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"Let's go on a date!"
Creek looked up from her would-be lunch, spotting a familiar gleam on Maruzensky's smile. One of excitement that she knew well whenever they went on drives.
"You mean, right now?" she questioned back, setting her chopsticks down on the tray. Around them, eyes began to gather at the sudden declaration. Mumbles and hushed voices, all focused on the table in the middle of the cafeteria.
Even those beside her, Oguri Cap and Inari One, were rendered speechless at Maruzensky's sudden arrival.
The entire room watched her nod, as if it was just her and Creek. "Of course. I got my keys ready, too. Just need my date to be all set and we can go."
"Uhm." Creek paused, looking down at her lunch. She was no stranger to Maruzensky's whims and impulsive decision. Her mind often embodied the way she drove, rapid and carefree. Creek loved that.
But Maruzensky was also a tease. Cheeky, more often than not. The hesitation in her lips was not out of suspicion, but more from simple confusion. Creek knew that today was Valentine's, she even had a pouch of chocolates just for Maruzen to give later today.
But, a date? She never thought of her to think of them as more than just friends. Kindred spirits at most.
"I would love to, Maruzen-" That was all she got out before Maruzensky pulled her to her feet, a spring in her step as the crowd began to erupt into sounds. Creek managed to grab her bag and push her lunch tray towards Oguri, a silent nod of gratitude blurred along with the rest of Tracen.
Maruzensky, quick as ever, led her to the academy's parking lot.
"You sure know how to make a scene," Creek remarked with a laugh, led by the arm towards Tata. "Usually it's me who asks to be invited out somewhere."
"Glad I took you by surprise then," Maruzensky quipped, separating from Creek towards the driver's side door. "Means today will be completely blind to you!"
Creek opened the doors, her body finding itself on the passenger side seat on reflex. At the corner of her vision, Maruzensky hummed, adjusting the rear view mirror before the key found its home within the ignition.
She watched without a word. Amidst the roar of Tata's engines and the dated disco music blaring from the center console, the air was devoid of their words. Maruzensky hummed to the beat, and Creek found herself swaying to the motions of the wind. Tata's turns on sharp corners, the unexpected brakes and blitzes.
Still, Creek wondered about the true nature behind Maruzensky's sudden invitation.
"Not that I would've said no, Maruzen, but why suddenly ask me on a date?" As she asked, Creek pondered in her own head. Pressured by the romantic day? Maruzensky wasn't the type to be swayed. A bet? She rarely found a situation where Maruzensky could lose.
It left her stumped. She regarded the situation, how it stupefied her on the true reason. She was sure that the cafeteria was left in a sudden flurry of gossip and speculation, but she would be in the same degree of confusion as her.
That was, of course, Creek entertained the possibility that Maruzensky had romantic intentions for her.
She shook the thought away. Surely, although they got along, Maruzen wouldn't think-
"I like you," her answer cut through the whirlwind of sounds and nearly made Creek's ears ring. Eyes widened, a disbelieving stare fully on the Uma focused on the road. "Duh."
Creek found herself clutching at the arm rest, suddenly aware her breath failed to catch. Heat soon followed, leaving her lightheaded. Thoughts garbled together, words stumbling between her lips as a mess of mumbles and why stammers. All the while, Maruzensky continued to drive, an easy smile on her face. She even seemed amused as Creek struggled.
Finally, Creek found her voice, managing a sole word. "W-What?"
Maruzensky gave a sidelong glance, a brow curling above teal hues. "Why the surprise?"
Creek fell silent at the question, her mind toiling to explain her flubbing. "I mean... We get along great, but-"
"But?" Maruzensky interrupted, stopping Creek in her tracks. "You love tearing up rubber with Tata as much as I do, we could talk for hours about our cute juniors, and not many can keep up with me on the track like you, Creek."
Creek nearly lost her balance in her seat when Maruzensky snapped at a corner, leading out further into open roads. The engine growled louder, the scenery blurring as Tata accelerated. "Those legs of yours are steady as always no matter how fast I go. At first I was worried about scaring you off, but now I look forward more to taking Tata for a spin as a threesome with you."
"A-Ahm, I don't think that's how you use that word."
Maruzensky curled a brow at the correction. "Really? Huh. Overheard it on the radio. They always keep it hip."
Creek simply shook her head, cheeks a little brighter. Maruzensky hummed, returning her eyes to the road.
"But, uh, yeah," Maruzensky slowed her words. Creek saw her brows furrow, even if slightly. "Kinda' putting me on the spot here, Creek. But you're pickin' up what I'm putting down, right?"
A beat of silence passed, nothing but Tata to fill it as Creek toiled the words on her tongue. "I'm honored you like me, don't get me wrong. I just... worry if that's all."
"Worry?" Creek nodded to her words. "Explain it to me in a sec, I'm going to take this sick corner."
Maruzensky gripped the wheel and shifted up. Creek let out laughter, a loose breath that took off some of the edge. Her eyes looked to the front, seeing the winding corner that hugged the mountainside.
Tata hurled forward, then drifted easily at the beginning of the corner. Maruzensky let out a cheer, teeth bared in excitement. She leaned against the drift while Creek found herself thrown into it. Their shoulders bumped together, Creek finding herself up against her side.
"Rad as always, Tata," she caressed the dashboard, a delighted hum between her lips. She eased on the speed as the road straightened. "How're you holding up, Creek?"
"That corner just took me by surprise is all." She fixed herself on the seat, the touch of her skin leaving Creek's to burn hotter.
Maruzensky laughed softly, the curl on her lips gentler. "Sorry, I should've warned you. But..."
The way her words trailed off was uncharacteristic. Creek looked away from the road to see Maruzensky already sparing a sidelong glance, their gazes meeting.
"I felt that speed is the essence here."
Her tone was more delicate. Creek took in each word in silence, allowing the ambient sounds to swallow the air around them.
She watched her grip on the wheel, firm and unmoving. Her lips moved, every motion deliberate, before Creek could verbalize her thoughts. "Putting pedal to the metal is sometimes the only way to go."
Creek wondered if Maru was referring to the corner, or something else. "Maruzen..."
"Hey," interrupting, Maruzensky slowed. The engine subdued, her words were permitted to speak quieter. "Did you want to say no?"
Lips pursed together, Creek bundled the fabric of her skirt within her fists. Amidst uncertainty and the overwhelming speed, one fact stayed unrelenting. "Not for a second."
Maruzensky smiled, just a little brighter. "Is it wrong that I like you?"
Creek shook her head, not missing a beat. "You could like me for better reasons, but I can't be too picky."
"You're rejecting my feelings?"
"Oh no," Creek mused, "but you could've been shyer about it. Now the whole school's gonna be talking about us."
Maruzensky seemed to brighten at the thought. "I'm an inspiration for those who are second-guessing themselves!"
"You're a bad influence on your juniors, Maruzen."
Laughter erupted between the two of them. Tata roared back to life, and they were back to tearing up asphalt. A comfortable silence settled between them, sunlight hitting the perfect polish of the hood, rendering Creek's vision a dreamlike haze.
Amidst the blur, Maruzensky broke the silence. The road was quiet, vivid red the sole life in the stretch of gray. "So, any plans on where to go?"
Creek paused for a second. "You... don't have a plan?"
"Nope!" Maruzensky chirped. "Thought you'd tell me a place you'd be dying to go."
A long sigh filled the car. Creek leaned on the arm rest, every fiber of tension leaving her. "Take me home, Maruzen."
"Hey now, " Maruzensky laughed, giving her a nudge. "I'm just joshin' you!"
"So you had a place in mind for our date?" Creek curled a brow, the sudden intensity causing Maruzen to gulp.
"W-Well, I mean, I have some suggestions-"
"You're unbelievable!" Creek whined, shoving her arm. Maruzenky giggled, quickly correcting the wheel so the shove didn't drive them off the road. "I can't with you sometimes."
Despite her words, a smile bloomed on Creek's face. Maruzensky sent another gleaming smirk, earning her a sharp glare. "Yikes, I wonder how you find yourself on that seat sometimes."
"Well duh," Creek huffed, crossing her arms, gaze flickering back to the road ahead. "I like you, too."