jigokulogs | ( closed ) 005

( tanabata | yukata reference )

(Stardust in the air and feeling significantly more tolerable of the crowds as a result, Hizen goes to the central square where everyone is hanging their wishes. After some time he decides to give in and hang his own wish. In small, neat writing he simply writes,)

Let everyone is well and keep them out of trouble.

(He sets out to find a place to hide his wish. A tall branch or one crowded with wishes so no one can see his would be best. He finds a branch that reaches up high and he raises a hand to bring it down. As he reaches out, he finds himself stretching to reach over another wisher. He isn't very tall and to be honest, he's standing on his toes a bit to reach so its not like he can totally avoid them he just mumbles a quick--)

--Sorry.

[ Monika had two wishes in mind, and they were far more selfish than his own. One was the same than what she had asked as payment for fulfilling her contract: to become real. This was and had always been her number one priority. Sure, she was real in this world but that wouldn't last should she be sent back home, would it? None of her dreams would ever come true unless she could escape her fate.

Her other wish? To find true love, of course. Love, the one emotion she had put all of her hopes onto. Her salvation, what had kept her going so far- The thought of love. The idea that no matter how awful things could get, she would find someone who cared for her and would be with her even in the darkest of times. She was smiling to herself as she hung that wish on a branch. She didn't really believe in such superstition, but when you were desperate, nothing seemed too unbelievable.

And then she heard someone apologize as they reached over her to put their own wish on. ]

It's alright, no need to apol- [She turned around and froze when she noticed it was a young man seemingly around (maybe) her age!] ... Um, a-apologize.

[ Holy heck, had the stars granted her her wish? Sure, she wasn't superstitious but bumping into a dark and mysterious boy that looks straight like he's one of the routes in an otome, right after she put her wish about love up? That couldn't be a coincidence!

Yeah, she's staring. She may need a minute or two to realize she's let her facade slip. ]

(If he was from an otome, he would absolutely be the tsundere asshole route. He hooks the wish onto the branch and lowers himself. As far as he's concerned he's finished here and there's nothing else to do. He can just go get some snacks or something to drink.

Instead, he finds himself being stared at and he stands a little straighter, almost defensive, and asks suspiciously,)

What?

(Had he gotten too close? Stepped on her shoes? Messed up her hair...?)

Don't stare.

(He hates being stared at.)

[ But those were always the best routes! Clearly that could only mean he was prime boyfriend material. Not helping his case here.

Monika looked away awkwardly when he called her out for staring. Oops, she'd not even realized what she's been doing. Now, she couldn't afford to mess this up! If this was indeed the stars' answer to her plea, then she had to put on her best face. All she had to do was bottle in the anxiety, stress and feelings of self-loathing inside for long enough so as to not ruin this. ]

Ahaha, sorry! I got lost in thought.

[ She looked back up at him and smiled sweetly. Look at her, the very picture of innocence! Unfortunately, she had zero experience when it came to flirting so she was totally winging it. ]

Um... [Small talk was sure to be a good way to start, right?] Did you come to put up a wish too?

(Raising a brow. Lost in thought? He supposes the stardust in the air and when everyone here is making wishes, some of them might make people more thoughtful. This is all to say... fine. He gives Monika a pass on that.

He has no idea why she looks so danged pleased with herself though. If she's trying to charm him, it doesn't work. Hizen is absolutely a wet noodle.)

Yeah.

(Isnt' everyone here to make a wish? He looks up at the branches where his wish hangs. He really hopes it just blends in with all of the others around it but for now, he just feels very aware of the fact that he's put it up for everyone to see. For anyone to see.)

Don't really believe in this stuff but everyone else is doing it.

[ Oh wow! He even shared her views when it came to the wishes... Could this be any more perfect? Sure, he looked totally oblivious. Dense as a brick with the emotional awareness of a dead frog. But that was totally okay. That only meant he was probably hiding some terrible mental scars which she could help with! ]

Yeah, me neither... But sometimes miracles happen, right?

[ Like their meeting! Well, she wasn't going to push too much... Maybe she was just imagining things and this really was a coincidence. And she knew absolutely nothing about him, she probably would have just passed by him without a second thought under normal circumstances... But maybe this was fate!

... In fact, when had she gotten so close? Monika was basically just a few inches away from him now. ]

I'm Monika by the way. [She beamed at him.] It's nice meeting you!

(Miracles... yeah, no, he still isn't buying it but he at least has the decency to not pick at some random girl's dreams. Otome-san would kick his ass from the grave if he did. So instead, he just keeps his thoughts to himself and...)

...

(He leans back. Why is she so close. He isn't used to people getting into his personal space like this and he bristles.

Oh no.)

... Close.

(Is she... friendly? How terrible.)

[ Oh no! The way he seems to feel uncomfortable, maybe even afraid, with people getting close to him... That's so cute! Most likely a physical representation of his inner difficulties when it comes to allowing people to grow closer to him. Which means he's completely in need of a character arc where a sweet and beautiful maiden helps him overcome his psychological troubles through the power of love!

By the time they'll be done here, Monika will have written his Tv Tropes page. ]

Oh, um... [Monika took a step back, looking away awkwardly.] Sorry, ahaha...!

[ Unfortunately, Monika is very self-conscious and realizes she may have wrongly interpreted the signs. She knows how desperate she is, of course that combination of events would make her think silly things like that. She's really hopeless, huh? But that doesn't mean she can't add him to her list of potential boyfriends-slash-girlfriends, with a star next to his name, right? ]

I didn't get your name though.

[ You can't add someone to a list unless you got their name, after all. ]

(She really is going to have him all figured out based off his character trope and she isn't even going to be wrong.

She steps back and he holds his ground, still taken aback by the earlier closeness. He's trying to understand what the hell just happened there. It felt... weird and he's used to friendly types getting into his personal space. Maybe it feels off because he isn't used to girls doing it to him, to be honest. Yeah, that has to be it.

Hesitantly, he relaxes, straightening his posture and crossing his arms into the sleeves of his yukata,)

Hizen.

(Short and gruff. Right to the point. He doesn't really waste time with small chat or pretending to be nice.)

D'ya usually go around introducing yourself to everyone you meet?

[ Oh gosh. He's really not social, huh. And most certainly not into her. Monika doesn't reply immediately, considering what to say next. It's a bit hard for her to keep her facade up when faced with such grumpiness and an unwillingness to even try being social. Unfortunately, it didn't take much for her fake confidence to unravel. ]

Well-- [She smiled awkwardly.] I guess I usually try to be... Friendly?

[ She looked away. Gosh, did that ever sound pathetic when you had to word this. ]

You bumped into me just as we both put our wish up so I thought... [A shrug.] Maybe the stars want us to be friends, ahaha. [She laughed awkwardly.] I'm sorry, I guess I got carried in the excitement of the day.

[ The stars had lied to her. That or she needed a different plan of attack. ]

(Something is definitely going on here but he's still trying to interpret the previous mood when he has another one to deal with. He can't keep up. Consider Hizen properly confused at the moment.

Thankfully, she explains and--

Ah. Is that it? He supposes everyone is caught up in some sort of mood tonight and he rubs his arm awkwardly,)

Nah. (He's mumbling because he feels like he's just put a damper on some random girl's festival spirit which... is not what he'd really wanted to do. He's prickly and he knows he can be mean and a bit of a jerk but he doesn't like to make random strangers feel miserable for no reason, especially when they haven't done anything to really draw his ire,) Everyone's caught up in the festival and stuff...

(It's fine. He's trying to smooth it over.)

Are you one of the new people or something?

(Is that why she's wishing for friends.............)

[ Softening a bit, was he? Probably out of guilt for being a little bit of a jerk earlier. But that wasn't good at all. She wanted him to soften out of love, not out of guilt! Maybe she really should take a step back and reconsider that whole thing. ]

Mhm. [She nodded.] I arrived when there was blood everywhere...

[ Monika very awkwardly kicked her feet on the ground, unsure what to say. ]

Um... Well... [She forced a smile.] If you'd rather be alone, I guess I'll leave. Please do take care, alright?

[ Monika does her very best to hide it, but that doesn't take a genius to see she looks absolutely dejected. This is his doing. Hopefully he's proud of himself. ]

(Oh. Well,)

Sorry.

(It's not like it's his fault but... that sure is rough time to show up, especially if you don't really know anyone. A lot of things have happened since he arrived in the city but that was definitely the worst of it and he considers himself a pretty experienced traveler when it comes to things going wrong.

That would mean... this festival is probably the first real good thing to happen? Hm.)

... I can show ya around a bit if ya want. (Gods, he's so awkward when he tries to be nice,) This is... like your first festival here or something, right?

[ Wow! At the offer of showing her around, Monika immediately felt herself coming back to life. Why, her eyes were practically sparkling with excitement. Even if maybe her thought that the stars had given her a boyfriend here and there had been a bit of an over-exaggeration... Maybe she could make a friend!

Who would end up on her potential boyfriend-slash-girlfriend list all the same. ]

It is, yes. [She nodded.] I'm with Tamamo. I've been training to be a hostess.

[ Soon she would start serious work, so far she'd only done small replacement jobs and whatnot. If things went well, eventually she'd open a library and all... But that wasn't anywhere close to being possible at the moment. ]

I'd be happy if you showed me around, Mister Hizen.

(Tamamo.... He flinches because that sure does explain everything. It's always the Tamamo clan that seems to weasel into his personal space and get him into doing things he'd rather not.)

Shuten. Partial lieutenant.

(He is, in fact, a ranked member in the Shuten clan. He doesn't really have a set job that he does. Catch him doing odd jobs all over the city ranging from hits to delivering messages.)

This is just for tonight, got it? Can't imagine the boss and the fox getting along for too long...

(Those two get along like oil and water. Even if tonight is meant to be peaceful and they promised to set aside differences, he's sure something will come up.

That said, he really has no idea how to be hospitable. Awkwardly,)

... What d'ya wanna do? Are you hungry or something...?

[ A partial lieutenant, huh? Maybe they'd get to meet more often if she also got a promotion... It wasn't really an aspect she had considered up until now, but having a rank meant she would have excuses to see the people she wanted to see more often, right? All the more reason for her to keep working hard! ]

That's true. [She nodded.] Though I like to believe that doesn't stop people like us from being friends.

[ Honestly, the complicated relationships their bosses had? She didn't care in the least. It all sounded exceedingly petty to her, especially from people who were ultimately criminals. So long as she completed her contract and became real, she didn't see any need to meddle into those affairs.

Besides, they could be like Romeo & Juliet...! Well, minus the ending. Though, there was something to be said about the romanticism of dying alongside your beloved one. She had no desire to die, but if she had to, that was probably the best way to go. ]

Mhm... [She couldn't say she was hungry, no.] Why don't you show me your favorite place in the city?

[ That would give her more info about him! ]

(An optimistic one, huh.... well he supposes that checks out. As for his favorite place he seems to be surprised by the request. He wasn't expecting that at all and he stammers,)

Th-that's not what I meant-- (This isn't supposed to be a tour of the city! It's supposed to be a show of the festival?) I meant at the festival!

Y'know! Food and games and stuff? I'm not some tour guide.

Oh...!

[ Oops. What a shame! But that was totally her fault for having misunderstood. Maybe another time... There was no way she would give up that easily. In fact, she knew just the way to turn this around. ]

Sorry, ahaha! [She laughed awkwardly and paused.] Well how about you show me your favorite thing at the festival?

[ There's no escaping it. ]

...

(Why is she so interested in what he likes? Is this normal? He really isn't sure and he doesn't want to think too much about it either. He has to think about it though so he goes quiet and lets out a sigh,)

Fine.

(He turns on his heel and starts to head back to the main festival,)

Keep up.

(He will... eventually lead her over to the food stalls. There's one, in particular, that smells warm and sweet-- like fresh pancakes or some other sweet bread. It is........ a baby castella stand.)

[ Why? Because of him being such quality boyfriend material, of course! Just a little bit rough around the edges. May need some polish and to be taught some manners. Nothing that can't be fixed.

She beamed very brightly at him and resisted the urge to wrap her arm around his. ]

Alright!

[ She quietly followed, surprised at their destination. A food stall, huh...? So he was into fine and delicate food, huh? Well that's a shame seeing how her cooking skills were nonexistent, for now anyway. ]

Ooh! Is it your favorite treat?

(Less delicate and fine and more........ cheap and filling. When you order, you get an entire bag full of warm and small cakes! It doesn't appear to be the most popular food either so there isn't a long line like some of the other stands. The fact that they're also delicious is, well, it's definitely one of his favorite festival foods.)

Nah.

(One of his favorites but not the favorite. His actual favorite won't be available at least for another month when it's more in season..............)

Just easy and cheap. ... It's not bad, though. (The line is short. There are only a couple in front of them,) D'ya want one?

(His treat. Just once because he's like her host right now and he's not a total jerk.)

[ There are two possible ways to look at this: he is trying to be sweet and took her to try something he enjoys due to its simplicity and affordability. Alternatively, he took her to the cheapest food he could think of because he cannot be bothered to pay a decent meal for her.

... Of course she opts to look at the situation as him trying to be sweet! ]

Oh, I'd love to try.

[ As soon as she has the food in hand, she gives it a bite. And after some munching- ]

It's really good! [Was it really? Maybe, maybe not. She would say the same regardless of whether it was the best or worst food in the world.] Thank you~!

[ She gave him her sweetest and cutest smile. She hoped.

Hopefully it didn't come off as creepy or anything. ]

(The answer is both. He's a simple spirit with simple likes. It being cheap is good and if he's sharing with someone else, this makes it easy to share.

The baby castella is good! Toasted and slightly crispy on the outside and soft and fluffy on the inside, rich and sweet with the flavor of egg, sugar, and honey like a denser madeleine. The fact that they get a bag filled to the brim... it's easy to tell why Hizen likes it.

He doesn't smile back at her. He doesn't seem particularly excited either but Monika can probably read him as a low-energy person.)

Mhm.

(He nods once and eats one piece for himself. He's quiet but he seems.... satisfied. He'll hold out the paper bag for her so she can help herself to as many as she wants. )

... The boss is gonna make an announcement soon.

(An awkward way of saying he can't stick around for too much longer. He is, as he said, a ranked member of the Shuten clan.)

[ An announcement, huh? Perhaps that was right. But she could also tell he just wanted to get away. She'd really gotten carried by that wish thing. What'd she been thinking? Love didn't sprout like that. It was as if she'd not learned anything from her past experiences, from the post she had written days ago. ]

... I'm being a bo-

[ Bother, but she didn't finish her sentence. She already knew the answer, and she didn't want to make things more awkward. She forced a smile. ]

Nevermind that. [She nodded at him.] Good luck for that meeting.

[ Best to let him go. Some things are not meant to be. He'd been very patient already, and that was enough. ]

(He waits for to finish. What was that? He thought she had something to say... Ah, well, she doesn't continue the thought so it must not have been important.

He will, however, hand her the rest of the castella bag.)

Here.

(And he nods but doesn't seem particularly pleased by the idea of going to the meeting in general. He really dislikes all of this responsibility and stuff sometimes. He'd rather enjoy the festival than go listen to a bunch of hot shots talk about boring things...

Anyway, good night, Monika. Enjoy the festival. )

( closed ) 005

( closed ) for monika

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