Story #2: Up Our Dating Game?! Part 1
We begin in a fine sunny afternoon at downtown East Kaimon, as Maxtaro and Kyoko are out gathering supplies. Once a weekend, per agreement from their fathers, Maxtaro will stop by to make occasion repairs to the Hino Dojo free of charge. A sign of good faith between two old friends. However, with the knowledge of doing such extensive work for free, this leaves Maxtaro handling this task rather carelessly.
How carelessly? Well...
“Seriously, what kind of idiot doesn't bring nails to fix a dojo?!” Kyoko shouted, barely containing both her anger and annoyance. “Because of that, we had to go to the hardware store...Again!” She puffed her cheeks, the sounds of her boot heels clack heavy on the pavement as she stomped in a contained fury. “What kind of son of a carpenter are you?! Jeez!”
Maxtaro couldn't help but cringed throughout her rant. After all, it's overkill...Yet so right in many ways. “Kyoko, I said I had a plan." He muttered. “We had plenty of duct tape back at the dojo-” He stopped, noticing the shimmering aura of misery coming from Kyoko. Duct tape was his usual backup plan, one that is used one too many times to the Hinos utter dismay. “Oh, right...You said no duct tape.”
“Right, and please don't half ass it!” Kyoko said sharply, turning her head away in a pout. “I really want you to try, is that too much to ask?” They then head close by Saito’s Ramen Shop, a usual hangout spot for most of the youth in East Kaimon, where Maxtaro took a pause.
“Hmmm say, want to stop by here for lunch?” Maxtaro asked
Kyoko gave a surprised expression, the two having stopped walking. “Why now? We do need to head back you know.”
“Ah, come on.” He replied with a smile. “It'll be my treat. After all, you do deserve something nice for helping me fix the dojo…” He then frowned. “Even though thanks to some crazy agreement between our dads, I'm not getting paid for it.”
“Hey, don't push it.” Kyoko replied, again growing irritated. “Get to the point here.”
“Well, yeah. I gotta show my gratitude after all.” Maxtaro said with a chuckle. “After all, I bet you're starving like me!”
Kyoko scoffed. “Yeah right, as if I'm hungry like that-” A long low growl is heard as if on cue, leaving the two to stand awkwardly. “...You said you'll pay right?” She said quietly, her face growing red as a tomato.
Maxtaro then nodded. “Totally.” They soon head toward the entrance. “Yeah, I won't tell anyone bout that.”
“T-Thanks.” Kyoko said sheepishly.
Some time later.
“Ah yeah! This. Is. Good!” Kyoko said quite cheerfully, in much better spirits as she clapped her hand with a smile, chopsticks at the ready. “Thanks for the food!”
Maxtaro chuckled as he split open his pair of chopsticks. “Knew you were cranky from hunger.”
“Right...But you're still not using duct tape on my dojo.” She said as she picked at her bowl, never breaking her joyful stride. “Not on my watch!”
“Right, of course.” Maxtaro muttered with a sigh. “You're more like my boss when it comes to that…” He then raised an eyebrow. “Huh, I guess this became like a date or something?”
Kyoko paused at that statement. “Say wha? Really?” She then placed a hand on her chin in pondering. “I guess it is, now that you mention it.”
“But it feels like this isn't the first time…” Maxtaro said, feeling rather confused. The two couldn’t help but now realize there is a strange sense of deja vu going on, as if this routine wasn’t really new to them. “Why is that?”
“That’s because you guys keep coming here for improvised dates!” Gen said with a grin as he prepared to head off making his daily ramen deliveries, two large metal delivery boxes in his hands.
“...We do?” Maxtaro and Kyoko asked in surprise.
“Right.” Owner and cook, as well as Gen's father, Terry Saito said with a hearty laugh. “You both always come here whenever she's mad at ya every once a week, Maxtaro! Is it not having screws at her place again?”
“N-Nails this time.” Maxtaro said with growing shock as the two Saitos revealed that yes, this clearly isn’t a new thing going on between him and Kyoko. “Wait, this happens weekly?! The hell?!”
“Well...Yeah.” Gen admitted as he shrugged. “I mean Kyoko's even right now pretty much acts like this every week when you forget stuff like this, Maxtaro. Heck, she always usually denies being hungry before coming in too!” He then grinned.” It's like watching a video on repeat if you ask me!”
“S-Shut up, Gen!” Kyoko cried out. She felt appalled...And very annoyed at Gen’s accurate analysis! “Don't you have a mountain to scale delivering ramen so you can leave us alone?!”
“Two actually!” Gen said cheerfully as he headed off to a sprint. “Be back till dark, dad!”
“Hey it ain't too bad, you two.” Terry said with a smile. “The same dating routine doesn't hurt...Till it gets boring…” He then frowned as he notice the dismayed faces Maxtaro and Kyoko gave. It finally dawned on the older man that this news is honestly a bummer for them both. “Ohhhhh...Um, how about a freebie soda on the go?” He grimaced at the growing dismay the two are giving by the second. “...I-I’m gonna say yes on that…”
Much later, at the Hino dojo. All is too quiet, as Maxtaro hammered in more boards to cover the holes on the walls while Kyoko sat on the wooden dojo steps sipping a can of soda in silence. Both...Are seriously bummed out at this recent revelation. The thoughts couldn’t go away...Was this really their usual dating routine yet they didn’t even noticed?
And did it actually sucked?
“....Agh!!” Kyoko cried out in frustration as she stood up, throwing her can right to the ground. “I can't get that out of my head now, Maxtaro! That's how we've been dating lately?!”
“I know!” Maxtaro said in agreement, irritated enough to pound his hammer right through the wood, making a bigger hole than before as he bowed before her in shame. “I'm so sorry for being such a lousy boring boyfriend!!”
“No, I'm sorry for being a static girlfriend!!” Kyoko said with both face palming at such incompetence in their dating routine. “We have to fix this.”
“Hell yes!” Maxtaro shouted. “Alright, next week, an actual date! None of that routine crap! This dojo can wait!”
“Right!” Kyoko then bit her lip. “Also, no double dates with Nagase and Baku! Just us!” The two could only recall that those moments...Had more Baku and Nagase moments than it was of them, to further their dismay. “L-Like a real effort from us!”
“Yeah! Just us!” Maxtaro noted as they both stood tall, revitalized from their slump. “Man, you know, I'm feeling quite good now!”
“Me too!” Kyoko said feeling the energy. “So where to next week?!”
“No clue!” He replied quickly.
It is then that Miyu arrived home, just in time to see Maxtaro and her older sister back in their aura of gloom.
“D-Did something happen here?” Miyu asked in confusion.
A week later, Hino residence. The fateful day that both Maxtaro and Kyoko promised to make a real effort. A real date...A chance to redeem themselves!
“Whew! That was a nice morning workout!” Kyoko exclaimed with a relieved sigh as she enters her house, wearing a sweat laden t-shirt and jogging shorts. She then collapsed onto the couch upon entering the living room. “Ah...It's nice to have the AC working again…”
“Ah, Kyoko, you're covered in sweat!” Her mother Keiko said with concern as she just entered the room. Keiko Hino, loving mother, teaches the swordsmanship half of the dojo, taller than average, and someone who once was called the Tigress of Blood...Yeah. “Do take it easy today.”
“I got plans today, mom.” Kyoko said before chuckling nervously. “Not exactly sure what though.” Her cell phone then rang to her surprise. “Whose calling this early?” She asked before answering, not checking her phone. “Hello?”
“Hey Kyoko.” Maxtaro’s voice on the receiver said. “Can I stop by your place?”
“N-Now?” Kyoko asked confusingly. She takes a quick look at the clock nearby. “Um, Y-Yeah, sure.”
“Cool.” He said quickly. “See you soon.” He then hung up before Kyoko could reply.
“Jeez, that was rather curt.” Kyoko said, feeling rather annoyed as she lied on the sofa. “Still, at least he's putting effort-” Then her doorbell buzzed several times in rapid fire succession to her amazement. “Whoa! That was fast!” She exclaimed sitting up in a huff before walking to the door, growing more irritated as the doorbell continues to ring. “H-Hold on a second!” She said with a cross vein exposed before opening the door. “Uh?!”
And standing at the door is Maxtaro, wearing a rather hastily done outfit composed of a dark suit jacket, a lightly colored t-shirt with a tuxedo print on the front, and dark jeans. He looked to be quite haggard and exhausted to Kyoko’s shock.”...Hey.” He said followed by pants and coughs.
“Oh my god, did you ran all the way to here?!” Kyoko cried out in concern. “And you seriously went all out with the clothes! ...Despite being sorta cheap...”
“Funny story really.” Maxtaro replied as he began a recollection of earlier today. “I was actually decked up with dress shirt, slacks, the whole she-bang.” He then frowned. “Then my Dad got an emergency call to go fix a place and needed me to help…And I didn't have time to change until we're done.” He couldn’t help but put a palm over his face in shame, recalling the numerous stains and tears on his clothes that time. Remember folks, being the son of a carpenter isn't exactly glamorous, though it builds character! “I had no choice but to change into whatever I got in my closet after that…”
“Ohhhh…” Kyoko said. “That can't be good wearing clothes like that.” She then gasped. “Wait a second, I'm not ready at all!”
Maxtaro gave a blank stare as he looked at her from head to toe. “Really?” He said, completely clueless. “I thought you are-”
She then gave a sudden low kick at Maxtaro’s shin, growling in annoyance. “What kind of girl wears something like this on a date?!” She lifted her arm and takes a whiff at herself only to groan. “Hang on, I'm going to take a shower and get ready! Wait here!” She said as she rushed upstairs, ignoring Maxtaro clutching his shin in pain.
“Yeah...No problem!” He groaned out weakly!
Kyoko made a mad rush to clean herself up, taking a quick yet very thorough shower, as she quickly entered her room, having covered herself up with a towel. “Alright, gotta find an outfit to wear!” She said to herself as she opened her closet, eyes scanning for anything that looks far more appealing than her usual get up. “...Dammit, why don't I have anything really cute or sexy here?!” She moaned out in frustration.
Downstairs, Maxtaro sat nervously on the couch in the living room, sitting close to the whole Hino family.
“So, you're taking Kyoko out on a date, but you guys have no real idea where to go?” Miyu asked with an eyebrow raised, stroking the back of the family's large cat Busa. “Isn't that kind of weird just winging the whole thing?”
“Ho boy, Miyu.” Maxtaro said dryly. “Simply preachin to the choir here.”
“Well, I say that isn't exactly a bad thing!” Keiko said with a smile. "I can recall my dating days, romantic with a few sword fights in between!" She said followed by a laugh as everyone in the room are a bit baffled at the last thing she just said. “Keep a chipper mood and you get far, I say! Right, Yuu?”
“Yeah.” Yuu said, nervously chuckling to himself before looking at Maxtaro. “I mean you're both seventeen and reasonable kids.” He closed his eyes, visualizing the date in his head. “Yeah, Nothing to worry about. Just you two having a neat-Wait...Why are you two staying out so late-" He slowly grew a frown. "Wait, are you at a hotel-What the-She's too young-Gahh!!”
“Whoa, dad!” Miyu cried out as she and Keiko shook and slap Yuu back to reality. “Let's not go full dad mode here!!”
“Oh jeez!” Yuu gasped out as he leaves his...Weird fantasy. Everyone present only gave him a confused look as he laughed nervously. “Yeah, sorry bout that.” He gives a small bow to Maxtaro. “I may have gone a little overboard on you in my thoughts, sorry.”
“W-What the heck did you do to me in your fantasy?” Maxtaro muttered in shock. The door then opened as Kyoko popped her head out.
“Sorry for the wait!” She said before entering the room. Her choice of wear is quite different compared to her usual attires. A white three quarter sleeved collared blouse patterned with black tiger patterned stripes, a loosely tied purple necktie, a short black pleated skirt, and dark colored thigh high stockings. Her hair tied to a high ponytail, the red ribbon tied in a neat bow than her usual tight wrap. “W-What?” She ask as everyone gave a rather baffling look as a response.
“...Is that really you, Kyoko?” Maxtaro asked.
“It's like night and day.” Miyu muttered to herself, Busa simply yawning as he sat on her lap.
“That’s our daughter?” Her parents said with genuine surprise.
Kyoko only gave an flat expression. “Please stop that, it's rather embarrassing.” She turned to Maxtaro as they both head out the door, the two pumped up for their actual date. “Alright, let's do this!”
“Oh yeah, totally!” Maxtaro replied as the two marched out to the hallway on the way to the entrance.
Yuu gave a pause. “...If you two do end up in a hotel-”
“Gah!!” The two said, turning to show baffled expressions as they nearly trip from the shock of what Yuu was about to say. “It's not like that!!”
Not long after, deep into town.
“You really gotta tell your dad to loosen up.” Maxtaro said, noticing Kyoko giving a frown as he said this.
“Trust me, I tried.” She replied. “He's just being stubborn.” She then suddenly stumbled, giving Maxtaro pause. “What?”
Maxtaro raised an eyebrow. “...You seriously can't walk in high heels?” He said, looking at the high heel shoes she decided to wear for the day.
Kyoko quickly grew flustered at the statement. “I-I haven't worn these for a long time, so cut me some slack!” She snapped. “It'll come back to me!”
Maxtaro couldn't help but place a hand to his chin. “Wait, you wear boots with heels, like almost all the time.” Maxtaro said, feeling confused, recalling numerous instances of this one strange topic. “Like, I seen you run, jump, kick, and do all sorts of crazy stuff in heeled boots! Suddenly this gives ya trouble?!” His bafflement could only grow. “What’s the difference?!”
“Because those heels work than these ones!” She flusterly retorted before marching ahead. “Now shut up already so we can-” She then tripped and land face first on the floor, to Maxtaro’s horror. She weakly raised a hand. “...Hold my hand for a while...I'm begging you.”
“R-Right.” Maxtaro said nervously as he brought her back on her feet. The two then walked hand in hand, feeling rather embarrassed at the sight the townspeople gave to them as they walked slowly. However, a certain other pair watched from afar in a large bush!
“I thought this would be fun...But this is boring.” Nagase said as she peeks her head out of the bush to watch. “Spying just isn’t what it used to be."
“You said it.” Baku replied with a frown. “But I ain't spending my Sunday sitting at home.” He then gave a small smile. “Still, so this is what they're up to...Frankly, that explains what the hell was going on all week."
Days ago, in school.
“Hey Maxtaro, got plans this weekend?” Baku asked as the two walked down the hallway. All he got in return was a grin from Maxtaro for no reason. “...The hell are you doing?” He muttered, eyes narrowed.
Elsewhere, in class, Nagase grew confused as Kyoko gave a nervous laugh after asking a similar question. “Uh, so you do have plans then?” She asked. “...Is a secret or something...Like looking for aliens?” Her eyes grew wide upon saying this. “It is, isn't it?!”
“No.” Kyoko said bluntly as her expression changed to annoyance. “It's not, so please stop giving me that thumbs up.”
As the week progressed in school, not a single word was blabbed from the two regarding weekend plans...Causing some mixed reactions.
“Look Maxtaro, just give me a yes or no if you’re free-No!” Baku shouted as the two had lunch at the school roof, growing more annoyed as Maxtaro gave a weak chuckle. “Stop giving me smiles and chuckles, you ass! Seriously, why are you doing that when we talk about-Stop that!”
In class, Nagase continued to prod at Kyoko, the latter munching on a rice cracker. “Come on, tell me about the weekend...It's totally looking for aliens, right?” She asked, only to frown as Kyoko simply gave her a blunt expression, her chewing grinding to a snail's pace. “A simple yes or no, please.” She pointed out with eyes narrowed.
Cut to the last day of school for the week, a day before the present…
“Gahhhh!!!” Baku screamed out in frustration as he placed Maxtaro in a headlock in the middle of class to everyone's shock, having finally lost it. “Talk, you scarfaced moron!!”
“Ow! Quit it, ya dumbass!!” Maxtaro cried out in shock.
“So now you're talking about this weekend?! Guess what? Too late for that!!” Baku roared.
Nagase however, ignored the ruckus as she whispered to Kyoko. “Look, if I buy you juice and rice crackers, would you tell me what you're doing tomorrow-”
“Nagase, I told you to cut that out!” Kyoko snapped quietly as she looked as various classmates attempt to pull Baku off of Maxtaro. “I'm not looking for aliens tomorrow!”
“Liar!!” Nagase shouted. “You so are!!”
Back to the present…
“Wait, I did get in trouble because that idiot didn't tell me anything all week!” Baku said with a growl, now recalling the frustration all week. “They better do something!”
“...I was really hoping for a UFO sighting…” Nagase muttered. “You know, I still think this is kind of nice, seeing them like this.”
“Yeah...It kinda makes you realize they don't do much in those double dates we planned out.” Baku said bluntly. The two couldn't help but imagine back to those moments...Where Maxtaro and Kyoko acted more like background noise. “...They’re not really good on romance huh?”
“Hey, at least they're not running errands and stopping for ramen like usual.” Nagase said with a shrug. “Gen said they’re his dad's favorite customers after all.”
“Whatever, let's just see where this goes.” Baku quickly said as the two stood up, revealing to be wearing dark colored business suits. “We didn't put on these suits for nothing.”
“Yeah, these suits rock!” Nagase exclaimed in excitement as they quickly follow their quarry. “It’s like a buddy cop film!”
Not long after, Maxtaro and Kyoko finally made a stop, looking intrigued over a food stand. By intrigue, we mean so so very confused.
“Uh, what the hell is a flaming paan?” Maxtaro asked as he watched the large sign, turning to Kyoko. He frowned as she gave a shrug in response.
“Don't ask me.” She replied. They watch as the man running the stand began to create the thing itself. “Well, we did agree to try at least something unusual…” She then raised an eyebrow. “What is he doing with that leaf?” Her eyes grew wide as the man then sets the top of the leaf, filled with savory fillings, on fire. “Wha?!”
“Wait, huh?!” Maxtaro said in surprise alongside Kyoko, only to see the man then shove the flaming treat into a paying customer's mouth. The two couldn't help but drop their jaw at such a blatant action.
“No freaking way!” They shouted in unison. Such unity they have, right?! The vendor then pointed at them. “Us next?!” The two then exchange glares at each other.
“Rock Paper Scissors then?” Maxtaro said tensely. “Loser goes first.”
“You’re on.” Kyoko said with a low growl. “No way am I going first.” If anything, they look more like rivals than a couple, readying themselves for this children's game! The crowd could only stare in bafflement.
“...You can’t be serious.” Baku muttered at a distance as he and Nagase watch Maxtaro and Kyoko kept playing round after round of the game.
“...They just keep choosing rock…” Nagase said, feeling bad at her friends lack of strategy.
“Gah!! Stop picking rock!!” The couple shouted, baring fangs fueled with blood and vinegar. Love can’t stop competitive nature after all! A full minute later…
“Noooo!!!” Kyoko cried out in horror, clenching her fist as tears are welling up on her eyes. “Why have you failed me, rock?!”
“Haha!” Maxtaro said with glee, revealing his open palm. “You didn't notice I can change to paper! Just as planned!”
“Just as planned? Hell no…” The entire crowd thought in unison as it is too painfully obvious he just now realize rock wasn’t his sole option.
“So, I guess that means you're first-” He froze in bafflement as Kyoko looks about to cry, in a pleading motion while shaking her head. He grimaced as the guilt began to set in, her tears welling in her eyes finally broke his resolve. “...Fine, I'll go first.” He muttered only to cry out as she suddenly pulls him in a wide hug. “Gaaaahhh!!!”
“Oh god, thank you!!” Kyoko cried out while sobbing into his chest. “Thank you!!”
“Just get off!” Maxtaro shouted in full shock mode “You’re crushing me!!”. Several minutes later… “Look, I'm gonna count to three, so you better not shove that flaming-Mmmph?!” It appeared the vendor really couldn't follow directions as he shoved the flaming paan right into Maxtaro’s mouth mid speech. The young man suddenly going to a coughing fit as soon as he finished eating. “Jeez,I said till three, you freaking-” He is soon cut off by more of his coughing. Kyoko and the crowd could only stare in horror, unsure if something such as street food can kill a man.. “But it's kinda good!” He managed to say, deflating some of the terror.
“Uh!” Kyoko stare at shock as the vendor approaches her, flaming paan in hand. “Okay, Kyoko…” She said to herself quietly. “It's just a snack. Don't hit him, don't hit him, don't hit him, for the love of god don't hit him…”
A half hour later, a disheartened Kyoko placed a palm to her face in self disgust. “Why did I hit him?!” She bemoaned as Maxtaro walks besides her.
“...If it makes you feel better, that was kinda a textbook elbow to the jaw-” He stops as he noticed she replace her sulking with a grim look directed at him. “Nevermind, let's just forget I ever said that.” He muttered nervously as the two arrived at the local theater. “Anyway, how about we forget that and go watch a movie? That's like a date thing.”
“Right!” Kyoko said, shaking off her troubles. “Nothing says a typical dating routine like the movies!” She smiled only to grow confused. “Wait, what are we watching anyway?” Maxtaro looked to be ready to say something only to pause followed by a shrug.
“No clue.” He bluntly stated.
“You can’t be serious…” Kyoko muttered as she stared at the current posters on the wall. “Let's see…" Her eyes lit up upon noticing a certain film currently playing. "Hey, Tiger Man goes to Hawaii is playing-”
“But it's a kids film.” Maxtaro interrupted, only to see Kyoko glaring at him, biting her lip as to force herself from exploding to his surprise. One has to wonder, is she a fan of such things? Maxtaro only looked on in confusion. “...Oh-kay then, how bout Operation Fishnet-”
“Please, no war movies.” Kyoko said quickly with a cringing reaction, her hands waving off the suggestion. “I really can't stand all the blood and body parts…”
The two then paused, looking at the one film they might agree on...The Haunted Lunchbox, Part 14: The Croquettes of Enma! They couldn't help but frown. Once a cult sleeper hit, the Haunted Lunchbox series...Kinda sucked in the later entries. Not that it ever stopped getting sequels.
“I heard this one really sucks...But part 13 ended on a cliffhanger.” Maxtaro said quietly, clearly embarrassed to admit such a thing. “I wanna know what's next…”
“It's utter trash...But I do have a soft spot for those movies no matter what…” Kyoko sheepishly replied. The two then gave each other a look. A look that says even if this movie is trash I’m glad you're watching it with me all over their faces. They then took a deep breath as they walked to the cashier.
“Two tickets for Haunted Lunchbox.” Maxtaro said with an embarrassed look on his face.
“...And two drinks?” Kyoko asked with a similar look.
Some time later...At a movie where there's a decent kid’s cartoon film being played!
“No fear, children! Tiger Man’s gonna stop that volcano...With tiger spirit!!!”
Baku groaned at the cheesy dialogue, though it's being drowned out by the cheers of everyone else. “Dammit, I should have picked Operation Fishnet instead of this…”
“Yes, go wreck Volcano Joe’s butt!” Nagase said with a fist pump to the air. “Sorry we didn't check out Haunted Lunchbox.” She frowned. “My brother forced me to watch it twice...Never looking at coquettes the same way now…”
Baku waved off her concerns, watching a tiger themed superhero fight a living volcano onscreen. “Eh, it's cool. I watched it like seven times with my dad this week.” He said casually as he sips his drink.
Nagase couldn't help but raised an eyebrow confusingly. “...W-Why?” She then shook it off, mostly interested in an obvious couple watching another film nearby. “Say, you wanna bet those two be clinging on each other, holding hands, any of that juicy stuff right now?” She then gave a sly smile. “You know I'm right.”
“Someone's clearly invested.” Baku bluntly said as he continued to drink his soda but nods. “But yeah, I think they finally got something right going down-Eh?” He stopped and checked his newly repaired cell phone. “A text?”
“Hey, you left your phone on during a movie?” Nagase said with a pout. “Someone's clearly not following movie rules-” She frozed as her phone then vibrates, noticing Baku raising a suspicious look at her. “...Don't say anything.” The two then opened their cell phones and immediately scowled upon looking at the screen.
“You gotta be kidding me!!” They both snap loudly, unaware of the attention they're getting...Though it seems they got the wrong idea!
“Yeah, why is Tiger Man losing to Volcano Joe?!” A random member of the audience cries out as the titular hero is getting beaten down by the villain. “He can't lose!!”
The theater next door, playing Haunted Lunchbox…
“Come on, dude…” Maxtaro muttered in silence as he stared at his phone in secret.
“You better text back, Nagase…” Kyoko mumbled to herself as she too stared at her phone in secret, the two simply staring away at each other. They then frowned as a similar text reply is sent.
“That’s your problem!”
Maxtaro and Kyoko both gave groans, growing more irritated at the ruckus at the nearby theater. The theater that happened to be playing a certain kids movie…
“Kyoko...You know, I heard couples watching this kind of scary stuff tend to get close, if you know what I mean.” Maxtaro said quietly, noticing her nod at him.
“Y-Yeah, especially when a really scary part comes in and they cuddle...Wanna do that?” She replied, seeing him give a thumbs up in agreement. “Alright...Stupid predictable scare in…” The victim of the film then gave a stock bloodcurdling scream that made the audience yawn as they saw that coming. Maxtaro simply tensed up in surprise as Kyoko...Now awkwardly sat on his lap, in a faux terrified expression. “Uh, Kyaaa...That was so scary?” She sheepishly said while the audience now took notice of the two, Maxtaro never once breaking expression.
“Don't worry, you're safe in my arms.” He said with a monotone deadpan expression before putting his head down. “Are they still looking-They still are…” He mumbled in growing embarrassment.
“...Now I'm too scared to get off now…” Kyoko said quietly.
“...Jeez, it's not even that scary.” A nearby audience member said, only to pause in terror at the glare Maxtaro and Kyoko now gave him. “...I'll shut up now.”
“Damn right.” Maxtaro mutters. “...My lap’s growing numb…”
Much later, back at the streets.
“Damn, I can't believe we missed them.” Baku said with a sigh. “I didn't think a cartoon of a guy in a mask wrestling a freaking volcano would be that long!”
Nagase simply gave a pondering expression as the two continue walking. “...I wonder if it's possible to chain a brainbuster into a headlock, or is that just an animation botch? Could I practice this?”
“Focus, please.” Baku said bluntly. “Where are those two anyway?”
“Uhhh, I'm gonna assume that sense of dread over there is a clue?” Nagase pointed out as she noticed a visible aura of gloom in a certain direction that heads to a park. Baku gave a look of intrigue in response.
“Jeez, that aura of misery is thick enough to cut with a knife…” He said as he headed towards the park. “Come on, let's go!”
It wasn’t long for the two to see the couple sitting on a bench, face down in a slump of misery. It's...Surprisingly depressing really.
“Gee...What a scary movie, huh?" Maxtaro said both sarcastically and bluntly as he slumped on his side of the bench. Kyoko simply covered her face with her palms.
"Shut. Up." She said, face still covered. She then looked away in annoyance. "Should have begged to watch Tiger Man…I seriously need to tell him." She muttered to herself Maxtaro looking at her in confusion.
Maxtaro gave a loud long sigh before regaining his composure. "...Look, maybe we're trying a little too hard today. We should, you know, actually do something fun."
"That's...Probably the smartest thing we ever thought up of." Kyoko said, now a little more high spirited than before. "You know, we don't need to prove ourselves today!"
Maxtaro nodded in approval. "Yeah, who cares you hit a street vendor?! I thought that was kinda cool!"
"And who cares you're dressed like a cheapskate? At least you're trying!" Kyoko followed up on. "In fact, we looked like idiots back in the theater, but points for effort!" The two laughed, leaving Baku and Nagase from afar to feel pretty bad for them.
"...They must really be crying inside to say that crap but points for effort." Baku said bluntly, Nagase nodded in agreement. A van with speakers then drives by the park, blaring out a strange announcement.
"Couples of Kaimon!" The speakers blared out, drawing attention to many. "Want to prove you're one of the best love birds in town? Come on by to Central Kaimon to sign up for our annual Romantic Killer Special Gauntlet! Sign ups last for one more hour, so hope to see you there!" The van drove away, leaving many to discuss this new development!
"...Why add Killer into your love event?" Nagase asked in confusion. "Nobody is gonna die...Right?" Maxtaro and Kyoko sat in silence, but quickly laugh off such an upcoming event as they stood from their seats.
"Nah, why go through all that trouble?" Maxtaro said. "I mean again, we got nothing to prove."
"Yeah!" Kyoko added. "We're fine!"
"Oho, just what I expect from those who resign to be in second place forever."
Confused, both Maxtaro and Kyoko looked at the direction where a well dressed couple stands, themselves staring at our couple with haughty disdain.
"Uh, who are you guys?" Maxtaro finally said, feeling a bit annoyed. The two strangers then do a strange pose together.
"Arakan Kotani!" The young man then shouted. "One half of the grand couple of North Kaimon!"
"And I'm Eriko Taguchi, the second half!" The young woman added. "We're the number one bloggers in town that reviews couples in a weekly basis!" A long awkward pause arose as the two remain in their pose.
"...People seriously blog that kind of crap?" Maxtaro muttered. "And number one? They're probably the only ones."
"Leave it to those rich weirdos in North Kaimon…" Kyoko said with a roll of the eyes.
"Hey!" Arakan shouted as he point an accusing finger at Maxtaro. "We don't need to take such insults, especially for a lazily dressed hack like you!” He rolled his eyes in disgust.” Seriously, a tuxedo printed t-shirt?! Are you East Kaimon idiots that inept to buy a suit?!"
Maxtaro...Did not take that comment well, a cross vein exposed. "Hey douche, want a free trip to hell?" He growled out, while cracking his knuckles. "Like I said, It's free and one way."
"Maxtaro!" Kyoko cried out. "We're not out here for a fight!"
"Oh that's rich coming from you!" Eriko said maliciously. "Despite having decent taste unlike that junk of a boyfriend, you have a violent attitude! We saw what you did to that food vendor!"
"E-Eh?!" Kyoko said in shock, not expecting that at all. "H-He was shoving flaming food into my mouth!!"
"Save it!" Eriko retorted. "We are also well aware of your family's dojo filled with degenerates and miscreants!"
Kyoko bit her lip. "Dammit Dad!" She muffled out in cringe.
"And finally, that atrocious move you two pulled back at the movies!" Arakan followed up much to Maxtaro and Kyoko's horror.
"They were there watching that stupid movie?!" The two thought frantically as Arakan continued his rant.
"Sloppy timing and it wasn't even the scariest part of the film! Shameful display!" He continued on while Eriko wrote down on a notepad. "Grade so far, Eriko?"
"Maxtaro Onimada and Kyoko Hino of East Kaimon…" Eriko said before revealing the letter C onto the paper. "Letter grade C...Minus!!" Maxtaro and Kyoko couldn't help but drop their jaw in appall of such a mediocre grade as it echos in their heads. "That will be on our blog tonight!" Our main couple couldn't help but be on their knees in despair, feeling as if someone had just punched them in the gut.
Couple. Destroyed!! No mercy!!
"Oh god...Every emotion hurts!" Maxtaro gasped out while clutching his chest. “It’s too much!”
"I don't know if I want to cry or puke!" Kyoko said while holding her mouth, fighting back tears.
"Eriko, time for us to leave these second placed C minus graded fools!" Arakan said as the couple walked away. "We have a gauntlet to win! We got our review of the week ready too!"
"What perfect timing!" Eriko added as they leave. Maxtaro and Kyoko could only be on their knees still, their gloom now tenfold. But suddenly, gloom slowly turned into something else entirely...That of rage.
And trust us, it ain't pretty!
"Kyoko…" Maxtaro said quietly as he slowly rose back onto his feet. "Remember when I said we have nothing to prove?" He then growled between gritted teeth. "I still stand by that...But we're doing this stupid event anyway!" He finally roared out in anger, a sudden fiery aura coming out of him.
"Hell yes!" Kyoko shouts as she gets back up, a fierce expression on her face as a similar aura formed up like raging flames. "Anything to beat those pompous idiots after that stupid grade they gave us! I wanna put those rich smug jackasses down a peg!"
"To this stupid gauntlet thing!!" Maxtaro cried out as the two stormed off the park in a thunderous rage. Baku and Nagase could only be stunned at the scene that unfolded.
"Well...Shit, that escalated quickly." Baku said in genuine surprise.
To be concluded, ladies and gents!
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