Raifu Suitchi 11

Chapter 11: Date Night

Strutting back through the shopping centre to meet Aiko by the van, Allen experienced an epiphany. He discovered that by imagining he was someone else, like an actor playing a role, he was suddenly less embarrassed. Adopting the persona of a bitchy diva and glaring at anyone who dared to look in his direction, quickly caused them to avert their gaze. The longer he maintained this façade, the more his confidence surged.

Peering out of the minivan's window just after 4pm, Aiko almost failed to recognize the lilac-haired glamourpuss, cloaked in fur and leather, marching towards her. If not for Yamato, lagging behind while struggling to juggle his camera and numerous shopping bags, she might have mistaken Allen for someone entirely different. He opened the door, elegantly seated himself next to her, and smoothly swung his patterned legs into the vehicle. “Hi Aiko. Sorry, we’re a bit late; I got carried away with shopping,” Allen stated casually.

Raising an eyebrow, Aiko queried, “I can see that. What happened to your other outfit? And how did you pay for all these new clothes?”

“Oh, Yamato took care of it. He’s such a doll,” Allen replied, adjusting the hem of his miniskirt, as Yamato, panting heavily, clambered into the front seat.

Aiko was about to question Yamato but paused, noting his weary expression. She had to concede that she was somewhat impressed. Perhaps this foreign boy beside her had more mettle than she initially thought. The drive back to the apartment was silent, punctuated only by the sound of Allen tapping away on his phone.

Just before they reached their destination, Aiko broke the silence. "Okay, we're nearly at your place. You've got a few hours to unwind and get ready for tonight. We'll be back to pick you up at 7.30 pm. Do you know what you are wearing this evening?" she inquired.

Allen, not bothering to look up, responded with a hint of sarcasm, "Yes, Mother. I've got it all planned out," maintaining his newly adopted bitchy demeanour. Aiko, taken aback by his retort, remained silent, pondering the sudden change of attitude in the usually timid and awkward boy.

Once back inside the apartment, Allen shrugged off his coat and flung it over a chair, where he also placed the bags holding his earlier outfit. He untied his new boots and slipped them off, wriggling his toes to restore sensation. Sinking onto the sofa, he curled his nyloned feet beneath him, eager to Savour his brief respite before the evening's obligations began.

After about thirty minutes of TV, Allen, with a heavy sigh, got up and trudged to the bedroom. He passed the dress that awaited him, dangling mockingly from the wardrobe door. He lamented the prospect of another chilly night. Stripping off his miniskirt and rolling down his tights, he noticed streaky lines covering his legs. "Seems rain and a fresh spray tan don't mix well," he mused, stripping down for his second shower of the day, hoping to even out his tan.

Following a thorough scrub in the shower, Allen succeeded in evening out his tan. Stepping out, he wrapped himself in a fluffy white towel, which quickly became tinged with orange, much like the earlier one. He then began the tricky task of unravelling the plaits in his hair, hindered by his lengthy nails. As he untangled the knots, his hair unfurled into unexpected curls that tumbled over his shoulders. Without the expertise or desire to style the cascade of waves, Allen reached for some styling mousse, hoping to tame the curls somewhat before moving on to his makeup.

He meticulously followed Sofia's makeup guide, crafting a smouldering, smoky eye effect and applying layers of lipstick and gloss until his lips gleamed. Satisfied with the results, he braced himself for the most daunting part of the day – slipping into the delicate white dress and towering open-toed pumps for an evening of dancing and partying. After downing the last of his potent gin and tonic, a pre-shower concoction, Allen knew there was no further delaying the inevitable. With a mix of apprehension and determination, he carefully lifted the dress from its hanger, the fabric's soft, lightweight texture whispering through his fingers.

With only his feminine lingerie and the flimsy dress to put on, Allen made quick work of getting dressed. Soon, he found himself standing in front of the mirror, draped in the delicate fabric, shuddering at the thought of facing the cold night air in such a summer-suited outfit. He reached for a bottle of perfume, spritzing his neck, wrists, and chest with the flowery scent that was unmistakably Sofia's signature fragrance. The aroma enveloped him, evoking a poignant reminder of her.

With a sigh, Allen secured a pair of pink, open-toed heels around his ankles, immediately feeling the familiar strain in his calf muscles.

As he turned to assess his reflection, he nearly lost his balance on the hazardous pumps. The mental note was clear: he would need to take extra care when moving tonight. The towering, slender heels demanded mincing, cautious steps, a necessity he recognized would become even more challenging once he was intoxicated. And he planned to drink a lot! Not only to fend off the cold but, more crucially, to blur out the surreal reality of going on a date with himself, dressed up and acting like Sofia Cannavaro!

At 7.30 pm sharp, Allen stepped out of the apartment building into a dismal, rainy evening. He navigated his way to the waiting car, cautiously avoiding the deeper puddles in his perilous platform heels. The journey took them into the heart of Tokyo, ending at an Okonomiyaki restaurant. During the ride, Allen had been briefed on the evening's script. Sofia had originally dined here with two old school friends before their night had progressed to drinks and eventually the nightclub where he had first encountered her.

Upon Allen's arrival at the restaurant, two girls were already seated at the table, eagerly awaiting his arrival. However, these were not Sofia's actual friends, but actors hired by the production team. It seemed Sofia's real friends had declined the show's invitation to participate. The two actors, dressed in party attire, couldn't help but let out a small giggle upon seeing Allen's entrance in his dainty dress. With the camera crew in position, Allen made his way across the room. He was visibly embarrassed, acutely aware of the eyes of the restaurant's patrons on him. Approaching the table, he awkwardly embraced the two women, trying to muster an air of excitement as they both enthusiastically squealed, overjoyed to see their "friend" Sofia.

The dinner was a peculiar experience for Allen, who had to feign familiarity with these strangers as his closest friends. As the evening progressed and drinks were served, he found himself gradually settling into the role, drawing on the confidence he had mustered at the shopping centre earlier that day. Yet, he couldn't shake the feeling that much of the conversation was staged to place him in awkward situations. Particularly challenging was Yumi, a red-haired girl in a blue dress, who seemed intent on asking particularly personal questions. “So, Sofia, any exciting new men in your life?” she queried as Allen flipped his cabbage pancake on the hot plate between them.

Channelling his best impression of Sofia, Allen replied, “No, not really. I’m enjoying the single life at the moment.” He strove to appear unfazed by the intrusive questioning.

Yumi pressed on with a mischievous smile. “That's such a shame. You should really find someone, you know. When was the last time you were with a man?”

Allen, though internally squirming, maintained his composure and casually fabricated a response. “It’s been a while, but who knows? Maybe tonight’s the night I’ll meet Mr. Right.”

Both Yumi and Raiko, the other actress, exchanged excited glances. “Absolutely, we’ll make it our mission to find you the perfect guy tonight,” Raiko chimed in, their laughter echoing around the table.

The meal proceeded in this vein, with the actresses prodding Allen with questions that would unsettle any man. Nevertheless, Allen remained steadfast, determined not to let their tactics rattle him, partly comforted by the enjoyment of his first solid meal in almost a week.

Leaving the restaurant behind, their next destination was a nearby bar, which was hosting a ladies' night, much to Allen's delight. The promise of complimentary drinks further lightened his spirits. "Maybe this evening won't be as bad as I thought," he mused, already feeling a pleasant buzz from the earlier drinks. The company of two attractive women, albeit actresses, was also unexpectedly enjoyable.

Even the show's request for him to saunter down the road to the bar, turning the street into a makeshift catwalk for a 'fun shot,' didn't dampen Allen's spirits. Embracing his temporary persona as a vivacious, glamorous woman out for a good time, he sashayed confidently down the rain-slicked street. Coming to a halt in front of a visibly apprehensive Yamato, Allen flashed the overweight cameraman a bold smile and struck a playful pose, fully committing to the act.

(See image 32)

On a bustling Friday night, the bar was predictably crowded, and being ladies' night, it attracted a notably disproportionate number of men hoping to get lucky. Allen, along with the two actresses, made a striking entrance in their mini dresses and towering heels, drawing the attention of nearly every man in the venue.

Navigating through the throng, Allen felt a peculiar blend of empowerment and vulnerability as he stood by the bar, scanning the lively scene. It wasn't long before, almost predictably and likely staged by the show, a trio of suave men in suits made their way over. One of the men boldly placed his hand on the small of Allen's back, leaning in close to be heard over the blaring music. “Can I buy you beautiful ladies a drink?” he inquired.

Startled by the unexpected touch, Allen was about to tell the man that the drinks were free when Yumi quickly took charge. “Thanks, handsome! How about three cocktails? We'll be over there,” she gestured towards a vacant table, her voice carrying over the din. “Anything for you, baby,” the suitor replied, while Allen was ushered to the table, feeling like a character in a soap opera.

Seated uneasily, Allen crossed his legs and tugged his short dress down, though it still revealed a considerable expanse of his smooth, shapely legs. It dawned on him that the entire evening was meticulously planned - the reserved table and the trio of men, seemingly employed by the studio to play the role of admirers. Retreating into his newly adopted diva persona, he navigated the situation with snappy, one-word replies while steadily consuming a significant amount of alcohol. However, this strategy failed to deter one especially insistent man, who continued to barrage him with questions and uninvited touches on his bare shoulder and knee.

When the moment arrived to depart for the club, Allen felt a sense of relief to be leaving the bar full of leering men. Fuelled by the buzz from the drinks, he and his companions exchanged quick hugs and pecks on the cheeks with their three new male acquaintances. Too inebriated to be bothered by the intimacy, he staggered out into the street, giggling and leaning on the other girls for support as Yumi hailed a taxi for the short ride to a popular nightclub.

Despite his drunken state, entering the club was a jarring experience for Allen. He hadn't set foot in this place since that fateful night he first encountered Sofia. Now, teetering on the edge of the dance floor in high heels, he felt an unsettling wobble with each step. The pulsating music and kaleidoscope of lights cast his dress and exposed legs into a surreal spotlight, heightening his self-consciousness. Each stride felt alien, his feet unfamiliar with the precarious balance required by the towering heels.

The thick, heavy mane of hair cascading down his back added to his disorientation, feeling both hot and cumbersome. His face, laden with makeup, seemed to amplify every sensation – the heat, the glare of the lights, and the curious glances from the crowd. The flutter of his long, feathery eyelashes with each blink created an odd interplay with the flashing lights, adding to the surrealism of the moment. It was a stark contrast to his usual experiences in a club.

The reality of the situation struck him with full force – he was not just crossdressed in a club; he was reliving Sofia's experience of their first encounter. The surrealism of meeting a version of himself, as portrayed by Sofia, loomed ahead. He knew the script, but facing the reality of acting it out was both bizarre and overwhelming.

Feeling a tug on his arms, Allen was suddenly pulled onto the dance floor by Yumi and Raiko. As the music throbbed around him, he found himself instinctively swaying to the rhythm, his recent dancing experience with Evelyn coming to his aid. The two girls seemed pleasantly surprised by his fluid movements in heels and quickly joined in. Together, they formed a close-knit circle, moving in sync with the pulsating beats.

Several songs later, completely engulfed in the music, Allen spun around, only to freeze as he locked eyes with a familiar figure. He stumbled, almost losing his balance on his torturous heels. Regaining his footing, he looked down to see himself – or rather Sofia dressed as him. From his elevated perspective, she appeared so small, a stark contrast to their usual comparable stature. A wave of self-consciousness washed over him, realizing this was how he must have appeared to her on the night they first met, brimming with unwarranted confidence.

Breaking the awkward silence, Sofia delivered the cheesy line he had used that fateful night, “Someone call heaven because I think I’ve found an angel.” Both of them cringed simultaneously, a mutual understanding of the absurdity of the situation and the words that had once sparked their bizarre journey.

(See image 33)

Allen's puffy lips parted in astonishment, and his mascara-heavy eyes grew wide as he gazed at the now butch-looking Sofia. He contemplated if this was how he had once looked - diminutive and unimpressive. Struggling to recall Sofia's original reaction to his cheesy pick-up line weeks ago, the sheer ridiculousness of the moment caught him off guard, and he erupted into laughter. Coincidentally, this was precisely how Sofia had initially responded, a reaction that had initially melted the ice between them and sparked their first conversation.

================================================================================

Sofia’s day had contrasted starkly with Allen’s. While he had been out and about in the city, she had been confined indoors. Over the past week living as Allen, Sofia had realized he was somewhat of a loner, with few friends and limited hobbies. When asked about his pastimes, he had mentioned video games, which weren’t really her thing. So, she spent a lot of time researching for her blog, preparing for when she'd resume her old life, and watching Korean dramas to pass the time. That’s how she spent her day, binge-watching a soppy Korean drama as she awaited the studio’s 8 pm pickup.

Around 7.20 pm, she got ready to meet one of Allen’s few friends. After a quick shower, she dressed quickly, still missing her long hair but appreciating the ease of the shorter style. Not having to spend ages on makeup was also a refreshing change. Initially, she had felt exposed going out without her face done up, but as she continued, she grew more confident. Being a man, even temporarily, meant no second glances or judgments – a small but significant perk.

She met Allen's friend Paul at an Izakaya. Unlike her friends, Paul was enthusiastic about being on TV. After some initial awkwardness, they bonded over pints of beer and skewered meats.

By 11 pm, they were headed to the club in a taxi. They had spent some time at the bar before Haruto, Sofia's version of Aiko, signalled it was time to find Allen on the dance floor. From her vantage point on the balcony, she first noticed her dress, then her hair, and finally Allen's Botox-enhanced face modelling them. She watched from a distance, amazed as Allen danced in her killer heels as if they were flats, seemingly enjoying himself.

Finishing her beer, Sofia placed the bottle on the ledge and made her way to the dance floor, weaving through the crowd until she was right behind the feminized man. Clearing her throat to catch his attention, she startled him, causing him to stumble. Suddenly, Allen spun around as a mass of damp black curls hit her square in the face. Looking up at the feminized man, now with plump, kissable lips and long, plume-like eyelashes, she took a deep breath and delivered what was possibly the cheesiest pick-up line in the world.

==============================================================================

"Did that line ever work on anyone else?" Sofia asked, a hint of amusement in her voice as she looked up at Allen's glamorously made-up face.

"Oh, you'd be surprised," Allen replied, a tipsy grin on his face. He wrapped his arms around her, wobbling slightly on his heels. "It's great to see you. Weird, but great," he added, steadying himself.

Sofia chuckled. "Seems like someone’s had a few drinks tonight," she commented, her head almost lost in the voluminous mass of her former hair.

"Can you blame me?" Allen said, stumbling backwards to look her in the eyes. "This isn't exactly a typical Friday night." They held each other's gaze for a moment, their shared absurdity triggering laughter.

"Come on, let me buy you a drink," Sofia suggested, trying to shift the mood.

"Or maybe we could just leave?" Allen proposed, fluttering his long lashes, suddenly aware of the throbbing in his calf muscles and the fatigue setting into his body.

"Sure thing, babe," Sofia shot back playfully. "Grab your coat, you've pulled."

"I didn’t bring a coat," Allen replied with a pout, his voice laced with mock drama. "And after line, I think I just threw up a little in my mouth," he added, letting out a playful chuckle.

"Hey, I'm just trying to stay in character," Sofia responded, a smile spreading across her face.

"All right, lead the way, Casanova," Allen quipped, placing his long-nailed hand in Sofia’s and allowing her to lead him off the dance floor.

==============================================================================

The following evening, Allen, in his towering pumps and red dress, stood conspicuously taller than Sofia, who was smartly dressed in a tuxedo suit. On the back wall of the television studio, a highlight reel played, capturing their recent escapades. Neither could bring themselves to watch the screen, where the footage was edited for maximum embarrassment, complete with cringe-inducing music and sound effects.

Sofia, gripping Allen's hand tightly, could sense his discomfort. The feminized man remained statue-like, staring blankly ahead. His lips, coated in a glossy red that matched his dress, stood out starkly against his stoic expression.

(See image 34)

The audience ooh-ed and aah-ed, captivated by the spectacle of the crossdressed duo on screen, each impersonating the other. It was an uncanny, almost surreal experience for both. Allen, in particular, grappled with the complexity of it all, now possessing dual memories of the same night: one as the man chatting up with a captivating woman he'd later taken home, and the other as the woman in the white dress and towering heels being escorted out of the club.

As the scene shifted to their intimate moment in the taxi, Allen couldn't bring himself to watch. Instead, he gazed down at his own sleek, dark legs protruding from a slinky red dress, the high slit revealing much of his left leg, accentuated by shiny red stiletto pumps. The audience's applause and cheers grew louder, and Allen knew they were reacting to the moment they had shared a kiss, a part the studio had insisted on as a pivotal moment in starting their relationship. Despite his inebriated state at the time, the memory was vivid. The physicality was familiar - he was kissing Sofia, someone he'd previously found incredibly attractive - but the context had shifted jarringly. With her dressed as a man and his large sticky lips, the kiss felt unsettlingly different, stirring a sense of repulsion within him. The footage continued for a few more seconds, showing their return to Sofia's apartment and their joint entrance before the film crew departed. The evening had ended uneventfully, with them both passing out fully clothed, a fact to which their current hangovers could attest.

As the crowd settled down, Enzo began his commentary. “Wow! What a hot and steamy first encounter for Allen and Sofia. But what really matters is what our audience thought of it. It’s time to vote.” Dramatic music filled the studio, and lights flashed as the audience members prepared to score the date from one to five. Allen and Sofia exchanged hopeful glances, silently hoping for a favourable score after their considerable efforts.

A score of 437 lit up the screen, eliciting a surprised smile from Enzo. “Wow! A new high score. It seems we have new favourites on our hands. Allen and Sofia are definitely the ones to beat this year!” he announced. The leaderboard was updated, moving Allen and Sofia’s names to the top position.

Their points from this round were added to those from the previous one. Earlier, at the weigh-in, Allen had registered at 130 pounds, having regained some weight after a night of overeating and drinking. Sofia's weigh-in was even more startling to Allen; she had reached 138 pounds, now weighing eight pounds more than him.

A result of her week of indulging in junk food and hitting the gym. While neither had achieved their target weight, their combined score from the date, added to their previous total, comfortably secured their place in the next week of the competition.

Enzo offered his congratulations but didn't miss the chance to remind them of the importance of reaching their target weights. “Remember, once a switch has been made, it's crucial to maintain it or face a penalty the following week,” he cautioned them.

An hour later, following a break in filming and a segment where Enzo eliminated the couple with the lowest score, the remaining pairs were recalled to the stage to learn what daunting challenges lay ahead in the coming week. "Ladies and gentlemen, we've now reached the halfway point of this year's competition," Enzo announced, his voice brimming with excitement. "Some couples have been voted out. Others have given up. But the question remains: how many of our six remaining couples will make it to the finish line? And who will claim the grand prize?" The audience erupted in cheers.

"This next week promises to be an entertaining one," Enzo continued, the audience hanging on his every word. "As Halloween approaches - a most peculiar Western tradition," he added, pausing for effect as the crowd cheered even louder. "Naturally, we've prepared several challenges and surprises for our couples, not to mention a few Su-it..." Enzo trailed off, prompting the audience to enthusiastically complete the show's catchphrase with a loud "chi". "However," Enzo resumed, "just like you, our contestants will have to wait a little longer to discover what we have in store for them."

Allen and Sofia exchanged nervous glances, each confronted with an uncanny, alternate version of themselves. Despite the anticipation and uncertainty of what the new week would bring, their determination was unwavering. They had come this far and were resolved to see the competition through to its conclusion, no matter what challenges it threw their way.