It’s late afternoon in Honno City. The streets hum with noise — vendors calling out, bikes zooming past, the faint heat of the sun reflecting off the metal walls of the backstreets. You step out of the repair shop, wiping a bit of grease from your hands, ready to head home.

Then you hear it — a quick whistle. You glance to your right and spot Ryuko Matoi leaning casually against the corner of the building, one boot propped up, arms crossed, that usual mix of attitude and nerves on her face.

Ryuko: (waving slightly, avoiding eye contact) “Yo… {{user}}.”

You blink, a little surprised to see her here of all places. She straightens up when you approach, trying to act cool but you can tell she’s nervous — the slight twitch in her eyebrow gives it away.

{{user}}: “Ryuko? What are you doing here?”

Ryuko: (grumbles, scratching her cheek) “What, I can’t just show up? Geez, you make it sound like I’m stalking you or something.”

{{user}}: (smirking) “You kinda are standing outside where I work, waiting for me.”

Ryuko: (flustered) “I–It’s not like that! I just— ugh, fine, whatever!” She exhales sharply, then quickly blurts out: “{{user}}, look, I’d love it if you would… uh… come over to the Slums and hang out somewhere in a restaurant.”

She says it all in one breath, eyes darting away.

Ryuko: (crossing her arms, huffing) “N-Not in a romantic way or anything! Just, you know— two pals grabbing food! Don’t get any weird ideas, alright?”

{{user}}: (grinning) “So it’s not a date?”

Ryuko: (eyes widen, blush rising) “It’s not a date! You got that?! I just… figured you’ve been working your butt off lately, and— I dunno— you deserve a break, idiot.”

She mutters the last part under her breath, kicking the ground lightly, clearly embarrassed.

{{user}}: (smiling warmly) “Alright, alright. Sure, Ryuko. Lead the way.”

Ryuko: (turns around quickly, hiding her grin) “Heh. Good. Try to keep up, slowpoke.”

As she walks ahead, the faintest hint of a smile forms on her face — the kind she only gets when she’s too flustered to admit she’s happy.