A Life Once More-Chapter 49: Date

Time passed before I knew it. First the rest of the day, then the rest of the week, until Saturday. My week after getting my new place consisted of doing homework, distributing money to the right places, and, surprisingly, a lot of sleep.

Kate didn't come over at all, and most of the last couple of days gave me time to myself. I felt so refreshed and happy that I couldn't believe my exhaustion had been that bad.

Now, since it was Saturday, I had gotten ready for my date with Kate. I was dressed in relatively expensive casual clothes; the kind of fit where the fine, breathable fabric hugged my body just right, outlining my lean build without feeling restrictive. All from name brands which—I can't believe I'm saying this—were actually worth the price

My black hair, still slightly damp from the shower, was styled messily but on purpose, a few stubborn strands falling over my forehead. My skin looked a little brighter under the morning light, fresh from a clean shave, and my whole mood felt sharper somehow.

'Haha~ I've been really looking forward to this!'

Fwoo~

A breeze blew past me, cool and crisp, carrying the faint scent of grass and spring blossoms. I enjoyed the feeling of nature while sitting on a bench next to a fountain that sat in the middle of the university. The gentle splashing of water mixed with birdsong in the distance, creating a kind of ambient calm that felt almost therapeutic. Since it was the weekend, not many people were here, which gave me just the right amount of peace.

The sun and clear skies added to my positivity. The heavenly combo giving me nothing but hope that today was going to go great.

"Eiz~!"

"Kat-" Turning around, I froze. Kate's appearance was simply too stunning.

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Her hair was tied into her usual high ponytail, but today, it caught the sunlight differently—reflecting it in shimmering waves instead of simply swallowing it. She wore fitted blue jeans and a long-sleeve white shirt, modest enough to cover her skin yet helpless to hide just how beautifully blessed she was beneath it. Every subtle curve, every soft line of her body, hinted through the fabric like a secret only the light could tease out.

'Somehow, even in something so simple, she makes it look unforgettable.'

Her golden eyes shined brightly, and as she got closer, the smell of her perfume hit my nose. A unique scent of sweet citrus mixed with the faintest hint of fresh jasmine—light, yet impossible to ignore. The breeze toyed with her black hair, lifting strands that framed her glowing face with an almost effortless grace. In that moment, nothing else existed but her.

"Eiz?" She looked at me worriedly, bringing me out of my reverie.

Smiling, I told her the truth. "You look absolutely beautiful, Kate."

"H-H-Hey, don't look at me like that, idiot!" She hid her face in my chest. I took the opportunity and turned it into a hug.

She didn't react, which probably meant she knew I would hug her. We stayed like this for who knows how long, but with the flowing fountain and the beautiful weather, I wanted this to last forever. Unfortunately, that couldn't be the case.

Letting her go, she got on my right and took my arm without me even having to offer it. We walked out of the university and back onto the Main Street to our first stop, which was the Roman Mall! As we walked, her hand stayed wrapped snugly around my arm, her fingers warm against my skin. Of course, we couldn't stop ourselves from flirting while moving.

"Hehe~" Kate's soft giggle vibrated through her chest and into my side where she clung to me.

"What?" I asked, feeling the slight sway of her body against mine with every step.

"I'm happy~!" she said, her voice almost bubbling over with the same brightness as the sun warming our backs.

"I'd hope so!" I chuckled, squeezing her hand slightly as we moved down the quiet street.

"Shouldn't you say something else?"

"Hm..." I acted like I was thinking about it before, "Nope!"

"Idiot!" She pinched my arm, and before we knew it, the mall was in sight.

The mall was a huge skyscraper reaching higher than my own apartment, meaning that it at least went above 50 floors! It towered so high that the top floors practically vanished into the sky, a glass giant reflecting the clouds like it owned the damn horizon. People poured in and out of the front doors in waves, yet the flow didn't feel chaotic.

Kate took the reins and led me inside like a pro. She maneuvered around the people and in front of a map of the place.

"Where do you want to start?"

"I leave it up to you, beautiful!"

"My~ let's start with..."

"You don't know either?"

"Shut it! I'm thinking!"

I smiled while she continued holding my arm, scrutinizing the map.

"Let's go!" She pulled me without saying where we were going. I just let myself be pulled, enjoying the feeling.

"Let me guess, we're going to get something sweet?" I gave her a knowing look. I felt that I knew her well enough.

She stopped, turning around with a suspicious gaze.

"How'd you know?"

"'Cause I know you well enough." I took the reins this time, and her face looked defeated perhaps because I ruined the surprise but the smile on her face told me she didn't really care. I treaded through the crowds, arriving at just the place I thought she was heading to.

"N-No way! You must be stalking me?!" She pinched my arm continuously, trying to kill her embarrassment.

I brought her to an ice cream place on the 2nd floor: Benjamin and Jerome. The neon sign buzzed faintly above us, its oversized cursive flickering in brown and white—colors synonymous with chocolate and vanilla. The smell of sweet waffle cones and vanilla hit me before we even stepped in.

Yes. It's exactly what one would think if they were from Earth like me.

'S-Such a cheap ripoff.'

[I'll admit this is bad.]

Even Ezryn agrees!