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Shidou had offered to pick up Sae, even though he didn’t own a car—a detail that made his offer almost laughable. Unsurprisingly, Sae had declined without hesitation, brushing him off with a curt, “I can get myself to my destination just fine without your help,” followed by, “And stop trying to act like you’re a gentleman.”
Frankly, Shidou thought that response was unnecessarily rude, but he’d only rolled his eyes and scoffed, deciding it wasn’t worth arguing over. If Sae wanted to be prickly about it, that was his problem.
They were supposed to meet at some upscale restaurant Sae’s manager had booked for them. Shidou hadn’t even bothered to remember the name—it was just some fancy spot with reservations harder to snag than he cared to think about. Sae’s manager had insisted on a formal dress code, which meant Shidou couldn’t rely on his usual ripped jeans and leather jacket combo. That was fine, though. Shidou was confident he could make anything look good. Suit, casualwear, or even a garbage bag—he’d still look hot.
The booking was for seven sharp, and Shidou prided himself on punctuality. He wasn’t about to give Sae any excuse to bail. Knowing how easily irritated Sae could be, he figured even a ten-minute delay might result in an empty table when he arrived. So, Shidou did the math, calculated the commute, factored in prep time, and even padded in an extra few minutes for contingencies.
The plan had been foolproof—until it wasn’t.
After getting home from training earlier that day, Shidou had jumped straight into the shower, scrubbing away the grime from an afternoon of drills. But as he dried off, he discovered that his hair had apparently decided to stage a rebellion. No matter what he tried, it refused to cooperate, springing out of place and defying every product he threw at it.
“Why today of all days?” he muttered to himself, his voice echoing in the bathroom. He gritted his teeth as his fingers worked through his unruly locks, trying to coax them into his signature hairstyle. But the clock was ticking, and his patience was wearing thin.
By the time he managed to wrangle his hair into something presentable, his carefully calculated timeline was in shambles.
“Whatever,” he huffed, staring at his reflection with a smirk. “If I’m late and he’s already left, that’s his loss, not mine.”
He threw on a sleek black shirt with a sharp blazer—nothing too over the top, but enough to make an impression. Paired with tailored pants and polished boots, he looked effortlessly put together.
Before heading out, Shidou decided to tidy up his apartment, just in case the night ended with Sae back at his place. He wasn’t about to let anyone—least of all Sae—see his space in its usual state of organized chaos.
As he straightened up, he hummed along to the music blasting from his speaker, the bassline syncing with his upbeat mood. Despite the earlier frustrations, he was ready to own the night.
“Let’s see what you’ve got, Sae,” he said under his breath, grabbing his keys and heading for the door.
Shidou arrived with five minutes to spare because, of course, he was Shidou Ryusei, and things always went his way. If he wanted the sun to take a day off, it probably would. Well, okay, maybe not—but he liked to think so. In truth, he’d slipped the taxi driver a little extra cash to speed things up and take every shortcut he knew. Still, he’d made it in time, and that’s what mattered. The universe clearly adored him.
The moment he stepped inside, he understood why he’d been ordered to dress like someone important. The restaurant practically dripped luxury. Warm, ambient lighting reflected off sparkling glassware, and the faint hum of conversation mingled with the soft strains of a piano in the background. Everything about the place screamed wealth and exclusivity.
Shidou strode up to the host stand, flashing his signature grin. “Name’s Shidou Ryusei. I’ve got a reservation,” he said with confidence, as if he owned the place.
The host, impeccably dressed, gave a polite nod and gestured for him to follow. He was led through the main dining area to a quieter, more intimate section of the restaurant. The lighting here was softer, and the tables were spaced far enough apart to ensure privacy—a spot perfect for deep conversations or, perhaps, confessions.
As Shidou rounded the corner, his eyes landed on Sae, who was sitting at their table, head bent over his phone. The sharp lines of Sae’s tailored suit emphasized his broad shoulders, and the subtle gleam of his watch caught the low light. Shidou whistled softly, impressed despite himself.
Sae didn’t even glance up immediately, but as Shidou got closer, their eyes met—like Sae had sensed him coming.
Shidou grinned wide, raising a hand in a playful wave. “Sae-chan!” he called, dragging out the name dramatically as he approached.
Sae arched a brow but said nothing, watching Shidou with his usual unreadable expression.
Shidou stopped next to the table and leaned in slightly, smirking. “This place gives off major marriage proposal vibes,” he teased, glancing around the romantic setting. “Is there something you want to ask me?”
Sae’s deadpan expression didn’t falter, though his gaze flicked up and down, subtly appraising Shidou’s outfit. Finally, he looked away and returned to his phone without a word.
Undeterred, Shidou spun slowly in place, arms spread wide. “Oh, I see how it is. You’re speechless, huh? Go on, admit it—you like what you see.”
He made a full 360-degree turn, earning a few odd looks from a couple seated nearby, but he ignored them completely. “I mean, I look hot. Am I right, or am I right?”
Sae finally looked up, his expression a mix of mild exasperation and reluctant amusement. “Sit,” he said flatly. “You’ve been here for less than a minute and you’re already embarrassing yourself.”
“No hug?” Shidou asked, feigning offense as he placed a hand over his chest.
“Sit down,” Sae repeated, tone sharper this time, “or I’ll have them throw you out.”
“Fine, fine,” Shidou muttered, plopping into the seat across from Sae. He leaned back, folding his arms behind his head with a dramatic sigh. “You’re no fun.”
Sae didn’t reply, scrolling through his phone like Shidou wasn’t even there.
“Don’t you know it’s rude to be on your phone during a date?” Shidou quipped, resting his chin in his hand and watching Sae with a teasing grin.
“This is not a date,” Sae replied instantly, not even glancing up from his screen as his thumbs moved swiftly across the keyboard.
“And I’m four feet eleven,” Shidou shot back without missing a beat, his tone dripping with mock disbelief.
That got Sae’s attention. He finally looked up, his expression as unimpressed as humanly possible.
The two locked eyes, staring at each other in silence. Shidou’s grin widened, while Sae’s gaze remained icy and unwavering. The tension between them wasn’t hostile—it was more like two predators sizing each other up.
The stalemate was broken when a waiter approached, forcing both of them to break eye contact.
“Have you decided what you’d like to order?” the waiter asked, glancing between them.
Sae, who had arrived earlier, had already gone through the menu. He closed it and handed it over with a nod. “I’ll have the salmon with truffle butter, no side salad. And your finest wine.”
Shidou raised an eyebrow at the choice, smirking. “Fancy,” he muttered under his breath, then turned his attention to the waiter. “I’ll have the same drink and whatever meal has the most meat in it. Don’t disappoint me.”
The waiter blinked, clearly unsure how to respond, but managed a polite smile. “Of course,” they said before gathering the menus and leaving.
Shidou leaned back in his chair, turning his attention to Sae, who was once again on his phone. “By the way,” he said casually, “you’re paying for me.”
That finally got Sae to put his phone down. He leaned back in his seat and raised an eyebrow, folding his arms. “And why would I do that?” he asked, his tone dripping with scepticism. “If anything, you should be paying for me since you begged for this.”
Shidou laughed, loud and unapologetic, drawing the attention of the couple at the nearby table. “Begged? I asked once! Don’t try to rewrite history, Sae-chan.”
Sae scoffed, his lips twitching slightly, though whether it was amusement or annoyance was hard to tell.
“And besides,” Shidou continued, leaning forward with an exaggerated pout, “you’re the pro footballer here. Surely that means I get to be spoiled a little, no?”
“You’re funny,” Sae said flatly, though there was the faintest glimmer of amusement in his eyes. “I’ll give you that.”
“Thank you, I try,” Shidou replied, beaming as if he’d just received the highest compliment.
The waiter returned with their drinks, interrupting the conversation. Shidou immediately picked up his glass and held it up.
“To us,” he said with a wink.
Sae raised an eyebrow but humored him, lifting his glass half-heartedly. “To your delusions,” he said dryly.
Shidou clinked their glasses together with a laugh. “Close enough.”
As they sipped their drinks, Shidou leaned forward again, resting his elbows on the table. “So,” he began, grinning, “are you going to make this whole date a competition of who can be more stoic, or are you actually going to talk to me?”
Sae tilted his head, his expression unreadable. “What would we even talk about?”
“Anything,” Shidou said brightly. “Life. Football. Why you’re so obsessed with your phone. Or-” his grin turned teasing “why you agreed to have dinner with me in the first place.”
Sae rolled his eyes but didn’t look away. “I agreed because you wouldn’t stop pestering me about it.”
“And here I thought it was my charm,” Shidou said, feigning disappointment.
“Charm isn’t the word I’d use,” Sae muttered, but there was a flicker of a smile before he reached for his glass again.
“And then I ducked, right as one of the guys threw a punch, so it landed square on his friend’s face instead,” Shidou said, leaning back in his chair with a cocky grin. “You should’ve seen me, Sae. They should hire me for an action movie.”
He tapped his fingers idly on the armrest, looking every bit as smug as he felt. The story he was recounting—a recent altercation with three guys around his age—was, in his mind, nothing short of legendary. The whole thing had started because, according to them, he’d spoken to them “rudely.” Which was total bullshit, of course. Shidou had just matched their energy, and apparently, they couldn’t handle a little attitude coming their way.
Sae sat across from him, looking sceptical but listening intently. He had that trademark Sae expression: faintly bored but he was still invested enough to make occasional comments.
“So, you’re telling me you took on three guys by yourself and won?” Sae raised an eyebrow, his tone dry but tinged with doubt.
Shidou leaned forward, slapping a hand on the table for emphasis. “Have you forgotten who you’re talking to?” he asked, his grin widening.
Sae’s unimpressed stare didn’t waver. “No, I haven’t. That’s why I’m sceptical.”
“Wow,” Shidou said dramatically. “No faith in me at all? That hurts, Sae-chan. Really.”
Sae scoffed, but the corners of his mouth twitched slightly, betraying his amusement.
Shidou sat back again, exuding confidence as he continued. “Anyway, after the first guy accidentally clocked his buddy, it was over for them. They were already off their game, and I was just too quick. Bobbing, weaving, dodging—I was like a blur.” He mimicked a few exaggerated boxing moves for emphasis, nearly knocking over his glass in the process.
“Smooth,” Sae said flatly, watching the near-disaster unfold.
“Hey, don’t act like you’re not impressed,” Shidou shot back, straightening up.
Sae let out a noncommittal hum, leaning forward to take another sip of his drink. “So, what happened after? Did they just give up and run away?”
“Pretty much.” Shidou shrugged, his tone casual, but the way he puffed out his chest said otherwise. “One of them tried to throw another punch, but I sidestepped, and he tripped over his own feet. It was kind of pathetic, honestly.”
Sae raised an eyebrow again, this time in mild disbelief. “Pathetic, huh? And you didn’t provoke them at all?”
“Of course not!” Shidou exclaimed, feigning innocence. “I mean, sure, I might’ve said something slightly sarcastic, but they started it.”
“Right,” Sae said, clearly unconvinced.
Shidou grinned, unfazed by the lack of belief. “You should be proud of me, Sae-chan. Most people would’ve folded under pressure, but not me. I handled it like a champ.”
“Or like a guy who thrives on unnecessary chaos,” Sae muttered, but there was a glimmer of something in his eyes—amusement, maybe?
Shidou’s grin only grew. “Admit it. You’re impressed.”
Sae didn’t respond immediately, instead resting his chin on his hand as he regarded Shidou. “I’ll admit that you have a talent for making yourself the centre of attention. That much is clear.”
“Thank you,” Shidou said brightly, taking it as a compliment despite Sae’s tone.
By this point, Shidou’s plate was spotless. He’d inhaled his food the moment it arrived, a consequence of having played football earlier that day and being ravenous by dinnertime. With his hunger satisfied, his energy was now redirected into talking—a lot.
Sae, meanwhile, had taken his time with his meal, eating with the kind of precision and calm that made Shidou wonder if he was even listening. But the subtle nods and occasional comments proved otherwise.
“Anyway,” Shidou said, leaning closer, “I’m just saying, if you ever need someone to have your back, you know who to call.”
Sae smirked faintly. “I’ll keep that in mind the next time I need a one-man circus.”
“Ouch.” Shidou clutched his chest dramatically. “That’s cold, even for you.”
“Truth hurts,” Sae replied smoothly, taking the last bite of his meal.
Shidou chuckled, his eyes glinting with mischief. “Well, at least I’m not boring. Admit it—dinner with me is way more fun than whatever quiet, chill night you had planned for yourself.”
Sae didn’t respond immediately, letting the silence hang for a beat too long. Then, finally, he spoke. “You’re... not boring,” he admitted, though his tone was grudging.
“See? I knew it!” Shidou leaned back, looking entirely too pleased with himself.
By the time dessert arrived—an elegantly plated molten lava cake with a side of vanilla gelato—Shidou was practically vibrating with excitement.
“Now this is what I’m talking about,” he said, grabbing his spoon and immediately digging in.
Sae, ever composed, took a much slower approach. He sliced into the cake with careful precision, watching as the rich chocolate center oozed onto the plate. He took a small bite, savoring it, while Shidou inhaled his portion like he hadn’t just devoured his entire meal minutes ago.
“You eat like someone’s about to snatch your food away,” Sae observed dryly.
Shidou grinned, unbothered. “Hey, you never know when disaster might strike. Gotta enjoy the good stuff while you can.”
Sae rolled his eyes but didn’t argue.
They ate in comfortable silence for a while, the background chatter of the restaurant settling into a low hum around them. Eventually, Sae set down his spoon and took a sip of his wine, eyeing Shidou, who was now leaning back in his chair, looking entirely too pleased with himself.
“What?” Sae asked, raising an eyebrow.
Shidou tilted his head, smirking. “Nothing. Just thinking.”
“Dangerous.”
Shidou laughed. “Wow. And here I was, about to say something nice.”
Sae didn’t look convinced. “Which was?”
“That this wasn’t the worst way to spend an evening.”
Sae regarded him for a moment, then exhaled through his nose—something that wasn’t quite a laugh but close enough. “I’ll take that as a compliment.”
Shidou grinned. “You should. Coming from me, that’s high praise.”
The waiter arrived with the check, and before Sae could even reach for it, Shidou stretched lazily and gestured toward him. “All yours, Sae-chan.”
Sae gave him a long, unimpressed stare. “Unbelievable.”
“Oh, come on. It’s only fair. You’re the rich one,” Shidou pointed out.
With a sigh, Sae handed over his card without further argument. Once the bill was settled, they stood and made their way out of the restaurant. The streetlights cast a soft glow over the pavement, and the muffled sounds of the city hummed in the background.
Sae adjusted his coat, standing with that usual air of quiet confidence, while Shidou shoved his hands into his pockets, rocking back on his heels. They lingered there for a moment, neither rushing to leave just yet.
Shidou stretched his arms above his head, letting out a satisfied sigh. “Well, that was fun. We should do this again sometime.”
Sae shot him a sidelong glance. “You mean, I should take you out for another free meal?”
“Exactly.” Shidou grinned.
“Anyways,” Sae said, glancing at the road. “I need to be up early tomorrow.”
Shidou’s smirk was immediate. “Ohhh,” he purred, eyes gleaming with mischief. “So if you didn’t have to be up early, you’d be coming back to mine?”
Sae gave him a flat stare, unamused. “That’s not what I said.”
“But it’s what you meant,” Shidou teased, stepping a little closer.
Sae sighed, shaking his head as if trying to rid himself of the sheer absurdity of this conversation. “It really isn’t.”
Shidou leaned in slightly, voice dropping into something more smugly conspiratorial. “Don’t worry, Sae-chan. No shame in admitting it. If you wanted to extend our little night together, you could’ve just said so.”
Sae didn’t respond right away. Instead, he just stared at Shidou, eyes steady, unreadable.
Shidou, for once, didn’t fill the silence immediately. He met Sae’s gaze, a slow smirk curling at his lips, but there was something else in the air between them now—something quieter, heavier.
The sounds of the city faded into the background. A car passed by, a distant voice laughed from across the street, but neither of them moved.
Shidou tilted his head slightly, as if waiting for something. Sae exhaled through his nose, gaze flickering over Shidou’s face before finally looking away.
“That really isn’t what I meant,” Sae muttered, but his voice lacked its usual sharpness.
Shidou grinned, triumphant. “Sure, Sae-chan. Whatever you say.”
Sae didn’t dignify that with a response. Instead, he gave a curt nod and turned to leave, but just as he did, Shidou called after him, voice full of playful confidence.
“Make sure to dream about me, Sae-chan! And try not to miss me too much!”
Sae kept walking without looking back, but the way his hand subtly lifted—maybe a wave, maybe just an absentminded motion—was enough for Shidou. He grinned to himself as he watched him go.
Yeah, this wasn’t the last time they’d be having dinner together. Not even close.