Koji and Maren are currently on a date instigated by Hayate because he wouldn't take action to advance in their relationship.
Using the date schedule provided, the couple set out to the city. But knowing Hayate, there was a fair chance that she could be plotting something, so Koji improvised...
[Cranagan, 5th Avenue]
[Bowling Alley]
As Maren follows Koji into the building, she is greeted by an unusual sound. It was hard to describe, but sounded like an impact of sorts. Koji wasn't surprised so she figured it was normal in this place.
Renting gear, they change shoes and walk up their designated lane. Maren notices ten pins gathered at the end of the lane, and begins to understand this game's purpose.
Koji went first to show Maren how to play.
"You grab the ball like this," He showed her as he held the ball, positioned himself to throw it, "--and then roll it down the lane."
Rolling along, the ball knocks all but three pins. "Haha...I'm a little rusty."
The bowling ball returns on a sort of conveyor belt and Koji throws it again, knocking the remaining pins.
Maren claps at Koji's performance, "Amazing!" she adds.
Koji walks up to her. "Now it's Maren's turn."
"Y-Yes! I'll do my best!" Holding the ball, she stood and walked to the lane. Holding the bowling ball like Koji showed, "Ei!" she imitated his throwing movement. The ball rolled along, but tipped to the side and entered the gutter without hitting a pin.
"It's harder than it looks."
"Yeah, at first it's tricky to get the hang of it." Koji walked up to her, "Here, try throwing it like this..." He got behind Maren, holding her waist.
"Ah--Y-yes" With her cheeks dyed pink, Maren smiled.
Meanwhile, several lanes away from them were Yui, Rein and Scarlet.
"T-T-Too close! They're too close to eachother!" Yui complains.
"S-Such a position...I'm so jea--I mean, it's immoral ~desu!" Rein adds.
"My my~ Teaching her how to play by holding her...ufufu~" Scarlet giggles.
"Why are you still here?" Yui glared at the strange woman.
"Because it's amusing~" She smirked.
"G--gh--gghhh--" Yui grabbed a nearby bowling ball that began to freeze up, and threw it nonchalantly at the pins, knocking them all while releasing a cold wind in the process.
"Y-Yui..." Rein sweatdropped. "We're not supposed to use magic here."
"Ah--" Yui realized what she did...but it was already too late, not only was the bowling alley's clerk staring at them, but also the rest of the customers. "A--ahahaha..." She forced a smile and laughed.
Back to the dating couple...
"That just now..." Maren looked at the commotion some lanes away.
(That just now was Yui...so we're being followed...) Koji sighed on the inside, "I-It seems someone got carried away. Hahaha...people should remember that they shouldn't use magic here."
"Should we check it out?"
"N-No! I mean, it's okay, there's no signs of hostility," He paused, (Just jealousy...), "It was probably an accident."
"It seems you're right...there's no tension in the air, or signs of magic activation." Maren relaxes, lowering her guard.
Relieved, Koji grabbed Maren's hand, "Are you hungry? How about we go grab something to eat?"
"Eh? I don't mind, but the game?"
"Don't worry, we'll come back some other time. Let's go!"
Koji thought it was best to seize the opportunity and change location...and maybe lose their pursuers too.
So they left the bowling alley in a hurry, though Maren was surprised at the quickened pace they were going, she was also happy at seeing Koji's assertive attitude during the date.
~~~~
Continuing their date, Koji and Maren walked the streets until they noticed something up ahead. The pleasant scent of food and a line of people waiting for their turn.
"Oh, a Crepe shop! It's been a while~ I didn't know they had these in Mid-Childa."
"Crepe?" Maren blinked curiously.
"Did you ever eat one?" Koji asked, a hint of enthusiasm could be seen on his face.
Maren had a vague idea of something with that name being mentioned in conversations when she worked at TSAB's Ground Forces HQ, and even in the Main HQ, but she had no idea of what it looked like. So, she shook her head, "No."
"Then let's go!" He grabbed her hand and walked toward the shop.
Getting in line, Maren then noticed that the people in line are all couples, "By the way, is this also what l-lovers do?" She blushed while twiddling with the ribbons of her dress.
"Eh? Ah--yeah... Back home, in Uminari, I usually saw couples doing this...I guess the same applies here."
"Have you done this before?" She asks.
Koji nods, "Every once in a while Yui'd ask me to go with her. But it's the first time I come to a crepe shop in Mid-Childa."
"I see." Maren smiled, "So it's our first time together~" She holds onto his arm.
Once more, Koji was surprised at Maren's sweetened demeanor, it's been happening a lot lately. She drops her wise and professional persona and acts like a normal girl. He's happy to see her reveal such sides of herself...so he decided to do his best and make this date a successful one, and that meant staying one step ahead of their 'stalkers'...and being who they are, it's a difficult task.
A couple had just left with their crepes, Koji and Maren stood in front of the shop's counter.
"What flavor do you want?" Koji asked.
"Flavor?"
"Yeah, you can fill the crepe with a combination of what's on the list." He pointed out.
There were sliced fruits, sweet toppings, syrup, jam, ice cream...there was a lot to choose from.
Maren didn't know what to choose from such a large variety of delicious goods.
Seeing her make such a troubled expression, Koji cut in, "Whipped cream, banana and chocolate crepe and one whipped cream and strawberry, please."
"Yes." Nodding once, the employee started making the ordered crepes.
"I'm sorry, I didn't know what to choose..."
"It's okay, everyone's like that their first time." Koji smiled.
"Your crepes." The employee handed over the delicious crepes.
Koji took them both, "Here, this one is for Maren." He gave her the strawberry crepe.
"T-thank you." She accepted the crepe.
Clearing the path for the customers behind them, the two started walking while Maren curiously examined the food in her hands.
It was composed of a type of very thin pancake that serves as vessel for the whipped cream and slices of strawberry. Still warm, and to avoid dirtying the hands, a sort of pink napkin decorated with white lines was wrapped around the crepe's base.
Maren looked at Koji, who still hadn't touched his crepe. He smiled at her, then took a bite from the corner of his own crepe to show how to eat it.
Staring down at hers, Maren carefully brought it to her lips and tasted it.
The combination of flavors was...simply amazing. The wondrous taste spread through her mouth in a wave of sweetness...
that even her fox traits appeared, namely her ears and tails.
Though surprised, Koji found Maren's reaction quite adorable, "Is it good?" he asked already knowing the answer.
"Yes!" She nodded cheerfully. "I have never tasted anything like this."
"I see, I'm happy to hear that." He brought the banana and chocolate crepe between them. "Want to try mine?"
"Can I?" Maren looked at Koji.
"Of course." He smiled.
With reddened cheeks, Maren opened her mouth. And took a bite out of Koji's crepe.
"How is it?" He asked.
"It's also delicious." She carefully licked her lips.
"It is, isn't it?" He grinned.
Then, Maren shyly brought her crepe up to Koji, "T-then...w-would you like to taste mine?"
Koji looked at her flushed face. "Ah...s-sure." He replied before leaning over and biting on her crepe.
"H-How is it?" Maren asked.
"I-It's good." He replied with some embarrassment.
Hearing his reply, Maren giggled softly and continued to eat.
(T-this was really embarrassing!) Koji thought, after what has happened.
~~~~
Having finished their crepes, Koji and Maren continued their date on the streets of Cranagan.
"Where should we go next?" Koji looks around, noticing the entrance of a shopping district. "Maren,
is there something you need?"
"Eh?" She blinks, "Something I need?" She gave it some thought.
"Well, even if there isn't, let's take a look." Once more, Koji grabs her hand and rushes into the
lively street.
The first thing they saw while entering the shopping district, were the colorful signs of the
various shops. The place looked like it continued forever as the people were coming and going.
Holding hands, the couple walked along the windows, checking what was on display.
"There's so many lovely things here." Maren looked at some accessories.
"Yeah." Koji looked as well...and a certain ring caught his attention. Golden with a red gemstone
set on a crown, adorned with wings around it.
"Ah, that ring is beautiful." Maren noticed the ring.
"Hm? Oh, that one. It sure is." He pretended not to have seen it.
She stared at the ring with a slight frown. Koji understood it right away.
"Do you want it?" He asked.
"Eh? Ah, no. It's okay." She stepped away from the window, "There's no point in me wearing such a
pretty ring."
"I'll buy it. It'll definitely look good on you." He tried to convince her.
"No...Your feelings alone are enough for me." She smiled, holding on to his arm. "Let's continue,
there are other shops to see."
"Okay." Though somewhat disappointed, Koji forced a smile and walked with her.
So, they continued looking at the variety of goods being sold at the many shops.
"No matter which world you go to, there's always a place like this in large cities." Maren comments.
"Yea, it's the same back in Uminari, though it's not as big as Cranagan. But it's a nice place, with
kind people."
Hearing him speak of his hometown again, she felt awkward.
After a second of silence, Maren speaks, "Do you...miss your homeworld? Your parents?"
"Huh?" Koji let out in surprise.
"You had to move to Mid-Childa because of your magical abilities, right? I heard that on Earth, the
number of people that can use magic is extremely low, so the TSAB took custody--"
"What are you talking about? I visited my parents this summer."
"Eh? But, didn't your world--"
"It's true that magic in my world is so rare that it is thought to be a fairy tale, but I joined the
TSAB on my own accord."
"A-" Maren blushed when she realized her mistake, "I'm sorry, I thought that--"
"I heard something like that from Fate. That there are 'special cases' that require the TSAB's
intervention, but I wasn't one of those." He smiles, "I had reliable people looking after me."
"I see." She paused, "It must be nice to have a place to return to. I'm only a passerby..."
"Maren..." Koji poked her on the forehead, "You have one too. Place to return."
"Riot Force 6 is only temporary, besides, it'll be disbanded next year."
"That's not it. The people."
"Eh?"
"Nanoha, Fate, Hayate and everyone else. The people who care about us, they're the 'place to return
to'." He looked away while scratching his nose, "These are the wise words of a certain person."
Maren's eyes widened. "...People to return to..."
Koji nodded, "Yeah. And if ever want go somewhere, you can always come with us to Earth and stay at
my home. I'll introduce you to my parents."
"E-EH?" Maren turned red, "T-That means--"
"FOUND YOU!!!" someone suddenly screams behind them.
Turning around, the couple sees a pink-haired girl with round sunglasses, sweating and gasping for
air from all the running.
"Y-Yui-san?!" Maren said surprised.
Rein grabs Yui's arm, "Yui! We were supposed to follow them secretly! ~desu"
"Ah--" Yui realizes what she just did. "I forgot about it!" She brings her hands to her head.
"My my, for someone with ice affinity, you were pretty fired up." A third person speaks before
revealing herself.
An older woman with long, scarlet hair, crimson eyes and wearing an unusual attire.
"O-Onee-sama?!" Once more, Maren was surprised.
"Eh?" Koji, Yui and Rein let out as they heard her, "EEEEHHH?!"