Our Bonds

This might be a bad idea after all...

When I spoke to Zuihou yesterday about my promise with Rei and how I will be going on a date with her, she just kept quiet and walked away. Now, she wouldn't even respond to me.

Maybe I should have rejected her demands after all. Then again, it's too late since I'm already waiting for her.

"Hello. Did you wait long?" (Rei)

She is here. But why did she come from behind? Anyway,

"No. I technically just got here as weeellll..."

I can't believe my eyes. When I turned around to greet Rei, all I saw was a beautiful woman. She wore a silk blouse which exposes her shoulders and an elegant beige skirt with floral print. Her footwear was a pair of medium heels. A simple black hairpin held the fringe of her short, autumn-coloured hair to the right. Her eyelashes were neither too long nor too short. They were almost natural. Her lips resemble a rose bud, both in colour and in shape. Her cheeks were rosy and... and... I'm at a lost for words...

Who is this lady?

"Ehm... Who are you?"

"Geez! You are so mean. How can you not recognize her beloved colleague?!" (Rei)

Yep. That voice and behavior checks out with Rei's. It's still hard to believe this elegant lady is Rei.

"So? Don't you have anything to say to me?" (Rei)

Ah. I recognize this. The typical 'how is my outfit' scene.

"You look..."

Now I know why the male protagonists always stutters at this part. This is really embarrassing.

Alright. Deep breaths. It's not your first time praising a girl.

"You look beautiful."

"I-is that so?" (Rei)

Hmm? Not the reaction I was expecting. I thought she would be like 'Heehee. Of course I'm beautiful' that sort of thing. Not a normal, shy reaction. For a second, she looks cute.

"Shall we go?"

"Yeah! Let's go!" (Rei)

"...Grrr..." (???)

Huh? I thought I heard something growling behind me. Was it my imagination?

"What's wrong?" (Rei)

"Oh. Nothing."

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I think I'm starting to figure out what Rei's idea of a date is.

After we left our meeting point, we took the subway down to Kyoto. After which, we went around looking at famous landmarks like the Ginkaku-ji and Jinkaku-ji. We also went around visiting shrines and buddhist temples. This is really unexpected. It's as if she has never explored around Kyoto before, let alone go on a date.

Wait... I could be wrong but she should have some dating experience. Either she doesn't have any or...

"Rei,"

"Yes?" (Rei)

"You haven't been to Kyoto before?"

"Yep. I always wanted to explore Kyoto with someone but didn't have the chance. I know what you thinking, but my school went to Okinawa instead." (Rei)

"I see. But why are you so knowledgeable about this place despite being your first time?"

"I did my research. It's my first time seeing the Ginkaku-ji up close." (Rei)

Usually the guy is the one that takes the lead...

"So this is your idea of a date?"

"Is it... weird?" (Rei)

"No. It's surprisingly normal. I didn't expect you to be interested in the local stuff. I thought this was your first date."

"Of course not. I had a few partners back in highschool, but I ended up dumping them." (Rei)

"Not the other way round?"

"So mean. They weren't my type, okay? I tried dating some of them but I just couldn't feel anything. They were either too skinny or too forceful. I want a tall, strong guy who is gentle yet able to act when needed. I joined the military after graduation, hoping I could find a hunk of a man. I did, but in a moment of stupidity...well, you know the rest." (Rei)

"Then why pick me? I don't think I fit into any of that criteria."

"That was in highschool. When I joined the military, I got a little desperate." (Rei)

And you went and tried attack a young JSDF Sergent...

"I was still desperate even after that whole fiasco and father pulling me out of there. When I met you, I was expecting you to throw yourself at me after a few sweet words. Instead, I didn't know you already had a loli girlfriend back then. Seeing your relationship with Zuihou and the other shipgirls made me feel jealous. I thought to myself 'I want someone like that'. Caring, loving, strong, cute, loyal... Those became my conditions..." (Rei)

I see where this is going...

"Before you say anything else, I still can't accept your feelings. I'm sorry."

"I know. But to be honest, I want to feel loved for once. It's been so long..." (Rei)

Oh come on... Don't say it like that. That's one of my weaknesses.

I really don't know what to do. I always thought she was someone who will throw herself at any men. I mean, she did change quite a bit compared to when she first arrived here...

Argh... Forgive me, Zuihou. Just this once.

"Come on. I want to show you something."

I grabbed Rei's hand and pulled her along,

"Just going around and visiting landmarks is a bit boring. I know a place that's better."

"Eh? Oh, okay..." (Rei)

We took a train to Shimogyo ward, a place with quite a bit of everything. Shopping district, a few nice gardens, some museums, a couple of temples and shrines, even Nintendo come from this place. There is an aquarium but we ate not going to go there. I have enough aquarium dates. The place I wanted to bring Rei was to the top of the Kyoto tower.

"Wow! I can see the whole city!" (Rei)

"It's fascinating, right?"

"Yeah! I didn't know there was such a place. Why didn't you bring me here sooner?" (Rei)

"You were the one that dragged me around."

I wrapped my arm around Rei's shoulder and pulled her close.

"Just for today, I will be your lover."

"Eh?" (Rei)

Rei looked at me with a perplexed look.

"I will hold your hand, share crepes with you, go shopping with you, do the things you want to do..."

My face is burning up!

"But no kissing. I can do a lot of things for you but not that. Save your lips for someone willing to spend their life with you."

"Ufufu~ This is surprising. I didn't think you would do this for me."

"You said it yourself. You wanted to feel love. So... Yes. This is a trial session. I feel guilty for Zuihou, but you are part of my family. I will feel even worse if I don't make you happy."

"Admiral..." (Rei)

"Let me take the lead this time. I will make sure this date is fun for the both of us."

"U-uhm! I will leave it to you." (Rei)

Rei's face became red as she looked down.

I will make up with Zuihou afterwards. This still feels wrong.