[While he raises a brow, his smile doesn't falter. He's the one who should appreciate it, but hey. He'll take an excuse to protect his pride.]
You're welcome~
[He takes a sip of his own tea, silently going over the situation in his head again. It's nice, getting an invitation like this. It'd be a lie to say he hadn't been jealous of the training entourage back at the academy. And while this, of course, isn't really anything like that at all, it's still...really nice. Comparable enough to make him pretty happy.
Even if he's sure Kaito and Maki would want to kick him back out of the routine if they ever showed up.]
...I appreciate it, too.
[Just gonna mumble that a little around a bite of his sweet, not looking at the detective.]
[They probably would. And if they ever show up, Shuichi will just have to start training twice a day. Once with Kokichi, and once with Kaito and Maki. He could probably use it anyway, let's be real.]
[Shuichi smiles in response to Kokichi's mumbling, taking a long drink of his tea. He heard that. But he's going to pretend he didn't so you can lie about it later if you want.]
After a little comfortable silence, once Kokichi has finished his pastry and has opened the cup of fruit to start working on that, he hums a little to get Shuichi's attention. One line of thought had led to another, and the detective "appreciating" him agreeing had brought his mind back to an earlier comment and conversation. And while, at the time, he had decided he didn't want to discuss the fight he had with Kaede at all, he's ended up changing his mind. Sure, there wasn't really any need to address it, and his friend hadn't pursued the issue or anything, but...
Once again, he's choosing not to look at him while he talks.]
So, uh...since you of course know about the fight Akamatsu-chan and I had, I just wanted to tell you I'm going to leave her alone. Not alone alone or anything, of course, but with regards to...you know. That.
[That big pink elephant of, "I care way too much about Shuichi's feelings when I have no right to," that's constantly following him around.]
Oh and I'm going to let her know too, so don't worry about trying to drag me over there to talk to her myself or anything.
[Shuichi brings his attention back from the window to Kokichi when he speaks, quirking a brow. Yeah, he knows Kaede and Kokichi got into some kind of argument and that it had something to do with the killing game and Kaede not considering his feelings but...]
[When are they NOT fighting? He honestly didn't think much of it, especially now that Kokichi had clearly realized the hypocrisy in telling Kaede something like that. Surely that's why he'd come to apologize again, right?]
[All that said...he's clearly not 100% sure what "That" is, judging by the look on his face. The killing game??]
Um...well I wasn't going to drag you anywhere. But...that's good. [He guesses?]
[Kokichi frowns a little at that kind of reaction. He clearly knew about the fight, so...shouldn't he be more relieved? Or hell, this would be a perfect opportunity to lecture him? Which...well, no. He can't say "surely he would", this is Shuichi. In situations like this, he's never sure what he would do. Maybe they'd talked it out, and the detective got over it. Or maybe Kaede didn't give him the full details at all, so he wouldn't know - the more likely option here, with that look on his face.
He decides to test the waters, shrugging and glancing out the window.]
Huh, here I thought you'd be happier that I wasn't going to hound your girlfriend anymore.
[He hasn't exactly hounded her, but exaggerating should give him exactly the answer he's looking for. Just how much does Shuichi know or care about the sitation?]
[He frowns. Now that he thinks about it...Kokichi had said something similar that one time in the park, after Kaede had bought her keyboard. He hadn't thought about it when Kaede had come to talk to him the other day, because of everything else they'd talked about. But that was...at least twice, three times including their first day here, that Kokichi had gotten onto her about being more considerate of Shuichi's feelings.]
[But that still isn't exactly hounding. That's three separate instances, at least two of which were actually prompted by the situation itself.]
Just how many times have the two of you argued about that?
[At least now he seems to be a little more sure about what "That" is.]
[He glances over at him, eyeing him and trying to gauge what his reaction means.]
...not enough to actually call it hounding. A few times, though. Four, maybe? I don't actually keep count or anything, but there have definitely been at least three times where I talked to her about that specifically, and one where it was just kind of a vague thing.
[As he talks, he continues to just sort of observe him, feeling a little out of place in this kind of situation. As is usual, when he's ever being honest about something involving his own feelings. Rather than explain himself or his point of view, he's choosing to just answer Shuichi and wait for a reaction. He already knows Kaede's view on the whole thing, but he should learn the detective's too since he's still somewhat involved. Maybe not directly, but he is the subject of the arguments.]
["I hate you, actually!" "I just wanted to argue with her!" There are a number of lies he could throw out there, protecting himself and his true feelings from Shuichi. But...he keeps them to himself. He wants to be better, to be more considerate, to not be the monster he was in the killing game anymore. And that starts with being a little more honest, even if it terrifies him in some ways.
So he hums a little at first, looking down at the last couple of pieces of fruit in his cup. His expression is incredibly soft, a mixture of both apprehension but something fond and grateful too. He thanked him...]
Yeah. It is. I mean still stand by what I've told her. [Meaning he still wants to try and look out for him.] I'd probably still point it out to her if...I felt like I had any right to, honestly. But I know I don't, so. Yeah. You're welcome.
[Of course he thanked him. Sure, he thinks Kokichi is overreacting a little, that the things he's calling Kaede out on aren't THAT big of a deal but...the fact that he did it at all means that he actually thought about Shuichi's feelings at all. It means he really is trying to change.]
[And he deserves the encouragement of a thank you for that.]
[And in a way...doesn't it kind of make sense that maybe he'd go a little overboard about this sort of thing? Caring about other people's feelings must be something of a new territory for Kokichi, and if he's really so grateful to Shuichi for spending time with him...it seems perfectly reasonable that he might perceive behaviors aimed at him as more problematic than they really are. He's overcompensating.]
[He'll get better about it with time, Shuichi's sure. And if he's going to leave Kaede alone about it now, then there's really nothing to worry about, is there? It all worked out fine. So he just hums and nods before going back to looking out the window as he works on finishing his tea.]
[And Kokichi works on finishing his food and his own drink, popping the last few pieces of fruit into his mouth one at a time. And then he starts sipping at his tea again, staring out the window with Shuichi. After a quiet moment, without looking back at the detective, he speaks up again. Though it's not to continue the conversation.]
...I'm glad you're here, Saihara-chan. [It's a soft admission, one he knows he sort of mentioned before, but feels he needs to repeat.] I'm glad there's someone here who'll listen to me, and try and understand what I'm saying or how I'm feeling. I've...only ever really opened up like this to one other person before. "Like this" referring to a lot of what I've said to you, not just this one instance. I feel better after talking...at least a little bit, anyway. So it's nice.
I'm glad I could help. Even if it's just a little bit. [He drains the last of his tea and sets the cup aside.] And I'll listen whenever you need me to, so...you don't have to keep holding everything in until you break, okay? You're not alone.
[His fingers tighten around his cup a little at those last three words.
You're not alone. For once, finally, he feels like he can believe that. That he can trust Shuichi when he says that. He can't help the little smile that tugs at his lips, turning his cup around in his hand as he lets those words sink in.]
...okay.
["Okay", because he knows he can safely accept this help. No plans will be ruined, no cruel image of himself needs to be held up anymore, no one will live or die over mistakenly believing in someone...it's okay to trust him, this time. To really, fully trust him.
That little smile quickly twists into a broad, happy grin and he stretches his hand out to the other boy. Reaching over the table with it open, waiting for Shuichi to take it.]
I'll trust you, so you better promise to do your best to take care of me!
[Now this is a surprise. So much so that, for a few moments, all Shuichi can do is stare at Kokichi's hand before him.]
[He'd offered his own hand to Kokichi once, and the other boy hadn't taken it. But even that lack of action had said something about him. Something that had helped Shuichi come to understand him just a little bit more.]
[For the tables to turn like this now...]
It's a promise. [Still smiling himself, he reaches forward and takes Kokichi's hand firmly in his own.]
[And he lets him take it, wrapping his fingers around Shuichi's hand as best as he can. He does have pretty small hands in comparison after all, but that doesn't deter him any. He even gives it a squeeze.]
I'll hold you to that!
[After a good, comfortable handhold, he pulls his hand back, still light and happy as he works on finishing his tea. He's kicking his feet under the table, eyes bright as he watches people out the window...today turned out to be a good day. A very good day...]
[While Kokichi finishes his tea, Shuichi takes a moment to gather up all the trash and go throw it out really quick. He's already done with his own tea, after all, may as well take care of that now. It's a quick trip though, and soon enough he's sliding back into the booth to join Kokichi in people watching out the window.]
[There's still one more thing he needs to talk to the other boy about but...it can wait a few more minutes. It's rare to see Kokichi genuinely happy like this...he kind of doesn't want to say anything to disturb him...]
[Well he'll have until Kokichi finishes his tea to enjoy that look, before the cup is set down and the boy focuses his attention on Shuichi again.]
Man, gotta thank you again now, for the lunch this time. Gosh, it's like I've just been worshiping you this whole time or something with all this gratitude! That's toooootally so uncharacteristic of me, y'know? So you should feel special! The Super High School Level Supreme Leader never treats anyone this way, after all!
I think it counts when I'm doing it this much in one day. I've said it like, what...five times now? I have never said "thank you" that many times in one day, ever. No lie! People are lucky if they hear me say it once!
[He stands up with a polite, "be right back," before making his way to toss his now empty cup in the trash. A very quick action, leaving the tiny leader returning to his seat moments later.]
Lucky you though, I won't tease you and call you a god or something.
[It's definitely something he should say with pride. Doesn't it make the times where he does thank people that much more special? He clearly means it, if he's going so far as to actually say thank you.
Besides, he's more about showing gratitude anyway. He makes up for it...]
Sooooo what's next? Dessert? I could probably fit dessert too. Or are you all out of free time?
Nope, that was lunch! I ate some fruit, and who eats fruit for dessert? Dessert would be one of those delicious looking mini cakes! Or one of the big eclairs! Or the chocolate cups filled with mousse!
[Not necessarily saying he actually wants dessert, just pointing out the difference. The very obvious difference, if you ask him!]
[He sounds dubious. Like he doesn't believe that a single fruit cup balances out a small pike of pastries.]
[Because he doesn't. He doesn't believe that at all. You basically had dessert-lunch with fruit on the side, Kokichi.]
Well, if you want one of those things, you can have it. [Just the one. He's giving you a limit this time, Kokichi, so choose wisely.] I'm meeting up with Akamatsu-san later, but I can hang out with you for a little while longer still.
[He hums dramatically, as if giving this some serious thought, before sitting back with his hands resting behind his head.]
Eh, that's alright. Trying to watch my figure~ Can't have too many sweets. Plus, it'd be a shame to waste what precious time I have with my beloved Saihara-chan by eating! So let's go do something fun!
[This way, he also isn't spending any more of Shuichi's credits as well. He stands up from the table, taking a moment to stretch his arms up above his head, raising up onto his toes in the process. And then he's waiting for the detective to follow suit and stand too. He's not going anywhere unless you're coming with him, mister!]
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diffidentive) wrote2017-11-13 11:58 am
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You're welcome~
[He takes a sip of his own tea, silently going over the situation in his head again. It's nice, getting an invitation like this. It'd be a lie to say he hadn't been jealous of the training entourage back at the academy. And while this, of course, isn't really anything like that at all, it's still...really nice. Comparable enough to make him pretty happy.
Even if he's sure Kaito and Maki would want to kick him back out of the routine if they ever showed up.]
...I appreciate it, too.
[Just gonna mumble that a little around a bite of his sweet, not looking at the detective.]
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[Shuichi smiles in response to Kokichi's mumbling, taking a long drink of his tea. He heard that. But he's going to pretend he didn't so you can lie about it later if you want.]
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After a little comfortable silence, once Kokichi has finished his pastry and has opened the cup of fruit to start working on that, he hums a little to get Shuichi's attention. One line of thought had led to another, and the detective "appreciating" him agreeing had brought his mind back to an earlier comment and conversation. And while, at the time, he had decided he didn't want to discuss the fight he had with Kaede at all, he's ended up changing his mind. Sure, there wasn't really any need to address it, and his friend hadn't pursued the issue or anything, but...
Once again, he's choosing not to look at him while he talks.]
So, uh...since you of course know about the fight Akamatsu-chan and I had, I just wanted to tell you I'm going to leave her alone. Not alone alone or anything, of course, but with regards to...you know. That.
[That big pink elephant of, "I care way too much about Shuichi's feelings when I have no right to," that's constantly following him around.]
Oh and I'm going to let her know too, so don't worry about trying to drag me over there to talk to her myself or anything.
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[When are they NOT fighting? He honestly didn't think much of it, especially now that Kokichi had clearly realized the hypocrisy in telling Kaede something like that. Surely that's why he'd come to apologize again, right?]
[All that said...he's clearly not 100% sure what "That" is, judging by the look on his face. The killing game??]
Um...well I wasn't going to drag you anywhere. But...that's good. [He guesses?]
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He decides to test the waters, shrugging and glancing out the window.]
Huh, here I thought you'd be happier that I wasn't going to hound your girlfriend anymore.
[He hasn't exactly hounded her, but exaggerating should give him exactly the answer he's looking for. Just how much does Shuichi know or care about the sitation?]
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[He frowns. Now that he thinks about it...Kokichi had said something similar that one time in the park, after Kaede had bought her keyboard. He hadn't thought about it when Kaede had come to talk to him the other day, because of everything else they'd talked about. But that was...at least twice, three times including their first day here, that Kokichi had gotten onto her about being more considerate of Shuichi's feelings.]
[But that still isn't exactly hounding. That's three separate instances, at least two of which were actually prompted by the situation itself.]
Just how many times have the two of you argued about that?
[At least now he seems to be a little more sure about what "That" is.]
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...not enough to actually call it hounding. A few times, though. Four, maybe? I don't actually keep count or anything, but there have definitely been at least three times where I talked to her about that specifically, and one where it was just kind of a vague thing.
[As he talks, he continues to just sort of observe him, feeling a little out of place in this kind of situation. As is usual, when he's ever being honest about something involving his own feelings. Rather than explain himself or his point of view, he's choosing to just answer Shuichi and wait for a reaction. He already knows Kaede's view on the whole thing, but he should learn the detective's too since he's still somewhat involved. Maybe not directly, but he is the subject of the arguments.]
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[Well, he guesses that explains the whole "He really cares about you" thing. If they've discussed it even when he's not around...]
[He glances down at his cup, still frowning as he taps his finger against the side. Though it's clearly more of a thoughtful one than an angry one.]
[He's no exactly sure what to say. It's still weird to think that Kokichi cares THAT MUCH about his feelings.]
Well...thank you, then. For backing off Akamatsu-san.
[.......]
And...for looking out for me. That's why you kept bugging her about it, right?
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So he hums a little at first, looking down at the last couple of pieces of fruit in his cup. His expression is incredibly soft, a mixture of both apprehension but something fond and grateful too. He thanked him...]
Yeah. It is. I mean still stand by what I've told her. [Meaning he still wants to try and look out for him.] I'd probably still point it out to her if...I felt like I had any right to, honestly. But I know I don't, so. Yeah. You're welcome.
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[And he deserves the encouragement of a thank you for that.]
[And in a way...doesn't it kind of make sense that maybe he'd go a little overboard about this sort of thing? Caring about other people's feelings must be something of a new territory for Kokichi, and if he's really so grateful to Shuichi for spending time with him...it seems perfectly reasonable that he might perceive behaviors aimed at him as more problematic than they really are. He's overcompensating.]
[He'll get better about it with time, Shuichi's sure. And if he's going to leave Kaede alone about it now, then there's really nothing to worry about, is there? It all worked out fine. So he just hums and nods before going back to looking out the window as he works on finishing his tea.]
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...I'm glad you're here, Saihara-chan. [It's a soft admission, one he knows he sort of mentioned before, but feels he needs to repeat.] I'm glad there's someone here who'll listen to me, and try and understand what I'm saying or how I'm feeling. I've...only ever really opened up like this to one other person before. "Like this" referring to a lot of what I've said to you, not just this one instance. I feel better after talking...at least a little bit, anyway. So it's nice.
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I'm glad I could help. Even if it's just a little bit. [He drains the last of his tea and sets the cup aside.] And I'll listen whenever you need me to, so...you don't have to keep holding everything in until you break, okay? You're not alone.
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You're not alone. For once, finally, he feels like he can believe that. That he can trust Shuichi when he says that. He can't help the little smile that tugs at his lips, turning his cup around in his hand as he lets those words sink in.]
...okay.
["Okay", because he knows he can safely accept this help. No plans will be ruined, no cruel image of himself needs to be held up anymore, no one will live or die over mistakenly believing in someone...it's okay to trust him, this time. To really, fully trust him.
That little smile quickly twists into a broad, happy grin and he stretches his hand out to the other boy. Reaching over the table with it open, waiting for Shuichi to take it.]
I'll trust you, so you better promise to do your best to take care of me!
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[He'd offered his own hand to Kokichi once, and the other boy hadn't taken it. But even that lack of action had said something about him. Something that had helped Shuichi come to understand him just a little bit more.]
[For the tables to turn like this now...]
It's a promise. [Still smiling himself, he reaches forward and takes Kokichi's hand firmly in his own.]
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I'll hold you to that!
[After a good, comfortable handhold, he pulls his hand back, still light and happy as he works on finishing his tea. He's kicking his feet under the table, eyes bright as he watches people out the window...today turned out to be a good day. A very good day...]
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[There's still one more thing he needs to talk to the other boy about but...it can wait a few more minutes. It's rare to see Kokichi genuinely happy like this...he kind of doesn't want to say anything to disturb him...]
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Man, gotta thank you again now, for the lunch this time. Gosh, it's like I've just been worshiping you this whole time or something with all this gratitude! That's toooootally so uncharacteristic of me, y'know? So you should feel special! The Super High School Level Supreme Leader never treats anyone this way, after all!
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[Isn't that just common courtesy...?]
But you're welcome.
[Again. this time for something completely different.]
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[He stands up with a polite, "be right back," before making his way to toss his now empty cup in the trash. A very quick action, leaving the tiny leader returning to his seat moments later.]
Lucky you though, I won't tease you and call you a god or something.
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Um...thanks.
[Holy shit, for once he's not teasing him. Shuichi's gotta mark this day down in his calendar, it's a very momentous occasion.]
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Besides, he's more about showing gratitude anyway. He makes up for it...]
Sooooo what's next? Dessert? I could probably fit dessert too. Or are you all out of free time?
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[As a meal all its own? He's pretty sure that's what he just witnessed.]
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[Not necessarily saying he actually wants dessert, just pointing out the difference. The very obvious difference, if you ask him!]
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[He sounds dubious. Like he doesn't believe that a single fruit cup balances out a small pike of pastries.]
[Because he doesn't. He doesn't believe that at all. You basically had dessert-lunch with fruit on the side, Kokichi.]
Well, if you want one of those things, you can have it. [Just the one. He's giving you a limit this time, Kokichi, so choose wisely.] I'm meeting up with Akamatsu-san later, but I can hang out with you for a little while longer still.
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Eh, that's alright. Trying to watch my figure~ Can't have too many sweets. Plus, it'd be a shame to waste what precious time I have with my beloved Saihara-chan by eating! So let's go do something fun!
[This way, he also isn't spending any more of Shuichi's credits as well. He stands up from the table, taking a moment to stretch his arms up above his head, raising up onto his toes in the process. And then he's waiting for the detective to follow suit and stand too. He's not going anywhere unless you're coming with him, mister!]
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