2026-02-09: Double Your Pleasure, Double Your Fun
- Log: 2026-02-09 Double Your Pleasure, Double Your Fun
- Cast: Ren Amamiya, Minako Arisato, Ryuji Sakamoto, Ichika Kawase
- Where: Inokashira Park, Tokyo
- OOC Date: February 10, 2026
- IC Date: Sunday, September 23, 2012
- Summary: Ren and Minako go on a double date with Ryuji and Ichika via a nature walk through Inokashira Park. Lots of kisses ensue!
<Pose Tracker> Ren Amamiya has posed.
It's a brisk September Sunday morning, and the weather is beautiful--absolutely perfect for a hike in nature. With Ryuji having a chronic limp, it would be a bad idea to go to an actual mountain for hiking, but that's okay; there's lots of parks in Tokyo, including Inokashira Park right near Kichijoji. There's lots of trees, flowers, and a beautiful lake where couples can go to row boats together, so it's a lovely spot in general and not just for outdoors enthusiasts.
But make no mistake: this is for the outdoors enthusiasts of the group. After all, they're on a date. A /double date/. Ryuji and Ichika on one side, and Ren and Minako on the other, they can simply walk at their own preferred pace under the falling, reddening leaves of autumn. It's quite a stunning sight.
Ren's packed lunch for all of them, specifically a set of various kinds of handmade onigiri prepared that morning: tuna, salmon, umeboshi, mackerel, plain, and more, and all of them wrapped in seaweed or furikake or sesame seeds. They're colorful and tasty! Plenty of bottled drinks too, but when you're going out on a walk, water is for anytime, not just lunch.
They're also here first, on account of being the closest to Inokashira Park of all of them. When the others arrive at the appointed time--10 AM, plenty of time to spend together before breaking for lunch--they raise a hand in greeting as they smile. Ren's dressed a little differently from their usual, though Minako would recognize the outfit; they're wearing a short-sleeved white T-shirt with a 25TH logo, tucked into black slacks belted in brown and layered with a long-sleeved navy button-up pinstriped in yellow, left open at the chest. Ankle socks hide under a pair of sneakers, and he has his usual thick-rimmed glasses, metal fashion wristwatch, and of course his shoulder bag, which has lunch packed inside.
Inokashira Park is where they come to train with Kasumi, but it's also where they come to do a variety of things, and they anticipate a fairly leisurely nature walk. Why not dress up for the occasion--especially since it ought to turn out to be a special date?
To whit, once introductions are shared ("Ryuji, Ichika, this is Minako; Minako, this is Ichika and Ryuji," and then Ren let the three of them roll the ball from there) and the four of them hit the walking trails, they turn quiet, walking along the trail with Minako at their side and Ryuji at Ichika's. Ren glances at Minako every so often. She'd said she wants to take their relationship to the next level too--to kiss, in other words--but the timing hasn't been quite right yet...
At least holding her hand in theirs is reassuring. Pleasant, too, with how cool the air is under the dappled treetops.
<Pose Tracker> Minako Arisato has posed.
Minako shows up at 10 a.m. sharp -- and that's a real effort on her part, after she was up much too late on her return from Mementos. She arrives at the park with the same, usual bright smile on. It mostly hides that she still feels tired; that really only shows with a hint of circles underneath her eyes. She is wearing a long-sleeved, orange-colored T-shirt with white text spelling out "ASAHI BEER SUITA" vertically along the left side.
She has to represent one of her hometowns, after all. She also has blue jeans and laced up brown hiking shoes.
Introductions are made (with a cheery, "It's so nice to meet you two~!") and then they're on the trail. Her feet are sore -- but that's to be expected after hours and hours of walking through Mementos. She ignores it. And...
And she has a way of looking distracted, when she doesn't think anyone else is watching.
She couldn't possibly explain to them. What would Ren, Ryuji, and Ichika know about Mementos? How could they ever believe her, even if she explained why she feels tired? But when she catches Ren looking, she smiles. And if she feels like a liar, today...
Well, she feels it more than most days.
She smiles and she keeps from looking too tired. They agreed to kiss on this date; they agreed to move things forward. She needs to focus on that.
Not on how she almost died yesterday. Not how she can't tell anyone here that.
<Pose Tracker> Ryuji Sakamoto has posed.
He is indeed holding Ichika's hand. Though Ryuji is maybe the least outdoorsy person here. Still, it was nice to get out and experience nature once in awhile. Plus it was in the city so it wasn't too crazy. It was only just autumn so things were still somewhat hot so Ryuji dressed appropriately: a pair of solid red track pants and a rather baggy sleeveless shirt with mech on it.
Woah Ren really went all out for this. Dressed up AND Lunch? Suddenly, Ryuji feels somewhat underdressed. He leans into Ichika for comfort at his failings.
Ryuji is keeping pace with Ichika, looking somewhat uneasy when any bug buzzes by. It wasn't like he hated bugs but weren't there like giant hornets or something out there?
Still he's happy to see Ichika. I mean he was willing to try new things and be into her interests.... But there was also his bro and his girlfriend. They seemed like they were going to have a big moment today. It was up to him to help his friend out as the law of bro dictated.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qR6dzwQahOM
Ryuji considers the variables. He needs to keep Ichika as his primary focus but make sure he is helping his friend have his moment... But then what about his moments.
?!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WiQVlWG_XGI
Was this meaning that he should abandon his bro and focus on his own happiness. No. He couldn't. Could he?
Ryuji looks to Ren and Minako, looking for some sign that his bro could handle it.
After a moment, Ryuji snaps back to reality with a frustrated sigh and looks over at Ichika. He leans to her and whispers into her ear. "You see those two? We might want to give them some space later."
<Pose Tracker> Ichika Kawase has posed.
Ichika was here on time, too. She drove over! That meant she could bring stuff, including a nice pack, without worrying about carrying stuff on the train. ...She does have a pack; she's dressed in casual but more covering clothing than usual, a tanktop under a thin overshirt (unbuttoned) and cargo pants with boots; her palette is dark green and black mostly, though her nails are still colorful like one of Tsubasa's wigs. And Ichika... is an enthusiast for the outdoors!!
"Thanks for bringing lunch, Ren-kun!"
The law of bro will indeed apply. Ichika's no bro, but she understands... big relationship moments. She can feel the tension!
..And the not-quite-tension, as if Minako is very distracted by something, now and then. Maybe she's just scatterbrained? Maybe not.
"Great to meet you," she'd said to Minako, and had /not/ brought up her brother.
"It's cool," Ichika says of the bugs. "They're not gonna bother us. Not with the bug spray I brought." And insisted on using.
But Ryuji..
Ryuji whispers, and Ichika inclines her head. Then, "We could find a little 'space' for us, too," she points out with a wink.
But to Minako, "Soo, Suita, huh?" A beat, and she almost comments on the beer, and then thinks better of it. She doesn't want to taint Minako with /delinquency/. She has her hand in Ryuji's still. "I kinda like the Tokyo trails--they're not as far out from the city, but they're got a certain charm, you know?"
<Pose Tracker> Ren Amamiya has posed.
It's sort of funny to see a teenager wearing a beer T-shirt. Ren laughed when they saw it--but paused a little when they saw Minako's face. It's hard to tell, with how much effort she's putting into hiding it, but she does look tired...
Well, in all sincerity, they're kind of tired too, with how late they were up last night and how they got up early to make onigiri for everyone on top of their usual morning routine, so they don't read /too/ deeply into it at first. But as the two of them are walking, Ren looks at Minako quite a bit indeed--enough to catch glimpses of her without her realizing they're looking. She... doesn't seem all that excited to be here...
That's why the timing's always felt bad up 'til now. Ryuji doesn't seem all that happy to be out here either, as Ren notes when he looks over at the two of them, and also when any bug happens to buzz by. Ren gives him a discreet nod, as if to signal, 'Don't worry about me, enjoy yourself.' After all, at least Ichika seems excited, and maybe her fun will bring up Ryuji's mood. Which means maybe Ren can follow her lead and bring up /Minako's/ mood too.
"Yeah, they do. It's not like the countryside, but I'm always impressed by how many green places there are in Tokyo," Ren comments. "Still, I'd like to go on some wilder trails sometime, if there are any." They smile over at Minako. "How about you?"
<Pose Tracker> Minako Arisato has posed.
"Hey!" Minako calls up after Ryuji and Ichika, when he sees him lean over to whisper to her. "What're you two lovebirds whispering about~?"
It's easy to make it sound cheery; it's easy to /be/ cheery, for just a moment. And if it fades, a little, as she steps and feels a jolt of pain. After walking for hours in Mementos still has her feet terribly sore. And, also, when she looks at Ichika sometimes. Because, after all, she was in Eiji's Palace.
Minako looks at Ichika -- blinks -- and then there's a smile. "Mm-hm. I toured the brewery, when I lived in Osaka," she says. She hesitates for a second. "My grandma and grandpa loved Asahi."
She never had a sip when she lived there -- but she left when she was eight.
"They do!" she agrees, about Tokyo's trails. Then, she glances at Ren -- and then she's all smiles, and it's genuine. "That would be great. I like how Tokyo's trails are laid out, but sometimes I miss Sapporo's. There were ones that needed a little rock climbing. Now that I'm older, I've always wanted to go back."
She looks around. "But... I love how Tokyo's trails mix nature and the city. Look that way, see the skyline. It really... it's something you can only see here, I think."
<Pose Tracker> Ryuji Sakamoto has posed.
Ryuji grins at Ichika's suggestion, rubbing the bridge of his nose with his free hand. "Heh..I wouldn't mind that." He is getting better about being gob smacked that Ichika was so forward with him. He did have a slight blush as he thought about it.
Ryuji sees the signal from his friend and feels metaphorical tears running down his face. He gives Ren a discreet thumbs up, turning to give Ichika his full attention....most of it.
Ryuji noticed Minako's general disposition. She seemed exhausted. He startles when she suddenly calls back to him and Ichika, grinning. "What do ya think? How cute you two are. Precious!~" Ryuji could play the playful banter game too.
"Yeah, I guess when you put it like that, there is no place like Tokyo, eh?" He considers that mix of natural and architectural. The new and the old. That was Tokyo alright. "Some of the best Ramen too."
<Pose Tracker> Ichika Kawase has posed.
It is pretty funny. The beer shirt is notable to Ichika, too. ...She doesn't recognize Minako from the Palace; there was too much to process then for her to remember everyone present. She's not tired, though. She's energized! Pumped!
Minako comes up to them and Ichika laughs, grinning along to Ryuji's answer. "True," she says. "But then, anybody who's carrying lunch for me looks pretty cute," she muses.
But Minako explains, and Ichika smiles back. "Oh, yeah? It's good,' she agrees. Pause. "...Uh, I hear. My dad likes it."
Saved!
Ichika has noticed some mood issues and hopes to bring that right up. So talking about the trails, "Yeah! Nowhere quite like Tokyo. I feel that. There's an interesting trail north of Sumaru--some around Mt. Katatsumuri? But i'm hearing werid rumors about that place lately, so i didn't suggest it this time."
"I love rock climbing trails, except--" She admits, "Tend to be hard on your nails."
"mm, ramen," Ichika agrees with Ryuji. "But you think with your stomach a lot, huh?" She gives him a cheek kiss--they're about the same height!--and then looks out over the skyline. "...True."
<Pose Tracker> Ren Amamiya has posed.
Ren sees Minako jolt a bit as she steps, and their eyebrows furrow a bit. Is it possible... she hurt her foot? She said she had bad reception and her phone died yesterday--is it possible she was out somewhere where she had to do a lot of walking?
They hesitate to ask about it. This is supposed to be a fun date that they're enjoying with friends. But then she looks back at them, and this time her smile /does/ seem happy, now that they're talking about future trails. They smile back at her, reassured.
"Rock climbing, huh? That sounds next level. I've gone hiking up mountains before, but only with a guide," they comment. "I'd love to see those Sapporo trails with you sometime. But as long as we're here..." They follow her gaze up at the skyline, mixed with urban and natural. "Yeah. There's a lot to appreciate about that."
Ryuji definitely seems happier to be given the green light to focus on his own girlfriend. Ren laughs a little when Ryuji teases Minako back. Ichika's comment, though... "Oh? Maybe I should give the bag to Ryuji. Then he'll be irresistible." They shrug off the bag and hold it out to Ryuji with a crook of a smile. "How about it?"
Ichika implies she's had beer before. Ren does not call her out on it, even if that "save" just makes her more suspicious.
Their smile fades as she mentions 'weird rumors' about trails on a certain mountain north of Sumaru. That... sounds like good cause to stay away. "Better to stay where it's safe, yeah," they say mildly.
<Pose Tracker> Minako Arisato has posed.
"Anyone who likes Asahi," Minako says with a hint of pride and a hint of mystery, "has good taste in my book."
Does that mean she has...?
But Minako turns red at the compliment from Ryuji -- and she /does/ seem happy about that, as she even leans a little closer to Ren.
There is a glance sideways -- and she smiles at them again. Just... enjoy the moment, she tells herself.
"There isn't," Minako agrees with Ryuji, with a smile. "It's got some of everything -- and everything blended together makes it unique. And--you're right, /but/. Hagakure Ramen, in Port Island. Just saying, if you haven't been..." She looks at Ryuji and winks. "You're in for a treat, Ryuji-kun."
Then, she glances at Ichika. She blinks her eyes once -- and her eyebrows furrow just a moment. "That's... true. I didn't tend to keep up with them when I was younger," she says. "Now... maybe I'd want to do gloves. Or, uh, fix them up when I'm back."
Then, she looks at Ichika -- and her head tilts. "Weird rumors?" There is a moment's hesitation. A brief bit of fear. She doesn't want these people pulled into... into...
She nods, after what Ren says. "Yeah. You don't want to run into any trouble," she says. "And... you know, this trail is really good. Ren, you've been here before, right?"
<Pose Tracker> Ryuji Sakamoto has posed.
Ryuji grins at Ichika, putting his arm around her. "Oh? Is that all it takes to be cute? I guess I should've made something for ya." He gentle squeezes her shoulder, feeling himself relax more.
Ryuji takes the bag from Ren and laughs. "How about it, Ichika-chan?"
After a moment, he blinks, laughing at Ichika's observation. "I mean stomach is an important part of remaining fit. It's my taste that is hella refined." He grins widely, feeling an amount of pride over his pallete. "It's why I'm starting that blog. Don't worry, I'll expose you to all the weird movies and stuff I'm into." He winks at his girlfriend, laughing.
Ryuji looks at Minako, considering her recommendation. "I'll check it out. I'm always up for finding more good spots to check out."
When weird rumors are mentioned, Ryuji puffs out his chest and points at himself. "Don't worry. If any weird things show up, I'll take it out with my sweet moves! Waaaaaaaaah" He laughs, seeming like the first one to die in the horror movie. He still assumes a very basic martial arts stance. "And if I can't handle it, my tough girlfriend will defend my honor...I hope."
<Pose Tracker> Ichika Kawase has posed.
Ichika is relieved at Minako's answer--it gets a grin. "I like your book, then."
Ichika doesn't get in on those Sapporo trails this time--though she would also like to see them. This is a good thing for those two. But she laughs a little back at the iddea of the bag. "Noo," she says, "Then I'll be /super/ rude!" Because she would presumably then stay latched onto Ryuji...
Presumably?
But she smiles at Ryuji. "Next time though. Feed me!"
As to Hagakure, "Oh yeah--it's great. My parents actually live in Iwatodai, so..." She's familiar with a lot of the places here right.
Weird rumors--nobody wants trouble. But Ryuji, in addition to exposing her to weird things, is the one /not/ to take issue with those! Ichika says, "Hmmm.. Stick to the blog," she decides. "I'll totally defend you!"
She looks to Ren then, telling them, "It /is/ a nice trail."
<Pose Tracker> Ren Amamiya has posed.
Ryuji accepts the bag, and thus, the promise of Lunch and all the cuteness that comes with it. Certainly Ichika gets cute with /him/, demanding to be fed next time. Ren nods with satisfaction. With the bag in his care, this means...
They also nod at Minako's recommendation of Hagakure Ramen. They've eaten there too, and it's definitely good. Ryuji doesn't need the extra convincing, though, and so they look back at Minako. She seems unsettled by the talk of rumors. Yeah, something definitely seems off with her today...
At least Ryuji's doing a good job of keeping the mood light. Ren chuckles at his 'sweet' moves, then nods to Ichika. "Yeah. I come here fairly often. It's a nice place to just relax, but also to train or practice or even do homework--if you can find a good spot for it."
They look over at Minako. Their romance is based on not thinking about bad things, but if she's in pain... "You feeling okay?" they murmur, leaning close. They smile at her, to try to keep the mood light. "If you're already tired, I can give you a ride on my back. Wouldn't that be fun?"
<Pose Tracker> Minako Arisato has posed.
"Nice accessory," Minako tells Ren -- with a wink -- when they take the bag.
"Why, thank you," Minako says to Ichika with a smile.
There is a blink, even -- and she has to remind herself. This is Ririka's sister. But, clearly, she doesn't know the truth. "Right! I'm in the same dorm as your sister, actually," she says. "She's cool. I saw her band once, actually."
Then, she glances sideways at Ryuji. Minako's head tilts to the side for a moment. "Hey, send me that blog, when it's up and running," she says. "I'm curious. I always like that kind of thing."
She nods when Ren explains why they come here. It serves a lot of uses -- athletic and not. She smiles, but when they lean in closer, she hesitates for a moment. Then, she whispers back: "Yeah, I'm okay. Sorry, just... I ended up walking a whole lot yesterday by surprise and I was out late." She smiles at them.
And it's true -- even if it's not the whole truth, when she speaks up. "I'm having fun, promise. But..." She grins. "...if you're offering..."
That would be a 'yes.'
<Pose Tracker> Ryuji Sakamoto has posed.
"Aye aye!" To the command of feeding Ichika.
Ryuji laughs at all the good talk about Hagakure, nodding. "For real? I'll have high expectations then. Heh Heh."
Ryuji just keeps the bag, holding it with his free hand as the other seeks out Ichika's again. He looks around again at the nature surrounding him and grins. "Yeah, it's pretty cool I guess." He is trying to enjoy himself as they continue down the path.
"Sure thing." Ryuji says of handing out his blog. "Yeah I know a lot of spots in Tokyo but I think I might also go to places in Port Island and Sumaru. Sumaru's got the Banana Ramen that I think more people should know about."
He then spots the two of them having a moment. Ryuji nudges Ichika, grinning.
<Pose Tracker> Ichika Kawase has posed.
Lunch is a serious charge.
Ryuji agrees, and Ichika gives him a beaming smile. It might look weird given her gothy makeup how smiley she is, but it might not, too; she is with her boyfriend! But then, she looks over at Minako. "Oh, yeah!" she says. "I've met a lot of people from that dorm. I appreciate you guys looking after my sister. ...She puts a lot into her band. Doesn't always keep that much for herself."
But blog!! Ryuji will have success from Minako, too.
Ichika lets Ryuji take her hand again, and nods her head. "Being out in nature, it's... You get away from a lot of the noise of the world and see just 'you'. It's really soothing." Then a nod to Ren. "Yeah, it feels like most things go better in a setting like this."
"I love the banana ramen," Ichika admits.
Maybe Ren and Minako /are/ having a moment... in which case, they won't mind too much if Ichika inspires one, too. "Sweet of you to think of them," Ichika whispers, and leans in to kiss him before the other two look their way.
Whether she succeeds in her timing or not, she brightly continues down the path.
<Pose Tracker> Ren Amamiya has posed.
Already Ryuji's blog is a hit! Well... it's gaining pre-opening interest, at least. Ren's proud of their friend for that. Now he's just got to hit the ball. Ren's sure he can knock it out of the park if he gives it all he's got. (...Even if banana ramen sounds /extremely/ weird. But if it's getting multiple good reviews, maybe they should try it sometime?)
They don't remark on Ririka. If Minako doesn't know, it's better not to say. There sure are a lot of Persona Users in her dorm, though...
Before they can think about the implications of that, Minako admits as much as Ren had suspected in whispers. Their dark eyes soften with concern, but they don't try to question her about it. It's better to do what they can to make her feel better than to force her to dwell on whatever happened to force her into that situation.
So they smile. "I /am/ offering," they murmur, and let go of her hand to hurry a couple steps ahead of her and stoop down. It'll slow their pace down--but all the better to have a little more time together as Ryuji and Ichika inevitably pull ahead.
It'll give Ryuji and Ichika plenty to gossip over, too--though just as Minako's clambering onto their back, Ren looks forward and sees Ichika give Ryuji a more intimate kiss.
They quickly look away, color rising in their cheeks. ...Did Minako see that? They still haven't found the right timing, but if she did, then maybe...
...maybe, as Ichika said, there's something else that might go better.
<Pose Tracker> Minako Arisato has posed.
"I'll have to try that one!" Minako says of banana ramen. Then, she looks at Ichika -- and she smiles, nodding quickly at her. "Hey, I'm happy to. I do my best. And... yeah, but she's got friends to help her keep on track, too. So don't worry /too/ much."
She winks.
She looks back at Ren. There is a grin as she sees them stoop down -- but that gives just a second to look ahead. She spots Ryuji and Ichika kiss -- and then looks away. Looking away means looking back at Ren, and her face is as red as theirs. She swallows.
And she meets their eyes -- while they're still stooped down like that.
Minako gives a tilt of her head, and a motion with her eyes in the direction of the other couple. Maybe... maybe this is a good time for it?
<Pose Tracker> Ryuji Sakamoto has posed.
Ryuji nods at Ichika's answer about being out in nature. Even he wondered how a girl like her loved the outdoors so much. He smiles at the answer, guarding the lunch with his life! He also agrees with the Banana ramen comment.
The blonde is semi caught off guard by Ichika's kiss, smiling as he leans into it. As they break, Ryuji leans his forehead on hers, grinning devilishly. "You're the most important, ya know?" He whispers back.
Ryuji blinks when he realizes Ren and Minako are probably staring at them. He laughs nervously. "Hey ignore us. You two do your thing at your pace..." He really doesn't want to be a weird influence on Ren and Minako.
Then again, Minako was currently riding on Ren's back.
And yes, you should try Banana Ramen. It is a revolution of flavor.
Ryuji looks back at Ichika, brushing some hair from her face. He leans in to kiss her again, keeping it quick. "Hey. You know I'm getting my first paycheck soon so lets go somewhere nice."
<Pose Tracker> Ichika Kawase has posed.
Banana ramen is /super/ weird. Ichika's never been able to reproduce it; it always tastes terrible when she makes it at home, but great when Ma'am makes it. It's a mystery!
Ichika is paying attention mostly to Ryuji for the next few moments, taking him off-guard and everything. She smiles back. "Sweeter of you to think of me, then," she whispers along there--and if they stare, Ichika laughs softly, reaching out a hand to gently poke his cheek until he looks back at her instead, as if to agree that they should figure it out, and pointedly isn't looking at Minako and Ren at all in the next moment, just facing forward. "I wanna see where you work, too," she says. "...But that can wait. I'd be happy to go somewhere with you, just us."
<Pose Tracker> Ren Amamiya has posed.
"Oh--same to you," Ren says to Ryuji quickly. "If you two want to go on ahead, it's fine. We'll catch up."
Is that about kissing, or is it about the nature walk? It could be either. Ambiguity...
Though the fact that Ryuji's suggesting to Ichika that they go somewhere nice once he gets his first paycheck does suggest a few different things on top of that.
And speaking of being on top--Ren remains where they are for however long it takes for Minako to clamber on. As their eyes meet, though, they smile--slow and still a little red-faced, but fond and inviting. It's embarrassing to catch sight of their friends kissing, but they've got experience of their own--enough to be confident once the moment is more just them and Minako.
"Whenever you're ready," they murmur. Ambiguity...
<Pose Tracker> Minako Arisato has posed.
Minako turns redder when Ryuji says to not pay attention to them. That is hard to do when he is addressing them! She exhales, though, and cuts him a smile. "Thanks, Ryuji-san," she says, before--
Before she realizes that Ichika is getting his attention, so they have something resembling privacy. She would give Ichika a thumbs-up or nod of approval... but she isn't looking at her. Which, really, is the point.
So, she decides, the piggyback ride can wait -- even if it's a shame. It sounds nice. She looks down at Ren, then she extends a hand downward. Maybe she misunderstood them.
"H-Hey," she says. She laughs nervously. "...No time like the present, right?"
<Pose Tracker> Ryuji Sakamoto has posed.
Ryuji laughs nervously as Ichika monopolizes his attention. He shakes his head as he just stares into her eyes. "Alright, alright. I can't help it sometimes." He sticks out his tongue and considers her request.
"The model shop? It's nothing special." Ryuji admits, wondering how his girlfriend would react to some of the stuff at the shop.
Ryuji nods to Ren, not daring to turn away from Ichika.
"Just the two of us. It's about time I treat you like the royalty you are." Ryuji says to Ichika, holding her cheek in his hand. "Come on, lets go a little ahead so we don't scare them ok?" Ryuji leads Ichika a little ahead just to give the other couple some space. Also so he isn't even tempted to be distracted...
"So you got me to yourself now." Ryuji winks at Ichika, putting an arm around her waist.
<Pose Tracker> Ichika Kawase has posed.
"Totally," Ichika agrees about going on ahead, without looking at Ren or Minako. Indeed; she's specifically not looking at either of them, now.
"It's cool," Ichika says, and then smiles back. "I still want to see it, because you're there." The model shop... On the bright side, she probably won't take issue with the stock, even if it includes 'certain figures'. Probably.
"Royalty... Hmm. I like the sound of that," Ichika says, leaning into Ryuji's cheek. "Yeah, let's," she agrees. She goes along with him, making sure to nudge them to turn around the bend that's just ahead--and then...
Ryuji winks at her. "Mmm... So I do."
"One day," she says, "I'm gonna take you camping in one of these places. So we can be alone together for a lot longer."
"But today..." She nudges with her hip so they can turn a little, leaning against a tree--and making it so she can spot the others when they come on ahead. ...If they do.
In the meantime, Ichika says, "No hands. We got company." Then, she leans in to kiss him again.
...If the others linger back there too long, she'll still stop /eventually/.
<Pose Tracker> Ren Amamiya has posed.
That sure is Ichika not only pulling Ryuji's attention to her but pointedly not looking back at Ren and Minako to give them a semblance of privacy as the two of them head on ahead. It's a little funny. Is the whole point of Ryuji suggesting a double date--so he could wingman for Ren while having some ~quality time~ of his own?
But Ren's thoughts don't linger on the two of them for too much longer. If that's the case, the best thing to do is /not/, anyway. Minako doesn't climb onto their back, instead offering them a hand. They pause, then stand and turn to take her hand.
No time like the present. Yet she seems nervous. They think of how long she'd taken to respond to their text as they slowly trace their thumb on the back of her hand--but no, she said she had bad reception and ran out of charge. They trust her. If she didn't actually want this, she'd say so.
Take it easy; take it slow. They take a step closer, enough to slip their other arm around her waist, and draw her into a half-hug for as long as she seems receptive. Any hint of tension or resistance, and they'll let go... but without any, they'll hold her, her hand in theirs.
"Maybe I should carry you in my arms instead," they murmur, half-teasing, half-serious. "How's that sound?"
<Pose Tracker> Minako Arisato has posed.
Minako does a quick glance at where Ryuji and Ichika were. 'Were' being the operative word -- it's clear that they moved ahead, past the bend, and out of sight.
Her fingers squeeze Ren's lightly, as she feels them trace a thumb over her hand. She smiles and looks up at them -- then she slips closer, without hesitation, when their arm goes around their waist.
She looks up at them -- and there's a blink, then a laugh.
"I won't complain. But... there's something I should do first." Minako closes her eyes -- takes a breath -- and then leans up towards them, lips parting.
She tells herself this isn't lying to them. She tells herself she deserves this.
But she tells herself a lot of things.
<Pose Tracker> Ryuji Sakamoto has posed.
"Alright. If you're sure." He says of the model shop, laughing at the thought of Ichika dealing with the clientele of his work place.
"It's what you deserve. Nothing less." Ryuji admits, following her lead around the bend.
"Oh?" Ryuji takes a second before he realizes whats she's saying. A smirk appears on his face. "Just us, huh? That's dangerous, you know."
Ryuji leans into the kiss, keeping her against him. After a few moments, he leans against against her smiling at his current standing. "So uh...how long do you think we have?" He gives her a quick kiss. "Cuz this is already dangerous."
And yes, Ren. That's the beauty of the double date...well this particular type of double date. Making out at a restaurant is kinda taboo.
<Pose Tracker> Ichika Kawase has posed.
"I'm sure!"
She may regret it. But probably not.
She smiles about what she 'deserves', though. And what she's saying? It's somthing she's willing to accept, too. "Mm-hm. Sure is."
But after a little...
"/Probably/ not long," Ichika murmurs back. "But I've got an eye around the bend... if they don't show up in a couple more minutes, I might just not worry about the 'danger' for a while."
A grin. "You think they're good together? They /look/ good together. Still kiunda shy, though..."
She keeps her voice down, obviously.
<Pose Tracker> Ren Amamiya has posed.
Are they good together? That's a good question. They /do/ look it, but there are inherent issues when you're dating someone who cannot know a significant chunk of your life and who you are. That's true for Ren and Minako both.
Right now, though, it still feels good. Right now, Ren looks at her as she smiles, as she laughs, as she relaxes and pulls closer once they give her the excuse to. She tilts her chin up and closes her eyes. Ren does catch how she says there's something /she/ should do, rather than /we/, but at this point, it's senseless to second-guess this moment.
If she didn't want this, she'd tell them. They trust that, and her.
Ren releases her hand to stroke her face, deft fingertips slipping from her cheek to her jawline to her chin. Eyelashes fluttering shut, they too lean in and gently press their lips to hers. Gone is any hint of flustered awkwardness; it is confident in its slowness. This is a moment for both of them to enjoy for as long as they want it to.
<Pose Tracker> Minako Arisato has posed.
Minako's arms wrap around their neck, as she looks up. She blinks -- there's a shiver at the fingers on her cheek -- and then she smiles more. Her eyelids half-lower, and she leans in to meet them halfway. She presses her lips back -- and she sinks into it.
And for a moment, she is happy. It's everything she wanted: to forget about the things that trouble her, to have fun, to focus on the happy moments.
And this is a happy moment.
But she realizes, then, that another day like yesterday will come. She could be hurt; she could be killed, and they would never know. And, for that matter, she can't tell them what happens down there. It isn't a huge thing -- it's not a moment where she pulls back.
No, instead, she pulls back after a moment -- then rests her head on Ren's shoulder, with a contented sigh. She is happy, she thinks.
But that makes it so complicated.
<Pose Tracker> Ryuji Sakamoto has posed.
Ryuji nods at Ichika's assessment of the time they have. He gives her another quick kiss, grinning. "Had to get one more in."
Ryuji nods when asked about the other couple. "Oh yeah. They are adorable together though I never assumed Ren would be that bashful....The dude is hardcore as hell so you'd think they'd be more direct. But she seemed to be the more experienced one. Like us."
Ryuji strokes Ichika's hair again, sighing contently as he just stares at her. "You know, we should pick up something for Tsubasa after we're heading back. I know they probably wanted give us our time but they are still part of us... That's the last person I'll mention ok?"
For now, Ryuji is as happy as he's been in ages. Between the cool things he does as a Phantom Thief and this relationship, things are just great right now. Which is why he just holds Ichika and smiles in her embrace.
<Pose Tracker> Ren Amamiya has posed.
This /is/ a happy moment. This is what Minako proposed to Ren, and it's why they accepted her feelings. It's why they enjoy being with her so much. They get a thrill from their hidden life like no other, but they're also keenly aware that they're risking their life whenever they and their friends change hearts--that they might well end up in jail one of these days.
Right here, right now, they don't need to think about that--and they don't. They just think about her and what they can do to make her happy too. When she pulls back, they let her go, and when she leans on their shoulder, they hold her tight.
After luxuriating in the moment for a time, Ren eases back--and then, with a cheeky wink, sinks down to one knee to pick Minako up in a princess carry.
"They're probably wondering what's taking us so long," they murmur huskily as they stroll down the path with her in their arms, "but I'm in the mood to keep taking our time."
When it comes to their friends, they'll get there when they get there--and whenever Minako wants down, they'll set her down.
<Pose Tracker> Minako Arisato has posed.
Minako shivers again, when they hold her like that -- and she's grateful for it. She wants that. Even if a part of her whispers, then: she also wants more. Hiding everything from them... it's a wedge being driven between them. She has to address that.
When Ren eases back, though, she blinks -- and then there's a laugh, delighted. "/Ren/!" she calls. "You never fail to surprise, y'know~"
She hugs onto them, arms around their neck, and leans against them. She's happy to be carried like this for awhile.