Life Will Change

Chapter 88: White Day

Begin!

~Normal POV

3/13 - Monday

Meeting Ann's family had gone as well as Akira had hoped. They seemed to like him a lot. But then, Akira had a lot of natural charm to him so it made sense that her parents would feel better after they got to know him a little. (Then again, it probably helped that Ann never mentioned the real reason why he'd been living in Tokyo all these months. Good call on her part.) He liked her family too; they were very nice people. Despite their constant workload, they did genuinely love their daughter with all their hearts. It was comforting to see proof of Ann being treated well by her family.

Akira was doing his nightly chores at LeBlanc when Sojiro approached him before he was set to head home. "Hey, are you ready for tomorrow?"

Akira glanced at him curiously. "Hm?"

"White Day. That's tomorrow, right?" Sojiro replied, bluntly.

White Day was a kind of unique holiday to their country. It takes place exactly one month after Valentine's Day; and its purpose was to be its counterpart. Where Valentine's Day was a holiday for girls to show appreciation for their romantic partners, White Day was a time for the boys to return the favor.

"Oh, yeah... I didn't forget, but..." Akira said, embarrassedly.

Sojiro smirked knowingly. "You need help?"

"You could say that..." Akira sighed. "I've had no luck setting up actual plans..."

Sojiro stroked his beard thoughtfully. "Well... since Ann's such a sweet girl and I'd hate to see you get in trouble... I guess I can help by giving you the secret recipe for the perfect date."

Akira gave him a skeptical look. Sojiro acted quite like a... ladies man in his youth, to put it simply. Akira never approved of such a lifestyle, and getting advice from him sounded off putting. What if he suggested something Ann wouldn't like?

"...You're serious?"

Sojiro rolled his eyes. "It's either that, or you have to tell Ann that you didn't plan ahead. Your call."

Ok, that was a pretty upsetting prospect. He was sure she'd understand if all she got was a gift and not a full date, but Ann was special. She deserved to be spoiled for the occasion. Even if she said she didn't want him to go to too much trouble, he knew she'd love every second of it.

"...Ok, what is it?" Akira replied, in resignation. He could at least hear the idea before he made a decision.

Sojiro chuckled. "I figured you'd say that. First off, you have a gift? This won't work without one."

"I have an order put in at Rafflesia for a bouquet, I'm picking it up tomorrow."

"Can't go wrong with flowers. Just make sure she doesn't catch you with them before the date. Next, think about where you're taking her. You're gonna want somewhere with the right atmosphere. Gotta be peaceful. How about that aquarium in Shinagawa?"

So far this plan seemed perfectly innocent. It made him wonder what Sojiro was up to by giving him such good advice. "That would be a good place..."

"Now once that's over, you gotta take her out to dinner. Somewhere nice too. Hm, it's kinda last minute to make reservations. All the fancy places get booked fast around White Day."

Akira sighed. "Yep. I'm dead..."

"...Well, not exactly..." Sojiro said, getting his attention again. "I don't usually do this but... I know a place. Can't guarantee anything, they're probably full too, but you might get an edge if you mention my name."