First Date with a Japanese Guy

Activity > Not area specific > Date

I stared at my reflection with an expression akin to abject misery. You know, that feeling you get when you aspire to copy a fancy getup in a fashion magazine only to result in what looks like an epic fail? Yup, that's how I am feeling right now.
I glared at the smug reflection of my best friend, Haruko, on the mirror. She looked pretty proud of her handiwork. I, on the other hand, could only pray to the high heavens Shotaro would not run screaming for the hills when he sees me because I am just about ready to run as fast from my own reflection.
"It's not funny!" I scowled at Haruko, crossing my arms over my chest. "I don't look anything at all like Jennifer Lawrence. I look like something the Hunger Games starved and dragged back from the pits of Tartarus!"
She rolled her eyes. "Andy-chan, we aren't trying to make you look like Jennifer Lawrence because that would be trying too hard. Besides, after that smashing kokohaku Shotaro-kun did, I doubt he would mind if you went out and wore a garbage bag for tonight."
Ah, yes, the kokohaku. I felt a blush spread all over my cheeks when I remembered that particular night.
Haruko and I had just parted ways after a gokon, which is the Japanese equivalent of a group date. Haru and her date had decided to have some coffee before we went back to our dormitory and Shotaro and I were left to our own devices.
I have to admit that although I participated in the Western dating scene, I was more comfortable with the Japanese dating culture. In Japan, couples get to know each other in several gokon or group dates before deciding whether they should push the relationship further. I think that this is better. I mean, if you both should feel that you don't entirely suit, at least you're already good friends and feel a bit comfortable in each other's presence.
The kokohaku, though, is something that I thought only happened in those romance novels and chick lit I indulged in every now and then. Basically, in the kokohaku, the guy confesses his love for the girl and if she accepts it, then the dating stage will officially commence.
A few raps on the door caught our attention and I can feel my blood drain from face and straight down to my toes. That knock could only mean one thing — Shotaro was here.
I swear, Haruko must enjoy inflicting pain on me because she gleefully bounded over to the door and threw it open with the biggest smile at my date.
"Return her in one piece or I'll hunt you down and feed you to the sharks!" she warned him, that creepy smile still on her face. "Anyway, I think you better prepare to get your socks knockedw off."
I smiled wanly at him as the door swung open wider and I stood before my date in full view. Instead of the polite smile I envisioned, Shotaro seemed to appear to have had his socks, err, knocked off quite effectively. I tried to ignore the way Haruko visibly mouthed "I told you so".
"I mean, wow," he finally said after a few moments of staring. "I know I told you last night you were the most gorgeous thing, but…wow!"
At that moment, I didn't care if Shotaro took me to a ramen stand for our very first date instead of the fancy restaurant we were headed to. If he continued to look at me that way, there would definitely be more dates in our future.