Asking Out

Last night,

Aiko paced back and forth in her room, her bare feet brushing against the cool wooden floor as she tried to calm her nerves. The dim glow of her desk lamp cast a soft light across her face, but it did little to ease the tension building in her chest. She clutched her phone tightly, her thumb hovering over the screen, hesitant to type out the message that had been swirling in her mind all evening.

What if he says no? The thought echoed in her mind, making her heart race even faster. It wasn't like Sota had ever given her any reason to doubt his kindness, but this felt different. It wasn't just a casual hangout—it was an invitation to spend time together, just the two of them. And while she knew it was for the club, there was something about the idea that made her stomach flutter.

She bit her lip, staring at the blank message screen, her mind a whirlwind of emotions. Every time she tried to type something, her thoughts spiraled into a mess of "What ifs" and "Maybes," leaving her more flustered than before. The weight of her uncertainty pressed down on her, making her feel like she was about to jump off a cliff without knowing what was on the other side.

Aiko shook her head, trying to clear her thoughts. This is silly, she told herself, taking a deep breath. It's just Sota. We're friends, and this is for the club. There's no need to be nervous.

But even as she tried to rationalize her feelings, her heart wouldn't stop pounding in her chest. She closed her eyes, willing herself to calm down. She wasn't asking him out on a date—it was just a shopping trip to pick up materials for the flag football club. Simple. Straightforward. Nothing more.

Still, the thought of spending time alone with Sota made her feel warm inside, a feeling she wasn't quite sure how to handle. Maybe… maybe it wouldn't be so bad if it was a little more than just a shopping trip, she thought, the hint of a smile tugging at her lips. But that idea only made her more nervous.

After what felt like an eternity, Aiko finally steeled herself and began typing out the message.

Hey, Sota, do you want to go canvassing with me this weekend? We need to pick up some new materials for the club, and I thought it would be a good idea to check out the shopping center downtown.

She hesitated before hitting send, her thumb trembling slightly. But before she could second-guess herself, she pressed the button, and the message was sent.

Immediately, a wave of anxiety washed over her. She tossed her phone onto her bed and sat down, burying her face in her hands. What if he's busy? What if he thinks this is weird? The questions raced through her mind, and she could feel the heat rising to her cheeks as she imagined all the possible ways this could go wrong.

But just as quickly as the anxiety had come, her phone buzzed with a notification. Her heart skipped a beat as she reached for it, her hands shaking slightly. She unlocked the screen and saw that Sota had already replied.

Sure, sounds like fun. What time should we meet?

Aiko blinked, staring at the message in disbelief. That was it? No hesitation, no awkwardness, just a simple, straightforward reply. She felt a mixture of relief and confusion—had she really been worrying over nothing?

She let out a breath she didn't realize she'd been holding and typed out her response, arranging a time and place for them to meet. As she sent the message, she couldn't help but feel a little disappointed. Was he really that dense? She had been so nervous about asking him, and he had replied as if it was no big deal.

What Aiko didn't know was that Sota had been lying on his bed, staring at his phone with a grin on his face. His heart skipped a beat when he saw her name pop up on his screen, and when he read the message, excitement bubbled up inside him. He couldn't believe Aiko had asked him to spend time together, even if it was just for the club. He quickly replied, trying to sound casual, but he couldn't shake the feeling of anticipation that had settled in his chest.

He hadn't realized how much he had been looking forward to spending time with her. The thought of walking through the shopping center with Aiko, just the two of them, made his heart race.

— — — 

Back to the present,

The weekend arrived faster than either of them expected, and soon they found themselves walking side by side through the bustling shopping center downtown. The sun was high in the sky, casting a warm glow over the city, and the streets were filled with people going about their weekend activities.

Aiko had dressed casually, wearing a simple white blouse and a light skirt that swayed with each step. She had tied her hair back into a ponytail, and though she wore a smile, there was a hint of nervousness in her eyes as she walked alongside Sota. She tried to focus on the task at hand—finding the materials they needed for the club—but she couldn't help but steal glances at Sota, wondering if he felt the same way she did.

Sota, on the other hand, was doing his best to keep his cool. He wore a plain white t-shirt, an unbutton short sleeves, and jeans, but his mind was anything but relaxed. Every time Aiko looked at him, he felt a rush of warmth, and he couldn't help but smile. He knew this was just a shopping trip, but it felt like so much more. The atmosphere between them was comfortable, yet charged with unspoken feelings, and Sota found himself wishing the day would never end.

They wandered from store to store, checking out different shops and comparing prices for the items they needed. Aiko was focused, making sure to jot down notes on her phone about what they found, but Sota could tell she was a little distracted. Her usual sharpness was dulled by something else, and he couldn't help but wonder what was on her mind.

As they passed by a small café, Sota's stomach rumbled, and he realized he hadn't eaten anything since breakfast. He glanced over at Aiko and saw that she looked a little tired too.

"Hey, how about we take a break?" Sota suggested, nodding towards the café. "We've been walking around for a while. Let's grab something to eat."

Aiko hesitated for a moment, then nodded. "Yeah, that sounds good. I could use a break."

They found a table by the window and ordered some drinks and snacks. As they sat down, Aiko finally allowed herself to relax. She took a sip of her iced tea, savoring the coolness, and let out a small sigh of contentment.

"This was a good idea," Aiko admitted, glancing at Sota with a grateful smile. "I didn't realize how hungry I was until now."

Sota chuckled. "Yeah, same here. I guess we got a little carried away with the shopping."

Aiko nodded, but her smile faded slightly as she stared down at her drink. "I've just been really stressed lately. There's so much to do before the qualifiers, and I feel like time is running out."

Sota's expression softened. "You're doing an amazing job, Aiko. The team wouldn't be where it is without you."

A soft smile appeared on Aiko's face before her face reddened. "Thanks... I'll do my best." She bashfully answered, averting her gaze.