Chapter Text
Ruka was already waiting when Okabe arrived, but it wasn’t their promptness that surprised him. That he expected; he knew how excited they must be for this date (which may sound vain were it not for his interworldline knowledge.) No, instead it was their attire that was shocking. Aside from their usual hairpin and black ribbon around their neck, they were wearing a white dress with blue trim and v-shaped collar. A pink handbag hung from their shoulder, which they gripped the strap of tightly.
It was the exact same outfit they had worn for their date in the other worldline.
For one thing, they had dressed up: strike one against Okabe, he was in his usual outfit. And for another, well, they were in a dress . Okabe hadn’t seen Ruka wear a dress outside of their date and that one time Mayuri forced them into a cosplay outfit, and they seemed pretty uncomfortable in that situation.
But now they were standing in the middle of the park, looking no less comfortable than usual. Well, the cosplay incident was a different worldline, after all.
“Rukako!” Okabe called out to them as he approached.
Their dress fluttered as they half-walked half-jogged to meet him.
“Okabe! I’m so glad you came!”
“Of course, I wouldn’t just stand you up like that.”
Ruka smiled. “I really appreciate it.”
“You know, I didn’t know you owned a dress, but it suits you.”
“Oh, um, thanks. I don’t really wear them, I just thought maybe…” Their face went red. “Never mind. You look good too.”
“Uh, thanks.” Okabe had a feeling he shouldn’t have drawn attention to it.
Strike two.
“Well, shall we be off?”
Ruka nodded. “I don’t actually know where we’re going, though.”
“Ah, yes, um, all part of the plan! Surprise is of the essence for avoiding the Organization - and for a successful date.”
“Oh, is it that serious?”
“The Organization’s evil machinations never cease. But rest assured, Rukako, your safety is guaranteed so long as you stand by my side.”
They knew he meant it in his mad scientist persona way, yet their heart skipped a beat regardless. To Okabe, it was likely only a quip, but they believed it in earnest.
Maintaining composure externally far better than internally, they simply smiled lightly and said, “Let’s go, then.”
Okabe rambled as they walked side-by-side. “It’s not far - best not to stray too far from familiar territory. Though I admit, I am not well-acquainted with our particular destination. No matter, I only hope you will find it to your liking.”
“I’m sure it will be great.”
They soon arrived at a small cafe just around the corner from the park. Tucked away at the bottom of an apartment block, it was distinguished from the rest of the street by its sliding wooden door adorned with a cat-shaped sign reading “Ulala.”
Ruka’s eyes lit up. “A cat cafe!?”
“Indeed. I take it you’re partial to felines?”
“Yes, oh my gosh! I’ve always wanted a cat.”
Okabe peaked through the window. “They certainly seem to have plenty here. After you,” he said as he slid open the door.
They were greeted inside by a peppy employee who quickly gave them the oh-you-haven’t-been-here-before explanation: usually we take reservations but we’re not very busy... here’s our menu... these are our prices (seven hundred yen just to sit with cats for half an hour!?) ... please don’t feed the cats… take a seat wherever .
Settling in at one of the tables, it became clear the room was designed for cats more than humans. Places for cats to sit outnumbered those for people, which made sense given that humans were a definite minority. Even the people seats were cat-friendly, being small cube-shaped chairs barely off the floor. Ruka had no issue getting comfortable in one and giggled as Okabe struggled to arrange his lanky limbs. Just as soon as he had attained a somewhat-bearable position, a large white cat jumped up in his lap. Ruka laughed again at Okabe’s sigh of resignation, trapped by the purring mass of fluff.
“I think he likes you.”
“He made a rather quick character judgement, then.”
“Maybe your lap is just comfortable.” Wait, does that sound weird?
A waitress swooping in saved Ruka from finding out.
“Welcome to Ulala! Can I get you anything? Tea, coffee, juice?”
“Just a Dk Pepper,” Okabe answered.
“Got it. And for you, ma’am?”
Ruka sat silent for a moment before realizing. “Oh, uh, me?”
The server nodded.
“Oolong tea, please.”
“Coming right up!”
As the waitress walked away, Okabe noticed Ruka’s cheeks were flushed red.
Wanting to distract Ruka from their embarrassment, Okabe tried to recall a fitting conversation starter, but both the dating guide and his memory failed him. Instead, he only asked, “So, how have you been lately?”
Their eyes met his for a moment before they glanced to the side. God, to think of all the times he’d seen tears flowing from their eyes. Dammit, not now.
But they weren’t crying now. Instead, a small smile danced at their lips. They thought of how to answer, perhaps more deeply than the question required - of their argument with their mother, of their current attire, of what would mother think of this? Mostly, though, they thought of the fact that they were on a date.
And that it was Okabe who sat across from them.
“I’m doing pretty well. How about you?”
“Not bad, all things considered.” His hand unconsciously wandered to his recently-gouged abdomen and he winced a bit - it was still sensitive to the touch.
“Oh, yeah… Are you-” They paused, worried they were about to ask a dumb question, but continued, “Are you better now?”
“Nearly as best I’ll get. The scar is permanent, of course.”
“That’s a relief. I’m really glad you’re okay.” I don’t know what I’d do if you weren’t.
“As am I.”
“I never actually found out what happened. I mean, you don’t have to talk about it, if you don’t want to!”
“There was an… incident with one of the Future Gadgets. Details are confidential - I’m sure you understand - but that project has been permanently shelved, so there’s no need to worry.”
“Thank goodness.”
“I hope you have fewer major traumas to report than me,” Okabe joked.
If you’re going to be a fag-
“Oh, uh, no- I mean, yeah! I don’t. I’m alright,” Ruka said, trying to convince themself more than Okabe.
“Glad to hear it. The wellbeing of my lab members is of utmost priority, after all.”
“I really appreciate that.” Their eyes drifted shyly. “Even if I’m not sure what being a lab member means… or why I am one.”
“Being a lab member is a sacred bond of loyalty between all who hold that pin. It means you are always welcome within the Future Gadget Lab, and as such you may come and go at your leisure. Provided there’s someone to let you in… maybe I should have made keys as well,” he trailed off.
“Wow, that sounds kinda intense.”
“That might be so. Still, I have every reason to believe you are prepared.”
“That’s sweet, but what makes you say that?”
“I’m sure it will make sense with time.” Okabe wished he had his drink to take a dramatic sip from.
As if intentionally a moment too late, the waitress returned with their drinks - a Dk Pepper in an ordinary glass and an oolong tea in a cutesy mug covered in cats and pawprints.
She set the cups down. “Here you are.”
“Oh, thank you!” Ruka said.
“You two enjoy!” The waitress smiled before walking off to take another order.
Ruka took a sip from their tea - it was a bit hot for their liking, and they set the mug back down gently. Okabe, meanwhile, was taking a gulp of soda that was definitely far longer than his dating etiquette book would recommend. Just as he returned the cup to the table, internally debating whether a quip about the benefits of his favorite elixir was fitting, his moment was stolen.
An orange-and-grey striped cat nudged Ruka’s leg with its incredibly flat face and mrrrp 'ed for attention. Its big green eyes made it look more like a stuffed animal than a real cat. Okabe had no hope of competing with that level of cuteness.
“Oh my goodness! You are just the cutest thing I’ve ever seen,” Ruka said in a mock baby voice, lifting the tabby up by its chest. Reading the tag that dangled from its collar, they added, “Hello Tangy!” and placed the cat in their lap. Tangy nuzzled against their thigh, wiggled slightly to get comfortable, and began contentedly purring.
“She definitely likes you,” Okabe commented, “with good reason, of course.”
The warmth in Ruka’s cheeks was not just from the tea.
“Oh, um, thanks. I feel like I’m pretty good with cats. They’re such sweethearts.” Ruka gently scratched the underside of Tangy’s chin.
“I must admit, I haven’t always been a fan, but these two make a compelling case.”
“Really? Well, some of them can be standoffish, but they’ll come around if you take the time to get to know them.”
“I see. That’s good to know.” Okabe felt something akin to comradery. He made a mental note to reconsider cats’ position as Organization agents.
“Mhmm.” Ruka lifted their tea with their free hand, slightly blowing to cool it off. They continued after taking a sip, “Have you ever considered getting a pet, Okabe?”
“Hm, not really, if I’m being honest. Not that Mr. Braun would allow it anyways. We never had any when I was growing up, though Mayuri’s family did have a dog.”
“Oh yeah! She’s mentioned that before. What was his name again?”
“Juju.”
“Like the manga?”
“Like the manga. Her dad was a fan, apparently.”
“Really? Mr. Shiina? He doesn’t seem like the type.”
“It’s true. Stuffy businessman as he may be now.”
Okabe took a drink from his soda to disguise the fact that he was at a loss as to how to continue the conversation, and Ruka did the same.
They both sat there, petting their respective cats, watching the rest of the cats in the cafe. Occasionally, their gazes would meet while glancing at each other. The first time, they both looked away quickly. The next, Ruka softly smiled, and Okabe returned the expression. At one point, Ruka closed their eyes, focusing on the feeling of Tangy purring in their lap and the swirl of excitement in their head. Okabe, admittedly, found this very endearing.
Eventually, a crinkling noise from a cat across the cafe playing with a toy caught Tangy’s attention. Her eyes bolted open, and she followed the toy with her head as it bounced across the cafe. Hardly bothering to stand first, Tangy bolted from Ruka’s lap, skittering across the cafe to steal the toy.
“Aww, bye Tangy!”
“Well, it was nice while it lasted,” Okabe opined.
“That’s the way cats are, y’know? I just wish my parents would let us get one. They’re worried about it getting out and causing trouble at the shrine.”
“Perhaps they’ll come around. How are things at the shrine, anyways?”
“Oh, nothing out of the ordinary. My father is glad that we haven’t been too busy and he’s been able to relax.”
“And your mother?”
Ruka went quiet, their gaze turning down. “She’s alright.”
Strike three.
“That’s- erm… that’s good.”
“Yeah.”
Several seconds passed before either of them spoke another word.
“Okabe?”
“Yeah?”
“Can we leave?”
Okabe paused for a beat before responding, “Of course.”
He quickly flagged down a waitress and paid for both of them. Ruka grabbed their bag from where it hung on their chair as Okabe gently nudged the cat curled up in his lap.
“Alright now, go on, your cute charade has gone on long enough.”
Ruka looked up at him. “Huh?”
“What? Oh, I’m just trying to get-” He grabbed the cat’s collar to read the tag, “... Mr. Snowflake to get up.” As if to prove his point, the cat glared at him and jumped from his lap onto the floor, trotting off to another table. “Alright then. Rukako, are you ready?”
“Yeah, let’s go.”