pslplz | Blind Date

[ Bingo. That's why he's a genius! Of course it was him. Marui plops down next to Teshima on the rim of the fountain and looks him square in the eyes. ]

Well. He's definitely slow today...

[Well, he is certainly male and a redhead, and just coincidentally there. Teshima was at least perceptive enough to make a guess, but not to confirm it.

But that gaze, the intentional choice of words, were very reminiscent of how he might do it if he were teasing someone. He doesn't know Marui that well, their circles different enough just to not spend time together, but he knows enough that it wouldn't be surprising if that's what he's doing.

He pockets his phone at that, grinning.]

You think? Maybe he's just a bit lost. Think you might need to help him out?

[ The way he pockets his phone and grins tells Marui that his teasing hint may have done the trick. And not a shred of embarrassment or awkwardness to him, either. Marui is intrigued, because that takes a pretty high level of comfort with yourself. That's not something a lot of people have on a date-- especially a blind one and especially especially a blind date with the twist of being someone you already know, if only peripherally. Marui is an exception, of course, but he didn't expect his classmate to be as well. He likes it.

He was already grinning a little, but it subconsciously widens in return, mirroring Teshima's change in expression. ]

Heh... OK. I'm supposed to meet my surprise date in this spot at this time. Meeting someone blind sounded interesting-- turns out I was right. Well, not that there was ever any doubt about that.

Not much of a blind date if we actually know each other.

[He points out, looking quite relaxed even as he drops the pretense. He had the opposite thought, after all, preferring someone he at least sort of knew compared to a complete stranger. Had he chosen to sign up willingly, he might have a different countenance. However, since this was pretty much his friends' idea, he can just namedrop them if it was too embarrassing.]

I didn't know you used apps like this. Did you expect to run into a classmate?

[ Marui could tell him the truth, but what point would it serve? All it accomplished was to put his date on the spot to justify his own use of it-- as though it was something that needed to be justified at all. ]

Can't say that I did. It begs the question of why we haven't hung out sooner, though, doesn't it? Feels a bit like the app is shaming us.

I'd like to think it's just nudging us in the right direction.

[Though it makes him wonder if Marui really is looking for a date. Well, he supposed there's no real expectation in it working or not until they do it.]

Well, since we're both here, wanna start on that date? I was thinking we can check out what movies are showing today first.

Sounds good to me.

[ Marui stands up and pockets his hands. ]

I heard that one with the warrior princess is fun. That just came out last weekend. I'm sure it'll be there.

Wonder Woman?

[He makes a guess, mostly a very educated one based on the fact that he was considering asking his best friend if he'd want to watch it with him.

Good thing he hasn't told Aoyagi yet.]

Didn't realize they already translated it. Did you ever watch the first one?

[As he says that, he picks himself up and pats down his pants, in case there was some dust, before he turns towards the direction of the movie house and starts to lead.]

[ Marui comfortably slides into place at Teshima's side as they start walking. ]

Maybe. I haven't really paid attention. I probably saw it when it came out. It was pretty popular, right?

It's good. The actress is really pretty, so that's a bonus.

[Which probably is a poor judge of why a film is good, but he doesn't really overthink things like this. It's not related to school or cycling, after all.]

I take it it's not your kind of thing normally?

[ Marui grins at the comment on the actress's appearance. For his part, he's not overthinking the trail of conversation either. It's just talking. ]

I like action movies just fine! Pirates of the Caribbean is an all-time favorite. Did you see that one? The first one.

Who hasn't?

[He clears his throat as soon as he finishes saying that, his voice taking a slightly deeper pitch as he speaks in an almost drunken manner, mimicking the pirate in question. He says the words in English, doing his best Jack Sparrow impression.]

"Not all treasure's silver and gold, mate."

[ True that, Curse of the Black Pearl was an instant classic. Pretty much everybody saw that one; it's unsurprising Teshima is in the majority.

A game of quotes is a game he can get behind, though, especially for this movie. He grins and lowers his own voice, adding as much raspiness as he can to mimic Captain Barbossa. ]

"You'd best start believing in ghost stories, Miss Turner. You're in one!"

"I'm disinclined to acquiesce to your request."

[He shifts to a higher pitch at that, not quite as well done as his earlier imitation given his deeper voice, but he punctuates it with a hair flip, off-script, his ponytail swishing from side to side as he laughs. Those, he say in Japanese, unlike earlier.]

Looks like I found a fan.

Damn right you did! [ Marui says with energy. ] What's not to like about it? It's a fun movie with great characters who have great lines.

[ He does manage to take it down a notch for his follow-up, though. ]

Well, since you mentioned it with Wonder Woman-- spill it: Keira or Orlando?

[ On a date with a guy and suggested attraction to an actress; Marui assumes from this that Teshima plays both sides of the field. ]

Definitely Knightly though Orlando is pretty good-looking. She stole my heart from the first movie.

[His guess is right, and Teshima doesn't make any move to deny it. Though, his preference is probably obvious.]

Though if we're comparing Depp and Bloom...

Who's your pick?

[He's not sure of Marui's preference, but he assumes he doesn't seem to mild at least the implication of it.]

[ Marui frowns thoughtfully, managing to blow a full bubble out to popping before he has an answer for him. ]

Well, I guess Orlando Bloom between them. But you know, I'm not really interested in either of them on his own. I like cute more than sexy when it comes to girls, and on the occasions it happens, I like men who are clean-shaven and athletic. Confidence is a nice bonus, too.

[ He doesn't mind the implication Teshima made with the limited information he had, nor does he mind using his answer to clear things up for him. That's all part of what they're doing, isn't it? Getting to know each other. ]

Confidence is definitely a bonus.

[He agrees, throwing the line back at him simply because it's what he appreciates about him right now. Though, it also reminds him that he should use the chance to clear up things before they get too deep into this.]

Just so we're clear, is this still a date, or just two guys hanging out? I don't wanna assume...

Hm?

[ Marui blinks and looks in slight bewilderment at Teshima. ]

It's still a date as far as I know... Did I say something strange?

[ Teshima still sounds interested from the way he phrased it, and Marui knows he still is. It's no accident that he highlighted Teshima's alignment with what he liked in a man following his admission he similarly favored girls as a rule. Clearly, though, a false signal went out somewhere along the way. ]

No, nothing like that. Just wanted to make sure. I was thinking if that's the case, maybe we can try holding hands.

[Since well, on Teshima's side, he hadn't been really looking for a date so much as he was set up on one. Still, it seems like it wouldn't be so bad.]

I've never been on a date before, just so you know. So if I'm being a bit too forward, you can tell me off.

[ He moves fast! Marui's eyes widen in surprise; it is pretty forward, taking everything into account, but it makes more sense when Teshima confesses his inexperience. That's a surprise, too, but an endearing one he must admit.

Rather than 'tell him off,' Marui playfully bumps shoulders against him and ropes an arm around his waist. ]

Never, huh? Leave it to me, then. [ He grins. ] I'll teach you everything you need to know.

[Well, that's unexpected. The hand on his waist is heavy, in the sense that Teshima never quite expected to be on that end of things, but he recovers quickly enough to loop an arm around Marui's shoulder as he laughs.]

I'll put my trust in you then.

[It doesn't last long, because Teshima doesn't think he can walk properly if they're this close, so he pulls back to reach for his hand anyway.]

Then, shall we?

[ It's funny. If someone asked, Marui would say he was absolutely the kind of person to try something before deciding he didn't like it.

Apparently that sentiment doesn't extend to holding hands with a first date. The gesture brings to his mind heavy associations with emotional connection-- deep emotional connection-- that simply isn't there in the first few minutes exploring an attraction to someone. Hands were a surprisingly intimate part of the body. The suggestion to share that with someone he's barely talked to prior to the last five minutes is immediately uncomfortable.

But warmth closes around his palm before he can say anything and, well. Marui isn't sure that turning feeling in his stomach is still discomfort. He can't put a name to what it is instead, though, because he doesn't get butterflies. He'd resisted the idea when Teshima proposed it, but now that they're doing it, he kind of dislikes the idea of stopping.

After a few moments, his fingers shift to interlock. ]

Yeah... Let's go.

[For someone who has not dated before, he seems very comfortable with holding hands with another guy in public. While he visibly looks surprised at the interlacing of fingers, he relaxes immediately after and settles into it as he tugs him towards the theaters.

Then again, one could probably assume, judging by how he is in class, that he's simply very touchy-feely. He speaks with his actions as much as his words, very quick to place a hand on someone's shoulder or back, though not as often holding someone's hand.]

So, are you the type who prefers to snack during a show, or do you prefer meals separate from entertainment? I'm thinking we can probably get burgers if the showing crosses through lunch.

[ Marui is feeling... just a little off-balance after that exchange. He went into this meeting with a distinct upper hand (or so he thought). Teshima's admission that he had zero dating experience only widened the gap he perceived despite the steady confidence Teshima has offered him-- even in the face of situations that would embarrass most. Maybe he should have seen it coming better than he did.

It's not that he minds; he's perfectly comfortable as the follower. It's just disorienting after presuming the leader position for himself for the role to so cleanly be pulled right out from under his feet. It's also hot as fuck. What a neat trick Teshima just pulled.

Marui sends him another teasing grin. ]

You say that like they're mutually exclusive. For me, it's not a movie without popcorn and candy. Burgers after sounds perfect.

And, if we still have time after that, I have a few ideas of my own for places to go.

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