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]

[ There's some bustling about from her mother, who apparently is in a rush this morning, so she'll cheerfully ask for them to save her a plate for later as she rushes out the door.

At which point Yuri's shoulders nearly slump from relief. ]

She's never truly asked many questions.

[arbitrament]

Has this been an inconvenience to you both?

[He is earnestly concerned about that much.... that would be sad and unfortunate, honestly.]

[socolognely]

It would be an inconvenience if I had to lie, but the truth is vague enough. My mother shouldn't press you, either.

[arbitrament]

[...Mm, well...]

I will not be a problem shortly. [So hopefully that's fine....] You should not have to lie on my behalf. I would prefer that.

[socolognely]

Then I won't.

... But what do you plan to do after this, Yatogami-san?

[arbitrament]

[Ah...the hard-hitting questions. He starts to make a plate for Yuri (and one for her mother to set aside for later) as he considers how to answer, gaze dropping to the food.]

... I have a... task I must complete. There is someone I need to find.

[...]

Thanks to your care, I will be able to continue now. Thank you very much. [AND ANOTHER BOW OF HIS HEAD-- he really is so grateful though, this is so important.]

[socolognely]

[ She'll grab the settings for the table then, moving over to it. Oddly enough, there's one place setting that's already neatly arranged. ]

You've thanked me enough as it is. If you tend to your health properly after this, that's all I would ask of you.

[arbitrament]

[...??? where is that place setting... where did it come from--]

...I will be certain to. [HE'S JUST FULL OF GRATITUDE.

Okay, but this place setting... he doesn't want to step on something he shouldn't, metaphorically.]

This place setting...

[socolognely]

... It belongs to my father. [ And she says this calmly enough. Even though there's been no sign of anyone else living in the apartment besides Yuri and her mother. ]

[arbitrament]

I see.

[It's an immediate response. He doubts her father is there, for whatever reason--but regardless, he bows his head to the place setting, quite sincere.]

Thank you for allowing me to share your table.

[And then turns to another place.]

[socolognely]

[ It's the solemnity with which he addresses the setting, and the way she can imagine her father's eyes crinkle with gentle amusement, and the last time she'd met those eyes--

It's far too soon, too sudden, and as something like agonizing grief grips her throat, she blinks back tears and stares fixedly at the floor. Calm. She has to retain her composure. She has to. ]

[arbitrament]

[He can see those tears--he's not so oblivious that he doesn't know they're there. But he settles himself quietly at his place, closing his eyes for a moment as if considering the situation, or simply taking in the silence before a meal--and when he speaks, it's equally quietly.]

...Thank you for the meal.

[He's not going to call her out on it, not when she's trying so hard to regain her composure.]

[socolognely]

[ She's grateful for it (but she also doesn't wish to call attention to it), so after a few steadying breaths, she lifts her head and reaches for her bowl. ]

Thank you for the meal.

[arbitrament]

[And then it's peacefully quiet as they eat their meals. Breakfast time, meal time--it's time to enjoy and savor the food you've been given, to appreciate the opportunity to eat in peace. It's not time for prying, and uncomfortable conversations.

So you've got time, Yuri. Take a breather.

He's going to eat his meal serenely, taking comfort in that.]

[socolognely]

[ And she will, as well, slowly calming her thoughts until she's back to normal levels of Poker Face. ]

... You're a very skilled cook, Yatogami-san.

[arbitrament]

[Ah...praise. It's still a little startling, even if he knows, objectively, it's true. Cooking battles do that.]

...Thank you. To be able to cook is something I appreciate.

[...]

Your assistance was very helpful.

[socolognely]

This is my home, after all. [ and there's something like VERY FAINT amusement. ] If I couldn't assist with a meal, I would be very concerned.

[arbitrament]

[Yeah he......he knows people like that.]

Still, this was my attempt to repay you for your hospitality.

[socolognely]

Didn't I already say that your debt has been repaid?

[arbitrament]

[you can keep on saying it but he's not going to stop.]

If it has been helpful, I'm satisfied.

[socolognely]

Very much so. [ lacing her fingers together. ]

Now, about this person you're searching for...

[arbitrament]

[... Ah, right, his quest. He pauses at that, and then--]

Have you seen or heard of a white-haired young man passing through here?

[He doesn't really have much hope, honestly, but... well, he also can't give up.]

[socolognely]

[ Yes, but she seriously doubts he's looking for Olivier. ]

The one I'm familiar with likely isn't the one you're seeking. But we do get unusual arrivals here quite often.

[ Like this one. ]

[arbitrament]

[Unusual arrivals........hm. Well, it's not like she isn't a trustworthy person.]

His name is Isana Yashiro.

[And he's probably dead but...WHO CARES ABOUT DETAILS LIKE THAT.]

I have...been searching for him for some time.

[socolognely]

With no luck, I'm assuming.

... Would you be able to tell me more about him? [ she can always go to Kaoruko, send the fairies out on a search-- Kuroh may still be unknown, for the most part, but there's something about him that's led her to believe that he's trustworthy. She'd like to help. ]