To be honest, Yizhi’s using “homoeroticism” as a euphemism for “being a public nuisance”, because he feels one is (or should be) more acceptable than the other. He would not tell Tama to his face that he has a racoon-like energy and retail workers might get annoyed by it. If he has to say something, he’ll temper it with something positive like how their “friendship” is beautiful even though they should maybe not do that in a chain drugstore.

“Shuten?” Yizhi can’t keep the surprise out of his voice, and the something else. But it’s possible neither newcomer has the political mind to guess his own faction from that reaction alone. “Oh, yes, I heard they’re very into muscle building. I heard-” -he lowers his voice, glancing around to make sure they’re mostly alone- “-that Shuten’s leader wants to increase the size of his, you know, his manhood.”

It’s a completely made-up rumor, but it sounds like a real urban legend at this point.

“I guess I’ll pay for my things first? You can try finding hydrangea soap- I’m not sure they have that specific scent, but you might get lucky. I don’t know much about the protein powders, though, or what brands are good. You could ask whoever mentioned it to you.”