Kaguya bowed deeply, her posture flawless, but when she straightened up, her face was flushed red, her ponytail bouncing with excitement. "Thank you so much for today, Gaio-kun." Her voice still had that breathless thrill from the roller coaster, her eyes sparkling like crazy. "I-I'm really looking forward to another day out with you."
Yukino stood quietly off to the side, back to her usual cool demeanor, hands neatly folded over her stomach. But the lingering excitement in her ice-blue eyes and the blush that hadn't faded yet quietly showed she was just as happy.
Gaio looked at the two young ladies with their stark contrasts and curved his mouth into a natural smile. No polite chit-chat—he just reached out and ruffled Kaguya's lively high ponytail. "Sure." He agreed easily, then added, "Next time, let's do a picnic."
Kaguya's eyes lit up even more. "A picnic?"
"Yeah, picnic." Gaio pulled his hand back, glancing at the seemingly calm Yukino nearby. "Yukino, if you're free, you can join too."
Yukino's eyelids drooped a bit, her long lashes fluttering. She didn't nod or say no, just softly went, "Mm."
Gaio's smile deepened.
He really hadn't expected it—when the roller coaster plunged down that first steep drop, Kaguya's perfectly styled ponytail exploded into chaos. The elegant "Shinomiya heiress" clung to his arm like a koala, her scream mixed with giggles: "We're gonna fall! Gaio-kun!"
And Yukino too.
This top student who always called amusement rides "childish" had gripped his hand tight from the moment the coaster started.
During the 360-degree loop, he felt her cool little hand suddenly clamp down, her nails nearly digging into his palm.
The wildest part was after they got off—Kaguya was still too hyped to let go, and Yukino stayed frozen in that interlocked-fingers pose.
Gaio couldn't resist reaching out to ruffle Yukino's hair too. It was surprisingly soft, with a faint shampoo scent.
"Alright, Yukino," he teased, mimicking her usual serious tone, "next time I'll take you to see that little calico kitten, how's that?"
Yukino pouted a little, but her mouth corners twitched up anyway.
She nodded lightly, a warmth flashing in her ice-blue eyes.
The scene reminded Gaio of the first time he met Yukino in high school—that rumored "ice queen" was crouched on the way home from school, feeding milk to a grubby little calico cat from her palm.
Sunlight filtered through the leaves onto her, and she smiled so gently, totally different from her frosty school vibe.
"Meow~" The kitten nuzzled her finger.
"You like cats too?" Gaio had blurted out back then.
Yukino shot up like a startled bunny, instantly switching to her keep-out vibe.
But her flushed ears and the flustered way she hid the milk carton gave away the "untouchable flower's" real personality.
After that, Gaio started "accidentally" running into Yukino while she fed the cats.
Gradually, they went from nodding acquaintances to cat-petting buddies.
Yukino always claimed it was "just passing by," but Gaio knew she detoured every Wednesday to feed that little calico.
"Hey, what're you spacing out for?" Yukino's voice snapped him back. She was giving him a fake-annoyed look, but her eyes and brows still held some softness from before.
Kaguya leaned in curiously. "What little calico?"
"Secret." Gaio winked at Yukino, earning a helpless eye-roll.
He suddenly thought being this "player" was worth it—at least he got to see these proud young ladies at their most real.
Even if Kitagawa found out and roasted him for "flirting everywhere," whatever.
"See ya." Gaio waved and turned to leave, striding off decisively.
The sunlight stretched his shadow long along the campus tree-lined path.
He checked his phone—Kitagawa had sent three messages:
"Where's Gaio-kun?"
"I checked out that dealership—they're having a promo."
"(｡ŏ﹏ŏ) Hurry up!"
His mouth curved up without thinking.
This bubbly girl had been hyped since yesterday, even scrolling car specs on her phone during last night's cuddle session.
Though every time she opened the details, he'd interrupt with a deep kiss, and her phone would slip off the bed unnoticed...
As Gaio walked and swiped his phone, it buzzed again.
A selfie from Kitagawa: eyes crinkled in a grin, peace sign at the camera, her bag and jacket all packed in the background.
"Waiting at the school gate for you~"
He could picture her shaking her golden hair while looking around.
Gaio smiled and replied: "Be right there. P.S.: Cute smile."
Just sent, another message popped up. A photo from Kaguya: her and Yukino under the school building, holding cotton candy from the amusement park.
"Gaio-kun, can't wait for picnic details."
Gaio was about to reply when a third message jumped in.
From Yukino: a calico cat pic, captioned with her signature cool two words: "Wednesday."
Rounding the last corner.
At the school gate, Kitagawa was on tiptoes, scanning around, her golden hair whipping in the wind.
Spotting Gaio, her eyes lit up, and she bounced over waving like a happy bunny.
Gaio silenced his phone and pocketed it. Now it was Kitagawa time.
She crashed into his arms like a little cannonball, smelling of sun and sweet shampoo. "Boyfriend dear's late!" She tilted her face up, hair brushing his chin, smile dazzling.
Gaio didn't talk, just cupped the back of her head with his big hand, feeling the soft strands. She wiggled restlessly, lifting her face with crescent-moon eyes. "But it's cool! You always waited for me before—today I'll wait for you."
"Alright, alright," Gaio chuckled, thumb brushing her slightly puffed cheek. "Thanks for the wait, Kitagawa ."
"Hehe." Kitagawa beamed, slipping her small hand into his for a tight interlock, then yanking him toward the gate. "Hurry hurry! I booked a test drive with the dealership—no way we're late!"
She hustled fast, golden hair and pink tips bouncing behind, chattering nonstop. "That red sports car—the salesperson said there's a special today..."
Car door shut, taxi headed to the dealership.
Kitagawa hugged his arm, head on his shoulder like a nesting kitten.
Suddenly, her little nose twitched. She sniffed near his collar, brow furrowing.
Oops!
Alarm bells in Kitagawa's head. That Shinomiya Kaguya scent! Same major as Gaio-kun's a pain—bet she got close while I wasn't around...
She pictured Kaguya elegantly scheming her way to Gaio, cheeks puffing as she squeezed his arm harder.
If Kaguya knew Kitagawa's inner rant, she'd cry foul—she was terrified half to death today!
The car pulled up quick.
They'd just stepped out when a bald middle-aged guy in a sharp suit hurried from the dealership door, professional smile plastered on, bowing slightly to Kitagawa. "Miss Kitagawa! We've been expecting you!"
His eyes shifted to Gaio with a bow. "This must be Mr. Gaio? Right this way—the red sports car you reserved is ready for a test drive."
Kitagawa's eyes sparkled, any jealousy forgotten as she dragged Gaio inside. "Come on, Gaio-kun! I can't wait to try Little Red!"
Bald guy grinned ear-to-ear, leading them to the test drive lounge, poured water, then bowed out to grab the keys.
Just the two of them now.
Gaio held Kitagawa's hand, pulling her close, looking down at her still-sparkly excited eyes with a teasing smile. "Hey, why so hyped? You even got your license?"
Kitagawa waved it off, mimicking steering with her free hand. "Nah, but you do! This is our first car together! Of course I'm pumped!"
Her voice was pure joy.
Gaio laughed at her bold, kid-like logic, wrapping his arm around her fully, warm breath on her forehead.
"I got the license, you don't—that won't fly." He tightened his hold, spotting her ears turning red. His voice turned indulgent. "If you love it that much, better get yours quick."
He paused, chin rubbing her hair. "After all, the car's gonna be yours."
She froze for a sec, then jerked her head up, hair tickling his neck.
Her big eyes went wide with disbelief, then exploded like fireworks—brighter than test-drive hype, joy spilling over.
"F-for real?! Mine?!" Kitagawa's voice pitched up, face blooming into a radiant grin like a blissed-out critter, nuzzling him hard. "Gaio-kun! You're the best!"
The license "hurdle" vanished in the surprise.
Gaio's heart softened from the rubbing, pinching her excited puffy cheeks with a low laugh. "Yup, deal."
Bald guy returned with keys, beaming as he led them outside. A brand-new 2018 red Audi R8 Spyder sat waiting, sleek lines gleaming in the sun.
"Whoa! Little Red!" Kitagawa let go and fluttered to the car like a bird, face smooshed against the window peeking in, eyes full of awe. "So pretty! Interior's awesome too!"
Gaio took the keys, waving off the salesperson—no need to follow.
Test drive kicked off.
Gaio drove first, cruising city streets to feel the handling and power. Kitagawa in the passenger seat poked around excitedly, seatbelt no match for her bounces.
When it was time for Gaio to test passenger comfort, he glanced at her.
She gripped the wheel tight (car parked), eyes dazzling, cheeks flushed, nodding furiously like "Amazing! Amazing!"
Gaio smiled, no hesitation. Window down, he called to the expectant bald guy at the showroom door: "We're taking it."
Bald guy's smile burst like a chrysanthemum. "You got it, Mr. Chen! This way—let's handle the paperwork!"
Contract on the table.
"Sign here." Gaio pointed to the buyer line, handing Kitagawa the pen.
Her fingers shook a bit taking it.
Seeing her name tie to that dream sports car, she sniffled, eyes genuinely misty.
She blinked hard, swallowing the emotional lump, and scribbled fast—Kitagawa Marin.
"All set!" Bald salesperson scooped up the contract with a grin.
Paperwork done, Gaio whipped out the black card with its weird swirl pattern and swiped casually.
Dealership would deliver a new one—the test model couldn't be sold as new.
On the way home, Kitagawa was weirdly quiet, not her usual chatterbox self.
She just clung to his arm, cheek on his shoulder, giggling dumbly now and then.
Gaio ruffled her hair. "Kitagawa ."
"Mm..." She nuzzled him, voice stuffy with a nasal twang. "Gaio-kun..."
"Yeah?"
"Nothin'..." She shook her head, burying deeper.
But inside, her heart bubbled like boiling water: Tonight... gotta reward boyfriend dear big time!
Home door open, familiar air hit them. Kitagawa kicked off shoes, padding barefoot, still floaty.
"I really... got a car?" She spun, looking up at shoe-changing Gaio, eyes unbelieving.
He'd bought her tons—bags, jewelry, cosplay outfits, limited games...
But a sports car? Whole different level.
"Wasn't it your name on the contract?" Gaio slipped on slippers, teasing her spacey look. "Want me to call and say it was a mistake?"
"No way!" Kitagawa pounced like a food-guarding cat, hugging his waist tight. "Mine! My Little Red!"
Gaio chuckled low, hugging back. "Then get used to it, future Kitagawa car owner."
He dipped his head, chin on her soft hair. "Name it? Calling it Little Red sounds like a puppy or kitten."
"Yeah!" She nodded hard in his arms, tilting up with a rose-bloom smile, misty eyes turning sparkly. "Name... lemme think! Gotta be the best!"
She tiptoed for a quick lip peck, then scampered off red-faced like a sneaky cat. "Gonna research the fastest way to get my license!"
Gaio watched her bouncy exit, shaking his head with a laugh, heading to the kitchen.
He'd just tied on the cartoon apron to prep ingredients when a head poked in.
"Boyfriend dear! Boyfriend dear!" Kitagawa's voice mixed excitement and sheepishness.
Gaio paused mid-knife, glancing over. "Huh? Back already? License tips done?"
Like a slippery fish, she darted to his side, arms wrapping his waist, cheek rubbing his aproned back. "Hehe, not yet. But... can we talk about something?"
Gaio arched a brow, urging her on.
"Tomorrow... can you pick someone up for me?" Kitagawa's tone turned wheedling.
"Pick up who?" He turned, looking down.
"My distant cousin." She looked up, a bit troubled. "She just got back—flight lands here tomorrow afternoon."
"Oh?" Gaio got it. "Sure. You busy mornings?"
Kitagawa deflated like a punctured ball, shoulders slumping. "Don't remind me—morning's that 'demon prof's class... roll call's brutal, no slipping out!" She shivered thinking of the prof's cold stare.
Gaio nodded knowingly—he'd heard the rep. "Alright, send me her pic. And tell her ahead so you don't scare her."
"Yeah yeah!" Kitagawa nodded wildly, beaming. "Boyfriend dear's the best!" She whirled to dash out like a gust.
"Wait," Gaio caught her quick, hands damp. "You didn't say her name."
She skidded to a stop, slapping her forehead annoyed. "Doh! Right right! My bad memory—forgot the big thing!"
She stuck out her pink tongue, shaking her head sheepishly. "Her name's Rin Tohsaka! Just back from exchange at England's 'Clock Tower'!"
"Rin Tohsaka?" Gaio noted it. "Got it. Go on."
"Yeah!" Kitagawa relaxed fully, happy "yep" as she bounded out like a frolicking deer, leaving him at the counter.
Gaio watched her lively back vanish, smiling helplessly and fondly, grabbing the knife again to chop.
Thud, thud.
Two cuts into the carrot, neat edge not even formed—the blade halted.
Gaio froze in chop pose, brows furrowing deep into a "chuan" wrinkle.
"Rin Tohsaka...?" He muttered the name. "Fate????"