[Whether the weather is cold, whether the weather is hot, we'll be together no matter the weather, whether we like it or not.
It goes from humans, too. All people, not just individuals. It doesn't bug her, but it does raise a lot of questions that she'd like to have answered. Always with those lumbering headphones. Are they even comfortable? He lives inside of them, and the appeal...she can't really see. Music is nice, sure, but...
This is overkill, isn't it? She taps Neku on the shoulder. Hey, she came a LONG way to Shibuya to say hello. Okay, she didn't come here specifically to see him but the chance meeting once again is an opportunity she can't pass up.]
Neku! You are being contacted by another human being. [taptap]
[Neku jumps slightly at the tap on his shoulder, turning to look at the source of the intrusion and hitting the pause button on his mp3. He'd been in the middle of a bit of a daydreaming session, painting out an idea for a sketch in his head, so he's a little frazzled at suddenly being pulled out of it.]
Ayano?
[His voice is a tad surprised. She'd come all this way? Why?]
[How very like her. She earns a lifted eyebrow at her comment, though amusement lit up his eyes, and he crosses his arms over his chest.]
Nah. Shibuya accepts all types.
[The idea of him being "cool" is laughable, though. But, he is a creature of habit, so it's not entirely surprising that she'd easily identified where he was, especially at the WildKat cafe of all places.]
...Yeah. It's good to see you.
[It's a little bit embarrassing to just flat out admit, but Ayano was just the type of girl that was infectious in her enthusiasm, and even though he was still getting kind of used to this whole "friendship" thing, he didn't want to disappoint her by being standoffish.]
You want something to drink? Since you came all the way here.
Except, not really! Ayano skips happily forward, hoping he'll follow her breakneck(ish) speed.]
I'm so happy I got to see you! I wasn't sure if you'd be here, but...
I mean, I know I could have texted you or something, found you online, but...This way, it feels a lot more meaningful, don't you think? [She turns to him, now walking backwards which is incredibly dangerous but. Y'know.]
Yes, like fate! [A loud, ugly laugh. Well, some people would consider it ugly.]
I was running around Shibuya...looking for you! It's so lively here...How could I not take some time to explore and enjoy it?
It's not like it's dangerous, right? [says the girl walking backwards. The concern...she can't say she doesn't enjoy it though. It makes her feel a bit warm.]
[Ominous. Ayano smiles at that, and there's some sort of glint in her eye as she does. Some sort of acknowledgement? Who knows with this weird girl. She shifts back so that he can take the lead, and she was hoping her would.]
By all means, Neku!
[march, march...he really does seem a lot different.]
But you only live once, right? I don't want to stay sheltered away from the lights and sounds...do you know what I mean? The experience of walking around this huge place all by yourself, feeling like a speck of sand on a vast beach...
It's unlike anything else. Being here with you is its own experience. I'm glad I get to have both!
You're right. Shibuya is a place like no other. The sights, the sounds, the people... it's got a soul of its own, a unique sound. If this place was a piece of music, it would be a full symphony.
Or to be more specific, the crown of Big Sisterhood. Guidance! Responsibility! Nutrition! It all fell squarely on Ayano's shoulders, especially so when her Father would be needed far away for long periods of time. Ayano had been doing this ever since she was a little girl, so of course it was natural at this point, but...what Ayano couldn't ignore was the fact that she was getting older. With college to think about, the possibility of no longer being the constant presence that she's always been has broached her mind more than once. How could she insure that her siblings would be able to succeed and take care of themselves without her? Kousuke would be able to take care of things, she was sure about that, but how Tsubomi and Shuuya might fare is another story. Shuuya especially.
A plan is formed - covert in nature initially, it's Tateyama Ayano's specialty.
Thus, today Shuuya will find a note along with his bento, reading:
Shuuya,
You have been doing so well lately. I am proud of you! It warms my heart to see our family continuing to grow. Because of this, I've begun to look into some things that might seem scary at first, but will absolutely help you to continue to be the best you can be! Ahaha, this all sounds kind of serious doesn't it? Well, don't worry about it!!!! You know me, I'm harmless!!
If you could, meet me at the "hideout" at eight tonight...don't worry about everyone else! I flexed my Mekakushi Dan founder muscle and made sure it can be a private chat between brother and sister!
Love, Ayano"
When Kano arrives at the specified time, he'll find Ayano sitting neatly on the couch with her hands folded on her lap. In front of her on the table is....a large blanket that appears to be covering...something.
[ A letter this long, with so many exclamation marks, is just about enough to take away one's appetite in wondering what exactly Ayano is scheming, especially when Kano can't think of anything in particular he'd been doing "so well" at. It's been the same day in and day out, but maybe these calm, uneventful days are a result of doing well. Compared to anything else they'd all gone through, there's nothing Ayano can provide that's even scarier, right...?
He still wishes Seto and Kido hadn't gotten kicked out, though, leaving him to poke his head into the living room alone, waving the letter over his head. ]
It's a surprise! Well...it's half a surprise, and half, umm...what's the word again...a proposition?
[she saunters over to him and quickly wraps him in a tight hug that he has no say in whatsoever. It is happening whether he likes it or not, so he better get used to it.]
It's always so crowded these days! So I thought we could have this conversation just you and me...[she tries and fails to stifle a low sort of laugh.]
It's like when we were little, and you always wanted my undivided attention. Remember? [Oh, she knows he remembers alright. What's the point of being big sister if you can't tease your younger siblings?]
[ It's been years and it's still hard to get used to, steeling himself for the physical contact that doesn't come down hard and sharp, but rather warm and firm. Just like the first time Ayano had reached out and patted his head, getting hugged like this, years later, is still wildly embarrassing, even with nobody else around to see. ]
I remember, I remember! That's because Nee-chan's attention would always wander, otherwise!
[ Really, dragging them along to play superheroes and all that... Tentatively, he reaches out to poke the blanket laid across the table, setting his face as it is just in case whatever's under it starts to move or something like that. ]
What a place to invite somebody to a private conversation, right in the middle of the room...
[ No matter what canon I play from, it seems that people die in abandoned alleyways, so Kano withdraws his hands and holds them up on either side of his head, in surrender. ]
Alright, alright, my eyes are closed!
[ He has no choice but to trust her, and doesn't entertain the option of peeking through the gaps in her fingers. ]
Do I spin around three times in a circle, now? Do I get to swing around a stick?
[Ayano chuckles and sighs, perhaps a bit wistfully if Kano is paying close enough attention.]
You're so funny. Just stay still for a moment. [After ensuring that Kano isn't peeking, she moves around him to swipe the blanket off of the Goods™.
The goods in question being...a pair of black slacks and a neat, white button-down t-shirt. A summer uniform - beside it is a small stack of thin paperback books.]
Ah...You can open your eyes now...! [And when he does, Ayano is standing now a bit awkwardly next to the table with a nervous smile on her face. Really, she has no idea how he's going to react.]
[ When he opens his eyes, he isn't sure how he's supposed to react either. A uniform, and books, they're objects he recognizes but can't make the connection to. He spends a second staring down at the things on the table, before looking over at Ayano, who is clearly expecting something from him. ]
Nee-chan...
[ He turns slowly, steps forward, and places both hands on her shoulders. ]
Are you going to be okay? If you're worried about college, maybe you should get that guy to help you.
[ Neat clothes? Books?? Clearly they're for her, and not him. Sorry, he can't help her with studying. ]
She shakes her head, waving her arms about in front of her.]
Oh! Oh, no, it's not for me! I'm not, um, that's not it! See... [Her eyes scan all around the room before they can allow themselves to settle on Shuuya's face. When she speaks up again, her voice is unsure and meek.]
These could be for you. I mean, if you wanted...
[Wavering, wavering, you're wavering, Ayano!! Step up your game, Nee-chan!!!]
Ah! [She raises a finger, trying to reclaim some authority over the situation.][lol] I'm...grateful for the experiences I've had, and...I thought, maybe, if you wanted, this might be an experience you might want to have, too.
[ That guy who shall not be named, because he doesn't need to be. If anything, just thinking about that guy still makes Kano feel uneasy, the way he always associated Shintarou with school, being Ayano's classmate, her being away the entire day while Kano and the rest of them were left at home to play amongst themselves. It was what he preferred, as a child, and even later he wasn't particularly jealous or anything. ]
Eh... Is there a point to it, playing pretend so late in life? Wearing new clothes, laying around reading books, I can already do that, can't I?
[ Not to make it seem as if he's refusing all of Ayano's efforts, though, he picks up the shirt and holds it up to his chest, letting it unfold and smoothing it down. ]
It wouldn't be pretend! You don't have to change anything about yourself, Shuuya. School is...it's own experience. It's not just clothes and books...It's an intangible. You're not any lesser for not going, but...Maybe I'd be a bad sister if I didn't try to open you up to things that might be good for you.
...Of course, the choice is up to you! Ahaha, I'm not forcing you to do anything! I promise, I promise!
School, ah, Nee-chan wasn't very good at it, but you're naturally smart! Plus, even if I wasn't the best at school, it gave me a lot of memories that I still treasure. It helped me become an adult! [finger point!!]
You and Tsubomi and Kousuke...You're all already so responsible and mature, but when you get older...It's a deep wish of mine that you all be as prepared as possible. Things make sense now, living in the sleepy summertime daydream of our youth, but...The things that we think we know can only get us so far. Careers, relationships, family...I want my siblings to get the most they can out of life.
[She briefly pats Shuuya's cheek and smiles, channeling the way her Mother used to smile at her at night in bed.]
You don't need to be hiding away from the world. Whether it be here, at home, or in the Mekakushi Dan.
[ School sounds boring, difficult, scary- in these days, there's the internet for anything he doesn't know or is interested in learning more about, and all the friends Ayano had gotten to make became people he came to know too, so what more could he get out of going that he couldn't by just staying home and living how he'd always lived? He likes it just fine like this, everybody staying together- safe, "happy"- without giving thought to any future further than what they should have for dinner that evening.
Seto had been supporting them with his part time jobs, relationships ...he's not going to say anything about this... but family is something he already has and doesn't keep any more of, even though it'd become a lot more fun with each new person they'd pulled into their little Dan. All these reasons Ayano gives, the only one that's convincing is the one she swears isn't one- that the choice is his, and what he gets out of that is that going to school would make her happy, and that's the only reason he needs.
If he just thinks of it as a mission, then... ]
Hai, hai~ Say no more, I understand! You'll need my help convincing Seto and Kido, huh? Ah- I'd get to see Kido in a skirt! She'll hate that! I'll do my best!
Ah...uh, Shuuya, I'm glad that you're on board, but...I hope it isn't entirely based on embarassing Tsubomi. There's definitely better reasons than that! And you shouldn't be trying to do that in the first place! [A stern, reluctant half-smile follows.]
...The uniform might be a tough sell, though. You're right about that, ahah...
[ It isn't entirely based on that, but it's sure a huge contributing factor; it'd be fun getting to see that every day, getting to tease Kido every day, and eventually... she would stop going, wouldn't she? He would probably give her two or three days before she gets mad enough at him and stops going, and then all of Ayano's efforts would go to waste.
That'd be a shame. ]
...it'll be fine. If Nee-chan asks, I'm sure Kido would give it a try. If that doesn't work out, Dad can always teach us, can't he?
[They don't say "'Tis the season" for nothing. It really is THE season. Even if the earth is drifting away from the sun and it seems like it's always dark...Somehow, things seem even brighter. Much like the horrid cold outside gives way to the overwhelming feeling of warmth when you walk indoors. It's a season for snuggling and romance, and Ayano was lucky to finally have someone to live out her winter fantasies with.
...At least, when she wasn't at work
Which felt like always. It had become such a sore subject during the holiday season that Ayano had taken it upon herself to come visit Naoto just before she should be getting off of work...And imagine Naoto's (she doesn't have to imagine it, she's already here!) surprise when one of the officers mentions that Naoto's girlfriend is here to say hi. Ayano's face is beat red from the cold (and matches her scarf quite nicely) as she pulls off her gloves, approaching Naoto's workstation.]
S-Surprise! [she's quite winded here. Look, her house is really far from here!!]
Some of the officers recognized me from that one time, ahaha...Bet they're pretty surprised about all of this....
Ah! Um! I don't mean to bother you though! [she jumps back a bit, waving her arms.]
Please finish your work before letting yourself get distracted!
That is, having a girlfriend. It's strange. Naoto had never really seen herself as the type to do something like that before this, for a number of reasons (most of which had been part of the catastrophe that had almost pushed her and Ayano apart). But now she does, and...
...it's nice. She's comfortable with it in a way that she'd never imagined herself being comfortable before. Her issues with her body are... still present, yes, but not to the extent they were months ago, let alone a year ago.
Naoto is not, however, expecting Ayano to show up to the precinct in the early hours of the evening. There's an officer standing with her, but people know her-- and they clearly recognize Ayano. She gives the man a little nod and he leaves, and her eyes turn to her girlfriend.] Ayano--?
No, it's all right. I was just finishing for the night.
[And as soon as she mentions a kiss, Naoto's cheeks turn a deep red.] Um--
N-no, it's not... against the rules, and you certainly wouldn't be arrested for something like that... [It just strikes her as a little unprofessional, Ayano!!
But... she also feels bad turning her down for something like that when she's come all this way to see her.] Will you come with me over to the file cabinet? I just need to put this away and then we can leave.
[And the file cabinet is surrounded by high cubicle walls. Perfect for a smooch.]
[Let's face it: Even though she's blushing, to Ayano, this is Naoto's element. She is here in the police station in a uniform looking all hot and authoritative. You god damn bet Ayano is marching to the file cabinet with her.]
Yes!
. . .
I mean, yes. Yeah, got it. [please don't let Ayano drag you down into unprofessionalism]
Maybe one day I can be like, your receptionist or something...[*fantasies intensify*]
[She's not wearing a full police uniform, because she's not an officer yet. She is, however, wearing a nice suit and tie with a badge. As uniformed as someone her age can get.
When they're by the file cabinet, Naoto takes the papers she's holding, opens the drawer, fingers her way to the right opening and puts them in, sliding it shut. She turns to Ayano, fidgeting.
Like this, nobody can see them unless they're at the end of that hallway.] Ah, if I opened my own agency, I'd love to have you help out, so...
[Ayano steps forward, cornering Naoto against the file cabinet and lightly pressing her back against it and pushing her own chest against Naoto's.]
Hope I don't get you in trouble~!
[Ayano figures that Naoto wasn't expecting a kiss so...forward, but its hard to resist given the environment. Who knows when the next chance she'd have to make out in the police station would come? She's a simple, normal girl with simple and normal proclivities.
After holding her lips to Naoto's for a moment, she quickly presses her tongue to the shorter girl's teeth and into her mouth. There's even a slight laugh from her throat as she deepends the kiss and squeezes Naoto's hips.]
[So, Naoto was just expecting a little quick smooch. This is not that. This kiss winds up with her shoulderblades bumping up against the file cabinet and Ayano's tongue in her mouth. This is making out. For a second, there's momentary panic in her brain because this is the police station and she's a professional and anyone who walks down the corridor will see her and her girlfriend locking lips like two horny teenagers.
Which... okay, fair, they kinda are.
After that moment of tension, though, it's easy to melt into Ayano's warm arms. She's comfortable and toasty, despite coming in from the cold, and the arms around her are nice, even when they settle on and squeeze her hips.
Her cheeks are flushed when she eventually breaks for air.] If... you want to kiss me like that, Ayano, maybe we should do it not in my workplace.
[Not that she's against the kiss.] Now that that's put away, um, I can go with you! Wherever you'd like to go.
[Ayano laughs and tilts her head back as if she just took a huge drink of some sort of alcoholic beverage. Check that off her list.]
Mm, you're right, my bad. [Ahem...]
If there are any cameras or audio recording equipment, know that I, Ayano Tateyama, was the aggressor in this cirumstance. Please do not fire my girlfriend!
[And then she looks back to Naoto with a thumbs-up]
Now that that's settled, you can take me home! I can make us hot chocolate, with extra marshmallows, because that's the way that Naoto likes it~
[Oh my god Ayano just because there are cubicle walls doesn't mean that nobody can HEAR you guys
she reaches up for her cap to tug the brim down in her typical nervous reaction, her face very red, and then reaches out for Ayano's hand.] Y-yes, that's... let's get going, then! [Ahem.
She squeezes Ayano's hand and then drops it so she can go gather her stuff, including her winter jacket, her bookbag, and say farewell and a happy New Year to the rest of the staff. She swears they're smirking at her by the time she gets back to Ayano.] You know, I really don't think they'd fire me for something like that...
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
Ayano
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It goes from humans, too. All people, not just individuals. It doesn't bug her, but it does raise a lot of questions that she'd like to have answered. Always with those lumbering headphones. Are they even comfortable? He lives inside of them, and the appeal...she can't really see. Music is nice, sure, but...
This is overkill, isn't it? She taps Neku on the shoulder. Hey, she came a LONG way to Shibuya to say hello. Okay, she didn't come here specifically to see him but the chance meeting once again is an opportunity she can't pass up.]
Neku! You are being contacted by another human being. [taptap]
Sorry to disturb the isolation!
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Ayano?
[His voice is a tad surprised. She'd come all this way? Why?]
What are you doing all the way out here?
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I'm a government agent on a secret mission! [fingerguns!!...but then she drops them.]
No, my Dad is just staying in this part of town for the weekend, so I came with. I'm...not exactly cool enough to hang around this parts, ahah...
[she tightens her scarf around her neck.]
But I knew you would be! So I checked all the places we hung out last time and...here you are!
Happy to see me?
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Nah. Shibuya accepts all types.
[The idea of him being "cool" is laughable, though. But, he is a creature of habit, so it's not entirely surprising that she'd easily identified where he was, especially at the WildKat cafe of all places.]
...Yeah. It's good to see you.
[It's a little bit embarrassing to just flat out admit, but Ayano was just the type of girl that was infectious in her enthusiasm, and even though he was still getting kind of used to this whole "friendship" thing, he didn't want to disappoint her by being standoffish.]
You want something to drink? Since you came all the way here.
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You've really grown up a lot in the last year, huh? Offering me a drink!
You know what they say about gift horses, right~?
[Ayano bounces on her heels.]
My favorite kind of sodas are cherry-flavored, if you couldn't guess.
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[And she wouldn't believe him if he told her.]
Cherry, huh? Color me unsurprised.
[He stands then, stretching his arms up over his head for a moment.]
There's only coffee here, so we can walk down to the hotdog place around the corner. They have a coke machine.
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Except, not really! Ayano skips happily forward, hoping he'll follow her breakneck(ish) speed.]
I'm so happy I got to see you! I wasn't sure if you'd be here, but...
I mean, I know I could have texted you or something, found you online, but...This way, it feels a lot more meaningful, don't you think? [She turns to him, now walking backwards which is incredibly dangerous but. Y'know.]
Like it was meant to happen, right?
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Like... "fate" or whatever, right? I guess so.
[It was... a nice thought, if anything.]
I hope you weren't running around all of Shibuya before you found me, though.
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I was running around Shibuya...looking for you! It's so lively here...How could I not take some time to explore and enjoy it?
It's not like it's dangerous, right? [says the girl walking backwards. The concern...she can't say she doesn't enjoy it though. It makes her feel a bit warm.]
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Everywhere can be dangerous if you end up in the wrong place at the wrong time. You should be a little more careful.
[Speaking of which...]
Here, let me lead the way.
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By all means, Neku!
[march, march...he really does seem a lot different.]
But you only live once, right? I don't want to stay sheltered away from the lights and sounds...do you know what I mean? The experience of walking around this huge place all by yourself, feeling like a speck of sand on a vast beach...
It's unlike anything else. Being here with you is its own experience. I'm glad I get to have both!
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[Joshua would like her.]
You have a good outlook, Ayano.
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[she snickers momentarily, but...stops in her tracks so that she can look at him proper.]
...Seriously. What you just said was really beautiful, did you know that?
[...]
And you say I'm the one with the good outlook!
Shuuya
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Or to be more specific, the crown of Big Sisterhood. Guidance! Responsibility! Nutrition! It all fell squarely on Ayano's shoulders, especially so when her Father would be needed far away for long periods of time. Ayano had been doing this ever since she was a little girl, so of course it was natural at this point, but...what Ayano couldn't ignore was the fact that she was getting older. With college to think about, the possibility of no longer being the constant presence that she's always been has broached her mind more than once. How could she insure that her siblings would be able to succeed and take care of themselves without her? Kousuke would be able to take care of things, she was sure about that, but how Tsubomi and Shuuya might fare is another story. Shuuya especially.
A plan is formed - covert in nature initially, it's Tateyama Ayano's specialty.
Thus, today Shuuya will find a note along with his bento, reading:
Shuuya,
You have been doing so well lately. I am proud of you! It warms my heart to see our family continuing to grow. Because of this, I've begun to look into some things that might seem scary at first, but will absolutely help you to continue to be the best you can be! Ahaha, this all sounds kind of serious doesn't it? Well, don't worry about it!!!! You know me, I'm harmless!!
If you could, meet me at the "hideout" at eight tonight...don't worry about everyone else! I flexed my Mekakushi Dan founder muscle and made sure it can be a private chat between brother and sister!
Love,
Ayano"
When Kano arrives at the specified time, he'll find Ayano sitting neatly on the couch with her hands folded on her lap. In front of her on the table is....a large blanket that appears to be covering...something.
Enter at your own risk!]
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He still wishes Seto and Kido hadn't gotten kicked out, though, leaving him to poke his head into the living room alone, waving the letter over his head. ]
What's this about, Nee... chan...
[ what is that ]
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It's a surprise! Well...it's half a surprise, and half, umm...what's the word again...a proposition?
[she saunters over to him and quickly wraps him in a tight hug that he has no say in whatsoever. It is happening whether he likes it or not, so he better get used to it.]
It's always so crowded these days! So I thought we could have this conversation just you and me...[she tries and fails to stifle a low sort of laugh.]
It's like when we were little, and you always wanted my undivided attention. Remember? [Oh, she knows he remembers alright. What's the point of being big sister if you can't tease your younger siblings?]
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I remember, I remember! That's because Nee-chan's attention would always wander, otherwise!
[ Really, dragging them along to play superheroes and all that... Tentatively, he reaches out to poke the blanket laid across the table, setting his face as it is just in case whatever's under it starts to move or something like that. ]
What a place to invite somebody to a private conversation, right in the middle of the room...
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[oops she snatches his hand as it starts inching towards the blanket.]
Ah ah ah! It wouldn't be under there if it weren't a surprise! Hands off!
[She breaks the hug but continues holding onto him, slipping behind him and placing a hand over his eyes.]
I'll show it to you, but you can't open your eyes until I say so!
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Alright, alright, my eyes are closed!
[ He has no choice but to trust her, and doesn't entertain the option of peeking through the gaps in her fingers. ]
Do I spin around three times in a circle, now? Do I get to swing around a stick?
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You're so funny. Just stay still for a moment. [After ensuring that Kano isn't peeking, she moves around him to swipe the blanket off of the Goods™.
The goods in question being...a pair of black slacks and a neat, white button-down t-shirt. A summer uniform - beside it is a small stack of thin paperback books.]
Ah...You can open your eyes now...! [And when he does, Ayano is standing now a bit awkwardly next to the table with a nervous smile on her face. Really, she has no idea how he's going to react.]
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Nee-chan...
[ He turns slowly, steps forward, and places both hands on her shoulders. ]
Are you going to be okay? If you're worried about college, maybe you should get that guy to help you.
[ Neat clothes? Books?? Clearly they're for her, and not him. Sorry, he can't help her with studying. ]
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She shakes her head, waving her arms about in front of her.]
Oh! Oh, no, it's not for me! I'm not, um, that's not it! See... [Her eyes scan all around the room before they can allow themselves to settle on Shuuya's face. When she speaks up again, her voice is unsure and meek.]
These could be for you. I mean, if you wanted...
[Wavering, wavering, you're wavering, Ayano!! Step up your game, Nee-chan!!!]
Ah! [She raises a finger, trying to reclaim some authority over the situation.][lol] I'm...grateful for the experiences I've had, and...I thought, maybe, if you wanted, this might be an experience you might want to have, too.
[School.]
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Eh... Is there a point to it, playing pretend so late in life? Wearing new clothes, laying around reading books, I can already do that, can't I?
[ Not to make it seem as if he's refusing all of Ayano's efforts, though, he picks up the shirt and holds it up to his chest, letting it unfold and smoothing it down. ]
...Did you like school, Nee-chan?
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It wouldn't be pretend! You don't have to change anything about yourself, Shuuya. School is...it's own experience. It's not just clothes and books...It's an intangible. You're not any lesser for not going, but...Maybe I'd be a bad sister if I didn't try to open you up to things that might be good for you.
...Of course, the choice is up to you! Ahaha, I'm not forcing you to do anything! I promise, I promise!
School, ah, Nee-chan wasn't very good at it, but you're naturally smart! Plus, even if I wasn't the best at school, it gave me a lot of memories that I still treasure. It helped me become an adult! [finger point!!]
You and Tsubomi and Kousuke...You're all already so responsible and mature, but when you get older...It's a deep wish of mine that you all be as prepared as possible. Things make sense now, living in the sleepy summertime daydream of our youth, but...The things that we think we know can only get us so far. Careers, relationships, family...I want my siblings to get the most they can out of life.
[She briefly pats Shuuya's cheek and smiles, channeling the way her Mother used to smile at her at night in bed.]
You don't need to be hiding away from the world. Whether it be here, at home, or in the Mekakushi Dan.
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Seto had been supporting them with his part time jobs, relationships ...he's not going to say anything about this... but family is something he already has and doesn't keep any more of, even though it'd become a lot more fun with each new person they'd pulled into their little Dan. All these reasons Ayano gives, the only one that's convincing is the one she swears isn't one- that the choice is his, and what he gets out of that is that going to school would make her happy, and that's the only reason he needs.
If he just thinks of it as a mission, then... ]
Hai, hai~ Say no more, I understand! You'll need my help convincing Seto and Kido, huh? Ah- I'd get to see Kido in a skirt! She'll hate that! I'll do my best!
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dear god]
Ah...uh, Shuuya, I'm glad that you're on board, but...I hope it isn't entirely based on embarassing Tsubomi. There's definitely better reasons than that! And you shouldn't be trying to do that in the first place! [A stern, reluctant half-smile follows.]
...The uniform might be a tough sell, though. You're right about that, ahah...
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That'd be a shame. ]
...it'll be fine. If Nee-chan asks, I'm sure Kido would give it a try. If that doesn't work out, Dad can always teach us, can't he?
Naoto
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...At least, when she wasn't at work
Which felt like always. It had become such a sore subject during the holiday season that Ayano had taken it upon herself to come visit Naoto just before she should be getting off of work...And imagine Naoto's (she doesn't have to imagine it, she's already here!) surprise when one of the officers mentions that Naoto's girlfriend is here to say hi. Ayano's face is beat red from the cold (and matches her scarf quite nicely) as she pulls off her gloves, approaching Naoto's workstation.]
S-Surprise! [she's quite winded here. Look, her house is really far from here!!]
Some of the officers recognized me from that one time, ahaha...Bet they're pretty surprised about all of this....
Ah! Um! I don't mean to bother you though! [she jumps back a bit, waving her arms.]
Please finish your work before letting yourself get distracted!
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That is, having a girlfriend. It's strange. Naoto had never really seen herself as the type to do something like that before this, for a number of reasons (most of which had been part of the catastrophe that had almost pushed her and Ayano apart). But now she does, and...
...it's nice. She's comfortable with it in a way that she'd never imagined herself being comfortable before. Her issues with her body are... still present, yes, but not to the extent they were months ago, let alone a year ago.
Naoto is not, however, expecting Ayano to show up to the precinct in the early hours of the evening. There's an officer standing with her, but people know her-- and they clearly recognize Ayano. She gives the man a little nod and he leaves, and her eyes turn to her girlfriend.] Ayano--?
No, it's all right. I was just finishing for the night.
[A beat.] Did you run here?
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My wrestling career prospects aren't looking too good, ahahaha...
At least I'm dating a physically capable future officer of the law, so we balance each other out! [Even if Naoto is somehow even smaller than her.]
Can I come give you a kiss, or is that against the rules?
I feel like this would be an easy place to get arrested in.
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N-no, it's not... against the rules, and you certainly wouldn't be arrested for something like that... [It just strikes her as a little unprofessional, Ayano!!
But... she also feels bad turning her down for something like that when she's come all this way to see her.] Will you come with me over to the file cabinet? I just need to put this away and then we can leave.
[And the file cabinet is surrounded by high cubicle walls. Perfect for a smooch.]
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Yes!
. . .
I mean, yes. Yeah, got it. [please don't let Ayano drag you down into unprofessionalism]
Maybe one day I can be like, your receptionist or something...[*fantasies intensify*]
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When they're by the file cabinet, Naoto takes the papers she's holding, opens the drawer, fingers her way to the right opening and puts them in, sliding it shut. She turns to Ayano, fidgeting.
Like this, nobody can see them unless they're at the end of that hallway.] Ah, if I opened my own agency, I'd love to have you help out, so...
Ab-- about that kiss, then?
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Hope I don't get you in trouble~!
[Ayano figures that Naoto wasn't expecting a kiss so...forward, but its hard to resist given the environment. Who knows when the next chance she'd have to make out in the police station would come? She's a simple, normal girl with simple and normal proclivities.
After holding her lips to Naoto's for a moment, she quickly presses her tongue to the shorter girl's teeth and into her mouth. There's even a slight laugh from her throat as she deepends the kiss and squeezes Naoto's hips.]
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Which... okay, fair, they kinda are.
After that moment of tension, though, it's easy to melt into Ayano's warm arms. She's comfortable and toasty, despite coming in from the cold, and the arms around her are nice, even when they settle on and squeeze her hips.
Her cheeks are flushed when she eventually breaks for air.] If... you want to kiss me like that, Ayano, maybe we should do it not in my workplace.
[Not that she's against the kiss.] Now that that's put away, um, I can go with you! Wherever you'd like to go.
[And kiss.]
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Mm, you're right, my bad. [Ahem...]
If there are any cameras or audio recording equipment, know that I, Ayano Tateyama, was the aggressor in this cirumstance. Please do not fire my girlfriend!
[And then she looks back to Naoto with a thumbs-up]
Now that that's settled, you can take me home! I can make us hot chocolate, with extra marshmallows, because that's the way that Naoto likes it~
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she reaches up for her cap to tug the brim down in her typical nervous reaction, her face very red, and then reaches out for Ayano's hand.] Y-yes, that's... let's get going, then! [Ahem.
She squeezes Ayano's hand and then drops it so she can go gather her stuff, including her winter jacket, her bookbag, and say farewell and a happy New Year to the rest of the staff. She swears they're smirking at her by the time she gets back to Ayano.] You know, I really don't think they'd fire me for something like that...
Shall we?