Walking with Miki

Takashi needs to die.

Whatever the hell was I thinking, listening to advice from that pretentious twerp was definitely a mistake. Maybe it's not really his fault, but after spending half this evening apologizing for being so stupid, I need someone to blame.

She's still here, though; that might be a good sign.

Then again, I can tell from the look on her face she hates being out here in the middle of the city. Maybe I should have thought of that, but I barely knew how to ask her out, never mind contemplate the destination. When Takashi suggested taking Suzu to the movies, it seemed like a perfectly reasonable solution.

Soldiering on, I find her grip on my hand tightening as we approach the crosswalk. Whether it's because she's scared or because of the company, I'm not really sure; I'd like to think it's because she likes me, but I'm not about to assume anything. The constant stream of gibberish I've been spewing since we stepped off the bus probably isn't helping, but this whole situation is entirely uncomfortable; I just wish I could think of something interesting to say.

When I step off the curb, I feel Suzu hesitating and I stop my inane babble to look back. Now she's making that adorable pout I can't seem to get enough of, looking between me and the line of cars backed up down the busy street.

“Hey, c'mon,” I try prompting, but she doesn't budge.

Great job, Miki, you've made her go catatonic.

“Promise you won't let go!” she whispers hoarsely, her meek voice filled with frustration.

The suddenness of her statement, and the wispy stare she sets on me makes it hard to reply, but I muster the courage to reassure her, “I'm not going anywhere without you.”

In my confused state, I try holding up my other hand to give her a thumbs up, but I end up just grinning like an idiot. After a tense moment, she begins to follow tentatively, pulling my arm around hers and averting her eyes from the drivers waiting for us to cross.

I'm gonna take her grip as a good sign.