So there's this novel/manga/anime called 'Welcome to the NHK', right? 

Basically, it's about this one guy who believes in a self-implanted conspiracy theory that the government is making people become shut-ins to sell more things. It's crazy, entirely unprecedented, and the only base of truth it has is to prove that the main character is on drugs.

Why am I bringing this up, one may ask? Simply put, it's because I started to sound like him.

I'll admit, my first summer as a superhero was a rough one. Chasing down a supervillain that has had seemingly random targets and no associates isn't all the movies crack it up to be. It's difficult and frustrating, and a gamble of sorts. Especially whenever all you have as a trail is a trace of a handmade grenade with, despite breaking the entire thing apart, no indication of personal ownership. Of course, I wasn't expecting that. I don't remember what I was expecting when I tried it.

The only true thing I could call a positive about the summer months was getting to spend time with Bella. After talking on the phone for around a week, she invited me to the ice rink in the mall. Which was cool and all, once you exclude the problem of me never roller skating in my life. God, she was so graceful on the blades, while I was over there watching in awe and grabbing onto the railing for dear life. I looked like the human equivalent of a newborn deer learning to walk. I should have probably at least tried to learn beforehand, but everything just caught up with me. Still, she simply laughed, took my hand, and guided me. 

I really like her laugh. 

Once I got my balance, it started to look more human than baby deer, which I was thankful for. When I wasn't focusing on not falling over, I looked over at the person I had come with. Her movements were smooth, her eyes shut with a facial expression of contempt. She looked so in her element; we should definitely come more often. 

After another pop song had played on the radio, I decided to attempt conversation. "Hey. You hungry?", I asked, breaking her trance. Her lime green eyes opened, looking over to me as she came back to reality. She looked down in what seemed like thought for a moment before turning to gently smile at me. "Yeah. A little bit." 

"So, how often do you come here?", I asked once we had ordered our pretzels and found an empty table. Bella pulled out a seat and shrugged. "Once...twice every month?", she answered with uncertainty. I nodded in response. "Why do you ask?" "Well, I was wondering how many times I have to come out here to get as good as you.", I said. "I'm...average.", Esposito refuted, crossing her arms as pink started to color her cheeks. 

"You just looked...so at peace.", I commented. Average. Could you believe this woman?

"Well, skating has been a bit of therapy for me. It's just... something that helps me take my mind off...everything.", Bella admitted slowly, looking as if she was trying to find the right words to describe it. After finishing, her gaze went to the direction of the rink we had exited from. I watched her with interest, trying to decipher what she meant by that. Before long though, she just blinked and shook her head, probably jumping off of a train of thought. "Sorry. I'm sure that sounded weird."

"Nonono, I get you. I get you. Sometimes you just need a break.", I defended, giving a soft smile of understanding. The look on her face meant that she probably appreciated the statement.

I really did get what she meant. It was the same reason I would watch anime or read manga. I hadn't done anything like that for a while though. Maybe I needed to. "At least you go out and do something. I would just sit and stare at a screen.", I admitted. "Yeah?", she inquired, head tilted with curiosity. I just nodded with an awkward chuckle. "Not the healthiest of habits, not gonna lie.", I remarked. "Well, you could always come with me here to help break it.", Esposito offered with a little grin. 

I feigned a dramatic gasp, holding a hand over my heart. "Ms. Esposito! Are you asking me on a second date?", I asked dramatically. Bella slowly nodded, before starting to laugh. "I didn't realize this was our first. I guess it is, huh." "O-only if you want it to be!", I stammered, feeling my cheeks heat up from embarrassment. She only gave a soft chuckle, waved my mistake off with an amused smile, and responded, "Yes. Yes, I am." 

The blush was definitely still there, but I tried to play it off. "Well, in that case, I certainly accept your proposal." She only laughed at my antics. I like to make her laugh. It sounds nice.

After we had both calmed down, our order was called. I went to go get the food while Bella stayed. On my way back, I noticed her glancing at her phone before freaking out a little. "I need to go home. But my ride just canceled.", she admitted, looking down at the table as if she was ashamed. "I could give you a ride.", I offered nonchalantly. My girlfriend looked up at me in genuine surprise, as if she wasn't expecting me to be nice and offer. "A-are you sure?" "Of course. Why wouldn't I be?" "I-I can.." "It's no big deal to me.", I excused, remembering a comment she made about not wanting to burden others with her problems. 

"Are you sure?", she asked a final time, before finally accepting my offer to help. "If you insist.", she remarked, as if I couldn't see her slightly sigh in gratitude. I simply gave a smile before handing her the soft pretzel. After handing it to her, I held out my hand for her to take. She gave a soft laugh, before giving me her hand with the back facing me. "My lady.", I responded in a joking tone, fluttering my eyes at her. Thankfully having a sense of humor similar to mine, Bella breathed out a chuckle. "May I have permission to kiss the royal hand?", I asked dramatically, getting down on one knee. "You may.", Esposito responded, changing her once quiet voice to sound like a pompous noblewoman.

 I leaned over, gently making my lips have contact with her hand. I could smell the faintest whiff of her lotion. After a moment, I broke the kiss, looking up at her blushing face as I stood back up. "People are staring.", Bella muttered, looking around the mall. I followed her gaze, my own unimpressed. Of course, people were going to stare. And they were going to do it in the most condescending way possible. They always do. "Let them.", I said with a huff. I'm honestly used to staring. People stare at me so much, I made a career out of it.

"I'm sorry.", Bella muttered, looking down. It looked as if tears were threatening to escape her grasp. I glared at the nearest member of the peanut gallery, before shifting my gaze back to hers. "It's alright. You're alright. Besides, you said not long ago that you need to get home?", I prompted. She said nothing, merely nodding a little. "Then let's go. Away from all the people who have nothing better to do.", I remarked, taking her open hand and guiding her to the entrance/exit we came through. 

Instead of letting her tears escape, Bella prompted to take a huge bite of her pretzel twist and slowly chew, as if using it to distract her. Once we got to Miku, I opened the door for her and went around to my side. "'ou no, 'hese 're pr'y g'd.", Bella commented while fastening her seatbelt. "Bella bella, I hate to sound like a mom, but I can't understand a word you're saying. Please swallow the pretzel and try again.", I commented while starting up the car. 

"These are pretty good. I've gone to this mall several times and not once did I ever even think about trying that place out.", she commented. "Th-thank you for the food.", the woman later continued in a much quieter voice. "Of course.", I responded on pure instinct. "Now, which way to your grandmother's again?"

On the drive over there, we talked about all the mundane things in life. But while we talked, we still enjoyed each other's company. At least, I did. I could listen to Bella talk, to her laugh, to her sing off-key to the radio for hours. Her voice, to me, was like a rainstorm after a decade-long drought.  

Every now and then, I would glance over to my guest as we maintained a conversation. Her gaze was off somewhere in the night, looking up at the stars. "He's not out tonight.", she stated at an intersection. I immediately knew who she was talking about. "Oh?", I responded, trying to sound as casual as possible. "What makes you say that?" Bella just shrugged. "Haven't seen him in the sky yet." I quietly nodded, keeping my eyes on the road. 

"Turn left at the next road.", she instructed while still keeping her eyes up. I turned on the signal and looked over into the next lane. 

"I hope he's not working himself too hard. He does so much for this city. When he can, anyway.", Esposito thought out loud, eyes shifting from the sky to the street in front of us. "Fifth one on the left.", was her final instruction as she pointed to the house. I pulled up against the curb, setting it to park. "Could say the same about you.", Bella noted, leaning towards me now. I huffed a little chuckle before looking away. "Don't worry about me. I'm tough.", I remarked. 

"I know that.", she remarked, before growing quiet. There was something on her mind. 

"What's up?",  I asked, knowing that when she has something on her mind, it's going to plague her for ages. "How...were you able to hold down your resolve like that? Even with all those people judging you?", she asked slowly, eyes gazing into what felt like my soul. I blinked before looking down. 

"The truth? I got used to it. Nothing I could do to make it go away, so all I really could do is ignore it. I like to think of it as mentally flipping people off like that.", I explained with a sullen and somber tone as I could. Bella looked down, processing my words before looking back up at me with a smile. "Thank you.", is all she said. 

I looked at her in the night; eyes nearly glowing against the radio lights, curls giving a sleek shine against the patio light. She looked as radiant as when I saw her for the first time. Without thinking, I asked, "Can I kiss you?" before realizing the words that had just escaped me. She looked shocked, about as shocked as I regretted asking such a question. After contemplating for a moment, she finally answered, "On the cheek."

With a little smile, I nodded and did as permitted. Her skin felt as soft and gentle as her nature, as smooth as the ivory tone she claims during the day. I would love to kiss it more often. But only if she would let me.

We broke apart after a minute, looking into each other's eyes as my girlfriend opened up her door and got out of the truck. "Parting is such sweet sorrow.", I quoted with a little wave. She smiled and echoed the gesture before shutting the door and walking up to the front door. 

I drove off after I saw an elderly woman open the door and let her inside.