Moving Up, Tiger [Rio, Igen]

"Of course! I'd never lie about something like that!" He chuckled, taking another bite of his food and perking up just a little bit, even despite the somewhat dreary thoughts that assailed him. Being a bit tipsy certainly helped, and thankfully he wasn't so far gone that he had to worry abut devolving into any ruts about his situation. And of course, the support from Rio Helped. His face warmed and he gave a sheepish smile as she promptly assured him. Though ....wait what was that last part?

He blinked a bit owlishly

"Like you?" He echoed, briefly a bit, stunned and sobered by that murmur from the Shihoin. HAd he heard her correctly? But what came next from her was something else entirely. That playful little smile on her face, and the look that she seemed to give him as she offered that question in a harmless tone. But it still hit him like a brick to the face. Well, alright maybe something tougher than a brick, that probably wouldn't even hurt him much. And the answer ....tumbled out of his mouth before he could stop it.

"I'd say yes."

His eyes widened a little, startled by his own answer as he ....considered. IT felt so natural that he'd surprised even himself. But looking at the Shihoin, he could think of nothing to refute what she'd said. She was great to be around. She was thrilling to fight. And she had a personality that seemed to work well with his. And more than that?
He felt like he had an effect on her. He wasn't just her friend. Some wayward stone off to the side that was settled as she flowed on by. She often hinged on the things that he said. And well..she'd alreayd told him before, he'd changed her quite a bit from how she had once been. And for the BETTER at that. And even more, he wanted to CONTINUE helping her, pushing her to be more, to accomplish more, to be happier.

And so, with his face all but burning. Igen reached out, and gently rested his hand on the table, before glancing up to Rio and smiling sheepishly. Turning the palm upward, and offering his hand to her.

The confidence with which Rio spoke caught him off guard, not only that but that smile certainly got his pulse and mind racing. And as the woman reached out and promptly slipped their hand into his own, he gave a light little squeeze, as if to affirm to himself that it wasn't a trick. Oh,....oh fuck this was real. OH FUCK THIS WAS REAL! His eyes widened, and he..briefly felt a sudden wave of .... excitement and panic all at once!

And of course, the first thought that came to mind was almost instantly quashed by that clarification. Alright well, that just wasn't fair! Igen's own fleeing sense of selfprotection struggled with all of this. To construe or perceive as something that wasn't quite what was being said to him. To leave some doubt so that he might be spared the pressure of this sudden question. And yet, Rio was stalwart, more like an ironmaiden than a shield! And it was.....exhilarating. To not have any doubt that ...Rio WAS interested in him.

And for just a moment, he almost hesitated. But well, it was a little hard when Rio's hand was firmly set in his own, giving it a little squeeze before a shaky smile formed on his lips as he straightened up just a little.
"Heck yea I do."

Igen's smile softened, just a little, comforted by the calm and confidence with which Rio seemed to be handling this all! His own internal thoughts and feelings were.....simple...but panicked! As if worried this might all turn out to be some alcohol induced dream. "Me too!" He managed, his food now forgotten as his attention was entirely captive to Rio. However, the question seemed to catch him a bit off guard. It was almost startling! He'd always held doubts and insecurities about such a situation, but with Rio taking the lead like this there was little room for any of that! And it was when Rio asked him where HE'D like to go that it suddenly hit him.

Ooh right.... SHE had asked HIM out. Did....did that mean he was the one being courted? "Ahah I uhm... well I mean, we've hung out a lot, I kinda always wind up roping you to my own favorite places. I'd like to see what kinda places you like to frequent. Any kinds of spots or hangouts that you like to go to a lot?" He ventured, before looking around and chuckling. They kinda DID almost seem like they were on a date right now. But he refrained from pointing that out for the time being.

Igen gave a sheepish smile at that. "Well hey now, I don't know about the Lead. I think I did a lot of the heavy lifting with all that stammering." He pointed out nervously, his mind still reeling from the fact that this had ...gone ...well? Some small part of him kept expecting for him to wake up from some kinda blackout stupor. Rio Shihoin had just asked him out. He was now DATING Rio Shihoin. Which sure, yea, that name was kinda... like.... he didn't really understand the context behind it. He was never into like, Noble celebrities. She was just his friend and all that... BUT STILL SHE WAS A VICE CAPTAIN! Which was the far more impressive feat in his opinion!

Ugh, he needed to chill, before he got too tipsy and said something stupid. He took another bite of his food, almost choking when Rio pointed out that their little outing may very well be considered a date. "AHAH! I ...I mean yea I guess that makes sense. But I dunno if that really counts. Don't dates have like a bunch of flirting and making out?" He chuckled. Well, at least thats how it always sounded back when he heard about his friends dating. He had no real idea if his own experience was the universal norm. Still, he did start to squirm a little, slowly realizing he might have let out a little cringe right there. Why was he so bad at this. He talked to Rio just fine a few days ago! Why was it suddenly so nerve wracking?!

"A uhh, festival sounds nice! Is ...there one thats going to be going on soon? I'm not even sure how far into summer we are..." He admitted. USUALLY he was always about that kinda thing. But as of late work had been somewhat keeping him occupied from such things. "Though uhm....hm.... It might be ...hard. Depending on when it is. I've been working a lot down in Africa now that I think about it..." He admitted. True he got a few days off here and there, but it had been a bit hard to squeeze in things.

Igen chuckled softly and gave a smewhat sheepish smile as ...well yea he supposed that indignation aside, she kinda ...was running this little show. That little wink making his heart race just ever so slightly before he gave a slight clearing of his throat. "Well It's not like I mind. It's.... actually kinda nice." He noted, certainly it was ....differwent to see Rio like this! She was always pretty confident and competent, but seeing this impishness was rather cute! Especially when she seemed to falter at the mention of kissing. Wait, how long HAD it been since she'd been on a proper date? For just a moment he tiltd his head, before a little gentle smile crossed his lips. Getting up, he circled his way around the table before promptly parking himself right next to her.

"Ahah, well maybe not all that stuff at first. But things do kinda tend to lean that way. But we can take things a little slower than that." He pointed out, reaching over and gently taking her hand again, of course he felt like screaming internally, but her own nervousness banished his own. After all, he didn't want her to freak out even more! And so, as she stammered and seemed to falter a bit, he leaned over, and gently kissed her on the cheek. "Then we can just go with whatever feels right, no need to worry about experience." He chuckled, trying to help ease her worries a bit. sure he probably had more dating experience than her, but honestly, thinking back about how...dense he'd been. Yea it probably barely counted as normal dating experience.

And then Rio seemed to get her confidence back.

For just a brief instant, he balked, a bit ..unsure what she meant! Do what?! But then she continued on, and after several moments of contemplation, he realized she meant the date. "OH! Uhm.... well that works. Sure, we can go out tomorrow then." He chuckled, admittedly a bit red in the face due to his own brief misunderstanding of her words. Nope, just ignore it Igen, don't be a weirdo, just roll.