one ♚ action

[ousawagi]

But you don't understand--

[ At the moment, Mikado is stuck at the grocery store. There's a little problem though-- he hasn't completed any missions, and in turn, he hasn't got any joypoints. That's going to prove to be a problem. Especially if he wants to at least scrape by on what minimal supplies he can get his hands on.

He'd been smart enough to assume that he'd be able to get by on what yen he had left in his wallet, but the cashier has rejected any and all negotiation on his part. At this rate, it doesn't look like he'll be scraping by on anything at all. ]

If I could just-- [ Nope. They're ruthless, Mikado. They won't make an exception for you.

He's desperate now. If you can lend him a hand, he'll be sure to pay you back in one way or another! ]

Comments

[mellowyellow]

[It's not an explanation. It's a request.

Masaomi isn't sure what to do with that at first. He feels a bit cheated, but he has to remind himself that Mikado isn't obligated to tell him anything. The fact that the guy didn't spit on him the moment he opened his mouth is amazing, but then that's not really like Mikado. Though this isn't Mikado as he knows him either, is it?

He might have actually paid attention in class for more than ten minutes at a time if they'd taught things like this.

But that train of thought is just evasion. Mikado is standing right here in front of him. He can't afford not to focus. His voice is slightly strained, stiff, but he doesn't want to scare his friend off with his indecision.]

Just name it, man. You know I'm good for it.

[...right?]

[ousawagi]

[ He doesn't dare look Masaomi in the eye while speaking. Not even once. Standing here, in front of someone he shouldn't ever think to be detestable in anyway, is a grand feat in itself. Why he isn't clutching his head and writhing on the ground is a mystery. ]

Sorry.. just wait a little bit. I'll-- I'll tell you eventually, but..

[ "But" what? He doesn't have an excuse. He's just being cowardly. He doesn't want to have to fess up about anything. Not like this, anyway. ]

Please.. please just forget that I saw you today. I want you to wait a little bit more.

[ After that, he might be able to make sense of everything and finally fess up to his wrong doings-- of course, if he'll be allowed this. ]

If Sonohara-san-- [ Or, dare he say, Aoba-- but he knows Masaomi would be the last person to inform Aoba about anything, and this situation doesn't make an exception. ] --is here, too..

Please don't mention me to her either.

Check it out, Mikado's not broke anymore. +50 joypoints to you.

[mellowyellow]

[Wrong.

Lightning fast thoughts, questions, observations all slow to a dead stop. He doesn't even entirely understand what Mikado is asking of him. Wait for what? What is he waiting for and why? What he does understand, and he understands it immediately, is that Mikado is asking him to pretend they didn't meet today. He's essentially asking him to continue to pretend if they meet again before he's ready.

Funny how Mikado is asking this right after Masaomi offers his side of the story.

Except it's not funny at all.

No witty response is forthcoming, no easy nod and a pat on the shoulder. How the hell is Masaomi supposed to react to that?

He almost can't.]

Are you- Serious?

they're both riding the guilt train together, so i'm sure masaomi earns his fair share too (+50)

[ousawagi]

[ Any and all ability to speak has left him for good. He's so, so sorry-- he just doesn't know how to say it. Regret has stolen his voice; frustration has rid him of coherent thought; he can only stare.

While he can cross his fingers and hope, he knows that Masaomi's not going to forgive him for this any time soon.

There's nothing but one small - and incredibly hesitant - nod.

He's genuinely serious. ]

Well, I mean, as long as they're together.

[mellowyellow]

["No. What the hell, man? Are you high?"

It won't come out of his mouth. Not that saying it would make a difference if Mikado's made up his mind.

There is no dancing around the facts. The fact is that Mikado doesn't want to associate with him, doesn't want to meet him. But he's been expecting that from the beginning, hasn't he? When had he started to get his hopes up?

Right. Well, it's not like this is a new thing. He's good at pretend. Mikado knows that now. Haha. Shit.]

Well, I did say "anything."

So. Uh- I'd say goodbye, but I'm talking to thin air, so that'd be weird, right? [Hahaha. See, he's laughing. He's great at this. He takes a single step backward.] But if any rogue breezes happen to be listening to me talking to myself, that reunion party invite is open for anytime.