Chapter Text
Morioh, august 1999
At the time, breaking into an old dilapidated house in an attempt to rescue his friend from being killed by bleach blond maniac holding a bow & arrow and his little brother wasn’t exactly at the top of his to-do list
Now looking back on it, the memory made him chuckle despite the peppered scars Bad Company has left on the back of his hand.
And if he’d told himself then that he’d be going out to dinner with said bleach blond maniacs little brother he probably would’ve laughed.
Coming down the stairs and skipping the last one, he skidded to halt in front of a bemused Tomoko sitting at the kitchen table.
“You know one of these days you’re gonna take out a chair doing that?” She said, faking annoyance and flipping a page of her magazine.
He very pointedly did not tell her that he had in fact done that the week before while she was at work, and had to fix it with Crazy Diamond. Luckily Yukako had been too busy laughing at him to tell her.
He laughed, trying not to sound too guilty
“Well, I’ll make sure to be careful then.” She rolled her eyes and a smile played across her face.
“You’ll be back from dinner around ten? I’d rather you didn’t stay out much later than that.” She asked, checking her watch.
“Yup”
“And you have a ride home?”
“Of course”
“And money to actually pay for dinner?”
“...yes, we’ll be splitting the bill anyways.
Tomoko sighed and he knew he’d passed her questioning.
“Alright good, tell Okuyasu I said hi and have fun on your date.” She said turning back to the magazine.
“Mom it’s not a dat-“ he started, but got cut off by the honk of a horn from outside. He kissed her in the top of her head and slipped his shoes on quickly, pausing in the doorway.
“Bye! And it’s not a date either!” He called inside and felt his ears go pink. He took an annoyed breath and turned to the street.
Okuyasu stood next to his motorbike wearing dark pants and a white and yellow stripped sweater with a lightweight jacket overtop. Several enamel pins flashed in the dusk as he waved towards Josuke, helmet on his hip. His hair was slicked back as normal and a big smile lit up his whole face. Was he always this pretty?
Like he’d said, this wasn’t a date. Just two bros being bros, getting bro dinner at a bro restaurant.
“Hey! You ready to go?” Okuyasu asked, slipping his helmet over his head and tossing the other to Josuke.
“Yeah, you got the address?”
“Pfft of course, I’m dumb but I ain’t stupid.” He replied, getting on his bike and turning the ignition key.
Helmet firmly over his head he sat behind the other. The engine tumbled to life and he slipped his arms around Okuyasu’s waist as the bike took off.
It was fine for the minute they were going down residential streets, the main roads were not. Loud cars and joking noises, Morioh didn’t even look like the type place to have angry traffic, but somehow did.
Suddenly a car swerved, changing lanes and almost clipping the side of the bike while doing it. Josukes arms tightened to a death grip around Okuyasu’s waist.
“Motherfucker!” He cursed loudly, pressing the side of his face into top of Okuyasu’s back.
“Dude your moms pretty and all but I feel like that’s breaking some sort of bro-code.” He joked, coming to a stop at some streetlights.
“I literally hate you.” Josuke said, stifling laughter.
“Awwwe you can’t hate me, not when you’re breaking my ribs like this anyways.” He replied in the same joking tone. Josuke was sudden very grateful for the fact that Okuyasu couldn’t see his face, realizing that he was still violently hugging the guy.
“Oh shoot sorry.” He answered, readjusting himself on the back of the bike.
“Man it’s fine, plus if you did actually fall off the bike I think Jotaro would kill me himself.” He said, the light turning green and they sped off again.
They pulled in beside Tonios and parked the motorcycle. A few couples mingled outside the restaurant and the sunset coloured all of the shops on the street, making Tonios glow a faint orange.
They were greeted at the door by a cheery looking receptionist dressed in black.
“Hi welcome to Tonios! How can I help you this evening?” She said almost robotically.
“Hi, um I think we have a reservation under Higashikata, table for two?” Josuke said, trying to fidget with his hands. She nodded and looked down at her clipboard.
“Higashikata, Higash- oh there it is. Yup, table for two, follow me!” The woman said after a moment. He followed her through the semi crowded restaurant,
“Bro I don’t think I’ve ever seen this many people in here, usually it’s pretty quiet but tonight it’s downright packed.” Okuyasu said and nudging Josuke with his arm.
“Yeah you’re right, good for Tonio though. Looks like the restaurants getting popular.”
He replied, looking back over his shoulder to the people sitting at tables
“Here you are! Can I get you any drinks to start off with or are you two ok?” She asked again in her cheery customer service voice.
“I’m ok with just water for now, thanks!” Josuke said. The woman nodded and turned to Okuyasu.
“Well sir, can I get you anything then?” She asked, he quickly stifled his laughter.
“Me? Oh water’s also fine for me” he answered politely. The woman nodded and walked off, Josuke waited until she was out of earshot to start giggling
“What?” Okuyasu asked, furrowing his eyebrows.
“She didn’t call me sir.” Josuke teased, trying and failing to keep a smile off his face
“Oh my god you’re the worst” he said back, a smile spreading across his lips.
He liked it when he smiled.
~
“Dude I think we should get the spaghetti, you know cause it’s Italian and all.” Okuyasu said, looking at the menu with furrowed eyebrows.
“I feel like if I was Tonio I’d be annoyed by constantly making spaghetti. Like wouldn’t it get boring making only spaghetti after a while??” He said back, gesturing with his one hand.
“That must suck, only being able to eat spaghetti.” He said solemnly making Josuke almost spit out his water.
“Can you even imagine his pain?” He asked back, matching Okuyasu’s tone.
“Hey um guys? I’m right here??” Tonio said confusedly.
~
The stars were beginning to shine in the night sky as they paid the bill and walked out of the restaurant.
“Hey I still have like 2000 yen, do you wanna go get desert someplace?” Josuke asked, checking his wallet.
“Ooohhh I know this cool ice cream place a few blocks from here, it should still be open.” Okuyasu said, starting to walk off in the direction but turning back to Josuke.
“You are ok with ice cream though right?” He asked pointing finger guns at him.
“Of course I’m ok with ice cream, I’m not a maniac or anything.” Josuke laughed, taking a few steps to catch up with him.
~
“How come you never told me how much you like strawberry ice cream?” Josuke said, nudging Okuyasu in the shoulder as they walked back towards tonios.
“You’re joking, I swear I must’ve brought it up at least once maybe more.” He said back, pointing with his ice-cream cone for emphasis.
“I don’t actually thing you did, I would’ve remembered something like that.” Josuke said, breaking off a small peice of his cone. Under the street lamps it wasn’t hard to se me Okuyasu’s face flush pink.
“Well it’s my favourite because I ate it all the time as a kid. I guess it’s just what my dad always bought us.” He smiled at Josuke.
“What about you though, you have a favourite flavour?” Okuyasu asked, tilting his head. Josuke was quiet for a second thinking about his answer.
“Honestly? It’s cookies and cream.” He said, Okuyasu nodded.
“Good choice, it’s no strawberry but a solid ice cream all around.” He joked, putting his arm around Josuke’s shoulder.
“I’m getting the feeling you’re a biased ice cream judge.” He laughed.
~
“Dude thanks for driving me home. It definitely beats walking.” Josuke said, standing with Okuyasu on his front porch.
“Hey no it’s problem, it’d be a dick move if I’d just left on my own anyways.” He said jokingly, gesturing behind him to where the bike stood on the curb.
“Just a little bit, no but really thanks for coming tonight I had a lot of fun.” He said again, suddenly not very sure what to do with his hands and his face burning.
“Me too! We’re still on for Saturday right?” Okuyasu asked, his face looking a little pink.
“Yeah! Well um I guess I’ll see you then? He answered awkwardly. Luckily Okuyasu didn’t seem too put off.
“Sounds good to me man. Goodnight!” He said before walking towards his bike.
“Night!” He called from the doorway, giving Okuyasu a last wave before slipping inside. He watched him start up the bike and drive away from the front window and began to take off his shoes, heart beating weirdly fast.
“So not a date huh?” Tomoko asked sceptically from the couch, clearly having seen and heard the whole interaction.
“Not. A. Date.”
~
Later in his room he found himself staring at a photo booth strip he and Okuyasu had taken. Three photos of them crammed together and posing like dumbasses, 1999 and both their initials scribbled at the bottom. He smiled in-spite of himself.
Just a friend date huh?