[THAT'S A LIE, HE DOES NOT. just. . . the ones who really catch his attention. the ones who really look like they could use someone to get their mind off of whatever it is they're mulling over. Akira has no expectations that Kou will actually talk about what's bothering him, but that's okay]
[they can introduce themselves, and go from there]
[with a nod, Akira slips into the chair, resting his cup on the table and slipping his bag off his shoulder to drop it onto the ground next to him. Mona tucks himself deeper into the bag, ears perked to listen in on the conversation, even though he remains silent and still]
I'm Akira.
[first things are first]
Kurusu Akira. You don't have to give me your name if you don't want to, though.
[... Kou just heaves out a soft sigh, shoulders slumping. He's not escaping this, obviously (you're the one who invited him to sit, Kou), but he just shakes his head.]
... Tokisaka Kou. You don't have to be so careful around me. I'm not going to break.
[Akira wasn't even around for it, so he sure as shit has no idea what went down in this sleepy little offshoot of Shibuya]
It's quiet.
[he leans back in his chair, arm slung over the back as he takes a sip of the coffee. and here, he pauses, rolling the liquid over his tongue to savor the flavor before he swallows. huh. . . it is pretty damn good. it still doesn't beat Leblanc's, but nothing in the world could do that]
I'm not exactly used to it. I live in Yongen-Jaya and go to school in Aoyama-Itchome, and it's always super busy over there.
[and yet! Akira isn't offering to go with him, though. they did just meet, and that might be a bit too forward for what is just a casual first conversation]
Central Street near the Shibuya crossing is a good place to start. It has shops, an arcade, and a nice diner where I got to study on rainy days.
I like to go to Ichigaya to fish, but only at night. The Sky Tower is in Asakusa, and that's always worth paying a visit. There's a museum in Ueno I go to, and a planetarium in Ikebukuro. Shinjuku and Harujuku are worth a visit if you like seedy late-night bars and shopping.
[let's see. . . where else? Kou may get the feeling that Akira is the type to get out a lot]
Ah-- right. Then there's Dome Town, which is an amusement park near Odaiba. And my favorite ramen shop is in Ogikubo.
Why sit still when there's an entire city for me to explore?
[it gives him something to do when otherwise he'd just be at home moping about being on probation. besides. . . he needs to explore the city to find new Confidants, and discover ways to help improve the performance of the Phantom Thieves. to help keep them safe]
[ah. . . did he happen to catch this guy in the middle of a large life change? the curious part of Akira wishes to ask, but the socially aware part of him knows better. he drops his hand back to the table, mouth twitching into a small, lopsided smile]
[he doesn't push for Kou to continue that aborted line of thought]
Mmm. . . probably Ichigaya.
[?? WHAT A WEIRD CHOICE, AKIRA]
I used to fish in my free time before I came to the city, so I guess occasionally I like to return to my roots.
[whatever is on Kou's mind? Akira is fairly certain that a quiet evening sitting by the fishing reservoirs of Ichigaya will help him cope. he almost says, "let me know how it goes," but. I mean. . . they're still strangers, and there's no way for either of them to track each other down after this meeting, is there?]
I hope you find it as peaceful as I do, then.
[heh]
A bit of advice: go at night. It's cheaper than going during the daytime.
[oh-- that's a surprise. Akira hadn't meandered over to this table to exchange numbers with Kou. he actually kind of expected they would never speak again after this. after all. . . isn't it kind of weird for a stranger to sit down at someone's coffee table and offer random advice?]
[but nonetheless, Akira can't say he's displeased with this development. he blinks a few times, mouth twitching as he pulls out his own phone. just a normal smartphone; no fancy xiphone, here]
If I'm ever in this part of the neighborhood again, I'll take you up on that offer.
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realpolitik2019-04-24 06:56 pm
no subject
... This guy...]
Hey... [...] Do you always harass strangers that look down like this?
[At least he knows how he looks.
And he just...nods vaguely at that chair.]
If you're going to hover around, you may as well just sit.
no subject
[THAT'S A LIE, HE DOES NOT. just. . . the ones who really catch his attention. the ones who really look like they could use someone to get their mind off of whatever it is they're mulling over. Akira has no expectations that Kou will actually talk about what's bothering him, but that's okay]
[they can introduce themselves, and go from there]
[with a nod, Akira slips into the chair, resting his cup on the table and slipping his bag off his shoulder to drop it onto the ground next to him. Mona tucks himself deeper into the bag, ears perked to listen in on the conversation, even though he remains silent and still]
I'm Akira.
[first things are first]
Kurusu Akira. You don't have to give me your name if you don't want to, though.
no subject
... Tokisaka Kou. You don't have to be so careful around me. I'm not going to break.
[A beat, and he adds:]
I've never seen you around here before.
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[he's not being careful, he's just being friendly! but in a way that gives Kou an out, just in case he's uncomfortable with strangers]
This is my first time in this area of the city. Do you come here often?
[that sounds like a bad pickup line even though he doesn't mean it as one]
no subject
But....maybe it's good to talk to someone new for that reason, too.]
Yeah, I guess you could say that. They serve good coffee here. [He shrugs.] And I've worked a couple of shifts here too.
What do you think of the Morimiya area so far?
[It's pretty quiet now that the Crisis is over... not that anyone remembers said Crisis, so.]
no subject
It's quiet.
[he leans back in his chair, arm slung over the back as he takes a sip of the coffee. and here, he pauses, rolling the liquid over his tongue to savor the flavor before he swallows. huh. . . it is pretty damn good. it still doesn't beat Leblanc's, but nothing in the world could do that]
I'm not exactly used to it. I live in Yongen-Jaya and go to school in Aoyama-Itchome, and it's always super busy over there.
no subject
[In fact, since around the time that stepping outside of Morimiya would've brought the world crashing down!!
Fun times.]
I should travel more... [That's muttered to himself, as he lifts his own cup for a sip.]
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[that comment may be muttered to himself, but Akira picks up on it anyway. and, as he takes another sip of his own coffee, he offers casually]
Yep. You should. I can give you a list of recommended places to visit around the city, if you'd like.
[helping!!]
no subject
He really should. He should go see more of the world--even just more of Japan--in a way he hasn't been able to for ten years unknowingly.
This guy is a total stranger, and yet...]
... Yeah. Sure. I'd take it, if you want to. [It's a start.]
no subject
Central Street near the Shibuya crossing is a good place to start. It has shops, an arcade, and a nice diner where I got to study on rainy days.
I like to go to Ichigaya to fish, but only at night. The Sky Tower is in Asakusa, and that's always worth paying a visit. There's a museum in Ueno I go to, and a planetarium in Ikebukuro. Shinjuku and Harujuku are worth a visit if you like seedy late-night bars and shopping.
[let's see. . . where else? Kou may get the feeling that Akira is the type to get out a lot]
Ah-- right. Then there's Dome Town, which is an amusement park near Odaiba. And my favorite ramen shop is in Ogikubo.
no subject
Kou takes a moment, blinking, before he ruefully snorts.]
Wow. You're like a travel guide. You don't really sit still, do you?
[He's grateful, though. Hearing about those places puts a bit of a spark in his heart to maybe go visit them.]
no subject
Why sit still when there's an entire city for me to explore?
[it gives him something to do when otherwise he'd just be at home moping about being on probation. besides. . . he needs to explore the city to find new Confidants, and discover ways to help improve the performance of the Phantom Thieves. to help keep them safe]
no subject
... You're...
[Kou huffs, snorting amusedly. He can't help it.]
... Man, I barely know you, but you're already really something, huh? [It sounds like he could mean that in a good or bad way, though.]
no subject
"Really something?" I don't know about that.
[on instinct, he lifts a hand to tug at his bangs, a bit sheepish]
Doesn't being cooped up make you feel. . . restless?
no subject
[He shrugs a little, lifting his coffee more for something to do than for the actual coffee.
Because in all honesty... now that he knows why, it's a little awkward.]
... Well, that's changing a bit, I think. I wanna travel. Or, well... I need to, I think.
[A beat.]
...Sorry, that was... none of that matters right now. What's your favorite place to go?
no subject
[he doesn't push for Kou to continue that aborted line of thought]
Mmm. . . probably Ichigaya.
[?? WHAT A WEIRD CHOICE, AKIRA]
I used to fish in my free time before I came to the city, so I guess occasionally I like to return to my roots.
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[Kou pauses, tilting his head.]
I guess it wasn't the first hobby I expected, but it does sound pretty peaceful.
... Well, maybe that'll be my first stop then.
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I hope you find it as peaceful as I do, then.
[heh]
A bit of advice: go at night. It's cheaper than going during the daytime.
no subject
[Kou nods, resting his chin on his hand, elbow on the table.]
Thanks. Seriously... you didn't have to give me such a thoughtful answer.
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You looked like you needed a pick-me-up.
Ah. . . sorry for being nosy. But thanks for humoring me, too.
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Pretty sure I'm the one who should be apologizing for being so rude.
... Thanks. I guess I just didn't realize that I really did need someone to talk to.
no subject
Anytime.
[and with that. . . he bends down to scoop his bag off of the ground]
Anyway. . . I should get going. But it was nice to meet you, Tokisaka-san.
no subject
Yeah. See you around, Kurusu. If you're ever in the neighborhood... wait, here.
[He tugs out his Xiphone.]
Let's exchange IDs. I'll show you around if you come back here--there're some cool places to see off the beaten path.
[And as far as he's concerned, he's just returning the favor for what Akira did for him today.]
no subject
[but nonetheless, Akira can't say he's displeased with this development. he blinks a few times, mouth twitching as he pulls out his own phone. just a normal smartphone; no fancy xiphone, here]
If I'm ever in this part of the neighborhood again, I'll take you up on that offer.
[a pause]
Thanks. And I wish you the best.
no subject
So it's fine.]
... Yeah. Thanks. Take care of yourself too.
[And with that and a last wave, Kou turns his attention back to his coffee--but he does feel a bit lighter than he did before.
Huh.]