boldsimplicity | empatheias inbox

Eleven it is, then! I'll see you there!

[DON'T BE LATE but surely he can count on Takuto!]

[ He can! But Takuto takes himself seriously, so he looks very nicely dressed and done up. He smells all clean, like the ocean and whatever coconut stuff he put in his messy mane of red hair. (Listen... he likes that smell, a guy can smell like coconut if he damn wants to.)

Really, he's a model ~ikemen~ figure. ]

Hi, senpai.

[Ishimaru turns to greet him! ...Only to fall silent when he sees the outfit that Takuto has on. He's... he's so well-dressed for this outing! And here he is... just standing in his regular school uniform! WAS HE SUPPOSED TO BE IN FANCY CLOTHES TOO?!

DOES A BBQ BETWEEN MEN TRULY CALL FOR THIS SORT OF DRESS CODE??]

T-Takuto-san! I was not aware that we were supposed to dress well for this! I apologize! [Ngh, maybe he can quickly go back to his apartment and change his clothes, but then that will set off the entire afternoon!]

Huh? No, it's fine, geez! I just like to do it... I mean, I don't know what kind of jobs I'm gonna be doing, so I might as well get used to making an effort. That's all. Sorry, you're kind of my guinea pig here.

[He just looks even more lost. Social interactions still escape him... especially when it's a lunch 'date' between two friends! But he supposes this sounds okay!]

I think I understand... you wish to practice in wearing a nice outfit instead of the clothes you normally wear! [SLIGHTLY RUDE but Ishimaru doesn't notice, in fact, he lets out a loud laugh.] I applaud your effort, Takuto-san! In that case, continue to dress formally as we partake in our delicious lunch!

I've only ever seen you in your uniform, though... I'm kinda curious what you would look like in stuff like I wear.

[ Hmmm. ]

That's because I wear this uniform every day! We may not be in school right now, but a student never stops being a student! Wearing this outfit symbolizes that!

[A student is truly a studying professional! Always ready to learn and apply that knowledge when necessary!]

It's why I've had nine extra sets of this uniform made! There's nothing strange about that!

[ NO THAT IS, IN FACT, EXTREMELY STRANGE. ]

Uhm... no, I don't... well... I mean. What if this were a date? You'd be in trouble, no matter what. I'm still a student, even in plain clothes.

But this isn't a traditional 'date!' That involves two people eating out together with a romantic intent in mind! We're just here to strengthen the manly bond we share!

[And to eat delicious barbecue! That part is important!]

If we were on one, I would've dressed appropriately for the occasion!

You ever been on a real one before? It's pretty much the same, only you smooch at the end. I think.

[ Wait, that makes him sound like he didn't go on one. He played himself. ]

Well, that's fine. You cut a very good figure in your uniform. Really shows how broad and strong your shoulders are. That's manly.

Of course not! I've had no time for such things! If I had spare time, I used it to study!

[And some of that studying now involves movies! And non-educational things! Naegi-kun said it was important...]

But I thank you for the compliment! This uniform was tailored to my size, so I hope that it would fit well!

Eh? Really? But a first love and first kiss is a big part of youth!

[ This is almost as crazy sounding to him as the uniform stuff. That's on a completely different level, though. ]

Do you just... not...?

I disagree! Doing well on exams and contributing to society is far more important than kissing another student! Such behavior isn't acceptable on school grounds anyway!

[Well, maybe not breaking any official rules, but uncomfortable to look at! Therefore to foster a good school environment for everyone, no PDA!]

We should start young and get in the habit of doing our best for society!

But it's still nice... but some people just don't really have any interest in that stuff. I guess you're one of 'em! I mean, I do... but not in the way I'm supposed to. I think.

[ He tilts his head, hums, and dismisses it. ]

You can do both, y'know.

[Not in the way he's supposed to? Ishimaru isn't sure what he means by that! Nonetheless, he focuses his attention on Takuto's other comment.]

But if you spend your time dating, then you'll have less time making efforts toward improving things around you! Unless you can be in two places at once, it's either one or the other!

[ Actually, that makes Takuto kind of annoyed to hear. His romantic life doesn't impact anything else he does - saving the world included. ]

I'm changing this to a date, now. You're on a date with me. Now what? Is it still a waste of time?

HUH?!

[W-what?! They're on a date now?! He didn't agree-- WHAT IS GOING ON HERE...]

It's not a waste of time, Takuto-san! [He panics for a moment, as he's completely dumbfounded by this sudden turn of events. Ishimaru isn't sure how he even should act... but he knows that he isn't wasting his time by being with Takuto.]

That's what you just said. So spending time with your kouhai of whom is taking you on a lunch date isn't worth it? You're gonna learn social skills and how to talk to people. That kind of stuff a classroom or a book can't teach you.

[ With a sudden assertiveness his usual chipper, easygoing self doesn't show, he grabs Ishimaru's hand in his and holds it as they walk. Not that his face ins't super red from being shy, but he's here to teach him a lesson. ]

I won't say no to learning those things, but--!

[Ishimaru stares at their joined hands with a look of both embarrassment and mortification-- this is fully PDA!! Everyone will notice something like this! ~~Except no one seems to care~~]

Displays of affection should be private though!! I do not need social skills to know that much!!

This is harmless... and I want you to take this... e-exercise seriously! This is hard for me to do at all, you know? I'm still trying to figure out if boys are even okay for me.

[ Time to think outside the box, senpai. The world is not all black and white. Not everything has defined lines and rules. ]

If we're taking this change seriously, what is okay with you to do? Like, in a for-real situation. You're not the type who likes to be touched, so...

[ He does let go, but he had to do something bold like that to cement his action. ]

I-I am taking this seriously! This is a very serious matter, especially if we're counting this as my first date!!

[It's difficult to keep control of his emotions normally, so Ishimaru feels his embarrassment deepen. Is this truly okay? What is he doing... going on a date like this?! But he already agreed, so leaving now is out of the question!

Maybe he can view it as a... test of some sort. Y-yes, that can fit.]

I. I do not know, I haven't thought of it before! [Some of his earlier gusto seems to have disappeared, and he almost seems uncharacteristically uncertain about his own response.]

Then I have to make an effort, too. It would be rude.

[ He was just being an impulsive, jump-right-in protagonist about having something he viewed so important challenged, but now he feels kind of bad. But you commit to your actions, and don't only put half your heart into it. ]

Well... we'll just go normally, and if I take your hand or something like that, just say 'no' and I won't. Okay? Maybe you don't actually like it. It's okay. I do - I like being pet and hugged, so if you want to, that's good.

[ You pilot a goddamn mech, Takuto, you can handle this. He gently grasps senpai's sleeve, then slides his fingers down and grasps his hand again - but much more gently this time. ]

Don't stress! I sprung this on you suddenly. A-and who knows if you even like boys, right? So... it's okay. Let's go.

Okay, you'll stop if I say 'no.' That's agreed upon!

[His gaze fixates on the hand that has grasped his own, but he doesn't utter any protest this time. While he's still uncomfortable, it doesn't feel wrong, and some part of him actually enjoys it?? That realization shocks Ishimaru and he feels his cheeks growing warmer against his will.

But that is definitely his limit, at least while they're out in public!]

L-Let me remind you that while this may be an official date now, i-it's mostly a test for the both of us! [This is to develop social skills! Y-yes!]

I'm trying to relax here...

[ But his hand is warm and Takuto takes comfort in that, as they walk. It's weird, doing it, but he's committed to the part now. ]

Is your wrist doing a bit better? You put some ice on it, right?

[Is he being a good 'date?' Ishimaru really isn't sure, but he must give his effort into this! While he's on this, he can't be anything less than 100% into it!

However, this is much different than having a test or studying. For one, he hasn't studied about these sort of interactions much and he's always had trouble with social interactions. ...It's just difficult, being in this sort of situation. Up until recently, he didn't even have friends-- well, memories of having them at least.

Still, disappointing Takuto is definitely worse than his own personal discomfort with the hand holding. Ishimaru just has to man up!]

Ah! Yes, it's doing much better now!

[He's snapped out of his thoughts by the question. Ah, getting locked into his mind and ignoring Takuto is definitely not the correct thing to do, right?! Ishimaru knows that much is rude.]

After the park, I went straight home and applied ice while letting it rest! I didn't know that my actions upset several people... for which I apologize! It won't happen again.

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