Yamada Kai [山田 海] (![[info]](https://www.insanejournal.com/img/userinfo.gif){kind=small} the_nadeshiko) wrote in ![[info]](https://www.insanejournal.com/img/community.gif){kind=small} disappear_rpg, |
"H-Hi, Yoshida-chan." A weak attempt at a smile wavered into place before melting away as quickly as it came.
He shivered softly, partly from the chill November rain, partly from the way his stomach quickened at "are you alright?" Pulling his coat tighter around himself, he nodded once, unconvincingly. "I'm fine. It's just cold, and I'm hungry."
Well, he'd told the truth if "hungry" stood for "terrified of going back to Paradise so soon." He had invited Kouki out almost immediately after discovering the news of the new Shadow. Rather than stay inside, hovering by his computer and worrying what news his teammates would bring next, he'd just jumped out of it at the start this time. If they would resent him for lack of involvement, oh well. He'd come back when he was ready. To emphasize this, his phone had been turned off after receiving Kouki's confirmation.
In truth, he wasn't sure what he was making such a big point of, but it felt good to be decisive, so long as he ignored the crawling feeling in his gut every time he thought of Paradise, or his teammates, or anything related.
When the chef came around, he ordered a bowl of shio ramen, feeling an iexplicable craving for salt and comfort food.
"It's really nice to see you again," he said, with only a hint of his usual warmth. He toyed with the idea of reaching over and covertly touching Kouki's ear or his hand, but his arms stayed locked at his sides, motionless as the phone now tucked in his pocket. "Sorry I wasn't around too much since the last time we hung out. I-I've been busy."