Take a Chance! [Karamatsu X Female Reader]

3 - One Too Many

Once the two of you reach the bar Karamatsu rushes ahead to grab and hold the door for you. His lips curve into a suave smile as he motions you inside. "After you, my lady~"

You can't help but snort as you walk in past him. "Like I said, you don't have to talk to me like that. This isn't the middle ages, you don't always have to play the gallant knight, y'know?"

Karamatsu just looks at you dumbfounded, although you can't properly read his expression behind his sunglasses. Do women really not like being talked to like that? In the TV soap operas and dramas the woman always falls for the dreamy man who sweeps her off her feet. Does that really not work?

You smile and walk over to your favorite spot at the bar to sit. The bar is full of life, and has a much different atmosphere than that of the prior meeting. It's full of movement, noise, laughter, and music that's drowned out by the sound of lively chatter. It's a relatively small bar though, which despite the commotion, gives it a cozy feel.

You motion Karamatsu over to sit in the bar stool beside you. "C'mon slow poke, why are you just standing there?"

Karamatsu jolts up a bit, realizing he was still standing at the entrance while caught in his thoughts. "Y-Yes my la-, I mean.. Y/N!" He hurries over to take his spot beside you, fumbling to set his guitar aside once he does so. You can't help but giggle at his frazzled demeanor. Without thinking you reach out to pat his back. "There there, don't hurt yourself."

He blushes heavily and flinches at your touch. "D-Don't worry about me, Y/N..!" Oh my god, his voice cracked so bad. You have to do everything in your power to hold back a snort.

Shortly after that one of your male coworkers comes over and gives you a welcoming smile. "Hey, fancy seeing you here. Come here often?"

You grin back at him. "Oh, every now and then."

Karamatsu quirks an eyebrow as he glances between you and your coworker as the two of you continue to exchange some banter. You know this guy? Are you friends? Or more than that?

Your coworker, oblivious to Karamatsu's scrutinizing gaze, continues to dry some glasses as he talks to you. In all actuality, you two have only worked together for about a month now, and are on friendly terms, but aren't all that close. "Anyway, could I get you two anything to drink?"

"I'll just have an old fashioned." You turn to Karamatsu. "What about you? I'll pay."

Karamatsu quickly shakes his head. "Oh no, it's on me. A lady should never pay for drinks on a first da-" Before he can even finish that sentence he notices your unamused expression and shuts himself up. "Or well.. I can make an exception this once!" You roll your eyes and smile as Karamatsu goes ahead and orders himself a beer.

Once your coworker walks off to prepare your drinks you rest your chin in your hand and look over at Karamatsu. "So... how long have you been playing the guitar?"

Karamatsu glances down at his guitar before quickly looking back up at you and adjusting his sunglasses with a smirk. "Oh, it's been so long I've lost track of time. It feels like it's been ages now." (It hasn't really been that long).

You blink in surprise. "Oh really? That's cool. I used to take guitar lessons in high school, but.. I ultimately got frustrated after awhile and didn't stick with it." You smile bitterly. "I guess that's just the kind of person I am."

Karamatsu quirks an eyebrow at your expression, trying to decipher how you're feeling, before thinking a moment and flashing you his usual "suave" smile. "Well.. I could always try to teach you a thing or two."

You perk up at that. "Wait, really? You would do that for me?"

Karamatsu smiles, seeming satisfied with your reaction. "Why of course! It would be my pleasure to tutor a lovely woman such as yourself~"