Saturday came with a clear sky, the air crisp with the first hints of spring. The city streets buzzed with weekend life — families, couples, groups of friends darting between shops.
Ryuzí adjusted the collar of his jacket as he stood by the station, shifting nervously. His hands shoved deep in his pockets, his chest tight. Why am I nervous? We've walked home together a hundred times. We've gone to festivals, studied, eaten together…
But today wasn't "just hanging out." Today was different.
Because it was their first date.
"Ryuuuuziii!"
The familiar voice jolted him. He turned just as Suki came jogging up, a wide grin on his face. He wore a light hoodie under a denim jacket, his hair brushed just enough to look effortless.
"You're late," Ryuzí muttered, though his lips twitched faintly upward.
"Only by five minutes!" Suki huffed, puffing his cheeks. "Besides, I had to look extra cute today. For you."
Ryuzí's ears burned. "…Idio—" He stopped, biting the word back. "…Let's just go."
Suki smirked knowingly, slipping his arm through Ryuzí's. "Yes, honey."
Ryuzí groaned, but didn't pull away.
Their first stop was the arcade, the neon lights buzzing cheerfully as they stepped inside.
"Ahh, nostalgia!" Suki said, bouncing on his heels. "Come on, let's do the claw machine first."
"You never win those," Ryuzí said flatly.
"Which is why you're here!" Suki grinned, dragging him over. "Your scary serious face will intimidate the machine into giving us the prize."
Ryuzí sighed but leaned down, guiding the claw with sharp precision. On the second try, the plush dropped perfectly into the chute.
Suki gasped dramatically. "Honey! You're my hero!"
He snatched the plush — a ridiculous pink rabbit — and hugged it to his chest, then held it out. "Here. For you."
Ryuzí blinked. "…Why me?"
"Because it's cute, and you're cute," Suki said simply, shoving it into his arms.
Ryuzí's face went red. "…You're ridiculous."
"And you love it," Suki sang, skipping toward the next game.
They bounced from machine to machine — racing cars, shooting hoops, whacking moles. Suki threw himself into every game with wild energy, cheering loudly even when he lost.
Ryuzí, more composed, crushed every high score without much effort.
By the time they left the arcade, Suki was whining dramatically. "You didn't let me win even once!"
"You didn't try," Ryuzí muttered, adjusting the rabbit plush under his arm.
Suki pouted. "I tried with all my soul! You're just unfairly good at everything."
Ryuzí smirked faintly. "…Then get better."
Suki gasped. "You're supposed to say, 'Don't worry, honey, you're amazing anyway!'"
Ryuzí looked away, ears pink. "…You're amazing anyway."
Suki froze, eyes wide. Then he beamed so brightly Ryuzí wanted to melt into the pavement. "Honey! That's the sweetest thing you've ever said!"
"…Shut up."
Their next stop was a cozy café tucked into a side street. The bell chimed as they entered, the smell of coffee and pastries wrapping around them.
They slid into a booth by the window, sunlight spilling across the table. Suki ordered a strawberry parfait; Ryuzí chose plain coffee.
As they waited, Suki propped his chin on his hand, watching him. "You look different today."
Ryuzí frowned. "How."
"Relaxed," Suki said softly. His smile wasn't teasing this time. "Like you're not fighting yourself anymore."
Ryuzí's chest tightened. He looked away, muttering, "…Maybe I'm not."
Suki's grin softened into something tender. He reached across the table, brushing his fingers lightly against Ryuzí's.
Ryuzí hesitated — then turned his hand palm-up, letting Suki slip his fingers through.
The chatter of the café faded. For a moment, it was just them, the sunlight, and the warmth of joined hands.
When the parfait arrived, Suki leaned across the table, spoon in hand. "Say ahh~."
Ryuzí groaned. "…Not again."
"Yes again. It's tradition now."
"…Fine."
He opened his mouth reluctantly, letting Suki feed him a bite. Sweetness burst across his tongue — not just from the parfait, but from the smug grin on Suki's face.
"You're ridiculous," Ryuzí muttered, but his lips curved upward.
"And you love it," Suki chimed, kicking his foot under the table.
After the café, they wandered the streets, stopping at small stalls and shops. Suki tugged Ryuzí into a photo booth, throwing peace signs and silly faces while Ryuzí stiffly tried to look serious.
When the photos printed, Suki cackled. "You look like you're being held hostage!"
Ryuzí snatched the strip, ears pink. "…I'll keep this."
Suki blinked — then smiled softly. "…Okay."
As evening fell, lanterns lit the streets. A small festival had sprung up in the plaza, stalls glowing, music drifting through the air.
Suki's eyes sparkled. "We HAVE to play the goldfish scoop!"
"You'll just fall in the tank," Ryuzí muttered, but followed anyway.
Sure enough, Suki broke three scoops in a row, water splashing everywhere. Ryuzí sighed, taking the last scoop, and with one smooth motion, caught a goldfish.
Suki gasped, clapping. "Honey, you're my hero again!"
"…Stop saying that."
"Never," Suki said cheerfully, looping his arm through his.
They wandered the glowing stalls, laughter and chatter swirling around them. But for Ryuzí, the world had narrowed to the boy beside him — his grin, his warmth, the way he leaned in close like he belonged there.
As they paused by the lantern-lit river, Suki leaned against the railing, gazing at the water. "Today was perfect."
Ryuzí's lips curved faintly. "…Yeah."
Suki looked up, his grin soft. "So… want to make it official? Our first real date."
Ryuzí's chest tightened. He stepped closer, hand brushing Suki's. "…It already is."
Suki's eyes widened, then softened into something glowing. He leaned up, pressing a quick kiss to Ryuzí's lips under the lantern light.
"Best date ever," he whispered.
Ryuzí muttered, "…Ridiculous." But his hand found Suki's, lacing their fingers together firmly.
And neither let go as the lanterns flickered above them, painting the night in gold.