[America Mew Mew] Episode Thirteen

[sunrises]

Again, another filler episode. ♥ One more to go before I'm actually, truly finished with this series. I'm sorta-kinda excited, because it means I'll go back to work on Symphony's Chosen and The Great Purge (both are working titles, but hey. Original fiction is always good!)

Title: Episode Thirteen: Awkward First Date
Fandom: Tokyo Mew Mew [but so very, very AU]
Summary: The only person Ryou's fooling with his secret romance is himself.
Claimer: Unless stated otherwise, most of the characters and ideas in this story belong to me. Ryou Shirogane and Retasu Midorikawa are exceptions.

Today would finally be the day. He was tired of sitting around and waiting for her to make the first move, because it was pretty obvious she never would. Taking a deep breath, he took a rose from one of the unfinished arrangements and brought it to her.

"Retasu? I was wondering if you would..."

She blinked, taking the flower gently from him. "Sh-shirogane-san? Did you not like my arrangement?"

How could someone so sweet be so oblivious? Ryou faked a smile. He shook his head, "No, no! That wasn't it at all! Retasu, I really need to ask you something while it's just the two of us in here."

"Hm?" Retasu tilted his head to the side. "Wh-what is it?"

The door slammed open as Mimi and Celsia walked through the front door. Both girls exchanged grins as they waved at Ryou and Retasu, then hurriedly slammed the back door behind them. Ryou groaned, "I didn't think they'd be back already."

Retasu nervously smiled, "You can still ask me?"

"Yeah, might as well," Ryou returned that nervous smile. "Um, Retasu? I was wondering... uh... would you... you know, like to... go out to dinner with me?"

Her entire face turned red. She nodded, "Hai! Sh-shirogane-san, only the two of us?"

He rubbed the back of his neck, "Yeah. Is that a bad thing?"

"No," Retasu's face lit up. Adjusting her glasses, she smiled, "Wh-when will you take me?"

"How does tomorrow night sound?"

The back door opened a crack; Ryou waringly glanced at it before he loudly called, "Hey, Retasu! I think the flower shop finally got its new shipment of elephants in!"

Mimi pouted, "Ryan! We weren't that loud!"

"Says the girl who thinks beating up punching bags is a fun hobby," Ryou rolled his eyes. "You two ready to start work, or are you just going to pig out by the food for the next hour?"

Celsia giggled, "Some tea does sound nice right about now."

"Then it's settled," Ryou cheerfully smiled. "I'll see you two in half an hour."

He shut the door and whistled as he locked it from the front. Ignoring Mimi's incredibly loud protests ("HEY! You just wanted to spend some time with Retasu! Jerkface!"), he then smiled at Retasu.

"I was thinking Chinese? Down by the harbor?" He shrugged. "My parents wouldn't mind giving us a ride and back, unless you're a fan of the sub."

"O-okay," Retasu nodded. "... Sh-shirogane-san?"

"Yeah?"

"Are you going to open the door anytime soon?"

Crap. Ryou's face paled as he slowly, reluctantly unlocked the door and let Mimi and Celsia back into the front of the flower shop. Only Mimi was still rambling and ranting about feminism and how guys shouldn't be allowed to push women around, really.

Celsia calmly sipped tea as she walked out. Smiling at the three, she responded calmly, "No use in getting mad about stupid things."

"Y-yeah," Ryou nervously laughed. "Have you heard from Sorrel and Primrose? I haven't seen them in a while."

The front door opened again, and Roy threw his backpack against the floor. "Hey, Primrose said she's got things to do after school. Apparently her dad's a fan of bonding time, so they're spending the afternoon at the zoo."

"Aw," Mimi smiled. "That sounds really cute."

Celsia blinked, "Sorrel? I thought she had band practice this afternoon. She said it'd take all afternoon, so she wouldn't be working today."

"Gotcha," Roy knelt down and unzipped the back pocket of his backpack. Bringing out a notebook, he remarked, "Then why didn't she call? She does realize she's not getting paid for days she doesn't work."

"Shawn might know something about that," Ryou shrugged. "I haven't seen him today, but you know how he is. Perhaps he just told Mom this go-round and not us."

"That's a possibility," Roy sighed. "Either way, I wish she'd tell us first."

Celsia looked down at Roy's notebook, "You still have homework? But school just let out."

"Ah," Roy smiled apologetically, "But I've still got violin lessons."

"Oh!" Celsia's eyes lit up. "I didn't know you were into music too."

Ryou seized his chance. Taking Retasu by the hand, he called, "Sorry, guys, but I promised I'd take her home after her shift is over! I'll see you tomorrow!"

The two hurriedly left the flower shoppe, leaving Roy, Celsia, and Mimi to laugh as they were left behind.

"You know," Mimi cheerfully remarked. "The only person Ryan's fooling with his secret romance is himself."

+

Band practice had ended earlier than Sorrel had expected. Since she was the last one, it didn't take her very long to clean up and make sure that her bandmates hadn't completely trashed the place again. Smiling, she slung her guitar case across her shoulder, locked the door, and headed outside.

"I'm sorry," She apologized to the brunet sitting under the nearby tree. "I didn't mean to keep you waiting."

He shook his head as he rose from his position. "Don't worry," He laughed, taking her hand. "I had a nice nap."

She laughed, "Is that so? I hope you had pleasant dreams."

"That I did," He smiled gently at her. "So, Miss Sorrel? How's the new guitarist getting along with everyone?"

"You mean Mitch?" Sorrel tucked her hair behind her ears. "He's doing well. A little slow on the uptake, but I'm sure it's nothing we can't solve in a couple of weeks or so."

"Good," The brunet smiled as he started walking towards a nearby cafe. "I would be worried if my replacement wasn't capable."

"I'd be worried too, Garner."

Garner looked almost hurt as he opened the door for her and held it open. "You don't trust my judgment?"

Sorrel couldn't help glancing back at him with a look of pity as she told the waiter she needed a table for two. Garner and Sorrel were then ushered to their table. Taking a menu into her hands, Sorrel smiled apologetically, "It's not that I don't trust you so much as I don't trust Mitchell quite yet."

"Understandable," Garner nodded, looking through the menu. "I'm sure he'll improve with time."

Sorrel blinked, "I didn't say he was a bad guitarist."

"Oh."

"It's fine," Sorrel shrugged, "You didn't realize. So... what do you want? I know you said you'll be homeschooled since your move to Britian didn't work out, but... I'm a little surprised you want to spend your day off with me."

Garner tilted his head to the side, "You're rambling. And I think I'll have a cappuchino."

"Is that so?" Sorrel could feel herself blushing, but she ignored her face as she flipped the pages of the menu. "... A chocolate milk and a cookie for me."

There was a moment of awkward silence as the door to the restaurant opened and another awkward, nervous couple walked in. Normally, Sorrel would've just given them a second glance and moved on with her life... but she recognized that green hair anywhere.

Furrowing her eyebrows, Sorrel mouthed, "Retasu?"

Then that guy with her had to be--- Ryou.

Oh crap. He saw them.

And he didn't look happy about it either.

Sorrel hastily put the menu down, "You know what? I think we'll get it to go and head somewhere else."

Waiting until both Ryou and Retasu were busy looking at the menus, Sorrel took Garner by the hand and quickly gave a waiter their order near the counter. As they waited, she could see Ryou peering over the top of his menu. He mouthed something apologetically, but Sorrel just shook her head as she and her friend received their order, paid for it, and left to walk elsewhere.

As they left, Ryou could easily hear Garner mutter, "Miss Hayden... what did she see, I wonder?"

Shaking his head, the blond turned his attention back to his (hopefully future) girlfriend. "Do you see anything you like?"

Retasu nodded, "Y-yes. Is the tea good?"

"The tea is perfectly fine," Ryou smiled back at her. "Retasu, have some more confidence in yourself."

Ryou flagged the waiter down. He arrived with two glasses of water and set them down at their places. Bringing out a pen and notepad, he looked up at Ryou and Retasu with expectant smiles. "Good evening, guys. I'm Kiefer and I'll be your waiter today---"

And that was Kiefer noticed exactly who he was serving. He blinked, "Whoa, Ryou? I didn't expect to see you here."

Retasu tilted her head at her future boyfriend, "Shirogane-san? You know him?"

"Yeah," Ryou sighed. "... Retasu, meet my classmate Kiefer West. Keifer, this is Retasu Midorikawa."

Keifer's eyes lit up, "Oh, so I finally get to meet the elusive girl Ryou's been talking about!"

"H-huh?" Retasu immediately hid behind her menu as Ryou groaned.

"Can you just take our order?"

Keifer shrugged, "Sure. What do you want to have?"

"How 'bout a order of Dynamite Shrimp for starters, and a four-cheese pizza for the both of us," Ryou simply replied, handing Kiefer the menus deftly. "Retasu wants an unsweetened iced tea, while I'll go ahead and have a Coke."

"uh, okay," Kiefer blinked, scribbling down the order as he took the menus into his hands. "I'll let the kitchen know about it right away."

He quickly disappeared into the back of the restaurant. Retasu blinked, "... How'd you know what I wanted?"

Well. Ryou's face turned a bright red as he stammered, "Uh, well-- I just thought..."

Retasu giggled, resting her hand under her chin. "Do not answer, Shirogane-san."

Oh. She was joking.

"If you say so," He smirked back at her, leaning back in his booth. "So... uh... you go to Guilmore Prepatory School, right?"

She nodded, "Yes. My father's friend went there," She responded in Japanese, not quite aware she'd switched back into her native tongue.

Ryou blinked, but just as easily replied back, "Oh? That's pretty cool."

What were they supposed to say now? Everything felt so awkward. One minute, they could be having a pleasant conversation and the next--- Retasu could spill her iced tea all over his pants.

Cursing under his breath, Ryou stared down at the mess. Snapping his hands, he began muttering---

"I'm so sorry! I'll go get towels!"

He blinked, watching her trip over her own two feet before she hurried to the bathroom. Sighing, he then called Kiefer over.

"Oy," Ryou sighed. "Could you get us another glass of iced tea?"

"Sure," Kiefer apologetically smiled. "I'm guessing your girlfriend is Superklutz?"

"Unfortunately."

Kiefer now looked down the now-full glass of iced tea. "Wait a sec. Ryou, I thought you said you wanted another glass---"

His eyes widened with acknowledgement as he then sighed, "Of course. Must've been some bug that flew into it, right? I'll go get you another one."

Retasu came back at that moment. Nearly slipping onto the floor again (thank goodness Kiefer was there to ease her back into her seat), she stammered, "I-I'm so sorry! I didn't mean for you to get all that iced tea all over you!"

That was when she too noticed the state of Ryou's clothing. Pushing the bridge of her glasses up against her nose, she blinked, "Reh? H-how'd that happen?"

"Magic," Ryou smiled, chuckling as he leaned back in his seat. "You okay, Retasu?"

So much for a normal first date. Retasu slowly, confusedly nodded before she pulled out her cell phone. Watching it vibrate for another second, she hesitantly typed something before the cell phone dropped back into her purse.

Ryou tilted his head to the side, "Was that your host family?"

She nodded, "Yes," finally switching back to English. "They want to know if I am okay."

"And you are, aren't you?" Ryou couldn't help smiling. "I mean, the restaurant's pretty nice... and the food's good..." He was rambling again. He was trying so hard to impress her, too! It was just his luck that his classmate from school was his waiter! (Not that Kiefer was a bad guy, but it was hard to impress anyone when you knew the waiter.)

Now would probably not be a good time for distractions. Ryou winced as he heard something crash across the restaurant. Glancing over his shoulder, he caught sight of Kiefer fighting off some pink blur... oh god. Really? She was here? This was going to be all kinds of awkward. But then? The blurs multiplied.

Pink and yellow... and purple?

What was Shawn doing here with them?

Were they trying to spy on their date? Ryou's face hardened. There was no way he'd let them interrupt his date. Not now, not then, not ever.

--- Oh god, there were orange and blue blurs mixed in with them.

Ryou's head, meet the hard wood of the table.

Retasu was understandably worried when she called, "S-shirogane-san? Are you okay?"

To which he most sullenly replied, "I will be once Kiefer fights off those blurs."

The rest of the restaurant, it seemed, had hardly noticed these intruders. Everyone else was focused on a single spotlight and the singer on stage. But hadn't Sorrel left to make room for him and Retasu? Who else could possibly be here?

"Hello, my love."

... Ryou had to ask.

The pink blur immediately seized the microphone as she sweetly replied, "I'm sorry, but our current singer is currently suffering from a sore throat. Please excuse us as we try and get a new singer--"

"My voice is perfectly fine, my love---"

The microphone barely managed to register Mimi's disgruntled, "Oh, but it won't be in five minutes."

Laughter rang throughout the cafe, and one patron even stood up to clap for them.

"Are you guys the new comedy routine?"

Chive and Mimi exchanged confused glances as they both commented, "Comedy... routine?"

Mimi's eyes lit up as she again stole the microphone, "Hey, Chive! What do you call a guy who can't ever win a date with someone?"

"This won't end well," Roy sighed, taking the microphone from Mimi's hands. "They always fight like this. But then again, what couple doesn't?"

There was another roar of laughter from the crowd. Kiefer came back with their orders. Sighing wistfully, he commented, "You know, the new comedy routine this place got is pretty good. I'm wondering why we haven't seen them before."

"Maybe because they're not supposed to be here," Ryou groaned, resting his head on the table.

Kiefer's eyes widened, "Huh? But I thought the Esori pranks were already over."

"I'm not talking about that."

Retasu nervously laughed, "M-maybe we should get take-out?"

"Sure," Kiefer nodded. "I'll go ahead and get your check. No rush or anything, okay?"

Gingerly taking a shrimp, Retasu plopped it into her mouth and ate it. Glancing over at her future boyfriend worriedly, she said, "Are you okay?"

"Not really," Ryou sighed, pulling himself up. Taking a slice of pizza, he ate it before he added, "I'm sorry. I wanted to make this date memorable and--"

Retasu silenced him with a smile. "I like it! A lot."

"Y-you do?"

She nodded, "Yes. Now let us eat."

So they did, in relative silence, until finally? The last roar of laughter escaped the rest of the restaurant patrons' lips and Mimi and Chive took their (reluctant) bows. Roy put the microphone back in place. They all walked towards Ryou and Retasu's table... and to their surprise? Neither of them were there.

Kiefer took the payment back. He gave them the thumbs-up, "You guys were awesome! Come back again, won't you?"

Mimi groaned, "And we went to all that trouble just to get a glimpse of their date."

"On the upside?" Roy offered hopefully. "At least we're getting paid for this."

Unsurprisingly, everyone fell over. He sighed, shook his head, but sat down at a nearby table anyway. "Come on. Don't you want something to eat?"