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(some would say it's not the wisest thing to move in with someone you barely know, but honestly? shin's too used to the uncertainty of his housing situation to really give it any thought. from sleeping at his job, to crashing at nobu's, crashing at reira's, crashing at ryoko's-- it's always been like this, to a certain extent.

it's not without its risks, though. they technically shouldn't - different factions, they'd be in trouble if they're found, but it just means shin'll have to pretend he definitely doesn't live here... which isn't hard at all to him.

it's temporary, anyway. by the window, shin takes a cigarette from his pack, lightning it and making sure the smoke leaves with the breeze outside.)

As soon as we can manage to get more footing financially, we should split. I can sleep on a futon, you take the bed.

[ Haru frowns in his direction, not necessarily disapproving, but... no, it's at least a little disapproving. And it's almost an obligatory, soft-- ]

Please be careful with your health.

[ Before she turns her attention to his actual statement. It's been... strange, she thinks, to find herself in a situation where she's not only in Hell, but she's sharing space with someone of the opposite gender, who's... her age? Maybe. It's hard to say. It just seems scandalous, even though she has no intention of anything happening. At All. ]

... You're certain, though? That you'll be comfortable enough with the futon for now? I can try to get more bedding...

Aren't we dead anyway? What difference does it make?

(oof. but he feels like his point is justified. haru will probably hardly see him during night time, either. there's alcohol to be drunk, people to see, nights to dance away, songs to fill the bars, and drugs he can score with no repercussions whatsoever. pretty interesting to him, but alas.

his lungs fill with smoke and he puffs it away from the apartment, the former stoicism subsiding to a softer side, a smile at that in ways that his eyes almost close.)

Nothing to worry about! I don't need much.

(which brings him to another point.)

You were wealthy, weren't you? My concern is giving you more comfort than taking it for myself.

[ Haru very nearly flinches, but takes a quiet breath through her nose.

But, sharper, firmer-- ]

Thank you, but I don't need your coddling. I'm perfectly comfortable with anything. In fact, I'd rather not use my former wealth as an excuse for any manner of special treatment.

I'm not giving you special treatment because you were rich. I'm trying to give you somewhat some comfort due to the fact that you were kind enough to let me stay with you for the time being.

(... and because he knows the leap from being relatively wealthy to having absolutely nothing. he just wants it to be a better transition, it's all.)

I was a celebrity. I don't care that you were rich.

And I appreciate it, but as I said... you don't need to give me any type of preferential treatment. Right now, we're merely two people trying to get by in Hell, not a wealthy future business owner or a celebrity.

Would you like the bed, Shin-kun?

Oh, so that's what you are. What business?

(hehehe.)

No, you really can have it.

Okumura Foods... well, it's got a bit of a ways to go before it can change its reputation.

... But if you insist.

... Which is?

Hm? It's my father's company, they created the Big Bang Burger food chain...

I meant more the reputation part. I'm coming from the assumption no one comes from the same Japan as me, and well... 2001 was my last living year, apparently. So, if there was a scandal, I wouldn't know about it, if you're from the same one in the future.

... It came to light that the employees were being treated horribly with brutal work hours and little to no safety standards observed and my father viewed them as little more than mindless robots for a single purpose.

... I'm sure you'll make it right by the employers and their families, even if they choose to not stay under your man...date? Is that the word?

(ok. dissecting this.)

From how you say it, it's like he screamed that from a megaphone, though.

[ There's a pause; her eyes darken a bit. ]

It's a long story. Forgive me, but I'd rather not go into too many details.

... Sorry for pushing.

(not really, but he didn't want to see her upset.)

No, it's all right. [ She shakes her head, slowly. ]

I can hardly fault you for being curious. I'm sorry for not being forthcoming with details.

... You're the only person who knows my full name, you hardly need to be sorry to me, Haru-chan.

[ what is the correlation there, though-- ]

Well--!

[ She presses a hand to her chest. ]

I won't be taking it back, regardless!

(it's called: he will probably never be forthcoming with details, so who's he to demand that from her!!!)

Why? Do you want to tell me and you just can't?

hey couple of warnings

i'm not going home till tomorrow, probably. or later.

on that note. there are drugs everywhere, so, if you end up dosed on accident, call me.

if you end up high not on accident, there are condoms in my drawer, first thing. be safe. :)

[ WHY. ]

For starters, thank you for your concern, but I'm fine!

Also secondly, please be safe but are you eating properly? Am I making the portions too large? You hardly touch your food...

just because you're fine now doesn't mean it won't be something to consider in the future, you know.

... i don't eat much. i don't want to grow any taller.

[ ... ]

You don't want to grow any taller? Why?

[ ... also growth tends to no longer happen around this time. He said he was 18, didn't he? ]

people from where i'm really from tend to be gigantic. i won't be loveable like that, or so i heard.

Edited 2022-07-18 18:19 (UTC)

I don't think that's true at all! I think tall people can be very endearing!
But regardless, Shin-kun! You should be largely past the point of growing at your age, so you shouldn't concern yourself with that.

... you know. you'd think that, but i actually lied to you.

i'm sixteen.

[ There is a very long pause. Like. Fifteen minutes. Then, finally-- ]

Talk to me when you come home, okay?

what? am i in trouble?

Edited 2022-07-18 18:32 (UTC)

I'll talk to you in person, Shin-kun. Be safe.

(well, shit. he's not coming home so soon, anyway, and when he does, it's when the sun is way too shining outside. he expects haru to be out, or at the very least, asleep. it is around noon, anyway. he slides off his leather jacket, putting it on the hanger as he drags the cigarette that nearly falls from his lips when he sees that she's ACTUALLY HOME.

well, shit fuck shit.)

Are you mad about the lying or the everything else?

[ She just moves to her feet from where she was sitting and walks over to him, expression unreadable beyond a layer of "very tired". ]

...

[ She doesn't say anything, she just gazes at him. ]

(... the dark undereyes. she didn't sleep, evidently so. he feels bad for that, it's not like people lose sleep over him very often.

and she's too close, so he takes the cigarette out of his lips to distance it from her.)

...

Edited 2022-07-18 19:06 (UTC)

...

[ She just reaches out and pulls him into a hug. ]

I'm sorry. I'm sorry for not realizing. I'm sorry for making you feel that it was safer to lie to me about your age. I'm sorry for not being able to support you, Shin-kun.

I don't know what you've been through. I'm sure you have your reasons. I'm sorry.

Welcome back.

(it's so unusual that he freezes. the only people to hug him are hachi and reira, and the latter has been a source of many other things than affection as of late. he hardly knows how to deal with this, so he falls quiet before a hand sets on her pink curls.)

... You have nothing to feel sorry for, I have always lied about this. It's really not about you, Haru-chan, don't feel like you should have known, because you wouldn't have... You don't have to support me, you know. I've been supporting myself for years... I'm used to it, really... So please, don't be sad, ok...?

Edited 2022-07-18 19:45 (UTC)

How can I not be sad? [ she just. Says this into his shoulder. ]

When you say you're used to it, that you've been supporting yourself for years-- that's heartbreaking to me!

... Then I won't tell you anything else. I'm sorry to make your heart break, but between seeing you sad and telling you lies, the answer is pretty clear to me. I'm sorry I made you upset.

(because he deals very well with this, doesn't he? sound solution. he stretches his arm to leave his cigarette on the counter, wrapping his arm around her trying to soothe.)

Despite all this, I'm fine. I've been through a lot, so you don't have to worry so much. I can take care of myself.

... I'm accustomed to sadness and I'm not fond of being told lies for my sake.

[ Firmly, even as her arms tighten around him. ]

And I would be more sad if you didn't tell me, simply because you didn't want to hurt me. If it's because it hurts you to speak about, that's fine, I won't press.

(for once, shin's a bit taller than someone else, so he'll get a bit on the tips of his toes to set his chin on her head.)

It doesn't hurt me at all. I've survived, haven't I?-- but... Alright. Just... Don't think too much about it, it will only upset you and then I'll be upset and second-guessing my decision to tell you.

(he separates from her, taking her hand to guide her to their minuscule table, bringing his cigarette along. he'll need it.)

I'm Scandinavian. I ran from home because it was shit a couple of years ago, and went to Tokyo, without having a lick of professional skills, or language skills, or a network to fall upon. I didn't know anyone... And I survived. That's why I am trying to tell you I'll live through anything, unfortunately.

Edited 2022-07-19 13:36 (UTC)

[ She nods, a little automatically, as she lets him lead her over to their dinky little table. She has no real idea what to expect here, but she's seen enough of society and what it's done to people doing their best to live in it that she thinks she can probably keep her reactions subdued while he's telling her. ]

... Please don't say "unfortunately". You came to Japan as a teenager and managed to pick up enough skills to survive there... I think that's amazing. [ And he wound up being a famous member of a band, she thinks she remembers him saying. That doesn't seem like a lie. ]

The skills I've picked up aren't that good elsewhere, aside from my botched Japanese.

(oh, haru. it's definitely an 'unfortunately', you're talking to someone who loathes himself. there he goes, please don't freak out.)

I was raised by a woman after that. A pimp - who really likes young boys. She taught me how to thrive like that. That's why my age and name are things I dislike disclosing, I'm sure if you dig through this place, you'll find enough - they seem to know everything, anyway. I don't mind it being known, but I like having the choice of saying it when I feel like it, and being so young, I would rather not get a headache from it.

[ Haru is quiet as she listens. Her expression has slid back into a more subdued and neutral gaze, so she's not flinching or gasping or making shocked noises or bursting into tears, just silently processing the information as he speaks it.

... It doesn't mean she feels calm or composed, though, and as she rests her hands on her knees, she's white-knuckled. At least it's under the table. ]

To make sure I have this correctly... you performed sexual favors in order to get by?

Yep, exactly.

(although sexual favors makes it sound somewhat childish, to him. he wasn't doing anyone any favors, it was a job. a job he put a lot of effort into, very seriously as he could. kept a roof over his head.)

[ This is just Haru trying to phrase it as delicately as possible, okay. ]

Do you... still feel as though you need to do that here?

The person I got to benefit from my contract here wouldn't be happy if I did, so I'm refraining from it.

(hachi has already asked him to stop, and then he went and got himself arrested, so. it's the very least he can do.)

[ She thinks it'd probably be better if he himself said he didn't want to do it, but she isn't actually his mother, and it seems as though this person he'd mentioned is important enough for Shin to want to avoid upsetting them. Even hypothetically. ]

I'm glad to hear that... truly, I am. It sounds as though you've been through... an incredible amount.

(she'll never hear it, honestly. the way he sees it, he could really be rich here. he's good at what he did, perfectly practiced.

not at the risk of upsetting hachi, though.)

Just enough for me to be stubborn and tell you I'll really be fine. It's wasted worry on me, really, so even if I don't come home for days, you should know I'm alright unless I say otherwise, okay?

... That's the thing, I... I'm not sure you would say something to me if you weren't fine.

[ Especially with how he hadn't wanted to say anything when he'd realized she was upset. ]

So I'll also have to stand my ground here, Shin-kun-- I'm going to worry. I'm always going to worry, because I care, and if I don't hear from you for several days, I'll reach out myself.

... If that's the conclusion you've come to, I suppose there's little I can do to change your mind.

(still going to die saying he isn't worth all the worry, but he's sure it's only going to prolong her upsetness, which he isn't on the table for him right now. at least, with the new information, it seems she's forgotten he barely eats.)

... I'm sorry that I worry you.

I'm afraid I'm fairly stubborn. [ with an apologetic but somehow still unyielding smile. ]

... And as such, I'm equally afraid I'll have to request you eat at least a little more for your meals. I'm sure even if you do grow taller, you'll still be very cute. I'll even, ah... vouch for you? Being adorable?

[ SOMEHOW. ]

... It's more... Than that, really.

(it's because ryoko wouldn't want him anymore. he knows she's a wolf in sheep's skin, he's always known. after all, the sheer level of bad things he's learned under her roof should tell him as such, and they do.

... he can't bring himself to hate the one person who cared for him when no one had till then, though. it's that sad.)

Are you going to tell me about your dad now that I've told you way too much?

(it's only fair, haru!!!)

... I can explain the situation, but there are still some things I'm unable to talk about. Is that all right?

I'm in no position to push you to talk, am I?

[ With a little smile. ]

No. But it's just because it's not just my secret to keep.

It's called mutual destruction, Haru-chan. I've been lying through my teeth to everyone. I tell your secret, you can also open your mouth and paint me as a liar around. You can trust me, because I'm not stupid to risk it.

Why would I ever--

[ pardon. She looks aghast. ]

(the sigh that leaves him... a hand goes to the top of her head, gently caressing it. she's too nice to be in this place. he needs to look out for her. at least someone needs to be malicious in this household when they're in hell.)

I'm not saying you would. You're too good a person, but I'm not that great, and this place functions just like my brain. It's just easy to give you that certainty because you certainly could, and should, take precautions to preserve yourself in the face of anything in this place.

(and she can rest assured that if she doesn't, he will on her behalf.)

I... does that really have to be the kind of way I protect myself, though? By betraying the trust of the people around me? Or even thinking about it?

[ she's drooping, beneath his hand. ]

I don't know. It's how I'll protect myself, and I'm sure others would be the same. It's up to you how you want to deal with this place, after all - but all I ask is that you have a little bit more malice. Not everyone here is nice. Not even myself.

... I'll save my malice for the people who deserve it. But as far as I'm concerned, Shin-kun, you aren't one of them.

If I tell your secrets, wouldn't I be deserving of it?

If you told my secrets, I would probably think you had some good reason to say them in the first place. I don't think you're the type to say them to others without a good reason, with all the care you've taken with me. Even now.

... Then do you trust me? If you do and still wish to remain quiet, I don't blame you. If you don't-- that's fine, too. I'm just here.

I do trust you, I just...

... It's so...

[ hngh. ]

Quite honestly, I'm not sure you would believe me.

... You can try me.

Or we can skip it and talk about it some other time, mhm? Whatever's best for you.

(remember when shin told her he sucks but also he says shit like this)

[ yeah she didn't believe him for a second. ]

The next time... we can talk in person. All right? I need to figure out how to explain it, properly...

hey. just to let you know. i'm seeing some people, so i might skip on coming home on some days.

i'll bring your vegetables when i'm home though!

[ Some people? Multiple? This... well, maybe some people are polyamorous, she shouldn't judge. ]

Ah, all right. What are they like?

(haru some people are just hoe)

mhm. she's... sarcastic, really strong-willed... but very sweet in her own way.

he's a piece of sunshine.

They both sound like wonderful people. I've come to learn that some of the most sarcastic people can be some of the kindest, in the end.

she's very kind, but she comes off aggressive. protecting herself, right? but she's very nice when you get past that.

... and horny. also very horny. which is why... i'll see you sometimes!

[ She. Is blushing very much. Help. ]

You're staying safe?

would you believe there's no pregnancy or stds here

What? Has that been officially confirmed?

i suppose so.

By...?

we've been here for nearly two months. i've seen no children, have you?

also, the clinics don't have condoms. every clinic has free ones to use.

... and when you find them, it's...

we should change subject, haru-chan. you're too pure for this.

Wait, they're what? Are they dangerous??

[ YOU DID THIS, SHIN. ]

before i go on this, remember you asked. i'm simply replying.

they're mostly flavored. there are a few that aren't, but i mean. it's more to keep things from getting messy than anything else.

[ ????!!?!?! ]

I had no idea they could be flavored...

(save him good lord)

well. it's useful. adds some excitement if you want to go down on a man, i guess. so it's more for fun than for anything...health-related.

i don't like them. they taste super artificial. -10 stars

I see... I'll be certain to keep that in mind, though I don't think it will be...
Applicable?

i mean. it might.

... do you not like men? because if you need advice on women, that's really where i shine.

Eh??
No, I do, I just meant
There's no one like that right now and I don't think I'm
I don't think it would happen

[ HELP. ]

well a lot to unpack there

maybe i'm not the best person to give advice on this, but alas. let's go.

just because you don't like anyone right now, there's no telling if you will, right?

if you don't like the idea of having sex, you don't ever have to know these things, and it's completely fine.

if you do, though... i guess it's good to know how it really goes, and to find out what you like, too.

and lastly, you don't have to like someone to fuck, haru-chan. live your best life.

I'm a romantic, Shin-kun. I wouldn't do anything with someone I didn't have strong feelings for.
But thank you, for the advice.

i guess i see these things differently, after all. i don't think you'll ask anyone else about these things, so.

ask away.

If anything else comes up, of course I will. I truly appreciate your willingness to help.

wish you the best of luck

haru, hello!
this is harry.
i got you a grenade launcher like i promised!
i just need to give it to you.

[ ??????? ]

Harry-san?
Um what do you mean you got me a
I would have purchased it myself
Really??

really!
i said i would and i did.
you'll like it a lot.
where should we meet for the handoff?

Are you staying at a Shuten complex? Or elsewhere?

shuten complexes.
but better we dont meet at my place.

[ on account of it being a total disaster. he rather nobody see it. ]

there's a small square park nearby we can go to!
i'll send you the address

[ i-is everything okay. ]

All right.
I'll meet you there.
Again, you didn't have to do this...
I'll find some way to pay you back.

im sure you will!
in the mean time you have a weapon to defend yourself as you need.
let's meet in an hour.

Understood.
I'll see you then, Harry-san.

[ And at the park he'll be waiting on the bench, a not-so conspicuous black cardboard box seated beside him. He's quickly trying to get through a cigarette before she comes, his nerves itching for something to temper his cravings for worse things. She should like the grenade launcher, right? If not, he has no clue what he'll do with it. It's even pre-loaded!

LOGIC - This was a really bad idea.
VOLITION - Wow, what conclusions will you piece together next? ]

[ She shows up soon enough, coming to a polite stop in front of the bench with her fingers laced together looking for all the world like a girl who has never seen a grenade launcher in her life. ]

Hello, Harry-san. I'm sorry if I kept you waiting for too long...

[ ENCYCLOPEDIA - The "-san" suffix is applied as an honorary term, used often by the Japanese in conversation when addressing someone they are unfamiliar with. It is also often used for those older than the speaker.
AUTHORITY - She is polite and reserved in front of an elder. As she should be. ]

No, not at all. [ He did get to have a quick smoke in the end, so it was worth the wait. One last inhale and he crushes it on the ground with the tip of his shoe, then reaches to pick it up. Can't liter now that he's friends with the city! ] It's in the box. Take a look.

[ He waves to the box for her to approach while he takes a quick walk to the nearby trash can. ]

Edited 2022-08-10 16:50 (UTC)

[ She watches him speed-amble off, before her gaze moves over to the box. Very carefully, she opens it out and pulls out what has got to be the most majestic grenade launcher she's ever seen?? There's a stirring in the back of her head-- Milady, a faint whisper about a departure to freedom, approving.

And Haru herself is frozen, taking in every detail. The color scheme, the details... it's so much like her Persona, but-- ]

Oh my goodness...

Pretty cool, right? I said to make it special for you and this is what they came up with.

[ "They" being the weapons handler for all of Shuten. Harry can't go without giving himself credit for the idea though. He walks back to the bench, preening at her awe. ]

It's yours! Hopefully you don't have to use it too much.

I-- yes, ideally, I'd prefer not to as well...

[ He really did this. Why it's in her Persona's color scheme, she has no idea, but she's more than a little overwhelmed. ]

Harry-san... thank you so much. If there's ever anything I can do for you in exchange, please let me know.

[ THIS IS SUCH A BIG GIFT. ]

[ SUGGESTION - Excellent! Now you have an owed favor.
LOGIC - Unfortunately, that isn't why you did this. That would *actually* be logical, to a degree. ]

Oh no, don't worry about it. You need this to defend yourself and I'm happy to help a new person.

All the same, I wouldn't feel right if I didn't do something in return. Perhaps not now, if you can't think of anything I would be able to assist with... but in the future?

[ She's going to be stubborn about this. ]

[ SUGGESTION - Psst. Hey. I have an *idea*.
(I don't know if I like your ideas!)
SUGGESTION - It's a great one. You need to trust me on this.
RHETORIC - Oh, I like this one.
VOLITION - Do not.
SAVOIR FAIRE - Do it! Do it! ]

Well... you wouldn't happen to have any money on you?

Money?

[ One slow blink. ]

Admittedly... not much.

[ SHE'S A ROOKIE, HARRY. ]

Worth a shot.

[ Nothing ventured, nothing gained! ]

You just have this... air to you. Like you come from money.

... I do.

[ But something in her manner closes off, guarded but also a little bitter. ]

However, I prefer not to rely on that... and here, it doesn't apply at all.

[ EMPATHY- Look at what you did. You put up her defenses with that question.
RHETORIC- So what? The rich need not have your pity. ]

Do you... not like being rich?

It was money gained by my father trampling on the backs of hard workers and manipulating others. I can't ignore the fact that I've been privileged, but it makes me sick that it was achieved in such a way and, as such, I've been doing my best to be sufficient without it until I can set things right.

... Though I suppose such a thing is moot, when I'm here.

[ RHETORIC - She isn't ignorant of her status. If anything, she is far more aware of it than even *you* are.
AUTHORITY - You know what you must do. ]

Haru, I just realized what you can do to pay me back. [ He grins, a brilliant idea in mind. ] What I want you to do for me, Haru, is to gain a *political* education.

Have you ever heard of communism?

[ what. ]

Harry-san, please forgive me, but that was an extremely bewildering change of request.

[ RHETORIC - She didn't say no. ]

I know you have been fed many lies about communism from the mouths of liberals and fascists alike. We *all* have. That's why it's important to understand what communism is, and how it benefits the collective and not the elite alone!

So promise me Haru. Promise me you'll research.

I... will look into it. I promise.

[ This is concerning but it's not like he just said BECOME A POLITICIAN. Which would have been a flat-out no, so thanks Harry. ]

(NOT HIM PEACING OUT FOR DAYS)

i know i know.
im sorry.

we kinda need to talk? good news, though.

Edited 2022-08-11 02:49 (UTC)

[ SHIN. SHIIIIIIIIIN. SHIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIN. ]

You're okay??

aside from the assassination that happened before my two eyes?

dandy.

anyway so

Where are you?

just some bar, haru-chan. doesn't matter.

i think i'll move out. i got a lot of money in the festival, so...

[ Haru, toeing her shoes on, heading out to poke her head into many bars but will probably still miss-- ]

Oh. I see.

[ Sometimes it's nice for things to be in text, she thinks. But... ]

Will you be staying in Tamamo territory?

i think so.

it's safer for me. i'll still pay for my part, and i don't care if you disagree. i'm paying.

[ ?????? ]

Why? I do have a job now...

because we have an agreement. i am not just going to not honor it out of nowhere.

use it to help you save and move out too, haru-chan.

And you would stop sending money if I moved out, as well?

i don't know. we'll see when that time comes, i guess.

it just doesn't feel good just not to pay when i moved suddenly.

We both knew it wouldn't be permanent, so please don't feel obligated. I'll do my best to take care of things so you won't have to worry about me.

i say the same and you worry anyway don't you

let me help.

Would you accept money if our situations had been reversed?

absolutely.

(hello???????? he's not even lying ajfkhas)

[ WELL, GOOD. ]

Fine. But only until I find a better place of my own. All right?

that's fine. deal?

For now.

Hola
What kind of coffee do you like?
I got an espresso machine from my Tanabata wish
Neat, huh?

What a wonderful gift!
To be honest, I like all kinds of coffee.
It's my goal to try as many as I can, so I can better improve my own.

That is a hefty, hefty goal, but an admirable one!
I know how to make a good amount of coffee drinks so now that I have a machine, at least I'll get some good espresso
I was wondering if you wanted to test some of the drinks I make out?
My skills are a little rusty, but I think I can manage.

I'd be delighted to!
I've never used an espresso machine myself, so believe me, you can in no way disappoint me.

Well, you can definitely tell if someone does a bad job even with the machine.
The quality of the coffee beans is also important, but that quality goes down the drain if you don't grind them properly.
I had a pretty harsh instructor who made me practice god knows how many times

I'd heard that, about how it's not just how you grow the beans but how you grind them...
It sounds as though your instructor was very dedicated to the taste?

He was very dedicated to anything and everything he could put his mind to.
But he was also made of rock (a golem) so he had that sort of patience to begin with!

[ ???? ]

I'm sorry, did you say your instructor was made out of rock?

Yeah! Golem! They're made of rock!
Or sometimes clay or other earth materials as my boss explained to me, but you know, same thing
You would have liked him I think. Not only is he a master barista, but he's pretty much a master chef.

That's very impressive!
It does sound as though I would have learned a lot from him...
How did he end up being a barista and a chef, exactly? Was he made to be one?

That would be a great question to ask if he was here but alas
I'll just have to apply what I learned from him here

I know! For you, I think I'd make a strawberry latte.
Iced or hot, it's very delicious!

That does sound delicious!
I'd love to try it, Monts-san!

you an' kate out in tamamo get on? she's willin' t'be yer sparrin' partner.

Oh! Yes! I thought she was very delightful. I'd be happy to learn from her!

[ delightful sparring partner? Huzzah! ]

she comes runnin' with me in th'mornin's sometimes, welcome there too.

[ why is his running buddy a teenage girl? don't ask him, she wanted to work out. ]

[ She sees nothing odd about that. ]

I'd like that. Is it always around the same time?

yeah, usually meetup at th'kokujou bridge

Then if you truly don't mind, I'd be happy to join you sometime!

yeah, it ain't nothin'. we'll see ya around.

I heard there was an attack on the shop. Are you all right? Was anyone hurt?

Unfortunately, I believe all of us were hurt.
When they couldn't kill us, the last one standing lit himself on fire and it traveled unnaturally quickly.

[Akira's not really one for a lot of words at the best of times, so his message is very succinct but he thinks Haru will immediately understand why he's asking.]

Where are you?

[ This pings right as she's typing a message to him-- and she pauses, deletes, tries again. ]

The clinic. I'll be all right.

["I'll be all right." Not that she is alright. Which, fair enough, who would be under those circumstances. And unlike Akira, Haru isn't the type to outright lie about her condition.]

I'm on my way.

[ ... well, she half-expected this. She can't even think of how to stop him. She'd be the same way. ]

Be careful. I don't know how safe the streets are right now.

I've been out all day.

[Finding bombs, defusing fights, getting threatened... That probably doesn't make Haru feel any better though.]

I'll be careful. I promise.

[ No. For some reason, it doesn't! ]

All right.
I'll see you soon.

[It's about ten minutes later that Akira finds his way to the clinic. He'd been close-by already, and beyond that, he's been frantic since he heard about the shop burning down and Haru getting injured.

He steps into her room silently, holding a thermos of a steaming liquid.]

...I got you Matcha.

[When did he get the time?]

When did you--

[ Never mind. She's heavily bandaged, curls still bearing some traces of singe, but she smiles to see him. ]

... Thank you, Akira-kun. Were you okay, coming here?

...Kinda ridiculous to be asking me that, don't you think?

[Still, he returns the smile, even as he tries to conceal the worry on his face at her injuries. It's rather plain to see. But... he also knows Haru is one of the strongest people he knows, and that she wouldn't want him to fret.]

I'm guessing I should probably see the other guy, right?

Jigoku Inbox;

as they settle

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cw substance use mention

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cw eating... issues

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cw sw and grooming can come up from the rest of this convo

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