realpolitik | Makoto Tachibana | Makoto Kikuchi

Entry tags:

Makoto Tachibana | Makoto Kikuchi | 030

[The swimming pool is not for them.

The swimming pool is, in fact, currently closed off, with the poster outside proclaiming that it was in use for a necessary photo shoot. Makoto, who is the sort to read posters when they are posted there to be read, knows this.

Haru, who is not, does not know this, nor does he care. And by the time Makoto notices that Haru doesn't intend to be stopped, he's through the door.

And jumping into the pool.

Haru.

Haru no.

Makoto bursts in after him, horrified, and doesn't really notice anyone in his path.]

Haru--!

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[Phew. He breathes out a sigh of relief at the apparent quiet--but then her smile fades away, and that's worrisome. She's been absolutely full of energy and spunk this whole time...

So what can he do but smile?]

We still got to eat most of it, so that's not so bad, unless you're still hungry. In which case, I'm sure it's still edible--

[and yeah he got yelled at but hey, it wasn't half as scary as Ama-chan at her worst... So he doesn't consider that too important. More important is if Makoto is still hungry, which is why he's smiling at her and offering the container of food that he salvaged.]

[ ... maybe it's just that Makoto, for all of her masculine traits, just doesn't understand boys. Or maybe it's just this boy in particular that has her confused. But she's pretty sure most boys wouldn't be smiling in a case like this. Or, in Hokuto's case, he would have been right in the thick of it, flirting away, but he was an idol too.

But here Makoto was, smiling. Was he just that kind of person?

She slowly shakes her head, gently nudging his hand back; anything left ought to be for him, since she'd done most of the eating anyway-- another reminder of her failing femininity (or some unknown resemblance to Takane). ]

I'm fine, but... you really don't have to force yourself! If you're mad or weirded out, that's perfectly understandable!

I can't imagine what I'd be mad about...

[He ponders this as he takes the food back, clasping the lid back over it and tucking it back under his arm again. And it's pretty obvious that he means that completely. He really can't think of what would make him angry in this sort of situation.

So he smiles and shrugs sheepishly, because--]

It isn't even the weirdest situation I've found myself in, so...really, it's fine. Don't worry too much about it.

[The only way to survive in Makoto's position is to adopt a live and let live attitude, honestly, but he doesn't find it's any hardship to reassure Makoto-chan. Her concern for him really is touching.]

Should I ask what the weirdest one was?

[ but she says it with a smile, almost helpless, because it's becoming apparent to her that yes, he really is a nice guy. ]

... But I really am sorry you had to get caught up in that. I'll wear a hat next time for sure!

[ next time, she says, like they're destined for another shenanigan-filled run-in. ]

Eheh...Probably not.

[We went to our old abandoned school to try to dig up a trophy we won when we were children but found our old friend there who had morphed into a jerk and Haru and he stripped--

...Probably not.

He does look interested at that, tilting his head a little.]

Does a hat really make that much of a difference?

If I keep my head down! For some reason, sometimes it can make things worse...

[...oh Makoto. He just sighs good-naturedly, smiling.]

I can imagine so. You have a lot of energy and spirit, so it's hard to imagine just a hat covering that up.

It's more the whole... boyish thing than anything. I'm pretty sure that's it.

...Why don't you dress girlier if you don't want people to mistake you as a boy?

[He can't help but ask, really.]

[ she at least tries to hold her smile for a little longer this time, though it inevitably slides in the direction of her gaze when she lowers it. ]

... My dad wanted a boy, so when I was born, he decided to do the next best thing and raised me like one. I'm not allowed to own skirts or dresses, unless I hide them really well, and because of the way I talk and act, I've wound up wearing the suits and the pants for every photoshoot. I'm the only girl during the talk shows with the male idols.

[ she pauses now, then scuffs one foot against the pavement. ]

It's not that I don't want to dress girlier, but even when I try, everyone just says it doesn't suit me at all. The fans, even my best friend... they prefer this.

... So at least like this, I'm making someone happy.

[...that...strikes him as very, very sad. So he smiles a little at her, if a little sad. He can't help but feel for her a bit, even if he doesn't know what it's like. It reminds him a little of Haru, honestly--giving up what you love for the sake of making everyone else happy...

That never ends good for anyone.]

But not yourself...

[And he laughs sheepishly, rubbing the back of his head.]

Hey...I might not know much about idoling, but surely when you're wearing something you really love, you shine even brighter?

Maybe there's someone who thinks I'd definitely shine like that if I did.

[ not according to audience reactions, though. Her smile is a wistful one. ]

But I haven't met them yet. Either way, it just means I need to work harder.

[it doesn't really sit well with him, but, well...what can he do? He hardly knows her...

so he just smiles a little sheepishly.]

It just makes me think of my friend Haru. [because they're heterosexual life partners] He doesn't swim to be the best at it, he swims because it's what he loves, and that's enough to make him one of the best.

So...maybe something similar could happen for you.

[ there's a pause; she's clearly pondering his words-- and then she laughs, a little brighter. ]

That's something he's got in common with the Haruka I know, if you swapped out swimming for being an idol! And honestly, you have a point. I mean, not losing sight of why you're doing what you're doing... I already decided I was going to do my best as the me I am now.

... So now's not the time for me to give up either!

[...that's...not entirely what he meant, but she looks more cheerful, so he just goes with it.

And he's still a little sheepish because--]

I suppose so...I wouldn't mind seeing you in girl's clothes, though.

Huh--

[ so for a few seconds, Makoto just looks at him blankly-- before her eyes go wide. ]

R-really?? You'd really want to, Makoto-kun??

[wow that's quite the reaction. He just blinks at her, but nods easily.]

Sure. I'd want to see you at your happiest, after all.

You should come to a performance sometime, then! The idol outfits are always really cute!

[ ... wow, that sure cheered her up fast. ]

[He's glad though. And he keeps it in mind that this is the sort of thing that makes her cheerful, because it's good to know.]

I'd like that. It can't be easy to get into one of your performances though...

[He's taking it for granted that she's a very popular idol from the way those girls mobbed her.]

Well, it's not impossible... and I could always get you a ticket. I always have one or two extra!

[ should have seen them when they first started, Makoto. ]

Are you sure? I wouldn't want to be a bother.

[buuut.]

If I could get a couple of tickets, I could take my little siblings too. I think they'd enjoy that.

You've got siblings? How nice... [ it would have been fun, not being an only child. Maybe not to have as many as Yayoi, but... ]

Right, then! Concert tickets, my thanks for lunch!

[ even though lunch was in exchange for earlier, but. ]

[Ah, and she's an only child. No wonder she got the brunt of her father being that crazy...

But he just looks a little sheepish and yet hopeful.]

That's a bit too much for just lunch...thank you though.

[...!]

Here, you can have the rest of it then.

[And he offers the rest of the food because yep, this is a problem solved.]

Eh? But your box...

[ and didn't he still need to eat more than he'd gotten to?? ]

It's fine. Next time we meet, you can give it back.

[and that means they'll meet again, which Makoto finds to be quite excellent indeed.]

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