Lesson Learned

The first place Rio was leading her to was the street food area where the smell was delicious and overpowering.

"So...I did try to book a restaurant." Rio gave a strained laugh. "But everywhere was booked up..."

"It's okay." Mitsuko smiled and held her hand as they walked along the street. "Street food is way tastier anyway."

Rio grinned. "I know right!"

The street stalls were lit up with colourful pink lights and were full of families and couples going to and from different stalls.

Mitsuko looked around eagerly for the Crepe stall. "Can we get a crepe first? I haven't had one in months!"

"Yeah, sure." Rio squeezed her hand as they walked into the crowd to find the right stall.

When they found one there was a crowd already surrounding it, but Rio edged in, pushing one girls out of the way so they could see the menu and get to the front.

A man who was wearing a stained apron looked over at them. "Hey! What do you girls want?"

Mitsuko smiled, clutching her cheeks as she stared at the flavours on the menu. "I'll get strawberries and cream!"

Rio hummed, rubbing her chin as she eyed the menu. "I'll go with...blueberries and banana!"

"Ok." The man said, picking up the tub of batter on the side.

Mitsuko looked around the crowded fair. "We can try to find somewhere to sit," she said as the thin pancakes were being made. "I think there's a fountain nearby. We could sit there."

"Yeah, we can..." Rio scowled when one girl shoved passed her when she got her crepe. "If there's any room."

"We'll find a space, don't worry." Mitsuko grinned. "Or worst case we'll just scare some people off ad steal their spot!"

The other girl laughed. "I like the way you think."

When they got their crepes they made their way through the crowd to find some seats.

"So what do you want to do after this?" Mitsuko asked as her girlfriend held her hand and lead her through the crowd.

"That's a surprise!" Rio insisted.

She smiled in amusement. "Well, if you say so."

They found a small spot near some make-shift benches which had been set up for the event, where a line of people was already sat eating. There were a lot of couples there, so they sat near the end next to another couple who were snuggled together.

Mitsuko ate her crepe, admiring the heart-shaped lanterns which were strung up along the street, painting it in a warm pink glow.

She looked at Rio and leaned closer to her. "Thanks for doing this."

Rio raised an eyebrow at her. "Well, you are my girlfriend." She kissed her cheek and smiled cheekily. "Gotta treat you like a queen."

Mitsuko blushed, smiling more. "I just don't want you to feel pressured because of my family." She held her gloved hand. "I know my dad is overbearing..."

"No, it's fine." Rio shrugged, eating some of the crepe. "I don't really care about his opinion anyway..." She frowned when Mitsuko gave her a curious look. "I mean...I guess I was a little anxious after what he said, but that's only because—because I don't want you to think I don't care or whatever."

"Well, I guess I did want you to do something special," Mitsuko admitted, shrugging. "I probably should have told you but I didn't want to put any pressure on you or anything..."