Tweak

InsaneJournal

Tweak says, "Shoe me your toolbelt of love."

disappear_npc (disappear_npc) wrote in disappear_rpg,
@ 2009-10-05 00:18:00

Entry tags:

anon, kanaye, kazuya, tom, toru, yoshimi

Letter 2: Maziodyne Boogaloo
Another letter? Oh me oh my!

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Re: THE GRAND UNVEILING SHALL COMMENCE IN FIVE, GENTLEMEN

puppetofhisown
2009-10-07 07:57 pm UTC (link)

For a moment there, he thought he'd noticed something out of the corner of his eye. A flicker of color that had appeared and gone in the speed of an eye's blink, and when he tilted his head back to inspect just exactly the color's true form.. There was nothing. Was there anything at all, in the first place? Well, it didn't matter. Probably just some animal darting by.

He turned back to Toru with the best he could offer (and what was passable) for a smile. He hadn't thought him to be one to enjoy media attention in any quality anyway. Even if he had, Kaz wouldn't have chosen to object in the case he wanted to keep the video. Although, there would no doubt be some word of mouth going around, even if in the smallest degree. But it was okay if Toru was around, wasn't it? He could suffer any rumor if he had the chance to hold hands with this person at the end of the day.

"You can call me whatever you'd like to, Toru-kun." His lips rounded the name for the first time, and as if it were foreign, he had a tad bit of trouble actually speaking it. It seemed.. odd to be calling him by his given name, but at the same time, pleasing. He'd earned a chance to call him by something affectionate, and that was all he could ever ask for. "Oh, and do you have a phone as well? We could trade numbers."

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Re: THE GRAND UNVEILING SHALL COMMENCE IN FIVE, GENTLEMEN

2dbeauty
2009-10-07 08:59 pm UTC (link)

When Kazuya turned his head, Toru did, too. He patently did not see whatever had alerted the other boy, and tried to put it out of his mind. Was it Tom, or another person trying to spy? At this point, it probably didn't matter that much. If three people knew, and two of them were Kanaye and Yoshimi, there probably wasn't much he could do about the situation. Once again, best not to think too much about it.

"Then I'll call you Kazuya-kun." Toru wasn't used to using the suffix. Everyone in the group was either "sempai" or "-san" to him, Reizo most of all. In fact, the only people other than Kaz that he ever really used it for were Seiji and Kiyoshi in his class. And such formalities as proper suffixes were more than unnecessary on the Internet. "I-I do have a phone... hold on, let me get it..."

Toru reached into his other pocket and pulled out his own phone, a slick new model suited for playing games. Hanging off of it was a plastic phone charm of Katsume Niko, the ever-popular Choraloid mascot. "My number is ***-****-****. What about yours? Y-you'd be the first friend to give me his number..." This, of course, was not counting the number for his Persona and the numbers of his teammates. Those weren't really numbers traded with friends, though.

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Re: THE GRAND UNVEILING SHALL COMMENCE IN FIVE, GENTLEMEN

puppetofhisown
2009-10-07 09:25 pm UTC (link)

His hand reached into his pocket to fish his phone from the jumbled amount of cash he kept in the recesses of clothing. As Toru spoke, his thumb darted to press the numbers that added up accordingly. All of it under Toru-kun. Now they had a link to each other through everything, didn't they? He was happy to have something to be called by.. Something special, too. It was something they could share.

"Okay. Oh, my number's ***-****-****." A small smile flashed over his lips, and he did his best to sustain it. Unfortunately, his face simply did not wish to cooperate with such things, and he found the twist of lips constantly fading back into a neutrality. "I'm also honored to be the first, but I hope I won't be the last. You're a very kind person, Toru-kun."

The diner was fast approaching, a smallish lot which would have been easily overlooked. And from the glass panes which served as the windows to the inside and out, the building curved back into a deeper area. Small to medium sized tables seemed to dominate the majority of the room, but near the back were a few booths. These booths were cut off from the rest of the room by a wall which could be bypassed by two walkways on either flank of the wall. Kaz, as if it were something that was considered perfectly natural, opened the door for Toru and offered him a curious glance on their way in. "Where would you like to sit?"

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Re: THE GRAND UNVEILING SHALL COMMENCE IN FIVE, GENTLEMEN

2dbeauty
2009-10-07 09:57 pm UTC (link)

Toru quickly entered the number as Kaz read it off, fingers a well-trained blur. Being a gamer did result in certain benefits of dexterity, if nothing else. "Thanks. It's... er... a-an honor to have this number, really. Calling you would be better than leaving messages in my shoebox, r-right?" Digits now saved safely within it, the phone was stuck back into his pocket, leaving the little phone charm sticking out to swing back and forth with Toru's movement.

The diner was one that he didn't recognize; hardly surprising, considering that Toru barely ever left Nanakamado's campus for any reason. But it looked small and pleasant, and that was enough. He ducked past Kaz when the door was opened for him, with a sort of half-amused, half-flattered look on his face. "Um... th-thank you, Kazuya-kun! You, er... you really didn't need to do that for me, though..."

After a quick glance around the diner, Toru settled his attention on the booths in the back. They looked cozy, and definitely more private. Not being near the windows helped. He didn't want to think of the spying that could occur if the two of them sat near the front. "How about we sit in one of the booths in the back? W-we'd be able to talk more freely, since they're more... er... private."

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Re: THE GRAND UNVEILING SHALL COMMENCE IN FIVE, GENTLEMEN

puppetofhisown
2009-10-07 10:35 pm UTC (link)

It was an honor for Toru to have his number? It struck him a little, to hear that. Most people weren't really.. honored to be associated with him in any way, from his experience. He often got the impression that he was more or less a tolerated, slightly liked/disliked presence. As well, the note to him opening the door was a foreign thing. It seemed common courtesy (as well as nature) to do so about Reizo and his group. Then again.. This was not really that.

At the choice of seating, he nodded a response, gladly crossing the room towards the booths which nestled nicely in a private space. It was perfect, in his opinion. They were hidden back in the room, away from sight and attention.. There was just a reclusive aspect to it all that he admired. Plus, they did look comfy, and he was hungry. So, win win? Even more so that Toru was here, and that they could talk. He supposed there were a few things that he should explain (or attempt to).

There was a window near one of the booths, which looked innocent enough in its view of the surrounding area.. Also, from the positioning of the building, it looked a little high up from the ground. It wouldn't be a risk to anyone watching, would it? With this in mind, he slid into the couch-like seats.

"Thank you for joining me." A faint smile, which fluttered away as soon as it rose. "Is there anything you'd like to ask me, or anything I can clear up for you? This must be something of a shock for you. To have me be the one. I know I'm not the most desirable person for someone to find." He trailed off at that, but retained the ambience of happiness.

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Re: THE GRAND UNVEILING SHALL COMMENCE IN FIVE, GENTLEMEN

ofmanydevices
2009-10-08 12:09 am UTC (link)

Tom frowned. He inwardly cursed Ishinomori for not getting them to sit more out in the open. But then he had managed to say his phone number in an obvious enough way that Tom could communicate with him.

He stepped through the doors of the diner, and moved to a table. He was on the other side of the wall form his targets, as he didn't want either of them to be suspicious of him being there. But he was close enough to hear them as long as they weren't whispering. He couldn't hear clearly, but it was something.

He suddenly realized that he would have to order food, and resolved to do so and avoid eating it.

He slipped out his own cell phone and quickly typed a text to Toru.

I'm close by. If he tries something, we can take him together.

keep him talking, maybe he'll reveal something incriminating. If you dial my phone and set it to speaker I can listen in."

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Re: THE GRAND UNVEILING SHALL COMMENCE IN FIVE, GENTLEMEN

2dbeauty
2009-10-08 01:24 am UTC (link)

Toru seated himself in the booth so that he could face Kazuya, both for chatting and so that perhaps he could get a better look at the other boy's face. Up until this point, things had been moving at a whirlwind pace, and he'd hardly gotten a chance to think or even take much of a good look at Kaz. In this quiet, enclosed, almost isolated space, it felt like being the only two characters drawn into a scene.

...ultimately, his thought processes considered Kazuya's appearance, as they were given to doing. The world on the other side of the fourth wall was, however, spared them, as at that point Toru received a text message from Tom. He got my phone number!? As he typed out a fast and furious Not now, Tom, he smiled sheepishly at the other boy. "Er... just somebody from the Anti-Bullying Club. Th-they like to keep in touch about... club activities. S-sorry..." The phone went back into his pocket, and Toru dearly hoped that Tom wouldn't bother him again. Knowing his sempai, he was probably standing outside of the diner, in the shadows of some alley...

"Ah... I-I guess the one thing I do want to ask you is... w-well, why me? I mean, I-I don't want to sound rude or anything, b-because I'm really happy about it, but... we've hardly even met before, r-right? How did you... er... find me?" It truly confused Toru that an upperclassman he'd never talked to or hardly even seen before was attracted to him, of all people.

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Re: THE GRAND UNVEILING SHALL COMMENCE IN FIVE, GENTLEMEN

puppetofhisown
2009-10-08 02:00 am UTC (link)

At first, he felt the desire to take off his hat, if only for the purpose of having some way of fidgeting with it instead of anything else. But that might be taken as rude, and he only reclined to folding his fingers together instead. For a moment, the only sound that reached him was that of the cloth friction. Which was thankfully broken by some typing in Toru's direction, of which drew a curious glance. Oh, well, he shouldn't really ask about that. But all the same, he nodded.. And then remembered. Hadn't.. that.. uhm.. Person at the library! She'd mentioned an Anti-Bullying club. Wait, Toru was in it too? Huh. Another odd connection.. But, he brushed it aside to make room for Toru's question.

He'd been expecting it, or more to say, he'd prepared for it. It might sound a little creepy, now that he thought about it.. But he hadn't meant to be a stalker, or someone like that.. It was just convenience, wasn't it? Well, not exactly convenience.. He might as well tell the full story.

"Well. I've.. no, I.. It's more like.. I guess it'd be easier if I just told you everything. It was about a month ago, when it first happened.. I was leaving the school building once, and was crossing the courtyard when I.. you know.. saw you. Have you ever heard the term of someone being thunderstruck before? That when they saw something so different, and absolutely enthralling that they were unable to do anything but stand shock still? That their heart almost skipped a beat? I once read a line similar to that in a book. It was such a lovely description.. But I never thought it was going to happen to someone.. Much less me. I kind of stopped moving then, and accidentally caused a few people to bump into me and.. well.. It was a bit of a bad situation. But after I was shoved onto the pavement, with two cursing people near me. I could only watch as you disappeared from view.. I know it sounds a little creepy, but.. For the first week or so.. I'd leave extra early to, you know, to see if I couldn't catch sight of you again. You were beautiful to me. Even though I didn't know your name, or anything about you, I felt like I was running a marathon whenever I saw you."

He took a breath, possibly to steady himself or simply to gather some air after speaking for such a period. "Sometimes, I'd see you, other times I wasn't so lucky. I didn't really have the courage to approach you, and I thought you might take it the wrong way, or I'd say something stupid. So, I just stayed back. About two weeks ago, I described you to an acquaintance of mine. He knew who you were, and that's how I got your name.. Then I sort of found your shoebox, and.. Well.. I always enjoyed mysteries, and I tried to learn all I could about you while remaining inconspicuous. I didn't want you to think I was asking around about you for negative reasons.. And I so, I ended up saving up some funds from my job and I started to write some poems." Now, he took the hat from his head, squeezing it between his hands.

"I think I tried about seventeen times before I actually left the first poem, and the gifts.. And.. I always feared you'd take it wrong, or that you wouldn't like it.. I remember I had to skip classes a few times to give you quick responses.. And I could only wonder what it was like for you, but.. It was all I could do to express what I wanted to. And when we finally decided to meet up.. Well, in the words of an anonymous poet, 'The greatest treasures are those invisible to the eye but found by the heart.'"

A small smile lit up his face now, at the happy memory of the letters and recollections of his first encounters. He agreed to himself that part of it was creepy, and even the letter business.. He could be called a coward, too. For being unable to step up and try to confess affections to Toru as a person, and not as a pen name.. But, it had worked out, hadn't it?

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Re: THE GRAND UNVEILING SHALL COMMENCE IN FIVE, GENTLEMEN

ofmanydevices
2009-10-08 12:03 pm UTC (link)

Tom frowned at Toru not setting him up to listen in. He contemplated the situation. The possibility for Kazuya to be the killer still existed. (That is provided there is a killer, which had yet to be conclusively proven)

It was rather odd that the night Kazuya showed up was the night the investigation team destroyed itself. So either Arai was connected to the killer (In which case so was Shirai.) Or this was all some kind of plan on Shirai's part.

The thought suddenly struck Tom, that Toru might not know about the underlying connection. He quickly pulled his phone and sent Toru a text.

You know he's one of Shirai's thugs. He's so incredibly loyal that he likely doesn't eat, sleep or go to the bathroom without asking permission first.

Very good possibility that this is a set up by Shirai to get back at you. I expect Shirai's gang to be waiting outside or something.

I'll keep watch, but I don't think I can fight them all.

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Re: THE GRAND UNVEILING SHALL COMMENCE IN FIVE, GENTLEMEN

2dbeauty
2009-10-08 04:40 pm UTC (link)

Toru listened raptly to Kazuya's story, taking in each element and detail almost as if panel-by-panel.

"S-so, it was love at first sight? Though I never saw you..." he said, going slightly red. With each progressive part of the tale, he found himself blushing more and more. "B-but... I think I know how hard it must've been for you... W-when you're shy, it's... not exactly easy to do things like c-confessing one's love, or anything like that. You... you were very brave, Kazuya-kun."

It was one of those situations where Toru didn't know what to do with his hands. Normally, there was something to keep them occupied with. Now, there wasn't anything. He settled on tugging at the hem of his shirt. "S-seventeen times? If I was in that situation, I-I probably would've just given up. B-but, I'm glad you didn't. Those poems... they were beautiful. Like... like they were almost made out of your love, or something. It didn't matter that I didn't know your name... I-I felt a connection to you. Here." He pointed at his heart. That cynical part of Toru's mind that loved butting in at times like this grumbled You know how cliched that is? I'm ashamed of you, Ishinomori.

At this point, Tom's message appeared in Toru's inbox. Though he heard the noise alerting him of it, he didn't want to check it. "Oh, they're... still messaging me. Um... please don't mind..."

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Re: THE GRAND UNVEILING SHALL COMMENCE IN FIVE, GENTLEMEN

puppetofhisown
2009-10-08 07:59 pm UTC (link)

It was Kaz's turn to flush, his face going crimson with the comments made. He almost thought that a seam might snap with the way his hands were pulling at his hat. The way that Toru's stuttering voice proceeded to outline, and that he thought of Kazuya as brave..? It was all of the support that he would've ever needed. At the same time, a flicker of surprise crossed his face as the poems were mentioned. He'd spent awhile on the both of them, trying to make each radically different, but with the same affection implied.. That Toru felt a connection, and that he thought them beautiful? It was a moment of where he wasn't sure just what kind of expression he should pull. His breath caught in his throat, and the beating of his heart might have been enough to power a machine. However, the few seconds of vulnerability faded as soon as the 'message received' noise broke the bubble. His eyes averted from Toru's and flickered to the phone briefly, before quietly nodding to his other's reassurance.

"I-I only ever.. really wanted to hear those words from you. To talk to you. I don't know if it's truly love, or something more or less.. But I want to spend time with you, Toru-kun. I want to try to be there for you.." His left hand hesitated, and slowly, shakingly reached towards the side of Toru's face. Was it too much of an advance? Was he crossing too much ground by trying to touch him? The seeking hand froze in mid-air, and began to retract.

Thankfully so, as the waiter made the quick rounds to mark down what they desired to order. Kaz simply enough chose to take the day's special, and some lemonade(*coughreferencecough*).

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Re: THE GRAND UNVEILING SHALL COMMENCE IN FIVE, GENTLEMEN

2dbeauty
2009-10-08 08:30 pm UTC (link)

How strange, Toru's mind noted, that you'd be the one making someone else blush for once. Hard to believe that your truth is even stranger than fiction... He smiled at Kaz, as genuine as possible. "Y-you're the only person who's ever done something like this for me, you know... heh. B-because... w-well, I'm not going to to lie... I'm barely better than a recluse. B-before I joined the Anti-Bullying Club, I never really talked to anyone in school. I... didn't really have any friends. A-and it's getting a little better, but..." The boy was now fidgeting a little, drawing his arms in closer to his body.

"And... nobody's ever called me anything like 'beautiful...' I... well, I-I don't know if you knew this, b-but... people used to tease me about my looks in middle school. A lot. S-so... this..." His words were coming out quieter, now. "It means s-so much to me. So much." And he was completely willing to let Kazuya touch his face. "Please be here for me. I-if this is love, or even something else... please." When the other boy's hand retracted, Toru had an almost disappointed look on his face, until he realized the waiter was there. Quickly, Toru ordered an omelet and juice, his standard for breakfast when he bothered to eat it. He also used the opportunity to check, then answer, Tom's text message.

He's with Reizo? Thats weird... but, he really doesnt mean harm, tom. kazuya-kun isnt like that. And this is too elaborate for a revenge plot from reizo, anyway. he doesn't care that much, really. Not bothering with correct grammar, Toru hit send and dearly hoped that Tom would stop texting him.

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Re: THE GRAND UNVEILING SHALL COMMENCE IN FIVE, GENTLEMEN

puppetofhisown
2009-10-08 09:12 pm UTC (link)

It was.. something he would've never expected. People had teased Toru about his looks? And that he was the first? But Toru was lovely. Had no one else noticed what a treasure he was? The shape of his face, the curve of his lips, the way his hair swept across his face.. It occured to him that Toru might not have always looked so spectacular, but surely only by a small amount? That people would have harassed him lit a fire of anger in the darker crevices of Kazuya's being, his protective nature flaring up as per usual. However, he had opened his mouth to speak, but then stopped. Anti-Bullying Club? Was that not the club where.. Toru was in it too? He was involved in that?

Then, he choked on his own breath. It was not because of the revelation that Toru could be apart of the very strange reality that he was now mixed in. But that his opinions.. that.. That what he said meant so much to Toru, spoken that fragile, soft voice of his.

This time, he reached fully across the table. His hand still shook, and it was a painfully slow thing, but glove-covered fingers finally reached their destination. Digits brushed across the flesh of Toru's cheek, cupping his face in a purely affectionate manner. "I won't let anyone dream of doing that to you again. You're the pentagon of beauty. And even if I'm the only one saying it.." His voice dropped to a faint whisper, "I hope I'm the only one that you'll ever need to. I'll always support you, always. Whenever you need someone.. I hope I can be that person."

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Re: THE GRAND UNVEILING SHALL COMMENCE IN FIVE, GENTLEMEN

ofmanydevices
2009-10-08 09:20 pm UTC (link)

Tom frowned, how was this confusing?

What else would Arai want with you? You revealed a sexual attraction to Shirai, he decided to get revenge, so he sent one of his men to lure you into a trap. It's rather simple.

And Arai being willing to do anything for Shirai, and attacking anyone who speaks ill of his master would no doubt be willing to pose as someone interested in you if ordered to do so.

Don't be like Ikeda and ignore the dangers here just because of a sexual attraction

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Re: THE GRAND UNVEILING SHALL COMMENCE IN FIVE, GENTLEMEN

2dbeauty
2009-10-08 10:11 pm UTC (link)

Once again, Toru found himself grasping at words in his mind. That Kazuya felt that way, that he would say these things with such feeling... It was all so overwhelming to the otaku's mind. Nothing before in his life had really prepared him for this. "Th-that's right, Kazuya-kun... right now... I know that you're the one person I can depend on more than anyone else. I-it's probably too soon for me to say that, but... e-everything else is so unstable right now... I-I just want to have you right here."

In a motion that was hardly any less shaky than Kaz's, Toru brought his hand up to touch the other boy's gloved hand, to hold it there. It was... warm. He would've held it there forever, were it not for his cell ringing. Again. With a frustrated little noise, he moved backwards to check his messages. "S-sorry... he's being really insistent. Er... it's Thomas Sagaki... do you know him?"

Toru read the message with increasing irritation at Tom.

Tom, it's called LOVE. He's... in love with me. It's nothing on Reizo's behalf, I can tell. You're being paranoid.

I don't care who Kazuya-kun is loyal to. He cares about me.

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Re: THE GRAND UNVEILING SHALL COMMENCE IN FIVE, GENTLEMEN

puppetofhisown
2009-10-08 10:26 pm UTC (link)

For a record-breaking third time, that day, a smile crossed his face. It had the same awkward sense to it, like his face wasn't used to accomadating for the smile.. Or that his gaze shouldn't be so affectionate.. But, he managed. Even if it was a little off, he could learn to be happy about Toru. And with Toru's hand on his own, it seemed as if the moment were complete.

On the note of Thomas, Kazuya did n-.. Wait, did he know him? For a moment, his face blanked in thought. He *had* seen someone that had been referred to.. Wait, Toru was being bombarded with texts from the silent, somewhat distant fellow? And for what reason? He couldn't think of some connection between the two.. Beyond their quiet natures.

"Uhm. I've met him before. Does he want something from you?" The blue irises that were his eyes fixated on the phone, curiously appraising it as if he could glean the messages from simply giving it a stare.

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	Re: THE GRAND UNVEILING SHALL COMMENCE IN FIVE, GENTLEMEN ofmanydevices 2009-10-08 11:09 pm UTC (link)
	There's no such thing as love. It's fiction. And no one cares about each other, I think you've seen that proven. But you know what you're getting in to now. If you want to ignore my warnings then the consequences are on your head. (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

Re: THE GRAND UNVEILING SHALL COMMENCE IN FIVE, GENTLEMEN

2dbeauty
2009-10-08 11:27 pm UTC (link)

Toru sighed and pushed his hair out of his face, letting it fall back into place as he explained. "He's... concerned for my safety. Er... he thinks you're leading me into a trap on behalf of Shirai-san... y'know, Reizo. B-but... he's just paranoid. I-I know that can't possibly be right. Um... I suppose you could call it his dedication to the Anti-Bullying Club. H-he doesn't want me to get harassed or attacked, considering the... incidents, lately."

He speedily tapped out another response on the keypad.

Tom, though I may be as inexperienced in such matters as you, I still think you're wrong.

Kazuya-kun is... not that kind of person. Please understand, sempai.

After hitting send, he stowed away the phone with an almost irritated finality. "There, h-he probably won't text me anymore... I-I'm sorry, that this is interrupting our time so much..."

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Re: THE GRAND UNVEILING SHALL COMMENCE IN FIVE, GENTLEMEN

puppetofhisown
2009-10-08 11:46 pm UTC (link)

Kaz only smiled lightly, returning the hat to its position on his head. Well, he was glad that someone else was worried for Toru, but he didn't think it necessary around himself. Well, he would have done something.. somewhat like this? He could have never gone so far as confessions of attraction or anything near that, but he would have met someone in Shirai's place. That Tom would go so far as to harass Toru over the issue, was rather far.. But, the fellow had always seemed odd.

Their food arrived afterwards, placed in front of them with a smile and a few kind words said by the deliverer. It looked fairly well-made, as well. Skill of the trade had been involved. Despite his alleged hunger first on, Kazuya only chose to sip at the lemonade that had come with his meal.

"It's alright. If he's worried, then I appreciate that he's checking up on you. I'm glad to see there's someone else looking out for you. I had a few questions for you as well, if you didn't mind. I just was curious to your thoughts on walking together, if to or from school? And if there was anything you feel comfortable sharing. I'm also happy to answer anything else."

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Re: THE GRAND UNVEILING SHALL COMMENCE IN FIVE, GENTLEMEN

2dbeauty
2009-10-09 12:25 am UTC (link)

As Kaz sipped at his lemonade, Toru looked at him a little concernedly. Hadn't he said earlier that he was hungry? But then again, it wasn't that big of a deal. Kaz could eat if and when he wanted to. Toru, however, was feeling hungry, and slowly began to consume his meal.

"Y-yeah, some of the people I know a-are really responsible... even for people who are barely their friends. That club... th-they've been helping me out since I, er... collapsed earlier this spring... y-you heard about that, right?" It wasn't a topic he particularly wanted to bring up, but he figured that one way or another, it was better to get out of the way now, when things were still early on. "B-but, please, go ahead... ask me anything. Since I-I want to get to know you better, a-and vice-versa, I suppose."

At the topic of walking to and from school, Toru paused and fidgeted a little, thinking. "W-well, I live in the dorms, so there's really not much of a distance that I need to travel... b-but, where do you live, Kazuya-kun? I could walk you from your house and back, i-if you'd like!" The concept excited him, a little. This was just like in a dating sim! To think, that such a thing could come true for an otaku like Toru.

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Re: THE GRAND UNVEILING SHALL COMMENCE IN FIVE, GENTLEMEN

puppetofhisown
2009-10-09 12:53 am UTC (link)

Toru had collapsed earlier this spring? He.. hadn't really heard, on honest recollection. Sure, he'd caught wind of some rumors about some non-stop MMO player passing out at the keys, but he wouldn't have thought that to be Toru.. Could it be? He'd heard that Toru delved into gaming to a large extent (which had been the fuel for some of his gifts), but he would've never expected him to be that much of a player. Was it just a one time scare? At least the club had been helping him out since.

"Oh, you do? I live a bit off from the school, it's about a twenty-minute walk. If it's convenient for you, we could walk together, sometime? I don't want to force you to walk that distance every day." A small flicker of a smile, at that. There was a pleasure in talking of mere simple things. "Oh, are there any places you like in particular? I know a few parks, and a theatre, and a mall.. But that's about it."

While they conversed, Kazuya began to pick at his food. Almost as if he were an animal testing the safety, or the origin of the substance it was procuring. In this case, it appeared to be, uhm, something along the lines of a fish. Some elaborate design for food, surely?

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Re: THE GRAND UNVEILING SHALL COMMENCE IN FIVE, GENTLEMEN

2dbeauty
2009-10-09 04:35 pm UTC (link)

Twenty minutes wasn't much, even if the walk back and forth made it closer to fourty. It was something Toru was completely willing to do, especially for Kazuya.

"I-I'd really like to be able to walk with you... to and from school, o-or to other places, if you'd like. Er... wherever you'd want to go." An uncomfortable pause. "I... don't go out much. M-mostly, I stay in my dorm... b-but, I want to be able to leave it for you!" If there was one reason for Toru to be less of a shut-in, it was this.

He continued to eat, and felt relieved that Kaz was now eating, albeit almost suspiciously. Toru watched with a sort of affectionate amusement as the other boy puzzled over his taiyaki. "Kazuya-kun, y-you've never had taiyaki before?" How unusual. With his shyness and unexpected confusion at such things, Kaz almost seemed as if he, too, might be a hikikomori in some capacity. "It's a pastry with red-bean paste inside of it. I... don't really know why they look like fish, though, since they don't have any fish in them..." He was now veering into observations on par with those made in Fortunate Moon, that beloved 'anime about nothing.' "It's tasty, though! I-I think you'll like it."

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Re: THE GRAND UNVEILING SHALL COMMENCE IN FIVE, GENTLEMEN

puppetofhisown
2009-10-09 08:38 pm UTC (link)

Oh, so.. that was what it was? A brief redness came to his cheeks at that. He should know these things! Although, it had been.. how long, since he'd last eaten in a restaurant, much less outside his home..? He could remember a few occasions where he'd shared meals with Shirai and the assortment of other intimidating looking figures. He'd mapped out this location before for its quiet look, but he hadn't tested it.. Perhaps he should have beforehand, on an afterthought.

However, Toru's affirmative on his suggestions brought a slightly surprised, but clearly elated expression to his face. They could both try their best to visit new places, and to get out. It would be easier together, wouldn't it? "O-Okay! I'll try to find a few nice places, and then later we can choose which." At the finish of his sentence, he bit into the pastry. Despite its Fish-like exterior, the interior had a warm, rather unique center flavor. As it came in par with his liking, he began eating the array of taiyaki with a rather quickened pace, although he paused halfway into his third.

With the forever lower-bodyless taiyaki in his hand, he began to speak in a quiet voice, "Hey, Toru-kun.. It occurred to me that some of what uhm, Sagaki-san(?) said might have some merit to it.. I'm not sure how Aniki, or everyone else, will react to us. If he asks me directly, I'll tell him the truth, but to everyone else, I wouldn't. It might turn out badly, and I don't want that hardship to be on you. Please, can it be our secret?"

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Re: THE GRAND UNVEILING SHALL COMMENCE IN FIVE, GENTLEMEN

2dbeauty
2009-10-09 09:50 pm UTC (link)

With Kazuya's words, reality came crashing back to Toru. This past hour or so had been great, for sure, but... life wouldn't allow for things to be this simple. Prejudice was a fact. The other people around the two students probably wouldn't be that thrilled about the bond between them... especially not parents or teachers. He hadn't remembered the obstacles to their relationship up until this point.

"Y-you're... right. It's probably safer for both of us n-not to say anything... the gossip will be bad enough, as it is. Um... f-for Satou-sempai and Yoshimi-chan... y'know, those two from earlier... I-I'll make some kind of cover story. A-and I wouldn't worry much about Sagaki-sempai; he's not the kind to spread rumors. S-so... o-of course, this can be our secret." He paused, and fidgeted with his napkin a bit. "B-by Aniki... d-do you mean Shirai-san?" Another forgotten worry was now revived in Toru's mind. "I... hope h-he doesn't ask... i-it would probably be more trouble for me..." Great. You go, reach out to him, tell him that you're not interested in guys, and now you're... well, you're together with one of his subordinates.

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Re: THE GRAND UNVEILING SHALL COMMENCE IN FIVE, GENTLEMEN

puppetofhisown
2009-10-10 01:53 am UTC (link)

His hands locked together once more, the sound of stretched leather once more rising from the intensity of the grip which he seemed to be inflicting upon himself. Almost as if his hands were stress relievers in their own. While he knew he could keep a secret around anyone else, even if it meant blatantly lying and acting indifferent about Toru to do so, he could never do so to Shirai. But, if it came to that? He was fine with being scolded, struck and abused himself. He'd lived with that for awhile. But if Toru were to be harmed? His facial expression slowly shifted from one of hesitation to a cold, almost frightening (depending on your perception) mask of morbidity.

"If Aniki were to torment you, I would confront him about it, as I would anyone else. Please, Toru-kun, you don't have to worry about being harassed by anyone while I'm here. I *will* deal with any person that bothers you, permanently. You can trust me on that, okay?" His voice was a bitter, icy confirmation. Almost akin to the sound a blacksmithing hammer makes when striking a tempered piece of metal, so was the voice such a sudden change from the usual soft and quiet.

And, almost as if he had never been discussing the issue of 'dealing with problems', his voice rapidly changed pitch again. "Oh, after you're done your meal, would you like me to walk you back to the dorms? I've probably spent too much of your time already."

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Re: THE GRAND UNVEILING SHALL COMMENCE IN FIVE, GENTLEMEN -

2dbeauty, 2009-10-10 02:12 pm UTC

Re: THE GRAND UNVEILING SHALL COMMENCE IN FIVE, GENTLEMEN -

puppetofhisown, 2009-10-10 04:08 pm UTC

Re: THE GRAND UNVEILING SHALL COMMENCE IN FIVE, GENTLEMEN -

2dbeauty, 2009-10-10 10:55 pm UTC

Re: THE GRAND UNVEILING SHALL COMMENCE IN FIVE, GENTLEMEN -

puppetofhisown, 2009-10-10 11:18 pm UTC

Re: THE GRAND UNVEILING SHALL COMMENCE IN FIVE, GENTLEMEN -

2dbeauty, 2009-10-11 03:37 am UTC

Re: THE GRAND UNVEILING SHALL COMMENCE IN FIVE, GENTLEMEN -

puppetofhisown, 2009-10-11 03:53 am UTC

Re: THE GRAND UNVEILING SHALL COMMENCE IN FIVE, GENTLEMEN -

2dbeauty, 2009-10-11 10:19 pm UTC

Re: THE GRAND UNVEILING SHALL COMMENCE IN FIVE, GENTLEMEN -

puppetofhisown, 2009-10-11 10:54 pm UTC

Re: THE GRAND UNVEILING SHALL COMMENCE IN FIVE, GENTLEMEN -

2dbeauty, 2009-10-12 01:44 am UTC

Re: THE GRAND UNVEILING SHALL COMMENCE IN FIVE, GENTLEMEN -

puppetofhisown, 2009-10-12 03:00 am UTC

Re: THE GRAND UNVEILING SHALL COMMENCE IN FIVE, GENTLEMEN -

2dbeauty, 2009-10-13 12:14 am UTC

Re: THE GRAND UNVEILING SHALL COMMENCE IN FIVE, GENTLEMEN -

puppetofhisown, 2009-10-13 07:31 pm UTC

Re: THE GRAND UNVEILING SHALL COMMENCE IN FIVE, GENTLEMEN -

2dbeauty, 2009-10-14 12:04 am UTC

Re: THE GRAND UNVEILING SHALL COMMENCE IN FIVE, GENTLEMEN -

puppetofhisown, 2009-10-14 01:47 am UTC

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