"You can do it… You're gonna ask her out… No fear, no hesitation, just do it." The red-haired boy walked down the hallway, furiously muttering words of encouragement to himself. "She should be in the club now, so just go in there and say it. Yeah."
"Say what?"
He froze as the Hitachiin twins each put an arm around his shoulder.
"Uh, um, about that…" Ritsu faltered as they each gave him sly glances. "I was going to…"
"Going to do what?" they asked in unison.
"Ask Fujioka out! On a date!" he spluttered, his face going red.
"Oh…" They twirled to stand in front of him, tapping their chins in mock thought. "We see."
"You know how you're going to do it?" Hikaru asked casually.
"Um, well, I thought I'd just ask her…"
"You can't just ask her. She's special, right?" Kaoru gave him a pointed look.
"Yeah…" He blushed even more.
"You really really like her, right?" Hikaru joined in with the teasing.
"You think she's beautiful."
"You think she's amazing."
"You think she's stupendous."
"You wanna see her change again."
"Yes-!"
"Pervert," they accused simultaneously. With a broad laugh, they both fell into step next to him again. "Just kidding! We're going to help you ask her!"
"You… are?"
"Yup! So first, you gotta be really nice. Like, smile." Hikaru poked the boy's cheek.
"Then, you gotta speak really nice."
"Like call her a pet name."
"What do you think, Hikaru? Darling?"
"Dear works too."
"Lamb."
"Ooh, how about doll, Kaoru?"
"Perfect! You got that, Bossanova? Call her doll."
"I… You think Fujioka would like that?" The red-head frowned, unsure.
"Of course!" The Hitachiins assured him. "Now go! Meet your destiny!" And with that, they pushed him into the Third Music Room.
"Oh, hey Casanova." Haruhi said nonchalantly, looking up from where she was hosting with Hunny and Mori. "What's up?"
"Um… Uh… Fujioka…" Ritsu went pink. "Would you- Can you- doll-"
Haruhi raised an eyebrow, staring at her friend. "Uh, sure."
For one beautiful moment, Ritsu Kasanoda had hope.
The brunette reached over and took Usa-chan from the small blonde boy. "Just a minute, Hunny-senpai. Here you go, Casanova." And with that, she handed the bunny over to the boy. "Why don't you sit down?"
Slowly, Ritsu sat down next to her, clutching the bunny in his hands.
What the hell… just happened there?
From outside of the club, Hikaru and Kaoru high-fived each other. "Operation Keep-Bossanova-Away-From-Haruhi is a success!"
