The Christmas Date (Japan and Taiwan)

When the door shut, Mei made herself relax. Or at least tried to. There wasn't really anything she could do about that flip in her stomach. She kind of sat there, awkwardly, staring at the ground of the car. She thought perhaps she could look at outside the window, but... that might seem rude or distant or something and she certainly did not want that. But if she looked at him, he might notice how red her face was.

Well, life wasn't life unless you took chances.

Mei turned her attention to Kiku and smiled, feeling even more flustered when she noticed his face was slightly pink too. Her stomach did that silly flippy thing again and she bit her lip.

"So er, I'm sorry I forgot but, t-thanks for this." She held up the stuffed tiger. Gosh darn it, why couldn't her brain manage anything... not so lame.

Kiku noticed that Mei was blushing as well when she turned to him. That actually made him smile a bit. They really were a pair, weren't they? The two of them, acting like children with crushes instead of grown - not to mention engaged - adults. It was almost silly. No, scratch that, it was silly. But they were silly together, and somehow that made it okay.

And she was thanking him for the stuffed tiger. "You're welcome," he told her, "it wasn't a big...deal..." He trailed off, thinking about the crowd and everything. "Well, I suppose somehow it did end up a big deal, or something, but that wasn't my intention.... It's so unlike me." He sighed and stopped talking. He realized he was actually started to babble of all things. He never babbled.

Kiku's eyes dropped a little as he sighed. He soon realized what part of Mei's body they had inadvertantly rested on. So he quickly brought his eyes back up to her face, hoping she didn't notice, and redder than ever.

And the Ferris Wheel moved again and let more people on.

"Hm, I guess so! But it's okay, because running away was kind of fun," She laughed. They did end up here, after all, in this pretty ride. Yeah, think positive thoughts. Mei noticed Kiku's eyes fall for a moment, but when they came back, his expression had changed to something like... uh, discomfort? She couldn't really place it. The small girl glanced down at the toy sitting in her lap. Was there something wrong with it? Was it dirty? She checked over it quickly, but found nothing. She hadn't dropped it or anything... Huh.

"What's wrong?" She asked worriedly.

"Wrong?" Kiku repeated back to her and wondered what kind of face he was making to make her ask him that. "Nothing's wrong. I'm just.... It's nothing wrong, I promise!"

He thought that probably made him sound more suspicious...but what could he say? The only way to convince her would be to tell her why he made such a face and that was...

He needed some kind of distraction. He looked out the window briefly for help, but suddenly saying, 'oh look, pretty!' was just going to make him look even more suspicious....

What to do? In a flustered haze he did the only thing he could think to do.

He grabbed her and he kiss her - on the lips.

Nothing? It certainly seemed like something. Was it so bad that he didn't want to tell her? Was she not allowed to know? That anxious feeling came back again, and the happy feeling she had inside was quickly being replaced by a worrisome one.

"Are you really su--"

Before she could finish her question, Kiku had pulled her close and kissed her. Mei let out a tiny squeak of surprise, her eyes widening for a moment before closing slowly as the bad feelings inside of her faded. She let herself lean against him, the thoughts in her head going blank.

With the kiss, everything started to fade away. His feelings of nervousness, even embarrassment...their surroundings...the reason he was feeling so flustered in the first place. Everything except the girl in front of him and the feeling of her lips against his.

...Until they started moving again. He was suddenly startled, and he abruptly pulled away. Although, he still held her close to him. This time the sensation was fluid after the initial start, so they must have finished loading people.

The blush returned to his face. "I...I suppose you wouldn't want to miss the view from here," he said, and then lowered his voice and added more quietly, "Not that I'd mind spending the whole time kissing you, but..." His blush deepened.

Time seemed to stop, and everyone and everything else seemed to become insignificant. But before she knew it, the ride was moving again, and their little world included everything else again. Mei clung to Kiku, the movement startling her.

"Huh, let's see," she said quietly, turning her eyes to stare out the window. They were going up quite slowly, so it wasn't scary or anything. While wondering how long the complete rotation would be, she heard Kiku say-... wait what, did she hear that right? When she turned her attention back to him, the expression on his face told her that she had. Mei quickly turned back to the window and pressed her face against it. Hopefully the cold glass would alleviate the warmth quickly spreading to her cheeks.

She couldn't help but giggle softly. The faces he made were so cute.

Kiku was so embarrassed. Had she heard that? She didn't say anything. ...He thought he heard her giggle a little...what did that mean?

...Maybe he should stop over-analyzing things. This wasn't some dating sim video game. It was real. Couldn't he just enjoy himself? Was it really that difficult? He sighed.

Relax, he told himself, relax. He put his arm around her and tried to just look at the pretty scenery and enjoy himself. But he still felt like such an awkward person.

He looked out the window. "It's so pretty," he said, and then found himself looking at Mei again. "...So...pretty..."

"It is..." She agreed, her eyes still cast out the window. From such an elevation, the park looked all twinkly and pretty. Darn, she wished she had brought along her camera. She could use her cell phone, but... no, it was okay. Mei didn't want to move so much, she liked her current position close beside Kiku. It felt warm and safe and calmed her worries.

She turned back to him for a moment, surprised when she found he was looking at her. Before she could stop herself, she leaned over and quickly kissed the edge of his mouth. Mei was a little shocked at her actions, but there wasn't anything she could do to change it now.

"H-hey, you know... enjoy the view outside the window, it's not every day you see something like it," she grinned at him. "I, on the other hand, already have the privilege of bothering you most every day, so you shouldn't mind me too much."

When Mei kissed him, Kiku blinked a bit in surprise, immediately followed by the warm fuzzy feelings permeating his being again.

And her words made him embarrassed. "Right. Sorry," he said while blushing furiously. He looked out the window again, still holding Mei with one arm. "They really did decorate this park beautifully," he commented.

He finished the circle around sitting quietly with pink cheeks, his arm around her comfortably, looking out the window. Then the wheel started taking them around again, on it's trip to the first people who were let on.

---

Wah. This reply kind of sucks, but I wanted to finish one before going to work. Sorry for the general lack. Ja ne~

Mei laughed and pat his hand fondly. "Wait wait, there's no need to apologize, I was just teasing you."

The silence didn't feel as awkward as previous moments with Kiku, it was more... just enjoying each other's company, it felt like. It was comfortable. After some time, she turned away from the window and rested her head against his shoulder, sighing happily.

---

I'm sorry today really really isn't my daaaay ;;

Kiku wished this ride could go on for longer...he had such a good feeling welling inside. But it wasn't to be. After the ride started letting people off, it wasn't long before it was their turn to get out of their little private world.

"That was...nice," Kiku stated as he exited, holding Mei's hand.

What should they do now? His mind was still a little bit with the Ferris Wheel. A little embarrassing, but it was nice. Very nice.

He looked from left to right, uncertain where to go.

---

idk where we should go next. No. Idea. orz

As for your day...things will get better! >< YES -huggles and snuggles and kisses and loves-

"It was very nice~" She agreed.

Mei felt the breeze blow through her hair and chill her face when they stepped out of the enclosed car. The night was somewhat windy, but like she let that ruin anything. They made their way back to the main path, but where to go after that? Most large or fast rides were closed for the night, which left the arcade games again (which they should probably avoid for the time being), slow or small rides, and food stalls.

And then... she spotted a purikura booth.

"There, there," she pointed at it then looked up at him with a small smile. "Can we use that?"

---

ewe... yeah why am I always hit with nice ideas during the silliest hours.
it's a sign my day will be better, I hope? *u*b

Kiku looked to where she pointed. "Purikura?" he wondered allowed and looked back at Mei's face. The small smile that played on her lips seemed to be infectious, as one ended up on his as well. He nodded. "Yes, we can do that."

Maybe he should be embarrassed, or worried about how she might decorate the pictures, but he couldn't bring himself to care. Perhaps that wasn't very manly of him, but what did that matter? Most people were already well aware he liked cute things, and he was sure he wasn't high on anyone's manly list. Yet he had a girl like this by his side anyway. So what did any of that prove?

He walked up to the booth, Mei still in hand.

---

Cute. And ~BETTER DAY~ now, I hope?

As for purikura...I know what it is, but I know pretty much nothing about operating one, so I'll leave that to you, if that's okay.

"Yay, yay~"

Okay so, maybe she sounded a little too excited for a simple picture booth. But they were fun. Though, she reminded herself not to decorate the picture so much at then end. Mei wasn't really sure how many stickers boys usually preferred... Yong usually added more than she did, Yao didn't like any, and Hong always refused to add anything but pandas. She sighed. Such a predicament.

They stepped inside, and she inserted some coins where indicated, then set the settings. All that was left was to press start!

"Ready?"

---

I've only used it once so far in my lifetime, it was really fun and spazzy, lol.

ouo You go inside, put money in, then take the pictures, usually 5 or 6, with 8 seconds in between each to get yourself into a different pose or face or whatever if you so wish it. Then you go to a section on the outside of the booth to decorate them, using a touchscreen with a pen. Then hit print and they come out as little stickers. /*3*/

I hope that's descriptive enough or sth ;u;
I'm also basing it off my own experience, other ones might be different >u<

Kiku hesitated a moment. "Etto.... Should we think of poses first?" he asked Mei, looking at her uncertainly. Most people seemed to be more spontaneous with these things...but he knew they wouldn't have a lot of time in between the shots and he wasn't...amazingly original when it came to such things. And he wanted Mei to be happy.

Maybe he could try to be spontaneous...but today his mind kept on latching on to...well...that was...

What was wrong with him today?

He blushed once more.

---

Totally not thinking about making out with her. I don't know where you could possibly be getting that idea. eue

Oh, he is a guy.

Why does that seem to distress him?

...Why am I questioning the decisions I've made for my character like I don't understand what's going on in his head when I'm controlling those thoughts?

...The world may never know.

"Eh? You don't exactly have to pose differently, you could just make faces and stuff!" Mei pat his shoulder encouragingly. "You don't even have to make different faces if you're not comfortable with it. Just smile and have fun~"

Hm, maybe she should have set it to one or two pictures only. Perhaps that would have been easier? Ahhh. Stupid self, think before you act next time! She scolded herself for being so scatterbrained.

Well, no going back now...

And with that thought, she grinned and hit start.

---

Oh you oh you ewe
;w; no computer today for me because I got sick. But I felt bad not replying, so here I am on my phone... 。・゜・(ノД`)・゜・。
Sorry ;A;

"Etto...Okay, I'll try my best!" Kiku got out right before the start button was pressed.

He didn't think he got his face quite into a smile before the first picture was taken. He made sure he was ready for the next one, and he thought that one would be pretty good.

Just think about Mei, he thought to himself. He looked at her for what he thought would be merely a moment, but couldn't bring himself to look away in time for the camera to go off again. So then he blushed.

---

idk heh

So we have 1) not-quite-smiling, 2) smiling 3) looking at Mei, probably with a sappy expression and 4) blushing.

There's one or two more from what you said. I'll let you reply first.

Because idk lol <3

Mei was pretty uncreative with her faces, to say the least. Well, it wasn't like there was so many faces one could make, right? So she just.. had fun and did whatever, since that was what you were supposed to do at a purikura booth anyways. Right? Yeah... Smile, a couple different hand poses, smile, wink, smile... uhhh. The flashes were starting to make it harder to think quickly.

Silly photo booth, why couldn't you put more time in between your shots?

With two shots left, she impulsively latched on to Kiku, laughing.

---

\owo/ you can have fun with the last one desu yo.
I shall use facemarks ohoho
1) （ﾟーﾟ）
2) （＾∇＾）ｖ
3) (ﾉﾟ∀ﾟヾ)
4) ☆⌒(＾ーﾟ)
5) IDK HOW TO FACEMARK THIS ONE LOL but yeah it's the last line =w=b

edit: OH YEAH http://www.pixiv.net/member_illust.php?mode=medium&illust_id=15701841
I found this on pixiv o3o
the accuracy astonishes me

The initial shock Kiku experienced right when Mei grabbed onto him faded away quickly as he heard her laughter. It was infectious. He had started laughing as well before the camera went off again. He didn't even know why. He just was. Logic and thought seemed to be thrown to the wind at this point.

So in that frame of unusual compulsion, he leaned over and kissed her quickly. The camera went off for the last time. And he came back to himself, and found himself looking at her, and he blushed like mad.

But then his expression softened again and he kissed her once more, slower and with more feeling.

When he pulled away again, he said nervously, "Sorry. I suppose we should finish up here."

He looked away and put a hand up to one of his cheeks. It felt hot.

---

So lastly, we have 5) laughing and 6) kiss. .///. Heh. <3

OMG THAT PICTURE! I'm going to stare at it for awhile. Cute~ And yeah!

Mei felt more elated when Kiku joined her laughter. While his surprised expression would be pretty cute in a photo, she liked him best smiling, having fun. It made her feel like they had nothing at all to worry about.

Fifth picture taken, and she really was running out of ideas. The timer wouldn't last much longer, what to do--

Ah-

Before she knew it, his lips were on hers, and the camera went off again. Well, what a picture that should be. And while she stood there somewhat dumbly, he leaned over and did it once more. She reacted better this time, closing her eyes and leaning against him until they pulled apart.

"Y-Yeah... let's go to the next part then.."

It took all her concentration not to trip over her own feet as she stepped out of the booth, trying hard to calm her heart and keep her face at least a normal shade of red.

---

maybe this is why we're suspicious
we always find ourselves in small private places and end up doing this kind of thing ahahaha ♥

As the two stepped out of the booth, the cooler air felt refreshing against Kiku's hot cheeks. He hoped his face wasn't too red, but didn't think his chances were all that good - his cheeks felt like they were burning from the inside.

What should he say? 'I'm sorry, how embarrassing', would make it seem like he regretted kissing her, and that wasn't the case. What to do? The modest part of him wanted to excuse his behaviour, but at the same time, he felt any excuse sounded terrible.

Did he need an excuse for kissing the woman he loved? It's not like he'd done it in public....

But the first had been in front of a camera...which was almost worse....

He suddenly realized that he'd spaced. He looked over to Mei to see what she was doing.

---

...You may have a point...eue <3

...But...but...!

...

At least we aren't the types to just make out in public or something...and we'd like to kiss somewhere...so...liking our privacy makes us suspicious? Not fair!

Okay so, all that was left was to... decorate the pictures, then print. Easy enough. Though, Mei still couldn't decide just what to decorate them with. She stared at the array of photos on the screen, her breath catching just a little when her gaze landed on the last one. It had turned out... nice. All of them had turned out quite nice, and that wasn't an exaggeration. But still, looking at that one photo gave her a feeling that she couldn't find the words for. Happy? Fluffy? Ecstatic? Er...

She picked up the pen hesitantly and hovered over the screen before setting it back down.

"I kind of like them the way they are," she said quietly.

---

you have a very, very good point.
fuuu why do all of your replies make me giggle like a schoolgirl ;w;

Did she say what he thought she said? It was quiet, but clear. "Really?" he asked, standing close by her, and looked at the pictures being displayed.

If he had ever stopped blushing, he would have started up again, but as it was, only another layer of red was added on to what was already there.

He had to admit they were nice pictures, though. And Mei looked really cute in them. Well, of course, she always looked cute....

"Do whatever you're happiest with," Kiku told her. If she was happy leaving them the way they were, then that was fine, if a bit unexpected.

---

And all your replies make me smile like a gigantic dork. And sometimes squeal in a very unmanly fashion.

I wasn't entirely happy with what I wrote here, but I couldn't think of anything else...orz

She nodded slowly, the action more of a confirmation towards her own thoughts. They did look nice the way they were. Mei didn't really want to stick stuff all over them. It'd be like over-decorating a wall that was already nicely painted. If that made any sense. But it did in her head, and that's all that mattered, yep.

Though, there was one thing she wanted to add...

Picking up the pen once more, she carefully wrote the date on one of them. And spontaneously drew a tiny heart on that last one before holding the pen out to Kiku. Was her face ever going to be a normal color around him? Or would it forever stay this embarrassing shade of red? She resisted to urge to sigh and smiled encouragingly instead.

"I'm happy, but what about you? Do you want to add anything?"

---

aw so cute ilu
and it's ok we can be dorky together ♥