WILDFLOWER [Ryunosuke Tanaka x OC]

Chapter 23 - The First Date

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 Ryu thought he might throw up.

Out on the sidewalk in front of Kano's house, Ryu shuffled foot-to-foot in his nicest sneakers, frantically wiping his sweaty hands on his tan jogger pants. The massive sunflower in his hands didn't help the situation either, because it kept trying to dust golden pollen on his crisp white button-up, despite rolling the sleeves up to his elbows. Ryu took a deep breath and let it loose, fixing his face into something less terrified but more emotionally constipated, and he stepped up to knock on the door.

It was just Kano. Just Kano.

They were just going on their first date.

No big deal.

Before he could knock, Kano opened the door and slipped out the crack, silently closing it behind her. She turned, and Ryu choked on his breath. Wearing the barest hint of makeup and sporting curled hair for the first time in recent history, Kano donned a white sundress that fluttered around her thighs with her favorite yellow Converses, the laces bright with beads. She smiled shyly and pointed at the sunflower in his hands. "That for me?"

At a loss for words, Ryu nodded and handed it over.

After an obligatory sniff, Kano beamed, delicately tracing her fingers over the soft petals. She had never received flowers before... and she wasn't really sure of the protocol. Did she bring it inside and leave it behind? Did she bring it with them on their adventure? Her piercing eyes focused on Ryu, fanned with thick, dark lashes. "Thank you, Ryunosuke," Kano said.

"Uh huh," was all he could manage. She looked amazing and his brain could not handle it. She could have worn ratty sweats and her usual ponytail on their date—and he'd be a mess regardless—but a dress?! He wouldn't be able to focus for the entire date, nevertheless make coherent sentences and keep her entertained.

Evil, evil woman.

"Should... we go?" she pressed, wedging the thick stem of the sunflower into the corner of the front door before taking Ryu's hand in hers.

He nodded again. "Yeah." A real word that time! He mentally high-fived himself.

"Lead the way," she said with an encouraging smile.

Robotically, Ryu made his way over to where his bike was parked, the kickstand threatening to melt into the hot pavement. He took his place on the seat and gestured for Kano to join him.

She frowned at his ride, having half-expected him to borrow Saeko's little car. "Where do you want me?"

Ryu blushed, his face hotter than the surface of the sun. "Two options," he said, proud of himself for finding words in the right order, "Basket or pegs." He pointed to the front of the bike and then the back.

Kano looked over her options, glancing from the metal bar where a basket once sat to the thick, sturdy pegs sticking out from the back wheel. She didn't really want to block his view, because that seemed dangerous and reckless... "I'll take my chances on the pegs, thanks."

"Hold onto me," Ryu said, helping her get started. "On the count of three, you ready?" Kano squeezed his shoulders, and his heart flipped in his chest. "One, two, three!" At the same time, they both lifted their feet up, and Ryu pedaled as hard as he could, trying to keep his momentum.

They sailed down the road, smooth as silk. Mid-morning summer sunshine pressed upon them, instantly cooled by the breeze, which swept Kano's long curls away from her face and over her shoulders. She laughed at the lightness of flight, of gliding along at dangerous speeds but feeling nothing except trust and fearlessness and giddy, pure happiness. In a moment of daring freedom, Kano lifted her hands from Ryu's shoulders, extending her arms out wide, flower dangling from one outstretched palm.