Snippet #2371360

Every time Masaru climbed into Ichirou's car or, really, any vehicle driven by his friend, he always stepped out with a slight tremble in his step and a mental vow to never, ever do that again. And yet here he was, still riding shot-gun all these years after Ichirou had miraculously been given a driver's license (Masaru still liked to say that they'd only given him his license so that he'd never put another driving instructor through that again). So, really, it was his own fault that he was in this situation, clinging to his door as Ichirou made wild swerves and seemed to make a game of breaking as many traffic laws as possible. Still, through his very appropriate terror, he listened as Kutaki checked off some of their necessities, only being able to respond once the car had pulled to a safe(enough) halt.

"So Masaru that new waitress fall madly in love with you yet?"

"Hardly," He sniffed with mock-indignation, sliding out of the passenger's side door, a little disturbed that he wasn't trembling that much. Oh, Lord, it had finally happened. He'd gotten used to Ichirou's driving. "It's just a little crush." And that it was. As much as it was an on-going joke between the three, his flirtations had caused more than enough problems in the past. It was a delicate art, for someone like him, a charming flirt, to avoid exposing the family's secret. Not that that was enough to stop him, mind. The day that happened would be the day he settled down with someone and he couldn't see that happening anytime soon.

He was broken from his fake scorn when Ichirou wrapped his arms around him, nearly pulling him off of his feet in a big bear hug.

"It's all a matter of charm," He teased, returning the hug for a moment before wriggling out of it and patting Ichirou affectionately on the cheek. "You'll always have a special place in my heart, though, lover-boy. And, of course, my dearest Kutaki as well." He twirled around, wrapping one arm around her shoulders and grabbing Ichirou's wrist with his unoccupied hand.

"All right, then, enough of this. Time to shop!" He announced, and dragged the two inside the store, away from the malicious (and one or two horrified) stares of those unfortunate enough to see the terror that was Ichirou's driving.