pishirogane | prismatica

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[Naoto can hear the caterers delivering, but says nothing - she does not was to make this anymore awkward than it needed to be. Though, from where she was, she could feel Kanji tensing. His lying was terrible, but she was not going to call him out on it either.]

[Only when it sounded like they left did she peer out... and blink when Kanji slumped. Humming, she kissed his cheek and gave him a small smile.]

Let's try focusing on our food.

[Kisses helped, though it did nothing for the racing heart full of adrenaline.]

R-right... um... are we...?

[He gestured vaguely, but wondered if it was really necessary. After a bit of chewing at his bottom lip, he reconsidered.]

Y'don't need to, um... move, or...!

Hm? O-Oh! Yes, I... hm, I should clean up.

[She also had to get off his lap which she briefly shifted to start doing. She doesn't want to think too hard about him being inside still, but... Iris immediately wanted to latch onto that fact and remain seated.]

Could you help me?

S-sure!

[Certainly, it'd be tough to get up from this position, Iris urging or no. Kanji looped an arm beneath her knees and gently eased her up, allowing him to slide out of her with a hitch of breath.]

Sorry... jelly legs, huh?

[She tried to contain the shiver, but she accidentally let out a small moan in exchange.]

... 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.]

R-right, yeah...

[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.

[Good way to relieve the tension they'd both been building up anyway.]

No, I didn't think they would either.

Earli-- ah, well... were circumstances different...

[Who could honestly say...]

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... yeah, that's- that's all.

... 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.]

[The feeling was mutual! He wondered if he'd somehow shoot fireworks out of his ears if he wasn't careful.]

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.

It's fine. We're both learning, right?

[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.

[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?

Hm...

[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.

[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.

It did... Perhaps if I gave them a chance, but people only ever approach me because they were interested in what I did and not me.

[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.

[He nodded.]

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...!

You don't have to apologize. If anything, I should. I did suddenly come upon you with little explanation as to why...

[She took another spoonful of soup, considering... but then...]

For as intimidating as you appear, reflecting on your reaction now, it was cute.

[That's soup down the windpipe. He masked the cough with his sleeve.]

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?

[Aha, got the reaction she was hoping for.]

Quite. If only you could see yourself when you become flustered.

[Which means she would have to sneak a photo.]