Title: Ice Cream
Rating: G
Fandom: Tokyo Xanadu
Relationship: Hiiragi Asuka/Kurashiki Shiori
Wordcount: 700
Short summary: Kou finally understands after getting ice cream with Asuka and Shiori.
Despite being late August, it was still incredibly hot and humid. Kou and Shiori had been out shopping for presents for Kou’s mother, whose birthday was coming up, when they decided to take a break and get some ice cream.
“Sorry, I just got chocolate chip because this shop didn’t have rocky road,” Shiori said as she brought three cups to the table Kou sat at. One had vanilla and sprinkles, one had chocolate chip, and one had strawberry. Wait, three cups of ice cream?
“Why are there three orders?” Kou was confused.
“Yours, mine, and that one is Asuka’s,” Shiori replied as she distributed the orders. She placed Kou’s chocolate chip order first, the vanilla one across from Kou, and the strawberry one diagonal to Kou. As Kou expected, Shiori sat down across from him with the vanilla and sprinkles, which meant Asuka wanted strawberry?
“Asuka’s coming and you already asked Asuka what flavor of ice cream she wanted?”
Shiori chuckled. “Of course I know what flavor of ice cream she wants.”
“Really?” Kou was both curious and surprised by Shiori’s words. “How do you know-“
“Hey guys, sorry I’m late!” Asuka interrupted Kou and took the empty seat next to Shiori. “Thanks Shiori, that’s perfect. I really needed some ice cream right now.”
Shiori grinned at Kou. Kou shot Shiori a questioning look but then Asuka started talking about her recent trip to America during Obon and Kou forgot this had happened until their next ice cream outing.
A few weeks later, it was still hotter than it should have been for this time of year, so the three decided to go after school for some ice cream since none of them were supposed to have any appointments. Except Shiori’s trip to the library after school was taking longer than expected. So only Kou and Asuka initially entered the more American-style ice cream shop.
“Shiori’s running late,” Kou said as he scanned the place for a table. There were only two free ones left.
“I know.” Asuka wasn’t looking at Kou but instead scanning the menu. “Hey, what flavor of ice cream do you want? I’ll order for all of us.”
“Rocky road.” He had been here before and knew this shop had his favorite flavor.
“Alright.” Asuka stepped up to the counter and got the attention of one of the workers. “Hi, I’d like to order one medium size cup of strawberry, one vanilla, and one rocky road.”
As the worker was busy putting their orders together, Kou asked Asuka, “Wait, why did you put in three orders?”
Asuka chuckled. “Shiori will be here soon.”
“How do you…” Kou was feeling a sense of déjà vu. “Wait, are you two-“
“Hi Kou, Asuka.” Kou nearly jumped, not expecting to hear Shiori so suddenly. “Yes, we’re dating.”
“I wasn’t even…” Kou stopped talking when he realized what Shiori had just said so offhand. He had to tell himself to move his mouth; gaping for this long was incredibly rude. “Oh my god. I didn’t realize it at all.”
Shiori and Asuka both started giggling. Kou shrugged, though he was happy to see them laughing.
Once the three of them had their ice cream orders and were seated comfortably at one of the tables (this time Asuka was sitting across from Kou) in the shop, Kou lightly tapped the table with his fist, signaling he wanted to say something with their full attention. “Congrats. Belatedly, I guess.”
“Thanks Kou.” Asuka smiled sheepishly. Kou decided not to bring up the fact that she was eating with her left hand, which was unusual. Now that he knew what was going on, Asuka and Shiori were probably holding hands under the table. Maybe he’d tease the two of them about that later.
However later that night, Kou realized that Shiori and Asuka most likely hadn’t told many people that they were dating. While he had missed the signs earlier, they were being quite discrete. He hoped one day that the two of them could be more open, and only then he would openly tease the two about eating ice cream while holding hands under the table. Seriously, that was so middle school…