I never thought I'd see the day where I was the one who would be nervous about a date. I usually went with the flow. Go out have a good time and what happens, happens. I guess that kind of carefree attitude comes naturally when something like marriage isn't on the table. But even so, I suppose the concept of marrying young isn't unheard of. It still happens or I should say in my old world too.

...

I need to let go of my past. I can't move forward if I keep holding onto it. I'd rather let go and continue to grow as a person instead.

Becoming an entirely new person sure was daunting though. Looking at my reflection all I could see was a poser. Was this dress even suitable for someone of my calibre? The real me is in no way, shape or form aristocratic in the slightest. I'm just a con artist kidding myself.

"How are you feeling, Miss?"

Emitting a dispirited exhale, I lazily turn around to face Haruto. "Honest answer? I'm having second thoughts."

Haruto was briefly lost in thought as he sat on my bed like a philosophical thinker. He would probably spend more time scrutinizing the whole situation than I would. Deliberating what the best course of action was...

I'm sorry to say this Haruto, but I don't think the answer to life, nor my date will come to you right away.

Delicately placing my two hands on my waist, he directed me towards the full-length mirror. "I think you are going to be just fine no matter what happens." Haruto said reassuringly.

Looking at myself standing alongside Haruto, reminded me of why he was right.

I will have Haruto by my side. If things turn sour, I know I at least have someone I can always count on.

Initially, being thrust into this Mad Max hellscape was something I still had trouble with wrapping my head around. But I think I've finally started to come around. I'm finally more prepared to take the whole world on!

Well, maybe not the whole world... but you know what I mean.

As much as I would like to procrastinate further, Haruto's lingering touch was starting to feel embarrassing. It's nice to occasionally pretend to be a princess standing beside her prince, sure. But if we stand like this any longer, I might just fool myself into believing we're an actual couple!

"Um... Kurosawa-san... I think I'm ready to go now."

Haruto simply nodded. Silent as ever I see. Acting all calm and composed like this is what makes him hard to read. I can't tell if he was able to pick up on the atmosphere of the room or not. I'm not sure if this is something, I should be relieved or concerned about. Oh well, I have more pressing matters to focus on.

I've never been to a private garden before. It reminds me of a scene I read about once in a Victorian romance novel. I would imagine you would begin the date off with a superficial cliché air kiss and a bouquet that would cost more than a poor man's Chardonnay. Then you would gossip about your lowly acquaintances and stir the pot to conjure up some gratuitous drama-

...

Okay, I might have gotten carried away there. This isn't a period drama, it's my reality now, so I should take it more seriously.

I know that gardens like these are usually kept in perfect condition, but this was simply well beyond my wildest expectations. The whole scenery was beautifully indescribable. There was something sad about only witnessing such beauty like this so late in my life. It's what I would call Mono no aware.

Everything about the garden was simply fascinating. The vines in the garden grew peculiarly unnaturally for one. It was like they had a mind of their own. They meticulously weaved their way in and out of the little white gazebo. Behind it, rows of luscious trees could be seen. They stood tall and proud which I found to be a bit intimidating.

I wonder how deep it goes. What lies beyond the trees?

If the charming forestry wasn't enough to seduce me, then I would say it was the garden's flowers that acted as the sweet nectar to reel me in. I was afraid that the azure snowbells would melt away upon the most delicate touch of my hand. I didn't want to sully anything, but my temptation was finding it hard to resist.

Just as I restrained myself enough to turn away, I was met with an audible chuckle.

"I see, you like the flowers huh." Kaoru remarked.

I started to twirl my dark ringlets nervously around my finger as I emitted a small laugh. "Is it that obvious?"

"You can take home as many as you like."

In my panic, I shake my hands a bit too aggressively in Kaoru's face. There's no way I can pluck flowers from someone else's garden! That would be simply impolite, I doubt the gardener would appreciate me tarnishing their hard work.

"It's fine, I prefer to admire them anyway, hahaha!" I titter.

Kaoru then proceeded to eye me up suspiciously.

Huh?

Karou isn't going to insist on me taking the flowers now, is he? I don't wish to bicker with him. Although, something tells me that today's events wouldn't lead to any sort of quarrel.

Kaoru is definitely different from when I last saw him in person. Something about him has changed. Is it maturity? He still seems as playful as ever though. Stepping on my heels to annoy me and breathing on my neck to make me jump... There's no way that someone like Kaoru has changed has drastically changed. He must have some type of trick up his sleeve!

We shortly made our way towards the neatly prepared white gazebo table together. The red candle that Kaoru lit was as blazing as his hair. His messy tangerine strands poked out like a devil. And I'm still willing to bet that this same devil has concocted something for tonight. Despite the romantic gestures, Kaoru won't get me to drop my guard that easily!

Just as I was about to speak, I was cut off by my drink being poured for me. Oh no. Please tell me that's not what I think it is.

"I made sure to get your favourite. Honey and lemon iced tea!"

I'm going to gag. Maybe the former Aiko enjoyed the delicacy, but for me, honey and I never got along in the past. Looking at the drink only reminds me of the times I was forced to consume honey when I was sick. The taste of honey being forced down my throat by my original mother still haunts me. It's a fragment of my past that I don't think I'll ever be able to quite shake off.

As I darted my eyes between Kaoru and the drink, I started to feel awful. His gesture was kind, there's no questioning it. Clearly, he wanted to leave me with a good impression today. If Kaoru is willing to put in the effort, then I suppose I should return the favour too.

Curling my toes in revulsion, I swallowed a gulp before I drank the swill. The moment I could taste it on my tongue, a turbulent surge of displeasure flooded my entire body. I felt like my body was being electrocuted in punishment and the only viable solution to the torture was to start heaving. But I knew I had to endure it.

Kaoru smiled at me and I once again returned the same gesture to him. Unbeknownst to him, it was a smile of pure pain.

When I felt the concoction start to bubble and settle down in the pits of my stomach, I exhaled in relief. It was finally over. I just needed to eat something now to rid myself of that awful taste.

"It has been a long time since we have last seen each other. I have to say, you look as beautiful as ever."

Oh, you. As much as I'd like to be enamoured with Kaoru's compliment, I can't focus right now. I'm still feeling a little resentful about enduring that awful drink. I wish it was laced with poison so I would not have to deal with its lingering aftertaste. 'Yuck' is all I can say!

"Uh-huh." I replied distractedly.

I was brought back to reality once I felt his hand trail down from the sleeve of my glittery pine green dress to my soft white hand. Oh my. I didn't expect a sudden development like this to occur. I wasn't sure how I felt about Kaoru just yet. Thus, I was unsure of how to respond to his actions. In the end, I decided to play it cautious and withdraw my hand from his.

In retaliation, Kaoru pushed his chair closer towards mine and leaned in. "I was really happy when my Father told me that our engagement was finally official."

Outstretching a hand towards me, he sweetly cupped the side of my face, before stroking the waves of my hair. "I can't imagine spending the rest of my life with anyone other than you."

Help! Kaoru was making it very apparent that he had no qualms with leading the conversation.

At this rate, if things don't cool down, then I'm afraid he's going to turn into a cat in heat! I'm not ready for this level of commitment just yet. Kaoru never acted flirtatious like this before. It's like I've just witnessed a whole other side to him. I can't say I'm fond of it. I need to get away from this man at all costs!

Suddenly standing up from my chair, I backtrack towards the fence of the gazebo to create some much-needed distance between us. "Let's not rush into anything just yet. As you said, it's been a while since we've last met. I think we need to-"

"Nonsense!" Kaoru rebuked.

In the wink of an eye, Kaoru closed in on me, yet again. But this time he returned with new ammunition. He slipped a gold ring onto my finger.

"It was only a matter of time before we would get engaged. I even took the courtesy of making you this handmade ring."

...

Oh my. Please give me strength. The boy who I thought I knew all too well, has turned out to be a wolf in sheep's clothing this whole time!