Case 30: Date.
In the end, Moeka agreed to go on a 'date' with Himeko. Of course, it was not really one in her mind since she had no intention of looking at it that way. Even if Himeko was an Alpha, and she was the Omega, Moeka believed they could still hang out normally.
The primary reasons for deciding to go on this outing, however, were simpler. It was a nice day outside; school was not a worry, and she now had disposable money to burn. For someone who had been constantly busy for years, she wanted some leisure time, too. After the recent turbulence, a shopping trip did not sound too shabby.
After getting ready, Moeka descended to the first floor, greeted her mother, and proceeded to the entrance, where Himeko stood fidgeting.
''Did you wait long?'' Moeka asked somewhat guiltily. Clearly, finding a fitting dress hidden deep in her closet for this once-in-a-blue-moon trip took more time than expected.
However, Himeko did not express any displeasure. Rather, she had a dumbfounded look, as if in a trance, ''N-Not at all...'' The blonde muttered, her eyes glued to the senior's refreshing appearance.
Moeka typically wore neat skirts and dark-colored sweaters to school, which gave her a mature impression. However, the casual white one-piece she had put on for this date made her come across as endlessly sweet, added a touch of innocence from her mellow, candy-like pink hair.
Yet, the dress did not shy from exposing Moeka's delicate shoulders and collarbones, even showing a portion of her deep cleavage. With its cotton hugging her narrow waist, if there had not been fluffy frills decorating her chest area, entering public areas would immediately feel illegal.
The girl-next-door aesthetic indeed reaped Himeko's soul straight from her body. She felt her throat dry, itching as she observed the Omega's slightly shy demeanor. Himeko could tell from the constant adjusting of glasses from Moeka—a gesture she would do under stress.
'Adorable...'
Swallowing her desires, Himeko opened her umbrella and invited Moeka, ''Senior, could you get closer?''
''...Okay.''
The two began walking toward their destination, the area's largest mall complex. A stunning blond beauty and a girly, soft pink beauty under an umbrella—the duo was quite eye-catching, though neither seemed to care about strangers' gazes. Rather, they were conscious of each other.
Sensing Himeko's unwavering attention on her, Moeka finally spoke amidst the awkwardness, ''Do I look weird...?'' She asked shyly, ''It's been a while since I've tried dressing up...''
The innocent Himeko instantly replied, ''No way! Senior is gorgeous today!''
''Thanks. Um... you also look very cool.''
Indeed, even though Himeko chose a casual combo of jeans and a T-shirt, it did not hinder her natural charms in the slightest. A simple ponytail to enhance her energetic impression, and a model-like girl had been born. And while Himeko was overjoyed at the compliment, Moeka was secretly flustered, wondering why she even said that so randomly.
'It's just pleasantries, just pleasantries...'
Yet, the Omega was unconsciously leaning closer to the Alpha, drawn by the cool, sea-breeze-flavored scent. To outsiders, they seemed nothing short of a loving couple. Not long after, the umbrella walk came to an end as they reached their destination. Joining the streams of people, the two entered the busy mall complex.
With a total of twenty floors, the complex was multi-purpose, offering countless retail stores, restaurants, and entertainment facilities. One could spend whole days within the building and not get bored for even a second. Precisely because of this, brands especially loved this type of model.
Moeka and Himeko, both familiar with the experience, headed toward a cafe on the first floor for breakfast. Afterward, they gradually moved upward, browsing the stores for items. Moeka, having been paid handsomely this morning, was quite ambitious.
''I want new equipment for our kitchen... among other things, and maybe some clothes as well.'' She pondered, ''Miss Haruno, do you have something in mind?''
''I'll just follow you,'' Himeko scratches her cheek, ''I don't have anything to buy at the moment.''
''I see. You'll have to be content with carrying the bags for me, then.'' Moeka teased.
Unexpectedly, Himeko puffed out her chest, ''That's obvious, isn't it? I can't let my senior carry heavy bags by herself!''
''...Do I look that weak?'' The pink woman's magical girl pride was a little hurt.
''Well...''
Himeko could not possibly say that she thought so because Moeka was an Omega. Perhaps, just as fiction once prophesied, this prejudice was instinctual. More than anything... Moeka truly looked delicate—delicate enough for anyone to want to carry her bags.
In the end, Himeko could only brush it off, ''I mean, senior has the aura of a celebrity—I mean it as a compliment.'' She said, ''I'm confident you could book auditions blind and become an actress or a model.''
''That's too much for me.''
''I'm serious, though. Magical girls probing into the entertainment industry nowadays isn't rare anymore, and it does pay well.''
The topic continued as they shopped. Magical girl culture was certainly meta in big cities, enough for someone born and raised in the rural City O like Moeka to be aware of it. Many magical girls took advantage of this trend and sought to become celebrities, creating their own niche. Many became actresses, playing magical girls in movies, while a majority had at least accepted an advertisement deal or two, becoming ambassadors for brands or products. At the core, it all came down to the fact that magical girls possessed an unparalleled mass appeal.
Moeka herself never bothered with it, even though she had been reached out to numerous times. She was never the type to crave public attention, and she did not want to bother herself worrying about outsiders' eyes. Merely thinking about acting or photoshoots made her reluctant. Yet, for some inexplicable reason, she had an uneasy feeling about this...
'...There's no way.'
Putting the strange hunch aside, Moeka was enjoying the little date with Himeko. The girl was bubbly, considerate—a sunny temperament. Moeka found herself quite comfortable beside this person. After hanging out for a while, even the awkwardness from yesterday's stumble was finally eased away... until a certain moment inside the jewelry store.
Moeka was choosing something nice for her mother and Fumiko when Himeko suddenly popped up from the side, ''Senior, can you try this on?'' She asked enthusiastically, holding up a pendant.
''Huh?'' Moeka stared blankly at the intricately carved piece, at the heart-shaped, pink diamond attached to the silver base. Admittedly, she was drawn to it right away.
Holding a shy smile, Moeka turned her back toward Himeko, ''Could you put it on for me?'' She requested, gathering her long hair into a tail and pulling it to the side, exposing her nape.
''Of course—''
Himeko froze.
Carelessness or not, Moeka had accidentally shown her gland—the prize and most vulnerable area for an Omega—to her. The instincts of an Alpha kicked it, barely held back by Himeko's inhuman restraint. She found herself fixated on that patch of soft skin, nearly zeroing in on it. Furthermore, Moeka's intoxicating pheromones were suddenly released in a big wave, nearly drowning her.
Yet, a lucky occasion to enjoy was shattered the moment Himeko spotted the proud residual teeth marks imprinted on her senior's neck, occupying the center greedily.
''...''
Now that she had snapped out of the trance, even a trace of another Alpha's pheromones could be detected. Himeko's expression darkened several notches, her fist clenching hard until the knuckles turned white. An unknown flame was raging in her heart. How could she possibly resolve this mess...?