Prompt: Stalker/Cherry Blossom (2022)

Ritsu was probably starting to take this too far. Yes, it started off as just reading all the same books as Saga Senpai...then it turned into trailing behind him to and from school...and then there was the bed thing that happened when Ritsu was first invited to Saga's home...so there was a bit of an escalation happening, to say the least. He still couldn't believe Senpai saw him smother himself on his pillow! Ritsu tried not to dwell on that too often, otherwise the embarrassment would force him to change his name and flee the country.

But this was probably...too far. Most of his previous stalking behavoir stayed in a certain proximity to school: to, from or in it. But this was a public space! If his Senpai spotted him there's no way he'd be able to come up with a believable excuse and then his Senpai would come to realize how weird Ritsu really was.

When they were in the library yesterday, Saga had quietly asked, "Have you ever been cherry blossom viewing before?"

"More often when I was little, but yes, I usually go with my parents. I haven't gone yet this year though." Ritsu answered. "Why?" He asked, curious as to what made Saga think of that.

"I've never been. Or, if I have I was so little I can't remember." Saga answered. "So I was considering going. Maybe." He sort of side eyed Ritsu, attempting to read his reaction.

Ritsu smiled as bright as ever. "I think that's a great idea!"

"When do you think is best?" Saga asked.

"I'd say sooner rather than later. The cherry blossom season might slip away before you even realize if you wait too long to go."

"What about tomorrow?" Saga asked, the weekend just ahead of them.

"Sure, why not tomorrow?" Ritsu said with a pleasant smile. "I'd suggest earlier in the day, as early as you can. It's a little cooler and the crowds are a little thinner in the morning usually."

Saga nodded and after that they went back to their reading.

And now Ritsu was here, attempting to blend in as he watched his Senpai from afar among several cherry blossom trees.

I should just go home, Ritsu thought, but his feet refused to lead him away the moment his eyes landed on Saga. He looked so beautiful among all the pink flowers, like something out of a fairytale, it would be a shame to leave now! Then no one would be here to admire the real view that was Saga Masamune. Plus, in a weird, stalker-y way, it was like Ritsu got to share this experience with Saga. It certainly was a sweet, romantic setting...if only Ritsu had thought to suggest going together! But at the same time, he would've hated to intrude. Ugh, why did things always have to be so complicated? Or at the very least, why did they have to feel complicated? I could be overthinking things. Now I'm overthinking my overthinking. Ritsu huffed at himself before refocusing. He had to keep an eye on his Senpai, half to admire him and half to make sure Senpai didn't notice him.

Usually, staying unnoticed was easy enough. Ritsu loved Saga, but he was normally kind of aloof and uncaring about what-or who-was around him. Ritsu figured Saga would be a little more aware of his surroundings today, considering he was here to literally admire the environment, but he was a little too aware for Ritsu's liking.

Saga kept looking around, and not necessarily at the cherry blossoms, rather as if he were looking for something or someone.

Did he invite a friend? Ritsu wondered, trying not to feel disappointed at the fact that Senpai hadn't invited him. If another person shows up I'll leave...I would really feel like I was intruding then. As long as Senpai has a good time that's all that matters.

Ritsu looked at a few cherry blossoms himself, figuring it'd be a waste not to at least admire them a little bit. Plus, he crossed his fingers that having his back turned to Saga would mean he wouldn't notice Ritsu while he was scanning the crowd.

Why did I have to suggest he go during the morning? There's not enough people for me to blend in with! Ritsu thought, cursing himself before he started to count to sixty, hoping that would be enough time for Saga to go back to being oblivious to the people around him.

He almost got to the full minute, but soon he felt a tap on his shoulder and heard a familiar voice say, "Hey."

Ritsu hoped he didn't visibly tense up and he slowly turned around, doing his best to smile past his embarrassment. God, how humiliating was this!? Showing up to cherry blossom viewing the same day and time his Senpai said he was going to! It was impossible to chalk it up to a coincidence.

Before Ritsu could even try to formulate some kind of lame explanation, Saga said, "You're late."

Ritsu blinked. "What?"

"You said to be here by early morning. It's still morning I guess, but there are more people starting to come. So come on, before it gets too crowded." Saga grabbed Ritsu's hand, making Ritsu involuntarily jump.

"...What?" Ritsu repeated, confused.

Saga raised an eyebrow at him. "Our date?" He said. "You are free today, aren't you? You said today was fine when I asked."

Ritsu stared at him, replaying their conversation from yesterday in his head. Senpai had been asking him out on a date?!

He's so weird, Saga thought, trying to ignore the way Ritsu's big, doe, star-filled eyes made his throat tight and his face a little warm. He hoped the hand that was holding Ritsu's wasn't starting to sweat.

"Y-Yes!" Ritsu said with an enthusiastic nod of his head. "Sorry-yes-I'm free all day today!" He exclaimed. "I'm...I-I'm very excited for our d-date."

He's not normally this scatterbrained, Saga thought, I hope he didn't hurt his head or something. "Right. Let's go then."

Ritsu walked alongside Saga, his heart pounding in his chest as he fought with himself on whether or not he wanted to yank his hand away. On one hand he was holding hands with Senpai and on the other hand he was holding hands with Senpai. Plus, they were in public! Though, the crowds were still pretty thin...and it's not like anyone was paying attention to them anyway. Causing a scene and trying to shake Saga off would cause more attention than anything.

In the end he continued to grip Saga's hand, hoping his nerves wasn't making him hold too tightly.

"Its pretty out here." Saga commented. Ritsu knew he wasn't one to wax poetry, so he'd consider the cherry blossom viewing a success in terms of Saga having a good time with that one comment.

Though, Ritsu couldn't bring himself to look at the flowers, instead just staring at Saga with a dopey smile on his face as he said, "Yeah, it's beautiful."