[center][img]https://i.imgur.com/cd4y4K5.jpg[/img][/center][hr]Akari grinned as she saw the satisfaction in Utena's eyes. However, it wasn't time to talk about food. They had something more important to discuss right now.

[color=de3163]"Do you mean like her phone number or something like that? Because I'm sure you could give it to me if you wanted to, right?"[/color] Akari said after swallowing another mouthful of takoyaki. The red-haired girl looked at Utena with a knowing grin stamped in her lips. [color=de3163]"To say the truth, I just wanted to get out of that meeting, but I can't say that I ain't curious about your idea of monster fighting. So, whatcha gonna do now, date them all into submission?"[/color]

Utena's eyes narrowed as Akari made her jokes, resting her head on her hands as she stared intently at the lower officer. [color=gray]"I'd like to resolve things peacefully yes. You have to admit, it's quite the shaking revelation that these monsters we've been fighting not only have intelligence on par with that of humans, but they might also be living among us. We could figure out why they're attacking, perhaps even attempt diplomacy! Isn't that amazing?"[/color] The serious gleam in her eyes bled out as she spoke, excitement replacing the mood as Utena considered the possibilities.

[color=gray]"And you know, maybe dating them would be cool. We don't know, anything is still up in the air."[/color] She muttered, a small blush rising to her cheeks before she quickly squashed it. [color=gray]"Regardless, I'm hoping to secure your silence on this matter, at least until I can confirm some things. I don't need the higher-ups finding out about this and messing something up with some heavy-handed power play."[/color]

[color=de3163]"Don't worry with me. Who would believe in anything a grunt like me said?"[/color] Akari tried to dismiss Utena's worries with a burst of hearty laughter. [color=de3163]"Actually, I've been thinking something like that as well. Maybe we could get some of them to help us. I'm sure not all of the GMGs are bad people,"[/color] she said before taking a pause, occupying her mouth once again it chewing.

Once she was done with her eating, Akari looked Utena with the same smile still glued to her face. [color=de3163]"By the way, Boss, if you're gonna buy my silence, you could begin by footing the bill. They don't pay us in the rank and file that much, y'know?"[/color]

Utena nodded vigorously, happy that someone could see her point of view. [color=gray]"Yeah yeah! And maybe one day, we can even stop fighting altogether! That's the goal, right? I figure this is just the most attainable path, rather than trying to kill them all or something."[/color] I mean really, what was even the point? A lot of these GMGs had really useful abilities, stuff that could revolutionize the world if they were integrated into society rather than forced out. Terrorkeat's wind abilities would make power generation via wind turbines one of the most efficient methods of making power, Goomie could be studied to find a way to reverse grievous injuries and regenerate lost limbs, Dragon Queen could... well, she didn't really know a lot about her. Nobody did, but hopefully, she could be reasoned with!

[color=gray]" O-oh yeah, the bill. Don't worry, I can cover all that, I remember what it was like to be a grunt living on barebones food."[/color] Utena laughed, reminiscing on her days as a rank and file soldier. [color=gray]"So tell me Akari..."[/color] Utena smiled as she pulled out her wallet, taking out enough money to cover the both of them plus a tip. [color=gray]"You think I have a shot with Terrorkeat?"[/color]

Akari nodded as she listened to Utena while having another order freshly-made, super-spicy treats. If she didn't have to worry about the bill, she might as well stuff herself, right? She chewed the food with haste, bumping a fist against her chest to avoid chocking as she swallowed it all. [color=de3163]"Well, that was hot!"[/color] Akari said to herself gulping down some iced-tea to cool herself.

[color=de3163]"Erm, anyway... phew! You almost caught me back there. For a moment I thought that you would ask me out,"[/color] Akari said as she noticed the intensity of Utena's gaze as she asked her hesitant question. [color=de3163]"I guess that anything is possible if you put your heart on it? Well, maybe not everything, everything, but you get what I mean, right? You may look scary but you are a nice girl on the inside, I'm sure that TK can relate to that. But, don't you think you should at least ask her actual name before going out on a date or something like this?"[/color]

Utena wasn't usually a fan of spicy, so she let Akari take care of that plate while she sipped on her own iced tea. She laughed at Akari's initial assumption, waving it off easily as she spoke. [color=gray]"Sorry to get your hopes up, I've got a certain type after all! I prefer taller girls."[/color] She giggled at her little joke, taking another sip of her drink as she listened to Akari. [color=gray]"I look scary? Whatever, I think I get what you mean. I just gotta go into things without initial assumptions, be myself, and actually learn her name! That's probably the most important part, god knows I wouldn't wanna be called something silly like Utenazilla all the time."[/color]

A thoughtful look crossed Utena's face as she said this, wondering how this first date would actually work out. [color=gray]"In the end, it's all up to her though, I don't really have any way to contact her. I gave her my number after all, I don't think she even owns a phone."[/color] Utena scratched the back of her head, just a hint of nervousness entering her mind as she wondered if TK would actually even call. She had been a little overbearing at first, she might not even want to!

[color=de3163]"Don't worry, I'm sure that everything is gonna play out well in the end, lover girl,"[/color] Akari laughed as she patted Utena's shoulder. [color=de3163]"Now, what do you say about another round, eh?"[/color] Anyone looking at them right now wouldn't be hard-pressed to think that they were old work partners drinking their woes off.
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