Chapter 26: First Date
At Tengu Square, Shido stood near the fountain, checking his phone from time to time. He was currently dressed in a light blue shirt with the sleeves rolled up and a pair of dark jeans, trying for a balance of casual and presentable.
The weather was perfect for a date. The sun was shining brightly in the clear sky, making everything look warm and cheerful. Today was the day Shido had promised to take Tohka on a proper date to make up for sealing her Spirit powers last time without even taking her out on a proper date.
It was Saturday today and the square bustled with life. Couples strolled arm in arm, families took pictures, and children played around the fountain.
Vendors called out enthusiastically to advertise their goods, filling the air with the aroma of freshly baked bread, sizzling skewers, and sweet desserts. Shido absently tugged at his shirt collar.
Shido thought about how they might run into their classmates. He didn't really mind, but he knew they'd probably make a big fuss if they saw him and Tohka together, especially since Tohka was so innocent and jumped to conclusions easily.
To avoid misleading situation, Shido had asked Kotori to let him know if any familiar faces were nearby.
Lost in thought, he suddenly heard a cheerful voice coming from the side.
"Shido!"
Turning toward the direction of the voice, he saw Tohka waving happily as she ran toward him. Although they lived in the same house, they'd left at different time to make it feel more like a real date.
As Tohka closed the distance, Shido's gaze softened. When Shido saw her up close, he couldn't help but feel a little stunned by her beauty. Tohka was wearing a simple pink blouse with frilly details and shorts, which made her look youthful and vibrant.
Completely different from her usual Spirit form, where she was always dressed in her heavy armor with a domineering presence surrounding her.