Chapter Text
Laverre’s soft purple eyes slowly opened as she woke from another dream.
They’d been coming more often lately, ever since she’d taken on the role of Lavender Tea, the magical girl protector of the aptly named Dreamland. In the real world, she was nothing so special. Just another ordinary shut-in too afraid to face the world. She knew it was grating on her mother’s nerves, but she couldn’t help it. Escaping the real world through dreams was easier than facing the hardships outside her front door.
Today was different though. While Laverre enjoyed sleeping more than the average girl, she had other hobbies too. With her allowance her mother graciously gifted her with, she would buy manga and games. Sometimes VHS tapes or figures. Anything to spruce up her already cluttered room.
The new volume of Sleepy Time Princess Rammy had just come out, and Laverre absolutely had to get her hands on it. It felt all the more fitting now that she was a dreamy heroine in her own right.
She put on an over-sized top and some leggings, covering it all with a massive hoodie. She then brushed out her blonde curls into two twin tails. Only then did she take a look at herself in the mirror. She was short and simple. Frustratingly plain. She missed the dyed lavender strands her magical girl self took and wondered briefly if she should consider dying her hair. It wasn’t a bad idea, but entirely too much effort to go through alone. Maybe another time.
This is as good as it gets, she wearily told herself as she grabbed her purse.
She could hear her mother downstairs in the kitchen. The older woman peered her head out the doorframe as she heard her grown daughter descend the stairs.
“Going out for a change, Lavi? Try to put a job application or two in while you’re out.”
Laverre tried to smile, but it was more like a grimace. She knew she was well past old enough to get a job. She was already in her twenties. But facing the real world put too much weight on her shoulders. She wasn’t ready. Not yet. Maybe not ever.
“I’ll do my best,” came her noncommittal answer.
“See that you do.”
Still, from the sigh that followed her mother’s words, Laverre knew the woman didn’t have much hope for her.
She followed the familiar city streets down to the local anime shop. They carried more than just manga and anime. They had figures, CDs, and even some games when the time was right. But today, Laverre was here on a mission. She just wanted to get her manga and get home before she had to talk to anyone.
Luckily, she knew the store by heart. She followed the familiar paths of shelves to the section she was looking for. Her pale purple eyes found the exact spot where her manga lay, almost out of reach.
She stood on the tips of her toes and reached. Her fingertips brushed the spine of the book.
But something else brushed against her.
She recoiled her hand in shock. She stared down at her hand, then at the man who stood next to her. He was taller than she was, but far from the tallest man she’d ever seen before. He was heavyset, but well-groomed with a short brunette beard and shoulder-length brunette hair. A few strands to the right of his face were dyed a surprising bubblegum pink. He wore a shirt that read “Fight Like A Magical Girl” and some comfortable jeans.
He offered her a bright, sheepish smile. “Sorry about that. I was so focused on getting the next volume, I didn’t see you there.”
Laverre’s cheeks flushed crimson as she looked away. “No, you’re fine. I should have been paying more attention.”
“Let’s just say none of us were at fault then.” He reached up and grabbed two copies of the same manga, before offering one to Laverre. “Here. This is what you wanted, right?”
She took the book and held it close to her chest. There was a strange, floating feeling there, almost like she was dreaming. What was up with that? Gratitude, perhaps? Laverre was hesitant to give it that name, though.
“Thank you. I guess you came to get a copy as soon as possible too?”
He laughed - a loud, boisterous sound that Laverre found surprisingly calming. “You got me pinned there. I’ve always been really into magical girls. Looking cute but kicking butt, you know?”
Laverre nodded eagerly. “That’s exactly how I feel. I wish I could be as strong as they were.”
The corners of his lips tugged in a small smile. “I bet you’re stronger than you look.”
She laughed nervously. “I highly doubt that.”
To her surprise, the man reached out a hand to her. “I’m Kamil, by the way.”
She gently took his hand and shook it. “Laverre. My friends call me Lavi, though.” Well, more like her mom. But that was too embarrassing to say aloud.
“Lavi, huh?” he repeated, his smile growing. “A cute name for a cute girl.”
The blush coloring Laverre’s cheeks deepened as she felt her face grow warm. No one had ever called her cute before. Simple, yes. Plain. Unassuming. Boring. But never cute. It was a pleasant change. She liked it.
“Kamil’s a nice name too.”
She held the book close to her chest as he lowered his free hand to slide into the pocket of his jeans. He took just a moment to check his watch, then frowned. Laverre hesitated. Had she taken up too much of his time?
As if sensing her thoughts, he met her eyes again and smiled. Only then did she realize the beautiful hazel shade of his eyes. He wasn’t the type of guy she usually fawned over, but he also wasn’t 2D like them. He was something different. Something pleasant.
“Sorry. I’d love to chat longer, but I need to get going. I’ve got a date with some friends I can’t really pass up.”
Laverre's lips trembled but she forced herself to keep smiling. This was just a passing moment. Nothing she should get used to.
“I understand. It was nice meeting you.”
He hesitated, then swallowed hard. “I’d like to meet again sometime. When are you free next?”
Purple eyes widened. Was this really happening? Was she being asked on a date? She’d be lying if she said she wasn’t at least a little curious about Kamil too. Her Dreamland mascot Yume kept saying she needed to branch out more and try new things. Maybe this counted. She hoped it did.
“I’m free pretty much whenever,” she admitted. “When works for you?”
“How about next Tuesday around 2 PM? There’s a cute cafe and bookstore near here where we could chat about manga. Does that sound good?”
Laverre tried not to be too eager as she nodded. “That sounds great. I’ll see you then.”
“I can’t wait. Stay safe ‘til then, Lavi.”
Her heart was still racing as he excused himself to pay for his book. By the time she’d thought to do the same, he was already gone.
But this wouldn’t be the last time they met.
Next Tuesday at 2, huh?
She was already counting the hours. She couldn’t wait to tell Yume the next time she drifted off to Dreamland.