Love is in the Stars? (for CaptainL)

[Pegasus]

This was going to be awkward. Lyra waited outside the local movie theater in Tokyo as many patrons were already starting to head up to the main booth in order to get their tickets for the movies they were seeing with family, friends, or their lovers. Many promotional posters displayed American, European, and Japanese movies that were either currently out or coming soon to this theater. Lyra was very nervous about her first actual date with another girl….let alone a celebrity at that. It hadn’t been that long that she took her shot to ask out Sanae on a date and while her heart dropped when she thought Sanae rejected her on social media, she was relieved to hear Sanae just wanted to keep the press and journalists out of her personal business. Lyra booked an anime movie for them to see and Sanae had mentioned wanting to go see it so Lyra decided it would be a safe option to go with.

That didn’t stop her from muddling questions around in her mind like a crazy asylum patient. Should she make a move during the movie? Should they even hold hands? What if Sanae wants to have a first kiss? Too many thoughts and it was common for Lyra to think this way. She had dated before albeit with guys as she was mainly heterosexual, but she was either cheated on, dumped for being weird, or used for profit by her ex-boyfriends. Lyra was never attracted to females and yet here she was about to have her first date with one. Not to mention, Lyra hopes there weren’t any photojournalists around to take snap shots for the magazines. She already recounted Molly’s endless tales of having to go through daily life getting spotted and asked endless questions about her and Harmonia’s affairs. She feared the same could be her fate and even the universe couldn’t show her those visions.

Lyra made a silent prayer for a good date and looked down at her wintergreen dress deciding to go casual for this date. She wore her usual headband and black dress shoes as she looked at her phone waiting for Sanae’s text that she was here. Lyra just leaned against one of the posters waiting for the show to really start.

[CaptainL]

Sanae Saitou had come to LAW in search of fame, and no one could deny that in that respect, she had succeeded. She might have taken to wrestling in the hopes of using it as a jumping-off point for an idol career, but she had achieved that and so much more. Thanks to a few high-profile matches that gave her the chance to show off her natural talent for wrestling, Sanae had become an overnight sensation, and the world was clamboring to see more of her. That had signed her to a few concerts to perform, allowing her to finally live out her dreams of stardom. But it also meant that she was getting recognized as a wrestling prodigy, and she had attracted a legion of fans for her athletic and acrobatic prowess alone! By now, it was clear to Sanae that there were just as many people who wanted to see her wrestle as those who wanted to see her sing, and she was determined to do right by both of them.

But she was also attracting attention of a different sort. After she first encountered Lyra Heartfield in one of her Apex qualifier matches, it became clear that Lyra was more drawn to the green-haired girl than perhaps either of them had expected. Since then, the fortune teller always seemed eager to get closer to her, and to find excuses to spend time with her. Sanae didn't know what to think at first. She was sure she had plenty of admirers, so what made Lyra different from anyone else? But...she was nice about it. And she had seen the potential in her firsthand in their match, so she at least felt a little closer to Lyra than to any of her other fans. Perhaps it was worth a try. If it didn't work out, it didn't work out. If it did...well, that was for Sanae to figure out later.

She did know one thing, though. She didn't want to make a big deal of it. With her idol career taking off, Sanae was under more attention than ever, and she was sure the media would go into a frenzy if they knew she was on a date. But that wasn't what a date was supposed to be about. This was supposed to be closer, more personal, more intimate...wait, was she thinking about this that way? Either way, Sanae had publically turned down Lyra's offer, only to secretly agree to it in DMs. And now, she was left hurrying down the street to the movie theater where they were set to meet. Something conventional, something that wouldn't be too fancy in case it didn't work. But maybe, it would be enough to strike a chord.

Spoiler

"Eep-! Sorry..!" Sanae bumped into a few people on her way down a crowded street. Her politeness told her to apologize, only for her to soon blush when she realized that she was risking people recognizing her the more she drew attention to herself, and she quickly hurried off. At last, coming to the theater, she caught sight of Lyra, and her face lit up with excitement as she waved her hand to get the blonde's attention. "Lyra!! Hey!~" she chirped, hopping up and down in case Lyra didn't see her. And then, she remembered that wouldn't be the best idea - if Lyra could pick her out of a crowd, so could everyone else.

Clearing her throat, Sanae weaved her way toward the sidewalk to fall in at Lyra's side, but she grinned to her nonetheless. "Sooooo...how's it been? You excited? Love the dress, by the way!" At the same time, she couldn't help but blush. She couldn't say she was used to flirting with anyone; was she doing it right? Was she going to make Lyra think the wrong thing about her if she laid it on too thick?

The idol's attention turned to the poster for the movie they were set to see, and she straightened out her coat. "You know, I never knew you were into anime," she continued, just trying to make casual conversation for now. Hopefully, they wouldn't feel as awkward if they eased into it.

[Pegasus]

Lyra heard Sanae bumbling her way over for her and her heart dropped into a steady beat as the butterflies in her stomach were free to flutter their colorful wings. But she inched a lump into her throat and swallowed it knowing she had to keep it cool for now as she saw Sanae jumping up and down to see her only for the idol to correct herself. They both had to keep it cool just in case fans or worse, journalists, decided to stick their nose in their business for a noteworthy scoop for the papers. Lyra greeted Sanae as they shared a friendly hug and Lyra presented her movie ticket to her.

“Dresses are my favorite piece of attire and my wrestling attire didn’t seem right for this occasion. Truth be told, I don’t know if this looks too formal,” Lyra answered as Sanae complimented her on the wintergreen dress.

Lyra then turned to notice the poster of the anime movie they would see as Sanae told her she didn’t know she liked it.

“I’m a casual viewer, but I find myself enjoying a few series enough to keep up with them. One Piece, Code Geass, Black Butler, Jojo’s Bizarre Adventure, and even Bleach despite the blood and gore. Jonathan has played Mortal Kombat in front of me so maybe I’m just immune to it all,” Lyra explained.

Lyra then had an idea that may make this first date a bit more comfortable for Sanae and maybe even score her brownie points in attraction. She took off her headband and went behind Sanae as she muttered “Allow me” and took a portion of her green hair tying it back into a nice ponytail with her headband used as a makeshift hair tie. She smiled friendly as she cleared her throat and tried hiding the growing blush on her face.

“I don’t know if you ever wore your hair in a ponytail, but this could make recognizing you a bit more harder,” Lyra stated.

[CaptainL]

Sanae nodded to Lyra as she showed her the ticket, her smile growing wider when she saw it was for two seats. This was really happening, she thought. Even when Lyra had made the offer, Sanae wasn't convinced this would go anywhere, but now she could see that she was serious about this - that she was committed to making it work. Sanae didn't know what the future would bring; for a moment, she wondered if Lyra could see this was fated to be, and she was trying to put things in motion. That might have explained how quickly it came up. But she was willing to go along with it for now, and to give it a chance.

Lyra made a comment about her dress looking too formal, but Sanae shook her head, butting in almost as soon as the fortune teller finished her thought. "No, no, don't apologize! Like I said, you look great." She took a moment to look around as Lyra described her tastes for anime, which was definitely something Sanae didn't see coming - Lyra seemed like a soft-spoken, if a bit eccentric, girl, and she didn't strike her as the type to like a lot of action. She figured that they'd probably play it safe and see a rom-com or something, but Lyra had been the one to choose the movie, and Sanae was happy she did. Now she was getting new insights into her - she knew what she liked, and what kind of person she was. That would be helpful if she ever had to do this again. "Of course," she continued in a quieter voice, "If you ever wanted to go somewhere more formal, there's always next time-" But as soon as she realized the last two thoughts she had, she stopped. Was she really this confident there would be another date? Did she want just as much for this to work out?

In fact, Sanae quickly realized that something more formal would probably draw more attention than it was worth, and she fell silent. Lyra either knew she was thinking that, or she could pick up on Sanae's anxieties about being recognized, because she went behind her to tie her hair in a ponytail. At first, the idol didn't know what to think, but it didn't take long for the realization to set in. When it did, Sanae smiled wider. It was reassuring to know that Lyra was thinking of her. And when she was finished, she turned to the window to see her reflection in the glass, reaching behind her shoulder to have a feel for her ponytail. Satisfied, a smile came over her face.

"Oh, good thinking!" she said. "Sometimes I tie it back, but I like to wear it down in most of my public appearances, so...I don't think anyone will recognize me like this." She gave her head a quick shake from side to side, getting a feel for the new style before she looked over at Lyra. "...How do I look, by the way?"

[Pegasus]

Lyra appreciated Sanae’s kindness about not feeling overdressed for this date. She blushed as her heart fluttered a little, but the fortune teller kept her cool for the most part. She is usually very calm and doesn’t live for the party like most girls her age. Lyra likes it very calm and likes things to move slowly so she could treasure as many wonderful memories as possible. They walked inside the movie theater after clearing up Sanae’s image problem and Lyra paid for drinks and popcorn with the vendors. Sanae suddenly asked her how she looked and Lyra needed to really lay this on slow as not to sound too interested lest this be the only date the two have.

“You look beautiful all things considered. I wouldn’t think too much about being romantic off the bat. Let’s just enjoy the show and we can get dinner at a diner afterwards,” Lyra replied as she held out her left hand for Sanae to hold.

If Sanae didn’t want to be recognized, maybe holding Lyra’s hand could put the ruse up just a notch.

[CaptainL]

"B-Beautiful-!!" Hearing Lyra's compliments was enough to make Sanae's cheeks flush red, and she blurted the word back out in a rush of excitement. A moment later, she realized how obvious she looked, and all the stares she was getting from those in earshot, and she cleared her throat, settling in against Lyra's side. "Er...sorry about that," she muttered. She didn't know what it was. She'd been called beautiful many times before. She did have the sorts of looks that made magazine covers, after all. And yet, hearing it from Lyra made it feel so much different, in a way she couldn't quite place - it was more heartfelt, more special. It meant something beyond the appreciation her fans and the press showed her. Maybe that was also why, falling in at Lyra's side, she felt a tingling sensation run over her she wasn't used to...

Of course, Lyra was being open about not trying to overdo it. That was something Sanae could agree on - they just wanted to see if this worked. She nodded her head to Lyra in agreement as they stepped up to pay for their refreshments. No one was committing to anything yet. But then...why did Sanae feel her heart beat a little faster when Lyra took her hand, and why did she fidget a little, as though she had nervous energy she just couldn't keep to herself?

"That sounds fine to me," she continued as they turned to the theater. "Dinner with you sounds...well, it sounds like fun," she muttered, only blushing even harder when the words had left her mouth and a lump formed in her throat. That had to sound so hopelessly, openly flirtatious. She had to remind herself not to do that. But she could swear she wasn't doing this on purpose - it just slipped out.

Coming into the theater, Sanae squeezed Lyra's hand a little tighter to pull her closer. "What seats did you get? Maybe it's best if we sit in the back so people don't recognize us," she whispered.

[Pegasus]

Lyra had to admit that things were going better than expected and she made sure to respect Sanae’s intentions of going slow. However, she noticed little things about Sanae. She fidgeted, held hands a little tighter than expected, and even reacted with a viral of happiness when Lyra called her beautiful. That made her heart skip a beat itself, but she cleared her throat trying to keep it cool. She did have a vision during their match that their first kiss would be in a diner. But would it be on this date? They were going to a diner, but who’s to say it wouldn’t be until the 3rd, 4th, or 20th date that would finally seal lips? If they got that far. The universe could only be so right to an extent.

“Then that settles things. Although, don’t expect too much munching from me. I’m vegan so I prefer vegetables and salads over meat and pork. It’s how my mother raised me,” Lyra stated as she ordered her drink and Sanae would order hers.

Lyra got a Coke to keep it simple and ordered two tubs of popcorn with extra butter as well as a few candy bars for snacking. She would definitely need the sweet taste of chocolate to heal her nerves for this date. Sanae made a note to ask about where they were seating as Lyra just winked at her.

“I don’t need the universe to apply common sense. I got as far back as we could. I think we’re just under the projector,” Lyra replied as she double-checked the details on her movie ticket.

[CaptainL]

"Oh, that's okay!" Sanae nodded her head with a smile to Lyra. "It's good to know if you have any dietary needs, that way we have a better idea of what to order...uh...okay, never mind..." She cleared her throat, burying her face into her scarf to try and hide the even brighter blush that now lit up across her cheeks. What was she thinking? On a first date like this, one that they both admitted was more of a trial run than anything else, they weren't going to share anything. Or would they?

At the concession stand, Sanae ordered a Ramune for heself, then looked back at Lyra as she bought the popcorn, noting how she had gotten a tub for her as well. "Thanks," she said. She bought a couple of fruit-flavored candies for herself, though she did raise an eyebrow at how much they had ordered together. "Just make sure we'll have room for dinner after this," she added. Saying it, she bit the inside of her cheek. On some level, Sanae was hoping that she and Lyra would be able to bond over dinner, and she didn't want anything to get in the way of that. She knew she had agreed that they didn't expect this to go anywhere right away...so why, she asked herself, was she so determined that everything pan out perfectly?

Still, she followed Lyra into the theater, nodding her head as she noted they had gotten seats under the projector. "Good thinking," she said with a smile, coming to an empty seat and setting her coat down on it. As she settled into her seat, Sanae let out a content sigh, stretching out her legs. At least at this point, there weren't many others sitting this far back, so the two of them had plenty of room. Plenty of room to get comfortable. Plenty of room to...no, Sanae, stop! She shook the thought out of her head, trying to keep things in perspective. This was just to see if it worked. She had to tell herself that.

[Pegasus]

Lyra and Sanae walked up the steps of the theater room as many other patrons started coming in to fill out the bottom half of the rows and even some cosplayers, maybe characters that will be shown during the movie, started filling in themselves. Japan was definitely ground zero for extravagant costumes and Lyra knew of Molly’s history of being a cosplayer so she can make a mental connection of that fact. Lyra chewed on some popcorn as she noticed Sanae being fidgety with herself and noticed it even more when they sat down as the idol shook her head clear. Lyra caught on pretty quickly and showed a friendly smile with a blush.

“You are nervous, yes? Listen, I understand it’s only the first date, but if you wish to make a move, then don’t deny your heart. The universe has taught me that denying my emotions will only lead to torment and agony. You’re conflicting yourself over keeping this purely basic and wanting to get closer. Don’t disturb your desires,” Lyra explained.

Lyra held onto Sanae’s left hand and gave it a comforting squeeze to show she could trust her.

“I’m nervous as well….I usually date only guys, but they were rather awful to me. But….when we wrestled, you felt….just wonderful to be around. Even if we were beating each other senseless,” Lyra teased as she giggled cutely.

[CaptainL]

Sanae might have been trying to keep a low profile, but when she saw some of the cosplayers enter the theater, she couldn't help but take notice. "Whoah-!! That's so cool," she said, sitting up a little taller in her seat. Though Sanae had never done cosplay herself, she had to appreciate the work that some people put into crafting elaborate outfits. As an up-and-coming idol, appearances were important to her, and she had put a lot of effort into looking her best in her public outings - at least when she wasn't trying to lay low - so she understood how much they invested in it. Anyone who put a lot of time, effort, and care into their art was worthy of praise. After all, she had worked just as hard in everything she did to get noticed - her singing, her presentation, and of course, her wrestling.

However, she still couldn't shake the anxiety that came from knowing she was on a date - it was a new experience for her, and she didn't know what the future might bring. She squeezed her hand tightly to try and distract herself, doing her best not to squirm back and forth in her seat too much - that would surely draw too much attention to herself, and she didn't want to upset Lyra with it either. But inside, her heart was pounding. Either way, though, whether she sensed it in the universe or just noticed the nervousness in Sanae's posture, Lyra took note - and she soon spoke up.

"Huh..?" Turning back toward Lyra, at first Sanae blushed; the thought that someone was actually picking up on her anxiety as much as she tried to control it felt like a failing. But Lyra still understood. She knew that Sanae was anxious, but she knew she had her reasons, too. And she didn't want her to hide it. Those emotions, Sanae came to realize, might not have been pleasant, but they were just as natural as happiness. She was only kidding herself if she wanted to run from them. And Lyra understood that, and wanted to help. Listening to her words, the stiffness in Sanae's posture began to ease, and her smile grew wider. No matter what happened...she was sure she could trust in her.

The next thing she knew, Lyra was holding her hand. Sanae could only blush harder - was this really happening? If Lyra actually wanted to get closer to her, if she wanted to take this next step forward, then...maybe they really did have a chance. But was she ready for that? And was she just making this awkward by showing this much hesitation? The thoughts ran through Sanae's mind - but she quickly swept them aside. It wouldn't matter, she reminded herself. No matter what, Lyra would understand. She wouldn't judge. It would be okay. And the more Sanae thought about that, the more the tension in her body began to ease, enough for her to squeeze Lyra's hand a little tighter. She leaned closer to her side, looking back at her with a smile that grew wider as they made eye contact. She was growing bolder, but she felt she didn't need to hesitate any more. Besides, this felt...nice.

She sighed and glanced away as she listened to Lyra describe her past struggles with her relationships. "I'm...so sorry to hear that. You really do deserve better..." It didn't seem fair that someone so kind and accepting and helpful would have to put up with hardship. But when Lyra went on to describe the bond she felt with Sanae, and the happiness she brought her, just from being around her in a match even as opponents, the green-haired girl's eyes grew wider in surprise, and her cheeks flushed red. She had always hoped she could win over the hearts of fans and admirers...but she never thought she'd ever find anything so personal.

"You...you really think so-?" She whispered softly, leaning closer to Lyra. Sanae almost couldn't believe the thought that anyone could feel so strongly about her. But that thought was one that quickened her heart, and made a tingle run through her body.