Kentaro's eyes widened. His brain short-circuited.

"A… A DATE!? With ME?!" He blurted.

Rin nodded, her silver hair swaying, her pink eyes glowing with mischief.

"Yes, yes. A date with Kentaro. How dreamy, isn't it?"

His cheeks lit up like firecrackers. He stiffened his back, trying desperately to look composed, but his thoughts were all over the place. He couldn't exactly say no, but saying yes could be a problem. Tenka needed to know about this. They were supposed to leave soon, as soon as Aria's tests were done. And if Tenka found out he was sneaking around dating Rin… Kentaro didn't even want to imagine the paperwork she'd bury him under. Or worse.

He froze, running through every possible option in his head. Then, finally, he smiled. This was his chance. A risky one, sure, but a chance to get closer to Rin, maybe even learn more about her, and her knowledge about the Alberlines.

"…Sure. I'd love to go out with you, Rin," he said, forcing confidence into his voice.

For a second, Rin actually looked stunned, almost as if she hadn't expected him to accept so smoothly. Then her lips curled into a smile.

"Very well. Shall we get going, then?" She said, extending her hand toward him.

Kentaro twitched. Holding hands already?! He fought the urge to panic. If he wanted to keep his cool persona, the one that might fluster Rin into revealing more, then he had to act the part. Playboy Kentaro, smooth and unshaken. That was the plan.

He reached out, but before he could take her hand, Rin's attention shifted. Her grin sharpened as her gaze slid to the suitcase on the floor.

"Oh no…" Kentaro muttered.

Before he could stop her, Rin zipped it open, her pink eyes sparkling with mischief. Kentaro's body screamed at him to intervene, but he knew Rin wouldn't listen. And then, instantly, he regretted staying quiet.

Her hand darted inside and pulled out.

One of Serica's bras.

She held it up with two fingers, examining it like some rare treasure, then pressed it against her cheek.

"Wow~. I knew hers were big, but holy damn. Kentaro, how will I ever compete with these gazongas?"

Kentaro nearly choked on his own soul. His face went crimson. He lunged forward, snatching the bra out of her hand, stuffing it back into the suitcase, and zipping it shut in record time. His other hand clamped over his face as if trying to physically contain his embarrassment.

"Aww, why don't you try it on Kentaro?" Rin teased, giggling. "It's probably bigger than your head."

"JUST, OUT. NOW." Kentaro barked, shoving her toward the door.

Her laughter trailed behind them as they exited, the sound like tiny knives stabbing into his pride.

By the time they stepped outside, Rin was still smiling, her mood entirely unshaken. She poked his cheek with her finger, humming like she was enjoying herself far too much.

"I want you to close your eyes," she said in a sing-song voice. "I have a surprise."

Kentaro hesitated. Every instinct told him to be cautious, but… There was something about Rin's energy here. Different. Almost… Playful. Against his better judgment, he obeyed, shutting his eyes.

The sounds of Tokyo's busy streets filled his ears: cars honking, chatter, the buzz of city life. He could hear Rin shifting around, but he didn't dare peek.

"Alright then. you can open them~."

Kentaro's eyes snapped open to find the silver-haired Alberline standing before him, her hands playfully tucked behind her back. This time, she was dressed far more casually than usual; gone was her regal attire typically adorned with partial Sublimation. Instead, she wore a crisp white tank top that accentuated her natural figure, layered with a light pink jacket. Her short white skirt brushed her thighs, creating an effortlessly cute and disarming appearance.

His brain stuttered.

"…Wait. Did you just change in front of everyone?"

"Sure did," Rin said smoothly, swaying her skirt ever so slightly. "But the real question is, do you like it?"

Her pink eyes glittered with expectation.

Kentaro's mouth moved before his brain caught up. "I love it. You look great."

For once, Rin faltered. Her grin flickered as a soft blush bloomed across her cheeks. She coughed, looking away for a heartbeat before regaining her composure.

"Ahem. Very well. I'm pleased that you approve."

Then, with a mischievous grin, she brought her hands forward. A medium-sized wooden basket appeared, almost storybook-like, the kind Red Riding Hood would've carried to her grandmother.

Kentaro blinked. "…A picnic?"

"Correct." Rin leaned closer, trailing her finger from his chest up to his chin in one slow, deliberate motion. "I want to have a picnic with you, dear Kentaro. Would that be suitable?"

Kentaro's entire body locked up. "Y-Y-YES, THAT WILL BE FINE!" He barked like a soldier receiving orders.

Rin giggled, swinging the basket as she strolled ahead.

"Good. Then let's get going."

Kentaro stayed frozen for half a second before jogging after her. "Wait, where are we going?"

She glanced over her shoulder, her smirk widening.

"Oh, don't worry your cute little self, Kentaro. Just trust me."

He could've turned back. He could've ditched her, rushed to Tenka, and reported everything. But deep down… He didn't want to. Rin was the first Alberline he had ever met. The one who had thrown his life into chaos. If anyone had the answers, it was her.

"Rin, wait!" Kentaro called, running after her.

She didn't slow down. She didn't need to. Her smile only grew wider.

*

Back on the Vaelion, Tenka's footsteps echoed through the metallic corridors, sharp and unrelenting. She moved quickly, purpose in every stride, until she reached the testing room where Aria was being held.

The door slid open with a hiss.

Inside, Aria stood at the centre of the room, wires and sensors attached all across her bare body as Haruka ran the diagnostics. Tenka froze, her eyes widening despite herself. She had always known Aria was… Generously built for being so small in size and figure.

Tenka coughed into her fist, snapping her gaze away with a flush creeping onto her face.

Aria tilted her head innocently. "You okay, Tenka?"

"I'm fine," Tenka said quickly, smoothing her tone into something calm and professional. She stepped closer, her expression softening. "But enough about me. How are you feeling? The tests should be finishing up soon."

Aria smiled, her face glowing. "Honestly… I feel great. Better than I have in years. Since before I became an Alberline."

Haruka began carefully removing the sensors from Aria's body, her voice clinical. "Do you recall anything about the one who gave you your Alberline powers? The Bloom Crystal? Any memory of who it was?"

Her phrasing was clunky, but Aria understood. She looked toward Tenka, whose sharp eyes locked onto her, intent.

Aria frowned, sifting through fragments in her mind. "…It's blurry. The face was a blur. But I think… It was a female woman. I don't know why, I can't explain it, but-"

Her words cut off with a strangled gasp. A sudden spike of pain tore through her skull. Aria grabbed her head, wincing, as though something inside her was actively forcing the memory back down.

"Aria!" Haruka exclaimed.

Tenka's expression didn't change. If anything, she almost looked like she'd expected this. She stepped forward, her voice firm but gentle. "Enough. Please, no more. Don't push yourself."

Aria nodded, trembling slightly, but the pain faded as quickly as it came.

Haruka finished clearing the last of the wiring. "She's stable. Good to go."

Aria looked at Tenka again, her voice small but hopeful. "Um… Tenka?"

Tenka smiled, reaching out to pat her gently on the head. Despite not being the tallest woman herself, she still stood just enough over Aria to play the role of older sister. "What's up?"

Aria's cheeks pinkened. "When can I see him?"

Of course, she didn't need to say who he was.

Tenka's smile warmed. "Very soon. In fact, he should be here by now. Luggage can't take that long to grab. …Speaking of which, where the hell are Yumi and Shogo? I know I said break, but we're leaving now!"

She whirled toward the comms system, barking, "Drone! Get their asses up here!"

"Yes, ma'am!" Drone's cheerful voice rang out instantly. Then, with far too much enthusiasm, he added: "ACTIVATING BURNING SEATS!"

A beat later, through the comms, came Shogo's bloodcurdling scream.

"GYAAAAH! MY ASS! MY ASS IS ON FIRE!"

The heat seats did their job well.

Tenka didn't even flinch. "Shogo. Kentaro's location. Now. He should be at the hotel. Probably passed out."

On the other end, she could hear groaning, followed by a pained, "Y-yes, ma'am…"

Shogo reluctantly dragged Yumi awake, and before long, the two were dispatched.

Aria, meanwhile, was still watching Tenka with those bright, trusting eyes.

"You'll see him," Tenka reassured her gently. "Just wait a little longer. We're getting him."

Aria beamed, her whole face lighting up. "Sure!"

She hopped off the exam platform, skipping out toward the main hall, where Serica and Yura were waiting, both of them equally curious as to where Kentaro had gone.

None of them had any idea.

Their Kentaro wasn't sleeping.

He wasn't resting.

He was on a date.

With the last person they would've ever expected.

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