Rather short but I'm pleased with how this wrapped up. Enjoy.

PS: I visit the profiles of all my reviewers to check out your stories. *hint|hint*

Takato sat on the couch dejectedly, playing with his wallet chain as a metalcore band played on the stage not twenty feet away. Apparently this was Kazu and Kenta's current idea of 'fun'. After deciding that Takato needed a bit more spice in his life(other than his usual accidental adventures), they preceded to drag him along to this loud, barely-lit, strangely smelling teen club on the edge of the district. This may not have been a problem, and he was even willing to accept the odd music, except that the two pals seemed to forget him as soon as they spotted their girlfriends. That was half an hour ago.

"Hey, Takato." The boy looked up then started in surprise at who he saw.

"R-Rika! I didn't expect to see you here!" The red-head just chuckled.

"I could say the same for you. Though from the look of it this wasn't your first choice for a Saturday night?" As she talked a couple vacated the seat beside Takato and she casually took it for herself.

"Hardly, I was content to sit at home and draw but Kazu and Kenta wouldn't have it."

"The wonder twins?" Rika asked incredulously. "They put you up to this?"

"Yeah, even drug me through the mall first to buy some new clothes since 'my dweebness would stand out too much'. I insisted on the wallet chain though." He smiled proudly, brandishing the silver bike chain fastened to his belt. Rika found herself smiling, too. "So why are you here?

"What, I can't have a social life?" she feigned being insulted. Takato just raised an eyebrow. "Okay, it's because I love the atmosphere. With the dim lights and loud music no-one can recognize me. I can be myself." Both remained quiet for a moment, listening. Then Takato spoke up.

"Would you still be yourself with me here?" he asked innocently. In response Rika stood and pulled him to his feet.

"I think it's the only time I can," she said as a pop song with a heavy beat started up. Everyone around them began to bounce and they joined in. It wasn't until now that Takato realized Rika had her hair down and he wondered why she didn't do it more often. As they danced and the music continued, their bodies brushed together more than once, each time sending a shock at the point of contact. There were two more songs before that band's set ended and when it did Rika and Takato collapsed back on the couch, breathing heavily.

"That was fun," he gasped, grinning broadly at her and she grinned back. Several seconds of companionable silence followed. Finally, their breathing had evened out enough for them to talk normally. "Hey, uh-" Takato started, but looked down when Rika glanced over at him. Then he picked his head up and said slightly rushed, "Do you want to do this again next weekend?"

Rika gave him a strange look. "Takato Matsuki, are you asking me on a date?" Said boy tilted his head to the side and gained a thoughtful expression.

"Yeah- yeah, I guess I am," he replied, almost as if he were trying to convince himself. Rika gently reached over and placed her hand on his, causing a blush to rise in both their cheeks.

"I would like that."

"Hey Kazu, check it out, Chumley's got himself a girl," Kenta said, peaking around the corner of the soda bar.

"What?! Let me see! Oh ho ho! So he d- is that Rika?!"

"Oh God," Kenta groaned as he slid down the wall to sit on the floor.

"Couldn't have said it better myself," Kazu said somewhat fearfully as he plopped down next to the bespectacled boy. The pair's girlfriends just watched with amused, knowing smiles.