♥ 16 [RL with Souji, backdated to last Friday]

[satellite_idol]

[ Rise had paced around the lockers enough to wear a hole in the floor, redone her hair three times, and even read about two pages of her book for Japanese Literature. She didn't have to wait by the lockers the entire time Souji was busy, but even though she probably had enough time to hang out with one of her other friends for a bit or get an

Comments

[follow_the_fool]

[ Souji had been delayed a few extra minutes at the library; with finals fast approaching, the library had been more crowded than usual. Being stuck in a line simply to return a book seemed like the pinnacle of bad luck on a day like today, when he was scheduled to meet Rise by the lockers. When his task was finally completed, Souji took the stairs two at a time down to the bottom floor. Slinging his bag over his shoulder, he took a moment to compose his expression before approaching from behind. ]

Hey. Sorry to keep you waiting.

[satellite_idol]

Don't worry about it! I pretty much just got here myself. [ She could feel her cheeks going a bit red-- buck up, Rise! You haven't even started talking yet! ] Um, so should we head somewhere else?

[follow_the_fool]

Yeah, that'd be ideal. [ Souji notices that he's still got a pen clipped to his breast pocket and sheepishly removes it. ] Did you want to go to my place, or out somewhere, or...?

[satellite_idol]

Wow, you're asking me to your place already? You're pretty bold, Sempai! [ but she laughs to show she's just teasing ] Let's go for a walk. It's a pretty nice day, right?

[follow_the_fool]

[ Her previous teasing words had caught him somewhat off-guard, but Souji's a master of the about-face. He laughs it off as well, and seamlessly moves on to answer her second question. ]

Yeah, it's not too warm out yet. It should be nice.

[satellite_idol]

Not too cold, either! [ oh god Rise you are a STUNNING MASTER OF CONVERSATION she is trying so hard not to be awkward this is so much easier when you have a script ): ] So um, let's get going! [ STARTS OFF her ears are turning red already aaaaa ]

[follow_the_fool]

[ Souji catches up after a few hurried steps, falling into place beside her. ] I, um. I wanted to apologize again. Even if it's worked out for the best... I should have just waited and told you in person.

[satellite_idol]

[ shakes her head ] It... made me really happy that you told me. Really! No matter how you did it.

[follow_the_fool]

[ It's a relief to hear her say that; no matter how cool and calm and collected he likes to think he is, at the end of the day he's a real teenager with real feelings. ] Okay. If you're sure.

[ He can accept that and finally let it drop. The smile that blossoms on his face following this starts off tinged with shyness, but gradually morphs back into one of outstanding confidence. ] I have to admit. I don't, ah, have a lot of experience with this sort of thing. So if I'm acting like too much of a dork... Just hit me or something.

[satellite_idol]

[ She grabs his hand and grins up at him; it's a bit nervous, but at the end of the day, Rise's a pretty confident girl, even about stuff she has zero experience in ] So that means you wanna... be together, then? Like, officially?

[follow_the_fool]

I think I'd like that very much. [ He tilts his head to one side and regards her with a tiny little grin. ] How 'bout you?

[satellite_idol]

Definitely! [ ...and because the mood is right, she lets go of his hand and just flings her arms around him in a hug ]

[follow_the_fool]

[ Oof. Souji catches her in his arms as her small body collides against his. He gingerly returns the hug, not wanting to crush her with his enthusiasm. ]

[satellite_idol]

I guess this is kind of like our first date, then!

[follow_the_fool]

[ Souji lightly rests his chin on the top of Rise's head. ] Yeah... I guess you're right.