Chapter 43: Event Preparation

A date.

My reflection stared back at me, a wild spark in my eyes. It was finally happening. A real, actual, one-hundred-percent legit date with Eksu. Here. At the academy. My heart hammered a frantic rhythm against my ribs. I’d been waiting for this forever.

A perfect, romantic night.

Maybe we’d walk under the holographic stars in the arboretum. He’d probably say something impossibly cool and a little awkward. Then, at the end of the night, he would lean in close. The world would fade to nothing but the space between us.

What would it feel like?

His lips would be soft, I bet. And maybe a little hesitant at first. Just thinking about it sent a jolt of pure electricity through me. My stomach did a backflip. I could totally die from happiness. For real.

I pressed my hands against my hot cheeks and whispered, mimicking his voice.

“Liz-chan, I love you to the moon and back.”

A giggle escaped my lips.

I sighed dreamily to my reflection.

“Oh, Eksu, I know.”

Okay, focus.

He was in his room. Some random first-year confirmed it when I asked. But I couldn’t just show up. This was an event. It required preparation. It required a whole new look.

Operation: Date Night was a go.

The academy’s commercial sector buzzed with energy.

Sunlight, simulated but still warm, streamed through the high glass ceiling of the promenade. Students milled around, laughing and carrying shopping bags from stores with names like Void & Venom and Celestial Threads. The air smelled like sweet coffee and expensive perfume. This was my battlefield.

I needed the perfect outfit.

My mission led me to a boutique with a dark, moody entrance. Mannequins dressed in edgy, flowing fabrics stood in the window display. This was totally Eksu’s vibe. Dark, mysterious, but also secretly a huge softie.

The inside was cool and quiet.

A sales associate with sharp, geometric eyeliner and a bored expression glided over.

“Can I help you find something?”

Her voice was as flat as a week-old soda.

My own voice buzzed with way more energy.

“I need a dress. For a date. It has to be perfect.”

She gave me a slow, unimpressed blink.

“Right. What kind of perfect are we talking about?”

I explained my vision.

“The kind of perfect that makes someone’s brain short-circuit.”

She just stared. She clearly didn’t get it.

“Got it. Aisle three. The dark florals are popular.”

I left her standing there and dove into the racks myself. The first dress was a deep crimson velvet. Too formal. It screamed “evil queen,” not “future girlfriend.” The second was black lace. A classic, but a little basic. Eksu deserved more than basic.

I pulled out a third option.

It was a silky, midnight-blue fabric that shimmered like a nebula when it caught the light. It had thin straps and a simple cut that fell just above the knee. It was elegant but not stuffy. It was cool.

I disappeared into the fitting room.

The dress slid on like a dream. It fit perfectly, the fabric cool against my skin. I spun in front of the full-length mirror, watching the way the material swirled around me. This was it. This was the dress.

I imagined Eksu’s eyes widening when he saw me.

He wouldn’t know what to say. He’d just stare, looking totally flustered and cute. A small, satisfied smile played on my lips.

This was the one.

Now it needed accessories.

A nearby shop gleamed, its windows filled with glittering treasures. Tiny spotlights made every piece of jewelry sparkle with an irresistible promise. I was drawn in like a moth to a very expensive flame. Silver and gold and rose-gold chains were draped over velvet busts. Earrings dangled from miniature trees.

This was the fun part.

I walked up to the cheerful guy behind the counter.

“I need something to go with a midnight-blue dress.”

“Something to catch the eye?”

A grin spread across my face.

“Something to snatch a soul.”

He laughed, not even a little weirded out by it. Finally, someone who got it. He pointed me toward a glass case filled with delicate silver necklaces. My eyes scanned the options. Stars, moons, abstract shapes.

Then I saw it.

A thin silver chain held a single, tiny, perfectly crafted silver key. It was simple. It was subtle. But it was also so obviously symbolic it was hilarious. The key to my heart? Too cheesy. The key to his room? Now we were talking.

I had to have it.

I bought it without a second thought, the small box feeling heavy with potential in my palm. The dress was secured. The necklace was chosen. One final, crucial piece remained.

The shoes.

I walked into a store where the walls were lined with footwear from floor to ceiling. The scent of new leather and rubber hit me instantly. An overwhelming number of choices stood before me. Heels? Boots? Flats? This decision felt more important than any test I’d ever taken.

Heels looked amazing.

They would make my legs look great in the dress. But they were also a tactical liability. What if we had to run from a rogue magical experiment? Or a jealous rival? Unlikely, but you could never be too prepared.

Flats were practical.

I could run, jump, and kick in flats if necessary. But they didn’t have the same dramatic flair. This was a first date. It deserved flair.

Then I found the perfect compromise.

A pair of black leather combat boots, but with a slight, chunky heel. They were tough but stylish. They said, “I’m cute, but I can also end you.” It was the perfect message to send. They felt right. Solid. Grounded.

My masterpiece was complete.

The shopping bags rustled as I unlocked my door.

I dropped them onto my floor, the new clothes a pile of promise in the middle of my room. The excitement from earlier returned, tenfold. It was time for the final test run. I pulled on the dress, the boots, and clasped the silver key necklace around my neck.

I turned to the mirror.

Wow.

The person staring back at me looked cool, confident, and maybe just a little bit dangerous. The blue of the dress made my eyes pop. The boots gave me an edge. The key rested perfectly at the base of my throat. It was all working. The vibe was immaculate.

I practiced saying it to my reflection, trying for a casual tone.

“Hey. You ready to go?”

Too chill.

I tried again, adding a little wave.

“Hi, Eksu!”

Too peppy.

I took a deep breath. He’d be there. I’d be there. I’d look amazing. The rest would figure itself out. It was all falling into place, a perfect plan for a perfect night.

He was just one door away.