*Ritsuka's POV*
I looked out the window and saw a tall blonde waiting outside the school gates. His fingers came to his lips as he took a drag of his cigarette.
Crap. Soubi.
I want to see him. I don't want to see him.
"Yuiko," my pink-haired friend, closely being followed by Yayoi, turned in my direction. "Go home. I'm going to spend time with Soubi. I'll see you later." I exited the school and ran toward my Fighter.
"Soubi, what're you doing here?" He smiled at me, bent down to meet my eyes and put his finger under my chin.
"I wanted to see you, my dear Ritsuka. Also, I don't have class tonight, so would you like to come with me to a picnic?"
I hesitated, and pulled my camera from under my coat. "Can we make memories…?"
"Of course," Soubi grinned even wider.
"Then sure," I gave a small smile. "As long as I'm home by curfew." I added quietly.
I followed behind him. Soubi was swinging his arms while he walked. Subconsciously, I entwined my hand in his. He swung his arm even more. Oddly enough, I was giggling and blushing, and Soubi smiled down at me, which made me smile even more. I blushed deeper. As much as I hate to admit it, he's so cute when he smiles at me.
We stopped at Daisuke Park under a tall Sakura tree. Soubi laid out a square blanket. I sat on it, looking up at the blond as he took out two bento boxes and a pair of odd looking bottles. I pointed at the bottles. "What're those?"
Soubi giggled. "It's called Ramune. It's kind of like soda." He handed me one of the bottles. I struggled to open it, but Soubi did it for me. I took a sip and savored the bubbly beverage.
"Yum… It's good," I smiled. He leaned forward and gently kissed me. I still wasn't quite sure how I felt about it but I tolerated it.
"I love you." He whispered. My ears flattened but I smiled all the same. I opened my mouth to say something but only a squeak escaped. He kissed me this time on the forehead and backed away.
Soubi split his chopsticks and began eating. I stared at my bento box and split apart my chopsticks. I eyed Soubi's hands and tried to copy him. He chuckled at the way I held my chopsticks. He took my hand and put them the way they should be. After a while I gave up and resorted to stabbing the food with the end.
After a few minutes of comfortable silence, Soubi mumbled to me, "How come you haven't touched your calamari?"
"Uhh… I don't like it…" I whispered.
"Have you ever even tasted it?" I blushed a deep crimson and shook my head slowly. Soubi giggled quietly and plucked some calamari and sweetly and gently fed me the small piece of squid.
"How's it taste?"
Honestly, it was revolting. But there was something about Soubi feeding me that I liked. I nodded, and he fed me more of the disgusting cephalopod.
All too soon the calamari was gone. It's not that I wasn't happy about it being gone, but that meant Soubi wasn't going to feed me anymore. I felt a bit childish being fed like that. Soubi went back to his food. He looked up at me.
"Why aren't you touching the rest of your food?" I didn't really want to say why, so I pointed to my food then opened my mouth and pointed into it. He understood and started to feed me salmon.
Soubi giggled as he fed me. "You like it when I feed you?" I avoided his gaze shyly. Suddenly his face brightened up. Soubi slipped the next piece of fish in his mouth. Then he reached toward me and placed his hand on the nape of my neck, while his other hand held me by the waist. My heart raced slightly as he lessened the space between us. His lips met mine as my eyes closed. For the first time he licked my lips and heart beat twice as fast. I slowly opened my mouth as Soubi continued to lick my lips. All of a sudden I tasted something savory; it was the salmon. I pulled away giggling loudly.
"Don't do that," I gasped. Soubi was smiling, sitting calmly.
"I love you, Ritsuka," he said to me.
I mumbled a "Yeah," without noticing what I was saying. I looked down at my bento box and realized it was empty. I pouted and Soubi laughed sweetly at me.
"How about I get you some ice cream?" he questioned. My ear perked up in excitement and I gasped.
"Really?" I grinned. Soubi stood and offered a hand to help me up and I took it.'
"Of course. Have you ever tried sea-salt ice cream?"
"Blech," I cringed at the sound of the flavor. He chuckled and we went to the ice cream parlor.
"Two sea-salts, please." Soubi ordered for the both of us. He handed me mine and I looked at it in disgust. "Oh c'mon Ritsuka, try it. It's good." He urged. I gave a timid lick.
"It tastes… sweet but salty." I stated.
"I'm glad you like it," Soubi handed the vendor the money and we walked out the door. Soubi took his finger, scooped up some ice cream, and he stuck it on my nose. It was really cold. He went to lick his ice cream and I pushed it in his face. He looked funny so I started laughing really hard. He laughed too. I pulled out my camera, and snapped a shot of Soubi's adorable ice cream covered face. He then took the camera and took a picture of me.
"This will make a great memory," I beamed at my camera and then up at Soubi.
"My nose is really cold."I whimpered. Soubi leaned down close in my face and licked the ice cream off of my nose. I giggled and licked the ice cream off of Soubi's face. He smiled at me and my stomach fluttered.
I checked the time; 5:13.
"Soubi, I gotta go home now," I said, slightly panicked.
"Don't worry my dear Ritsuka," he kissed my forehead. "We can make it in time."
My hand drifted to Soubi's on its own accord. We didn't really talk much, with the exception of Soubi's occasional "I love you's."
We arrived at my house with five minutes to spare. I twiddled my thumbs awkwardly. I desperately wanted to ask him a favor, but I had no idea how.
Soubi leaned down and met my eyes. "Yes?" he questioned as if he were reading my mind.
"Ummm… Could I- Ma-may I… have a… kiss…?" I could feel my blush cross the border into purple.
Soubi's reply was a sweet smile. Then he placed his index finger under my chin and his thumb touched my mouth, separating my lips. He leaned forward and kissed me so his lower lip was pressed into the gap between my lips. Another first, I closed my eyes and relaxed under touch. My hand caressed his chest and I moved closer to his warm body. To my deep disappointment, he parted from me. I slowly opened my eyes, tears threatening to escape.
"You've got to go, love." He smiled sadly. He was just as opposed to breaking the kiss as I was.
"All right, Ritsuka," Soubi giggled. "You're so cute." He kissed me again and I smiled. "Call me whenever you like. I love you, Ritsuka. I'll see you later."
He walked away and I looked down. My voice barely audible, I whispered, "I love you too, Soubi."
