Prompt: Clumsy/Date (2020)
Onodera Ritsu was currently trying to ignore how his senpai was staring at him. The brunette had his face in a book, using it as a wall of defense as he tried not to give into the temptation of looking beside him where Saga Masamune sat. However, Ritsu couldn't bear the weight of his senpai's gaze for very long, feeling his cheeks start to heat up with embarrassment. Was his hair sticking up in a weird way? Or was he having some kind of wardrobe malfunction? Or was there something on his face? It was practically killing the first year at this point, so finally he turned ever so slightly to face Saga just a tad more, not being bold or brave enough to face him straight on.
"Um, S-Saga-senpai, w-why are you s-staring at me?" Ritsu managed to get out, not meeting Saga's eyes.
"Ah, sorry, I didn't mean to. I was just thinking." Saga said vaguely, averting his gaze since it seemed to be making his kohai uncomfortable.
"Thinking about what? I-If you don't mind me asking!" Ritsu hoped he wouldn't come off as prying or nosy. If his senpai didn't want to share then that was okay!
"Just that we should go on another date sometime soon." Saga said calmly, knowing perfectly well what kind of reaction his words would elicit.
As if on que, Ritsu went red to his ears and had to stop himself from shouting 'a date?!' not wanting to bring any more attention to the two of them than necessary. However, one particular word caught his ear.
"Another?" Ritsu parroted, blinking at Saga blankly, seeming to have no recollection of a first date ever happening which made Saga frowned.
"Yes, another." Saga said. "Remember, we got lunch together? You freaked out when trying to order because of all the options." He reminded him, trying not to smirk. It was a little funny, after all, the way Ritsu got so flustered, but also kind of cute and endearing.
Did Ritsu really not remember their first date? Saga knew the brunette could be a little bit scatterbrained sometimes, but the thought of him forgetting their first date kind of...hurt. Not that Saga would ever admit that.
However, Saga's fears were laid to rest as Ritsu's eyes lit up with realization. "Yes! Yes, I remember, but I just...I d-didn't realize th-that was a...d-d-date." He admitted, struggling to even get the word out.
"What? Did you not have fun or something?" Saga asked, frowning again.
"N-no, no, that's not it!" Ritsu assured. Although it had been difficult for him to order, the food was good and he had enjoyed spending time with his senpai, like he always did. He looked down nervously before he spoke again to explain himself. "I-I guess I just didn't want to assume that senpai would want to g-go on a d-date with m-me." Ritsu said quietly. Somehow, he was even embarrassed by that confession. He felt like everything he said and did was wrong and annoying and stupid and-
BONK
Ritsu sat there stunned for a moment before realizing Saga had gently brought his fist down on to the top of his head. "Idiot. Of course I want to go on a date with you. We are dating after all." Saga said. "It's settled then. We're going on another date. Are you free on Sunday?"
"E-Eh?! W-wait-s-senpai-I don't-"
"Do you not wanna go on a date?" Saga asked, trying not to hint at his disappointment.
"N-no! I m-mean yes! I mean-" Ritsu paused and took a breath. "I mean I'd very much like to go on a d-date." He said, face completely red. "A-and yes, I'm free on Sunday." He added.
"Good. Want to get lunch again? We can go someplace else this time if you want." Saga said.
"N-no, I'm okay with going to the same spot. I don't get to eat a lot of fast food, so..." He trailed off, giving a sheepish laugh. "I'll just have to figure out my order before hand so I don't get overwhelmed." He added, looking determined now.
Saga had to stop himself from chuckling, not wanting to accidentally discourage the brunette, he was just so damn cute.
"I'll meet you there at noon then?" Saga said, his voice giving way to his excitement just a little bit, but Ritsu either didn't notice or thought nothing of it.
"Yeah! A-and maybe afterward w-we can go to the bookstore?" Ritsu suggested hesitantly.
As if Saga would say no.
"Sure." He said.
Ritsu smiled brightly, satisifed with their plan and now looking greatly forward to the upcoming weekend.
Saga had been looking forward to this weekend too. Until he was standing alone, an hour after noon. He frowned to himself, considering going inside and getting something to go before heading home, but he continued to hold out hope that Ritsu would miraculously show up.
Ritsu wouldn't stand him up, right? Ritsu wouldn't forget about their date, would he? Maybe something popped up, some kind of emergency. Or worse, maybe Ritsu got hurt somehow. It didn't help that the underclassman didn't have a freaking cellphone! Seriously, this was the twenty-first century and if something had happened then Ritsu could have easily texted or called instead of leaving him out to dry like this. Ritsu better have a good excuse come tomorrow afternoon as to why he bailed.
Saga sighed, feeling defeated as he was about to forget the food all together and head home to sulk in his room when he heard a familiar voice call out.
"S-Senpai!"
Saga turned to see Ritsu waving and running toward him. Never had Saga been so happy to see the awkward teen. However, his relief was short-lived as a split-second later the brunette fell on his face.
"Oi, Ritsu! Are you alright?" Saga asked, quickly at his side and helping him up.
"Ooow." Ritsu complained as he stood from the sidewalk. "I'm fine, I'm fine, I fall like that all the time." He admitted. "I'm clumsy like that." He said, his embarrassment starting to catch up with him as he blushed darkly. "A-anyways, I'm so, so sorry for being late senpai!" Ritsu apologized quickly, a frown on his face. "I told my mother I was leaving to meet a friend and she wouldn't let me go. She just kept hounding me about details and she kept trying to keep me there by guilt tripping me about not spending time with family." He sighed. "I'm really, really sorry for making you wait, senpai. Kind of a lousy start to a date, huh?" Ritsu said, trying to joke around to lighten the mood, but he just felt like crying.
Saga wanted to tell him that all was forgiven, that he would wait for Ritsu endlessly, that he had been so happy to see him running down the street, that he was relieved that he wasn't the only one who cared about this date and wanted it to go well, and most of all he wanted to tell him that he loved him. Instead, he just ruffled Ritsu's hair. "It's okay." He assured. "We still have all afternoon. There's no rush."
Ritsu smiled up at him, his worries alleviated at his senpai's words. Although Saga was quiet, sometimes even distant, he always proved again and again what Ritsu had originally thought: his senpai was so kind.
"Come on, I'm starving." Saga said, leading him inside. "Tell me what you want, I'll order for you if you wanna get us a table." He said.
Ritsu, although wanting to prove he could order, was very grateful for the offer. He recited to his senpai the order he had memorized before coming here and then left his side to go sit.
Saga waited behind a couple people, glancing at Ritsu ever so often and smiling to himself.
This would be a good second date.
He would make sure of it so Ritsu would want a third.
