The Perfect Date
It had been a few months since Sae Niijima and Ryuta Watanabe went out on their first date to the movies, and they went on many more dates since then, usually lunch/dinner dates at one of Tokyo's many restaurants, Cafe Leblanc included. When Sae and Ryuta went to the cafe together for the first time, they'd never forget the look of surprise on Sojiro's face when he learned that Sae had entered the dating world.
Over these next few months, both Sae and Ryuta learned a lot about each other. Ryuta learned about how Sae had to take care of Makoto after their father died and how, during her time as SIU Prosecutor, she was investigating the case of the Phantom Thieves before quitting and becoming an attorney instead, taking on numerous cases no matter how big or small it was.
Meanwhile, Sae learned about Ryuta and how he was basically a third parent in his family, taking care of not only his two younger sisters, but his younger cousins as well, Daisuke included. She also learned about how he works as a mechanic and dreams about opening up his own shop; ever since Ryuta was a little boy he always had a fascination with cars. He even saved up enough to buy himself his own 'muscle car' which Sae was very impressed with.
On the subject of dreams, Ryuta could recall one conversation he had with Sae, where she revealed that she always dreamed of seeing all of Europe. She remembered reading all about it in school and seeing all of the monuments and architecture in various movies, but she could never find the right time to go; money was a big issue here.
Both Sae and Ryuta felt like they got to know each other very well by going out as often as they did. Despite going on all of these dates, however, neither Sae or Ryuta have told each other the three big words that would cement them as an item: 'I love you'. So, one day, Ryuta is seen walking up the front steps to his cousin Daisuke's house. He knocks on the door and Daisuke comes to answer.
"Hey, cousin," Ryuta greeted.
"Hey, Ryuta," Daisuke smiled as he shook his cousin's hand, "What brings you by?"
"I need you and your wife's help with something involving Sae," Ryuta said, "Can I come in?"
"Sure," Daisuke said, "I just got done cooking up some yakisoba. I can make you a bowl if you want."
"That sounds great," Ryuta smiled as Daisuke let him into the house.
A few minutes later, in the Watanabe Dining Room, we see Ryuta, Daisuke, and Shiho sitting around the table eating yakisoba and talking.
"So where's Nariko and Kaito?" Ryuta asked.
"They're with their friends studying at the library," Shiho answered, "But how are things, Ryuta?"
"Pretty good," Ryuta answered, "I just told Daisuke that I need help with something involving Sae."
"Are things not going well between you two?" Shiho asked.
"Oh, no, things are going great," Ryuta said, "We've been seeing each other exclusively over these last few months and I feel like I really got to know her as a person and she got to know me as a person. In fact, I want to take things to the next level with her by dropping the 'L-bomb' on her so we can become boyfriend and girlfriend."
"You mean 'I love you' right?" Daisuke asked.
"Yeah," Ryuta answered, "The problem is I don't know how to do it. A girl as special as Sae deserves more than just me casually walking up to her going, 'Hey, Sae, guess what I love you! You wanna be my girlfriend?' I just want to make her feel special, you know. Tell her in a way that she knows that we're meant to be together."
"Well, think back, Ryuta," Daisuke said, "You went on countless dates with Sae. Has she given you any information that might help you when delivering the 'L-bomb' to her?"
"Is there a place that she considers special so you can tell her there?" Shiho chimed in, "Or a song that you two can dance to and you tell her as you 'dip' her?"
Ryuta thought back for a few moments before remembering something.
"Well, I do remember Sae saying that she one day wishes to travel Europe," Ryuta said.
"How much money do you think the three of us combined make?" Daisuke asked, "There's no way we can get her or you to Europe, let alone a country in Europe."
"Yeah, I know, airline tickets are expensive," Ryuta said.
"Hang on, boys, I just thought of something," Shiho said, "If we can't go to Europe, we'll just have to bring Europe here!"
"How do you recommend we do that?" Ryuta asked, "Are you hiding some secret Earthbending power we don't know about?"
"Ryuta, listen to me," Shiho said, "We're going to give Sae the European Vacation she's always wanted, just not in the way she expected. What I'm proposing is that we get all of our friends together and make our own version of Europe. Sae will no doubt find the gesture romantic, and that'll butter her up enough for you to say the magic words."
"I like it!" Ryuta said.
"Excellent," Shiho smiled, "Daisuke and I will rally up all our friends so they can help us."
"This is going to be so cool," Daisuke smirked.
"Alright," Ryuta nodded, "Let's get ready to drop this L-Bomb."
Over the next few days, Ryuta, Daisuke, Shiho, and all of their friends set up their own knock-off version of Europe so Ryuta could impress Sae and show her that he loves her. It was hard, but they managed to complete their project. All Ryuta had to do now was get Sae out of her house so he could show her all of his and his friends' hard work.
We see Sae sitting in the living room of her home sipping on some coffee while reading the newspaper when suddenly she gets a text on her phone. She picks it up and sees that the text is from Ryuta. The text reads…
"Come outside. There's something I want to show you. *kissy face emoji*"
Curious, Sae gets dressed into some more presentable clothes, slips on her shoes, and leaves through the front door of her home to see Ryuta wearing a fancy suit.
"Ryuta," Sae exclaimed in surprise as she approached the well dressed man, "What's all this? Why are you dressed like that?"
"Well, I know that you're a hardworking woman, Sae," Ryuta said, "So I figured that you deserve a vacation."
"A vacation?" Sae asked surprise, "I'm flattered but this is kind of short notice."
"It's not a vacation in that sense, Sae," Ryuta said, "Look, I know in the past you always said you wanted to visit Europe, and I'd love nothing more than to give that dream to you, but it's too expensive. Which is way, instead of bringing you to Europe, Daisuke, Shiho and I rallied all of our friends together so we could bring Europe to you."
"What are you talking about, Ryuta?" Sae asked, a small blush coming to her face.
"You'll see," Ryuta said as he pulled a walkie-talkie out from his pocket, "Alright, Ichiro, come on in."
Sae and Ryuta look down the street to see Ichiro driving a horse-drawn carriage meant especially for them. Ichiro stops right in front of the couple and greets them by tipping his hat.
"Ichiro, I never knew you knew how to drive a horse drawn carriage," Sae said, impressed.
"You'll be amazed what they teach you in the Tanuki Scouts," Ichiro boasted, "Anyway, I'll be your chauffeur for the day. I'm going to take you two to all of the beautiful countries Europe has to offer."
Ryuta lets Sae into the carriage first before he gets in himself.
"Our first stop is Rome," Ryuta said, "Let's go, Ichiro!"
"You got it!" Ichiro said as he drove the carriage to another part of the city.
What Ichiro pulled up to was the door to the Shujin Academy Gymnasium. But when Ryuta led Sae inside, they noticed that the gymnasium had a 'Roman Colosseum Theme' to it. Small pillars made out of plaster where placed a top some of the bleachers, we see Ren and Ryuji dressed in gladiator costumes and carrying toy swords, and on the bleachers where Sae and Ryuta were sitting, we see Makoto wearing a toga carrying a bowlful of grapes.
"Grapes for the happy couple?" Makoto asked as she handed the bowl to Sae and Ryuta.
"Sure," Sae said gratefully, "Thank you, Makoto."
Ryuta took a grape from the bowl and moved it towards Sae's mouth.
"Open wide," Ryuta said as Sae ate the grape from his hand. Sae returned this action by feeding Ryuta a grape from her hand.
As the two of them continued to eat grapes, they watched Ren and Ryuji's mock gladiator battle. The two men clashed toy swords, performed badass dodges, and acting hammy while doing it.
"You'll never best me, fool!" Ren exclaimed with machismo in his voice.
"Quit talking and die!" Ryuji shouted as he clashed his toy sword with Ren's.
The two of them continued to battle until Ryuji stuck his sword under Ren's arm, and the raven haired man pretended to be fatally stabbed as he fell to the floor.
"Huzzah!" Ryuji exclaimed as raised his fist in the air, "I have bested my opponent in battle!"
"Congratulations, Ryuji," Makoto shouted from the bleachers, "But, uh-oh, what's that over there?"
Makoto pointed towards a door that led to the locker rooms, and out came Morgana dressed like a lion. The look on the cat's face immediately indicates that he did not want to do this.
"It's a ferocious man-eating lion!" Makoto exclaimed
"I am so going to get Ren for this," Morgana muttered to himself.
"Come on, lion, let out your mighty roar to show our surviving gladiator you mean business," Makoto called over to the cat.
Morgana just sighed and let out a 'mighty roar' which, to Sae and Ryuta, sounded like a long and loud yowl. Morgana then charged at Ryuji and chased him all around the gymnasium, causing Sae to laugh.
"Enjoying yourself?" Ryuta asked.
"Of course," Sae said, "This is hilarious."
"So I take it you're having a good time so far?" Ryuta asked.
"Yeah," Sae smiled.
"Well we're just getting started," Ryuta said as he lead Sae out of the gymnasium, "Tell me, Sae, did those grapes fill you up enough?"
"Not really," Sae said, "Why?"
"Because for lunch, we're going to Germany for some knockwurst, sauerkraut, and beer!" Ryuta cheered as they left the gymnasium.
Next, Ichiro is seen pulling the horse and carriage up to Cafe Leblanc. Sae and Ryuta get out and he opens the door for her. Once the two of them made it inside Leblanc, they saw that it was decorated with a 'German Aesthetic'. They were greeted at the door by Futaba and Yuuki, the former wearing a traditional drindl, while the latter was clad in some lederhosen."
"Guten Tag," Futaba and Yuuki greeted the two of them.
"Lunch for two, ya?" Yuuki asked in a German accent.
"Yup, just us," Ryuta said.
"Come this way, and we'll seat you two," Futaba said, also in a German accent.
Yuuki and Futaba lead the couple to a table where Sojiro, also wearing lederhosen, had two plates of knockwurst and sauerkraut in his hands, and two steins filled with beer already on the table.
"Lunch is served," Sojiro said, not using a German accent unlike his adopted daughter and her husband.
"Enjoy, Herr and Fraulein," Futaba said as Sae and Ryuta took their seats.
"Come find us if you need anything," Yuuki said as he, Futaba, and Sojiro left the two of them to eat their lunch.
"I've got to admit, I've never had German knockwurst before," Sae said.
"Me neither," Ryuta said, "It looks kind of like a hot dog though."
"We take a bite together?" Sae asked.
"Yes," Ryuta nodded.
Both Sae and Ryuta cut a piece of their knockwurst, making sure to put some sauerkraut on it for extra flavor, and then ate them.
"Mmm," Ryuta said in a delightfully intrigued manner.
"Delicious," Sae said, "And here I thought Sojiro was only good at making curry."
"He's a very talented man, there's no doubt about it," Ryuta said before picking up his beer stein, "Cheers, Sae."
"Cheers to you too," Sae said as she picked up her own beer stein.
The two of them took a hearty gulp of their beer before Sae continued to talk.
"So, where to next, Ryuta?" Sae asked.
"After lunch, we go across the pond to the United Kingdom," Ryuta answered, "London to be specific."
True to Ryuta's word, after their knockwurst and sauerkraut lunch, he had Ichiro take him and Sae to another part of the city where a tall cardboard structure made to look like 'The Big Ben' clock tower stood.
"And here we see 'Big Ben'," Ryuta said, "One of London's most famous attractions."
"It is quite a likeness," Sae said with a nod.
"We had Yusuke make it," Ryuta said, "He really does pay attention to detail doesn't he?"
"He certainly does," Sae said as, from her peripheral vision, she sees a woman in a frilly dress wearing a white wig and a crown approaching them. She and Ryuta look to see that that woman was none other than Ann in costume.
"Hey, look, Sae," Ryuta said, "It's the Queen of England!"
"Hello, commoners," Ann said, using a snooty British accent, "Fine weather we're having today, isn't it?"
"Yes, your majesty," Ryuta said with a bow as Sae followed suit.
Suddenly, out of nowhere, Yusuke and Hayato appear, dressed like a certain group of thugs from a controversial 1971 British Movie.
"Oh, heavens, hoodlums!" Ann cried.
"Hello, your highness," Hayato said in a taunting British accent, "Out for a little stroll, are we?"
"That crown on your head is looking rather nice," Yusuke said in an equally taunting British accent, "Mind if we take it off your hands."
"Don't worry, your majesty," Ryuta exclaimed, "I'll protect you!"
And with that, Ryuta, Yusuke, and Hayato put on a staged fight where he pretends to fight them off. Afterwards, Yusuke and Hayato are sent running.
"That's right, go back where you came from, you jerks!" Ryuta yelled after them.
"You saved me young man," Ann said before turning to Sae, "You're very lucky to have this man in your life, miss."
"I really am," Sae smiled before wrapping an arm around Ryuta's waist, causing him to blush. As Ann walks off, Sae turns to look at Ryuta, "So, hero, where to next?"
"Let's go to Spain to see some Flamenco dancers!" Ryuta said as he and Sae got back into Ichiro's carriage.
We cut to the gazebo in Inokashira Park where we see Daisuke and Shiho dressed up as Flamenco dancers, dancing to Flamenco music playing on a radio nearby. As Sae and Ryuta get out of Ichiro's carriage, they walk up to the gazebo and watch the couple dance. Ryuta and Sae were completely mesmerized by the couple's dance and they were impressed with how well they could move.
"Man, they're really good!" Ryuta said, amazed and well aware that Daisuke and Shiho had been practicing this dance all week.
"I never knew Daisuke and Shiho had a thing for Flamenco music," Sae said.
When the song ended, Daisuke and Shiho looked over at Ryuta and Sae.
"Pretty good, yeah?" Daisuke asked.
"Amazing," Ryuta said as he and Sae gave them a round of applause.
"Care to join us?" Shiho asked.
"You want us to dance Flamenco?" Sae asked, "Does it matter that neither of us have done Flamenco, like, at all?"
"Don't worry," Daisuke said, "We'll teach you. Just come on up here and do what we do."
Ryuta and Sae join Daisuke and Shiho on the gazebo as the next song comes on. Thankfully it was a slower song so Ryuta and Sae could copy the two dancing next to them. It didn't take long for the two of them to get the general gist of things and they were soon dancing along to the beat. As they danced, Ryuta and Sae held each other close and stared into each other's eyes. Eventually the song ended and Shiho and Daisuke gave them a round of applause as they took a bow.
"That was a lot of fun," Sae said.
"You want to do this again sometime?" Ryuta asked.
"Hell yeah," Sae smiled.
"Shall we head back to the carriage?" Ryuta asked.
"Lead the way," Sae said as Ryuta guided Sae back to the carriage. Once they got themselves seated, Ichiro started to drive the carriage to another location.
"Next stop, Venice," Ichiro said.
Some time later, we see Sae and Ryuta sitting on a gondola that's currently tied to a dock on the Sumida River. Sumire is seen on the back of the boat dressed as a gondolier and holding a big rowing stick.
"You picked a good day to go for a gondola ride, signore e signorina," Sumire said in an Italian accent, "The currents aren't too strong, but not too weak. It should be an easy ride all the way. Regardless, I advise you keep your hands and feet in the boat at all times. Here we go!"
Sumire untied the rope that was keeping the gondola on the dock, and the three of them went floating down the Sumida River.
"I've got to say, Ryuta," Sae said as she watched the environment pass her by as they floated down the river, "You put a lot of effort into this date. I'm having a really great time."
"Glad you're enjoying it, Sae," Ryuta smiled, "You deserve all of this and then some."
"Would the happy couple like me to sing them a song?" Sumire asked Ryuta and Sae.
"Sure, Sumire," Ryuta replied, "Serenade us."
"Okay," Sumire said as she cleared her throat, ready to sing, "When the moon hits your eye like a big pizza pie that's amore."
Out of Sumire's peripheral vision, she saw a moray eel swim by them.
"Hey, that's a moray!" Sumire said in awe before going back to singing.
As Sumire continued to sing and steer the gondola, Sae found herself cuddling up next to Ryuta, enjoying both the ride and his company. Wanting to return her affections, Ryuta wraps an arm around Sae's waste, bringing her close to him.
We then cut to later that night back at Shujin Academy, this time on the rooftop that Ryuji once used for a hangout when he was a student there (it's currently being used as a hangout by his daughter Himari). The rooftop currently has a Parisian Bistro theme to it, complete with a large plaster Eiffel Tower. In front of the plaster sculpture was a small table with two chairs and two platefuls of duck a l'orange. Ryuta is seen leading a blindfolded Sae to the academy rooftop so that she'd be pleasantly surprised when she took it off.
"And I saved the best country for last," Ryuta said, proudly, "You may remove your blindfold now, Sae."
Sae did as she was told and gasped in pleasant surprise when she saw the Parisian-esque environment surrounding her.
"Paris!" Sae exclaimed, "My favorite!"
"Look over there, Sae," Ryuta pointed towards Hifumi, who was currently dressed as a mime. She was currently pretending to be trapped inside of a box.
"A real mime!" Sae said in amazement as Hifumi waved back at them before trying to find a way out of the 'box' she trapped herself in.
As Sae and Ryuta continue to watch Hifumi, Haru, who was dressed as a waitress wearing a beret, comes up to them.
"Bonjour, monsieur et madame," Haru said in a French accent, "Allow me to seat you, please."
"Oui," Ryuta said as Haru showed them to their table. Ryuta pulled the chair out for Sae to sit down before he took a seat himself.
"The perfect gentleman," Haru said as she watched Ryuta's act of chivalry, "On the menu today is duck a l'orange, cooked to perfection, and a bottle of our finest wine. Bon appetit."
Haru left the couple to their meal as Ryuta grabbed the wine bottle and offered some to Sae.
"Would you like some wine, Sae," Ryuta asked.
"Yes, please," Sae said as Ryuta poured a glass for her before filling his own glass. They clink their glasses before taking a sip. After that, they chased their wine down with a bite of their dinner.
"Mmm, Haru was right," Ryuta said, "This duck a l'orange is cooked to perfection."
"No talking with your mouthful," Sae said in a teasing tone.
"My bad," Ryuta said after swallowing his bite of food.
"Ryuta, this day has been absolutely perfect," Sae said, "But can I ask why you did all of this."
"I have a very good reason, Sae," Ryuta said before taking a deep breath, "Sae…I love you. I've loved you since the day we met and I haven't stopped thinking about you since then. From the moment I laid eyes on you, you cast a spell on me that I have yet to break free from. You're level-headed and direct, you know what you want in life, you're a total badass when you need to be, but that doesn't stop you from being an all-around great person."
A blush appeared on Sae's face as Ryuta continued to talk.
"I can't take all of the credit for everything you saw today," Ryuta continued, "Most of this was Daisuke and Shiho's ideas, I just executed them. I knew that when I told you my true feelings for you I wanted to go big or go home, but I couldn't think of a good idea. The only thing I could think of was just walking up to you, hugging you, and saying 'I love you'."
"And that would've been fine," Sae said.
"Hmm?" questioned Ryuta.
"While I appreciate everything you and your friends did for me today, when it comes down to it, I'm a simple woman," Sae said, "I don't need big, extravagant productions or overly complicated events for you to show me that you love me. Just saying it, and giving me a hug and a kiss, is more than enough for me. And for the record, Ryuta…I love you too."
"Really?" Ryuta asked, his heart skipping a beat with joy.
"Mmm-hmm," Sae nodded, "You're just the kind of sweet, funny, good hearted person that I need in my life."
"Does this mean we're an item?" Ryuta asked.
"You mean boyfriend and girlfriend?" Sae asked, "Yes, I believe so. But it's not official until I do this."
And with that, Sae got up from her seat and put Ryuta in a deep liplock which he quickly returned. As Sae nestled herself in Ryuta's lap, they wrapped their arms around each other, their lips never separating.
This was the perfect end to the perfect date.