Yatogami Kuroh | Tsukikage Yuri | 062

[arbitrament]

[It's been a long journey to this city. Not that it's his destination--Kibougahana City, was it...?--but nonetheless, he can't deny that it might not hurt to take a short break. Ichigen-sama always did say that he needed to take it easy sometimes so he didn't overdo it, because that wouldn't help anyone.

Except...more poetic.

Because Ichigen-sama is the most poetic of all.

He's taken to the rooftops like batman the slightly anti-social soul he is, but at some point, he notices that there's this old lady who needs help crossing the street, and leaving her to do it on her own would just not be honorable at all, and then there's a cat in a tree and it reminds him of Neko a bit, and then--

He's walking along, passing by a school, and honestly feeling very satisfied with how the day went (even if he hasn't gotten any closer to the end of his journey, sometimes it's the journey itself that is really important, right?) when he steps on something.

Something that goes crunch.

He freezes. This was clearly the first meeting that was meant to be.]

[le list:
- fashion modeling
- dinner
- badass fights
- magical girl transformations
- flower meanings
- post movie thread]

Comments

[socolognely]

[ Time to stride over. ]

You need to make it look deliberate, yet natural. Try to match your steps with mine.

[ And she'll set off again, only this time, she'll wait for him to fall into step. ]

[arbitrament]

[....right......

He does fall into step, watching her very, very closely, and slowly, he mimics it.

though...maybe still watching her closely.

She really works that walk, okay.]

[socolognely]

[ Kuroh, please. ]

Does that feel better? [ And she'll glance over, because she can feel his gaze boring holes into her. ]

[arbitrament]

[shhh.... shhh.

He snaps back to himself then, nodding simply.]

Ah...yes. I think I understand better now. Thank you for your instruction.

[socolognely]

It's no problem. If you're ready to head inside, Erika's likely eager to [ force you into clothing ] measure you.

[arbitrament]

Ah, very well. I am prepared.

[you're not actually ready, Kuroh.

Nonetheless, he'll go inside.

To be swept into the excitement of middle school girls.]

[socolognely]

[ Who will indeed be mobbing him and wrapping him in measuring tape and making adjustments and shoving clothes into his arms, while they're ushering Yuri off to the side to help pick out shoes.

HANG IN THERE, KUROH. ]

[arbitrament]

[HE'S HANGING IN THERE... he's lost and confused but at the very least he knows to try on clothes when they're shoved at him.

so when he reappears it's in significantly trendier clothing than his typical slacks + coat combo.]

[socolognely]

[ Yuri will be being tugged over to properly admire him, while Itsuki's still threading lilies into her hair. ]

...

[ WORDS, Yuri. ]

[arbitrament]

[WORDS, Yuri...... not that Kuroh has noticed, necessarily, too distracted by the girls who are still twittering over the clothes and trying to poke and prod and see if they fit right.

Then he finally spies Yuri, glancing up at her.

...]

Is this right? [IS HE DOING THIS RIGHT he doesn't feel like he's doing much of anything]

[socolognely]

... [ CLEARING HER THROAT. ] It suits you. Erika and her club truly do fine work.

[arbitrament]

[.... huh]

Does it? Thank you, then. [he thinks...?? he's not sure how this goes.

and because he's never been very conscious of personal space, he reaches out to touch one of the flower petals in her hair.]

These suit you as well. They are lilies, aren't they? [wow just like her name!! incredible]

[socolognely]

[ There's a bit of a startled pause, just because he said 'Yuri'-- and, you know, because his hand is suddenly too close, but this is closely followed by a sense of chagrin because of course he meant the flowers.

Okay, Yuri, smile. ]

Y-yes-- Itsuki insisted. And black is a good color on you.

[ Meanwhile, Itsuki is looking between the two of them because wow, they sure are awkward. ]

[arbitrament]

[He doesn't even react to her saying his first name, because he'd be perfectly fine with it. In some ways, he's really proper, and in others he just doesn't care.... usually when it comes to himself.

Erika, on the other hand, does care. "Oh! Great! We were wondering if you two would ever call each other by your first names!"

And Kuroh pauses.

Wh....at....]

Excuse me?

[socolognely]

[ And here Itsuki chimes in, with a helpful explanation. "It's just, you two seem close, but you're still so formal with each other."

And Yuri is already rubbing her forehead. ]

He was referring to the flowers.

[arbitrament]

Is the formality a problem?

[He's legitimately curious here....

And to Yuri--]

You may call me whatever you please. It does not cause me any trouble.

[socolognely]

[ "It's a little awkward..." ]

... Ah-- [ speaking of awkward, she's laughably disconcerted now. ] Whatever suits your preference is fine!

[arbitrament]

Is it? [Awkward.... huh. He never realized.]

I was unaware. Then if you would prefer and it is less awkward, I will call you Yuri.

[He likes her well enough... so he doesn't seem to see it as a problem. It's just a thing.]

[socolognely]

[ ... Okay. Okay, calm down, Yuri, everyone else calls you that, he's a friend-- but if he's using her first name, then...

THEN... ]

Kuroh... then?

[arbitrament]

That is fine, if that is what you would prefer.

[And now Erika is shoving them towards the classroom for last minute alterations like "yeah yeah you're finally on the same page like friends should be!!"

Friends, though? Is that what they are... he knew they were comrades, but...

[socolognely]

I suppose if we're... friends, it's only to be expected.

[ Is that what they are?? Itsuki's already nodding in agreement. ]

[arbitrament]

...Yes.

[Probably???

Friendship is weird. He's not sure he understands it, but--]

I have no objections to this.

[He's fine with it.

You guys could make it sound less like a serious blood pact, though.]

[socolognely]

Then, as your friend, I'll make doubly certain to assist you on the stage.

[ YURI THIS IS NOT A BATTLE. ]

[arbitrament]

[He nods, bowing his head to show his thanks.]

You have my gratitude.

[What is even happening here...

the other girls are just staring like.

why.]

[socolognely]

No-- that isn't necessary. You'll be assisting me, as well.

[ GUYS WORK ON YOUR FRIENDSHIP SKILLS. ]