[ keigo was clearly humbled by that admission, turning his head again as he flustered from the blatant vote of confidence nikkari placed upon him. he offered up a nervous, almost shy laugh in return, though there was more to be said, really.
and ultimately, the real reason why keigo wanted to tell nikkari all of this: ]
...so. Knowing all of that, you still want to get to know me better?
Yeah. I meant it when I said it - why would that be changed now? It's already starting, with me learning you're the kind of person who's up this late like me.
[that they both, he privately thinks, believe fate's against them. the only difference is that Nikkari knows fate's like that and why, and Keigo was believing it even though it wasn't true.]
[ again, keigo laughed, though it was less shy this time around. he liked this. it felt natural, talking to nikkari. he reached up and ran a hand through his hair, pushing it out of his face before he dropped it back down at his side. well, that was taken care of... which meant that keigo could keep things moving along... ]
Hm... Well, I'm happy to hear that. I'd really like to get to know you better, too.
[ this time, keigo looked at nikkari, sidelong, as he kept walking. looking at his expression, building up that fake sense of confidence he used to get by. he was a naturally nervous, anxious person, used to his weaknesses being exemplified, causing his strengths to be oversold in some poor attempt to be seen in a better light. like now, as he shoved his hands into his pockets, exaggerating his gait to something more casual, comfortable. familiar.
this was part of letting go, he thought. part of moving forward. it stung, but it didn't show in his smile, in how he turned toward nikkari as they continued to walk, side-by-side, eyes gleaming with a sudden anxious energy. ]
In fact, I'm thinkin'... maybe I should take you out. If you'd wanna.
[ though his face started to burn, he continued to smile, grinned, even. even if nikkari rejected him, the fact that he mustered the courage to ask at all was a big step for him. a step in the right direction, he felt. ]
Not at the club, either, I mean. Sometime when you're not workin'. When I can see you like this.
[of all the questions Nikkari was ready for, that wasn't one. it's enough to stop him in his tracks, the honest surprise on his face there. Keigo seriously was asking him this? he actually...wanted to go out? like an actual date, not just hanging out? it's surprising to him - because he never expects much - but Keigo says it with such confidence that he knows it's not a joke.]
...If you're serious, then sure. I'd like that.
[getting to go out with the weird Nikkari, the one who isn't kept in proper manners because of the club and a suit, who's up at 4 in the morning for schoolwork and who wants to listen to Keigo go on about photography if he wants. maybe, he thinks, he was a little quick to dismiss the roses that day. it's nice to be asked out properly instead of just someone assuming for hanging or a hookup. and he already feels somewhat excited for it.]
[ optimism was a tricky thing that keigo tended to struggle with. he wasn't exactly a pessimist, but more that he was experienced in his own luck, a master of it, really. there were times to get excited and times to expect the worst. in this instance, however, keigo felt as though no matter the outcome, no matter what nikkari told him, he wouldn't feel regret. truly, it was the first time he felt that much at ease with the unknown in a long while.
but then nikkari stopped walking, and keigo nearly stumbled, as though he couldn't stop himself fast enough to match. he blinked as he recovered his stance, mapping out the way nikkari looked at him carefully. he looked so shocked... was it really that strange to ask? well, to be fair, keigo really hadn't asked a guy out like that... ever. though, the response that followed was wholly endearing. keigo felt his heart flutter.
shit, he's cute...
but there was no time to be staring stupidly. not when he realized that nikkari had actually agreed to going out with him! ]
Why wouldn't I be serious?
[ keigo laughed as he turned a bit, closing the distance between them in a few easy strides. he stood in front of nikkari, smiling down at him. beaming. ]
I wasn't lying. I think you're great. So gettin' to take you out would be pretty great, too.
[he laughs a little, looking up at Keigo, and the smile that's on his face is a bit brighter than his normal expression. his words doing their part - anyone likes to be complimented, after all. it's official, they're doing this, and of the decisions to be made this early in the morning, it's definitely one he likes a lot.]
Then you gotta let me know when. Because I'm already looking forward to it.
[which is true. he wants to have it happen, make it good enough for Keigo to not regret.]
No pressure to decide soon, or anything. I'll just want to make sure I can shove off anything so that you can get all of my time.
[ this was probably a bit more exciting for keigo than it really warranted being. people asked others out on dates all the time, this wasn't anything special, right?
when keigo looked upon that smile nikkari flashed at him, when he felt that little jump in his chest, he concluded that no, this was definitely special. even if it was just a little harmless date, nikkari was someone he wanted to get to know better, in any context.
but the obvious excitement he was expressing for the whole thing... well, it did fluster keigo quite a bit. his confident mask cracked a little, revealing a hesitance and nervousness that flooded his face, coloring it red. ]
A-aah, w-well... When you say it like that...
[ keigo looked to one side, trying to deflect from the redness he sported. ]
What about this weekend? In the afternoon? Maybe 2 o'clock?
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
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and ultimately, the real reason why keigo wanted to tell nikkari all of this: ]
...so. Knowing all of that, you still want to get to know me better?
no subject
[that they both, he privately thinks, believe fate's against them. the only difference is that Nikkari knows fate's like that and why, and Keigo was believing it even though it wasn't true.]
no subject
Hm... Well, I'm happy to hear that. I'd really like to get to know you better, too.
[ this time, keigo looked at nikkari, sidelong, as he kept walking. looking at his expression, building up that fake sense of confidence he used to get by. he was a naturally nervous, anxious person, used to his weaknesses being exemplified, causing his strengths to be oversold in some poor attempt to be seen in a better light. like now, as he shoved his hands into his pockets, exaggerating his gait to something more casual, comfortable. familiar.
this was part of letting go, he thought. part of moving forward. it stung, but it didn't show in his smile, in how he turned toward nikkari as they continued to walk, side-by-side, eyes gleaming with a sudden anxious energy. ]
In fact, I'm thinkin'... maybe I should take you out. If you'd wanna.
[ though his face started to burn, he continued to smile, grinned, even. even if nikkari rejected him, the fact that he mustered the courage to ask at all was a big step for him. a step in the right direction, he felt. ]
Not at the club, either, I mean. Sometime when you're not workin'. When I can see you like this.
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...If you're serious, then sure. I'd like that.
[getting to go out with the weird Nikkari, the one who isn't kept in proper manners because of the club and a suit, who's up at 4 in the morning for schoolwork and who wants to listen to Keigo go on about photography if he wants. maybe, he thinks, he was a little quick to dismiss the roses that day. it's nice to be asked out properly instead of just someone assuming for hanging or a hookup. and he already feels somewhat excited for it.]
no subject
but then nikkari stopped walking, and keigo nearly stumbled, as though he couldn't stop himself fast enough to match. he blinked as he recovered his stance, mapping out the way nikkari looked at him carefully. he looked so shocked... was it really that strange to ask? well, to be fair, keigo really hadn't asked a guy out like that... ever. though, the response that followed was wholly endearing. keigo felt his heart flutter.
shit, he's cute...
but there was no time to be staring stupidly. not when he realized that nikkari had actually agreed to going out with him! ]
Why wouldn't I be serious?
[ keigo laughed as he turned a bit, closing the distance between them in a few easy strides. he stood in front of nikkari, smiling down at him. beaming. ]
I wasn't lying. I think you're great. So gettin' to take you out would be pretty great, too.
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Then you gotta let me know when. Because I'm already looking forward to it.
[which is true. he wants to have it happen, make it good enough for Keigo to not regret.]
No pressure to decide soon, or anything. I'll just want to make sure I can shove off anything so that you can get all of my time.
no subject
when keigo looked upon that smile nikkari flashed at him, when he felt that little jump in his chest, he concluded that no, this was definitely special. even if it was just a little harmless date, nikkari was someone he wanted to get to know better, in any context.
but the obvious excitement he was expressing for the whole thing... well, it did fluster keigo quite a bit. his confident mask cracked a little, revealing a hesitance and nervousness that flooded his face, coloring it red. ]
A-aah, w-well... When you say it like that...
[ keigo looked to one side, trying to deflect from the redness he sported. ]
What about this weekend? In the afternoon? Maybe 2 o'clock?