The cinema was packed as Aoi and Mia stepped inside, the scent of buttered popcorn filling the air. Couples filled the lobby, leaning into each other, laughing softly, completely lost in their own world. Aoi suddenly felt out of place, his hands shoved deep into his pockets as he awkwardly glanced around.
Maybe this was a bad idea. He wasn't used to this—to dates, to being out at night instead of buried in work or eating instant noodles alone in his apartment.
Before he could dwell on it too much, he felt a soft hand slip into his.
Aoi stiffened. His heart nearly jumped out of his chest.
"The cinema is really crowded tonight," Mia said lightly, tilting her head up at him. "We should hold hands so we don't get separated."
Aoi swallowed hard, his face burning. He glanced away, pretending to study the menu above the concession stand.
"Okay," he muttered, barely getting the word out.
Mia's grip was warm, gentle—but it completely threw him off. He had held hands with girls before, but this felt... different.
Maybe because it had been so long. Or maybe because he wasn't sure where he stood with Mia yet. She was bold, confident, and so persistent it made his head spin.
Mia led him toward the ticket counter, pulling out her purse.
"I'll get the tickets," she said, already reaching for her card.
Before she could pay, Aoi instinctively stepped forward, pulling out his own wallet and scanning his card instead.
Mia blinked at him in surprise.
"I can't let a nineteen-year-old girl pay for me," Aoi said, his voice softer than he expected.
There was something else too—something unfamiliar curling in his chest. Satisfaction? Pride? He wasn't sure, but for some reason, he wanted to take care of her, even in this small way.
After getting their tickets, they moved toward the concession stand. Aoi hesitated for a moment, glancing at the menu.
"Uh... do you want popcorn?"
Mia grinned. "Of course."
Aoi nodded quickly, turning to the cashier. "One large popcorn and two colas."
Mia raised an eyebrow. "You're paying for this too?"
Aoi scratched the back of his head. "I, uh... yeah. Just—just take it."
Mia just shook her head, clearly amused, but didn't argue.
With snacks in hand, they walked toward the theatre. Aoi felt weirdly... content. Maybe even happy. It was strange—he had gone so long feeling like something was missing, but tonight, that emptiness wasn't as noticeable.
Maybe it was just because he wasn't alone.
Or maybe it was something else entirely.
…
The movie had barely started when Mia already regretted her choice. She despised romance movies, but she had picked this one for the sake of the date. She was sure there would be at least one dramatic, passionate kiss—after all, it was a romance movie. And when that moment happened, she would make her move.
Minutes crawled by, feeling like hours. Mia shifted in her seat, growing impatient. Her foot tapped against the floor, her fingers played with the hem of her dress. But no kiss scene came. Just slow-burning dialogue, stolen glances, and lingering touches—exactly the kind of romance she found utterly dull.
Aoi noticed her fidgeting from the corner of his eye but said nothing. He wasn't sure what he was supposed to do. Was she uncomfortable? Bored? He hadn't been on a date in so long, he wasn't even sure if he should say something. Instead, he focused on his cola, taking small sips just to keep his hands occupied.
Then, without warning, Mia's movements stopped.
Aoi turned his head slightly, and his breath caught in his throat.
She had fallen asleep.
Her head rested against his shoulder, her body warm against his own.
Aoi stiffened, his muscles locking up. His mind scrambled for what to do. Should he wake her? Shift away? But the steady rhythm of her breathing, the way she seemed so at ease against him—it kept him frozen in place. It felt… nice. He had gotten so used to being alone that he had forgotten what it was like to have someone close.
So, he let her rest.
The movie played on, but Aoi barely paid attention anymore. He was hyper-aware of the weight of Mia against him, the soft scent of her perfume—a mix of something floral and faintly sweet. It was distracting, yet oddly comforting.
By the time Mia stirred awake, the credits were already rolling, and the theater had begun to empty.
Oh,shit!Ifellasleep! Mia's thoughts raced as she lifted her head, blinking groggily. But she wasn't done yet.
"Aoi?" she murmured, her voice thick with sleep.
He glanced down at her. "Good, you're awake."
Mia rubbed her eyes before giving him a soft smile. "Thank you for going out with me tonight."
Aoi opened his mouth to reply, but before he could get a word out, Mia leaned in and kissed him.
Aoi's entire body went rigid.
His brain short-circuited.
What…?
He could have pulled away—should have pulled away—but for some reason, he didn't. His hands, which had been resting on his lap, curled into fists. He wasn't even sure how to respond. His heart pounded violently in his chest, his pulse drumming in his ears.
It had been so long since he had kissed someone—so long since he had even thought about it.
Mia's lips were soft against his own, warm and unmoving. Neither of them closed their eyes, just staring at each other, their faces barely inches apart. His breath mixed with hers, the space between them feeling too small, too intimate.
Aoi felt like he had forgotten how to kiss. His mind was blank, his body frozen, unsure.
But Mia wasn't.
She guided him without words, her lips pressing, retreating, tilting just slightly—leading him into the rhythm. Press, retreat, tilt, breathe, repeat.
Aoi followed her movements hesitantly at first, then instinctively. His hands twitched, unsure where to place them. His heart wouldn't stop hammering, his body tensed with every second that passed.
Whatthehellam Idoing?
Suddenly, reality crashed back down on him.
Aoi pulled away, breathing hard.
"No… this is wrong," he muttered, running a hand through his hair as he tried to collect himself. His face was burning, his body tense, his mind a complete mess. "You're Haru's classmate. And you're nineteen."
Mia tilted her head, looking up at him with a sly smile.
"Then kiss me until I turn twenty."
Aoi stared at her, completely at a loss for words. His heart stuttered. His stomach twisted. He wasn't sure if he was more shocked by her boldness or by the fact that, deep down…
He wasn't sure if he wanted to say no.
Aoi's chest tightened, his mind a whirl of confusion. He wasn't sure what was happening anymore.
Aoi stood abruptly. "Let's go."
…
The drive back to her car was quiet, the only sound coming from the hum of the engine and the occasional passing traffic. Aoi's hands were tightly gripping the steering wheel, his knuckles white as he tried to focus on the road ahead. But Mia's presence beside him—her scent still lingering in the car—was a constant distraction, pulling his thoughts back to the kiss.
Aoi's heart was still racing. He could still feel the warmth of her lips on his, the soft pressure. There had been something almost overwhelming about it—something that felt both unfamiliar and far too intimate. He couldn't stop thinking about it, and it left him feeling conflicted. He hadn't wanted to kiss her, not really, but something inside him hadn't stopped him.
The discomfort was gnawing at him. The awkwardness of the entire situation hung in the air, and he couldn't shake it. He'd never been great with emotions—especially not when it came to relationships—and this whole evening felt like a puzzle he couldn't quite piece together.
Mia, on the other hand, felt utterly revolted by what had just happened. The kiss, the way Aoi had allowed it—it made her stomach churn. But she couldn't let it show. She had to stay composed, even though it was the last thing she felt. The kiss was supposed to be a tool, a necessary step, not something she was supposed to enjoy.
She'd kissed him, yes, but it hadn't been pleasant. Not at all. It wasn't the kiss itself—she'd planned it that way—but the fact that it had felt too real, too intimate. The warmth of his lips, the way their breaths had mixed, had felt far more personal than she wanted to admit. But she didn't care. She had to keep her focus.
Her mind quickly moved past the discomfort, her thoughts already on the bigger picture. The kiss wasn't for pleasure, it was a means to an end. And now she had to make sure Aoi didn't pull away, didn't let that awkwardness stop things from progressing. She had him now. He wouldn't back out.
Mia glanced over at Aoi from the corner of her eye. He was still tense, his gaze fixed ahead, his discomfort written all over his face. But that was fine. She was getting exactly what she needed. He was confused, yes, but that was just part of the plan. Soon enough, Aoi would realise that she was the one who could give him what he wanted—whether he liked it or not.
When they finally parked in front of her car, Mia couldn't help but feel a small sense of victory. The night had gone exactly as she'd hoped—awkward, uncomfortable, but effective.
She didn't let any of her disgust show. She had kissed him, and that was all that mattered.
The moment Aoi put the car in park, she turned to him, her lips curling into a satisfied, almost playful smile. "Age is just a number, Aoi. Don't forget that," she said, her voice light and airy, but there was a quiet triumph in her tone that Aoi couldn't hear.
Aoi glanced at her, his mind clearly still swirling with confusion, but he said nothing. He just stared ahead, lost in thought.
Mia took a deep breath, shaking off the lingering discomfort that had followed the kiss. The night had been awkward, but it was a necessary step. She opened the car door, ready to move forward.
She didn't turn back to look at Aoi. She didn't need to. She knew that he would follow the path she was leading him down. The discomfort, the awkwardness—it would all fade. Aoi was only a step away from realising what she wanted him to see.
With one final glance at him, Mia stepped out of the car, her heart pounding with excitement—not for the kiss, but for what was to come next.
As she walked toward her car, she felt a sense of triumph. Everything was going to plan.