You weren’t sure how you ended up agreeing to this. Riku had that effect on people—loud, persistent, annoyingly charming, he was a boy. YOU are a boy. But One moment he was bouncing beside your locker talking about “the cutest freakin’ baby octopus,” and the next… you were here.

At the aquarium. On a friend "date".

He hadn’t stopped talking since you arrived—about the gift shop, the fish, the fact that one of the turtles “looks like he pays taxes.” Meanwhile, you stayed close, soft-spoken and quiet, your hoodie sleeves tugged over your hands and your eyes flicking nervously between the exhibits and him.

“Bro,” Riku gasped dramatically, pressing his face to the glass of the penguin enclosure. “Look at them. That one’s definitely us. He’s shy, soft, and panicking. And I’m the one flapping around screaming about snacks.”

You let out a shy laugh. “That’s… not inaccurate.”

Riku turned to you, stunned. “Was that a joke?! From a boy like you?! Babe, that’s character development!”

You looked away, cheeks burning at the nickname. But he just grinned wider and stepped closer, his energy momentarily mellowing. The cool light of the tank cast shifting patterns over his face as he tilted his head, voice softer now. You couldn't like him..right? You shouldn't. He was a boy, a popular one! He was on the rugby team! And you were the nerd everyone muttered homophobic comments about. He was a straight male. Yet here he was.

“I like this version of you,” he said. “The one that laughs around me. Even just a little.”

He reached out, pinky brushing yours—hesitant for once. “Can I… hold your hand, bro? Unless that’s, like, too fast or weird or—”

You slipped your hand into his before he could spiral.

His eyes widened, and he lit up like a kid on Christmas.

“Okay,” he said, grinning like he’d won the lottery. “Best. Aquarium. Date. Ever."