Ikkyu decided to take back his compliments.

Although he respected Agon, that didn't mean it was a good idea in any circumstance to agree to the concept of a double date… not with him and a random girl alongside the receiver himself and Agon's own ex-girlfriend.

Maybe he was asking for it when Agon inquired how their 'date' went but he'd been honest when he'd claimed that Asami probably didn't see it that way and assumed it was just a casual get-together.

After that disheartening piece of information, the all-around genius decided it was time to step up on this little game and make sure Asami would know full well for what reason they were going to be spending time together.

All three of them sat awkwardly circled around the table trying not to meet each other's gaze, fiddling with their fingers or staring at their shoes and avoiding eye contact at any cost.

Let's get one thing perfectly clear: Agon Kongo did not do double dates, at least not in the traditional sense of an even pair of genders. His definition usually meant one girl on either side of him, never bringing a tagalong to compete with, not that they'd ever be less then trash anyway. However, Ikkyu was different compared to the usual scum he had the displeasure of interacting with.

Ikkyu was even worse off, anxiety doubled with the number of girls and Agon wasn't serving as the buffer he'd hoped for. Maybe if they just relaxed and got off to a good start things would be alright?

Asami was grimacing, not at all understanding what the point of this was. She was too busy being suspicious of Agon to pay much mind to Ikkyu, assuming he had some kind of scheme that involved her and she was determined to play no part in it. Her guard was up.

"Agon-kun, can we have appetizers first? Pretty please?"

Agon's date was the only one not at all unnerved by the atmosphere, chatting away like everything was perfect.

"Of course Misao-chan, anything you want." He smiled with all the kind features he put on to impress a new girl… the removing of his sunglasses, sitting forward in his chair like they were the most interesting person he'd ever known and hanging off of every word she'd say. Asami wanted to gag.

"D-Do you want anything Asami-chan…?" Ikkyu piped in nervously.

"I'm fine, thanks," She spoke with more of an edge than intended. Ikkyu gulped.

Agon laughed, "Still a tightwad? Ikkyu has you covered you know,"

She squinted, frown deepening, "I know you've never understood the concept of 'wise spending' but I try not to take advantage of my parents."

Turning to Ikkyu she added, "You don't have to worry about it, honestly."

"But I insist, really! It's the least I can do,"

Asami hesitated, thinking it over for a moment, "Well… ok, though you're being much too kind,"

Agon gave a small nod of approval, flagging the waitress over. If he started flirting with her too while on a date…

"Are you… doing alright Asami?" Ikkyu interrupted her train of thought.

"I'm fine…" She stated quickly, brushing off his question to look at the menu again.

He frowned, deciding on something drastic. "Please come with me for a second," Ikkyu slipped out of the booth and gestured for her to follow.

The brunette's eyes widened, unsuspecting of the depths of his concern but thought it'd be worthwhile to put him at ease if he really was worried about her.

She followed him to an open table outside where his eyes were serious and locked with hers.

"I-If this really makes you feel uncomfortable… please tell me." His expression was pained and guilty.

"Huh? It's nothing like that!" She suddenly realized the intensity of the subject at hand and panicked.

"Is it Agon-san or…"

"Oh Ikkyu, of course it's not you or anyone! I mean… it's a bit weird but only because…"

"You wouldn't like me that way, right?"

Asami stared, face falling as his seemed to stay neutral, frighteningly so. This wasn't like when he usually tried to suppress his embarrassment… it was as if instead of any heart wrenching features, there was a cold distance to them.

She leaned in, gently pressing her palm to his cheek, "Any girl would be lucky to have you, Hosokawa Ikkyu, myself included."

No faster did he lose his composure when he processed those words, face heating up dramatically and heart thumping into overdrive. Did she really mean that?

"I never want you to forget that, you should always be smiling and certain that you deserve the best." She withdrew her hand, "I'm sorry, I didn't realize that's the conclusion you'd draw from my behavior… the truth is that Agon is… it's still hard for me to be around him, even though I've tried to make it work."

"Ah so that's… why…" Ikkyu scratched at his cheek, trying to hide the blush.

"I'll do better though, don't worry." She tried to assure him. There was no way she'd ruin this for him.


"What'd you say to her back there?" Agon had asked once the girls had to head back home.

"N-Nothing…!"

With godspeed reaction time, Ikkyu was soon writhing away from Agon's hand that had grabbed at his face in annoyance, "You don't get to keep secrets when I set you up and don't even get laid tonight now answer the damn question,"

"Agon-san, cut it out, you don't have to gr-" the cornerback had protested, flailing.

"Tonight she went back to acting like she was before that slimy trash gummed her up with his bullshit so spill it, tell me the fucking secret."

Asami had made sure to smooth things over as soon as she got back, laughing when it was tasteful and knowing just the right things to say that tickled his ego and Ikkyu's at a moment's notice. She had a gift and he always knew it, being able to give him the words he was searching for and carrying on a conversation flawlessly with the grace of a practiced liar.

Agon didn't care if she was lying or actually feeling something different than one could outwardly notice, everyone else could be so dull and transparent bothering the conversation with their problems and woes… but apparently she hadn't lost her talent. Shows he was right about Ikkyu being good for her.

"She's always that way Agon-san… she was a little uncomfortable at first with you around with your shared past but she let it go when I asked her why that was." Ikkyu finally grappled the genius' hand away and could breathe properly again.

Annoying… Guess she was trying to punish him, but it wouldn't matter… she'd revert back to her better ways in an instant so long as he played his cards right. Maybe there was a chance of reliving some of that sweet reminiscence after all.