Our First Date
The heat from the valley outing had long since cooled, giving way to the sweltering afternoon of the hottest weekend midsummer could muster. The plaza fronting the massive downtown shopping mall teemed with people hurrying to escape the relentless sunlight. And amid that chaotic throng, Siu had arrived a full 20 minutes early, alternating anxious glances between his watch and the mall entrance, his tension plain as day.
Phew... this is driving me nuts. Didn't I dress way too weird? Siu checked his reflection in the mall's glass facade for the dozenth time—no, fiftieth—and fussed with his outfit.
Two days after returning from the valley trip. He'd been the one firing off texts first every day, but Isul had brought up the summer clothes he'd mentioned before, and somehow, their first real date had been locked in.
Not with the group—just the two of them, on a weekend. They'd met alone before under the guise of studying, but this was different. No excuses. Overt purpose.
"Nam Siu."
"Y-Yeah?"
The voice he'd been dying for drifted from behind as he stared holes into the glass. He whipped around to find Isul sweeping her hair behind her ear, dodging his gaze just a bit.
"What're you staring at? You just get here?"
"Uh... well, um..."
Dumb sounds tumbled from Siu's mouth. Small wonder—the Isul before him was more intentionally dolled up than he'd ever seen. A hip black ensemble that screamed her style. Fabric swaying naturally with each step, her neck starkly pale against the dark tones. And that subtly softer aura, different from usual.
Her polished vibe had even passersby sneaking glances.
"...Why stare like that? It weird?"
At his piercing look, Isul's ears flushed crimson as she shot him a sideways glare. Her voice jolted him back to earth.
"N-No! Not weird—you're just... pretty..."
Flustered hand-waving made her eyes widen a fraction before she spun on her heel toward the entrance.
"Argh, seriously... embarrassing."
But two steps in, she halted and extended a hand backward, not looking.
"What? Not holding hands?"
Her white hand hovered cautiously beneath her dark silhouette. Siu rushed up, clasped it, and they headed inside.
"Hmm... Print's too loud on this, but that one's too plain..."
Cool AC swirled pleasantly through the sprawling menswear store. Isul darted through crowded aisles, eyeing summer racks with dead-serious focus.
"How 'bout this? Hold it up."
Liking something? She'd stride right up and drape it over his shoulders and chest.
Fit-checking closed the gap a step. Her dark hair came level with his downcast eyes, and his heart thumped pathetically again.
Isul, oblivious, flicked between outfit and face, lost in deliberation.
"These two—which better?"
"Uh...? Um, both... look good..."
Dazed by her up close, not the clothes. At his vacant reply, she narrowed her eyes and glared.
"Both good? Fits and fabrics total opposites."
Scolding him like a dunce, she glanced away behind the hanger, voice dropping slyly.
"You're my boyf... anyway, you get it?"
Choked on the cringe word, cleared her throat with a mutter.
"So... stand by me looking sharp. Fitting room—both, now."
She dumped two outfits on his chest and shoved him toward the rooms.
Swish—curtain shut. Alone in the cramped space, Siu eyed his scarlet mirror face, grin leaking uncontrollably.
Boyfriend... boyfriend... Echoed on loop in his skull.
Ear-to-ear smile, humming as he changed, then yanked the curtain.
"How's it...?"
"Hmm..."
She scanned his awkward arms-out pose top to bottom. Workouts had bulked his shoulders nicely; fit like a glove.
"...Not bad. This next."
No gushing—just curt, then new hanger thrust as he stepped out.
"Huh? Uh uh..."
Reeled back in, emerged fiddling collar on the second. Satisfied nod.
"This works too. Now this."
"No, enough already..."
Third round. Changing fatigue hit; weak mumble.
Ignored.
"No whining—try, out. Then across store."
Smacked his back, fresh armful.
Long while later, lobby level one. Their states? Polar opposites.
"Phew..."
Siu shuffled zombie-like, soul half-vacant, hollow-eyed post-march.
Isul led, steps lighter than arrival—buoyed even. Three branded bags swung triumphant, his exhaustion's toll.
"Haa... tougher than valley splash..."
Near-tears mutter drew her glance back, pity-tsk.
"Dude, wiped from a few changes?"
His plea? Just a laugh-shrug.
"Good work anyway. Quick changer—you, but all stuck perfect."
"...Really?"
Corpse eyes lit. Her picks praised? Fatigue eased, rewarded.
Amused chuckle at his simplicity; white hand to his empty one.
"C'mon. Hand."
"Huh?"
"Holding. Legs wobbly, might trip."
Gruff tone, feather touch. Siu tamped his dopey grin, fingers interlocked tight.
Detoured quiet cafe to chill heat. Sweet cold drinks recharged; lighter steps back out.
Hand-linked, mall-gazing stroll halted at a booth.
Corner instant photo spot.
"Why. Wanna?"
His peek drew her smirk.
"Huh? Nah, not really..."
Mouth said no; eyes screamed yes.
Read him; feigned defeat, tugged inside.
"Hey, this."
Pre-booth: casual plop of white bunny ears on his head.
He patted cute things, grabbed black cat band—perfect her vibe—gentle perch.
"Gotta? Doesn't suit..."
"Nonsense. Perfect. Like... sassy black cat."
Warm smile down. Spot-on: black ears, pouty glare—stray craving pets despite dodges.
Cute-averse her? Lips pursed, accepted praise-won touch.
"In, shoot."
Click-click. Cramped booth. Awkward V-sign Siu; soft smile at him beside. Four frames sealed fresh date vibes.
"...What. No suit."
"Adorable? Total cat."
"Shut... bathroom."
Out; Siu clutched strips like gems. Cringe overload—she snapped gruff, bolted.
Wall-lean wait, beaming at shots; gaze snagged nearby accessory popup.
Summer shinies gleamed cool under lights.
Flash: her slim white wrist gripping his.
Thin sparkly blue bracelet—her vibe—eye-magnet.
Like it...?
Tranced to counter, wallet flash; box pocketed pre-return.
Sun dipped lazy; dinner tucked hearty. Bus homeward.
Familiar stop, their solo quiet alley.
Sky deep navy; cool night air swirled intimate.
"...Fun day. Rock my picks."
Her complex gate. Reluctant halt; plain opener.
"Later. Text home."
Light wave, turn.
"W-Wait!"
Desperate grab of slim wrist, gentle.
"Hm? What?"
"This..."
Fumbled pocket box.
"Your bathroom run—bought. First date... memento. Suits you..."
Ears red, eyes floor, proffer.
Hers rounded. Careful open: delicate blue sparkle nestled.
"..."
"Not... like?"
Silent stare; anxious probe drew sigh-lip.
"...Put on."
"Huh?"
"You bought. Clasp."
Right hand outthrust.
Her wrist entranced; hasty bracelet snatch.
Skin-touch. Shaky nerves tickled clumsy clasp.
Watched awkward care; unhideable tender smile bloomed.
"Done!"
Managed; proud beam, epic win.
"Hm... pretty."
Wrist-jangle eyed casual; cheeks blaze, eyes melt—heart full bare.
"Now real go. Thanks. Wear good."
Quick spin.
"Yeah! Safe!"
Beaming wave; intent landed true.
Few steps; alley-mid freeze.
Shoulder-glance.
"And I'll get yours later. No other till then."
No reply wait; blaze-faced dash to entrance.