The Sushi... date?!
Icebreakers.
A collab between Iceiceice and Leslesles.
Part II
Summary
Hideki and Saki both meet in a sushi restaurant that is full. However by some miracle they both end up sharing a table. Sweet awkward and comedic moments follow!
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Looking around, Saki was sure that they were close. Though they were walking into a calm street with not a lot of people, she could already see some people of their age group.
"Ever been to a play before?" Saki asked, deciding to start a conversation again. She decided it was best to just ask innocent questions on what he liked and disliked. And then continue on that topic if they had something in common, which made it much easier to keep talking about it.
Walking besides Saki, Hideki looked around at the surroundings. He was pretty sure he'd been here before. Although, the occasion was quite different this time around. Different indeed.
"When I was a kid. My mother used to take me to a few." He'd never really been interesting in acting. As a matter of fact, the plays his mother used to take him to often gave him nightmares.
"How so?"
"I just wondered. I've not been to one in a long time." She replied, flashing a smile. She had a crazy idea, but so far this whole experience had been somewhat fun.
"I don't really have any friend who is interested in them. Perhaps you would like to go to one with me next time?" She asked, feeling that she hadn't said anything weird. At least she hadn't start about walls and decorations.
Hideki considered that. Nightmares weren't an issue anymore. Neither did he dislike plays so much that he could decline out of that reason alone.
Remember, Hideki. You promised. He inhaled, exhaled, and glanced over at Saki.
"Yeah, sure. Sounds fun." Licking at his lips, he found himself struggling with his own choices.
"It will be fun, promised." She told him, already however regreting to promise it. How could she make such a promise? On what could she actually base that he would enjoy a play? Saki lowered her eyes a bit as she tried to figure a way to keep the conversation going in a good direction. Looking up, she however saw the place.
"There it is!" For a moment she grew excited and wanted to grab Hideki's hands, but she remembered that she shouldn't be acting weird. Trying to make the gesture as if she wanted to run a hand through her pony, Saki hoped she would be able to survive this evening without embarrassing herself too much. Then again... She kind of had said some stupid things already.
Walking to the door of the place, they would walking into a hall. It seemed to be a mix of a pub as one could order drinks at a bar and counter. But most of the hall seemed to be designed for dancing as a band were playing live. Listening to what was being played, Saki folded her hands together as she wasn't sure how to proceed further.
"Perhaps we could drink something and when they play a nice tune, we could share a dance?" She suggested.
Hideki nodded, mistrusting his own voice. It'd been a long time since he'd been this nervous. It wasn't, however, an unpleasant nervosity. It actually felt kinda good. Approaching the bar, Hideki ordered a drink and took a seat in front of Saki.
What do I do know? He thought, a tinge of panic running through him.
What now? Come on, a subject. Saki thought still smiling as she hide away her emotions that were going rampant inside her. Placing her hands first at her lap, she then moved to leaned on the edge of the table. Glancing at the people on the dance floor, the band was using traditional instruments and Saki felt a bit unsure. She had spend time with Kaname at places like these as they were more relaxed than inns and such places. The people were relatively easier going and friendly.
"Soooo....." Saki started, still unsure what topic she should bring up.
"Do you have ever tried... sake?"
A smile crossed Hideki's features.
"Uh-huh. Well, a few times. It wasn't always so fun to guard the borders, y'know." Not that he was an especially good drinker, but she could do well without that information.
"Why do you ask?" He said, curious.
"Oh, I was wondering if you would else like to drink something." She replied, hoping that her voice wasn't too timid as she wanted to sound more confident.
"Is there any specific drink that you really fancy?" She asked.
"I don't really know a lot about drinks, so I could do with anything." He paused for a moment, searching for something to say.
"Do you drink a lot?" As soon as the sentence ended, he debated whether or not to commit suicide right there and now. He could feel himself blushing furiously.
The question made Saki blink with her eyes twice, rapidly.
"I.. I try to keep it at a reasonable level." She replied, but she could remember how she had ended up when she and Kensuke had made that cherry-alcoholic-cake. Thus a no would be a lie and she didn't want to lie as it was just a innocent question. He probably didn't mean anything with it, right? Not wanting to panic, Saki looked away as she noticed a waiter. Raising her hand and flashing a smile, she threw a sideways glance to Hideki.
"I think we would like both a small glass of sake." She held her eyes locked on Hideki, to else change the order in case he wanted something else.
Hideki returned her gaze, shaking his head gently.
"I like your hair. It's pretty." He finally said as the waiter left their table.
Smiling back as he shook his head, Saki turned as she flipped her pony. Just a second later she heard his compliment as she found herself speechless. Nobody had ever complimented her on her hair. Not when it had been way longer nor when she had decided to cut it.
"T-Thanks." She said, feeling how her cheeks started to glow. Wanting to say something back, Saki decided to take a risk.
"Would you perhaps tell me more about your time at the border?"
"Hardly worth a mention. I was on guard duty most of the time. We only really dealt with petty smugglers and the like." Hideki said, sighing. There had been a few notable incidents, especially a certain recruitment, but he'd rather withhold the details. For now.
"Sorry if it's disappointing." He said, feeling apologetic.
Listening, Saki smiled again. She realized she was constantly smiling and hoped that didn't made her look like some kind of idiot.
"That's isn't really disappointing." She opened her mouth, wanting to continue, but the waiter brought them their drinks. Nodding a thanks to the man, she turned to Hideki as she grabbed her small glass.
"I was a member of a scout unit. Nothing special most of the time, just needed to track several people and then bring back a report." She thought about something as she raised her glass.
"On our disappointing previous positions?"
Hideki accidentally snorted, choking back laughter.
"That sounds good." He said, smiling wholeheartedly. She was kinda weird, in an adorable way. Not that he'd displaying the epitome of manners. He raised his glass, looked her in the eyes, and clinked together his glass with hers.
"Cheers."
"Cheers!" Moving the glass to her lips, Saki emptied it in one go. Placing the glass on the table, she briefly glanced at the dance floor. It wasn't that busy and there was a rather calm theme being played.
"Shall we try to dance now?" She suggested.
"Oh.. Yeah. Sure." He replied, his heartbeat speeding up rapidly. How come this was so difficult? He stood, and slowly, crossed the bar to the dance floor. He had a hard time focusing on the music. She glanced around, but it was time to see how this part of the evening would go. Hearing the slow rhytm of the music and seeing some other couples, she gained an idea.
"This will be easy. I need you to wrap an arm around my waist. And hold my other hand. I'll lead." Trying to sound confident, Saki already felt her cheeks starting to convert more into the reddish tint.
Hideki stared at her for a moment, butterflies making waves in his belly.
"Uh. Oh. Yeah. Of course." With the slightest of hesitation, he did as told; wrapping his arm around her waist and grasping her other hand. He cleared his throat quietly, unable to find words for the situation.
"Don't worry. Just slowly, move." She said with a softer tone. Slowly leading him, Saki had her eyes lowered, staring at their feet.
"So.."
Slowly, as the music progressed, the rhythm seeped into Hideki and he found that the music almost became an extension of himself. It was fun. A smile crept onto his lips. He could barely hear the music anymore, his body reacting automatically to the instruments. There was too much to focus on. He could not, however, muster enough strength to look her in the eyes. Her scent was almost familiar to him, as if he'd know her for years.
It went great. Not once had either stepped one another's feet. Losing herself in the calm and slow music, she licked her lips as she slowly started to smile again. Her eyes slowly went up as she locked her on his.
"Enjoying so far?" She asked, her voice almost a whisper as she hoped he liked to dance.
"It's fun." He managed a smile in her direction, his nervosity naturally melting away. As a matter of fact, it was difficult to not maintain a smile. He felt like a stupid fool. But he didn't dislike it. She wanted to say something. But at the moment Saki felt comfortable with the silence. She wasn't sure, but for some reason it felt weird to breath as if something was making her anxious yet feeling incredible. Staring into his eyes, Saki briefly bite on her lower lip.
Hideki was caught up in an emotional storm. In the end, he decided to go with the flow. His eyes lingered on her for a moment, heart lurching in his throat, then, slowly, he moved closer, pressing his lips against hers, heat rushing to assail his face.
All or nothing.
Is he... Saki's eyes opened a bit more as she noticed how the distance between was closed in. Feeling his lips moving against hers, she closed her eyes. For a moment, she almost panicked, but slowly started to lose herself in the kiss. After a long moment, Saki broke the kiss as she tried to say something. Closing her mouth, her cheeks were almost as red as a tomato.
"You're good."
Hideki shared her embarrassment and could simply nod at her compliment. He was probably just as surprised as she was. He had not thought of himself as the type. For several minutes afterwards, they danced in silence. Words had lost all meaning.
"Uhm. Would you like to take a breather?" Hideki finally asked, gazing into her eyes to see her reaction.
"Yes, please." She replied.
Saki felt like an idiot. Not due the kiss, cause she actually hadn't mind that. But she had ruined the moment with her stupid compliment. Her smile became bit more nervous as she hoped that she could correct her last mistake with the compliment. Stepping one step away from Hideki, she however glanced at the hands that they were holding. Deciding to say nothing, she would follow him outside.
Hideki stepped outside of the building. A breeze sifted them past, fluttering the strands of his hair. They were still clutching hands. Hideki didn't mind. She was warm despite the cold outside.
"I.. had fun." Hideki began, the ghost of a smile playing at his lips. Further ahead, Hideki could make out a small shape, swathed in shadows.
"Yeah. Me too." As they walked, Saki now and then threw a glance at their hands.
"Did you make that sound?" Saki suddenly asked as she thought she had heared something.
Confused, Hideki looked to Saki and then back to the road.
"Huh? No.." As they neared the source of the sound, the small shape trodded closer, emitting a purring sound. The light of a nearby streetlight illuminated the scene, revealing a small tabby cat before them, its tail curved at the tip. Hideki's eyes lit up.
"A cat!" Judging by its fur and the lack of a collar, he guessed it to be a stray cat. Stray cats were normally wary around strangers, however.
A bit surprised, Saki eyed the little critter.
"Yes, do you think it is somebody's or a stray one?" She asked. She couldn't see collar, but was unsure if that meant that it was a stray one.
"He looks adorable. Aawww." Saki forgot a moment what had all happened today as she couldn't look away from the adorable animal.
Bending down, Hideki gently offered his hand to the cat, allowing it to smell him. Then, as the cat stroked its head against his fingers, Hideki scratched him behind the ears.
"I think it's a stray. But we'll have to be sure. They are usually tattooed in one of their ears if they're owned by someone." He said, trying to cope a better look.
Bending down as well, Saki couldn't stop smiling. Not only the cat, but Hideki was kind of cute as well. Using her free hand to brush some hair away she silently enjoyed the cute scene in front of her.
"Perhaps you should else take him.. or her." Realizing that she had no idea what it was, Saki however didn't deem it reasonable to check it out now.
"It is after all going to be cold tonight."
Hideki nodded, trying to hide his excitement. He'd always loved cats, but there had never been an opportunity for him to have one.
"He's a cutie, isn't he?" Hideki was almost convinced it was a male. It didn't especially emanate a feminine aura.
"Noru. That'll be his name. Noru." Hideki turned to Saki, as if her verification was necessary.
"Great name." She flashed a warm smile towards Hideki as she replied.
"Hey, shall I walk you home? If that is okay!" She quickly added as she didn't want to be too pushy. She had barely spend a day with him and was worried that she was now crossing some line.
A bit flustered, Hideki smiled at her words.
"Of course. I'd love that." In the back of his mind, however, he wondered if the gender roles had been switched. Hardly mattered to him. Straightening, Hideki took a few steps forward, turning to see if Noru was following them. He was, scuttering forward on soft pads. Almost satisfied, Hideki glanced in Saki's direction.
"Since it's so cold, could I hold your hand?"
Walking next to Hideki, Saki also looked to see if the cat was following them. But it was more precisely following Hideki, which was adorable in her opinion. Looking up, hoping to see some stars, Saki heard his question.
"Yes! I mean.. Of course." Trying to sound too enthousastic, she moved her hand towards his.
"You know, that sushi restauarant is really something." She said, sounding quite amused.
Hideki grasped her hand and continued down the streets, Noru scuttering along happily.
"Maybe I should visit more often?" Hideki suddenly froze as he realized his mistake, the blood draining from his face.
"Uh. To see if you're there. Of course. Hehe. Nothing else." His clarification was even more embarrassing.
"Y'know what I mean." He said, blushing a little.
Briefly Saki's eyes widened as she looked surprised at his first response. She was wondering if he made a joke that just came wrong over. His second sentence made it clear as she then let out a soft laugh. It was after all growing a bit late and waking up people with laughing out wasn't something she wanted to do.
"I guess then this means we're going to visit places more often, together that is?" She asked, admitting that she was finding the prospect quite fun.
"I hope." He simply said, enjoying the silence as they walked beneath the stars. Noru rushed ahead of them at times, as if to impress, clawing at tree trunks and gazing back at the pair with wild eyes.
"I like him already." Hideki exclaimed, watching Noru with a childish grin. They were slowly drawing nearer to the Hyuuga compound, several buildings looming in the distance.
Noticing the Hyuuga compound, Saki wondered about it. She hadn't given it yet thought if this was a serious start. She was willing to try it as she had a great time. But she wondered if his clan would disapprove it. Slowly coming to a halt, Saki squeezed softly in his hand.
"I want to thank you for this evening. It was a bit unexpected." She paused, realizing what an understatement that was.
"But I really enjoyed myself."
Clearing his throat, Hideki tried to recall the evening but his memories seemed obscured. Too much had happened to take it all in at once.
"Me too. Sushi was great as well." He added, unable to keep that one small detail to himself.
"Is it a long way home for you?" He felt a bit bad about the fact that she'd walked him home instead of the other way around. But she probably didn't mind.
"It is okay. I like to take long walks." She said. For a moment she grew silent.
"I think that I should wish you goodnight then?" Smiling, she squeezed softly in his hand again.
Hideki returned the squeeze.
"Yeah." He uncurled his fingers methodically, the wamth lingering. He gazed at the compound for a brief moment, then he returned his gaze to her.
"Maybe I could have your adress the next time we meet?" He asked, expectantly.
"Yes, of course you may." She told him, almost want to give it right away.
"Oh!" Realizing something, she let out a soft nervous laugh.
"I recently moved on my own. So... yeah. I need to do a lot of things. You know, walls.., and decorations."
Hideki arched an eyebrow, amused.
"Yeah? You really like your walls, eh?" He said, ending the sentence with a soft laugh.
"Well, I'd love to come by." Noru meowed in the background.
"And him too, of course." Gazing back at Saki, Hideki leaned forward and gave her a light peck on the lips. He then swung round and - with Noro rushing after him - made his way toward the compound, satisfied.
Wanting to say something, Saki's eyes half closed as she felt his lips on hers. It was a very brief moment and she wanted to grab his hand to kiss one more time, but all she did was moving her hands on her back as she kept smiling. Hoping that he would turn around, she saw him and his stray heading into the compound. Turning on her heels, Saki had her head a bit lowered as a wide smile crept on her lips. Walking home, she didn't even notice the cold.
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