5 - Awkward

Giyu dated Shinobu Kocho, and one trait that is needed for someone so rowdy and fierce is patience

Giyu's patience is only rivaled by Muichiro's in the friend group

But even his patience has limits

"What are you two doing?" Giyu said, obviously irritated. Others would maybe not catch his irritation, but the two know that Giyu raising his voice by even a few decibels is bad

"First of all, what the fuck?" Shinobu said looking at Obanai and Mitsuri who had awkward smiles plastered on their faces, looking at the two exes

"I am getting tired of the set-ups" Giyu said before sighing and Shinobu nodded in agreement

When those two actively agree on something, you know something is wrong

The four are sitting on the outside seats of a restaurant. Shinobu looks clearly stressed with her legs and arms crossed, while Giyu just looks tired of their friends' shenanigans

"This isn't a set-up, it's just a—" Even Mitsuri wasn't sure what it was "Simple hangout between friends" She smiled, satisfied with her answer while the two exes deadpanned

"You two are not just friends, though" Giyu said, calmer now as he really can't stay irritated for long, especially to his friends

"You just want us to witness you two in a date or something?" Shinobu asked, now curious as to what is happening

The two's behaviors does show they had no intention for a set-up, but in that case, what is happening

Giyu glanced at Obanai, and he was waving some weird hand signs to him, and after a bit of confusion, Giyu understood

Giyu fake coughed "Can I talk to Obanai for a second"

"Sure" Obanai said immediately, and the two stood up. Shinobu immediately sensed something was up

"Mitsuri, is there something wrong with you two?" Shinobu asked, clearly confused

"You two can't date or something?" Giyu asked to a clearly disheartened Obanai

"Our first date a month ago was just—" Obanai hesitated, moving his hands around trying to look for the proper words

"Just really bad, okay?" Giyu raised a brow "Explain more for me" Obanai sighed

"You know, first date things. It was a little awkward, especially me" Giyu nodded. He could empathize with him

"But you two have removed that awkwardness, right?" Obanai nodded. Giyu's eyebrow raises even further

"Then what's the problem?"

"It's like she still doesn't think we're ready to have a date without it being awkward. Like we still need friends surrounding us" Giyu nodded, not really sure what to say as this situation seems pretty crazy to him

"That's why she invited Shinobu, and told me to invite you"

On the other side—

Mitsuri explained very similar details on the reason why this situation has happened

"I mean, I understand, but don't you think it's unfair to both of you to not try" Shinobu gave the most sensible answer her mind could conjure, which is also the most obvious one

"I'm just scared"

"About what?"

"That we're not actually a good match" Mitsuri said, and a big weight got removed from her shoulders. It felt great to finally vent about her feelings

"Mitsuri, I promise you, you two are a good match" Shinobu said, holding her best friend's hands

"You think so?" Shinobu nodded aggressively "First dates are awkward, it just is, don't worry that your next dates will be like that one. It's all up from here" Mitsuri's pout disappeared into a smile

"Was that the same with you two?" Shinobu was caught off guard by the question. She hasn't thought about that time in a while

"Probably. Don't wanna think about it" Mitsuri chuckled as the other two arrive

It seems like Shinobu and Giyu gave similar advice

And, after careful consideration, (peer pressure from the two exes), Obanai and Mitsuri decided to have a full-fledged date without the two

"Where are you going?" Shinobu asks, catching up to Giyu, who was walking away. "Eat and go home, probably." He said blankly

"What is it to you?" Giyu asked with a raised brow. Usually, Shinobu would want nothing to do with him

"I don't have my car, and I don't wanna Uber again."

"Okay? What do I care?" Giyu said with a cheeky smile, taking a page out of Shinobu's book

"Giyu, do not give me attitude" Shinobu said with a fake smile and a nerve popping out of her forehead

Giyu shrugged and started walking faster and faster, leaving Shinobu

"HEY!" Shinobu screamed and ran towards Giyu. Shinobu was the fastest person Giyu knew, so he knew he had no chance to run away from her anyway

Shinobu grabbed a hold of Giyu's arm and buried her nails in it. Giyu laughed it off in amusement even though it hurt, while Shinobu's face had an angry pout

It felt— nostalgic for the two

The push and pull, running away and catching up, the chase

It was reminiscent of a year 11 Shinobu chasing Giyu who had her ice cream, or for any other reason really

It was their "thing" for their first few months

Shinobu's panicked look before running after her boyfriend, who had a wide smile on his face

A sweet start of a relationship with a bittersweet ending

"Annoying." Shinobu said while rolling her eyes. "I know." Giyu said with a little cheeky laugh

"I'll stay for a little bit longer, actually, if that's fine with you"

"Don't care"

"You should care, since I'm taking you home" Shinobu rolled her eyes

"More annoying" Giyu stated, referring to Shinobu

"More annoying"

Shinobu mocked

Giyu shook his head and laughed at her antics, and they walked off

Giyu took a glance at his arm and hides a smile

Shinobu's hand hasn't left Giyu's arm