pishirogane | prismatica

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Yeah. But like ya said, y'didn't do anything. Didn't need to.

[He stood and worked to remove his jacket.]

When everything first... started for me, I guess, I looked at magazines, found pictures online of the yankii, or some gangs from movies. I wanted to know what made people look scary so I could do it up on myself.

[He swept his hair back and slipped off his glasses.]

I doubled down, as you've seen when we met, and wanted to act scary, too. But for a whole lotta people, ones who find the yellin' n' screamin' annoying...

[He slung his jacket over his shoulders and made his move. He slammed his foot down on the seat next to Naoto and slouched against that knee. Eyes hard and mouth at a scowl, Kanji had tapped into those first days of late middle school and into high school.

Silly? Sure. Naoto was never intimidated by him. But the point was-]

...S'all about the way ya hold yourself.

Oh... hm...

[She hadn't flinched when he made his move, staring back at him curiously. He was trying to be intimidating, but she'd always found it rather ridiculous. Nothing against him, but all yankii could...]

[She wondered, thinking about it, but then nodded. Communication was key after all.]

Grampa taught me the most I had to worry about besides people as individuals were the government and yakuza; the government more than the yakuza sometimes because you can at least expect what the yakuza might do. As for yankii, they try too hard.

[She hadn't flinched, as he expected. But it was never about spooking her at all. In fact, he welcomed the feedback. Yankii really did try too fuckin' hard. He turned and lowered into a seat next to her, and slipped his glasses back on.]

Your gramps has the right of it; I ain't ever ran into government, and I don't think even I could shake the yakuza if they found reason to show up to Inaba.

...Not that I wouldn't try n' get 'em to fuck off.

I gotta tell ya though: When I showed up on the local news? I was a little scared it'd get the attention of bigger gangs. Y'know, with- with guns. Ain't shit I can do against guns.

[He shook his head and let that bit of stress go.]

But he toldja to worry about 'em. Ever brush elbows against either one?

I doubt you would be reason enough for a gang to come to Inaba, but the government might for other reasons.

[Which was they they wanted to keep the whole Shadow and Persona stuff quiet. But no, they come here and she can't get people to stop. She placed a hand on his arm.]

... A few times. It comes with my position.

[He understood, but wound an arm around her still. The stories told of just how dangerous they were. She could tough all sorts of things, but the idea of potentially being tangled so deep with a group like that...? It did come with the position.

But let's be upbeat instead of really ridiculously worried for her when she'd already had a few brush-ups with terrifying people!]

O-okay, for real, if ya never write a damn book about your life, I'll write the thing!

[It might be a while until she felt like people weren't breathing down her neck all the time, but when that day came, she would be relieved.]

[Leaning against him, she was going to enjoy their time together on this trip with a smile. Until his outburst made her eyes snap open.]

Huh? Why?

Why not?

[He frowned briefly in thought.]

I mean, yeah, people would question the Shadow stuff, but your TV interviews, the articles, what stories ya've told me... How many people our age can even claim half of that?

[He gave her a brief squeeze and lay a cheek atop her head.]

But... that ain't all of it. Deep down she's a passionate nerd whose eyes get big as saucers when she sees prismal mech suits before treks into the desert, and makes friends with tiny crystal foxes when she thinks nobody's looking. Ghosts freak her out, but she's one of the most reliable people you'll ever come to know and ain't afraid to sock ya one when a Shadow makes your head spin in the middle of a battle.

I think a book from somebody like you is what a lotta people need, both girls and boys.

... You know you can omit the Shadow information. It might be best to leave that out, or find another way to talk about it.

[Though, that sounds like she was considering it. Her face brightened. H-He caught her with the crystal foxes? Oh no...]

It couldn't really mean that much to people, could it?

You're a fuckin' legend, Naoto, and you ain't even hit your twenties yet. Y'know how our society is, too.

I think there are loads of people out there waiting for that little push from someone like you to inspire them to be greater than others say they are and make 'em think they are.

I mean, you... you inspire me to keep bettering myself, yeah? I'd be first in line to get my copy signed to boot.

...B-but this ain't a 'get on it RIGHT NOW' sorta thing. Just sayin' to give it some thought.

Yes, I do, and I was fortunate to have the drive and resources to come this far.

[But that's the key issue... and she doesn't know if she wants people trying to accomplish things before they're ready.]

Yes... all of this is hypothetical. I'm at least glad I could inspire you.

Whadda they call 'em... oh, muses! You're like my muse, and you even get the wings sometimes n' everything.

Bunny-Bat muse. With tentacles.

A bit much on a muse, isn't it?

[She looked away, red again because she could really do without the tentacles despite everything they can do... ahem.]

[He turned to look her way.]

Do you not like 'em...? I wager they could help a lot with your projects, havin' so many extra arms like that.

They also feel really friggin' nice.

O-Oh...

[Well, at least he does enjoy them.]

Well, they can be helpful, but they're not good for projects that require fine detail.

[He offered his hands.]

People say that about my hands, too, and look what I can make, yeah?

You just gotta keep at it, I think.

[Looking at his hands, she soon took one into both of hers and began to trace over the callous marks he had on his palm.]

Perhaps? The issue really is the suckers picking up more than they need to.

Yeah, they are pretty intense...

[He frowned thoughtfully.]

What's it like...? I mean, you just feel through 'em, right? And you could stick to stuff.

... It's strange, but no different from touching with my fingers. However, I can... slightly 'taste' with them too.

Taste!?

[He'd ask if she was joking but no. Not about things like this.]

H-how, um... strongly, exactly?

[Oh no. He needs to take more baths. But what if his skin dries out...??]

... Think of it like when you taste something upon smelling it. It's comparable to that.

[So, while not the same as her mouth, it was still pretty strong.]

[Thinking on it now, he never disliked how she tasted, so maybe... maybe he was okay. Still, the whole idea of being able to taste through suckers on your arms was pretty wild.]

Hmmm. Then I'm glad I don't sweat as much as I used to, h-heheh...

[He gave the menu a twirl.]

Oh, and this all looks pretty good. Can't choose, though. Ya might need ta be the tiebreaker.

... It's fine if you did.

[B-But getting their minds off this, they were supposed to be ordering food, right?]

Hm, which ones look the most appealing to you?

[She really was too kind... but she was blunt- if it bothered her, she'd tell him, right? God, he hoped.]

U-uhm... I dunno, I figure since it's cold as hell out, maybe we stick to tradition and maybe ask if they can make zenzai, too!

[Because what better to warm you up? Ah, but maybe it'd be too sweet for her... but he was in a comfort food kinda mood.]

[Oh yes, she would tell him.]

A more traditional meal does sound appealing.

Hmm... Zenzai. Yes, we could ask. And if they don't have it exactly, they might have an equivalent; however, I may just split with you if that's alright.

[He was right assuming it might be on the 'too sweet' for her scale.]

S-sure, we can split it!

[He went for the tablet and found the app for it. Huh, the prismals just... try to be as convenient as possible, huh? But he grinned a bit.]

But Naoto... Naoto, that means we'd have to share mochi. That's an indirect kiss!