Shuichi "Beta-est of Betas" Saihara ✯ 最原 終一 (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
diffidentive) wrote2019-07-28 06:22 pm
diffidentive) wrote2019-07-28 06:22 pm
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[The detective jumps a little, accidentally squeezing the trigger on his crossbow as he does so. So...good thing Kokichi waited, otherwise Shuichi would have just shot himself in the foot. But luckily, the bow wasn't loaded.]
O-oh...Oma-kun. [He forces a smile as he realizes who the owner of the voice is, then shakes his head.] No, I don't mind.
O-oh...Oma-kun. [He forces a smile as he realizes who the owner of the voice is, then shakes his head.] No, I don't mind.
[The month has been long and a bit of a struggle, at least with regards to keeping spirits up. Kokichi's tried to do his part, running around doing his best to cheer people up when he's seen them needing it or engage them in games and pranks...and he's grateful that the people of New New Aspen have been around to help too. And the Director's encouraging words, which still sit in the back of his head as he approaches Shuichi's door again. "Take these few weeks to focus on the people you love — and the people you haven't figured out you love just yet."
He's done his best, and now he's going to take that suggestion a little more literally. Or try to, at least. Dressed a little more nicely than usual, with a bouquet in hand and a gift bag in the other, he knocks on the detective's door. And, for once, waits for him to answer.]
He's done his best, and now he's going to take that suggestion a little more literally. Or try to, at least. Dressed a little more nicely than usual, with a bouquet in hand and a gift bag in the other, he knocks on the detective's door. And, for once, waits for him to answer.]
Whoops, sorry! I wasn't trying to surprise you this time, I swear.
[But there's just no good way to get someone's attention when they don't know you're there yet. Making his way over to him, he looks the detective over for a moment, then the targets.]
It's good to see you out practicing, you know? Though I bet you could tackle a medium level. Or maybe even something more challenging than that! Hey, do you know about leading your target yet?
[But there's just no good way to get someone's attention when they don't know you're there yet. Making his way over to him, he looks the detective over for a moment, then the targets.]
It's good to see you out practicing, you know? Though I bet you could tackle a medium level. Or maybe even something more challenging than that! Hey, do you know about leading your target yet?
Ah...
[Shuichi seems to wilt a little at the mention of a medium level. As though Kokichi was admonishing him rather than just stating a fact. Or perhaps as though he himself knows that he should be putting in more effort. Either way, the feeling disappointment is suddenly strong in the air.]
N-No, I don't think I can handle the difficulties beyond medium...but Harukawa-san did teach me about leading my target...
[Shuichi seems to wilt a little at the mention of a medium level. As though Kokichi was admonishing him rather than just stating a fact. Or perhaps as though he himself knows that he should be putting in more effort. Either way, the feeling disappointment is suddenly strong in the air.]
N-No, I don't think I can handle the difficulties beyond medium...but Harukawa-san did teach me about leading my target...
Whoa, why the long face? [He tilts his head curiously.] It was just a suggestion, Saihara-chan. If you don't think you're ready, no big deal! Everyone learns at their own pace.
[He wasn't admonishing you at all, Shuichi, promise. But he hums and nods too, walking to stand in front of one of the targets to examine it some.]
Did Harukawa-chan only have you practice with these things?
[He wasn't admonishing you at all, Shuichi, promise. But he hums and nods too, walking to stand in front of one of the targets to examine it some.]
Did Harukawa-chan only have you practice with these things?
Edited 2019-12-20 22:01 (UTC)
...?
[Someone knocking on the door? Who does he know who does that? At least so calmly so? Kokichi always just breaks in and Kaede's knocks are a little more energetic. Maybe it's Minato...? Or Ferran? Did 76 perhaps lose his key?]
[Only one way to find out. And that is to put down his book, walk over to the door, and open it.]
..... [Yeah, he is...definitely surprised to see Kokichi standing there and does something of a double take. Since when does Kokichi knock and actually wait for an answer instead of just barging in? He's so caught off guard that it actually takes him a minute to speak.] H-hi, Oma-kun. Uhm...
[Wait...is he dressed up? And he has...flowers? And a gift bag? What the heck is going on here?]
Can...I help you with something?
[Someone knocking on the door? Who does he know who does that? At least so calmly so? Kokichi always just breaks in and Kaede's knocks are a little more energetic. Maybe it's Minato...? Or Ferran? Did 76 perhaps lose his key?]
[Only one way to find out. And that is to put down his book, walk over to the door, and open it.]
..... [Yeah, he is...definitely surprised to see Kokichi standing there and does something of a double take. Since when does Kokichi knock and actually wait for an answer instead of just barging in? He's so caught off guard that it actually takes him a minute to speak.] H-hi, Oma-kun. Uhm...
[Wait...is he dressed up? And he has...flowers? And a gift bag? What the heck is going on here?]
Can...I help you with something?
You sure can!
[He offers him a bright smile, offering him the flowers.]
I was hoping you'd join me for Christmas! I mean, it is a couple's holiday, right? Or...Candlenights, technically, but let's not kid ourselves this is totally a sort of Christmas celebration.
[Yeaaaah that was smooth. Teasing enough to keep the atmosphere light, but flirty enough to totally get his intentions across. Nailed it.]
[He offers him a bright smile, offering him the flowers.]
I was hoping you'd join me for Christmas! I mean, it is a couple's holiday, right? Or...Candlenights, technically, but let's not kid ourselves this is totally a sort of Christmas celebration.
[Yeaaaah that was smooth. Teasing enough to keep the atmosphere light, but flirty enough to totally get his intentions across. Nailed it.]
M-mm...just with the targets. They move a little bit on medium difficulty, though.
[Ah, so he has actually progressed beyond easy. Or, at least, Maki had him practice on medium difficulty. Probably whether he was ready to or not, knowing her.]
Oh...and we did do the Initiation retest together last month.
[That counts as practice, right? And the targets were definitely not bullseyes in the test. Definitely monsters.]
[Ah, so he has actually progressed beyond easy. Or, at least, Maki had him practice on medium difficulty. Probably whether he was ready to or not, knowing her.]
Oh...and we did do the Initiation retest together last month.
[That counts as practice, right? And the targets were definitely not bullseyes in the test. Definitely monsters.]
[That absolutely counts, and once again he hums and nods. And then he heads over to stand by Shuichi, tilting his head.]
Soooo...I'm no Harukawa-chan, but I wanna help! Plus, I think I've improved all I can on my own, y'know? Now I'm just doing the same thing over and over, which isn't helping much. So how about we work together?
Soooo...I'm no Harukawa-chan, but I wanna help! Plus, I think I've improved all I can on my own, y'know? Now I'm just doing the same thing over and over, which isn't helping much. So how about we work together?
Err...
[Rather than alleviate his confusion, Kokichi's explanation only deepens it. Shuichi's wrong-footing becomes even more wrong. Is he hallucinating? Dreaming? Is Kokichi sick? Joking?]
[...yeah, knowing him, this is probably some kind of joke. Or, maybe not a joke, but definitely that weird brand of Kokichi teasing that Shuichi has grown so used to enduring, even if he still is none the wiser on how exactly to deal with it.]
I...guess it's both of those things, yeah. But...we aren't a couple, Oma-kun. So...what is it that you want me to join you for, exactly?
[Rather than alleviate his confusion, Kokichi's explanation only deepens it. Shuichi's wrong-footing becomes even more wrong. Is he hallucinating? Dreaming? Is Kokichi sick? Joking?]
[...yeah, knowing him, this is probably some kind of joke. Or, maybe not a joke, but definitely that weird brand of Kokichi teasing that Shuichi has grown so used to enduring, even if he still is none the wiser on how exactly to deal with it.]
I...guess it's both of those things, yeah. But...we aren't a couple, Oma-kun. So...what is it that you want me to join you for, exactly?
Hey, that could change! Christmas is a romantic holiday!
[He wiggles the flowers a little bit, as if begging him to understand what he's asking here. Romantic holiday. Couple's holiday. He has flowers and a gift. He's dressed nicely. Shuichi you aren't that dumb.]
Buuuut I figured we could go check out some of the festivities in town! I heard it's pretty fun, and they have all sorts of neat traditions to take part in! Maybe we could get dinner somewhere? Just take a break and enjoy ourselves.
[He wiggles the flowers a little bit, as if begging him to understand what he's asking here. Romantic holiday. Couple's holiday. He has flowers and a gift. He's dressed nicely. Shuichi you aren't that dumb.]
Buuuut I figured we could go check out some of the festivities in town! I heard it's pretty fun, and they have all sorts of neat traditions to take part in! Maybe we could get dinner somewhere? Just take a break and enjoy ourselves.
.....
["Dumb" is one thing that Shuichi is not. The fact that all of Kokichi's romantic advances have thusfar gone over his head has nothing to do with Shuichi's intelligence, but rather a combination of his lack of confidence and Kokichi's lying nature and questionable flirting skills.]
[But this latest attempt is so normal and by-the-book that for the first time ever, it doesn't sail past Shuichi unnoticed. He has flowers and a gift. He's dressed nicely. He knocked on the door and waited for an answer. He keeps bringing up the romantic connotations of the holiday...]
Oma-kun... [If it were any other person on standing in his doorway, all these clues would mean only one thing. But...this is Kokichi we're talking about. Even if the detective is actually considering the possibility that the leader also means that one thing, he's still hesitant. Still worried that maybe he's misunderstanding and this is all some kind of teasing ploy.] Are you...asking me out on a date? Like...an actual date? Not...n-not as friends?
[He manages to maintain eye contact for the entirety of the first question, but then his gaze falters. He glances at the floor, the wall, and finally at the flowers that Kokichi is still holding out to him.]
["Dumb" is one thing that Shuichi is not. The fact that all of Kokichi's romantic advances have thusfar gone over his head has nothing to do with Shuichi's intelligence, but rather a combination of his lack of confidence and Kokichi's lying nature and questionable flirting skills.]
[But this latest attempt is so normal and by-the-book that for the first time ever, it doesn't sail past Shuichi unnoticed. He has flowers and a gift. He's dressed nicely. He knocked on the door and waited for an answer. He keeps bringing up the romantic connotations of the holiday...]
Oma-kun... [If it were any other person on standing in his doorway, all these clues would mean only one thing. But...this is Kokichi we're talking about. Even if the detective is actually considering the possibility that the leader also means that one thing, he's still hesitant. Still worried that maybe he's misunderstanding and this is all some kind of teasing ploy.] Are you...asking me out on a date? Like...an actual date? Not...n-not as friends?
[He manages to maintain eye contact for the entirety of the first question, but then his gaze falters. He glances at the floor, the wall, and finally at the flowers that Kokichi is still holding out to him.]
[What does he say?]
[What does he say?]
.....
[Nothing. He says nothing. Because Shuichi has no idea WHAT to say to that. That smile is so very genuine, so completely unlike the shit-eating grins, mischievous smirks, and twisted crescent-shape insanities that he's used to seeing from Kokichi that he can tell this ISN'T a lie. He's not teasing or joking...Kokichi Oma is truly and genuinely asking him, Shuichi Saihara, out on a date. Kokichi Oma likes him, Shuichi Saihara, as more than just a friend]
[And acknowledging that suddenly casts a very different light on all Kokichi's previous romantic advances. All the ones that he'd completely misunderstood or written off as teasing jests. A light that throws two things into very sharp relief.]
[One: that Kokichi has very likely had these feelings for months now.]
[And two: Shuichi feel the same way. Save for that one time on the train in Wonderland (and had those feelings even truly been his own, or were they a product of the environment?), he hasn't once thought of Kokichi as more than a friend. And even that he had been fairly certain was just a one-sided thing. Again, because of Kokichi's nature as a liar. It's very hard to know for certain what he's thinking or how he's feeling.]
[And so, Shuichi says nothing. He just stares in blank shock at Kokichi, feeling a weird disconnect between body and mind as he tries to process all the thoughts and feelings going through his head right now. Because good lord there is just so much to unpack here. On top of all his initial thoughts, there's also the fact that they're both guys? Not to mention the entire complicated affair that is Kaede Akamatsu and the feelings he'd once had for her. How he'd had to give up on those feelings without ever giving voice to them. How bad he'd felt when he'd realized that she didn't feel the same way about him. He doesn't want to make Kokichi feel that way...but wouldn't pretending be even more cruel?]
I...u-uhm...
[What does he say?]
.....
[Nothing. He says nothing. Because Shuichi has no idea WHAT to say to that. That smile is so very genuine, so completely unlike the shit-eating grins, mischievous smirks, and twisted crescent-shape insanities that he's used to seeing from Kokichi that he can tell this ISN'T a lie. He's not teasing or joking...Kokichi Oma is truly and genuinely asking him, Shuichi Saihara, out on a date. Kokichi Oma likes him, Shuichi Saihara, as more than just a friend]
[And acknowledging that suddenly casts a very different light on all Kokichi's previous romantic advances. All the ones that he'd completely misunderstood or written off as teasing jests. A light that throws two things into very sharp relief.]
[One: that Kokichi has very likely had these feelings for months now.]
[And two: Shuichi feel the same way. Save for that one time on the train in Wonderland (and had those feelings even truly been his own, or were they a product of the environment?), he hasn't once thought of Kokichi as more than a friend. And even that he had been fairly certain was just a one-sided thing. Again, because of Kokichi's nature as a liar. It's very hard to know for certain what he's thinking or how he's feeling.]
[And so, Shuichi says nothing. He just stares in blank shock at Kokichi, feeling a weird disconnect between body and mind as he tries to process all the thoughts and feelings going through his head right now. Because good lord there is just so much to unpack here. On top of all his initial thoughts, there's also the fact that they're both guys? Not to mention the entire complicated affair that is Kaede Akamatsu and the feelings he'd once had for her. How he'd had to give up on those feelings without ever giving voice to them. How bad he'd felt when he'd realized that she didn't feel the same way about him. He doesn't want to make Kokichi feel that way...but wouldn't pretending be even more cruel?]
I...u-uhm...
[And here's the reaction he was expecting. With a light laugh, he lifts the hand with the gift, waving it a little.]
You don't have to commit to a relationship or anything, by the way. I'm totally head over heels for you, but I know what I'm like, nishishi! So...I'm just asking for one date.
[He glances towards the exit of their floor, humming.]
It's just really beautiful out...seemed like it'd be a shame not to enjoy it. And it'd be a shame to miss the chance of telling you how I feel again...
You don't have to commit to a relationship or anything, by the way. I'm totally head over heels for you, but I know what I'm like, nishishi! So...I'm just asking for one date.
[He glances towards the exit of their floor, humming.]
It's just really beautiful out...seemed like it'd be a shame not to enjoy it. And it'd be a shame to miss the chance of telling you how I feel again...
Edited 2019-12-20 23:50 (UTC)
[And it'd be a shame to miss the chance of telling you how I feel again... There it is. Absolute proof that he was right about just how long Kokichi has had these feelings. Again can only mean one thing, after all. That he'd missed his chance to say so during the killing game because death had snatched it away from him.]
I... [Just one date...that's not so unreasonable a request, is it? No, it's not. Even if Shuichi still isn't sure what to make of all this, even if he still feels incredibly wrong-footed...he can give Kokichi that much. He can give him one Actual, Not Just As Friends date. So he reaches forward and takes the flowers and gift bag from Kokichi, though avoiding eye contact as he does so, cheeks faintly pink as he speaks in an even softer voice than usual.] It...w-would be a shame not to enjoy it. You're right.
I... [Just one date...that's not so unreasonable a request, is it? No, it's not. Even if Shuichi still isn't sure what to make of all this, even if he still feels incredibly wrong-footed...he can give Kokichi that much. He can give him one Actual, Not Just As Friends date. So he reaches forward and takes the flowers and gift bag from Kokichi, though avoiding eye contact as he does so, cheeks faintly pink as he speaks in an even softer voice than usual.] It...w-would be a shame not to enjoy it. You're right.
Edited 2019-12-21 00:00 (UTC)
Uhm...okay. But...don't you use daggers? I'm...not sure how I can help you improve with those...
[It's easier, he thinks, to train with at least one other person. Easier to stay motivated and keep trying. So it's a good idea, and he's actually kind of grateful that Kokichi suggested it. However...it kind of sounds like he doesn't have things like push ups or running laps in mind. Shuichi isn't sure that Kokichi would really benefit at all by training with him...]
[It's easier, he thinks, to train with at least one other person. Easier to stay motivated and keep trying. So it's a good idea, and he's actually kind of grateful that Kokichi suggested it. However...it kind of sounds like he doesn't have things like push ups or running laps in mind. Shuichi isn't sure that Kokichi would really benefit at all by training with him...]
[You're easier to please than you seem, huh Kokichi?]
Ah...right. Um...just...g-give me a minute to change into...something nicer.
[Not that...he really has any dressy clothes? They just don't need stuff like that here. Or at least, they haven't so far.]
You can come sit in the living room, if you want? So you don't...have to stand out here...
Ah...right. Um...just...g-give me a minute to change into...something nicer.
[Not that...he really has any dressy clothes? They just don't need stuff like that here. Or at least, they haven't so far.]
You can come sit in the living room, if you want? So you don't...have to stand out here...
What I fight with doesn't matter that much in the long run. Because if I only trained with people who fought with daggers, I'd never know what to do when I came up against swordsmen or rangers, y'know? And besides, fighting isn't the only kind of training we could do!
[He grins, hands on his hips.]
The way I see it, there are three areas we could tackle. You still need to work on basic training, right? Push ups and laps and all that? Well I do those too, so we could just start doing them together. But the other two both involve sparring.
[Pulling out his daggers, he tosses one in the air idly, catching it before tossing it again as he explains.]
Have you done any hand to hand or short range combat training? Or have you just been learning your crossbow?
[He grins, hands on his hips.]
The way I see it, there are three areas we could tackle. You still need to work on basic training, right? Push ups and laps and all that? Well I do those too, so we could just start doing them together. But the other two both involve sparring.
[Pulling out his daggers, he tosses one in the air idly, catching it before tossing it again as he explains.]
Have you done any hand to hand or short range combat training? Or have you just been learning your crossbow?
[He sure is. At least where Shuichi is involved. But he takes that invitation and slips inside, taking a seat on the couch.]
Take your time! And don't worry about being too fancy or anything. These are just nice street clothes that I haven't torn apart yet, nishishi.
[He's dressed nicely, yes, but definitely not suit and tie or dress shirt and slacks levels of nice. The fanciest thing he has going on are black painted nails and having pulled his hair back into a ponytail.]
Take your time! And don't worry about being too fancy or anything. These are just nice street clothes that I haven't torn apart yet, nishishi.
[He's dressed nicely, yes, but definitely not suit and tie or dress shirt and slacks levels of nice. The fanciest thing he has going on are black painted nails and having pulled his hair back into a ponytail.]
[He nods to answer Kokichi's question about basic training. Yup. He...he definitely still needs to do that. And likely will for quite some time. Possibly forever.]
Ah...just the crossbow.
[Since...you know. IDEALLY he shouldn't ever have to be in a close-range combat situation. He's a chemist. He shouldn't really be fighting at all, if it can be helped...]
Ah...just the crossbow.
[Since...you know. IDEALLY he shouldn't ever have to be in a close-range combat situation. He's a chemist. He shouldn't really be fighting at all, if it can be helped...]
I want to train you in that then. A crossbow won't be able to help you much if the mob manages to reach you, y'know? Sure you can smack it with it but I think knowing how to fight up close would be beneficial too. At least knowing enough to be able to get 'em to back off and give you distance again.
[If a big monster came in close and got one good swipe at Shuichi, that could be it for him if he isn't prepared to defend and fight back...]
Annnnd I want to spar with your crossbow too! That'd give you a moving target that's a little more real to life than these dummies here, and it'll give me practice against long ranged enemies.
[He wants to get into a full range of training for them, it seems. No messing around here.]
[If a big monster came in close and got one good swipe at Shuichi, that could be it for him if he isn't prepared to defend and fight back...]
Annnnd I want to spar with your crossbow too! That'd give you a moving target that's a little more real to life than these dummies here, and it'll give me practice against long ranged enemies.
[He wants to get into a full range of training for them, it seems. No messing around here.]
[Okay but Shuichi is already in his pajamas...he can't go out in his pajamas. That's why he's already wearing them despite the fact that it's still technically the afternoon. He was planning on just...spending the evening reading. Surprise.]
[He doesn't immediately head for the bedroom once they're both inside though. instead, he pulls a mug out of one of the cupboards and fills it with water, putting the flowers in it and setting it down on a counter. He...he doesn't have a vase because why would he? But a mug works, right? The flowers certainly don't seem to be complaining about it.]
[Only then does he head into the bedroom, Kokichi's giftbag still in hand. He's not sure if he should open that now or after the date...what is the protocol here? He's never been on a date before so obviously he's never received a date PRESENT before either. So once inside, he just sets it down on his bed before turning to his closet.]
[After a few minutes, he reemerges wearing the pinstriped pants and plain white dress shirt of his old school uniform. Teeth brushed? Check. Hair combed? Check. He is READY for this d-- okay no he's not even remotely ready, despite how ready he looks, appearance-wise. But it'll just have to do, because he can't back out of this now.]
Okay...I'm r-ready.
[He doesn't immediately head for the bedroom once they're both inside though. instead, he pulls a mug out of one of the cupboards and fills it with water, putting the flowers in it and setting it down on a counter. He...he doesn't have a vase because why would he? But a mug works, right? The flowers certainly don't seem to be complaining about it.]
[Only then does he head into the bedroom, Kokichi's giftbag still in hand. He's not sure if he should open that now or after the date...what is the protocol here? He's never been on a date before so obviously he's never received a date PRESENT before either. So once inside, he just sets it down on his bed before turning to his closet.]
[After a few minutes, he reemerges wearing the pinstriped pants and plain white dress shirt of his old school uniform. Teeth brushed? Check. Hair combed? Check. He is READY for this d-- okay no he's not even remotely ready, despite how ready he looks, appearance-wise. But it'll just have to do, because he can't back out of this now.]
Okay...I'm r-ready.
I can still shoot it if it's close to me, you know... [That's an option!!! It's not like crossbows can ONLY be used if you're a certain distance away, you should know that better than anyone, Kokichi.] Though I won't say no if you want to teach me something close range.
But, um...if you want to spar with my crossbow, we'll have to see if we can find...some kind of practice bolts for it. [Like...nerf darts or something.] I don't want to actually shoot you with live bolts...
But, um...if you want to spar with my crossbow, we'll have to see if we can find...some kind of practice bolts for it. [Like...nerf darts or something.] I don't want to actually shoot you with live bolts...
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