prompt: Ittetsu believes he is physically incapable of asking (Y/n) on a date

warning: swearing

word count: 726

.・-: ✧ :-　Second Person Point of View　-: ✧ :-・．

The way your eyes would shine when you laughed made his breath run for the hills. Your loving smile made his heart melt like ice under the warm summer sun. He could listen to your voice until the day he died, and he knew it. If he was ever lucky enough to feel the soft and fleeting graze of your skin against his, the caged butterflies in his stomach fluttered their wings like a scrambling hummingbird. And the way you would talk about what you loved? Your enthusiasm was truly contagoius. How blissfully ignorant you were to the fact that you had him wrapped around your finger. The symptoms were clear; Ittetsu was head over heels.

"Thanks again for the help, Takeda," You told him with a smile.

"A-Any time!" Ittetsu said, ashamed his voice squeaked the way it did. If only he had the nerve to calm himself down and act "cool." That had never been his strong suit, had it?

"I'm--I'm always happy to help out!" Ittetsu stated with a shaking grin. "Even if I'm not very good at it." You laughed at his comments, lifting the last of the boxes into the back room. Ittetsu knew you were a very busy person, so he was glad to take any opportunity to spend time with you... Even if he was helping you re-stock Ukiai's Sakanoshita Store.

"So, got any plans this weekend?" You asked him casually. He shook his head.

"No," He responded quickly. "Just catching up on grading assignments. Wh-What about you?"

"Studying mostly," You answered with a small smirk. Ittetsu knew you worked while simultaneously going back to graduate school. Ittetsu was beyond impressed with your determination and work ethic; it was inspiring and admirable.

"Do you ever get a break?" He asked, an attempt at being playful. You shrugged.

"Sometimes," You admitted with a small sigh. "But it'll all be worth it once I get that damn degree."

"I wouldn't be so fast to say that," Ittetsu reminded you compassionately. "Higher education is the right path for some people, but it's not worth sacrificing your health over." You chuckled.

"Don't worry your pretty little head, I take care of myself." Your sly smirk made Ittetsu's heart rate increase. He couldn't help but worry about you when he thought of how hard you worked. The last thing he wanted was for you to overwork yourself. Ittetsu had such a warm desire to take care of you. He wanted to play with your hair as he held you close, embracing the tenderness he felt for you.

"Well, goodnight, Takeda," You told him sweetly. "I'll see you around." Ittetsu nodding his head again and watched as you left the store, your shift officially over. He let out a long-held breath, burying his face in his hands. It was almost embarrassing how great of an effect you had on him.

"Come on, just ask her out already," Ukai spoke up, startling the teacher. "She'd say yes."

"I don't know, I-I don't want to take up too much of her time," Ittetsu muttered with a frown. "She's probably too busy for a relationship." Ukai sighed. His friend's painfully obvious pining almost physically hurt. Ukai thought Ittetsu ought to just take his chances, but, he did realize Ittetsu was very different from himself. If he could, Ittetsu would ask you to be his girlfriend in a heartbeat. However, he did fear if he tried, he would either mess it up or somehow die in the process.

"Maybe," Ukai shrugged. "But you and I both know someone like (Y/n) isn't going to wait around for you to get the nerve." He looked up, noticing something Ittetsu didn't in the slightest.

"I know," Ittetsu said, running his hands through his hair. "I want to ask (Y/n) out so badly, but every time I try I just can't do it!" Ukai smirked, then stepped away from the teacher. Ittetsu furrowed his brows. Why did--

"I forgot my coat," You told him, pointing to the (f/c) jacket that hung behind the counter. Ittetsu felt his face flush, indescribable embarrassment overcoming him. There was absolutely no hope that you hadn't heard what he said. You silently walked to where your coat hung and pulled it on. You returned to the exit.

"Oh, and, you can pick me up at seven tomorrow night," You told Ittetsu over your shoulder. The bell above the door rang, and you were gone.