[Sousuke sees your wink and chooses to disregard it. Instead he leads the way into the house.]
It's fall, it's always rainy in the fall.
Nobody specifically, it's just hard to get information about your past self because it seems to weird people out. Did you know me, when I was here before?
Yeah it is, you'd think I would be used to it by now, right?
[ the exasperated sigh, hanging on sousuke right now ]
Yeah, we hung out a bit and worked at the Honeybee together, it wasn't like super eventful. Just kind of like getting back into a routine together, you know?
[ he thought on this for a moment and then laughed ]
Oh yeah, and Kise didn't like you much because he thought you looked scary. I told him you were a good guy, but you know kids these days~
Yeah, sure! Do you have any cola in there? I'll take a fruit juice if you don't~
[ it's okay sousuke, he won't hang on forever. in fact right about now he's slipping off to go and lean back against a counter ]
It's up to you right? Like what you feel like doing, you shouldn't be obligated to fall back into a previous visit if you don't remember it.
[ trying to be helpful, even though it would be cool to work with a bro again ]
Kise is a basketball player that goes over to the Sports Centre Rin runs, he's a good guy, just a little excitable. [ he's going to avoid the fact that he was a little like himself ]
I'm sure Rin's told you all about the Centre, he's so proud of it, like it's his baby.
[He takes out two and passes one to Kisumi--it's a bit of a luxury, knowing it's free here, but he's pacing himself or it won't seem as special.]
Yeah but if I worked there I must've liked it well enough or been good at it. Why start completely fresh if I don't have to?
[It'll be a brand new start for him right now but he can do in knowing it worked before. It's weird, but it seems to make sense.]
Excitable like you or excitable like Hazuki? [Two completely different things.] And yeah but he's got a right to be. It's incredible, what he's accomplished here.
[ the teasing as he took the drink and began to open it ]
Yeah, I suppose you're right in that way. It's a pretty nice place and the owner is very cute.[ the knowing little grin taking a drink before bringing a hand to his chest ]
Well, I don't mean to gloat, but he certainly does have a little more of me than he does Hazuki. A cute kid afterall. [ he hummed ever so thoughtfully before falling into dramatics, bringing a hand up to his cheek and looking away wistfully ]
But yes, he certainly does, little Rin-Rin has finally grown up. I don't know how to handle this, who will I look on fondly now?
It's not about favourites Sou-nii-chan, you're still my favourite ♡ It's the fact that he was this tiny little thing... and now... [ wistful sigh before taking a drink ]
Who me? Mooch? From you?
[ he wasn't really offended in the least, in fact it just seemed like a good idea overall now that it was out there ]
Hmmm... well... She's Vietnam, from what I understand it? I don't know, it's kind of weird, I haven't asked her about it in great detail but there are others. [ there's a wave of the hand ]
In any case, she's pretty nice to everyone. So I'm sure it'll be fine, we could talk to her together about it if you'd like.
[ ever so helpful ]
But that's so touching... it's like you want to appreciate me as the one and only. I understand, there can never be another me.
Rin's always been the same year as you, you shouldn't have been looking at him fondly in the first place.
[Because of course every word in this conversation is completely serious. He does listen to what Kisumi has to say about Honeybee's, though.]
Like she's named after the country? [No one has explained the countries to him yet.] Yeah, maybe later this week. For all I know she's not even hiring now, but maybe she'll give me a reference.
[Assuming he was actually any good at that job.]
Even in a different universe there's only room for one of you, that's true.
I couldn't help it, he was so small it was hard not to. But it's okay, I got the same way about Makoto in middle school too.
[ ah, memories, why couldn't they all stay young forever? why is he thinking like an old man? ]
Hm? I think the way I've understood it from others is that they're kind of like... representation of the country? [ he wasn't too sure, he hasn't had a chance to ask since he ends up flustering her in other ways ]
Oh, but you don't even have to worry about it. We're always hiring, the turnaround is pretty high since people are always coming and going. Since we get so busy there's usually a duty rotation too, as far as like what kind of service you're working~
[ at this point he not so subtly pulls in next to sousuke, affectionately bumping into him ]
It's okay, you could have me all the time since we live so close now~
[No mention of him cooing over Sousuke but that makes sense. He's not really cooing material.]
So she's an actual country but she runs a coffee shop. [He takes a slow sip of soda. Is that the weirdest thing he's heard here yet? ... No.]
I wouldn't always be a barista? Was I any good as a barista?
[Sousuke doesn't object to this either. It's a different kind of easy physicality than Rin's but he doesn't mind, standing steady when Kisumi bumps him.]
Don't you have your own family to look after? [A pause, a glance over.]
[ please sousuke, he just hasn't gotten to the point of cooing over you in this conversation ]
Yeah, pretty much. She's pretty cute too, she set up a little birthday celebration for me last year, only if I had only been working there a few days when it came around. [ but barista duties... hmm... he leaned his head on sousuke's shoulder thoughtfully ]
I think so...? You were popular enough, but why wouldn't you be right? A good looking guy like you in one of those uniforms? [ he was beaming up one of those unmistakable grins to him ]
Nah, I have people in my house. I have some kid and a younger girl, they're pretty okay. I also have a pet bird and Hisami inherited a pet cat from my previous spouse... and I think there's a turkey somewhere...
[Tiny Sousuke was not for cooing over. Even then he brooded.]
You think everybody's cute, Kisumi.
[He snorts and shakes his head, answering the grin with a dry look.] What kind of uniform? If I'm going to get popular I'd rather have it be for my sparkling personality.
I've got a guy not that much younger than me and a girl too. No pets that I know of. You were married? I didn't think you'd ever settle down. [He knows, basically, how marriage works here, but he can't resist the poke. Also, what is it with people here adopting food? Chickens and turkeys are food.]
I don't say it without meaning it, even you were a cute little guy while growing up--and now look at you! All my children have grown~
[ there was amusement at the very least, before patting sousuke ]
You're the total package, looks, build and personality--don't worry, the uniforms aren't embarrassing. It looks more like a little butler outfit, I know I look very handsome in it~
[ no lack of confidence here, nope. ]
It was a hard marriage, the guy wouldn't even let me share the bed with him, how fair is that?? Karina was pretty nice though, I liked her.
[He endures the patting, curious how Kisumi's going to reconcile his own age. With more nonsense, no doubt.]
I don't need to be complimented by you, I just need to know if I was a decent barista so I know if it's worth going back or not.
[Sousuke frowns, curious.] You've been married twice already? And how did you marry somebody who wouldn't let you sleep with them? There's only one bed in there.
I'm the big brother, right Sou-nii-chan? [ that light teasing ]
I think you did pretty well, everyone goes through constant training in cooking, baking and generally being a barista. But if you feel like you can't do one thing you can be placed in other duties--there's also deliveries you know.
[ there was that surprised look for a moment at the next inquiry though ] Hasn't anyone explained it to you? Once we turn eighteen we're bumped into adult status, and when that happens you're partnered up with people at random--well, actually with Karina it was more of a mutual thing.
[ he brought a hand behind his neck and looked away some ]
I was assigned to her house when I first arrived last year, she had said she was alone for a long while before I came along. But when my birthday came around I was assigned a house with Hisami-chan. I felt really bad about leaving Karina alone, and Hisami-chan had been alone too, so we asked the landlord if Karina could move in as my spouse--I didn't have any weird notions though, I respected Karina!
So I offered to let her have the master bedroom and kind of made the office into my own little bedroom. After she left we didn't have anyone for a while before Kanata moved in, I kind of teased him about sleeping together but didn't really have any real intentions of doing that. He seemed like a sensitive kind of guy.
If you're the big brother, how come I'm the niichan? [He will never call Kisumi any kind of -chan.
He nods as Kisumi gives him a quick performance review. There doesn't seem to be a downside in trying to get his old job back, except that Rin will probably be mad about it. Rin will live.
The marriage thing is something else altogether, though, as he's currently living a bachelor's life with the two kids.]
So it doesn't have to be random, and I guess you don't even really have to be married. It sounds like you got along pretty well with the people you were married to, though.
[No real surprise there, Kisumi gets along well with everyone, but Sousuke's more interested in why he's getting shy like that. He prods him lightly with his elbow. What's the deal?]
[ that made no sense to anyone else but kisumi, this is his life forever ]
No, I guess not. I think if you're both single and one of you is in an empty house then it's an easy enough request to make... I haven't had a need to ask to be removed from a family, but from what I've seen that's not something that's done.
[ he's noticed all those posts of people desperately wanting a divorce, but a the prodding he kind of straightens up and laughs a bit ]
What? Were you hoping to be married to me Sou-nii-chan~? I do make a fine meal if I do say so myself.
[Eventually you just have to accept certain things. There are worse things he could be called.]
People asked to be removed? That's pretty cold. [And that's coming from Sousuke who's not exactly the warmest guy to begin with.] It's not like it's exactly a hard life here and I don't see a lot of mortal enemies running around.
Until you came along, I didn't even know what that meant, so no, especially if you're still hung up on your exes. [Hate to break it to you, Kisumi.] I'm not going to stop you if you feel like cooking, though.
It's because not everyone has the same chill that we have. [ he says so ever so wistfully, setting the drink down he brings his arms loosely around sousuke ]
But yeah, it's pretty simple here. There's some strange things that happen once a month, but other than that it's even easier than an average life at home... I still can't used to people coming and going so suddenly though, like I hate thinking about suddenly just leaving one day and Hisami being alone again.
[ strangely he worries more about her being alone than himself. but he's quick to push that away before wiggling some as he holds onto sousuke still ]
You can't get away from my home cooking, it's too good to pass up--but you didn't deny wanting to be married to me~
[That earns Kisumi a glance but in truth he does have his own kind of chill. He wouldn't be hanging off Sousuke like this if he didn't.]
Yeah, I've heard about some of those. Gou went blind and Tachibana told me something about turning into a dog. [Sousuke finishes his drink but stays still since Kisumi's still draped on him.] Is there really no way to control when you get sent home? People seem pretty happy here, can't you just ask to stay?
[Sousuke snorts because he's pretty sure he did just deny it but Kisumi's electing to play it his own way. He shouldn't have expected anything different.] OK, you found me out, I was sitting at home thinking how nice it'd be if there was a parallel universe somewhere where I could be fake married to you just to eat your food. How embarrassing.
[If his tone was any more deadpan it'd need a defibrillator.]
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Because I lived somewhere else before, or so I'm told. How much time do you spend looking in your neighbor's yards?
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[ he just wanted to make sure the guy was okay, it seemed only right ]
What if a cute girl moved in? I just had to know, but I guess this is the next best thing~
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[But... Kisumi can never stay quiet for long. Hmm.]
Sorry I'm not a cute girl but I'm pretty sure I wasn't a cute girl last time, either.
You wanna come in?
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Sure! It's been raining a lot lately, I don't think we want to get caught in that if it starts up again.
[ but that was strange, he thought for a moment ]
Who do you think is holding stuff back from you?
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It's fall, it's always rainy in the fall.
Nobody specifically, it's just hard to get information about your past self because it seems to weird people out. Did you know me, when I was here before?
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[ the exasperated sigh, hanging on sousuke right now ]
Yeah, we hung out a bit and worked at the Honeybee together, it wasn't like super eventful. Just kind of like getting back into a routine together, you know?
[ he thought on this for a moment and then laughed ]
Oh yeah, and Kise didn't like you much because he thought you looked scary. I told him you were a good guy, but you know kids these days~
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You want a drink?
[Wait, what.]
So I had a job? I wonder if I should get that back. And who's Kise?
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[ it's okay sousuke, he won't hang on forever. in fact right about now he's slipping off to go and lean back against a counter ]
It's up to you right? Like what you feel like doing, you shouldn't be obligated to fall back into a previous visit if you don't remember it.
[ trying to be helpful, even though it would be cool to work with a bro again ]
Kise is a basketball player that goes over to the Sports Centre Rin runs, he's a good guy, just a little excitable. [ he's going to avoid the fact that he was a little like himself ]
I'm sure Rin's told you all about the Centre, he's so proud of it, like it's his baby.
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[He takes out two and passes one to Kisumi--it's a bit of a luxury, knowing it's free here, but he's pacing himself or it won't seem as special.]
Yeah but if I worked there I must've liked it well enough or been good at it. Why start completely fresh if I don't have to?
[It'll be a brand new start for him right now but he can do in knowing it worked before. It's weird, but it seems to make sense.]
Excitable like you or excitable like Hazuki? [Two completely different things.] And yeah but he's got a right to be. It's incredible, what he's accomplished here.
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[ the teasing as he took the drink and began to open it ]
Yeah, I suppose you're right in that way. It's a pretty nice place and the owner is very cute.[ the knowing little grin taking a drink before bringing a hand to his chest ]
Well, I don't mean to gloat, but he certainly does have a little more of me than he does Hazuki. A cute kid afterall. [ he hummed ever so thoughtfully before falling into dramatics, bringing a hand up to his cheek and looking away wistfully ]
But yes, he certainly does, little Rin-Rin has finally grown up. I don't know how to handle this, who will I look on fondly now?
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[Sousuke cracks his own can open. He can't have too many or he'll get fat but one's no big deal.]
Tachibana said she's Vietnamese, I think? Did we get along? [Was that why he invited him out? Whatever, he can find the place on his own.]
I'd say you should introduce me but I don't know if I could handle a blend of you and Hazuki. Especially not if you're going to be there too.
[His dramatics are met with the purest tsun Sousuke can muster. Who are you why are you in my house.]
There's a basketball player living here too. Quiet, polite. He can be your new favorite.
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Who me? Mooch? From you?
[ he wasn't really offended in the least, in fact it just seemed like a good idea overall now that it was out there ]
Hmmm... well... She's Vietnam, from what I understand it? I don't know, it's kind of weird, I haven't asked her about it in great detail but there are others. [ there's a wave of the hand ]
In any case, she's pretty nice to everyone. So I'm sure it'll be fine, we could talk to her together about it if you'd like.
[ ever so helpful ]
But that's so touching... it's like you want to appreciate me as the one and only. I understand, there can never be another me.
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Rin's always been the same year as you, you shouldn't have been looking at him fondly in the first place.
[Because of course every word in this conversation is completely serious. He does listen to what Kisumi has to say about Honeybee's, though.]
Like she's named after the country? [No one has explained the countries to him yet.] Yeah, maybe later this week. For all I know she's not even hiring now, but maybe she'll give me a reference.
[Assuming he was actually any good at that job.]
Even in a different universe there's only room for one of you, that's true.
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[ ah, memories, why couldn't they all stay young forever? why is he thinking like an old man? ]
Hm? I think the way I've understood it from others is that they're kind of like... representation of the country? [ he wasn't too sure, he hasn't had a chance to ask since he ends up flustering her in other ways ]
Oh, but you don't even have to worry about it. We're always hiring, the turnaround is pretty high since people are always coming and going. Since we get so busy there's usually a duty rotation too, as far as like what kind of service you're working~
[ at this point he not so subtly pulls in next to sousuke, affectionately bumping into him ]
It's okay, you could have me all the time since we live so close now~
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[No mention of him cooing over Sousuke but that makes sense. He's not really cooing material.]
So she's an actual country but she runs a coffee shop. [He takes a slow sip of soda. Is that the weirdest thing he's heard here yet? ... No.]
I wouldn't always be a barista? Was I any good as a barista?
[Sousuke doesn't object to this either. It's a different kind of easy physicality than Rin's but he doesn't mind, standing steady when Kisumi bumps him.]
Don't you have your own family to look after? [A pause, a glance over.]
You're not living alone over there, are you?
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Yeah, pretty much. She's pretty cute too, she set up a little birthday celebration for me last year, only if I had only been working there a few days when it came around. [ but barista duties... hmm... he leaned his head on sousuke's shoulder thoughtfully ]
I think so...? You were popular enough, but why wouldn't you be right? A good looking guy like you in one of those uniforms? [ he was beaming up one of those unmistakable grins to him ]
Nah, I have people in my house. I have some kid and a younger girl, they're pretty okay. I also have a pet bird and Hisami inherited a pet cat from my previous spouse... and I think there's a turkey somewhere...
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You think everybody's cute, Kisumi.
[He snorts and shakes his head, answering the grin with a dry look.] What kind of uniform? If I'm going to get popular I'd rather have it be for my sparkling personality.
I've got a guy not that much younger than me and a girl too. No pets that I know of. You were married? I didn't think you'd ever settle down. [He knows, basically, how marriage works here, but he can't resist the poke. Also, what is it with people here adopting food? Chickens and turkeys are food.]
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[ there was amusement at the very least, before patting sousuke ]
You're the total package, looks, build and personality--don't worry, the uniforms aren't embarrassing. It looks more like a little butler outfit, I know I look very handsome in it~
[ no lack of confidence here, nope. ]
It was a hard marriage, the guy wouldn't even let me share the bed with him, how fair is that?? Karina was pretty nice though, I liked her.
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[He endures the patting, curious how Kisumi's going to reconcile his own age. With more nonsense, no doubt.]
I don't need to be complimented by you, I just need to know if I was a decent barista so I know if it's worth going back or not.
[Sousuke frowns, curious.] You've been married twice already? And how did you marry somebody who wouldn't let you sleep with them? There's only one bed in there.
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I think you did pretty well, everyone goes through constant training in cooking, baking and generally being a barista. But if you feel like you can't do one thing you can be placed in other duties--there's also deliveries you know.
[ there was that surprised look for a moment at the next inquiry though ] Hasn't anyone explained it to you? Once we turn eighteen we're bumped into adult status, and when that happens you're partnered up with people at random--well, actually with Karina it was more of a mutual thing.
[ he brought a hand behind his neck and looked away some ]
I was assigned to her house when I first arrived last year, she had said she was alone for a long while before I came along. But when my birthday came around I was assigned a house with Hisami-chan. I felt really bad about leaving Karina alone, and Hisami-chan had been alone too, so we asked the landlord if Karina could move in as my spouse--I didn't have any weird notions though, I respected Karina!
So I offered to let her have the master bedroom and kind of made the office into my own little bedroom. After she left we didn't have anyone for a while before Kanata moved in, I kind of teased him about sleeping together but didn't really have any real intentions of doing that. He seemed like a sensitive kind of guy.
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He nods as Kisumi gives him a quick performance review. There doesn't seem to be a downside in trying to get his old job back, except that Rin will probably be mad about it. Rin will live.
The marriage thing is something else altogether, though, as he's currently living a bachelor's life with the two kids.]
So it doesn't have to be random, and I guess you don't even really have to be married. It sounds like you got along pretty well with the people you were married to, though.
[No real surprise there, Kisumi gets along well with everyone, but Sousuke's more interested in why he's getting shy like that. He prods him lightly with his elbow. What's the deal?]
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[ that made no sense to anyone else but kisumi, this is his life forever ]
No, I guess not. I think if you're both single and one of you is in an empty house then it's an easy enough request to make... I haven't had a need to ask to be removed from a family, but from what I've seen that's not something that's done.
[ he's noticed all those posts of people desperately wanting a divorce, but a the prodding he kind of straightens up and laughs a bit ]
What? Were you hoping to be married to me Sou-nii-chan~? I do make a fine meal if I do say so myself.
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People asked to be removed? That's pretty cold. [And that's coming from Sousuke who's not exactly the warmest guy to begin with.] It's not like it's exactly a hard life here and I don't see a lot of mortal enemies running around.
Until you came along, I didn't even know what that meant, so no, especially if you're still hung up on your exes. [Hate to break it to you, Kisumi.] I'm not going to stop you if you feel like cooking, though.
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But yeah, it's pretty simple here. There's some strange things that happen once a month, but other than that it's even easier than an average life at home... I still can't used to people coming and going so suddenly though, like I hate thinking about suddenly just leaving one day and Hisami being alone again.
[ strangely he worries more about her being alone than himself. but he's quick to push that away before wiggling some as he holds onto sousuke still ]
You can't get away from my home cooking, it's too good to pass up--but you didn't deny wanting to be married to me~
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Yeah, I've heard about some of those. Gou went blind and Tachibana told me something about turning into a dog. [Sousuke finishes his drink but stays still since Kisumi's still draped on him.] Is there really no way to control when you get sent home? People seem pretty happy here, can't you just ask to stay?
[Sousuke snorts because he's pretty sure he did just deny it but Kisumi's electing to play it his own way. He shouldn't have expected anything different.] OK, you found me out, I was sitting at home thinking how nice it'd be if there was a parallel universe somewhere where I could be fake married to you just to eat your food. How embarrassing.
[If his tone was any more deadpan it'd need a defibrillator.]
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