We've Never Dated

“What!?” She was taken aback from his question. Of course, nearly anyone would after their significant other practically questioned their love. “Of course it doesn’t. It doesn’t matter what anyone else says. I know the kind of person you are, and that’s what I love.”

“There’s that word again.” He replied, commenting on her final word. “It’s strange, I know in my heart that I feel the same way.” After all, he was the one to say it to her first back when they confessed to each other. “But isn’t it weird to say something like that when we’ve never gone on a date before?”

“I am not sure you know this, but it’s kind of hard to go on dates when the second people see us together. They’ll go crazy.” She answered with a sarcastic response. The pair were more than aware of the results. So while they might be willing to take some risks, such as right now. There was no way this line could be crossed.

Plus it wasn’t just the public areas they were worried about either. “And it’s not like I can just drop on by your place anytime I feel like it.”

“Didn’t stop you the first time.” He reminded her that night which led the pair to the position they were here today. “I’m sorry, I guess I’m just dumping what’s been on my mind on you all of a sudden. It’s just that some things happened today that’s got me thinking this way.”

“I can’t deny that I haven’t had those same thoughts.” She admitted. The pair sat in silence to further build these ideas within their minds. They seemed to be trapped in an impossible situation. One that would prevent any relationship from properly developing and blossoming to something beautiful.

If they couldn’t break past this hurdle, what was the point of being together? Ryuo and Jurie were already taking a considerable risk by being together. So why couldn’t they reap some reward from it, despite knowing what could come from it if they were caught?

But what if they weren’t caught? This thought ran through Jurie’s mind as she considered all the possible outcomes. “I got it!” She snapped her fingers the moment she believed she had come up with an idea. “Who says anyone has to see us at all?”

“What are you suggesting?” He eyed her with his usual skepticism. Normally this was reserved for when Meguru would give him a radical idea to keep the school in order. Nowadays this began to come out more often in the face of Jurie.

“People can see us dating, but they don’t have to know that it’s us.” She explained. “Come on, haven’t you seen any romcom ever? Those characters are always putting on shades or a big hat to hide their identity.”

“Jurie, this is real life. Not some fairy tale.” He dismissed her idea. “You can’t actually fool someone into thinking you’re someone else by just putting on some glasses. I don’t know if you’ve realized this, but there’s not many guys with my auburn hair.”

“Then just put on a big hat, or maybe a wig.”

“And what about our voices? We’ve both given plenty of speeches.”

“It’s not hard to imitate a different voice.” She was able to respond to each of his questions. Though it wasn’t as if her answers did much to satisfy him. “Besides, who cares enough about the people around them to know it’s us? It’s not like anyone else is suspicious of us dating.”

“I can’t say I like it, but you raise a good point there.” He admitted. “Fine, I’ll take the risk this time. But know I’m only doing it for you.”

“Yay!” She clapped her hands, then proceeded to hug the boy tightly. “I promise that a date with me will be the best you’ve ever had.”

“Not like I’ve ever been on a date before.” He sighed, reluctantly hugging her back. Of course, she also had never been on a date before.

And so it was set. The pair were to embark on the first ever date in their hopefully long, but secret relationship. They were to meet after school somewhere in the neutral zone. They didn’t have any specific place to enjoy this date, but Jurie told him not to worry. She would take care of everything else.

The next day, Ryuo heard the last words he’d hope for today of all days. This being him being asked to hang out with the rest of the student council. “Sorry everyone, but I can’t this time.” Normally, he’d be perfectly fine with spending time with them outside of school. After all, they were more than just members of the student council, they were his closest friends.

So while it was a disappointment to have to decline them, Ryuo knew this would be a necessary sacrifice now that he was no longer single. “I’ve got some things to take care of at home. So I’ll just see you all tomorrow.”

“Sure, just go on and take care of yourself.” Said Bensou as the other three members of the council waved him goodbye. As he turned around the corner, all of their expressions darkened as Meguru spoke up.

“What’s he really up to?” Of course, this wasn’t just a group of friends who were simply unhappy one of their members declined an offer. This was completely out of character for Ryuo. In fact, this was the first time he had ever told them he couldn’t hang out with them after school.

“Perhaps something really did come up.” Bensou attempted to rationalize the situation, but even he felt as if something was off from their leader. “Still, he seemed a bit odd, didn’t he?”

“That’s correct.” Riyone pushed up her glasses closer to her face. She always paid deep attention on his body language. Totally not for any reason beyond simply ensuring his well-being. After all, the school heavily depended on him to be at his best. “Ryuo has always been an honest boy. So it’s obvious when he’s lying.”

“Really? He seemed the same as usual.” Despite being suspicious of him, Meguru couldn’t sense anything out of the ordinary from looking at him.

“I’ve known him longer than the two of you.” She answered. “Of course I can see things you can’t. A bit disappointing, don’t you think?”

“Okay, you didn’t need that extra comment.” He sighed, shaking his head. “Anyway…” Meguru tried to bring the conversation back on topic. “I think we all know what we got to do about this.”

“You can’t be seriously suggesting we follow him.” She already knew what he would say next and immediately gave a retort.

“I agree that sounds ludicrous.” Said Bensou. “Have you gone mad? It’s a total breach of his privacy.”

“Come on, we all know something’s going on. What else are you two going to suggest?” He argued his case, raising multiple points he knew would get them to join his side. “We can’t just pretend this isn’t happening. What if Ryuo’s going to get himself into trouble? Like, maybe he’s picked up a poor habit.”

He glanced over at Bensou as he was able to get a rise out of the usually stoic boy. “Or maybe he’s found himself a nice girl. You know, he’s a pretty popular boy at school.” His eyes shifted back over at Riyone, whose tightened fists under her crossed arms betrayed her true feelings.

“Fine, you’ve made your point.” She broke first as the pair agreed to his plan. “So how do you think we should do this? Split up, or stick together?”

“We’ll just tag along to see if he really goes home. Then we’ll just play it by ear.” His answer failed to fill the others with confidence. However they didn’t have any other better suggestions and decided to trust him in this matter.

“He’s going to be really angry at us if we’re caught.” Bensou whispered as the trio trailed Ryuo.

“Well he won’t if you just stay quiet.” Meguru scolded him, which then earned him a scolding of his own.

“Will you two idiots just stay focused?” Said Riyone as she kept her eyes glued on their target. So far, he was taking the route he normally would take when going home. This included the section where he took a train. They also had to hop aboard, remaining inconspicuous by spreading out and pretending to be random people going about their commute.

Fortunately he had no clue they’d even be following him. So Ryuo didn’t pay much attention to his surroundings. After all, he was only concerned for when he’d be on his date, not on his way home.

Eventually the train would reach his stop and they’d all get off to see him continue his usual trip. Finally, the three watched from afar as he walked into his house, which was a large mansion completely with a gate blocking the main entrance.

“Heh, I guess we were all overreacting.” Meguru chuckled nervously as the other two glared at him. These glares were not lost on him, which prompted his next response. “What? Don’t act like you weren’t suspicious either.”

“I don’t know what we were thinking.” Said Bensou. “We’ve known him long enough to know he wouldn’t be up to anything strange.”

“True, plus if he had anything important. He’d tell us about it, not leave us in the dark.” The trio were about ready to leave when they were stopped by the sounds of the gates opening up once more. There, they saw what could only be Ryuo. Except he wore suspicious clothing clearly meant to obscure his identity with his large shades and hoodie. The latter of which being extra strange given the warm weather.

“Unbelievable.” Said Meguru as they hastily hid themselves behind some green bushes as Ryuo walked past them, unaware of their presence. “I know I said I was suspicious of him, but it’s surreal seeing it for real.”

“With a getup like that, I wonder if he’s fallen in a bad crowd?” Bensou wondered out loud. “Or perhaps he’s being blackmailed by some Capas?” Riyone stayed silent as she stared at him. Her face scowled as he eventually rounded a corner, disappearing from sight.

“Let’s go.” She tightly grabbed the other boys by their collars as she led them out of their hiding spot. Now it was time to hunt Ryuo down.