My Nihilism Got Me Laid?!

I hate the sun...

I hate the heat...

I hate summer...

Wow, I sound like such a grouch. I read in a scientificy article that it the heat makes your actions more aggressive and irrational; so, my hatred is supported scientifically. I considered the fact that I might be vampire, but I have been a day one sun hater, so my immortality comes from something else.

"Its beautiful."

"Beach day!"

Today's note had the name Scylla Sanders, with this beach as this address. Fortunately, it's still early in the morning, meaning the sand is still cool from the night before, there's no screaming kids, and it's pretty unoccupied.

Boketto wasn't able to make it today. I'm glad our.... relationship has distracted her from her real goal. If anything, I feel like I should have offered to go to her show, but she said it was for a classroom of kids, so I doubt she'd do something like sword tricks or sawing... hopefully.

"Graves, thank you for inviting me!"

"I'm glad you finally took advantage of your day off. You seem the workaholic type."

"Well, there's no way I'd rather spend it than with you." Astro does a cute pose as she winks with a peace sign.

She really is adorable.

Flattening my stare, I turn. "Speaking of days off, Cafune, when was the last time you went to work?"

"Hmm? Work?" She snickers, puffing out her chest. ヽ〳 ՞ ᗜ ՞ 〵ง "I worked yesterday, baldy and green hair boss lady said I was the employee of the month! And then they gave me money."

"I find that hard to believe, unless all your coworkers died in a burning building, leaving you winner by default." My eyes narrow, "Hey, wait, if you have money to spend then where's my rent money?!"

"Hm? I spent it all on snacks and a giant stuffed frog. But, I wanted to thank you for all you have done, so... I left an extra twenty dollars aside just to pay rent."

As uncharacteristically caring that is... twenty dollars is not the four thousand in rent most people would pay.

Cafune is undoubtedly a net negative for everything, so why do I keep her? I guess its like keeping a exotic animal in captivity, she's relied on me for everything, to cut her loose would spell certain death... or at least a very bad path.

"Well... I just spent my paycheck on this swimsuit, just for you... so what do you think Graves?"

Astro is wearing a red bikini that matches her ruby eyes; it has O-rings with white frills. Her adorable pink cheeks blush as she tucks her hands between her thighs.

Looking up at me she smiles. Her cute appearance contrasts her naughty features, as the bikini bottom is hidden behind her thick thighs. The elastic band violently stretches to hold her smooth, supple ass.

"I... You look beautiful Astro..."

"I too spent my paycheck on my swimsuit." Cafune gives a hearty chuckle, placing her hand proudly on her chest.

"I was literally with you when you got that from the discount pile." (¬_¬) "And I was the one who ended up paying."

"Oh... yea, that's where I got that extra twenty."

I say that, but even in her cheap black one-piece swimsuit, she still radiates that Milfy atmosphere. Between her sunglasses and her straw sun hat, her appearance would fool the ignorant person into believing she was my mother.

... but that's certainly not the case for multiple reasons...

"Graves! Look, I found a octopus with these pretty blue circles!"

(⩌_⩌ ) I sigh. "Cafune, don't touch that."

Making our way down the sandy shore, the waves roll in, the sandpipers run back and forth in their silly little dance.

I haven't been to this beach since I was a kid. I used to walk along the shore with my grandmother; I had saved up fifty dollars for a metal detector, and used it once, only to find a measly quarter.

But for some reason, I don't regret it. Those type of days aren't replaceable no matter how much money you have.

Our feet melt into the wet sand, as the salty warm breeze swipes past.

"I never did ask, what do you think of your apartment, Astro?"

She beams at me with a excited fist pump. "Its amazing! There's so much space, its so cozy and you can even see this beach from the patio! I sometimes just sit out there and watch the planes land."

"And Moxie isn't too much of a stickler, I hope?"

"No, she's great, its like living with an older sister. She's always tidy, and helping me in a bossy way. We even have smoothies for breakfast every morning! I like a little more fruit in mine, she eats like a turtle."

I'm glad that most of the rooming pairs I've made turned out well, a lot of them were random.

"But..."

"But?"

Astro blushes as she plays with her hands. "I always hear her... saying your name."

"What? Like she talks about me a lot?"

"Well... yes... when she's alone... late at night... and it's more of a... moan."

"...oh."

"Then I came home from work when you and moxie were all sweaty."

"Oh... we- she was showing me exercises."

She crosses her arms as she attempts to pout, yet she manages to make her aggression adorable, like having an angry seal pup. (⸝•̀ ⤙ •́⸝⸝⸝) "I'm not that stupid. I know what you guys were doing."

"I mean... technically, it is an exercise."

"Graves..."

"Sorry."

"We... did it, when you saved me at work... but we have barely talked since..."

"Well, you can just text me and I will come over." I'm used to having my body be a delivery service.

"But I don't want that!" She stomps her foot.

"?" Tilting my head. "You're kinda throwing me for a loop..."

"I don't want to just... do it!"

Is she asking to get kinky?!

"I want to go on a date with you Graves!!"

Oh... no, I've just got a dirty mind.

After what happened with Stephanie, I've been intentionally shallow. I suppose I'm doing it out of fear... fear that I may get hurt again. "I appreciate the sentiment, Astro, but I'm really not a great person to invest your feelings in. If you knew wh-"

"I know that you're sleazy, that Moxie isn't the only one." She points as her eyes water. "You're probably doing... that...!"

"Graves, I have crabs!" Cafune says, holding up a handful of crabs.

"Well..."

The mood has shifted, despite being a carefree day on the beach, the topic is serious. Astro winces, as though on the edge of tears.

She holds her clenched fist over her heart. "I know this... but these feeling are melting away at my heart like burning oil! I can't control it, I hate how much it hurts when you're not around."

I am lost for words as I stand there, defenseless. It doesn't matter that I'm immortal in emotional fights like these... it seems I have kept my humanity.

"Every time I hear you and Moxie doing it, it makes me so... angry! So damn jealous. I've wanted to storm in there and steal you back from her! ...but I can't... it seems I'm weak."

She sighs, releasing her clenched fist and slouching her body. The wind rips past us, blowing her jet black hair over her watering red eyes as they reflect the early morning sun. She tilts her head, her eyes go tired as she gives me a look of defeat. "I know I can't win this race, but I will still run for silver."

...

...damn (◞𐔌 ◟;)... she nearly just melted my frozen heart; even I'm cheering for her like this is a rom com.

I put up my finger. "... well this is techni-"

"Dont even think about passing this off as a date. This doesn't count, you invited another girl."

( •̯́ ₃ •̯̀) Is she a mind reader?

Also, Cafune's not really a girl, she's more of an enigma.

The longer she looks at me, the more the tears well up; they threaten to overflow, to spill over her eye lashes. "If you really don't like me- if you hate me, then just say it!"

She doesn't deserve this; I thought I freed her from death, but it seems I just put her in a bigger cage.

"I apologize for my hesitation; I was trying to remember when you had said your next day off was. How about this Monday?"

She slowly lifts her head, her eyes cautiously widen.

"If you want to learn about me, you should know I'm a slave to coffee, so how about a cafe?"

Her teary eyes dart up to me as her once hastened breathing steadies itself once more. "Yo- really!? You'll go on a date?"

"I warned you, it only gets worse the deeper you dig, but I'm hoping by spending time with me you'll see your admiration is a mirage."

Wiping her eyes, she's no longer listening, as she giddily cheers. "Take that Moxie!"

She strikes a Jojo like pose as she points at me. "It's a promise! 10 AM, Cafe Legno Mattutino; No take backs!"

"It's a date."

Do I really want to release one of the locks to the cell I've imprisoned my heart in?