[Revue Starlight] Anon and Junna go on a date

Anon and Junna go on a date

10 AM, in front of the movie theatre. That was the time you planned to meet, at least. You check your phone.

10:23. Still no Junna. The previews started eight minutes ago.

When you first saw her, it was love at first sight. Slender, graceful, a delicate, she was like a star shining through the fog. You were working behind the counter at a convenience store (only temporarily while you figured your life out, of course), and she only said two words to you before leaving. She left such an impression on you you couldn't help but rave about her to a friend later online. By some miracle he recognized her description as one of his little sister's old school friends and gave you her name: Hoshimi Junna.

Hoshimi-san. Junna-chan. Perfect.

Just as you were fondly remembering your first (brief) encounter, there she walked through the door. Her boxy, thick glasses, her ponytail, her modest summer dress and jacket, the look of slight annoyance, she was a picture of casual beauty. A strange emotion flickered over her face when she saw you waiting. (Was it the same as you felt?)

"Hoshimi-san! Glad you could make it!"

"Hello Anon-san," Junna looked at her phone, "Sorry I'm late-"

"It's alright," you interupt excitedly, "you're here now! Let's head in, I've already got our tickets! Do you want a drink, or snacks, or anything? I brought some chocolates for you from home, you know, cheaper than here am I right? There's a water bottle in my bag if you want some, I haven't drunk much yet."

She looks at her phone again. "No, no thank you. Let's just head inside."

~~~

You guide Junna to the seats and extend your arm to let her sit down first, every bit the perfect gentleman. You sit down next to her, her arm already having claimed the armrest between you. Nervously you place your elbow on the very back and slowly inch it forward, eager for any physical contact with her. Junna glaces over to you and that same emotion flickers over her face. She shifts in her seat, taking her arm off the rest and leaning away from you. "Junna-chan can barely contain herself!" you think, "It's too much to even risk physical contact! She really is perfect~"

You offer her some of your no-name brand chocolates you brought from home. She shakes her head without taking her eyes off the screen. You hold out your packet of chips to her. She regards you for a second before shaking her head again. You reach into your bag to pull out another bag of candy, but she stops you.

"Anon, it's fine. I'm fine. Let's just watch the movie."

"Oh- ok Hoshimi-san."

Your heart skips a beat when she speaks your name, and speaking hers brings a smile to your lips.

~~~

"That was some movie, huh Hoshimi-san?"

The two of you are sitting in the shopping centre's food court. You ordered a burger meal, but she said she wasn't hungry, even declining your offer to share your fries.

"Yeah, it was ok." She barely lifted her eyes from her phone.

"Say Hoshimi-san, I feel like we've become closer. Do you mind if I call you Junna?"

The girl noticable cringed when you mentioned her name, looking at you with something you might describe as a glare if you weren't sure she was super into you.

"N-no, I'd prefer Hoshimi-san if that's alright."

"That's fine! I wouldn't want to rush you," you laugh.

"You must be pretty popular, Ju- Hoshimi-san. You keep looking at your phone!"

She sighs.

"Look, Anon-san, it's just..." she searches for the words. "I just don't like you very much."

"W-what?" the words hit you like a freight train. "But I thought we were getting on really well? I had all this stuff planned out that you'd like, and..."

"Anon-san, you've clearly put a lot of thought in and I appreciate it but..."

"But?" You look up at her with your practiced puppy-dog eyes.

"But you're really creepy. We only spoke for five seconds and you hunted me down and kept harassing my friend until I went on a date with you! I tried to be subtle and give you hints but you just didn't get it..."

You chuckle nervously. She's clearly joking, there's no way Junna would be so mean, right?

"So please stop contacting me or my friend, Anon-san. We had our date and now it's done, ok?"

"But Junna-chan, wait!" You rummage in your bag quickly and pull out a stuffed toy cat. "I bought you this as a present! I saw this and I thought it's cute like you and that you'd like it and..."

"Anon-san, please, just... just stop."

Junna stood up and turned to leave.

"But next time you take a girl on a date Anon-san, please, PLEASE take a shower beforehand."

With that, she walked away, leaving you sitting there alone with your half-eaten burger. You pull your phone out of your pocket and start writing a message.

"Hey, it's Anon. Can you ask your sister if Junna-chan was feeling ok today? She seemed a little under the weather. Thanks pal!"