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“Hey, Sara,” Shinobu says. “Do you want to get dinner sometime?”
“We get dinner all the time,” Sara says, blinking in confusion. “Of course I do.”
“No, I meant…” Shinobu sighs. “Well… as a date.”
Sara finds herself at a loss for words.
A date? With Shinobu?
It’s not an idea she’s ever considered before. Dating and romance in general haven’t really been relevant to her, and while she’s occasionally felt her loneliness intensify when she sees obviously-happy couples, it’s never really felt like a desire to have that kind of relationship herself.
But… the idea isn’t an unpleasant one. A little scary, yes — what if it doesn’t work out? Sara knows nothing about dating. She can’t possibly be a good date, let alone a good girlfriend…
Which is another thing. Does Shinobu want to make it a more permanent arrangement? For their meet-ups to have connotations beyond friendship? Is this just a one-time thing or is Shinobu actually… interested in her?
…Shinobu had given Sara her Vision, and told her it was so that she wouldn’t be causing Sara any trouble. That…
Given what Sara now knows about losing a Vision, that can’t be something one does for ‘just a friend,’ surely…
“It’s okay if you don’t,” Shinobu says, her voice unusually awkward. “I know it’d be a big change. We can just continue on like normal…”
“I want to,” Sara blurts out, before she can change her mind.
She doesn’t want Shinobu to get the wrong idea. It’s not something Sara has considered before, but that doesn’t mean she’s not interested in trying. She doesn’t know what she’s doing, but…
Surely Shinobu knows that. She wouldn’t have asked the question without awareness of what she was asking. And Sara… Sara can do her best to not only match but surpass anything Shinobu might expect from her.
“Oh, good,” Shinobu sighs, a relieved smile breaking across her face. “For a moment there I was afraid I might have really screwed up.”
“No,” Sara promises, shaking her head forcefully. “I just needed a second. I hadn’t expected… But I would like to. Truly.”
“I’m glad,” Shinobu says. “So… how about next Tuesday? At Uyuu Restaurant — my treat this time.”
“That sounds fine with me,” Sara accepts.
“It’s a date, then,” Shinobu says. “I’ll see you soon!”
Sara dazedly returns Shinobu’s wave as her friend departs. A date…
Oh no.
A date.
Sara practically flees back home to the Kujou compound. There’s advice she needs.
“What’s the emergency?” her oldest brother, Masahito, asks. “It’s rare to see you this flustered, sister.”
“If there’s anything we can do, we will,” her middle brother Kamaji promises.
It would be difficult to call Kujou Sara and her brothers close. She’s always felt a little nervous about imposing too much on them, and with the clear gap in how their father looked at them when compared to her she hadn’t wanted to step on any toes.
But she has no idea who else she can turn to for this.
“How do I… go on a date?” Kujou Sara asks. “I’ve got no idea what I’m supposed to do.”
The surprise on her brothers’ faces is probably not a good sign, she reflects.
“First,” Masahito begins, recovering more quickly than Kamaji. “Did you ask them on a date, did they ask you, or are you trying to prepare for asking someone? And who are they?”
“If he’s from the Tenryou Commission… you’ll probably have to look at the workplace regulations,” Kamaji follows up. “They can be a little strict about what’s appropriate, depending on your respective positions… and, well, you’re a general. You’re pretty restricted.”
“She,” Kujou Sara emphasizes, “is Kuki Shinobu, my… best friend. She’s not part of the Tenryou Commission, and she asked me today.”
Kamaji blinks in seeming surprise, but Masahito just nods as if he’d expected that.
“And did she have a date location in mind?” Masahito asks.
“Uyuu Restaurant,” Kujou Sara supplies.
“You’ll need some nice clothes, then,” Masahito murmurs, eyes half-closing in thought. “Or… no. No, this is you… I think she would prefer you go as yourself. Dressing up isn’t really your style, is it?”
The tengu shrugs awkwardly. It’s true — she’s really not sure how to dress up nicely, and isn’t sure how comfortable she could ever be in clothes that aren’t easy to fight in. Sometimes she sees a nice kimono and longs to try it on, but…
She doesn’t know if she’s ready for that.
“Are you sure?” Kamaji asks. “I would think she’d like to see sister putting in some effort with her appearance…”
“Is she the type to care about that?” Masahito asks, raising an eyebrow. “If she’s our sister’s best friend, I highly doubt it.”
“…She’s not, I think.” Kujou Sara confirms softly. “She’s… direct. Easy to talk to.”
“I’m glad,” Masahito says, eyes soft.
“You should probably at least bring her flowers,” Kamaji suggests. “And probably offer to pay. Girls like that.”
The exasperated, half-disgusted look Masahito gives Kamaji tells Kujou Sara all she needs to know about that suggestion, especially in light of the fact that…
“She said she was going to pay,” Kujou Sara admits.
“It’s much more reasonable to trade off between dates, or split the bill,” Masahito says, nodding. “A relationship should be a meeting of equals. I keep trying to tell Kamaji that he needs to rethink his approach to his relationship or it’s going to get him in trouble one of these days, but, well…” He shrugs. “He’s a little stubborn, runs in the family. The Lady Guuji once told me that we Kujou are a bunch of blockheads, and I don’t think she was wrong at all.”
Kujou Sara snorts. That does sound like something that Lady Yae would say. The kitsune doesn’t tend to mince words, and she’s gotten the impression that the elder youkai’s distate for the Kujou clan extends far beyond just Kujou Sara herself.
“So is there… no advice you can give me, then?” Kujou Sara asks somewhat desperately.
“It’s entirely cliche,” Masahito says. “But the best advice for you, on this date, with someone as direct as yourself, really is ‘just be yourself.’ It’s honestly not always perfect advice — relationships require the ability to compromise with your partner or partners and learn to be better for them, as well as yourself. But for a first date, with someone who knows you so well and chose to ask you out… I don’t think she’s expecting or wanting a date with anyone but ‘Sara.’ It may be a little awkward, but if you let yourself relax, I’m sure you’ll have a great time. Trying to be the perfect date partner would just ensure neither of you enjoy yourselves.”
“…I’ll do my best,” Kujou Sara whispers.
Masahito puts his hand on her head and ruffles her hair gently.
“I’m sure you will,” he says. “And we’re always here for you if there’s anything we can do… even if Kamaji is an idiot.”
“Hey!” Kamaji protests, though there’s no heat in his voice. “I’m the one who’s actually dating someone!”
“There are things one can only notice by observation,” Masahito counters simply. “I may not have any interest in such relationships, but I’ve seen many that were both successful and unsuccessful from a front-row seat. You, dear brother, have had all of a single relationship, and it’s been almost entirely conducted by letter with a girl on the other side of the island.”
Kujou Sara can’t help it — she laughs at the exaggerated pout on Kamaji’s face. Her brothers both smile fondly at her, and she can’t help the warmth in her chest.
If this is what family is supposed to feel like… then maybe Kujou Sara isn’t quite as alone as she’d thought.
Kujou Sara doesn’t think Shinobu would care too much about flowers, but that doesn’t mean that Kamaji’s suggestion of a gift was a bad one.
Unfortunately, she’s not quite sure what would be a good date gift for Shinobu, which brings her to her current… predicament.
“’Course I’ll help!” Arataki Itto laughs, slapping her heartily on the back. “Gotta make sure Shinobu gets a great date, right? And hey, maybe when we’re done shopping we can finally have that re—”
“If the date goes well and she likes the gift we pick,” Kujou Sara emphasizes, “then I will happily engage you in an onikabuto battle as a rematch, but I will not agree to street-corner sumo.”
“Good enough!” Itto cheers. “So, the first thing ya gotta know about pickin’ out gifts for Shinobu is that she likes simple, useful stuff, but she also likes it when it makes her feel like a member of the family. The boys and I got her a ‘#1 Sis’ shirt a few months back and she’s been usin’ it for her pajamas every night since.”
“I… do not feel for her as a sister,” Kujou Sara says awkwardly. “Giving her a gift that suggests my feelings for her are familial would likely send the wrong message.”
“Well, obviously!” Itto cackles. “That’s why I was thinkin’ something like this!”
He plucks an item off of a nearby display and brandishes it proudly, his loudness and his exaggerated motions drawing the attention of everyone in the area.
Kujou Sara feels a strong urge to melt into the ground.
“Itto,” she manages with a calmness she most certainly does not feel, “Shinobu and I are not yet at a stage in our relationship where a gift of… lingerie… is appropriate.”
“…Huh,” Itto mumbles, stroking his chin. “Guess Genta was wrong. He said he’d heard Shinobu mumblin’ your name in her sleep a lot, so I thought…”
Kujou Sara resists the urge to whimper, but she can’t help the burning in her cheeks.
“Well, all right then,” Itto says, shrugging and tossing the… item… he had been holding back onto the table. “In that case…”
Kujou Sara is given a whirlwind tour of Hanamizaka’s shops, and finds herself vetoing more suggestions than she seriously considers. She somehow doubts Shinobu has any use for an onikabuto grooming kit, let alone any of the more childish options like pinwheels or playing cards.
“I appreciate your help, but I’m not certain we’re getting anywhere,” Kujou Sara murmurs.
She’s not sure what she expected from Arataki Itto, exactly, given the man’s notoriously empty head, but… she can at least tell that he’s been earnestly doing his best to help, and she is grateful for that.
“Yeah, none of these have really screamed ‘Shinobu,’” Itto admits, rubbing his chin. “And none of ’em are really the kind of thing you’d get either, huh…”
He closes his eyes and continues to stroke his chin. He likely intends to look thoughtful, but the end result is somewhat ridiculous.
Still, Kujou Sara is content to wait and take a moment to catch her breath. Tengu stamina is far beyond human, but oni stamina is more impressive yet, and Itto has been dragging her around all day with impressively single-minded focus.
“Oh…” Itto breathes. “Oh, yeah. I dunno why I didn’t think of it before. C’mon, this way.”
Kujou Sara follows Itto through a winding series of back alleys, wondering where exactly he could possibly be taking her. The thought that she’s being led into an ambush briefly enters her mind, but she dismisses it — if there’s one thing Arataki Itto is, it’s honorable… in his own idiotic way, anyway. An ambush is not his style, and if they encounter one they’ll be facing it together.
There aren’t many people in these backstreets, but… Kujou Sara notices an unusual trend among them. While their population in Inazuma has grown increasingly small over the years…
Almost everyone she sees here is a youkai.
What they eventually reach is a small street stall. The woman who seems to be running it has slitted eyes, cat ears, and two long tails.
“Hey, Miss Nekomata!” Itto calls as they approach. “I brought you a customer!”
“So you did, Mister Oni,” the woman acknowledges, eyeing Kujou Sara curiously. “We youkai are a rare thing these days… it’s nice to see that one of us has achieved a high station. Welcome, Miss Tengu. If it’s genuine youkai-crafted goods you seek, there’s no better shop in Inazuma City than mine. Please, take your time in looking… unless you know what it is that you seek?”
“She’s about to go on her first date with my lil sis,” Itto explains, clapping a hand on Kujou Sara’s shoulder. “She wanted a good gift.”
“With little Shinobu, hmm?” Miss Nekomata asks. “Well, well. Let’s see… What do I have for a date gift…”
Kujou Sara watches as the youkai’s eyes slip shut, tails dancing.
“Ahhh, yes…” Miss Nekomata murmurs. “I know. Please, cousins, give me a moment.”
“Please take your time,” Kujou Sara says, bowing.
She has a better feeling about this woman’s taste than Itto’s, at least.
It’s not long before Miss Nekomata returns, carefully cradling something in her hands. It’s a beautiful tengu fan, though smaller than any that Kujou Sara has ever seen before — more of an ornament than anything for real use, though it could likely be used to cool oneself.
“This is something I’ve had in the back for… oh, must have been a few decades,” Miss Nekomata explains. “A tengu courting gift. I’d always hoped to see it used for its proper purpose, so I haven’t had it on display… What do you think, are you interested?”
“Very,” Kujou Sara breathes, gazing at the fan longingly. “How much does it cost?”
Surely such a thing must be expensive. Tengu are rare, so it can’t be easily replaced, and it’s of such fine quality.
“Between the first-time customer discount, the family discount, and the discount for putting it to good use…” Miss Nekomata muses, tilting her head in thought. A wicked smile that reminds Kujou Sara uncomfortably of Guuji Yae spreads across the woman’s face. “Free of charge, Miss Tengu.”
“I-I couldn’t possibly—” Kujou Sara begins to protest, but Itto clamps a hand over her mouth.
“Thanks Miss Nekomata!” Itto says. “She’s super grateful and stuff! Could ya give it the gift wrap treatment?”
“Of course, Mister Oni,” Miss Nekomata agrees, smile somehow growing even more amused. “If you’ll give me one moment.”
Kujou Sara watches as the youkai rapidly packages and wraps the fan, and accepts the box with unusually shaky hands.
“Good luck with your date, Miss Tengu,” Miss Nekomata says. “I hope to see you again.”
“Thank you,” Kujou Sara manages, bowing deeply. “I will certainly return.”
As she and Itto depart, she can’t help but gaze down at the package in her hands.
“…You have my gratitude,” Kujou Sara murmurs. “I didn’t even know that this place… existed.”
“I only found it myself a few years back, thanks to Yoimiya,” Itto admits. “We youkai… a lotta us can’t really make it too well out in human society, so they built up their lives back here. Shinobu’s visited with me a few times, but I think the only human who really knows too much about this place is Yoimiya… they love her back here just as much as they do over on the human side. Ugh, even the kids here like her better than me… I’m the youkai, not her!”
Kujou Sara can’t help but laugh at Itto’s pout. His fondness for children — and lack of understanding of how to play with them — are known even to her.
“Are you sure she’s not a youkai?” Kujou Sara asks jokingly. “I could believe she was a firework spirit of some kind, with how impossible her displays are…”
Itto’s jaw drops.
“I bet you’re right!” he gasps. “She’s been hiding it from me all this time… That sneaky woman! I’ll show her what’s what — a youkai-to-youkai challenge, her youkai power against mine!”
Kujou Sara laughs and pats Itto on the shoulder.
“Good luck with that,” she says.
While she’s certain that Naganohara Yoimiya is a human, she wouldn’t put it past the woman to somehow emerge victorious in a contest of youkai power… especially if her opponent is Itto. Underestimating Naganohara, she’s found, ends badly for everyone except Naganohara herself.
“…You don’t think I’ll win either, huh,” Itto sighs, shoulders dropping. “I never beat her at anything…”
From what Kujou Sara has heard from Shinobu, she doesn’t think Itto beats almost anyone at anything — at best he occasionally defeats children. Still, he did her a big favor today, so…
“She’s a difficult opponent,” Kujou Sara says honestly. “I don’t think losing to her is anything to be ashamed of.”
“Yeah, that’s true!” Itto says, perking up. “I—”
He pauses, squinting into the distance.
“Oh crap, I gotta go or I’ll be late to a Genius Invokation tournament!” he yelps. “Good luck with your date gotta run bye!”
Kujou Sara watches in bemusement as the oni speeds off, then shrugs and begins the walk home.
It’d be going a little far (and be unrealistically optimistic) for her to hope he wins his tournament, but…
She hopes he at least doesn’t place dead last this time.
Tuesday comes all too fast, and Sara finds herself fidgeting nervously outside Uyuu Restaurant, waiting for Shinobu to arrive. She’s nearly an hour early, so it’s entirely her fault that she’s got a wait ahead of her, but…
“I knew you’d be early,” a voice murmurs in her ear. “Sorry that I wasn’t here yet, Itto held me up a little. He couldn’t stop crying about my first date, even all of the boys couldn’t pry him off of me. Akira had to run and get Yoimiya to pull him off.”
Sara laughs as she turns to face Shinobu — she can picture the scene all too easily. Itto, as much of a headache as he can be, clearly loves the members of his ‘gang’ dearly.
“It’s okay,” Sara says. “I was far too early. That you’re here now at all…”
It really does go to show how well Shinobu knows her, and underscores what Masahito had told her. She finds herself relaxing — she may not know how to go on a date, but she knows how to enjoy a quiet meal with Shinobu.
If that’s all she has to do… this dating thing might not be so hard after all.
“I got something for you,” Sara says, slipping the gift out of the Vision-space she’d stored it in and offering it to Shinobu.
“Oh?” Shinobu asks, eyes widening. She’s foregone her mask today, so Sara can see the pleased smile on her lips. “Let’s see, then.”
Sara watches nervously as Shinobu unwraps and opens the box.
“Oh, Sara…” Shinobu breathes. “This is beautiful.”
“It’s a tengu courting gift,” Sara explains awkwardly. “I hope it’s not… excessive.”
“No,” Shinobu disagrees. “Not at all. This is… Oh, Sara. It’s perfect. I’ll treasure it.”
Shinobu stores it away safely, then gives Sara a tight hug, pinning the tengu’s arms to her sides.
“We’re early for our reservation, but I doubt Okazaki will mind,” Shinobu whispers. “Let’s just head in.”
When Sara nods, Shinobu releases her from the hug and wraps both of her arms around one of Sara’s, pressing herself against the tengu’s side.
The sensation is… nice. Sara can feel herself blushing, but keeps her head high as they enter the restaurant.
“Oh, Shinobu!” Okazaki Rikuto calls as they enter. “And Madam Kujou. You’re a little early, but don’t worry — I made sure to keep a room reserved for you just in case. We wouldn’t want anyone’s meal running long to have caused a problem, would we? Especially not today.”
The man’s boisterous laughter is infectious, and even Sara can’t help a light chuckle.
“I’ll show you to your room,” Okazaki Erika offers. “Please, follow me.”
The walk upstairs to the room is a short one, and Erika quickly departs with a promise to return with some water for them shortly while they consider what they would like to order.
“…Do the Okazakis know it’s a date?” Sara asks. “With what the owner said…”
“Yeah, they know,” Shinobu says casually. “When I was making the reservation I asked him to make sure to give us the best sake he has, and he was curious about the occasion.”
Sara ducks her head, cheeks burning. She doesn’t mind the Okazakis knowing, and Shinobu would certainly have been aware of that… but having her personal life known even by those she has friendly relations with like the kind couple is still a little embarrassing.
“How has everything been with the gang?” Sara asks, redirecting the subject.
“Oh, same as ever,” Shinobu laughs. “Itto’s a clown, the boys are only a little better… Akira seems convinced that you and I will be getting married soon and keeps reminding me that I need to get the preparation started immediately if I don’t want to run into trouble securing a venue.”
“Marriage is… a little premature, I think,” Sara says weakly. She freezes. “Not that I don’t like the idea! But—”
“But this is our first date, yeah,” Shinobu agrees. “We’re great friends, but that doesn’t necessarily mean we’ll make great lovers. I hope it does, though.”
“…Me too,” Sara admits. “But even if we don’t, then…”
She looks down at the table. She’s heard stories of how friendships can be destroyed by failed attempts at dating, but… surely that couldn’t happen with them?
“We’ll stay best friends no matter what,” Shinobu promises, reaching across the table to take Sara’s hand. “Whether we’re best friends and girlfriends, or just best friends… You can’t get rid of me that easily, bird.”
Sara returns Shinobu’s smile, heart fluttering.
A light knock on the door to the room draws their attention.
“Come in,” Sara calls.
Erika enters with a pair of glasses, which she sets in front of them.
“Do you need more time to decide on your orders, dear customers?” she asks.
“I think I know if you do,” Shinobu says, glancing at Sara.
“I do,” Sara agrees.
“Then if you could start?” Erika prompts.
“I’ll have the oyakodon, please,” Sara requests.
“And I’ll take the beef ramen,” Shinobu says.
“We’ll have those out as swiftly as we can,” Erika promises, departing with a bow.
“It’s nice eating out without Itto sometimes,” Shinobu says, laughing. “The look he gives me any time I order beef… It’s not even like he doesn’t eat it himself, but any time someone eats it around him it’s like he thinks we’re going to decide we want to eat Ushi.”
Sara laughs, shaking her head.
“That does seem a little ridiculous,” she agrees.
“Right?” Shinobu asks. “So yeah, things with the boys are going great as always. How about you? Anything new since last week?”
“…My brothers and I spoke a little, and I… think we may be able to get along a little better than I had once believed,” Sara says softly. “I think I would like to try to be a family, now that… Takayuki is no longer around.”
Her feelings about the clan head are a bitter mixture of gratitude, hatred, and regret. Knowing he’s in prison now gives her little comfort.
“…I also may have agreed to an onikabuto battle with Itto if this date goes well,” Sara admits.
Shinobu snorts out a laugh and pats Sara’s hand.
“I promise I’ll cheer for you,” she says. “Because that battle is definitely happening.”
Sara smiles back. She’s been getting that feeling too.
Their food arrives and they dig in. It’s delicious as always.
“I’ve been thinking,” Sara says. “Now that Takayuki isn’t Tenryou Commissioner anymore, and after… what Kamisato revealed about the fire brigade… I want to put a stop to the lingering corruption for real, but I can’t do it alone. I know you don’t want to work for the Tenryou Commission full-time, and… at this point I can hardly disagree with your assessment that it’s unworthy of your loyalty, but… If you’re willing, I would like to temporarily hire you for longer hours and more significant work. Your skills would be extremely helpful, and…” She heaves a sigh. “…I could use the moral support, given the only other person I’m likely to be able to tap for this is… Shikanoin.”
Sara has a great deal of repect for Shikanoin Heizou’s skill as a detective, but she finds his personality and irreverent attitude towards his job remarkably difficult to deal with.
“You’re right, the Tenryou Commission isn’t worthy of my loyalty, even now,” Shinobu agrees, nodding. “And if the Tenryou Commission were to ask me something like that, I would refuse.”
Sara’s heart sinks, and her gaze drops to the table. She knew it was a long shot, but…
She feels Shinobu take her hand between hers, and her eyes flicker back up to find her friend smiling softly at her.
“But it’s not the Tenryou Commission who asked me,” Shinobu says gently. “It’s you, Sara. And you, who try so hard, are more worthy of my loyalty than anyone else could ever be. Of course I’ll help you.”
Sara can’t help the tears that drip down her cheeks, but Shinobu brushes them away with gentle fingers.
“Thank you,” Sara whispers.
“Always,” Shinobu replies, just as quietly.
They finish the rest of the meal alternating between comfortable silence and quiet discussion of the latest books they’ve been reading. Sara’s taste is more in the direction of historical nonfiction, while Shinobu prefers manuals to learn new skills and improve those she already has, but both have found a great deal of enjoyment in checking out each other’s recommendations in the past.
It’s… nice. It’s not really any different from any of the other dinners they’ve had (the quality of the sake aside), but…
Sara likes that. It underscores that dating doesn’t mean that the comfortable relationship they have needs to change, it will just… have a little more to it, and previously-unspoken feelings can now be acknowledged.
It’s everything she could have wanted, really.
After their meal is complete and Shinobu has paid, they step out of the restaurant into the warm evening air.
“I… had a really good time,” Shinobu says softly. “If you wouldn’t mind… I’d like our meetings to be dates more often, from now on.”
“I enjoyed it too,” Sara replies, voice just as soft. “And I would love that.”
Shinobu smiles at her, steps closer, and, ever so slowly…
Leans in.
Sara remains still, eyes wide and cheeks reddening, but… she doesn’t want to pull away.
Shinobu’s lips press gently against her cheek, and Sara thinks her heart has never beaten so fast in her life.
“I love you, Sara,” Shinobu whispers. “You really are so good. Having you all to myself like this is nice, but… I hope the whole world can see that soon.”
“I—” Sara begins, but the words feel like they’re choking her.
“Shhh,” Shinobu says, placing a gentle finger on Sara’s lips. “Only when you’re ready.”
Sara nods shakily.
“Want to take a walk? We don’t have to part just yet,” Shinobu suggests.
“Yes,” Sara agrees immediately. “I would like that.”
As Shinobu attaches herself to Sara’s side again, and they enjoy the quiet feeling of being together…
Sara thinks that this may have been the most correct decision she’s ever made.