There's something exhilarating about holding Manabu's hand, an emotion he can't quite explain. Despite the thoughts running through his head (was he squeezing too tight? Was this okay?) he relaxes when Manabu returns the gesture and settles back into reading his book. He casually rubs his thumb across the side of his hand every now and again, just a soft gesture to show that he knows that Manabu is still there. Still sitting at his side waiting for him to read, which is nicer than he expected it to be. There's just something so relaxing about being able to share a space with someone and do separate things.

He's starting to get caught up in the book, each page giving him more insight to Natsume-sans life in London, an experience he could relate to in some ways. It wasn't easy living in London as a foreign national. The people could be polite, but that did not make them kind. He turns the page, telling himself that this will be the last page he reads but he's gripped by the words. Ryunosuke finds himself lost in the pages, wondering what kind of life that Soseki Natsume lead before he arrived in London.

"He was rather eccentric." He says offhandedly as he turns a page, reading a particular statement he made out loud.

But, he reminded himself as he finds himself falling into silence once more, that this was a date. That he should really be including Manabu more, but he didn't want to bore him with details about Natsume-san's life. Maybe starting I Am A Cat might have been better for this as it appears to be a work of fiction compared to an auto-biographical novel. Maybe it was more interesting than daily life in London.

He squeezes Manabu's hand lightly, finding a scrap of paper to use to mark his place and close the book.

"Hey," He says quietly, leaning forward toward him. "You... all right?"