[Not this again, wow. He takes the icebox, though, hooking his forearm through it before tucking his hand into his pocket again.
And then looking over and blinking a couple times.]
I thought your birthday was in the spring. You should've said something.
[Brace yourself for physical contact--Sousuke bumps his shoulder against Kisumi's. He's not the biggest partier but that's not playing fair, keeping it a secret like that.]
[ the ultimate sign of affection from sousuke! he's braced and takes it well enough with a laugh ]
Nah, it's better to have it all low-key. There's so much going on lately that it's not really ideal to be all up in arms about it... Now that I think about it though, last year I was on that school camping trip during my birthday too.
I came back and Vietnam made a little party table for me, it was so embarrassing. [ there was that rub of the back of his head before turning and motioning for sousuke to follow along ]
Besides, it's been a long while, y'know? I didn't expect you to remember, a lot has happened since the last time we got to hang out regularly~
Wait a minute, Kisumi Shigino was embarrassed by a girl? I hope I was around to see that. [It's gotten a lot easier, referencing things that he would remember if he were another version of himself, but that one in particular is one he'd like to be able to remember. Kisumi doesn't embarrass easily, after all.
He follows readily; Kisumi's the only one who really has a clue where they're headed, after all, and not sticking with him could easily mean Sousuke doesn't make it home till spring.]
Like what? Fill me in. I'm not planning on leaving again if I can help it.
Laugh all you want, she's not just any girl. I'm pretty sure most of the guys here have a thing for Vietnam, she's pretty cute, very nice. [ there was that playful nudge against sousuke ]
And nobody else was around to see me get embarrassed by her, but who knows, maybe someday you'll get to walk in on it. She's my boss afterall, right? [ there was a glance towards sousuke and a smile ]
Hmm...? Well I mean in general, right? We didn't even go to the same school at home, and when you were here you lived closer to Rin so you were usually busy bonding.
And from the sounds of it, you've already heard of some of the weird things that happen around here. I don't think I'm ever giving out Valentine's Day roses again, that just got too weird.
[Sousuke absorbs the nudge and keeps his eyes on Kisumi as they walk.]
So she would've been my boss too if I'd gone back? Maybe I should see if I can be there more often, if it means getting to see you get embarrassed by the crush you have on your boss. [Because he was pretty clear when he said most of the guys here had a thing for her. Sousuke will have to meet her too but if she can embarrass even someone like Kisumi, there's not a huge rush.]
That far back, huh? At least things ended up differently this time.
[He's not going to apologize for wanting to be closer to Rin, either here or at home, but he does have a little hope.]
Yeah, Gou was blind when I first got here so I picked up on things pretty fast and now you're telling me I can't trust flowers either. I never got very many back home, though, so if you're not hanging them out then I'm in the clear here.
[ oh, but sousuke is getting so much joy out of this. kisumi could only look away ]
What do you mean? I'm too old for crushes, if I were really into her I would just straight out ask her out. [ such confidence. to get shut down. there was only a glance towards sousuke with a smile.
he wouldn't have expected an apology, and he really didn't want one. he understood well enough ]
Ah, poor Gou-chan... A girl so cute going through that~ But you only have to worry about the roses the landlord gives you apparently, the ones you buy yourself aren't weird.
[ such the assurance ]
But I'm glad for this, just hanging out. Even if there are some things that might happen. It'll be good because we have each other.
[Why shouldn't he be? It's not often Kisumi is anything other than confident, after all, and his next reply to Sousuke just proves that.
He nods along when Kisumi touches on what happens to Gou. The flowers are met with a little more of a suspicious expression, but in the end he nods to that too.]
If Makoto's selling them they must be safe, he'd never do anything like that.
And you shouldn't have to be glad about this. [It's embarrassing, the sentiment, not just because it's so sincere but because of the meaning behind it.] We should do it more often. Often enough that you're not excited about it anymore.
Haha--what? I think you're really interested in this non-existent relationship.
[ there was the puff of his chest before relaxing again ]
Yeah, Makoto's a pretty nice guy, he wouldn't do stuff like that to people intentionally.
[ there was a curious tilt of the head and looking thoughtful before smiling again ]
Is that even possible? Me not getting excited to hang out with you? Just how fickle do you think I am? Girls come and go, but you're someone I like to keep up with while I can~
Doesn't have to be non-existent. Why shouldn't I want to see you happy?
[OK, he might be just a little too insistent on this being a thing, but it's the first time he's ever heard Kisumi express interest in someone who wasn't right in front of him at the moment. She must be something special...
He nods to Kisumi's statement about Makoto, but he's paying closer attention now to what he says after. The question makes him duck his head a little. He hadn't meant to insult him.]
You're not fickle, you just have a way with people. And I just mean it should be a non-event because we do it so often. You can still get excited if you want but things are different here. That's all.
You're definitely thinking too much on this, I mean, sure she's cute. But I don't really have a desire to get with her, I'm happier just working under her.
[ there was a bit of a playful wink ]
Besides, I kind of just let go of a crush I didn't know I had.[ but there it was,kisumi leaning in against sousuke as they came upon the woodlands ]
Is that it? I think I like different, it opens up a lot of possibilities. Such as our night venture to a hot spot~
[If Sousuke had a drink, that line would've had him choking, but as it stands he just looks over, sees the wink, and rolls his eyes. Wow, Kisumi. Wow.
He doesn't mind the leaning any more than he minds any of the other contact, and in fact it's almost nice in the cold. Kisumi's little revelation makes him look over again, though. What is he playing at here?]
Why? If you didn't know you had it, why give it up so fast?
[Because it clearly makes more sense to carry that torch for a decade or more. At least Sousuke can use the excuse that his arms got tired, but what's Kisumi's reason?]
I'm learning to live with different. And you said we were going into the woods. [Waaaaait.] Is it a bonfire?
[Sousuke just watches as Kisumi steps ahead. So cryptic. Sousuke thinks he might have an idea what it's about, but on the other hand Kisumi's like this with just about everybody. Apparently Makoto's just as oblivious as Rin to people having crushes on him, but Kisumi's handling it a lot better than Nitori or Momo did. At least they're still friends here.]
Oh, really? [Sousuke is not an easy guy to embarrass, but he never thinks about himself in those terms so he's slow to respond with anything more intelligent than that.]
Sounds like you've put a lot of thought into this.
[Sousuke follows along willingly, especially after the promise of a little piece of home. It's not that he's not settled in here because he is, more or less, but the promise of something like home will always be a good way to ensure his participation.]
This is a weird place. I don't blame people for being afraid to wander around at night.
[There's a little part of him that's glad this isn't something Kisumi does a lot, though. Between that and the zig zag Kisumi's taking through the trees, he's definitely distracted until they get to the goal, which--]
A hot spring? Here?
one of those unofficial things that rarely comes up :)
Are you going to protect me from the things that go bump in the night, Kisumi?
[He has a feeling it'd be the other way around, or most likely, that Kisumi would be the one bumping in the night (for all meanings that might come from that phrase). Sousuke doesn't offer his hand for holding but he does stay close to Kisumi. Knowing Holly Heights, a sea monster could pop out of that hot spring, but Kisumi seems to know it's safe.]
Yeah, actually. I can't believe nobody else told me about it. Or is this just your secret?
And that sounds really great. The bathtubs here just don't cut it.
[Whether he means the bumping or the protecting is left intentionally up in the air.
There's a small part of him that's oddly pleased that Kisumi hasn't been able to get anybody else to come with him here, but he's not going to focus on that. At least not right now.]
I'm sure going to try. You said something about a tent?
[Because now that they're within sight of a hot spring, doing anything that isn't getting them into the water feels a little like a waste of time.]
[ it's okay sousuke, you can openly admit that it's better to have private things just between the two of them ]
Hmm? I promise you won't be disappointed, I've grown more skillful since middle school~
[ that hum of teasing before he spreads his arms out ]
Yeah! We should pitch the tent first, get a heater running in there so we have a warm place to get back into after getting out--the last thing I want to do is get you sick right away.
Nobody else around for you to show off for, I guess I'm all right with being the one you prove it on.
[He does remember they're talking about bumping here, though, and moves a little closer to Kisumi as he speaks. Just to help with the tent of course, and now to investigate the food, too.]
Food, a heater, a tent... we could stay the night out here if we had a couple blankets. Or maybe not, if the heater's good enough.
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Hey. What's all that?
[His hands are tucked firmly in his pockets but he gestures with an elbow.
Then...
All right, one hand out. If Kisumi needs a hand. That's a lot of stuff to carry for one night out.]
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Things to keep warm, of course! We're going out on an adventure today, because it's my birthday and I could do whatever I want.
[ he's so matter-of-fact, like a child ]
I'm gonna show you something real neat~
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And then looking over and blinking a couple times.]
I thought your birthday was in the spring. You should've said something.
[Brace yourself for physical contact--Sousuke bumps his shoulder against Kisumi's. He's not the biggest partier but that's not playing fair, keeping it a secret like that.]
What's in the woods, huh?
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Nah, it's better to have it all low-key. There's so much going on lately that it's not really ideal to be all up in arms about it... Now that I think about it though, last year I was on that school camping trip during my birthday too.
I came back and Vietnam made a little party table for me, it was so embarrassing. [ there was that rub of the back of his head before turning and motioning for sousuke to follow along ]
Besides, it's been a long while, y'know? I didn't expect you to remember, a lot has happened since the last time we got to hang out regularly~
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He follows readily; Kisumi's the only one who really has a clue where they're headed, after all, and not sticking with him could easily mean Sousuke doesn't make it home till spring.]
Like what? Fill me in. I'm not planning on leaving again if I can help it.
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And nobody else was around to see me get embarrassed by her, but who knows, maybe someday you'll get to walk in on it. She's my boss afterall, right? [ there was a glance towards sousuke and a smile ]
Hmm...? Well I mean in general, right? We didn't even go to the same school at home, and when you were here you lived closer to Rin so you were usually busy bonding.
And from the sounds of it, you've already heard of some of the weird things that happen around here. I don't think I'm ever giving out Valentine's Day roses again, that just got too weird.
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So she would've been my boss too if I'd gone back? Maybe I should see if I can be there more often, if it means getting to see you get embarrassed by the crush you have on your boss. [Because he was pretty clear when he said most of the guys here had a thing for her. Sousuke will have to meet her too but if she can embarrass even someone like Kisumi, there's not a huge rush.]
That far back, huh? At least things ended up differently this time.
[He's not going to apologize for wanting to be closer to Rin, either here or at home, but he does have a little hope.]
Yeah, Gou was blind when I first got here so I picked up on things pretty fast and now you're telling me I can't trust flowers either. I never got very many back home, though, so if you're not hanging them out then I'm in the clear here.
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[ oh, but sousuke is getting so much joy out of this. kisumi could only look away ]
What do you mean? I'm too old for crushes, if I were really into her I would just straight out ask her out. [ such confidence. to get shut down. there was only a glance towards sousuke with a smile.
he wouldn't have expected an apology, and he really didn't want one. he understood well enough ]
Ah, poor Gou-chan... A girl so cute going through that~ But you only have to worry about the roses the landlord gives you apparently, the ones you buy yourself aren't weird.
[ such the assurance ]
But I'm glad for this, just hanging out. Even if there are some things that might happen. It'll be good because we have each other.
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[Why shouldn't he be? It's not often Kisumi is anything other than confident, after all, and his next reply to Sousuke just proves that.
He nods along when Kisumi touches on what happens to Gou. The flowers are met with a little more of a suspicious expression, but in the end he nods to that too.]
If Makoto's selling them they must be safe, he'd never do anything like that.
And you shouldn't have to be glad about this. [It's embarrassing, the sentiment, not just because it's so sincere but because of the meaning behind it.] We should do it more often. Often enough that you're not excited about it anymore.
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[ there was the puff of his chest before relaxing again ]
Yeah, Makoto's a pretty nice guy, he wouldn't do stuff like that to people intentionally.
[ there was a curious tilt of the head and looking thoughtful before smiling again ]
Is that even possible? Me not getting excited to hang out with you? Just how fickle do you think I am? Girls come and go, but you're someone I like to keep up with while I can~
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[OK, he might be just a little too insistent on this being a thing, but it's the first time he's ever heard Kisumi express interest in someone who wasn't right in front of him at the moment. She must be something special...
He nods to Kisumi's statement about Makoto, but he's paying closer attention now to what he says after. The question makes him duck his head a little. He hadn't meant to insult him.]
You're not fickle, you just have a way with people. And I just mean it should be a non-event because we do it so often. You can still get excited if you want but things are different here. That's all.
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[ there was a bit of a playful wink ]
Besides, I kind of just let go of a crush I didn't know I had.[ but there it was,kisumi leaning in against sousuke as they came upon the woodlands ]
Is that it? I think I like different, it opens up a lot of possibilities. Such as our night venture to a hot spot~
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He doesn't mind the leaning any more than he minds any of the other contact, and in fact it's almost nice in the cold. Kisumi's little revelation makes him look over again, though. What is he playing at here?]
Why? If you didn't know you had it, why give it up so fast?
[Because it clearly makes more sense to carry that torch for a decade or more. At least Sousuke can use the excuse that his arms got tired, but what's Kisumi's reason?]
I'm learning to live with different. And you said we were going into the woods. [Waaaaait.] Is it a bonfire?
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[ the blink before he looks up for a moment before breathing out a laugh ]
I guess it's more like I didn't think about it after so long, right? Besides, I'm pretty content with how things worked out.
[ pulling away, he pulled ahead a little more before swinging around to face sousuke as he kept walking ]
We could make a bonfire when we get there, but it's really just hot because you and I are gonna be there~
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Oh, really? [Sousuke is not an easy guy to embarrass, but he never thinks about himself in those terms so he's slow to respond with anything more intelligent than that.]
Sounds like you've put a lot of thought into this.
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instead he drops back again, pulling sousuke in beside him ]
Left! Let's go left! I promise you'll enjoy this, it's like a little piece of home~
[ he was pleased to say the least ]
It's so sad that it's difficult to get anyone else out here at night, like why be so afraid? It's not any different than it is during the day, right?
[ he was trying to keep sousuke distracted for a moment as they reached a small clearing ]
Ah! Here it is! A hot spring~
i had no idea these were here :o
This is a weird place. I don't blame people for being afraid to wander around at night.
[There's a little part of him that's glad this isn't something Kisumi does a lot, though. Between that and the zig zag Kisumi's taking through the trees, he's definitely distracted until they get to the goal, which--]
A hot spring? Here?
one of those unofficial things that rarely comes up :)
[ the slight teasing, but honestly, he would probably do it if necessary. he's had to do it with makoto before anyway ]
Yup! Isn't this great? This is why I brought the tent and heaters, that way we could go for a dip.
Afterall, there's nothing better for the soul than a good dip in the hot spring, right? Healing properties and all that~
i'm so glad :')
[He has a feeling it'd be the other way around, or most likely, that Kisumi would be the one bumping in the night (for all meanings that might come from that phrase). Sousuke doesn't offer his hand for holding but he does stay close to Kisumi. Knowing Holly Heights, a sea monster could pop out of that hot spring, but Kisumi seems to know it's safe.]
Yeah, actually. I can't believe nobody else told me about it. Or is this just your secret?
And that sounds really great. The bathtubs here just don't cut it.
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[ there was a shrug and a shake of his head at that, just thinking of how rude that would be ]
I told you, didn't I? Nobody else has been brave enough to follow me into the darkness, it's so hurtful~
[ not really, he seems totally fine with this in the long run ]
But I'm glad you can appreciate it at the very least~
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[Whether he means the bumping or the protecting is left intentionally up in the air.
There's a small part of him that's oddly pleased that Kisumi hasn't been able to get anybody else to come with him here, but he's not going to focus on that. At least not right now.]
I'm sure going to try. You said something about a tent?
[Because now that they're within sight of a hot spring, doing anything that isn't getting them into the water feels a little like a waste of time.]
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Hmm? I promise you won't be disappointed, I've grown more skillful since middle school~
[ that hum of teasing before he spreads his arms out ]
Yeah! We should pitch the tent first, get a heater running in there so we have a warm place to get back into after getting out--the last thing I want to do is get you sick right away.
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You'd almost have had to, you know.
[Not that he knows all that much about Kisumi's previous skill levels but he has to poke fun at an opening like that.]
That's convenient, I really don't want to get sick either.
[Sousuke finds a suitably flat spot and starts setting things down so he'll be able to give Kisumi a hand.]
Is it a pop up or are we going to need pegs?
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Would I? I guess I'll have to test this out on you just that we're all in agreement here.
[ skill levels? what were those anyway? but kisumi seems pretty confident in himself in either case ]
It's a pop-up, and see? I'm always prepared, I even brought us some junk food to make this a full on experience~
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[He does remember they're talking about bumping here, though, and moves a little closer to Kisumi as he speaks. Just to help with the tent of course, and now to investigate the food, too.]
Food, a heater, a tent... we could stay the night out here if we had a couple blankets. Or maybe not, if the heater's good enough.
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