[Somehow this is the response she was expecting. It's hard to say how Leon feels after everything that's happened but she can't help but feel a little pleased that he answered right away and with some semblance of eagerness.]
That's what I like to hear!
We're doing better! It was a pretty long night in our apartment but things are a lot better today. [Understatement. The first night back without Dipper was awful. The apartment was way too empty with just her and Yu. But Leon doesn't need to know that and she picks up the pace of her texting again.] It seems like everybody made it back finally and we're all sort of checking in with each other.
And what makes you think you're gonna get an answer to that question when you didn't answer me, huh? Nice try!
He tabs away from the text for a moment to look at his list of contacts. Kirigiri Kyouko, Togami Byakuya—they're both still there. Ugh, he's starting to feel crazy checking on them like twice a day at least, but he can't help it! Dammit, he's done enough feeling crazy lately . . .
There's a slight delay in his answer because of that ritual, but the truth is, he's getting real fast at checking the list of contacts these days.]
lol a guys gotta try right?
Besides when youre a guy its hard to make it sound hot the way a girl can! Id just be like, boxers? I am btw
But even if a guy looks good in boxers to girls it still just doesn't have the same effect right?
[Maybe it does if you're attracted to men? Whoa. He's never thought about that before. Do girls actually like things like . . . the way guys look in underwear? He's never gotten any complaints from any, but it's still hard to imagine . . .
Well, this is at least distracting.]
So youre checking on me? That DEFINITELY makes me feel better
Thanks.
Edited (why do I only notice after I submit the comment) 2016-02-26 05:28 (UTC)
[If he's crazy for checking the contact list as often as he does, she's crazier for tapping into the energy readings of her friends to pinpoint exactly where they are at any given moment. Losing Yosuke right before they disappeared into that dark place had been hard (more on Yu than herself, but that didn't mean she didn't miss the other boy.) She couldn't risk losing Yu, too. And Dipper had just come back from dying (and how that worked she's still not sure) and it's just. This place sometimes complicates everything.
She doesn't mind the delay, But she's quick to respond anyway.]
I'll give you some points for trying, and I think it depends on what the boxers look like and the guy who's wearing them.
[Though now that he's brought it up, that is a great question. And since he's planted that seed she supposes he probably doesn't look half-bad in just his boxers but that's not the point.]
But you know, you COULD put on something over those boxers and see what I'm wearing in person. Sitting around the apartment's going to make me crazy. [It doesn't help that Yu and Dipper are off doing their own thing, too.] If you're up for it, I was going to go out for a while and find the best place to get some coffee or something.
[Even though he's not literally up yet! But now he is; he's already swinging his legs off the bed as he types that, fighting off a dizzy spell (that happens when you stand up fast and you haven't eaten yet) as he stumbles for the door to his bathroom. Right. If this is going to happen, he needs to get himself in order without making her wait forever! She's probably already a whole, functioning human being today and he's only just getting started!]
[Well that was fast. By the time he finds himself back out of his bathroom and finished with getting ready he'll see he has another text message.]
Great! ∩(︶▽︶)∩ I'll meet you over at the entrance to the shopping district, kay? Just right off from where the train stops!
[You better hurry up, Leon. Don't leave her waiting. (But please don't stumble and accidentally crack your head open or something either, that wouldn't help.) At least he has some time since she has to finish pulling herself together, too. But sooner or later she'll be perched on a bench near the exit to the metro station in the shopping district, CereVice keeping her company as she waits.
[Of all of the things that Leon could be doing today, basically all of them are good for him compared to what he was doing. But this definitely ranks up there among the best possible timelines.
He's a guy who can get ready in a flash or spend half an hour in the bathroom primping depending on his mood and schedule; this time he's quick about it, though he takes care to make himself look good. As good as he can. Mostly normal-good and with some slight puffiness to his eyes that he doesn't have any luck hiding . . . but he tried, and it's not obvious unless you look for it.
The train ride's not a long one, either, so before long he's stepping off of it and heading over to the entrance to see if—aha, there she is!]
Heeey, Kujikawa!
[And he heads over to the bench, lifting a hand to wave. This was a good idea. Who had this great idea? Oh, right. He needs to thank her for that.]
[Sometimes Rise has great ideas. This is one of them and she looks up to peer at him from behind her sunglasses. It doesn't take much more than that before her face splits into a smile and she hops up off of the bench to meet him halfway.]
Hey! I was hoping you wouldn't leave me waiting too long. [At least behind the glasses she can quickly assess him.] Ready to go? I've heard a few recommendations about a place not too far from here.
Yeah? Let's go! Heh, usually I'm the one picking places out . . . I guess I hang out with a lot of people who don't get out much these days.
[Weird to think about, but it's true. That's just the way the chips have fallen with his classmates who remain in the colony (and, on second thought, even the ones who've disappeared—who knew the school had so many introverts?). Even a lot of the friends he's made here have been the more quiet type . . .
It's nice to be invited out, especially by Kujikawa. How could he not cheer up with this? He smiles right back at her, genuinely warm.]
So I'm totally ready to be swept off my feet by someplace new, is what I'm sayin'!
[She can't help but laugh at that, even as she turns to gesture for him to follow her.]
I hope this place lives up to its claims then! I'm still learning what's even in the colony, but I always think it's better to check things out with a friend than by yourself. [As they walk, she glances around the other shops peppering the streets on their way to the coffee shop.] Before last year, I never really had a lot of time to just go out and visit places back home. I want to take advantage of it while we're here.
Might as well, right? It's like . . . for all the crap they pull on us, at least they got us covered in the meantime. It's pretty hard to be bored here if you're the kinda person who likes goin' out. And I guess if you don't, you could just shut up in your room all day and play ViViD.
[He's had his days, and even weeks, where he was depressed enough to do pretty much the same thing. It drives him crazy staying in . . . but at least when he does, he's got plenty to do.
He follows her, speeding up to walk by her side as he guides them, following her gaze from shop to shop—but not without some lingering on her, too.]
[It's either that she doesn't notice or she doesn't care that he's letting his gaze linger on her. She trusts Leon not to make this weird and she's also used to people looking at her. She's completely comfortable for the time being.]
It's like they're making sure that we're satisfied just so we don't get too bored and start questioning what's happening here. But it's nice to have things to do to keep our mind off of things. I don't think I'd like being in the apartment all the time.
[She considers that question then.] Now that I'm working on my comeback, I don't have a lot of time to be taking breaks. Inoue-san makes sure I take some, but I can't be my best if I don't keep working.
Yeah. I'm a pop idol...I go by Risette. [She can't help but giggle under her breath at his response, even if she's not entirely sure how to interpret it yet.] Are you shocked?
. . . Should he feel weird about that? Should he feel totally normal, or like, really weird and awkward right now? He feels sort of mildly weird, which feels wrong either way. Like he should feel one extreme of either not giving a fuck or totally put off. Not just vaguely uncomfortable. He actually feels more self-conscious about his own feelings than the situation itself—
Shit, get it together, Kuwata!
Luckily all of that internal conflict goes through his head in like, a second. Funny how thoughts work. All he really shows is a beat of more surprise, and different surprise, than is really warranted, and then he laughs and pushes through it with a minimum of awkwardness. (But not no awkwardness.)]
—But if you're asking if I'm surprised a girl like you would have a job like that, no way! It totally suits you!
[Maybe she's playing me. Maybe she has a knife.
No. Go away, stupid and unneeded thoughts. (And they're extra stupid because actually, Leon is the one with a knife right now.) God, he hates thoughts he never asked for.]
[Maybe it's for the best that she can't hear his thoughts at all. It's safer for the two of them but she can imagine. She can just picture the way he's thinking about her now, not unlike Yosuke in some ways. On the other hand though, she and Leon had spoken and formed a strange sort of kinship before he told her who she was, unlike the rest of the Investigation Team. It's hard to say how people are going to treat her when they find out news like that, but he seems to roll right through it.
And so does she.]
I hope it still does. I'm a little out of practice and now that we're here my comeback's even more delayed. [She shrugs a little, pointing ahead at the shop right in front of them now. It's probably no surprise it looks like a small, trendy little place.] There it is! Come on. [She picks up her pace, a little more than excited to explore and leave behind the subject.] You do drink coffee, don't you?
[It's 100% for the best that she can't hear his thoughts; Leon wishes he couldn't hear most of his own thoughts along those lines.
But then the subject changes, and he shakes it off. Of course this is fine. It's Kujikawa! Nothing's changed. They're out together having fun, and he feels normal and alive again, mostly, for the first time in like a week. What more is there to think about?
So he speeds up to match her pace, letting himself soak in her enthusiasm and relax. She's so cheerful, so cute . . . ]
Yeah, sure! A guy's gotta get through the morning, right? I could probably use some right now . . . you think they've got food?
[Isn't that the most important thing? Two kids out having fun and being normal and temporarily putting lives (or lack thereof) back home on pause. She's come to find that she enjoys Leon's company and that's really all that matters.
It's nice having more friends. She didn't think she would have time back home to make more than just the Investigation Team (but who needs more than that?), but this has been great.]
It'd be a pretty sad cafe if they didn't have food. Places like this usually have sandwiches and muffins and stuff. [She tilts her face back to throw a wink to him over her shoulder.] You didn't really think I'd pick a place that wouldn't feed us too, did you? That just seems really wrong.
Hey, you're totally scolding me! Soooorry, sorry! Do I gotta beg for your forgiveness?
[Down on my knees? he thinks, but he'll save any innuendo, for the moment. She's teasing him, but the more he gets to know her, the easier it is to tell that she's just that kind of person, and it's not real criticism.
He heads up to the door behind her to grab it open and hold it for her. Ah, food . . . ]
I think I can forgive you just this once, but don't do it again! [Even if she's scolding him she's laughing in return. It's hard to be serious about this sort of thing (though poor Leon, should he ever find himself on the receiving end of some of Rise's moodswings) and it's nice that he's quick to pick up on it.
She beams up at him as he holds the door open and she slips inside, looking back to make sure he isn't too far behind as she approaches the counter to check out the menu. It's standard cafe-fare, coffee and pastries and sandwiches and teas. She brings a finger to her lips in though, waiting for Leon to join her side.]
Everything looks so good...I want to try everything. [Which is totally impractical.] What catches your eye?
[She's not the only one prone to moodswings. But right now, that couldn't be further from Leon's mind; he feels strangely peaceful, even after everything. He's just a step behind her, wandering up by her side to take a look at the menu.]
You mean besides you? Ha ha! Juuust kidding!
[Well, kind of kidding. Despite that, he is actually looking at the menu too, not just at her. Damn, he'd thought he was hungry, but now that he's this close to having food, the hungry he thought he was before is like a pale shadow of how he feels now.]
How'm I supposed to pick? I could order everything for real! Cafes are all about small portions anyway . . . even Western ones.
[It's probably a girl thing. He's one of those bottomless pit teenage boys himself. So he is definitely going to order a sandwich and soup and a cake with his coffee, without any hesitation.]
[She catches that, giving him a small, playful look before rolling her eyes.] Nice try.
[But she doesn't seem to mind. She tilts her head, humming to herself and surprised at how hungry she is herself. She knows that Yu's told her to take it slow since they were just out there starving, and she trusts Leon to know his limits so she doesn't even stop him. They are small portions, evidenced by the salad and doughnut she orders with her coffee. She's not even really paying attention as she hands over her debit card to pay for the whole thing either.]
If you ordered everything now though, what would be the point of coming back another day? [A hint at possibly more coffee dates in the future? Maybe.] I'm sure they'd totally appreciate your patronage though.
[At first it doesn't register that she just paid for them; he's distracted talking to her, and then he's just waiting for the cashier to ask him for his card too, lingering with her by the counter.]
Yeah, 'til I made myself sick, right? They probably wouldn't appreciate that! Sooo I'll just have to come back, like you said . . . you offering me company?
Definitely, definitely wouldn't appreciate that. [The cashier hands her card back and Rise lifts a shoulder in response as she slips it back into her wallet and into her purse.]
Yes, and yes. [Is it really that strange? Probably. But instead of calling it on being strange, she simply replies.] You can pick up the tab the next time we go out. How about that?
Okay, so maybe this isn't actually a date-date, and maybe also it's just beginning and he can't know if it'll go well, so cheering for a second one might be kinda premature. Still nice to hear.
He turns to find an empty table for them while they wait for their food, all smiles.]
So I should be scouting out new places, huh? I can do that! That's the kinda homework I can get behind.
[Maybe this isn't an actual date-date, but it doesn't make this any less enjoyable for her. She looks over his shoulder to scout for a table as they wait for their food, grinning to herself.]
I can't come up with all of the ideas, can I? What kind of places would you want to go?
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
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That's what I like to hear!
We're doing better! It was a pretty long night in our apartment but things are a lot better today. [Understatement. The first night back without Dipper was awful. The apartment was way too empty with just her and Yu. But Leon doesn't need to know that and she picks up the pace of her texting again.] It seems like everybody made it back finally and we're all sort of checking in with each other.
And what makes you think you're gonna get an answer to that question when you didn't answer me, huh? Nice try!
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He tabs away from the text for a moment to look at his list of contacts. Kirigiri Kyouko, Togami Byakuya—they're both still there. Ugh, he's starting to feel crazy checking on them like twice a day at least, but he can't help it! Dammit, he's done enough feeling crazy lately . . .
There's a slight delay in his answer because of that ritual, but the truth is, he's getting real fast at checking the list of contacts these days.]
lol a guys gotta try right?
Besides when youre a guy its hard to make it sound hot the way a girl can! Id just be like, boxers? I am btw
But even if a guy looks good in boxers to girls it still just doesn't have the same effect right?
[Maybe it does if you're attracted to men? Whoa. He's never thought about that before. Do girls actually like things like . . . the way guys look in underwear? He's never gotten any complaints from any, but it's still hard to imagine . . .
Well, this is at least distracting.]
So youre checking on me? That DEFINITELY makes me feel better
Thanks.
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She doesn't mind the delay, But she's quick to respond anyway.]
I'll give you some points for trying, and I think it depends on what the boxers look like and the guy who's wearing them.
[Though now that he's brought it up, that is a great question. And since he's planted that seed she supposes he probably doesn't look half-bad in just his boxers but that's not the point.]
But you know, you COULD put on something over those boxers and see what I'm wearing in person. Sitting around the apartment's going to make me crazy. [It doesn't help that Yu and Dipper are off doing their own thing, too.] If you're up for it, I was going to go out for a while and find the best place to get some coffee or something.
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[Even though he's not literally up yet! But now he is; he's already swinging his legs off the bed as he types that, fighting off a dizzy spell (that happens when you stand up fast and you haven't eaten yet) as he stumbles for the door to his bathroom. Right. If this is going to happen, he needs to get himself in order without making her wait forever! She's probably already a whole, functioning human being today and he's only just getting started!]
...that icon is adorable what the hell.
Great! ∩(︶▽︶)∩ I'll meet you over at the entrance to the shopping district, kay? Just right off from where the train stops!
[You better hurry up, Leon. Don't leave her waiting. (But please don't stumble and accidentally crack your head open or something either, that wouldn't help.) At least he has some time since she has to finish pulling herself together, too. But sooner or later she'll be perched on a bench near the exit to the metro station in the shopping district, CereVice keeping her company as she waits.
This will be good for both of them, she thinks.]
IT NEW
He's a guy who can get ready in a flash or spend half an hour in the bathroom primping depending on his mood and schedule; this time he's quick about it, though he takes care to make himself look good. As good as he can. Mostly normal-good and with some slight puffiness to his eyes that he doesn't have any luck hiding . . . but he tried, and it's not obvious unless you look for it.
The train ride's not a long one, either, so before long he's stepping off of it and heading over to the entrance to see if—aha, there she is!]
Heeey, Kujikawa!
[And he heads over to the bench, lifting a hand to wave. This was a good idea. Who had this great idea? Oh, right. He needs to thank her for that.]
too cute :c
Hey! I was hoping you wouldn't leave me waiting too long. [At least behind the glasses she can quickly assess him.] Ready to go? I've heard a few recommendations about a place not too far from here.
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[Weird to think about, but it's true. That's just the way the chips have fallen with his classmates who remain in the colony (and, on second thought, even the ones who've disappeared—who knew the school had so many introverts?). Even a lot of the friends he's made here have been the more quiet type . . .
It's nice to be invited out, especially by Kujikawa. How could he not cheer up with this? He smiles right back at her, genuinely warm.]
So I'm totally ready to be swept off my feet by someplace new, is what I'm sayin'!
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I hope this place lives up to its claims then! I'm still learning what's even in the colony, but I always think it's better to check things out with a friend than by yourself. [As they walk, she glances around the other shops peppering the streets on their way to the coffee shop.] Before last year, I never really had a lot of time to just go out and visit places back home. I want to take advantage of it while we're here.
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[He's had his days, and even weeks, where he was depressed enough to do pretty much the same thing. It drives him crazy staying in . . . but at least when he does, he's got plenty to do.
He follows her, speeding up to walk by her side as he guides them, following her gaze from shop to shop—but not without some lingering on her, too.]
You're that busy back home?
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It's like they're making sure that we're satisfied just so we don't get too bored and start questioning what's happening here. But it's nice to have things to do to keep our mind off of things. I don't think I'd like being in the apartment all the time.
[She considers that question then.] Now that I'm working on my comeback, I don't have a lot of time to be taking breaks. Inoue-san makes sure I take some, but I can't be my best if I don't keep working.
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Your comeback? What d'you do? Are you actually someone famous back home?
[There's a complicated twist of feelings in his stomach over that. Just a little. It's a reminder of a lot of things about his own life, back before.]
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Yeah. I'm a pop idol...I go by Risette. [She can't help but giggle under her breath at his response, even if she's not entirely sure how to interpret it yet.] Are you shocked?
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[She's an idol!
. . . Should he feel weird about that? Should he feel totally normal, or like, really weird and awkward right now? He feels sort of mildly weird, which feels wrong either way. Like he should feel one extreme of either not giving a fuck or totally put off. Not just vaguely uncomfortable. He actually feels more self-conscious about his own feelings than the situation itself—
Shit, get it together, Kuwata!
Luckily all of that internal conflict goes through his head in like, a second. Funny how thoughts work. All he really shows is a beat of more surprise, and different surprise, than is really warranted, and then he laughs and pushes through it with a minimum of awkwardness. (But not no awkwardness.)]
—But if you're asking if I'm surprised a girl like you would have a job like that, no way! It totally suits you!
[Maybe she's playing me. Maybe she has a knife.
No. Go away, stupid and unneeded thoughts. (And they're extra stupid because actually, Leon is the one with a knife right now.) God, he hates thoughts he never asked for.]
You're that type all over!
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And so does she.]
I hope it still does. I'm a little out of practice and now that we're here my comeback's even more delayed. [She shrugs a little, pointing ahead at the shop right in front of them now. It's probably no surprise it looks like a small, trendy little place.] There it is! Come on. [She picks up her pace, a little more than excited to explore and leave behind the subject.] You do drink coffee, don't you?
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But then the subject changes, and he shakes it off. Of course this is fine. It's Kujikawa! Nothing's changed. They're out together having fun, and he feels normal and alive again, mostly, for the first time in like a week. What more is there to think about?
So he speeds up to match her pace, letting himself soak in her enthusiasm and relax. She's so cheerful, so cute . . . ]
Yeah, sure! A guy's gotta get through the morning, right? I could probably use some right now . . . you think they've got food?
[He's starving at this point, too.]
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It's nice having more friends. She didn't think she would have time back home to make more than just the Investigation Team (but who needs more than that?), but this has been great.]
It'd be a pretty sad cafe if they didn't have food. Places like this usually have sandwiches and muffins and stuff. [She tilts her face back to throw a wink to him over her shoulder.] You didn't really think I'd pick a place that wouldn't feed us too, did you? That just seems really wrong.
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[Down on my knees? he thinks, but he'll save any innuendo, for the moment. She's teasing him, but the more he gets to know her, the easier it is to tell that she's just that kind of person, and it's not real criticism.
He heads up to the door behind her to grab it open and hold it for her. Ah, food . . . ]
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She beams up at him as he holds the door open and she slips inside, looking back to make sure he isn't too far behind as she approaches the counter to check out the menu. It's standard cafe-fare, coffee and pastries and sandwiches and teas. She brings a finger to her lips in though, waiting for Leon to join her side.]
Everything looks so good...I want to try everything. [Which is totally impractical.] What catches your eye?
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You mean besides you? Ha ha! Juuust kidding!
[Well, kind of kidding. Despite that, he is actually looking at the menu too, not just at her. Damn, he'd thought he was hungry, but now that he's this close to having food, the hungry he thought he was before is like a pale shadow of how he feels now.]
How'm I supposed to pick? I could order everything for real! Cafes are all about small portions anyway . . . even Western ones.
[It's probably a girl thing. He's one of those bottomless pit teenage boys himself. So he is definitely going to order a sandwich and soup and a cake with his coffee, without any hesitation.]
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[But she doesn't seem to mind. She tilts her head, humming to herself and surprised at how hungry she is herself. She knows that Yu's told her to take it slow since they were just out there starving, and she trusts Leon to know his limits so she doesn't even stop him. They are small portions, evidenced by the salad and doughnut she orders with her coffee. She's not even really paying attention as she hands over her debit card to pay for the whole thing either.]
If you ordered everything now though, what would be the point of coming back another day? [A hint at possibly more coffee dates in the future? Maybe.] I'm sure they'd totally appreciate your patronage though.
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Yeah, 'til I made myself sick, right? They probably wouldn't appreciate that! Sooo I'll just have to come back, like you said . . . you offering me company?
[Then it occurs to him.]
—Did you pay for mine too just now?
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Yes, and yes. [Is it really that strange? Probably. But instead of calling it on being strange, she simply replies.] You can pick up the tab the next time we go out. How about that?
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[SECOND DATE! SCORE
Okay, so maybe this isn't actually a date-date, and maybe also it's just beginning and he can't know if it'll go well, so cheering for a second one might be kinda premature. Still nice to hear.
He turns to find an empty table for them while they wait for their food, all smiles.]
So I should be scouting out new places, huh? I can do that! That's the kinda homework I can get behind.
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I can't come up with all of the ideas, can I? What kind of places would you want to go?
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