It had been a few days since their first sparring match, and Ryu couldn't help but notice that he had grown more comfortable around Kirara. She was still a little distant at times, but he could tell she had begun to warm up to him. Their encounters, though occasional, were now more relaxed, and there was a certain rhythm between them.
That afternoon, after their usual sparring session, Ryu decided to test the waters.
As Kirara was about to walk away, wiping the sweat from her brow, he called out to her.
"Hey, Hazama," he said, his tone casual but with a hint of mischief. "You've got a lot of energy, but it's been a while since we've done something that's not just beating each other up, don't you think?"
Kirara stopped and turned, raising an eyebrow. "What are you getting at?"
Ryu smirked, putting his hands behind his head as he leaned against the gym wall. "I was thinking, you know, since we've been sparring and all, maybe we could do something a little more... fun? Like, go out for a change. Maybe grab something to eat, or check out that new arcade downtown. Could be a good way to unwind, don't you think?"
For a moment, Kirara hesitated. She wasn't the type to go out on a whim like this, but something in Ryu's casual attitude made it hard to brush him off. Plus, she had to admit, the idea of doing something other than her usual routine was tempting.
She crossed her arms, pretending to think it over. "You're not just inviting me to test my skills at the arcade, are you?"
Ryu laughed, clearly enjoying her teasing. "No way. I mean, if you want to challenge me to a game, that's up to you, but I'm just offering a way to hang out without all the fighting."
Kirara couldn't suppress the faintest smile that tugged at her lips. "You really don't know when to stop, do you?" she said, but there was no malice in her voice.
Ryu grinned, sensing that he was getting through to her. "So... what do you say? Tomorrow? We can meet up in the afternoon."
Kirara gave a small nod, though she was trying to hide the slight blush that was creeping up her neck. "Fine. Tomorrow. But don't expect me to go easy on you if we end up at an arcade."
"Deal," Ryu replied, giving her a wink. "See you then."
The Date: A Casual but Fun Outing
The next day, Kirara showed up at the agreed location: a popular arcade in the city. Ryu was already there, leaning casually against the entrance as he waited for her. When she arrived, he waved her over, flashing a bright smile.
"You actually showed up. I wasn't sure if you'd bail on me," he teased.
Kirara gave him a half-smirk, rolling her eyes. "I'm not some irresponsible kid. Besides, I'm curious how you'll handle losing to me."
They entered the arcade together, and Ryu immediately made a beeline for the fighting game section. Kirara, ever the serious one, raised an eyebrow but followed him.
As they played, it quickly became clear that Kirara wasn't just good—she was an absolute force to be reckoned with. Ryu laughed it off, pretending to be frustrated as he lost yet again. "Alright, alright, I get it. You're a pro. I'll let you win… for now."
Kirara didn't respond immediately. Instead, she picked another game, one that involved quick reflexes and strategy. She glanced over at Ryu, her eyes narrowing in challenge. "Let's see how you do against me now."
Ryu grinned, already stepping up to the machine. "Bring it on, Hazama."
They spent the next couple of hours bouncing between different games, laughing and joking as they went. It was a rare sight for Kirara—Ryu, the ever-confident and playful guy, never seemed to take things too seriously. And as the afternoon wore on, she found herself actually enjoying the time spent with him, something she hadn't expected when he first invited her out.
Eventually, they took a break and sat down at a nearby café. Kirara sipped on her drink, glancing around the room, and then at Ryu.
"This is... fun," she admitted, though she tried to keep her tone neutral. "I didn't expect you to be this... easygoing."
Ryu raised an eyebrow, giving her a teasing look. "Oh, you thought I was all talk, huh? I mean, I do have my serious side, but sometimes it's better to just enjoy the moment."
Kirara nodded slowly, a small smile tugging at the corners of her lips. "I guess I can see that now."
As the day wound down, they left the arcade, walking side by side. The awkwardness that had existed at the start of their interactions had dissipated, replaced with a comfortable camaraderie. Kirara had even dropped some of her usual stoicism, enjoying the time spent with someone who didn't treat her like a puzzle to be figured out.
"Thanks for today," Kirara said as they reached the intersection where they would part ways. "I didn't expect this, but it was nice."
Ryu smiled, his usual mischievous grin returning. "Anytime, Hazama. You're not so bad when you're not trying to kill me."
Kirara rolled her eyes but couldn't hide the faint warmth in her cheeks. "Maybe next time, I'll beat you at everything."
Ryu laughed, giving her a playful salute. "You're on. See you later, Hazama."