Souda looks at Tsumiki’s hand and swallows thickly.
Just do it, he tells himself. Do it, you fucking pansy. Sonia handed you a wad of cash and told you not to come back until you and Tsumiki made some sort of progress in your relationship. Now it’s Saturday, and you’re running out of time.
He smacks himself mentally and wiggles his fingers. It’s just hand-holding, right? That’s easy enough. He’s already figured out that his feelings are real this time, rather than whatever he thought he felt for Sonia, so it shouldn’t be that hard to just reach out and grab her hand. He’s twenty-seven, for god’s sake. This is reaching the point where it’s just ridiculous.
Tsumiki looks adorable too, standing there in line for Space Mountain with her little mouse ears on, looking happier than a clam. She’s looked happier than ever since they started getting closer. Maybe she’s finally getting over Junko. She’s been stuttering less, too…
The line starts moving again and they’re almost at the front. It’s now or never, do it or you’re gay, here and now or not at all. He trips on nothing and stumbles a little bit but manages to grab her hand as they move up in line and everything feels like it happens in slow motion.
Her eyes get wide. Then she looks down at their joined hands for what feels like forever.
Shit, he thinks. I fucked up.
But Tsumiki doesn’t let go; she grabs his hand tighter, interlocking their fingers and leaning over to bury her face in his shoulder. He wraps his free arm around her back and just holds her, even as the line moves forward.
They don’t stop holding hands for the rest of the day.
