It took about twenty minutes of driving before they arrived at the restaurant where the date would take place. The car had been mostly silent throughout the ride, as neither of them quite knew how to start a proper conversation. Only small talk surfaced at intervals, brief and slightly awkward.
Vroom!
The car rolled into a reserved spot, personally booked by Zayne. A staff member was already waiting for their arrival. Zayne stepped out calmly, while Kira followed, doing her best to maintain her composure despite the anxiety building within her.
Tossing the keys to the waiting staff, Zayne naturally took Kira's hand in a gentle, almost instinctive motion and led her forward. The staff member watched them with a hint of envy wishing he was Zayne, as they walked toward the entrance.
Everything proceeded smoothly. The doormen had already noticed Zayne arriving from the VIP section, so they didn't dare delay him. After a quick confirmation, another staff member guided them to their reserved table.
Soft music and a refined ambience filled the air, the atmosphere radiating quiet luxury. It brushed against both of them—but especially Kira, whose nerves only grew stronger in such an unfamiliar setting.
She wasn't like Zayne, who had experienced places like this countless times. For her, it was overwhelming. Combined with her fear of messing up the date, her anxiety only continued to rise.
Just as the discomfort started to show, she felt a gentle squeeze on her hand.
"Kira, what's wrong?" Zayne asked, his voice laced with concern. "Do you not like it here?"
Caught off guard by how accurately he read her, Kira forced a small smile as they both took their seats.
"It's nothing… I was just, uhm… a little anxious. This is my first date," she admitted.
The worry in Zayne's eyes eased slightly, though it didn't completely disappear. He could tell she wasn't saying everything—but he chose not to press.
"It's fine… with enough conversation, I'll figure it out soon enough," the thought passed quietly through his mind as the date officially began.
They ordered carefully chosen dishes—nothing too cheap, nothing overly extravagant. Zayne made sure the balance was just right.
Time passed as they ate slowly, their conversation starting with light topics before gradually drifting into more personal territory.
"So… Zayne, have you ever had a girlfriend?" Kira asked, her voice soft and slightly nervous. Her current demeanor was completely different from her usual confident self. The tomboyish edge was gone—what remained was a girl sitting across from her crush.
Zayne observed her reactions carefully before replying with a faint smile. "No… I've never had anyone I liked before."
"Whether in my past or present life… I've always been alone," he added silently in his mind.
"Oh," Kira hummed, falling quiet—but internally, she was bursting with excitement. "Yes!… if this works out, doesn't that mean I'll be his first?
Her thoughts were practically bouncing with joy until Zayne spoke again.
"So… how about you? Have you ever dated or liked anyone before?"
His tone remained calm, but his thoughts ran deeper. "Of course, she didn't. In both the comics and the show, she didn't have a real love interest until Trent… but this world is different. A Marvel R-18 reality merging with a PG one could change things".
"No, I never had anyone," Kira replied with a faint, bitter smile. "I was too punk rock to like—or be liked by anyone."
"Because I only liked you", she added silently in her heart.
That was who Kira was. Once she set her heart on someone—whether as a potential boyfriend or soulmate—she never wavered. Unlike the more fickle tendencies she saw in others, her feelings were unwavering. The same went for her love of music. Even when her sister told her it was pointless, she never gave up.
It could have been a curse if her love was one-sided… but fortunately, Zayne was the one she chose.
"Oh, well… they're kind of wrong. Your punk rock side is one of the most attractive things about you," Zayne said casually, taking another bite of his food.
"You really think so?" Kira's eyes lit up, her voice rising slightly in excitement.
Her earlier worries melted away almost instantly. It turned out she had been overthinking everything—Zayne actually liked her for who she was.
"Mm, yeah. It's not the main reason I like you… But it's definitely one of the most attractive parts," Zayne replied, his expression calm and sincere.
Kira's face flushed bright red.
"Ahh… he said it, he said it!" Her thoughts spiraled wildly, clinging only to the words "I like you".
It might seem exaggerated, but for someone her age—someone in love—it was completely natural. When the person you liked returned your feelings, even in the smallest way, it felt like the world itself had shifted.
And for Kira, this moment felt like the beginning of something perfect.
Zayne, with his sharp perception, noticed all of this but simply smiled. To be honest, he was happy too. If this really worked out and turned into a relationship, it would complete one of his goals in this new world—and he could finally have the family he had always wanted.
It took Kira a few seconds to calm down. When she noticed Zayne staring at her, she became embarrassed and quickly spoke. "Uhm… sorry about that, I was caught off guard by your words. I don't mean it in a bad way… I actually loved it—I mean liked…."
Her voice trailed off as she lost herself again. Seeing the same situation repeat, Zayne chuckled softly and cut her off. "It's okay, Kira. I also love that I like you."
Those words caught her off guard—but in the best way possible. She calmed her nerves and simply nodded. "Mm."
She lowered her head, focusing on her meal with a soft smile, her heart filled with a quiet, overwhelming bliss. Zayne nodded in satisfaction and continued eating as well.
The meal itself was small yet expensive, so they finished it within minutes. Afterward, they continued talking—about many things, even deeply personal matters. With each passing moment, they grew closer, more comfortable with each other than before.
They had reserved the entire night, so time wasn't a concern. Even as the restaurant slowly emptied, their conversation flowed effortlessly.
Rumble~~
Mid-conversation, Kira's stomach growled, startling her as she instinctively covered it in embarrassment. But it wasn't as intense as before—after everything they had already shared, this felt minor.
Zayne raised an eyebrow slightly. "You hungry?"
"Yeah…" Kira replied, lips pursed as she gave him an innocent look.
Although the food from earlier had been delicious, the portion was far too small to satisfy her. Ever since she started training with Zayne, her appetite had increased drastically. What she had eaten earlier felt like a drop in the ocean.
"So, want to order something else? It's our night after all," Zayne said.
Kira's heart melted at his words, but she still shook her head.
"Uhn… wait, is this the legendary female trap? Damn it, I shouldn't have asked like that," Zayne muttered internally, recalling the teachings of a so-called 'great sage' who once claimed that asking a woman a direct question could lead to endless confusion.
"Uhm… so, what do you want to eat then?"
The words slipped out naturally—unintended.
"Yeah… it's over. I've ruined the night," he wailed inwardly, his calm façade barely holding.
Kira remained silent for a moment, and with each passing second, Zayne's anxiety grew. But—he had overthought it.
"How about we leave this place and go to Hayley's? She has great food, I promise you'll love it," Kira said, leaning slightly closer. Her minty breath and soft voice unconsciously eased his tension.
"Mm, sure. Anything you want," Zayne replied with a small smile as he stood, ready to lead the way.
Kira's heart swelled with joy as she followed him out, her thoughts already spinning with plans she had set for this night.
Everything moved quickly after that. They left the high-end restaurant and made their way to Hayley's Cyberspace. Even at this hour, people still lingered—some entering, others leaving. It was truly one of the most popular spots in the city.
Zayne's BMW was parked in a secluded corner of the building, ensuring its safety. The night was dark, and hardly anyone would notice it—let alone have malicious intentions. And even if something did happen, Kara would notify him before it could occur.
Taking her hand in his, Zayne walked confidently into the café, drawing a few strange looks as he passed by. It was rare for someone to walk into Hayley's dressed in such formal attire. But it didn't bother him. He was here with Kira—nothing else mattered.
Ring~
A bell chimed as they stepped inside. Neon lights glowed across the space, with a few people working on systems while others quietly enjoyed their meals.
"I'll be back," Kira said, gently withdrawing her hand before heading toward the bar where Hayley stood.
"Hey~ Hayley," she greeted with a bright smile.
Hayley looked up from her work, her face carrying both exhaustion and amusement. "Hey, Kira. How's it going? How was the date with the boy?"
As expected of the ever-observant manager, she already knew.
"It was really nice… the best day ever. We…" Kira went on to explain everything—carefully leaving out the more personal details—before telling her why they had come.
"Don't worry about it. I've prepared everything just the way you wanted. I'm sure he's going to be dazzled," Hayley replied, her tone filled with anticipation.
Kira's face lit up instantly. She hugged her tightly. "Thank you so much, Hayley. You're the best!"
"Yes, yes, I know—you say that every time. Now go back to your boyfriend," Hayley said, gently pushing her away.
Kira nodded and made her way back to Zayne.
As she approached, he looked up. "Placed the orders already?"
"Yeah, it's a café special. You're gonna love it," she replied with a beaming smile, boldly taking his hand again and leading him to a highlighted spot in the spacious room.
They sat down, and the food arrived almost immediately—personally delivered by Hayley Ziktor.
It looked simple: a Bronto Burger, a red velvet milkshake, and premium cyber-spiced curly fries—one set each. But the aroma alone was enough to prove its quality.
Kira's stomach rumbled in anticipation. Without waiting, she dug in—devouring the meal quickly, though still maintaining some level of grace. Zayne followed suit, dropping any pretense as he ate just as heartily.
Their conversation flowed more freely here, filled with laughter—far more than at the restaurant earlier. This place felt different and comfortable enough for them to feel at ease.
After a few more bites, they were both full. The rush of dopamine from the food slowly settled, leaving behind only a calm sense of contentment.
Then—
"I'll be back, Zayne."
Kira stood up, a mysterious smile on her face, and left before he could respond.
"Hey—" Zayne called out, but stopped midway, watching her leave with a mix of confusion and curiosity.
Of course, he had noticed her earlier exchange with Hayley. As a Ranger, his perception far exceeded that of a normal human. He could have easily listened in… but he didn't. Out of respect—and a quiet expectation for whatever surprise she had planned.
So, while his face remained calm, his mind waited.
Flash~~~
Suddenly, the café lights dimmed, replaced by a softer glow. At the same time, a spotlight illuminated both the stage—and Zayne himself.
His eyes narrowed slightly.
Then she appeared.
Kira stepped onto the stage, still in her yellow dress, accompanied by a few other girls—including Gwen—now dressed in full punk rock style.
Zayne's thoughts stirred. "Is this… what I think it is?"
A faint tension built within him, anticipation rising as he watched her.
Kira didn't keep him waiting. She looked directly at him and spoke, her voice clear and filled with emotion.
"So, Zayne… I wanted to make this night special—for both of us. So, I decided to write a song for us."
A beautiful smile spread across her face, making her seem even brighter under the spotlight.
"And I hope you enjoy it."
Everything went silent after that. Zayne watched her calmly, his thoughts unreadable, yet his heart was filled with quiet joy.
Kira picked up her electric guitar and signaled softly with her fingers. "1… 2… 3…"
STRUM!
The chords rang out, smooth and powerful, and her voice followed.
🎶 Looking back, I don't regret 🎶
🎶 One single day. 🎶
🎶 Memories I'll keep close, 🎶
🎶 When you walk away. 🎶
...
The song flowed beautifully through the café, every note carrying emotion. Kira became completely immersed in it, her gaze locked onto Zayne, her eyes soft and radiant—almost as if she had forgotten everything else.
Zayne felt his heart melt even further. He recognized the song instantly. It was one he had heard before… one he used to hum along to as a child. Back then, he had always wished—almost foolishly—that he could witness it live someday.
And now… it was happening right in front of him.
"I guess dreams really do come true," Zayne thought, a faint smile forming as memories flashed through his mind—from the moment he arrived in this world to this very scene.
It hadn't been easy. The journey had been filled with danger, pressure, and uncertainty. But standing here now, watching her… it all felt worth it. Not a single moment did he regret.
His gaze softened as he focused entirely on the girl under the spotlight.
To him, the world seemed to fade away. The people, the café, the noise—everything disappeared, leaving only the two of them in that moment.
The soft light above cast a gentle glow on her, like moonlight touching her skin. It made her seem almost unreal—like she was meant to stand there, meant to shine.
And somehow… it felt like they were meant to stand together.
Something deep within Zayne shifted. A feeling he hadn't experienced since the day he lost his parents rose again—stronger, clearer, unshakable.
His chest tightened slightly, not with pain, but with resolve.
"I swear to protect her and everyone important to me in this world, as long as I stand… nothing will ever take anyone I care about from me, never again."
And from then on, they both became perfect for one another. Soulmates till eternity.
--- ✦ ---
So I tried my best not to make it too cringe and too bland. I hope ya'll enjoyed it, and I would love your comments on the chapter. Sorry for the late update, guys, I overslept.
Please give, Power Stones!!!