Day 241

[from Sapporo Lilies]

I knock on Natsume's front door and wait. I'm not sure what to expect when she opens the door. I know this is our first date, but Natsume has never struck me as the type to get dressed up to the nines, to matter what the occasion. Sure enough, when she answers the door she's wearing a plain black T-shirt and jeans. I'm guessing this is as dressed up as she gets, and to be honest, it makes me feel a little silly for having worn a suit. This feeling is compounded a moment later when Natsume suddenly bursts out laughing.

“You're seriously wearing the suit?!” she exclaims. “I'm sorry, I didn't realize we were going to the opera or something!”

I scowl slightly. “We're not going to the opera,” I say. “We're just going on a normal date to this restaurant I know, and I figured that since it's our first date, I should dress the part.” [AUTHOR NOTE: Should I make wearing the suit a player option?]

“You're dressing for the wrong part!” says Natsume. “You look like you're off to another match! Come on, it's a date, for crying out loud! You should loosen up, have a little fun!”

“Well, that was the plan,” I say. “I just-”

“Oh, relax!” says Natsume. “Look, just… gimme your jacket and tie.”

“What?”

Natsume holds out her hand. “Come on, hand 'em over!” she says. “You'll look better without 'em, trust me.”

If the alternative is going home and changing, then I guess this is the better option. I take off my suit jacket and tie, as requested, and hand them over to Natsume. She then carelessly flings the garments over her shoulder into the hallway behind her, before slamming the front door shut and locking it behind her. “Alright,” she says. “Lead the way.”

“I've parked just over here,” I say, as I start to lead Natsume towards my car.

“We're taking your car?” she says. “Alright. What kinda car you drive? I bet it's something really boring.” She points at a white Toyota Prius parked on the pavement nearby. “Please tell me it's not the Prius.”

“It's not the Prius,” I tell her. “It's the one behind it.”

Natsume seems surprised to see the red Toyota MR2 parked behind the Prius. As I fish out my keys, her expression changes, and I can tell she's impressed by it. “I guess I had you pegged wrong,” she remarks. “Maybe you do have some style.”

“Of course I do,” I say. “I wore the suit, didn't I?” I unlock the car and climb into the driver's seat, and Natsume scoffs at my remark as she opens the passenger-side door.

“So, how far is it to the restaurant?” asks Natsume, as she climbs into the passenger's seat.

“Not that far,” I reply. “Maybe ten minutes.”

“Alright then,” says Natsume. “That gives us a little time to chat before we get there. You know, get to know each other better.”

“Isn't that what the date is for?” I ask.

“Uhh, news flash, genius: you're already on the date,” said Natsume. “And to be honest, you've been pretty shaky so far.”

This isn't good. We're not even at the restaurant and already I'm screwing things up. “Sorry,” I say as I pull away “I guess I'm a little out of practice. I haven't really dated since high school.”

Natsume just laughs it off. “Relax,” she says. “Your problem is, you're trying too hard. I mean, look at me. Do I look like the kinda girl who wants to be impressed by flashy suits and posh restaurants and stuff like that? Naaah. I'd be happy enough if you just took me to some dingy bar somewhere and we had a few beers and played pool. The important thing is that we have fun on this date. If a date's not fun, it's not a good date.”

“I guess so,” I say. “So… should we do that instead?”

“What, just go to a bar and get drunk?” repeats Natsume. She seems a little surprised that I had made the suggestion, but then she breaks out into a grin. “Sure. Sounds like more fun than some stuffy restaurant.”

“Alright then,” I say. “Change of plans. I assume you know where the good bars are?”

“Of course,” says Natsume. “There's one real close to here. Hang a right at the next set of lights and we'll be there before you can say “hangover”.”

“Oh, right, that reminds me,” I say, snapping back to serious mode. “As your manager-”

“Oh great, here we go,” Natsume interjects.

“-as your manager, it's my responsibility to tell you to take it easy tonight,” I say, turning on my indicator. “I wouldn't want you showing up for training tomorrow with a hangover. But as your date… let's just say you don't have to worry about that.”

“Alright!” says Natsume, as I take the right-hand turning as directed. “Let's go get hammered!”