Chapter Text
“Are you certain this will work?”
“Trust me Nanami,” The woman over the other side of the line confidently nodded, “She meets all of the requirements. She said she’ll meet you at a restaurant. Hold on, I’ll send you the address.”
“Then how can I know she’s her?”
“She said she’d be wearing blue. Seated towards the back.”
Nanami Kento never expected to sign himself up for a business like this. It was a hotline service that helped you find partners, and it had taken him 3 months to find someone. Just as he was about to cancel his interest in the website, they called him. Saying that they found a woman who met all of his conditions. So at the last minute, he was getting ready for a date.
He wondered if he should bring flowers. Was it too forward? Desperate? He didn’t want to appear needy nor scare her, but he also knew that it was rude to not bring anything. So an hour before the meet, he stopped by to purchase a small bouquet of 3 pink roses. It was better than a singular rose, and not as extravagant as 12 or more for a first date.
He arrived 15 minutes early dressed in grey dress pants and a white rolled up sleeve dress shirt. His brown dress shoes were polished, as he always did, and his hair was neatly combed. A couple of strands escaped though.
It was 15 minutes before 4 when Nanami showed up. It was a decent restaurant. There was a bar at the side, a few booths, and tables. It was nice, but not luxurious. When he stepped foot, he slowly made his way to the back. He stopped when he saw a girl sitting on an end booth. She was wearing a blue summer dress while her long hair covered her face as she watched her phone.
“Are you…” Nanami tried not to sound nervous, “Are you from the hotline? With Veronica…” He stopped when he saw her nod at the name of their matchmaker.
“Nice to meet you,” She abruptly stood from the booth and extended her hand for him to shake. Nanami stared at the hand for a moment, as if he had never shook someone's hand, “Pleased to make your acquaintance,” He gently shook her hand back, careful not to shake too brusquely.
“Are those...:” She motioned to the flowers on his opposite hand, “...for me?”
“Yes,” he handed the small bouquet for her. “I thought perhaps-”
“No one’s ever given me flowers before,” Her blunt confession leaves him dumbfounded. He stares as she smiled down at the bouquet. Running a hand along the fabric that held the roses. “They’re lovely. Thank you,”
“Shall we sit then?” He motioned to the booth. “I believe it’s best if we discuss our terms and conditions.”
“Oh right,” She nods. “I actually had something to add…” Once they take a seat, she pulls out her purse to reveal a small notebook, “I’ve got a list of things we can talk about and modify based off of what we come up with,”
Nanami tried not to widen his eyes in surprise. “So you were prepared?”
“Always am,” She politely smiles, “I’m a History major, so I kinda have to be already.”
Right, she’s a college student. Nanami thought as he watched her skim through the pages. “I brought a list as well.” he pulled out his phone. “Well, a contract of sorts. But like you said, we can modify it.”
“Glad to hear we’re on the same page then.” Nanami noticed her smile once more. He wondered if she really did smile this often or was doing this out of manners. He rarely smiled, and he wondered if his serious face made her uncomfortable like the other girls he had spoken to.
She seemed unaffected by it.
When he finally opened up his list, he glanced to see he r. She was watching a nearby TV with a smile. He sighed. “Do you want to go first?”
“Uh...yeah, sure.” gently, she slides the list his way. He makes sure to read it through before looking up at her.
Okay with:
- Hand holding (talk before if in public yes or no)
- Hugs
-Cheek kisses
Discuss first/TBA
- Cuddling.
- Signs of affection-massage(?)
Not Planning in the near future:
- Sexual relations. To be discussed.
Looking up to see her, Nanami notices her fingertips tap rapidly against the table. She watches him intently. “Well,” he sighs, placing his phone back into his pocket. “I suppose we don’t need to negotiate anything. What you wrote was exactly what I was looking for. I must inform you that my work requires me to travel and spend hours in my office. I do not have the luxury of simply ‘finding’ a significant other or tend to my relationships; which is why I signed up for this website. I’d only need you to stay at home, occasionally greet me, and partake in ‘couple’ activities. I will provide for you if you allow it. I think it’d be easier if you just live in my apartment so that I can come home to you. Do not worry. My presence will not intervene with your education. I will ensure it. And to compensate, I do plan to fully cover your tuition.” Her eyes widened at the statement.
“So your conditions are- live with you, do those couple things, and my tuition is paid for?” She asks in disbelief. “No rent?”
“Unless you have any protests, that’s about it.” Nanami watches her in thought. Some moments go by as he gives her all the time in the world. The last thing he would ever want is to pressure her into something she does not want to do. In fact, he was unsure if this meeting was either going to be a success or a fail. Her organized behavior gave him the slightest of impressions that maybe he’d like her organization. According to the matchmaker, she was a college student with an impeccably clean record. No drugs, gang affiliations, and an impressive grade point average (GPA). Perhaps her nature was studious, as Nanami hoped it’d be. He was entering his late 20’s and he was certain of one thing: all he wanted was peace and tranquility; someone to go home to. Even if it was by an arrangement, there were terms and conditions.
“Okay. Where do I sign?” she asks, “I assume this is a sort of contract-”
“It is,” Nanami nods before pulling out his phone once more, “I can email you the contract so that you and I can both sign it.”
Suddenly, she giggles. When he asks her what was wrong, she endearingly smiles, “Nothing. I just think it’s funny that we’re e xchanging emails rather than phone numbers or socials first. That’s all.”
He tries to read her, “Then would you want to e xchange numbers?”
She grins, “I thought you’d never ask.”
After exchanging numbers and emails, they both conclude their meeting. When they stand up, she willingly gives him a friendly one sided hug instead of a handshake; as if to seal their deal in an unofficially affectionate way. “Text me when you get home,” She calls from behind. Nanami simply nods before exiting the restaurant; feeling slightly accomplished.
When he arrives home, Nanami forgets to text her. However, no more than 2 hours after their meetup, his phone rings. It was a picture of the 3 pink roses he had sent her. They were now in a clean vase.
Her:
Attachment: 1
Since you didn’t send a message back (I’m assuming you’re alive), I wanted to send you an update on the roses. They’re doing well, thank you.
Did you get back home safely? I didn’t hear back from you so I was kind of worried if you were okay or not.
Nanami repeated the word ‘worried’ in his mind several times as if it were a word he had never heard of. Worried. Someone he had just met was worried about him. 5 minutes later, he sent her a message of his covered feet at the entrance of his door.
Nanami:
Attachment: 1
I arrived well. Thank you for your concerns.
Have a good night.
Her:
You too :)
That night, Nanami looked over her message three times before heading to bed. He wondered if this was anything like starting a relationship. Regardless of how it began.
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A/N: That's it!! Also, apologies for the typos (if any). English isn't my first language so please bear with me. Let me know what you thought of this chapter and I hope to update soon! Thank you!!!