Senji strolled along the streets hand-in-hand with Ayame, rounding the corner until arriving at their destination; The movie theater. He gazed up at the large lit-up sign displaying the current films in rotation with excitement. Ayame rose an eyebrow, tilting her head slightly. The film in question he wanted to see was an action-horror flick called 'Eyes of Damnation.' Pitching the idea to Ayame during lunch on the rooftop a few days ago, he was nervous she would reject the proposal. However to his surprise he learned something new: Ayame hadn't watched a movie in years with the last one she remembers watching was a serial thriller with her father before his eventual downward spiral into depression following the passing of her mother. After hearing how she was berated by her guardian, he wanted to treat her to a good time in the form of a fun date. He still couldn't confess his eavesdropping so he kept it to himself for now.

"That title sounds... Interesting. You said it was the 'most anticipated' movie of the season huh?" Ayame quoting what Senji said on the day he proposed the date.

"Yeah. You haven't seen a movie in so long, right? Well I thought maybe why not see one together? I-I don't know what you read so sorry if what I think sounds like a cool movie doesn't sound as cool to you." Senji replied with a nervous chuckle.

"Oh. I haven't really told you my interests too much huh? Horror stories mostly... And dark romance novels. I find joy in those."

"Dark romance?"

"Romance novels with sinister twists or darker themes. Like the setting being during an apocalypse, or the girl revealing herself to be a psychopath that craves blood. That kind of thing. Cute and innocent love stories bore me."

"I-I see. Well this is action and horror so it should be entertaining. C'mon we don't want to be late now do we?"

Senji and Ayame proceeded to get their tickets from the clearly bored and uncaring employee who could care less about age restriction, then a bowl of popcorn to split between the two of them with Senji covering the costs via his allowance. The couple found themselves a pair of seats in a higher row then sat down, watching through the commercials and trailers until the movie finally started. Two hours of high-octane action, horrendously gory visuals and cheesy dialogue bordering on the edge of angst-ridden teen poetry filled the runtime. Throughout the film while Senji was laughing and gasping and holding his breath, Ayame gradually had her mind blown over time until the climax had her on the edge of her seat. She gripped Senji's hand tightly until the final scene played out with the protagonist and the female lead kissed while coated in blood standing in a sea of corpses and guts within a burning metropolis. The credits rolled. Senji wiped a single tear from his eye while Ayame took a deep breath, softening her grip on his hand. She hadn't uttered a single word throughout the entire viewing.

Upon leaving the theater with the clouds in the sky overcasting over the streets of downtown, Senji and Ayame walked down the steps to go and lean up against a wall on the nearby office building. He was needing a moment to take in all that he had just watched. Ayame was racking her brain trying to comprehend everything she just took in from the film. She pressed her hands against her head, eyes wide staring down at the ground. Senji glanced over to her, placing a hand on her shoulder.

"H-hey Ayame? You okay? Maybe that was a bit too excessive and violent of a film to take you to..." He said with a sigh. Ayame slid down the wall to the ground bringing her knees up to her chin. He squatted down next to her. "Ayame?"

She shook her head a few times before rubbing her eyes and looking up to the sky then towards Senji. His friendly face brought her reassurance and calmed her down.

"I..I'm fine. That was... Just a lot to take in. Like seeing a novel come to life... Let me rest for a moment." Ayame murmured taking Senji's hand off her shoulder to clutch it tightly.

"Oh o-of course. Sorry. I didn't really think this idea through."

"You're fine. I promise."

After a few minutes passed Ayame felt at ease. She stood up dragging Senji up with her still clinging to his hand.

"We can go home now. I... Need to do my homework for Monday." Ayame said coldly. Senji's eyebrows raised at her words. He had another idea to pitch.

"Um say h-how about you... Uh..." He stuttered with a pause.

"I, what?"

"You... You come study with me at my house? Since even before we got together I-I haven't actually had you over yet. I'm sure my mom would love to meet you too."

Ayame's eyes began to widen slightly. He was right. She hadn't thought about that. The two of them have only spent time together either in school or around town. She shuttered some but nodded.

"I mean... If you want. What if your mom doesn't like me though? What if it ends up feeling awkward being in your room alone? I've... Never been over to someone else's home before..."

"Aw don't say that! My mom is the nicest lady in the world. And besides, since w-we're dating it only makes sense to have you over. Right?"

Taken from Royal Road, this narrative should be reported if found on Amazon.

"Well I... Guess that makes sense."

"Just for a little while then I'll walk you home. Is that okay?"

"S..Sure. Um, I'm okay with that."

For the first time since the two had met, Ayame was showing signs of anxiety and vulnerability. To Senji this could be the first real step in helping her out of her comfort zone and grow more comfortable around him as a couple rather then just friends. On that note with her hand in his, he led the way on the long trek from downtown back to the suburbs where his house was. It would be a rather quiet but peaceful walk with occasional small talk about the film along the way.

Upon entering the home a delightful smell lingered in the air coming from the kitchen. Senji closed the door behind them. The sound of clanging utensils could be heard from in the kitchen. Senji scratched the back of his head, feeling nervous about this meeting.

"Hello dear! I hope you'll have room for supper in a few hours-!" Hinaka called out as she stepped away from the stove out to the dining room donning a white apron when her jaw dropped. Her eyes beamed at the sight of Senji's new guest. "Is that... A new friend of yours?? She's so beautiful!"

This was the first time Ayame had ever been over to his house. She shyly rubbed her arm while looking away from Hinaka who already approached the two of them with an inviting smile.

"Mom uh... This is Ayame. S-she's my..my girlfriend." Senji stammered.

"Girlfriend?!"

Hinaka admired Ayame for a moment. Being out of uniform, she took to studying her rather dark and alternative style of clothing. Torn up black skinny jeans with fishnets underneath, deep purple off the shoulder top bearing gray cat symbols and a black choker adorned with a shiny silver lock. Despite having lived in the city and being familiar with this sense of fashion, meeting someone who donned this look was eye-opening to her. Especially someone affiliated with her own son. She had to put aside her initial judgement and extended a hand to her cautiously. Ayame slowly turned her gaze to the woman. She mustered up the courage to accept the greeting and shook her hand.

"Ayame." She said with a tinge of anxiety.

"What a lovely name. I'm Hinaka, Senji's mother. Nice to meet you. Supper will be another couple hours by the way so feel free to make yourself at home young lady." Hinaka replied before returning back into the kitchen.

Senji nervously chuckled. Ayame glanced back to him, grabbing the sleeve of his shirt.

"It's okay. My mom is really nice and she's not overbearing. Trust me. Since moving here she's already made several friends in the community and at her new job." Senji reassured her.

"I... See. She seems friendly. You must have a great mother." Ayame murmured.

"I do. I'm pretty lucky. So you uh, want to go to my room then?"

"Your... Room? Um, sure."

Senji took Ayame through the home, down the hall and to the door where his room is. He opened it for her. She cautiously walked into the room when he turned the light on. He got in front of her, extending an arm gesturing for her to look around. He wore a nervous grin and his hands were shaking.

"W-well here we are. This is my room. It's probably a bit lame I know. I may not look it but I'm really into manga and television shows with flashy characters and action. Also rock music to a degree." He chuckled.

Ayame wandered around the small room briefly gazing at the posters, many manga books strewn about the room and his few figures striking dynamic poses. Senji's heart was pounding like a drum. He never had a girl alone in his room before that it was ramping his anxiety up through the roof. Ayame looked back to him, a little smile on her face.

"I like your room. It feels cozy in here." She said. Senji breathed a sigh of relief.

"R-really?"

"Yes. I feel... Comfortable. At home. Like I'm welcome here."

"Um I-I guess that's a way to describe feeling? But I'm glad. Sorry I don't have any other chairs other then my desk chair but uh y-you can sit on the bed or the chair if you'd like and I'll sit on the bed."

Ayame walked over to the door to close it shut. She turned back to Senji and approached him, taking his hands in hers.

"Why don't we both sit on the bed?" She suggested. He felt his heart skip a beat.

"W-we can totally do that. Y-yeah that's fine."

Senji turned the television onto his favorite station playing a live-action superhero show with several people in colored suits fighting off brutish-looking aliens in a warehouse. Ayame leaned her head against his shoulder, resting a hand on his leg. He was feeling a mixture of extreme nervousness and calming relaxation as if his mind was running wild. They sat in silence just watching the entertainment on the screen in front of them until the episode ended teasing the next part of the current arc. Ayame brought her hand down, sliding her fingers in-between his.

"Senji..." She whispered into Senji's ear sending shivers down his spine.

"H-huh? What's up Ayame?" He asked.

"I don't want to leave... I'm staying here tonight."

Before Senji could even speak a single word to reply she reached over with her free arm and pressed a hand against his chest then immediately kissed him. In a matter of seconds she pushed him down onto the bed and climbed up on top of him. Senji felt defenseless being locked down underneath her thighs. Those strange feelings from the night they eloped at Yunaka's party were returning once again. Without a second thought, Ayame pulled her shirt up and off, tossing it onto the floor. His eyes widened more then ever, unable to take his gaze off of the black-laced bra she had on. He was about to finally speak when she pressed a single finger against his lips to silence him.

"Senji... I want you to take me." Ayame murmured in a sensual tone.

Senji swallowed hard. Unsure of how to even respond at this point all he did was raise his hands to grab her by the waist. Once she had removed her jeans and began to unbutton his pants, Senji took multiple deep breaths. An evening of searing, sweaty and passionate intimacy passed by leisurely. This would become the night Senji had unexpectedly lost his virginity.