"Just Give It Back Next Time": The Excuses Each Zodiac Sign Leaves to See You Again

As you're saying goodnight, they slip their jacket over your shoulders: "Just take it home. Give it back next time." Halfway to the subway you realize the jacket was never about the cold. It was a ticket to the next date, already filled in.

The best part of the will-they-won't-they stage is that nobody says it out loud, yet everyone keeps building a road to "next time." Each sign leaves a different excuse behind. Let's see which one you're holding.

Aries: Lost at rock-paper-scissors, owes you a drink

An Aries excuse is so direct it barely counts as an excuse. After dinner they insist on rock-paper-scissors for the bill, lose, and announce, "Fine, next one's on me. No backing out."

They threw that round on purpose. They didn't want to win. They wanted a fair reason to ask you out again.

Taurus: You have to try this place

Taurus keeps a food list on their phone, and during a crush they suddenly start "sharing" it. "You've never had the beef noodles around the corner? Unacceptable. Next week."

After that meal comes, "Actually, there's a dessert spot nearby that's even better." The list never ends. That's the plan.

Gemini: The story stops halfway

Right at the best part of a story, Gemini checks the time. "Oh, this one's too long. I'll tell you next time we meet."

You go home dying to know. You text them, and they reply with a sticker and "It's funnier in person." The cliffhanger is the hook.

Cancer: Don't forget my container

Cancer sends you home with a container of homemade braised snacks and says, as if it's nothing, "No rush on the box. Just bring it next time."

That container belongs to their mom. There's no way they're letting it go. So you'll have to see them again, ideally on an empty stomach.

Leo: The jacket lands on your shoulders

Leo likes their excuses cinematic. One gust of wind and their jacket is on you before you can say no.

"Wash it and give it back the day I take you to dinner." They've scheduled the next date too, and they're paying.

Virgo: A book, with a bookmark

Virgo lends you a book "since you mentioned you like this kind." Open it and the bookmark is sitting on the page they think you'll love most.

When you return it, they ask exactly where you got to and what you thought. The book is the excuse. Knowing what's in your head is the point.

Libra: The exhibit closes at the end of the month

Libra's excuses are elegant and come with a deadline. "That illustration show closes at the end of December. Didn't you say you wanted to see it?"

They'll never say "I want to see you." They'll frame it as "it'd be a shame to miss it." Once you agree, they've already scouted the best photo spots.

Scorpio: The umbrella was left on purpose

On a rainy night, Scorpio walks you home and "happens" to forget their umbrella. The next day: "Is my umbrella at your place?"

You're pretty sure they saw it on the way out. They didn't want to ask first, so they let the umbrella ask for them.

Sagittarius: The next stop, together

Sagittarius's excuse is a map. "Let's hike that trail sometime. I know a route nobody uses."

Most people say that and forget. Sagittarius sends you a date three days later, with the bus number already looked up. They really want to go, and they really want to go with you.

Capricorn: A meeting with an agenda

Capricorn isn't great at romantic excuses, so they find a practical one. "You said your resume needs work? Let me look at it. Coffee this weekend?"

They actually bring a red pen and edit the whole thing. Then, at the end, "After your interview next week, will you tell me how it went?"

Aquarius: The save file isn't finished

Aquarius invites you to play a two-player game and stops right before the final level. "Let's save here and beat the boss together next time."

If you play ahead without them, they'll remind you that save file is "ours." For Aquarius, shared progress is the most natural reason to meet again.

Pisces: I'll bring the prints when they're ready

Pisces brings a film camera and sneaks a few shots of you. "We have to wait for them to be developed. I'll bring them to you."

On the day the prints come back, they keep their favorite and hand you the rest. The next date is tucked inside that little paper envelope.

Byeol Bunny's tip: the excuse is just the ticket. Whether they show up is the real answer. If you're always the one making excuses, try simply saying "I want to see you." Sometimes that's warmer than any jacket.

When you get an excuse, here's how to catch it

• When they say "give it back next time," reply with an actual date so next time really happens.
• Want to keep it going? Leave a little something at their place too. Fair's fair.
• Not feeling it? Return the item cleanly. That's kinder than dragging it out.

Curious how long each sign can stay in the gray zone? Read how the zodiac signs push for an answer, or check the little habits they don't notice once they fall for you. Tonight, take a look in your closet for a jacket that isn't yours.