Heheh...nah, I get it. You're always cool about it, Naoto. Shit, you ever had someone do a bridge-burner on ya?
[Hmm, how to explain it... he zipped up and buttoned up again after fixing his jeans.]
So I was pretty terrified of rejection. Still gives me the willies. I mean, not because I hate 'no' or 'not yet', but... people would go outta their way not only to say no, but dig in the knife on how stupid it was for me to even suggest the thing they rejected.
The number of girls who not only said 'no' when asked if they were friends with me, but would then cry and feel offended that they were asked...
[He shook his head.]
The number's higher than it really needed to be. Uh- b-but that's in the past! I jus'- I'm glad you're way above bullshitting. You're honest. True to yourself. That's part of why I love you.
... I haven't. Considering many I worked with needed to do so by contract.
[Her brows furrow at the thought of people metaphorically 'digging the knife' in when it came to rejecting Kanji. She didn't fully comprehend, but she could understand all the same. Did the 'knife' feel the same or different between people of similar age or not was the ultimate curiosity.]
Hmph... well, whenever the reunion comes around, they can regret their rejections then. Their loss can be... mmm, not necessarily my gain; just a miss on their part. Unless, you really don't object to me calling you mine...?
[It doesn't seem like she would be valuing him properly as her significant...]
[They completely missed out by tossing him under the bus and making fun. It likely never felt as good in adulthood as in childhood to have that sort of rejection treatment, but the stares he still occasionally got always felt like thorns in his mind, bugging and stinging.
But what came next was a rush of color to his face. She'd said things to that effect in the heat of the moment and it was beyond sexy, but here? Casually? So... s-so casual...!
He hid his face in his hands.]
I-I don't mind...! I always wondered if- if it was okay if I-... y'know...!
[She belonged to nobody. But the Sanguis brain was so insistent on being so covetous!]
[There's a small thrill seeing him become so flustered. Still, his own words had a similar effect on her, making her face brighten and she lowered her head to hide her own face.]
... It's rather embarrassing to admit, but... I-I do seem to... like being known as yours.
[And she blamed Iris before, but there was just some thought into him regarding her as 'his' affectionately or passionately that made her heart skip.]
[He picked up a bowl and a spoon. He'd learned the prismals make damn good miso soup, and tried his best not to eyeball the grilled fish. That'd be his next target, but right now he needed something a little saltier. But he blinked at her.]
W-well... I mean, I figure when you're flirting with somebody you're gettin' into the mood of how ya feel about 'em and building a sorta vibe, right?
[He nodded, jaw set. That's right! The number of letters she received, the whispers, the people who hung around waiting for the opportunity. How suffocating must that have been?]
Oh yeah, I remember that. It got bad sometimes.
[Suffocating indeed. Enough that he... But he paused, bit his lip, and decided to come clean.]
I'd sometimes jus' walk up n' say hi and people at school would haul ass outta there 'cause they were afraid of me.
That's... that was why. I kinda... did that on purpose.
Ain't a problem. A lotta those people were seriously over-the-top! Was it as bad in the city?
[He sat back and ate. He'd only briefly been in a big city and had gotten his fair share of looks and the occasional flirt- the latter of which he'd only realize later, same as ever- but to live in it day by day and be a face that'd be in magazines and on TV...]
I would say it's the same. Appearing on live television before was intentional; I try to avoid the media otherwise.
[A spoonful of soup and a light blow to cool it down, she sipped.]
When I came to Inaba back then, it was only through rumors that my presence was known until the interview. Meanwhile, I recall I formally introduced myself to everyone while investigating Rise-san.
[He remembered his heart racing even then, a tumultuous cloud of emotions boiling away in his head as he juggled having friends again, people who tolerated being around him... that was all before he still battled the way this mysterious 'boy' made his stomach twist into knots.]
...I'm sorry I was an awkward pile of crap. I mean, STILL AM! But... y'know...!
[He shook his head fondly and drained the rest of the bowl. It left him in a delightfully warm, buzzy sort of feeling right down to his toes. Kanji curiously looked the bowl over before he set it away.]
Hmh... whole lotta mirin in the stock, I think. Heads up. It feels like it's hitting. Tasty, though!
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... You... could say that. My pants are also a little constricting since they're not down that far.
[But now that she's up enough, she could fix her underwear and pants back in place.]
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[Quickies were a science, and a very messy science at that. He would take a few napkins to helpfully pick up after everything.]
Don't worry- no sneaky times in alleys or nothin' where we'd get caught... I-I just didn't think they'd come over here so fast!
But... thanks. Uh, for gettin' what I was gettin' at earlier.
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No, I didn't think they would either.
Earli-- ah, well... were circumstances different...
[Who could honestly say...]
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[Hmm, how to explain it... he zipped up and buttoned up again after fixing his jeans.]
So I was pretty terrified of rejection. Still gives me the willies. I mean, not because I hate 'no' or 'not yet', but... people would go outta their way not only to say no, but dig in the knife on how stupid it was for me to even suggest the thing they rejected.
The number of girls who not only said 'no' when asked if they were friends with me, but would then cry and feel offended that they were asked...
[He shook his head.]
The number's higher than it really needed to be. Uh- b-but that's in the past! I jus'- I'm glad you're way above bullshitting. You're honest. True to yourself. That's part of why I love you.
I... yeah, that's- that's all.
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[Her brows furrow at the thought of people metaphorically 'digging the knife' in when it came to rejecting Kanji. She didn't fully comprehend, but she could understand all the same. Did the 'knife' feel the same or different between people of similar age or not was the ultimate curiosity.]
Hmph... well, whenever the reunion comes around, they can regret their rejections then. Their loss can be... mmm, not necessarily my gain; just a miss on their part. Unless, you really don't object to me calling you mine...?
[It doesn't seem like she would be valuing him properly as her significant...]
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But what came next was a rush of color to his face. She'd said things to that effect in the heat of the moment and it was beyond sexy, but here? Casually? So... s-so casual...!
He hid his face in his hands.]
I-I don't mind...! I always wondered if- if it was okay if I-... y'know...!
[She belonged to nobody. But the Sanguis brain was so insistent on being so covetous!]
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... It's rather embarrassing to admit, but... I-I do seem to... like being known as yours.
[And she blamed Iris before, but there was just some thought into him regarding her as 'his' affectionately or passionately that made her heart skip.]
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G-good to know! I, uhm... I gotta come up with some stuff. I'm still learnin' the whole 'flirting' thing.
[He smirked shyly as he pulled his hands away, and sat up straighter.]
Think I'm gettin' better, though. I judge by how much ya blush.
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[She's going to look at their food... and not let him see her red face.]
It's difficult not to do so since, even when you're flirting, I know you mean every word.
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W-well... I mean, I figure when you're flirting with somebody you're gettin' into the mood of how ya feel about 'em and building a sorta vibe, right?
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[Taking a bowl for herself, she took a moment to swirl around the contents, scowling faintly.]
Not in all cases. Some people who have attempted to flirt with me in the past did not have those intentions.
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Oh yeah, I remember that. It got bad sometimes.
[Suffocating indeed. Enough that he... But he paused, bit his lip, and decided to come clean.]
I'd sometimes jus' walk up n' say hi and people at school would haul ass outta there 'cause they were afraid of me.
That's... that was why. I kinda... did that on purpose.
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[She sighed; she wasn't a stepping stone for people.]
Hm... I thought it was an odd coincidence when you did that. I didn't say it then, but I appreciated when you interrupted.
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Ain't a problem. A lotta those people were seriously over-the-top! Was it as bad in the city?
[He sat back and ate. He'd only briefly been in a big city and had gotten his fair share of looks and the occasional flirt- the latter of which he'd only realize later, same as ever- but to live in it day by day and be a face that'd be in magazines and on TV...]
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[A spoonful of soup and a light blow to cool it down, she sipped.]
When I came to Inaba back then, it was only through rumors that my presence was known until the interview. Meanwhile, I recall I formally introduced myself to everyone while investigating Rise-san.
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...I'm sorry I was an awkward pile of crap. I mean, STILL AM! But... y'know...!
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[She took another spoonful of soup, considering... but then...]
For as intimidating as you appear, reflecting on your reaction now, it was cute.
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C-... c-cute!?
[A rare word from her, but one of the best words he'd ever heard. The smile was incredibly touched.]
...I was cute?
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Quite. If only you could see yourself when you become flustered.
[Which means she would have to sneak a photo.]
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Y-you too, y'know...! You've got me beat, for sure!
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[Like, right now. She even took the photo fast enough to show him hiding behind his bowl and completely flustered.]
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[He lowered the bowl and chuckled.]
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[But he doesn't have to worry. This photo was for her.]
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Hmh... whole lotta mirin in the stock, I think. Heads up. It feels like it's hitting. Tasty, though!
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[She trailed, not saying because they had already done that... ahem.]
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