[closed.]

[peacocked]

Characters: Sugata Shindou (peacocked) & Yako Katsuragi (itaidakimasu)
Location: some restaurant.
Rating: very g!
Time: backdated to June 7th, evening.
Description: Takuto suggested that they go out on a dinner date. lord help his wallet.

Sugata wasn't exactly sure what to make of this.... supposed dinner date. He knew he should have asked Takuto (or Yako, for that matter) when the other didn't have alcohol influencing his thoughts, but he never really had the time to. So, here he is waiting outside of Yako's apartment door. Because that's what gentlemen do, they go pick up their ladies! Though, he can't really make any quick wardrobe adjustments. So he's hoping the outfit he has on matches a little with what she's wearing (which so happens to be a nice blue and white stripped button up that looks a lot like this and a nice pair of black jeans.) Not that he had much of a wardrobe to begin with seeing as most of it was borrowed from Takuto's closet. He at least managed to buy a few shirts of his own though!

He did, however, take the time to make a quick stop and get a cold bottle of water for Sasha. He... probably should have mentioned that, but oh well. Knocking at the door now, to announce his arrival!

Comments

[itaidakimasu]

Takuto would be arriving soon after they left, because Yako was a worrier, and Sasha had an important explanation to give to her boyfriend. Sugata hadn't mentioned exactly where they would be going, so she had ended up settling on an outfit that was cute and casual, and, unlike her partner's recent dilemma, perfectly suited for the ongoing heatwave.

She met Sugata at the door with a warm smile, and one arm holding back a very big, very curious black Newfoundland. "Shindou-kun! You're early."

[peacocked]

And here he thought he was going to be late, what with that pit-stop he took to get the water for Sasha. He zones in on the dog as soon as the door opens. Oh great, more dogs. He shakes the thought from his mind as he looks up from the big dog and over to Yako. His eyes close instinctively as he gives the other a small smile.

"I hope that isn't a problem." He likes being punctual. He can't help it.

[itaidakimasu]

Yako was either apparently stronger than she looked or the dog was well-trained enough not to use his full strength, because the single hand twisted in his colar was enough to keep the massive hound at bay. Some emphatic tugging sent him reluctantly padding further into the apartment to where Sasha was set up on the couch. "No, not at all," she assured him, straightening up and readjusting the strap of her purse. "Did you want to come in for a minute, or leave straight away?"

[peacocked]

His shoulders relax a little when he sees the dog retreat back into the other room. He sure does wish that Takuto had better control over his own dog like the way Yako has control over hers. Teach Takuto your ways please and thank you. While he would like to keep things moving along he shakes his head. "Actually I brought some water over for Sasha." he pauses as he lifts up the plastic bag in his hand. "I do hope it's still cold though."

[itaidakimasu]

It wasn't so much that she has good control over Kerberos as it was that the dog knew when to pick his battles. Her smile somehow brightened a few more notches as she took the bag from him. "Thank you so much! That was very sweet of you, to think of it." She ran it over to the poor Russian on the couch, saying her good-byes and slipping her shoes on as she headed back for the door. "So, where were you planning on going tonight?"

[peacocked]

Nope nope, he is going to think that until proven otherwise, so don't ruin it for him Yako. He waves the hand that was holding the bag. "It was nothing. Besides I owe it to him from what happened at the party." Even though what happened during that game technically wasn't his fault. But hey! He's actually talking about repaying him back for the drinks and having one sane person to talk to for the rest of the night.

"I hope Oodle Noodle is alright." He's frequented that shop as much as he can when he doesn't feel like eating burnt anything.

[itaidakimasu]

"He doesn't blame you at all," Yako assured him. She huffed, looking down guiltily as she closed the door behind her. "...sorry. If I hadn't been inside getting food, I might have been able to help you guys get away." Probably not, but it was the thought that counted, right? She shakes herself out of that gloomy mindset, and turns her thoughts away from the party before they can linger on what else happened that night.

"Ooodle Noodle sounds great!" Yako insisted, bouncing a little at the though.

[peacocked]

"I know, but I bought it for him as a thank you for keeping me company for the rest of the night." he smiles softly at her as he shakes his head. He has a feeling that even if she were there they would have still had to kiss. But yes, it was the thought that counts. "It's quite alright. There's always next time." If he ever was going to play that game again. Takuto will pay for this later though. And worry not, that part of the night probably won't be brought up unless she wants it to.

"Excellent. I do like their soba."

[itaidakimasu]

"I can't wait to try it, then," she beamed. Soba and everything else on the menu that she has and has not tried already. Bolstered by the promise of good food, her spirits were sufficiently raised enough that her mind and her body went on autopilot, and she forgot herself enough to set off in the direction of the restaurant with Sugata's hand in her own. It isn't until they hit the ground floor and exit the building that it registers that no, despite the height, that wasn't her boyfriend she was leading around. Her grip slackened, and her cheeks heated in embarrassment as she looked up at him.

"Sorry! I, um. I wasn't thinking."

[peacocked]

He isn't too perturbed when Yako takes his hand and tugs him along quickly. In fact he almost thinks that he's with Wako on their island back home. She'd usually do something like that in her haste to get to the restaurant quicker. In turn he would usually walk even slower, just to rile her up some. So it takes a great amount of restraint for him to not slow his pace. It also helps that her hand doesn't feel as familiar as Wako's does.

He shakes his head as he snaps back to reality. "Ah, no. It's alright."

[itaidakimasu]

"I've been here since November, so...in some aspects I've gone native. I know some people don't like being touched so casually." Especially certain demographics from Japan. He doesn't seem to particularly mind, though, so she doesn't let go completely but she's no longer linking their fingers the way she does with Takuto when they're out and about together. It's a little less awkward now, so she resumes moving.

[peacocked]

He nods his head understandingly. "I suppose living on an island can help take that problem away." But who are we kidding, this is Sugata we're talking about. Mr. I-show-no-emotions. Though he does like to think that that he has somewhat improved after being friends with Takuto. Mr. touchy-feely guy. Also being here kind of helps out a little as well. He will, however, let her know once he's had his fill of hand holding. For now though, he'll tighten his grip on her hand. Not in an uncomfortable or painful way, but more so that their hands aren't awkwardly loose around each other.

He does look up though when she mentions that she's been here since November. Didn't Takuto say he was here since last November? "Did you arrive before or after Takuto?"

[itaidakimasu]

"I'm not actually sure," Yako admits, looking a little sheepish. "Takuto and I were probably from the same BREW batch, but for months we just kept missing each other. For a time, we lived on the same floor, and we both have dogs we walk, but we never really ended up meeting until one morning at training. And then we just sort of...clicked. It's sort of funny, looking back on it!" Her smile softens a little. "Not long after that, his partner was sent home, and I went to comfort him. I think that might have been the major thing that brought us together."

That had been a messy episode, and for as much good as she had done, that wound wasn't completely erased just yet. She runs her free hand through her hair, smiling a bit ruefully. "Before that, he was just cute, goofy Tsunashi-kun to me."

[peacocked]

He can't help the chuckle that pushes past his lips as he looks down at Yako. "I see." While he has an idea that he'd probably get more out of Yako than Takuto as to what happened during those.... months, he knows better than to ask that right now. And besides, for all he knows his little hunch could be wrong. As much as he'd like to find out what's been eating away at his friend he knows that the time will come later. He also has a feeling that Takuto would be the one who'd want to tell him. So it'd be rude if he heard it from someone else.

He directs his gaze to the street out in front of him and remains silent as Yako continues talking. He squeezes her hand softly when she's done. "Thank you for watching out for him."

[itaidakimasu]

"I wish I could do more," she says, honest, before squeezing his hand in return. If he had probed, she would have ended up directing him towards Takuto herself; the particular incidents which left the deepest scars, even before Aion's departure, are something Takuto should be the one to explain. "He's better, now that you're here. He's made a lot of friends since he's come here, he's just that type of person...but after you arrive there's just this...this light around him, that wasn't there before, or at least not as bright."

There is absolutely zero jealousy in her voice, only sincere relief. "So, as horrible as it is to say, considering we're in a war...I'm glad you're here, Shindou-san."

[peacocked]

He nods understandingly. "I would have been surprised if he didn't have any friends at all. He's just that type of person who makes friends easily." he pauses as he looks down at the ground. "I don't know if he's realized this yet, but he draws people in with that light he has. One smile and you feel yourself wanting to know more about him."

He does come to a stop momentarily as he looks over at Yako. He really wasn't expecting to hear that at all. He shakes his head slightly and continues down the stretch of road. "Hm, yes I suppose being here is better than not being here. I only just wish I had been there for him sooner. But this will do, for now."

[itaidakimasu]

Yako waits for him to start moving again, nodding along in agreement with his description of Takuto. But it dawns on her, after a moment, that this is sort of the opposite of what Takuto had hoped for—he wanted Yako to learns more about Sugata, not just talk about her boyfriend the whole night. So, she needs to nudge the conversation into a slightly different direction.

"Yeah, he's good at drawing people in; it's part of why the Drama Club ended up being founded I think." She tilts her head to meet Sugata's gaze, giving him a small bump with her hip. "Though part of that might be your influence, though. He's told me you're a pretty good actor."

[peacocked]

But they could totally spend a night talking about their her boyfriend! Sugata hums quietly. "I'm not the only one who's influenced him. I'm sure most of it comes from Sarina and the others." He says as he bats a hand at the comment. He sure loves doing that, negating compliments and all that. Sorry Yako. "Our entire club is full of wonderful actors and actresses. So they rubbed off on him too."

[itaidakimasu]

"Ah, that sounds nice." Her voice turns wistful. "Homework and my job back home always ate up my time—" That is, the scant few free moments she wasn't eating. "—so I never had the time to join a club or anything. I know he was at your school for a under a year, but how long have you been acting?"

[peacocked]

He nods at her once more. "Mmm, it is. Especially if you have a lot going on. It's nice to be able to fall back on to something and have it take your mind off the matter completely." he pauses once more as he looks up wistfully. "I've had an interest in it ever since I was little. But I joined the acting club in middle school."

He glances over at Yako. "Takuto mentioned something when I first got here about you being a detective. What kinds of things did you solve?"

[itaidakimasu]

"Murders." She rubs the back of her neck. "Mostly...the ones that went unsolved because there was some sort of complex twist to them. My partner liked those best." For multiple reasons. "I started when I was sixteen, after my father was killed." It's easier to say now, but she still feels awkward. She tries not to talk shop when out on da—social gatherings with friends.

"I work at the Agency here now, though, and I'm taking on a lot of different cases!" She bounces a little. "A lot of them are radically less...well, less dramatic compared to what I'm used to. It's a nice change of pace."

[peacocked]

He frowns slightly as he looks down at Yako. "Ah, my condolences...." Even if he wasn't particularly close to his parents anymore, they still meant a lot to him. In that weird family way.

"But I bet that's interesting nonetheless. Do you have a leg up on the other people in the Agency?"

[itaidakimasu]

"Oh no, not at all." Yako shakes her head. "Most of us are professionals who have been doing this sort of thing for years. It's fun though. Before, I was a private investigator, and my partner has been...away, for the past year or so. It's nice, getting to work with lots of different people at the same time for once."

[peacocked]

"The important thing is having fun though." If you can't have fun at your job then you either have a problem with the workspace, or just.... need to move on to something else.

"I can kind of relate to that with acting. It's refreshing when rolls are divvied out equally amongst the five of us." he pauses. "Well I guess technically the club has raised to seven members if I count Takuto and Mizuno."

[itaidakimasu]

"True," she agrees. There's no need to ruin the mood by letting it slip that she was basically forced and threatened into her job back home at first, and that every day brought with it a new and terrifying amount of abuse courtesy of her 'partner'. They'll be eating soon, after all.

"Mizuno-chan seems like a real sweetheart," Yako remarks. The alcohol and large amount of food at the party had distracted her from the poor younger girl's reaction to finding out she was Takuto's girlfriend.