts.

I looked at her. "My bad… I was just thinking if I'm supposed to say something cool right now… or if holding hands is enough." My voice low, but clear.

She looked at me, never taking her eyes off.

"Pfft, hahaha. You're so funny. Is that all you have to say?" she giggled, covering her mouth.

What was so funny?

"What? Well… I haven't been on many dates, so this is all new to me?" I lied. Fucking around and actually dating were two different things. I knew better.

She held my hand tightly. "Well, for starters, you hold your partner's hand, and then…" She brushed her thumb on mine while looking at me.

She paused like she was thinking about something.

"…you don't overthink. You just enjoy the time…" She looked down at our interlocked hands. "…because not everyone lives a long life." She finished.

My heartbeat sped up. Her words hit harder than I expected. It made me uneasy, reminded me how fragile life really is.

"Well, it looks like you clearly know what you're doing… so if I mess up, I want you to point it out. Make things less awkward," I said bluntly.

Soon, we arrived at the Omakase sushi restaurant. From the looks of it, it definitely didn't scream budget-friendly. I didn't know if this was really what she wanted.

"You really gonna break my wallet, huh?" 

"…Well, you promised." She scoffed.

Some time later, we were inside, savoring some freshly made seafood.

I took a bite of the tuna temaki—it was so damn good.

"Damn, this is way better than I expected," I muttered. "I guess I should be grateful you dragged me here."

Reze smiled as she picked up a piece of salmon nigiri with her chopsticks. "Told you. I don't mess around when it comes to food."

"Yeah, well, you're also an expert at breaking my wallet. I just hope I don't have to sell my soul… again." Fuck that slipped out.

Her eyebrow shot up. Then she grinned. "Well, I already have that~"

I stopped chewing and stared.

"Just kidding~ teehee," she giggled, then leaned in and whispered, "Or am I?"

"That was horrible. You're not funny," I muttered.

But I was smirking. At least she didn't catch the 'again.'

We ate in silence for a bit, it was not awkward, but it was clear she was thinking about something.

Then she looked at me. "You always this stiff on dates?"

"Only when I'm trying not to mess things up."

She tilted her head. "That so? You acted pretty smooth with Miss Makima, though."

I paused. "…Well, she's my… ugh forget it."

There wasn't a good way to explain it. It would only make things worse.

She sighed. "Tch. Figures. I shouldn't expect anything else from her dog." 

She was jealous. No point denying it.

Then, without warning, she changed the subject. "Hey, Aleks… are you a country mouse, or a town mouse?"

My eyes narrowed. I knew where this was going. I'd heard those words before—it was one of Aesop's fables.

The fact she said them, almost word for word like her CSM counterpart… it felt unnatural.

"What's that supposed to mean?" I pretended.

She rested her elbow on the table, eyes on me. "The country mouse lives safely but eats scraps. The town mouse eats the best food but risks getting killed. So which are you?" 

I pondered on her question. All my actions so far indicated I was a country mouse.

Accepting the goddess's contract, selling my soul to her.

The fact that I was okay with being her slave just so I could keep living…I felt disgusted at myself.

Finding out Makima wants me. Whatever that even means anymore.

Everything was a mess to me. But deep down, I always wanted to enjoy life without worrying about anything.

I wanted to eat good food, live a good life. I was selfish. I still am.

I really wanted to be the town mouse, someone who didn't give a damn about the hardships of life — but I realized it's a pipe dream.

"Well… if I want to answer that, I guess… town mouse?" I replied.

That's what I wanted to be. Even if it went against everything I'd done up to now.

"Huh? I didn't expect that from you…" she said, her eyes narrowing a little.

"What's that supposed to mean?" I asked, not hiding the edge in my tone.

She shrugged, but her m eyes stayed locked on me.

"I mean… you act like someone who's always on edge. Like you're just trying to stay alive. I figured you'd pick the country mouse without even thinking."

She wasn't wrong.

She saw through me — that constant need to survive. Make hatd choices to ensure survival.

But that wasn't what I wanted.

"…Yeah. Maybe I do act like that," I said. "But if I'm being honest? I'd rather be the town mouse. Even if it means I die early."

I leaned back in my seat, eyes on the empty bowl in front of me.

"I just don't want to live an unfulfilling life anymore."

"Just surviving is not enough. I need more.." I finished.

Reze let out a soft laugh. It felt like she was surprised.

"You're funnier than I thought, you know that?" she said, coming closer. Her arm around my neck, loose but confident.

I blinked. "Is that supposed to be a compliment?"

She smiled, her eyes unreadable. "Maybe."

There was a beat of silence. I looked at her — and in that moment, something clicked within me.

I imagined a different life. One far away from this supernatural mess I was stuck in. And if I'd met her back then, in my previous life… yeah, maybe I would've actually looked forward.

"It would've been nice," I said. "You know… you and me, going to college together. Living that normal life you talked about."

I hesitated, then added, "My girlfriend passed away when I was nineteen. After that, college stopped being fun for me. Maybe if I had you back then… things would've been different."

She didn't reply right away. Just rested her head against my shoulder for a second, then pulled back to look at me.

Our faces close.

"We still can," she said.

Then, with that same playful glint in her eyes —she stood up and reached her hand toward me.

"After dark. Let's go."

***

Reze and I walked past the main entrance of the campus — the same college previous Aleks used to go to. It felt strange being here again, like walking into a part of someone else's life.

The gates and doors were shut tight, but it was child's play for us to sneak in.

"Are you scared, Aleks-kun?" Reze asked, teasing like always.

"Scared? Me? What a joke." My tone matched hers — mocking, cocky.

I had fought and killed Crom Cruach for fuck's sake. You think I'm scared of a little darkness? That wasn't even funny.

"…Well, maybe I am a little. Maybe holding hands would make me less scared?" I threw it back at her.

She didn't hesitate.Reached out and held my hand, that smile still on her face.

Things were going similar to her date with Denji in the Reze arc… except now, her role had changed.

She wasn't after my heart to rip it out. She wasn't faking affection.

She cared.

I could feel it — ever since I saved her from Crom Cruach. That change. Her restrains and grudges diminished, exposing her real self to me..at least for that moment.

And our first kiss? She wasn't faking that either.

I am really good at reading people. I can feel it.

She was genuinely lost as if she didn't know how the hell things had escalated so fast between us. Like maybe, just maybe, she didn't want to stop it.

What's crazy is — it's only been like two or three days since we met.

But it already feels like we have spent a lot of time together.

We sneaked inside a language classroom. I was surprised she brought me here.

"Sit on the bench… let me teach you some Russian," she said, picking up a marker.

She spun the cap off and started scribbling something on the board, humming to herself.

"мне нравятся женщины с большой задницей"

I knew a bit of Russian from my previous life. Some words and letters — that's it.

"Is that… something about big ass?" I muttered.

Reze turned around with a smug grin on her face. "You tell me."

I looked at the board, then at her. "You brought me to some crappy-ass classroom just to teach me that?"

She gave a shrug, then walked over and sat sideways on the desk in front of me. "It's an important phrase, you know. You never know when you'll need it."

I shook my head with a small laugh. "You're unbelievable, Reze."

"Come on, I made you smile. That's something!" she said, nudging my foot with hers.

She twirled the marker in her hands like a dagger, then turned toward me. "Wanna learn how to say I like you next?"

Time passed.

We were now on the rooftop, lying down. Talking beneath the view of the beautiful night sky.

My head was on her lap as she ruffled my hair. Our gaze met—just for a moment.

This moment was precious. I never want to forget it.

Spending time with her was… surprisingly fun.

Who would've thought I'd be bonding with people who were once just fictional characters—ones I only saw or read about in my previous life?

"There's a local festival during Golden Week," she said softly. "A day or two before we'll be sent on that mission in Kyoto…"

She paused.

"Do you want to…"

"…spend that day with me… again?" she finished.

Her words felt genuine. I could tell.

I could see through all lies—she wasn't Makima, so it wasn't impossible.

She was being honest.

"Will I get to see you in a kimono?" I asked, my tone carrying a hint of something more.

She smiled. Her cheeks blushed.

"If that's what you want…"

We didn't say anything for a few minutes, just enjoying the moment for what it was.

"You know… when I imagined living a normal life… I never thought a day like this would feel this good."

"You're a really fun guy to spend the day with, Aleks-kun."

She confessed whatever was in her heart.

I got up from her lap, still grasping the depth of her heartfelt words.

She hadn't said I love you yet… but I knew for certain she liked me.

And I…

I didn't want her gone from my life.

Even if Makima was the one I'd have to fight… so be it.

"Reze," I called her name, my voice soft.

She looked at me and tilted her head with that familiar smile. "What is it, Aleks-kun?"

I let my hands slip around her waist and pulled her gently on top of me.

Our faces were just inches apart.

"Tell me… are you really sure you want to be with me? Even if it means making an enemy out of Makima?" I finally asked.

"I'm not afraid of Miss Makima," she replied, her voice soft yet laced with quiet determination. "Even if I have to fight… I won't yield without giving it my all. I want this, Aleks-kun~"

"So be it… there's no going back now. Whatever happens… we'll face it together."

With that said, I closed the distance between us.

Our lips met.

A tender, quiet kiss.

She hugged me and deepened the kiss, holding me like she never wanted to let go.

And I hugged her back.

In that moment…

I didn't want to let go either.

***

Meanwhile, in Makima's penthouse…

She sat up on her bed, eyes drifting toward the clock.

"…He's late," she said, almost to herself. Her voice calm. Controlled.

With unknown means she traced his location.

Found him.

With Reze. Perhaps on a date.

Her expression didn't change. There was no frown, no smile or anger. Just a long, silent stare.

"So, you've forgotten your place, Reze…"

Her fingers curled slightly as she stood.

"…bonding with what doesn't belong to you."

"How…disappointing."

She turned her gaze to the window, looking out into the city.

"Live while you still can."

"When the time comes… you won't get the chance to scream."

"…after all, corpses don't talk."