The next Saturday, we went to the mall. Just the two of us. We played in the arcade, took a purikura photo together, and browsed stationery.
In the food court, I bought her a crepe. She got us matching keychains—tiny cats in school uniforms.
As the sun set, we sat on a bench near the exit. I asked, "Did you have fun?"
She leaned against me. "The best."
Then she added quietly, "This is my first real date."
"Mine too."
We looked at each other, and for a moment, the whole mall disappeared.