Disclaimer: Unfortunately, I do not own Persona 3 or any of its reincarnations. All creative rights to the characters named in this story belong to Atlus and I certainly do not profit from this story.
A/N: I wrote this back on Tumblr as part of a series of writing prompts I was sent, and the theme for this one was... well, a 'grope'. With that said, this piece of writing is not meant to be taken seriously. That is all.
The announcement that the culture festival was rescheduled was met with much indifference by Sanada Akihiko, but that was all due to change thanks to a certain incident on that fated day.
The whole boxing club, in celebration of their recent victory, thought it would be a good idea to drag themselves, and of course, their esteemed captain, to the school's maid cafe. An opportunity to pick up girls, something Akihiko wasn't keen on especially after that unfortunate incident in Yakushima.
Their arrival was greeted with titters from the students, and it was with a groan that Akihiko recognized some of the maids as girls who liked to bother him every so often on the way home.
As luck would have had it, Takeba was assigned to his table. A flicker of surprise crossed her face upon recognizing him, but other than that, she showed no indication of recognizing him, and went about coolly, taking their order with surprising grace.
Their meal passed without much incident, save for a few jabs at his living situation with Takeba, which he wisely chose to ignore.
Still, it was all too good to last.
As Takeba was about to return with their bill, the heel of her shoe chose to break a foot away from their table, causing her leg to buck and throw her off-balance.
It would have sent her bowling towards another maid, if not for the fact that Akihiko stood up on automatic and stretched out an arm to catch her. It also would have ended with a thank you, possibly an embarrassed one, if not for the fact that Akihiko found his hand full of something soft and rather—
Comprehension dawned upon him, and he gazed at his hand in open-mouthed horror upon realizing what he just did, but was afraid to let go for fear of sending Takeba to the ground. To add to his torment, the whole cafe fell silent at the incident, as if mocking him for his butchered save. Maids froze while holding trays of food, some guests paused mid-spoon, and mouths formed O's of surprise as people waited with bated breath at what happened next. Takeba quickly steadied herself as another maid came forward to help her in his place, though Akihiko could have sworn he saw a vein threatening to burst from her temple as he let go of her.
"Senpai…"
Akihiko gritted his teeth, seething as well—at his teammates in particular, who were smirking in his general direction. Whoever thought it would be a good idea to visit the culture festival's maid cafe ought to be shot, in Akihiko's opinion. Or at the very least, hung up to dry along with one of Mitsuru's executions.