Ruto was by no stretch of the imagination a romantic. When he and Rossweisse had made plans for their date, he had assumed any dive would be good to get food at. But given his current state of attire, going to just any food stand or casual restaurant wouldn't do. He was rocking a white dress shirt with the sleeves rolled up, a black waistcoat, a pair of black pleated trousers, and leather formal shoes. A black tie accompanied his shirt. His hair was slicked back in a neat and tidy fashion, courtesy of his sister's fussing. Walking into anything less than the fanciest restaurants in Tokyo would be ridiculous.
Along side him, arm linked with his, was Rossweisse. She was dressed in a flowing silver evening dress with white sashes across the midriff. Elegant high heeled shoes accentuated her slender legs and her hair was done into a very long ponytail, with her pink ribbon tying the knot keeping it in place.
While Ruto was deep in thought about where to go, she was leaning her head against his shoulder without a care in the world. In truth, she didn't care where they went as long as they were together. Though as they walked, she noticed Ruto's silence.
"Hey, something wrong?" she asked. Ruto snapped out of his thoughts and took a moment to register what she'd said.
"Uh, no. Nothing's wrong. Just wondering where we should go. We can't exactly turn up at some alleyway bar or restaurant like this. I'm no salary man, but I'll end up fitting right in." he joked. Though while going to one wouldn't bother him in the slightest, that wasn't the point. This evening was special. It was just him and Rossweisse. And since he could afford it, thanks to Sirzechs' financial support over the years, he wanted Rossweisse to get the best of what he could offer, and he wouldn't settle for any less.
"Anywhere's fin with me. You know I'm not fussy." she said tapping him softly on the arm. Ruto shook his head and grinned at her.
"That's not the point. We're gonna go somewhere nice, somewhere fancy. You know, with prim and proper waiters and shit." he said energetically. While Rossweisse found it incredibly endearing, she didn't want him stressing out over it. But she was willing to let him look around.
"Alright. But seriously Ruto, I don't mind where we go. As long as it's the two of us, anywhere's fine." she said sweetly. It took a lot of nerve for her to say it, but it paid off. A red tint came to Ruto's cheeks and he looked away bashfully.
"Um… alright…" he trailed off as he tried to fight off his embarrassment. Get yourself together dude. Come on, think!
Perhaps I could offer a suggestion? Albion chimed in. Ruto breathed a mental sigh of relief as she was willing to help him.
'Yeah, sure. What ya got for me?'
I noticed a nice little place over in Shibuya. It's a themed restaurant, so expect some weirdness but from what I've seen it's quite nice. And before you ask about how I know about it, I memorised it from one time we passed through Shibuya.
What's it called?
I think you'll know it. Remember the Twin Dragons place you ordered from? Well that place is their main restaurant in Japan. Got a good reputation and is rated as one of the best in the country.
Well shit. No wonder Ophis like it then. Thanks Albion, you're a god damn life saver.
Don't mention it. Now go get 'er tiger!
Ruto looked down at Rossweisse with a bright smile. "I just thought of somewhere we could go."
"Okay, where to?"
Ruto smiled wider. "A place in Shibuya. We'll get a train there, then I'll take you to it."
"Alright. Lead the way." she said while resting her head on his shoulder again.
The night flew by as the two ate, drank and laughed together. The two of them could easily say that it was one of the best nights they'd ever had. Just them, spending quality time together. It was dark by the time they'd finished their meal, easily approaching 10pm. Though it was late, the sounds of salary men out drinking with their bosses, cars in the streets, and other couples like themselves were still keeping the district alive.
The two walked in relative quiet, hand in hand as they walked towards the entrance to Yoyogi Park. Before them, around 20 feet tall was the brown Torii gate that was the entrance to the park. The darkness made it seem foreboding, but the lamps along the sides of the path helped set any fear aside.
The path was long and straight, until they reached a collection of fountains and benches surrounded by street lamps. A small body of water cut through and under a wooden bridge that led to the other side, where the cherry blossoms would bloom in the warmer months. Even in the dawn of winter, it was still a beautiful place. The night seemed to bend to the needs of the two as it was mild and warmer than usual.
Rossweisse stopped walking which caught Ruto's attention. "Is something the matter?" he asked. Rossweisse bent her right knee behind her and seemed to adjust the back of her shoe.
"My shoes are rubbing my feet is all. I'll be fine. It's just a bit uncomfortable." she said with slight embarrassment. It only increased when Ruto knelt down in front of her with his back facing her with his arms back and elbows bent.
"Does milady wish for this humble fool to carry her?" he said with his best gentleman voice. It's cliché and contrived, but whatever. I'll let it pass. he thought with an amused smile.
"This lady does indeed. Though I think humble gentleman is more fitting for you." she said with a smile of her own. She eased herself onto his back, allowing his hands to grip the backs of her legs as she had her arms over his shoulders and across his chest. She let her chin rest on his left shoulder.
For someone as slim as he is, I'm quite surprised he can carry me so easily. she thought in surprise.
"Aren't I heavy?" she asked, not wanting him to be under duress. He shook his head with a confident grin.
Now Ruto. There comes a time when one must shut off their sarcastic and passive-aggressive nature. Now is most definitely one of those times. he thought to himself, keeping anything that might fly out of his mouth in check.
"Nah, not at all. If you were I'd have told you." he replied.
"Not sure you would honestly. There's a reward riding on this date." she said coyly.This was quite a curve ball for Ruto.
Calm down cowboy! This is Rossweisse we're talking about. I'll just have to stick this out and see where this goes.
They walked for a good while, taking in their peaceful surroundings. Ruto wished that he would be able to do this more with Rossweisse, as it was something he knew would be seldom done given how their lives were. No other people were in the park and not a sound besides the usual Tokyo traffic stirred.
"Hey Ruto, lets sit on those benches over there." she said pointing to a set of by the stream. He obeyed, walking over to the closes bench, set Rossweisse down and then sat down beside her.
"You've shown me a wonderful time tonight, you know?" she said with a contented sigh as she leant against him. He was sat forward with his elbows resting on his knees. He was silently congratulating himself for not doing or saying anything stupid as it was quite the achievement to him.
"Well I aim to please." he responded.
"And please you did. I've… never been out with any boy besides you, so…" she struggled for words. Her heart pounded and her head felt light. "I've never… kissed a guy… either." heat rose to her cheeks at the admission.
"Hey…" he rubbed her back affectionately. He gazed deeply into her sapphire blue eyes "...Neither have I."
Rossweisse chuckled and rested her left hand gently on his cheek. "I said there was a reward. And now I'd like to present it to you. For a job well done." she slid her hand to the back of his head, lacing her fingers within his hair and slowly brought him forward with a nervous gulp.
Ohshitohshitohshitohshit! This is it! It's happening! First base, fuck yeah! he mentally cheered as imaginary cheers, trumpets and confetti exploded in a glorious mental fanfare. He gulped as well, just as nervous as she was as the urge to stay there and to run away tore at him. He was just a guy at the end of the day, and a teenager at that. This was big for someone like him
Then it happened. The connection. The softest pair of lips he was sure he'd ever feel pressed lightly against his own. An electrifying jolt coursed up and down his spine at the new sensation. It was tentative, experimental, but the passion behind it slowly increased as they both acclimated to each other.
With heavy breaths they parted and their minds cleared. This settled it. It was the best night of their lives thus far. They stared warmly at each other for some time, completely unsure of how to proceed or what to say next. Ruto being Ruto, took the first step forward. But it would allow for something truly terrible to ruin their blissful time together.
"Well, that was amazing." he said with a partially numb mind. He stood and offered his hand to Rossweisse. "But it's late so we should—" a horrific, fleshy squelch sounded and blood spattered across the ground as something tore through Ruto's chest. His eyes became wide and glassy within moments as a silent scream tore from his throat. He staggered and swayed as he clutched at the wound, a large tunnel punched through his flesh and his right lung. His wheezing, desperate gasps for breath sounded loudly as Rossweisse stared in horror.
Their eyes met and as Rossweisse reached out to him, he fell back, collapsing from the wound and shock to his system. She dashed to him and knelt down, cradling his head. He was still breathing, but barely hanging on.
"Well I must say that was rather sweet. Disgusting. But sweet. The death of a lover, sealed with a kiss." came a gravelly, sinister voice from behind the benches. From the shadows emerged a man. He was tall and dressed in an ornate, white robe. His hair was golden and spiked like a lion's mane, and a golden goatee grew on his chin. His eyes were almost like those of a serpent. The icy orbs were filled with cold calculation and malevolent intent. What was disturbing was he looked like what Rossweisse had imagined an older Ruto to look like.
"Sadly, little brother, all good things must come to an end. You weren't one of those good things. So, hey, bonus." he taunted with a cackle. He then looked Rossweisse up and down. Tears of fear and rage rolled down her cheeks.
"Hmm, I can see why he'd like you, madam. And I can sense great magical potential in you." Then he conjured up a wall of white-purple magic circles behind him, far more complex than any she'd seen before. "Let's have a little fun shall we? Oh, and try not to die."