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Jiro brushed his hair with his hand, getting closer and closer to the mirror. He was examining every little detail of his looks, wondering if being casual was fine, if he should have dressed up more —not like he had fancy clothes—, if his hair looked fine…
After all, it wasn't everyday that Tadashi and he went out on a date. They always hung out indoors or took short walks for food that didn't really feel like dates… However, this time Jiro had had the courage to invite Tadashi out on a weekend, making it their first proper date. Making it Jiro's first date ever, in fact.
He took a deep breath and nodded to himself, leaving the room. If he kept on losing time like that he'd be late, and that would be even more embarrassing than looking bad. They had agreed on meeting at 6 pm, the plan was to take a walk together and find a place to eat something nice together. It was something extremely cliché and safe, Jiro had no real reason to feel so nervous. But this was a date with Tadashi, after all… He didn't know what to expect. He only hoped that everything went well and that he wouldn't end up with a headache.
As he walked to their meeting point, he checked his phone in case there were any new messages. Just seeing Tadashi's contact and processing that they were really going to meet for a date made his cheeks warm up. ''Damn, I need to get it together or he'll tease me again…''
He finally got to the spot, his nervousness fading a bit when he saw that Tadashi wasn't there yet. He again turned his phone on, messaging Riko to keep his mind busy, when—
''Hi.'' That voice he immediately recognized made Jiro raise his head, his eyes widening when he saw Tadashi. He always wore nice clothes, but he was especially fancy that day wearing a black vest and a pretty blouse. ''Nito?''
''Ah, h-hey.'' He cursed himself on his mind for the small stutter and started walking to hide the thumping on his heart. Damn, he really looked too casual with his sweater, they were too different.
Tadashi followed him, holding his hand and smiling. ''Wait for me, or are you going to have a date by yourself?''
''Idiot…'' Their paces eventually matched as they walked side by side, the mood between them back to how it always was. They talked and bickered, with Tadashi being as annoying as always, but walking around town together was a nice change of pace and it showed in their smiles.
Right now, that moment was only for them. Their intertwined hands transmitted their feelings and warmth to each other, and they both felt only happiness inside. ''Did you find a place to eat?'' Tadashi asked, his eyes never leaving Jiro who was instead looking ahead. He was truly so in love with him, he didn't want to stop looking at him for a second, and the thought that Jiro wasn't dressing appropriately hadn't even crossed his mind.
''Well… There are a few cafes that are nice around here. Sometimes I come with Riko and Lopt.''
''Then, choose one that you haven't gone to yet. It's more interesting if we try it out together for the first time.''
''Why did you ask me at all, then…?'' Jiro sighed and tugged on Tadashi's hand, pointing to a small coffee shop. ''That one opened recently.''
''It's decided. But first…'' Catching Jiro by surprise, Tadashi moved to stand in front of him and hugged him tight, making Jiro's face turn red. ''I've been wanting to do this since I saw you today.''
''Hey, we're outside…!'' Jiro tried to shove him away, but Tadashi wasn't budging an inch. He gave up after a few seconds, huffing and hugging him back. He still got very embarrassed, but he loved having Tadashi so close, he really did. To be loved so genuinely when he wasn't used to receiving affection… It almost made him feel childish, but not in a bad sense.
After a moment like that, both of them in their little bubble, Tadashi held his hand again. ''Let us go.''
They went into the coffee shop and sat down by one of the corners, at a small table of two. It was a cozy place, not too crowded but not empty either. It wasn't anything new for Jiro to visit those kinds of places, they were good meeting spots, but it was different when Tadashi was sitting across the table, staring at him all the time without a care for Jiro's comfort.
''What will you have?'' Jiro mindlessly opened the menu, hoping to feel less self-conscious as they talked.
''Just a coffee. What about you? Do you like sweets maybe?''
His voice was so telling that he was planning on making fun of Jiro depending on his answer… He was really annoying. ''Not especially… If they're not super sweet, I don't mind them, though. And you?''
''I don't like them. There was a student who brought me cookies whenever she came asking for advice and I had to pretend I liked them… I couldn't eat more than one.''
''You're so fucking mean…''
The both of them ordered plain coffees, although Jiro rarely had his black, but he wasn't about to give Tadashi more things to tease him about, so he endured the bitter flavor and drank it slowly.
He wondered if this was how a first date was supposed to be. He was happy, of course, but maybe it should have been a bit more romantic or special. He watched Tadashi, who kept going on and on about stuff about class or the dorms, complaining at the stupid students (he was stupid from Jiro's perspective too), and he looked so happy for some reason. If he was enjoying himself, that was enough, surely… Jiro smiled to himself and kept drinking, satisfied with that thought.
It didn't have to be special, they just had to enjoy it.
By the time they were done and left the place, the sun was setting outside. They again held hands, watching the scenery as they slowly walked back to the dorms, taking their time. Jiro was a bit deep in thought watching the sun, and Tadashi squeezed his hand a little, leaning to kiss his cheek. ''What's on your mind?''
''I'm just wondering… I know we already talked about this, but I'm still surprised that you liked me. We must both be kinda messed up…''
''You're only realizing that now? You thought you were the only pure one or something?''
''Of course not…'' Jiro frowned, he wasn't a dumb kid anymore. He wasn't that self-centered now as to think that he was the only correct person, even if he still held onto some of his beliefs from that time. But he had been so angry, so hateful, and he knew Tadashi. They both weren't the kind of people to genuinely fall in love, to feel so much for another. He wondered if he was made for something like that…
Sometimes it didn't feel real at all, and it made him a bit uneasy.
He felt Tadashi's arm sneak behind his back, resting in Jiro's waist and pulling him a bit closer. ''You think about it too deeply. If there is something you want to do, just do it. Are you not happy right now?''
Jiro stared at Tadashi's face, at his eyes looking far into the horizon and his relaxed smile. He was still an enigma sometimes, but he tried to reassure Jiro the best he could and he showered him in love all the time. There was no way Jiro could complain.
''...Yeah, I am.'' With a soft blush on his cheeks, he smiled. ''Sometimes you say good stuff.''
''Only sometimes? I think everything I say is interesting and amazing.''
''Shut up, idiot.''
Their hands met again as they resumed their walking. At the end of the day, even with all his doubts, Jiro was truly happy with Tadashi. He loved him and felt loved, something that he had never even imagined.
As long as they had fun and were happy, that was enough. It was the first time Jiro could honestly believe those words.