2025-12-15: Being Serious
- Log: Being Serious
- Cast: Ryuji Sakamoto, Ichika Kawase
- Where: A Yakiniku Restaurant
- OOC Date: December 15, 2025
- IC Date: August 26, 2012
- Summary: Ryuji takes Ichika out on a date! Delicious meats are had, and talk about some important relationship milestones, too.
<Pose Tracker> Ryuji Sakamoto has posed.
With the Palace in the rearview, Ryuji is doing pretty good...Mentally. Physically, he felt like the train had run him over repeatedly. This was why the delinquent is currently sporting a few bandages, making him look a little tougher than usual. Other than that, he is dressed as he usually was, taking some care to look like he cared...because he does.
Which is why Ryuji is spoiling Ichika and taking her to some Yakiniku! The restaurant was usually out of Ryuji's price range but he managed to convince his mom to let him borrow a few bucks. Just until Ryuji's job situation was better!
The table admittedly is in the back...the staff looked at Fight Club Sakamoto and just decided it was better this way.
"More privacy" Ryuji mused, trying not to sound like he's planning something creepy. "I mean so we can talk about---things?" Ryuji looks at the Hostess raise a brow at the blonde's cryptic plans.
After a short walk to the back, the table is ready for them- meanus on deck and the smokeless grill emitting a comforting heat from its surface. "So you ever been to this? My mom and I have been a couple of times and its really fun."
<Pose Tracker> Ichika Kawase has posed.
Ichika is also doing well! ...Though, likewise, she is physically still kind of fatigued, even if she didn't get beaten up nearly as badly in the battle. It's fine; her emotional energy keeps her going.
She likes the tough look, as it happens. And she likes being taken out, even if under other circumstances it might be wiser to let her pay for it...
"Privacy's good," Ichika agrees, though she doesn't seem to notice the creep factor. The hostess raises an eyebrow, and Ichika laughs. "I do want to talk."
For her part, she's not exactly un-delinquent herself; her bleached hair isn't as long as it used to be, but it is still bleached. On top of that she's wearing a layered set of tanktops, the outer of which has a 'BONES' logo on it. She's in a very short skirt with thigh-high stockings, and some cute shoes. The colors are all in a black-and-blue palette. And...
"Mmm," she says. "Smells great."
A beat, "It's been a while, but yeah! So don't worry." A smile. "Your and your mom, huh? That's cool."
<Pose Tracker> Ryuji Sakamoto has posed.
"It's gonna smell even better when they delicious beef hits the grill!" Ryuji feels his mouth water a little thinking about it.
Ryuji quickly takes out Ichika's chair before sitting down himself. "Yeah. It's one of those things we do when she's off...which isn't often." He sighs a little at the end there.
"Soooo" Ryuji waits for the hostess to leave before he even thinks of continuing. When she is gone to get the server, he leans in a little. "So I've been thinking about stuff....Like about us. Nothing bad! I just--"
"I really like you. I just worry that I'm going to get in your way with Seki. I don't mind about you two but like I also don't want to be a third wheel..." Taking a deep breath, Ryuji meets eye with Ichika.
"So like I'm letting you know that---well I'm serious. We've been through a hell of a time and all I see now is the great times we're going to have...but I want to know thats what you want."
<Pose Tracker> Ichika Kawase has posed.
"Mmm!"
But Ichika will be happy to wait for Ryuji to be gentlemanly about her chair. She listens, and gives a sympathetic look at the sigh. "My dad, too."
But they can talk about happier things, like--them! The hostess leaves, and Ichika leans forward a little to listen more fully to Ryuji. He really likes her, and...
She actually smiles. "Good," Ichika answers. "Like..."
"Things are a little more advanced with Tsubasa, yeah. But I've known them longer. What I want is to get just as close to you as I am to them. So I'm glad you're serious... because I am, too."
"...We have been through a lot already, huh? But it is what I want. I want you to be serious. We don't need to make any like, committments right now beyond being together for a while..."
"But if I didn't think that could be a long while, I wouldn't be here, right? ...I can find guys who'll just have fun with me. What I want is a guy I can stay with. And I want that guy to be you."
<Pose Tracker> Ryuji Sakamoto has posed.
Ryuji listens intently, nodding his head as he takes it all in.
Things were good? That wasn't how it went normally. Sakamoto finds himself smiling a little more as he looks over her face.
The remark of wanting to get to know him better makes Ryuji grin. So much that his cheeks blush slightly.
The mention of the future does make him pause however. He sighs a little. "I mean I wish I knew the future I wanted...my previous plan was to get an athletic scholarship but now with my leg, thats going to be a lot harder."
"I wish I got what a girl like you sees in a knucklehead like me but who am I to argue?" He smiles as he spots the server. "Hey dude. Can we get some Harami and Rosu to start with..."
The waiter who doesn't get any dialogue looks to Ichika to get her picks.
<Pose Tracker> Ichika Kawase has posed.
Ichika likes Ryuji smiling. She smiles back. "...That's OK," Ichika says. "For me... Well, I can tell you about it after we order, if you want. But for you, you got time. You're a second-year, right? You don't have to worry that much yet." But as a third-year, Ichika kind of does.
A laugh then. "Well, you're my knucklehead now, so I'll be happy to explain it to you slowly over time."
The server! "Oh, some butabara and misuji, maybe?"
It's cool. The waiter doesn't need dialogue. He's surely very charming.
<Pose Tracker> Ryuji Sakamoto has posed.
"Of course I'd love to hear what you're doing. Who knows maybe it will inspire me to follow in your beautiful footsteps." Ryuji laughs, winking at Ichika. "Honestly, I've just been too busy thinking about the..."
Ryuji looks around and then mouths 'Phantom Thieves'. Just to be safe since he doesn't know this restaurant that well.
"Like I don't even know what kind of life that's going to leave to...We could end up in jail if a certain asshole gets his way." Ryuji doesn't bring up Akechi often but it is clear he means the boy detective with the stick up his ass here.
Ryuji takes a beat to clear the air. He doesn't want this date to be too grim. "So now that the bad stuff is behind us...You think you want to go watch a movie with me? Like one of my "secret" movies I wouldn't be caught dead seeing?"
<Pose Tracker> Ichika Kawase has posed.
Ichika laughs cheerfully. "Maybe so."
But the Phantom Thieves... Ichika nods. "That's true," she says. "But it's worth it. We gotta make plans anyway, though."
And a beat! Akechi is complicated, but movies? "I'd love to!" Ichika answers. "Yeah, that'd be super fun. I'm curious what we'd go to, too. It'd be nice to get to see more of that side of you..."
"...As to the future stuff," she says, "I want a family. I know that much. But I'm also looking into being a reporter? Like... I met this cool lady reporter, and... I think it's something I'd be good at."
"Anyway, if it all goes wrong it all goes wrong, but like. We can't live our lives assuming the worst. That's not 'justice' either."
<Pose Tracker> Ryuji Sakamoto has posed.
Ryuji listens to Ichika mention the future. It just feels so out of reach sometimes. Still listening to her makes Ryuji feel like it just might be possible.
Ryuji laughs nervously as Ichika seems totally down to watch the movies with him. "I hope you feel that way when you see the sappy crap I like to put on...I'm sure Seki would revoke my man card if they knew."
"You'd be a good mom! I know that much." Ryuji blushes again, feeling a little awkward despite wishing he wasn't. "A reporter! I could see you as a bad ass reporter who gets to the bottom of the truth no matter what! Like that's gonna be hella cool when you get the big scoop and front page coverage...Or you thinking TV?"
Ryuji is silent when she mentions how they need to look on the bright side. He considers these word. He even feels like he could believe them if they came from Ichika. Still, Ryuji wonders what exactly the future has instore.
As if on cue, the meat arrives to the table. Each cut is neatly arranged on the plate, ready to be put on the grill.
Wasting no time, Ryuji picks up the metal tongs and begins to place the meat on the sizzling grill. The aroma is immaculate.
<Pose Tracker> Ichika Kawase has posed.
Ichika really believes in it, these days. The future.
She laughs a little. "I kinda like sappy movies too," she admits. "But don't go spreading it around, I'll lose cred too." She grins, at the matter of the man card. "I dunno. I think I'll be the judge of that."
But he knows she'd be a good mom, and Ichika finds that touching. "Thanks," she says. "It's one of my big dreams... despite, well, you know."
And, though she hasn't said as much.. she's definitely thinking about Ryuji in that context if things go well eventually.
"Yeah!" Ichika says. "Even smaller stuff is a way to like... connect people. I guess I could do TV? But I was thinking print. ...Which means I have to get better at writing..."
The meat arrives!! "Ooo." Ichika places some on, too. "Oh, that smells great," she says. "I'm sooo hungry..."
<Pose Tracker> Ryuji Sakamoto has posed.
Ryuji raises a brow, finding that grin again. "Oh so you're also into sappy stuff? Don't worry your secret is safe with me...though I'm now wondering if Seki is the odd one out. I can't seem them being too into romantic stories."
"Yeah...I know." His smile saddens a little, placing a hand on hers from across the table...which is made somewhat more complicated by the grill in the middle of the table. Still its the thought that counts.
Ryuji turns the meat on the grill, watching it sizzle. "Me too! The key is to get it cooked just enough without getting it too tough." He picks up a piece and places it on the plate. "Here, want to try some of mine?"
Ryuji picks up a small piece of beef and offers it toward Ichika. It is a little pink but looks cooked decently enough.
<Pose Tracker> Ichika Kawase has posed.
"Haha, you know, I'm not sure?" she muses. "If they are, they've kept it secret..." A beat, "But maybe that's something you and me can share, then."
But he knows. "It's OK," Ichika says. "He's done, for good." Her hand placement may be slightly awkward but she wouldn't change it. She's happy with that.
"Hmmm, OK. I was too young to do it much last time I was at one..."
Ryuji picks up some beef, and Ichika leans forward and--
Nomph. She accepts it right from Ryuji instead of grabbing it for herself. "Mm!"
<Pose Tracker> Ryuji Sakamoto has posed.
"Our thing huh? I like that." Ryuji leans forward just a little...just to avoid getting hot fat and meat juice blasting him. Still this is just nice. "But I don't think Seki is the type. Like I know they are romantic in their way but like I feel they want something more real...Whereas I like things that make me feel things from the movies and tv I watch."
Ryuji smiles when she takes his meat and enjoys it. Yeah, how about that phrasing?! Still the delinquent continues cooking the meat, depositing it on a plate for either of them to take. He seems rather good at watching the meat cook and flipping it at just the right point. Much of that was thanks to his mom teaching him on their outings.
Ryuji pauses on the thought for a moment. "You know...Maybe one of these times we can do dinner at my place...Or is that too early?"
<Pose Tracker> Ichika Kawase has posed.
"Yeah," Ichika answers. "It'd be nice. ...We're gonna have to carve out space for 'us' too, if you want to be with me." She smiles. "I feel the same. I like it when I can just... melt into something a little, right? Really get affected."
Tsubasa... Well. They like action. And action's fun. But this might be something she can do with Ryuji!
Ichika would have a lot to say about that phrasing. But instead of doing that for the next piece, she turns her own too, and sets it on the same plate before she takes another piece of Ryuji's since he got his on first.
"Not too early for me," Ichika says. "I'd like that. I'd love to meet your mom, too."
Ryuji Sakamoto says, "Exactly! Like something that really makes--feel something incredible. Joy, sadness, love...There are a lot of things the right movie can make you feel." Ryuji responds, smiling as the world just seems to go great.
He watches her cook her food, beginning to pop one of the cooked pieces into his mouth. He is about to chew when Ichika agrees to meet his mom.
Ryuji coughs, lightly hitting his chest to clear it up. After a moment, he finally nods. "Yeah. As much as this is a big step, I think I'm ready. Plus you'll love my mom. She's the reason I'm the guy I am today. So I think if you like the Sakamoto experience then this is the big next step."
"I'd also like to remind you that once I can afford it, I'm still taking you out on the greatest date I can imagine. Something that no one is going to be able to top!" Ryuji pops another piece of steak into his mouth. "Like I know this is pretty nice but once I get a job, the sky is the limit!""
<Pose Tracker> Ryuji Sakamoto has posed.
"Exactly! Like something that really makes--feel something incredible. Joy, sadness, love...There are a lot of things the right movie can make you feel." Ryuji responds, smiling as the world just seems to go great.
He watches her cook her food, beginning to pop one of the cooked pieces into his mouth. He is about to chew when Ichika agrees to meet his mom.
Ryuji coughs, lightly hitting his chest to clear it up. After a moment, he finally nods. "Yeah. As much as this is a big step, I think I'm ready. Plus you'll love my mom. She's the reason I'm the guy I am today. So I think if you like the Sakamoto experience then this is the big next step."
"I'd also like to remind you that once I can afford it, I'm still taking you out on the greatest date I can imagine. Something that no one is going to be able to top!" Ryuji pops another piece of steak into his mouth. "Like I know this is pretty nice but once I get a job, the sky is the limit!"
<Pose Tracker> Ichika Kawase has posed.
"I really like it when a guy knows how to feel his feelings," Ichika asys, and if that makes no sense then don't worry about it. "Sometimes you do wanna feel sad... but in like, a good way, instead of a 'everything is bad in my real life' way." She smiles.
But--Ah! He coughs, and then, "Heheh. Yeah, it is pretty big... I'm sure I'll like her, like you say. Since I really like you."
"...But I hope she likes me, too. I'm a little worried about that. I'm kind of... exactly the kind of girl moms warn their sons about, right?"
But the matter of the ultimate date cheers her back up. "I'm looking forward to it!" Ichika says brightly. She takes another piece of steak and, after chewing and wallowing, "This is pretty nice. But that sounds great. And maybe a job'll help you think about your future?"
...She's kind of traditional in some ways; she has no problem letting Ryuji pay on dates. ...Though she might want to get him some presents soon at this rate...
"For now, tell you what--ask me something personal. I want you to know me better. Whatever comes to mind. It can be serious or nice or whatever."
<Pose Tracker> Ryuji Sakamoto has posed.
"Heh. Yeah. I mean I can't be too open. You'd make off with my heart then and then what would I do?" Ryuji says this with a straight face but a hint of a smile.
"Eh. I'm not exactly the ideal guy either...But honestly, I think my mom will love you. You're way more mature girl than she is likely expecting. I can't see that going over badly?"
Ryuji grins despite admitting to himself that he has no idea what this ultimate date is yet. Still, he is thinking about it. "Maybe...Though the jobs I'm looking at might not be very career worthy." He does consider this however. "Maybe it could lead to something?"
"Alright." He begins to think of something he'd like to know. At first many stupid questions come to mind. Then perverted ones. Finally, he stops on one to start this off with. "Lets start with something simple. What is your favorite dessert?"
<Pose Tracker> Ichika Kawase has posed.
"Steal it for myself, take it off and run away?" Ichika teases. "Hmmmm, maybe. But it's more fun to share."
Not exactly the ideal guy... Ichika can see that; she likes him a lot, ,but her parents might take issue with some of his ways... WEll, it's fine.
"Hopefully not mature in the wrong ways," she says. "But it's true that I'm going to take our relationship seriously. Maybe that'll win her over?"
It's fine. "Yeah, it might lead to something--and even if it doesn't, getting a little experience under your belt should. If you're really not sure what you want to do, maybe you'll... I dunno, see someone doing their job that you like. It happened with me and Amano-san."
Buuut... Something he'd like to know. Stupid questions might lose points. Perverted questions she'd rather show than tell. But dessert questions...
She sparkles a little. "So, I love chocolate," she says. "But my favorite is this strawberry mousse cake I had once. They make it in matcha too? But I think the strawberry is the best."
BBS: New BB message (2/112) posted to 'Announcements' by Junes: New Group: In Unizone
<Pose Tracker> Ryuji Sakamoto has posed.
Ryuji makes a show of pretending to have his heart stolen. He face flops onto the table before looking up after a moment. "Oh I get to be shared? Niiiice"
It was true that Ichika could put off Ryuji's mom but Ryuji was not worried. Instead, he reaches over the table and runs a hand through her hair. He doesn't hold it there long due to the cooking meat however. "Yeah. I guess you'll need to let my mom your intensions are pure and that you'll whisk me away on your white horse... I'd be the envy of every punk in Japan."
"Chocolate, eh? I guess I know what to get you from now on....But same question... What personal detail do you want to know about me? You can get as weird or pervy as you like."
<Pose Tracker> Ichika Kawase has posed.
Flop!! "Ahahaha. Well, now I want to keep you to myself more too..."
Ichika leans into Ryuji's hand with a sigh, careful to avoid... the hot plate. Because that would be a bad way to cut her hair further.
She picks up another piece of meat. "Unicorn," she insists of her horse. "Haha. ...Yeah. I'll tell her. I'm in it for the long haul."
But chocolate! Ichika beams. But same question? "Hmmmm..."
"Well, since you invited getting weird..."
"...Any fantasies about the kind of girls you like? Preferably something I might be able to meet, but you can be honest, too."
"I won't guarantee I'll make it happen... but never say never, either."
BBS: New BB message (2/113) posted to 'Announcements' by Penguin Sniper: New Group: In Unizone!
<Pose Tracker> Ryuji Sakamoto has posed.
Ryuji smiles and winks at her. "Is that so? I must be pretty special then."
"On a Unicorn? Damn. That's so extra. My mom will love it." Ryuji says, admittedly not knowing how his mom would even react to him dating at all. "But yeah you're gonna need a crowbar to get us apart."
Ryuji eyes pop open when she actually decides to get weird with it. And that question! Ryuji shuts his eyes and thinks about that like one makes a life changing decision. "Alright...So as it is pretty obvious I'm into tough girls...I guess I'd like a girl to take control every now and then? That's one of them for sure. As for if you can live up to that...oh man, I kinda get chills thinking about it."
The thought actually makes me laugh nervous as he goes for another slice of beef.
<Pose Tracker> Ichika Kawase has posed.
Everybody loves unicorns! ...Well, except Ryuji; Ichika remembers he doesn't love horses. But unicorns are still pretty special. She smiles back. "You are."
But a crowbar... Yes, that sounds good to her. Ichika takes another bite, and listens to Ryuji's answer. He has to think about it...
"Oh yeah?" Ichika asks back. "I'll keep that in mind. I think that's definitely doable. And I am pretty tough..."
Take control now and then? She thinks about it, and whatever she thinks about apparently makes her blush a little. Smile, too.
"Cool," she says, composing herself a little more.
"...And like..."
"Well, I already know a lot of the most important stuff about you, I guess. I know how you are to your friends, I know kinda the shape of where you've been more or less... I know you're a really good guy."
"So I won't make you play 20 questions or anything. ...I just have some fun with the details, you know? But I bet we'll learn more just... being with each other."
<Pose Tracker> Ryuji Sakamoto has posed.
Ryuji grins as she blushes ever so slightly. He feels accomplished since Ichika is usually the one making him blush.
"Oh. Yeah. I mean I know a lot about you too but that doesn't mean I don't want to know more. Like whats your favorite movie? Color? Stuff like that I still gotta learn." He reaches over again and takes her hand. "I wanna know it all."
"And like if this table wasn't in the way...yeah I'd probably be all over you. So maybe we want to head out in a bit?" Ryuji meets eyes with Ichika. "I mean you wanted me to be more assertive and...heh, your lips are calling my name."
<Pose Tracker> Ichika Kawase has posed.
It is an accomplishment! Ryuji should be proud.
"Yeah!" Ichika answers, happy that he understands what she's thinking. "Hmm. Movie's hard, but color's blue." She curls her fingers under Ryuji's, smiling wider. "You will."
...All over her, huh? Ichika blinks once--and then looks delighted. "Totally," she says, her red eyes staying on his. "I did," she says. "So let's finish up and..."
"Well, I know a nice spot we won't be bothered, so..."