Operation: Match Up!
02#FIRST TIME ON A DATE, KINDA NERVOUS!!
Sitting in a bustling yet aesthetic café, you fiddled anxiously with your fingers as waiters hurried past, balancing trays and calling out orders. It wasn’t every day you found yourself in a crowded, noisy place like this, instead of being tucked away in the quiet sanctuary of the library or your home, forcing yourself to focus. Yet, the soft ambiance and mellow music playing overhead offered a small comfort, easing your nerves if only for a moment.
Your phone buzzed. A notification from the group chat lit up your screen. It was Yoimiya’s message, a cheerful and detailed description of your supposed blind date. You sighed, glancing around the room in search of someone matching her words. A part of you felt this was a complete waste of time, time better spent studying, but another part couldn’t deny the flicker of hope… the quiet longing to meet someone who might just pull you out of your unhealthy patterns.
The sound of a chair being pulled out across from you snapped you out of your thoughts. You looked up, expecting to see the guy Yoimiya had described.
But it wasn’t him.
Was this what people called a catfish?
Your brows furrowed slightly as you skimmed Yoimiya’s message again. “Dark hair with teal undertones… amber brown eyes.” Yet the person in front of you had platinum blonde hair, accented with vivid orange-red streaks, and warm crimson eyes that held a gentle glint. He was undeniably handsome, but completely different from the description. He seemed to notice your confusion, he gave a sheepish smile and rubbed the back of his neck.
“Good afternoon… May I sit here?” he asked, softly, your name following shortly after. Ah so he was your date, after all.
You quickly returned the greeting with a polite smile, still slightly dazed. “Good afternoon, my apologies for being silent. It’s just that… you looked different from what my friend described.” He let out a quiet chuckle. It was a handsome one, you noted and he eased into his seat.
He explained the situation: your original date had been called away unexpectedly, and rather than cancel last minute, he’d asked him to take his place so you wouldn’t be stood up. You nodded in understanding, though a small silence fell over the table, both of you shifting in mild awkwardness.
Before you could fill the gap, he seemed to remember something.
“Ah, I haven’t introduced myself yet. I’m Kaedehara Kazuha. But please, just call me Kazuha.”
He smiled and oh what a pretty smile it was!! You felt yourself short-circuit slightly, your brain not used to handling sudden interactions with someone so attractive. Sensing your nerves, Kazuha gently suggested ordering something to eat, and you were silently grateful for the change in pace.
The rest of the date flowed more easily than expected. You learned he went to the same school as you, though you’d somehow never crossed paths. He talked about playing the shamisen when frustrated, and how he had a small band with some friends. When you mentioned how difficult your coursework had been lately, he even offered to help you study.
It wasn’t long before the evening began to dim, and it was time to head home. Kazuha insisted on walking you back, and you found yourself quietly touched by his maturity. Despite being a high schooler like you, he carried himself with calmness and warmth that felt… grounding. How refreshing it is to have a conversation with him.
Time had flown far too quickly and before you knew it, you were already at your doorstep. You hesitated for a moment, feeling a small pang of disappointment sinking in.
Kazuha turned to you, calling your name softly. He pulled out his phone, rubbing the back of his neck again with a slightly sheepish expression.
“I’d love to talk to you more… Would you mind giving me your number?”
You couldn’t help but grin, the nerves bubbling up again. You nodded quickly, taking his phone with shaky hands and carefully typing out your contact information—double, even triple-checking for any typos. It wasn't everyday you get to have a pretty guy's contact.
Kazuha gave a small bow in thanks, his smile filled with quiet contentment. He waved as you stepped inside, and you waved back from the doorway. Once the door shut behind you, he stood there for a moment, letting out a breath he didn’t know he’d been holding.
Oh if only you knew how loud his heart had been beating the entire time.
Years of admiring you from afar, and now he finally had the chance to speak with you. To walk beside you. To be seen by you! Of course, it was his fault for being such a coward.
As he made his way home, feeling a surge of inspiration to write something about you
Tonight, he would write something beautiful for sure.
SYNOPSIS As a dedicated student, you often get lost in your studies, oblivious to the world around you—including the boy who's been quietly pining for you, hoping one day you'll see him the way he sees you. But of course, you're far too immersed in academic pressures to notice. Concerned about your single-minded focus, your friends hatch a plan to set you up with someone they think is perfect for you. Yet when their plan unfolds, it's nothing like what they imagined.
PREVIOUS - MASTERLIST - NEXT
TAGLIST (open) ♡ @tamikahoshiko @luvjongseong @meisverycool @hvtaos @sashaswasteland
NOTE - i love kazuha so much that i giggled while writing this...