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Tenko took a deep breath, shaking out all the nerves from her body and steeling herself to enter the cafe. She had been standing outside for a good 20 minutes by now, spending that whole time preparing to enter, but she couldn't help herself!! Today is a very important day, and she didn't want to ruin it because her nerves got the best of her. No, she had to go through with this!
She had been going to this cafe for months by now, and almost every time, completely without fail, an absolutely stunning woman, Kaede Akamtsu, would be there working and taking her orders. She would walk over to her table and shine that blindingly beautiful smile and ask what she wanted to order, and she would always order something sweet and simple so she wouldn't have to work too hard to remember her order (even if she did have a notepad to write it down, it was better to be safe than sorry!! Tenko couldn't have such an amazing girl work hard for someone like her!). While Tenko ordered and when she brought her drink, sometimes she would chat with her a bit, giggling at things Tenko said. Just thinking of her laugh made Tenko giddy… Kaede was so perfect, so she wanted to ask her out on a date. Tenko couldn't mess up today, because if she did, then Kaede might never want to talk to her ever again, and Tenko wasn't sure if she'd be able to bear that outcome.
After a few more deep breaths, Tenko nodded to herself and braved her way into the cafe. She could do this!! The little bell above the door rang, alerting the workers of Tenko's entrance. It didn't take much searching for Tenko's eyes to land on Kaede, who's usually gorgeous smile seemed to brighten further after seeing Tenko in the doorway. She gave Tenko a toothy grin, one that seemed to be reserved just for her, exposing her pearly teeth more, as well as showing off the adorable little gap between her front two teeth. Tenko practically swooned on the spot, but forcefully collected herself enough to find a seat at her usual table near the window. She lost any train of thought she started though when she noticed Kaede walking over.
"Good evening Chabashira-san!! It's so nice to see you today!" Kaede said cheerfully when she approached her table. Tenko tried to smile back, but she could feel her face actively heating up, and she had a feeling her smile wasn't nearly as stunning as Kaede's. That didn't matter though, because whatever expression she made did make Kaede giggle. Score!! She made Kaede happy… The thought had Tenko practically vibrating with glee.
Tenko snapped out of it when she heard Kaede's voice again, immediately standing to attention, "Hey, Chabashira-san? Are you gonna order, or are you trying to keep me over here with you forever?" she teased. Tenko felt her cheeks reddening in embarrassment, and she quickly jumped to apologize.
"Ah!! Tenko is so sorry for taking up Akamatsu-san's precious time!!" Tenko bowed as deeply as she could while she was still in her seat, worried it wouldn't be enough. Thankfully though, Kaede only giggled at her antics, not a trace of anger or resentment on any of her features. She waved her off like it was nothing and smiled that sweet sweet smile again. "It's alright Chabashira-san, really. I'm only teasing," she giggled.
Tenko relaxed, sighing to herself at the sound of Kaede's laugh. God, she could listen to Kaede laugh all day. Her giggle sounded like tinkling bells, chiming at just the right pitch to make your brain tingle and fill with a happy feeling. It makes you want to laugh along with her. "If you say so… Then Tenko will have the usual, if that's alright!!"
Kaede exhaled through her nose and shook her head lightly, "I've told you already Chabashira-san, you don't need to ask for permission!!" she scolded, "You can have whatever drink you'd like, as long as you can pay for it," she winked, and Tenko thought she would die on the spot. She nodded simply, too overwhelmed to say anything, and watched as Kaede waltzed away, head bobbing slightly with her steps in the same pattern it always did. Tenko sighed, resting her elbows on the table and her head in her hands. She didn't get the chance to do it just now, but she was sure she would ask Kaede when she came back with her drink. Yes, once Kaede brought her plain black coffee with extra cream, she would stop her before she could leave, and bravely ask Kaede out on a date!!
Tenko could do this. Yeah!! She was Tenko Chabashira, neo-aikido master!! She could do anything, which meant she was absolutely completely prepared to ask out her maybe-possibly-totally crush out on a date.
As she pumped herself up, Tenko didn't even notice Kaede coming her way with her drink until she was right next to the table.
"One plain black coffee with extra cream!!" Kaede exclaimed as she set down the drink. The sticker on the side with Tenko's name had a little heart and a smiley face next to it, causing Tenko's heart to do a little fluttery thing in her chest. When Tenko peeked into the cup, she noticed little marshmallows floating in the drink. Marshmallows? She didn't order marshmallows… Kaede giggled as she watched Tenko inspect the marshmallows in her cup, and Tenko looked up to see her covering her mouth, as if trying to cover her smile.
Tenko narrowed her eyes and stood up, before taking Kaede's hand in her's and lowering it, "Don't hide your beautiful smile Akamatsu-san!! The whole world deserves to see it all the time!! Even those degenerate males…" Tenko pouted. Kaede stopped giggling, her eyes widening and her lips parting slightly. She stared at Tenko for an uncomfortably long time, before moving her hands so she could hold Tenko's hands in her's and bringing Tenko closer to her, "You really are the sweetest Chabashira-san" she smiled, cheeks dusted with pink and eyes crinkling at the edges. Actually, up close Tenko could make out every little detail of Kaede's face. The faint freckles scatterted all over her cheeks, the small spots of acne that dotted her skin, how long her eyelashes were, even without any obvious makeup. Her face was so lovely, Tenko could stare at it for hours. She just wanted to hold it, caress her skin and kiss her all over. She wanted to stare into her eyes and listen to her voice. She wanted to hold her close and feel safe in her arms, and she wanted her to feel safe in Tenko's arms. She just-
"Will you go on a date with Tenko, Akamatsu-san?" Tenko blurted, holding on tight to Kaede's hands.
Kaede's eyebrows shot up, and she look shocked for a few horrifyingly long moments, and Tenko began to think that she was going to reject her. Leave her forever and never speak to her again... But then she broke into a wide grin and pulled Tenko close into a tight hug, "I'd love to go on a date with you Chabashira-san!!" she cheered, arms wrapped around Tenko's waist. Tenko sat there, not knowing what to do. She was still processing the fact that she was able to ask Kaede out and-
Wait, she said yes.
She said yes!!
Tenko gasped and hugged Kaede back even tighter, causing her to let out a little yelp, before they both burst out into giggles. Kaede said yes! She was going to go on a date with the most beautiful, kind, thoughtful, funny, phenomenal woman Tenko had ever met!
Kaede pulled back first, a crooked smile Tenko had never seen before gracing her face, "I have to get back to work right now Chabashira-san, but my shift ends in about an hour. I'll meet you over here then, yeah?" she asked, and Tenko eagerly nodded, prepared to wait however long she needed to for Kaede. Kaede giggled again before giving her a small peck on the nose and walking away. Tenko was left standing there, red as a tomato with a dopey smile. She lifted a hand to her nose, letting her fingers ghost over where Kaede had briefly pressed her lips and smiling a little wider and pumping her fist in the air. She sat down again and pulled out her phone, already looking up places Kaede might like and preparing to plan the most perfect date ever for the most perfect girl ever.
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Kaede practically danced her way back behind the counter, and mood soaring through the air. She had been talking to and flirting with Tenko for months by now, spending her break with her and sneaking her little treats like the marshmallows today, and now she finally has the chance to go on a date with her!!! Even if she was able to keep her cool by the table, Kaede was a giggling blushing mess right now. She was absolutely elated to be able to go on a date with such a pretty, sweet, funny, caring girl. Tenko was just so perfect!! Kaede couldn't wait.
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