[Rise sighs, deflating a little from her earlier elation.]
No, I didn't. I got... caught up in a lot of things and tried really hard to pretend I wasn't that kind of girl, or whatever... I'm sorry, Yosuke-senpai.
[It's complicated.] I did know, at first, I just... I assumed it was because I was Risette, and then by the time that wasn't a reason anymore...
[She'd dug her own grave. But that's not the only important thing happening, here, and not the only thing that's leaving her disappointed. She meets Yosuke's eyes, and bites the inside of her cheek.]
Right. Okay. That's fair.
[It's fair, but it really sucks. There's a lot to unpack there, for her. Not the least of which being the thought that he's implying he would potentially be serious about me. Which Rise can't even begin to handle, right now.]
I don't really know what I want, yet. I want the chance to know for sure what I do what? And not just what I was told to want. I guess I don't really want anything serious yet, either.
[He nodded to her apology. He wanted to be mad about it, he was a little upset, but he couldn't really fault her either. She was an idol, it was probably scandalous enough with Souji, hiatus or not.'
It just wasn't worth the energy to actually do anything about it and it was better to move forward. He pursed his lips a little.]
I mean, my crush started because of Risette. But even after seeing your true self and getting to know Rise... it just. Never really went away. I like all of you, always have.
[He lifted his shoulders in a small, barely there shrug and his gave her a lopsided little smile that didn't quite reach his eyes. What can ya do? But he was truthful with his words, because she was being honest too. A relationship with her wasn't out of the question.
But it was also clear that now was very much not a good idea.]
You only just arrived, it's fair that you get your chance to figure yourself out too. I'm fine if you wanna keep it light and not serious. I'm still figuring that part of myself out too, so. It's probably good that we don't jump in.
[A little blush rises to her cheeks, and Rise can't help but smiling.]
I was a little blind to it, back home.
[ It's nice to hear it now, though. Her heart does a little flip in her chest. ]
Yeah? It's okay if that's too weird. I mean, I'd like to at least get the chance to flirt with you now... I'll be sad, but I'll understand, if you gotta tell me no...
[But he isn't saying no. He's saying it's not serious. Her eyes flash, wanting to see that smile of his reach his eyes.]
We did have a lot going on back then, aside from normal high school drama.
[On any other day, Yosuke would have been ecstatic to hear that Rise wanted to flirt with him, that she liked him and all that. But things quite easily got complicated really fast and all he could do was simply nod.]
[He silently points to her, then to himself, then to the table as a gesture of their date place...all the while looking incredibly confused and thinking hard to work this out.
And then, he promptly turned beet red and held his face.]
[It wasnβt even that he didnβt want to be on a date. But he spit tea out of is nose! And they were talking about totally not date things! And-And-!
[Even so, Yosuke made a soft whining sound but he finally lowered his arms.
Even after all that, it wasnβt like he was going to say no.]
O-Okay.
[She was enjoying herself and honestly, so was Yosuke. Probably not as much as Rise considering he was still looking like a tomato and his nose still burned a bit. But...]
[Rise beams at him, reaching over to gently poke his cheek.]
Glad to hear it!
[You can tell her she's an ass if you really need to, Yosuke. She's kind of aware she's not done the best job re: him, and she's partly dealing with that by not dealing with it.
She really does just want to have a nice time with him, though.]
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
action
No, I didn't. I got... caught up in a lot of things and tried really hard to pretend I wasn't that kind of girl, or whatever... I'm sorry, Yosuke-senpai.
[It's complicated.] I did know, at first, I just... I assumed it was because I was Risette, and then by the time that wasn't a reason anymore...
[She'd dug her own grave. But that's not the only important thing happening, here, and not the only thing that's leaving her disappointed. She meets Yosuke's eyes, and bites the inside of her cheek.]
Right. Okay. That's fair.
[It's fair, but it really sucks. There's a lot to unpack there, for her. Not the least of which being the thought that he's implying he would potentially be serious about me. Which Rise can't even begin to handle, right now.]
I don't really know what I want, yet. I want the chance to know for sure what I do what? And not just what I was told to want. I guess I don't really want anything serious yet, either.
action
It just wasn't worth the energy to actually do anything about it and it was better to move forward. He pursed his lips a little.]
I mean, my crush started because of Risette. But even after seeing your true self and getting to know Rise... it just. Never really went away. I like all of you, always have.
[He lifted his shoulders in a small, barely there shrug and his gave her a lopsided little smile that didn't quite reach his eyes. What can ya do? But he was truthful with his words, because she was being honest too. A relationship with her wasn't out of the question.
But it was also clear that now was very much not a good idea.]
You only just arrived, it's fair that you get your chance to figure yourself out too. I'm fine if you wanna keep it light and not serious. I'm still figuring that part of myself out too, so. It's probably good that we don't jump in.
[It's fair, but it really sucks.]
action
I was a little blind to it, back home.
[ It's nice to hear it now, though. Her heart does a little flip in her chest. ]
Yeah? It's okay if that's too weird. I mean, I'd like to at least get the chance to flirt with you now... I'll be sad, but I'll understand, if you gotta tell me no...
[But he isn't saying no. He's saying it's not serious. Her eyes flash, wanting to see that smile of his reach his eyes.]
So it's cool that we're on a date, then?
action
[On any other day, Yosuke would have been ecstatic to hear that Rise wanted to flirt with him, that she liked him and all that. But things quite easily got complicated really fast and all he could do was simply nod.]
Yeah, itβs... I mean, I guess itβd be-
[Wait, what?]
...we are?
action
[Thanks for giving her the excuse there, buddy.
Rise smiles wryly and sips her drink.]
Aren't we?
action
But brb, Yosukeβs starting to blue screen.]
I-
But-
[He silently points to her, then to himself, then to the table as a gesture of their date place...all the while looking incredibly confused and thinking hard to work this out.
And then, he promptly turned beet red and held his face.]
This is a date?! Why didnβt you tell me?!
action
Well I had to mention the other thing first, right?
[He really does like her, doesn't he? Rise preens like a peacock.]
action
[It wasnβt even that he didnβt want to be on a date. But he spit tea out of is nose! And they were talking about totally not date things! And-And-!
He sank into his chair, still holding his face.]
This canβt be your idea of a good date.
action
[Sure it's partly that she's kind of a sadist and watching Yosuke embarrass himself brings her uncountable joy, but that's not the point.]
I found out a really good-looking boy likes me and maybe wants to casually go out, everything's coming up Rise.
action
Even after all that, it wasnβt like he was going to say no.]
O-Okay.
[She was enjoying herself and honestly, so was Yosuke. Probably not as much as Rise considering he was still looking like a tomato and his nose still burned a bit. But...]
Then, itβs a date.
action
Glad to hear it!
[You can tell her she's an ass if you really need to, Yosuke. She's kind of aware she's not done the best job re: him, and she's partly dealing with that by not dealing with it.
She really does just want to have a nice time with him, though.]
Promise I'll warn you ahead next time.
Re: action
Youβd better.
[He could have worn something nicer.]
action
Rise giggles and takes her hand back to rest her chin on it.]
How was work?
Re: action
It was fine. It's work and it's food service, so.
[Not exactly the most entertaining. Of course, then he lit up suddenly and smiled.]
I saw Koro-chan again today.
action
That's Minako-senpai's doggy, right?
[She doesn't really know Shinjiro yet.]
action
[Not that it really mattered at the end of the day, the dog was awesome.]
action
[Now she's not sure.]
I havent met Aragaki-san yet. Koromaru is a cutie, though.
Re: action
[He finally grabbed his discarded tea to sip at.]
He's real smart too.
action
[That seems like something Minako would do.]
Is he? I've heard Shiba Inu's are pretty smart.
action
I'd steal him if I could. I wouldn't mind having a dog for company at my apartment, it gets too quiet sometimes.
action
[Pet fatherhood would be a good look on him.]
Re: action
[would he be able to take the dog with him? What if he couldn't?]
action
[She's pretty sure the prismals doing so much to make them feel at home wouldn't leave a pet abandoned and alone in an apartment.]
Re: action
[It's just also a sad thought. He'll think about it.]
So, is there anything else you wanted to do today aside from surprising me?
action
Nothing specific. Just wanted to be out and about. Wanted to talk to you. Want to give Chie some space. What do you normally do after work?
action
From:Re: action
From:action
From:action
From:action
From: