Awkward Valentine's Day

[Mikado Ryuugamine]

Mikado was standing nervously by a street sign as he fiddled with his phone, checking the time every three minutes. There was a good reason for why he was nervous, he was nervous because it was going to be the first time he would be hanging out with Anri, and Kida wasn’t going to be there. It would be Mikado’s and Anri’s first time going around the city and visiting all the places that were popular to go hang out. However, there was another reason to why he was so nervous. Turns out that today also happened to be Valentines Day’s. When he looked up from his phone Mikado noticed all the couples walking by him that were obviously in love.

When he asked Anri to hang out with him earlier in the week, he had honestly forgotten that Valentines was that weekend and they would technically be going on a date. It wasn’t until the night before that his mind set off alarms and his face blushed deep red from the idea that he was actually going out on a date with Anri. Then he asked himself. Is that why she said yes? and with that he made himself more nervous.

He just hoped that when Mikado saw Anri that he didn’t say anything stupid that makes him look like an idiot.

Alright I can do this!

Anri and I are just going to go around town and sightsee the city…maybe for lunch I should bring up the idea of having Sushi…Simon did give me those discount coupons…

Oh what am I thinking! I’m too nervous that I think my stomach is hurting…

With the butterflies in his stomach doing flip-flops, from the corner of his eye Mikado saw Anri walking down the street. He then suddenly straightens up his posture and waved at Anri.

“Anri! I’m over here!” He tries to the color of his blush on his cheeks as Anri approaches him, Wow she looks really cute today…I hope I don’t mess this up…

“Hey glad you could make it, ready to go see Ikebukuro?” he asked nervously.

[Anri Sonohara]

Anri dug through her dresser, looking desperately for something to wear. What was one supposed to wear for a date? Date. She tossed the word around in her head for a minute. Is that what this was? She'd been surprised when Mikado had asked her to hang out but this was the first time she considered that this was actually a date. But what else would it be? It was Valentine's Day after all. She blushed and cursed herself for being so ignorant. But if she had just thought of this, did that mean Mikado didn't even realize it when he asked her?

She shook her head, date or not, she still had to figure out what to wear. After much deliberation she decided on a short pink skirt and matching shirt with mini apples printed on it.
She sighed as she looked at herself in the mirror. She noticed the state her hair was in and regarded it with dismay. She normally didn't put that much emphasis on her appearance, but for some odd reason she wanted to look cute for Mikado.

There she went thinking about him again, at this rate she would be late for their...date. She blushed again and grabbed some barrettes, fastening them into her hair. Anri glanced at the clock hanging on the wall and supposed that would have to do. She grabbed a brown jacket with sleeves that went to her elbows and threw it on. She stuffed her phone and wallet into her two pockets and headed out the door, locking it behind her.

As Anri walked down the street, she kept an eye out for Mikado. He hadn't really specified a meeting place and had only given her a general idea of where he would be. As she walked, her mind wandered.

What will we talk about? Will he be happy to see me? What do people usually do on dates? Does he even realize this is more of a date rather than just hanging out? What if I can't think of anything to say?

She was so nervous her stomach was doing flips and her face had become flushed. She barely had time to recover before she spotted Mikado waving at her. Anri approached slowly, like a timid animal just starting to warm up to a human. Why was she so afraid? It's not like he was going to bite. Anri knew that and yet her heart beat faster just standing next to him.

This isn't fear, is it? It's...

She gave him a small smile and nodded. "Of course, thank you for inviting me, Mikado," she said, her voice being its usual quiet self with a little nervousness mixed in.

"Yes..lead the way."

[Mikado Ryuugamine]

“I apologize in advance if we get a little lost, I might have lived here for the past year, but Kida was usually the one who knew all the good spots and hangouts…” Mikado nervously laughed and scratched the side of head sheepishly.

He was nervous, much more nervous now that Anri was actually here, with him, on Valentine’s day. Oh dear…

“Well…” he pulled out a map from his back pocket and gave it a quick look through. “We can go to Sunshine Street and visit the park, I heard there was a portrait artist that did really nice pictures. Or we can go to the manga store and read anything you would like, we might bump into Erika and Walker there…and then for lunch we could perhaps head to the sushi restaurant? Simon told me he could give us a really good discount on fatty tuna.” he let her know.

Mikado then suddenly remembered, “Oh Anri! I um…” he squirmed in his shoes, the blush rushing to his face. He stuck his hand into his pocket and brought out a small blue gift with a ribbon on top and handed it to her. “I got you something, but don’t open it just yet!”

He just probably confused Anri, what was the point of giving her the gift now if he just told her to wait to open it later. It made no sense…ah his mind jumped the gun before he actually could think about what he was doing. He had to stop being so nervous. But he couldn’t help it, he looked over her cute outfit and the blush on his face went a shade darker. They began to walk down the street still with no idea where to, but Mikado smiled. He liked being this close to Anri. He just hoped his courage didn’t abandon him when he would most need it for….his…confession…

At that thought he lost his stepping and tripped. “Whoa!”

[Anri Sonohara]

Anri was almost relieved when Mikado seemed to be as nervous as she was. It was nice to know she wasn't the only one with butterflies in her stomach. She smiled shyly as she listened to him rattle off the places they could go and things they could do. She thought it might be nice to visit the park and get a portrait done, but she also wouldn't mind going to the manga store. Even though she wasn't an avid reader, she knew Mikado liked manga so she'd be more than happy to go.

She blushed as Mikado handed her a small gift. She took it in her hands gently. "T-thank you!" she squeaked, genuinely surprised. She wondered what it could be and tucked it into her pocket when Mikado told her not to open it yet.

"You didn't have to get me anything," she fiddled with a stray thread sticking off her sleeve. She tried to adjust her hair to cover her blush but gave up after she realized it wasn't going to work.

She glanced over at her companion as they walked down the street only to find him observing her as well. She blushed and quickly looked away. Although, it was nice to see Mikado out of his usual outfit or school uniform. She really enjoyed being with him like this, even if she was too embarrassed to say so out loud.

All of a sudden Mikado lost his footing and stumbled, falling onto the sidewalk. "Mikado!" she gasped in concern. Anri hurriedly kneeled down next to him. "Are you alright?" she asked, her eyebrows knitting together in worry. She held out her hand and helped him back up.

[Mikado Ryuugamine]

Mikado face planted right onto the hard sidewalk. “Ow…” He slowly lifted up his head and touched his nose. Oh good its not broken… He then turned and gave Anri a sheepish grin before accepting her hand and help himself up and off the ground.

“Thank Anri…I don’t know why I’m suddenly so clumsy…more than usual…” he blushed and began to walk backwards for some odd strange reason. Since he wasn’t looking where he was going, Mikado felt himself bump up against something hard and that let out a low angry grunt.

“Hey what do you think you’re doing you punk? Oh ah!” Mikado turned to see that he had bumped into a yellow scarves member and he looked big and mean. The yellow scarf member had a huge scowl on his face, yet he was bent over in a way that made it seem as if he was really hurt. “Than hurt, you’re going to have to pay my hospital bills!”

“B-But why? I only bumped into you…” but Mikado knew that there was to be no reasoning with these guys who looked just about ready to punch him. So Mikado did the first thing that came to mind, he grabbed Anri’s hand and ran as fast as he could away from them. “Come on Anri let’s go!”

“Hey get back here so I can punch your face to repay for my injuries!”

Mikado just kept running he didn’t look back, and then he sneaked Anri and himself into a dark alleyway and watched as the yellow scarves passed them by. He held Anri close to him, wrapping his arms protectively around her, his heart racing a mile a minute.

Once he knew they were safe he let out a huge sigh of relief. “Boy that was a close one huh?” He smiled at her, but then he realized how they close together and he immediately let go.

“Whoa! Oh god, Anri forgive me! I-I didn’t mean to…I mean well…I…” his face blushing red. “How about we head off to the park now huh?” he poked his fingers together.

[Anri Sonohara]

Anri watched with wide eyes as Mikado backed into a Yellow Scarves member. He was a big guy and his mouth turned into a scowl as Mikado bumped him. He doubled over, as if in pain, and yelled at Mikado to pay his hospital bills. Anri simply stood there, too stunned to move.

It finally occurred to her that she could use Saika. Even though the man was big, she was fairly certain she could beat him with her katana. Before she had a chance to act though, Mikado had grabbed her hand and was running as fast as he could away from them. She glanced back as the man yelled after them and gave chase. Anri knew they couldn't run like this for long, it would be better to find a place to hide. She scanned her surroundings and spotted a dark alleyway off to the side. If they timed it right, they could sneak in and the Scarves would run right past them.

Mikado must have been thinking the same thing because the next second he was leading her into the alley. It was a tight fit, but Mikado still managed to wrap his arms around her as the men ran by their hiding spot. They turned the corner and disappeared, still running at top speed. She let out a relived sigh when she was sure they were gone and gave Mikado a small smile. Blush returned to her face as her companion let go of her and started stammering.

"I-It's fine Mikado...you saved us," she said quietly and nodded, "The park sounds great but....what if those guys come back?"

Anri wasn't particularly concerned about what the Scarves would do to them, she was more worried that if they came back she would have to bring Saika out. What would Mikado think of her then? She realized at that moment that she cared about what Mikado thought of her. This was a new concept to Anri, not that she completely ignored what others thought, she simply chose not to dwell on it. So why now? Why Mikado?

She was afraid, she realized. Afraid he would reject her and never speak to her again. Afraid she would lose him.

[Mikado Ryuugamine]

Mikado heard of bit of worry in Anri’s voice and he walked right back to her and grabbed her hands and held them in between his. He looked deeply into her eyes and in trying to reassure her, he stated.

“Fear not Anri, I’ll make sure that they don’t come anywhere near hurting you, I will do everything I can to keep you safe.”

Although honestly he was scared beyond his wits, his ‘heroic’ act from the last couple of minutes flew out the window and it took all his strength not to lose feelings in his legs and double over. No he had to hold strong and be brave, what type of man would he be if he couldn’t protect the girl he loved.

Mikado smiled warmly at Anri, still holding her hand in his. “Now why don’t we head over to that portrait painter?”

However, right at that moment if by some cruel twist of fate, the Yellow Scarves members from before came running out from the streets and spotted Mikado and Anri in the park.

“Hey there you are punk!” Mikado’s attention was brought to the guy he bumped into before. Although now it had seemed that on his way on looking for Mikado and Anri the yellow scarves had grown in numbers. Many numbers…

“You’re in for it now boy!”

Oh you have got to be kidding me…

Mikado’s eyes widen as he watched them get closer and closer, the feeling of doom looming over their heads as the seconds went by. Mikado turned himself around, spread his arms out wide making a shield to protect Anri and he took in a deep gulp.

“I won’t let them hurt you Anri, after all it’s me they want.”

I just hope when this is all over my body would still be recognizable so that I may be identified when I’m dead…

And with that final thought he shut his eyes and waited for that first punch to hit him.

[Anri Sonohara]

Anri heard the Yellow Scarves before she saw them. They sounded like a herd of animals thundering across the asphalt. Their numbers had at least doubled from when she saw them last. As they got closer, she immediately recognized the man Mikado had accidentally bumped earlier. Her first instinct was to run, but her feet were frozen in place and refused to budge.

I have to do something.

It was already too late, they were too close now. There was no way to outrun them. She watched as Mikado turned around and made himself into a human shield to protect her. He announced he wouldn't let them hurt her, Anri stared at him in silent bewilderment. Despite their situation, Mikado was putting on a brave face and even protecting her.

She then became very angry. How dare The Yellow Scarves chase them down and threaten Mikado like this. How dare they even think about hurting him when he had done nothing wrong. How dare they. She closed her eyes in concentration and when they finally opened, they seemed to have a red glow to them.

I have to protect him, no matter what.

Before she could even think about what she was doing, she had taken Saika out and ducked under Mikado's arm. She jumped in front of him and slashed the Yellow Scarves member across the chest before he had a chance to even consider punching Mikado. He reeled back, clutching his chest and grunting in pain.

"She's crazy!" one of the men yelled. "Don't be a baby, she's only a kid!" another retorted, seemingly unaffected by the sight of the katana. But he learned to shut his mouth when he saw his slashed comrade's glowing eyes. "Mother doesn't want you hurting her friend," he droned to his fellow members.

Anri held up her katana as a warning to the others, and a couple of them even took a reflexive step backwards. She gave them all a hard glare.

"I will not let you hurt Mikado."

[Mikado Ryuugamine]

Mikado was bewildered. He was beyond confused on what just happened. In fact he believed that none of what had just occurred was real. That it all had to be a dream, or nightmare in his case.

Mikado came to the conclusion that he had gotten punched in the face and being knocked out is what led into him having this crazy dream. That had to be the reason.

What other evidence could there be that Anri, sweet and shy Anri was suddenly slashing yellow scarves members left and right. However what surprised him the most that once he got over the shock of the Yellow scarves running away yelling like mad men…Mikado realized he was no longer scared.

Sure he was surprised, but he hesitantly went to reach and tenderly touch Anri’s shoulder.

“Anri…?” He whispered as he stared into her red eyes. Then in the far edges of his mind something suddenly clicked.

He doesn’t know why he blocked it from his mind before, but he remembers Anri was with him at the warehouse where they found out Kida was the leader of the Yellow Scarves. The only reason, as he found out later, was to why Kida rejoined the Yellow scarves was because he wanted to know who was the Slasher and find out why they would hurt Anri.

However right after the warehouse incident it was found out that the Slasher that was causing so much trouble was Haruna Niekawa. Person found, case closed. Mikado never questioned Anri’s reason for being in the warehouse that night and as time passed he simply forgot. But after this afternoon, well that all changed.

Finding out that Anri was the Slasher didn’t scare or upset him. After all he had his own secret that he as the leaders of the Dollars. He smiled at Anri and watched her red eyes return back to normal and he leaned in to hug her.

Wrapping his arms tightly around her, still aware that the Saika sword was still out, he just held her close and whispered at her. “Anri, You saved us.”

Then he pulled back with a goofy grin and slight blush. “Well this has certainly been an interesting day, wouldn’t you agree?” He went to scratch the back of his head and laugh nervously.

Mikado took Anri’s hand tenderly and said, “I say we continue with our date, I won’t ask anything of you that you don’t want to tell me. Alright Anri, after all I’m your…f-friend” the blush on his face turned a darker shade.

[Anri Sonohara]

Anri watched calmly as the Yellow Scarves finally came to their senses and ran away, screaming like mad. Well, now that they were delt with, she had something else to worry about. She was almost more afraid to turn and face Mikado than she had been fighting off the Yellow Scarves. Maybe if she just stood still, he would just go and she wouldn't have to face him. But he didn't leave, he reached out and gently touched her shoulder. She slowly turned around and looked into his eyes, searching for fear, betrayl, or hate; however, she found none of those things.

He seemed to be deep in thought as he gazed at her, probably trying to make sense of the fact that she was the Slasher. She could see his mind putting the pieces together and finally coming to the answer he already knew. He simply smiled at her as her eyes regained their normal color.

She was surprised, to say the least, when Mikado wrapped his arms around her, holding her close. She'd prepared herself for a variety of reactions, this was not one of them. How could he be so accepting? However, she was grateful he was, she didn't know what she would've done if he had rejected her. She decided to not ask questions and just be thankful.

She gave a small smile and nodded. 'Interesting day' indeed. She took a deep breath and put Saika away. Mikado then grabbed her hand and requested to continue their date and said he wouldn't ask anything she didn't want to answer. She noticed he seemed to stumble over the word 'friend' and she felt her cheeks heat up.

"Of course...T-thank you, Mikado," she stuttered, "W-where do you want to go?"

[Mikado Ryuugamine]

Mikado’s kept on the goofy smile on his face, as the blush on his cheeks were still clearly visible, but he didn’t care. His heart was thumping against his chest hard as his hand held onto Anri’s. He began to walk down the streets of Ikebukuro leading Anri to somewhere they figured they could have some fun.

“Well seeing how we just avoided a huge group of gang members with our lives still intact, I say we celebrate. How about a sweet treat? I know this good bakery not too far from here that has some very delicious strawberry cake.” He lightly laughed.

“Then after getting the cake we can…oh perhaps share it in the park? It’s a nice day out and it would be a waste to spend it indoors, don’t you think?” he them smiled warmly at her, the nervousness he felt before now gone and beginning to be replaced by something else. Though he was not sure at this time what it was.

[Anri Sonohara]

It was amazing how calm Mikado stayed throughout everything. Anri was starting to really admire that about him. "Cake sounds good," she agreed, blushing as he held her hand. It was a very nice day and Anri found she did want to spend it outdoors, with Mikado.

They reached the bakery and Mikado ordered the cake. They waited for it in silence. That was another thing she really loved about him. She didn't feel the need to talk, and the silence wasn't awkward or forced. They were perfectly fine just standing together and waiting.

"I'm having a really good time, despite what happened before," she said and laughed lightly. She truly was, even though initially she had feared Mikado's reaction to finding out she was the Slasher. He was much more accepting than she gave him credit for. It seemed that everything had turned out alright for once.

[Mikado Ryuugamine]

Now with the cake he ordered in hand, Mikado smiled brightly at Anri really enjoying the sound of her laugh. At that moment Mikado came to the realization that he always wanted to see Anri smiling and laughing like she means it. He understood that controlling something like Saika must have been difficult for her, but he wanted to be her support from then on. To let her know that she wasn’t alone and would always have him by her side…but now how to tell her all that?

At this Mikado went to lightly blush and get nervous. What should he do? Make a grab for Anri’s hand and intertwine their fingers or wrap his arm around her for better protection? But perhaps that was being too forward and might scare her off. Oh he had no idea what to do. No idea at all.

“An-Anri!” he then just randomly yelled out, his blushing turning a shade darker.

“Would you…would you…please let me hold your hand?”

[Anri Sonohara]

Mikado didn't say anything for a little while. He just stood there blushing, and he looked as if he were trying to figure out how to say something, but just couldn't work up the nerve to say it. Every time he opened his mouth to speak, he shut it almost immediately.

Anri was about to say something when Mikado called out her name, his blush turning darker. It seemed he had finally gotten over his nerves. He then formally (and rather shyly) requested to hold her hand. Red returned to her cheeks, but she nodded.

"O-of course," she said, a little nervous. She let him grab her hand and she gave a small smile. She had never really done anything like this with anyone before. But after everything that had happened, she felt that she had grown closer to Mikado. It actually felt...liberating to have someone else know what she really was. She didn't have to hide anymore, it was...really nice.

"Want to head to the park now?" she asked, "That cake looks good."

[Mikado Ryuugamine]

With a smile on his face, and lightly blushed cheeks, Mikado squeezed Anri’s hand in his and gave her a small nod.

“Yeah…that would be really nice.” For once the day seemed to be going their way. Mikado and Anri met with no more trouble heading into the park, and were soon surrounded by other love couples who were also enjoying their dates. Holding tightly to the cake box in his arm, making sure the little cakes did not flip over, Mikado soon spotted a free bench where he and Anri could sit and enjoy the sweet treat.

“Here, right by the fountain. This seems like a nice place.” Mikado lightly chuckled and helped Anri sit down then took his place next to her. He then rubbed her hand with thumb for a second before Mikado let go. He let go because he had to open the cake box.

When he did, and peeked to the mini cakes he let out a sigh of relief, they were just fine, but now which one would Anri like?

“For our little sweet treat, we have a Mint Chocolate slice, a Strawberry Cream slice, a Vanilla Whip with freshly sliced fruit…well here look and pick which you would like Anri-chan” and Mikado brightly smiled.

As Mikado watched Anri pick and choose, he continued to think. How to get his message across that he wanted to be her support, her interest, someone who could be close to her so she no longer had to worry about Saika herself, and in a way…she could help him get out of the Blue Squares.