jigokulogs | closed 🐇 September catch-all

[ When Akira returns, he'll find Megumi patiently waiting in the living room, lying on the couch and resting as the other boy had urged him. He isn't usually very compliant to pressure by others, but he's been strangely tamed by their conversation before. It must be because he realised the older boy cared about him.

His actual injury isn't very serious despite all the drama it caused. Just a long cut across his chest, that's been cleaned and wrapped up fairly professionally. It will heal given some time. He honestly doesn't know what the fuss is about, having been stabbed several times in the past.

He has his eye on his phone, looking at animal videos, but keeps an ear open for the demon's return. ]

_{[ Akira finishes up the errands and returns with two bags in his hands, walking and taking public transportation the rest of the way to the apartment. He struggles to open the door, but manages, coming inside and slipping off his shoes after announcing his presence. ]}

I’m home!

_{[ Was it home? It felt like home. He just kind of started considering this home. He busies himself putting the items away before approaching Megumi with his snacks and coffee. ]}

Yo! Feeling good?

[ The injury wasn't actually bothering him very much, too used to enduring such afflictions. If anything, he's much more annoyed by the gnawing ache in his stomach, which he is trying to alleviate by pressing a pillow against his tummy. In retrospect, it probably isn't a very good idea to be having coffee and biscuits right now, but ... he wants them. ]

I keep saying I'm fine.

[ Sitting up, he takes the coffee can and rests it between his thighs. Before he starts digging in, he decides to show Akira what he said he would show him. ]

You like rabbits, right?

[ Clasping his hands together, he casts the shadow puppet of a bunny against the table. From within that shadow, a fair number of rabbits emerge, hopping around the floor and sniffing at Akira's feet curiously. Megumi can make rabbits in the hundreds, but for practical reasons he only makes about 8. ]

I've recently regained them, and I've wanted to test out my technique.

[ Which is, in a way, the truth, but if he only wanted to test Rabbit Escape he would go into a big field and summon his hundreds of rabbits. The actual reason he is doing this is much more simple. ]

_{[ Akira was about to take a seat on the floor when Megumi casts a shadow puppet and.. right before his eyes he sees a bunch of bunnies. His breath hitches and his eyes grow wide. What kind of sorcery is this?

.. Oh, wait, yeah. He's a sorcerer so it makes sense.

Instantly Akira crouches down to the bunnies, mouth gaping. He's impressed.. and delighted! ]}

Woah.. amazing! Oh! That one looks like Cottontail!

_{[ Apparently one of them looks like the school rabbit from home. Akira crawls on his hands and knees to that particular rabbit, looking at it and smiling before looking at Megumi. ]}

I don't get it. Why can you do something like this?

[ It takes some cursed energy to conjure up those rabbits, but the output required is too minimal to give Megumi any discomfort or fatigue. That small handful of rabbits start to scurry around the room, that one rabbit allowing itself to be picked up. He tells himself there's a clear reason for doing this, that he's making sure his technique is working fine after it was returned to him. Yet, the real reward appears to be the look on the other boy's face, as he picks up that one rabbit and smiles over it in delight. It's nice when the people he has taken a liking to are happy.

Megumi pops open the coffee can, wondering if he should explain or not. It's not exactly a secret in Hell, given the number of people who have techniques of their own. ]

It's a technique I was born with. Yuuji probably didn't tell you much about what we did back in the living world ... [ Yuuji tends to prefer living in the moment and talking about happier topics, so he wouldn't be surprised if he didn't quite bother telling Akira about himself. ]

We exorcised spirits similar to the youkai you find here.

[ Similar, but more malicious. Focused on killing and eating people. He's reminded, actually, of his first conversation with the demon-possessed boy, and the way he had admitted to those desires he keeps at bay. ]

We would be enemies in a different circumstance.

_{[ For being a demon hybrid, one would think that he might have predatory instincts towards things that looked innocent or soft, but Akira's temperament and love for innocent creatures snuffed out any reckless violence against them. He sits back on his haunches on the floor and buries his face in the soft fur of the bunny as Megumi speaks before facing him fully. He blinks a few times, bold eyebrows lifting high enough to conceal under his fluffy bangs. ]}

You wouldn't be an enemy to me, Megumi-kun. Even if you tried to kill me, I would try to reason with you first and make you understand. It's human nature to be scared of the things we don't understand.. but I think you would understand my situation even if I technically was on your opposing team.

_{[ So much faith in Megumi. Akira sounds absolutely certain this is what would happen. He admires the rabbit in his hands again, mimicking its nose twitch with a smile on his face. ]}

We would be friends.. like we're friends here.

[ Akira really did like the rabbits, as Megumi was secretly hoping. Megumi takes a sip of his coffee, seemingly nonchalant to whatever is happening around him, but his usually stern expression has taken on a softer quality, even in the face of a fairly serious discussion.

The answer that comes isn't too unexpected, given everything he's surmised from Akira's character to date. In Megumi's world, anyone or anything that tries to hurt him is opening themselves to that same treatment in return. He's not the sort to spare any compassion for beings that feel no such kindness for him.

But Akira is right ... that he would understand. Kindness trumps everything else for him. ]

Don't just assume that ... [ Even if it's true. Anyway, this next thing ... ]

You consider us friends?

Yeah! Are we not friends?

_{[ News to him. Akira takes position to the floor again, allowing all the rabbits to come to him, he seems very happy with his prospect and eventually lies on his back on the floor, allowing them to hop around and on him. So nice.. rabbit heaven. ]}

Hey.. don't go around telling everyone I like rabbits, okay?

_{[ it's kind of girly ]}

I guess we are ...

[ Megumi's the sort of person who subconsciously keeps others at a distance, not quite noticing the bond he forms with people and needing that bond to be stated outright for him to notice and understand. When he does notice, it's always a very pleasant thing. Megumi relaxes back, taking in another sip of his coffee as the expression on his face only softens further. Almost in line with his feelings, the rabbits are drawn to Akira, hopping onto his chest and sniffing his face. ]

I won't tell anyone. But I still don't understand why it's embarrassing.

[ Then again, he doesn't care so much about putting up a wholly masculine front. ]

Woohoo..! Glad you feel the same way.. otherwise I'd just feel like a big moocher living here.

_{[ You're still.. a big moocher living here? His enthusiasm might have frightened some rabbits away, but a few brave ones stick around, and he's eager to give them some pets and affection. There's a moment where Akira actually falls quiet, believe it or not. He's thinking back when he was first accepted into Miki's home, even though that was such a long time ago and he was a kid. Living under someone else's roof like this really made him feel nostalgic. His smile fades slightly, once again beginning to miss her. What was she doing? Was she going to be okay? He can't get too distracted here. He needs to fulfill his contract to get back to her.

Akira looks at Megumi quietly.

And yet, it wasn't terrible being here. He didn't have to worry about the oncoming apocalypse, but that was such a bad way of thinking. After all, he felt responsible for protecting humanity. ]}

...

[ There's an odd lull in the energy, which doesn't happen too often with Akira, as he's learned. It peaks Megumi's curiousity. For a second, it looks like Akira's withdrawn into himself, like he's contemplating something. Then, he's looking in Megumi's direction ... ]

... What's wrong?

[ Akira is probably deeper in his thoughts, but in the event he is looking this way because he's hungry and wants a share of the snacks, Megumi opens the box and picks out an elephant-shaped cracker, holding it out for him. ]

_{[ At the prospect of being offered a snack, Akira rolls over on his hands and knees and crawls over to Megumi, sitting up on his haunches and taking the snack. He nibbles on it.

He could do the main character thing where he doesn’t open up, but let’s be real. He doesn’t exactly do that. ]}

I miss the people I care about back home.. I was in a situation where I lived with people who weren’t blood related to me. Being here reminds me of that, so I’m worried about them.. especially when demons were on the brink of attempting a take over— reclaiming Earth as their own.

I get worried.. and then get mad at myself for ending up here when I am needed back in my realm.

[ It's definitely a new experience to be told what was troubling the other person when he asks. Megumi gives Akira his full attention, his phone and the coffee can on his lap untouched. He processes what he's being told, and takes a few seconds before he decides on an answer. In most situations, when there is nothing he can really do to help, he tends to fall back on his usual way of coping, which is to encouraging some sort of distraction, usually with increased work. It's not the best way to deal with things, but it's really all he knows. In this situation, he does actually have an answer, even if he isn't sure how much it will help. ]

It's very likely that time works differently here. You might not find you've missed much at all.

[ Not that Akira's situation is something anyone would be raving to return to, even if the urgency and concern is completely justified. Noting that underlying stress and guilt, Megumi doesn't really know how to respond, given that he's not very good with his words. He reaches out and gives his friend a few soft pats on his fluffy hair, looking over him from where he's sitting. His gaze is soft but a bit uncertain, like he's trying, but knows he isn't good at this. ]

It's not your fault you ended up here.

_{[ Akira’s hair feels coarse and thick. He pauses his crunching when he feels the positive contact, not sure what to make of it. If his tail has been out, it probably would be wagging. Apart of him wants to protest it, but another part of him likes it.. so he allows it for now.

What Megumi says makes his brows pull together in both concern and stubbornness. He didn’t want to admit to him that he failed, but it was the truth. ]}

No. It is my fault. I was battling a strong demon named Sirene. She had cut off my entire arm and punctured a hole through my body. Everything was getting dark.. I know I had to have died. If I had fought better, this would not have happened.

That’s why I cannot forgive myself. If humanity is jeopardized because of my weakness, I don’t know how I can live with that.

[ So he does remember dying. At the mention of those injuries, Megumi's gaze travels to his arms, and then to his chest, both of which is (thankfully) intact. The thought of Akira being in that situation, the pain he had to have endured, causes a pang in his chest, like empathy and concern. If such a thing happened here, it would probably make him fret, that protective instinct he has towards his friends setting in quickly. He really has come to care for the other boy so easily and so quickly. It's because he can sense that kindness radiate off of him.

Megumi doubts there's anything he can really do in this situation to change things for Akira. He doubts he'll even be able to make him feel better, given how poor he tends to be in these situations. ]

If that's how it is ... all you can do is focus on becoming stronger.

[ The hand on his hair travels to his shoulder now, resting there like he's trying to provide some sort of company. ]

The contracts are real, so you still have a chance to save your world. [ He has proof that they're real, anyway, having had one part of his granted already. ]

I will.. and I will focus on my contract and leaving here. People back home need me, but..

_{[ Akira has his hands curled into fists, resting on his knees. He remembers the horrible death his parents faced at the hands of a demon and how Jinmen made him witness it— witness seeing his mother being torn into pieces, her blood and entrails splattering on the ground right before him as her body twisted in half like a popsicle stick. At that time, he had no idea that demons were awakening and wreaking havoc on the Earth. What he saw was a vision of the past that Jinmen showed him. He remembers losing his temper followed by crying in the dark tunnels underneath the ground where he fought Jinmen. The memory makes his blood boil— a lot quicker than when he was purely a human. His teeth and fangs bare and he suddenly stands up. The aura he radiates is like a light switch flipped without warning considering how soft he was just moments prior.

Akira couldn't help it. He became so temperamental— so heated so much easier and had also become a lot more wild and untamed ever since Amon merged with him. Megumi might feel a sense of threat coming from him.. but the threatening feeling wasn't directed at Megumi. ]}

I can't just waste time. It could be too late.. something could happen.. someone I could die.. someone could die again...

_{[ Oh, he's getting out of breath and his hands are shaking. He knows this feeling. He's about to have a tantrum, which can sometimes get violent and dangerous. ]}

I'm.. I gotta go out, I'm sorry, Megumi.

_{[ He's going to turn tail and head for the door unless the other boy stops him. ]}

Edited 2022-09-18 03:08 (UTC)

[ He doesn't blame him for the reaction, given that it's a difficult topic and the circumstances Akira seems to be dealing with must be nothing short of traumatic. He doesn't know what had brought on this sudden bought of rage, the hairs on the boy's body standing as the aura around him darkens and he pulls away from Megumi abruptly. There's an edge there, like a firecracker about to explode, and Megumi can tell just from looking at him that he's close to losing it. He wonders if he should stop him or not, his hand briefly reaching out for the other boy as he stands up, but Megumi eventually withdraws it, sighing as he rests his hand on his lap. What can he even say or do in this situation? He's never been good at managing situations such as these. He might even make things worse, or make it difficult for Akira to find a proper outlet for his anger and grief just by being there.

So, he watches the boy leave, concern laden in his face but not quite doing anything to act on it. ]

Make sure you come back. [ Even if he can't help him feel better or make the situation any more bearable, he can offer him a place to come back to when he's calmed down - somewhere he can kick back and rest his tired head after he's let that anger out. There's worry that Megumi has also. There's a part of him that wants to follow so he can stop Akira from doing anything reckless, but there's another part of him that thinks Akira would probably prefer to be alone. If he doesn't hear from him in a few hours, he'll go find him. ]

I'll wait here for you.

_{[ As Megumi is talking, Akira is disrobing, knowing damn well he’s going to transform at some point and release some of that pent up anger that he apparently didn’t completely get out when he first arrived here. His shirt gets discarded on the floor, followed by his tail popping out from over his waist band as he pulls his pants off, already shifting his lower half. The door opens and he says nothing, slamming it behind him.

What Megumi says doesn’t go unheard, though. It’s nice to have someone wait for him, but he doesn’t believe that Megumi was telling the truth.

A few hours do go by but eventually he does come back home— damp with blood and sweat. Traces of sand decorate his pelt when he walks in the door weakly, shutting the door behind him. As he walks in and toward the kitchen sink, he leaves little paw pad shaped foot prints behind. If Megumi is still present, he hasn’t acknowledged him as he starts to rinse himself off in the kitchen. ]}

[ Megumi did say he would wait for him, so he does, resting on the couch with a book until he eventually starts to doze off. Akira will return to Megumi lying his head and elbow against the armrest of the couch, curling up against the corner of the couch and having a snooze. He rouses when he hears the door creak open and the sound of the tap turning on. Though he hasn't registered who it is yet, he rubs his eyes, giving them his sleepy greeting. ]

Welcome ... back. [ Yuuji? Akira? His mind are still groggy, his eyes barely staying open. ]

_{[ Akira looks up from the tap when he hears Megumi and blinks a few times, feeling a sense of appreciation for the younger boy for staying up like he promised. Akira doesn’t say anything, though, feeling the corners of his lips upturn in a soft smile.

He’s glad he knows where the wastelands are.. there’s plenty of rock formations to smash and monsters to kill.

He dampens a rag and works on removing more blood from his body, most of it youkai blood, but keeps oddly silent as he does this, not even responding to Megumi as that brief smile disappears. ]}

[ It's odd that his greeting was met with no response. Yuuji and Akira usually say something energetic right back. It's that thought that rouses him more, and Megumi gives a stretch, his vision focusing enough for him to make out who he's talking to now.

He can see the blood Akira seems to be wiping off of himself. This isn't too surprising. ]

The wastelands?

_{[ He could just hop on the shower, but that is going to take more time.. so once he feels like he’s got all the wet blood off of him, he makes his way back over to the couch, instantly lying down with his head on the opposite end of where Megumi is sitting. Megumi will have the delight of having him prop his furry legs and feet on his lap, though. He shifts instantly, turning his body and face into the back cushions. ]}

… I feel like it’s the only place I can go to really let my temper out. I’m a monster, so it’s fitting I go away to a place like that.

[ There's some mild surprise at having legs propped onto his lap. On another day he might feel halfway between fascinated and annoyed at the gesture. Right now, his entire focus is instead of Akira and what he's chosen to share with Megumi. With nowhere else to put his hands, he eventually rests them on those furry legs, the book also on his lap. ]

What you do matters more than what you are. [ To Megumi, anyway. He's more more focused on personality and past deeds when it comes to judging others. Going into the Wastelands is dangerous, and for that reason he's worried about what future tantrum trips might hold, but he knows Akira is strong. ]

You're tired, right? Sleep.

_{[ That is the message Akira was trying to convey before he ended up here. With demons surfacing on the Earth, there were humans beginning to rally and hunt demons. Of course, that is what he and Ryo were doing in their own way, but with Akira basically being what humans feared, he had to be careful with what information he shared back home. He could be hunted or put other people he loves in danger. Hearing Megumi say this visibly makes his muscles relax. He’s amazed at how both he and Yuuji have accepted him without fear. ]}

It is hard to sleep sometimes.. I have visions and nightmares from memories the demon that melded with me had. In a way, I’m glimpsing into his world and his past.. so I don’t always sleep well.

_{[ His eyes close anyway and he exhales, trying to relax further now that he’s depleted so much energy. ]}

I was never told I would have to deal with this.. or other traits and instincts that are disturbing.

[ Akira did mention he and his friend made the plan for Akira to merge with a demon, and that his friend did a lot of research prior to the merger. These are all small little details within their first conversation that would typically be lost to memory, but Megumi has a near-flawless memory. He's curious, now, why Akira was never warned about all these effects - the dreams and associated instincts. Surely a change as huge as a constant desire to kill and eat would be worth mentioning to him before letting him make that choice. He has some questions about this friend of Akira's, but at the same time, Megumi can also understand why that information would be withheld, if the end goal was for Akira to gain the power to protect humanity. It's not a conversation for right now. It's late, and the other boy has already experienced a whirlwind of emotions. Now is the time for sleep.

In regard to these dreams, he doesn't know if there's anything he can really do to help, given that it's all out of their control. It's here that Megumi's met with a glimpse of an old memory, however. The image of his sister, holding his small hand and consoling him when a particular nightmare would scare him, even if he always refused to admit when he felt scared. ]

I'm a light sleeper. If the nightmares bother you, you can knock on our door. [ He doubts Yuuji would mind the mild disturbance either. Not if it's to console their friend. ]

_{[ He doesn't mind keeping his legs propped on Megumi and neither does he mind if the other boy continues to keep his hands on him. It's kind of soothing, in a way. He's never slept with someone else around him like this before. Miki wanted to sleep in his bed one night, but he was nervous her father would get angry to see them in bed together, so he rejected her invitation.

He has a feeling he would have slept better without a nightmare with her around.

Someting about what Megumi says is embarrassing, though, and Akira sputters slightly. ]}

That's.. embarrassing. Running to you because of a nightmare.. I'm not a child, Megumi.. but..

_{[ He exhales again, allowing his tense muscles to sink into the couch further. ]}

What I dream about sometimes haunts me. Maybe being around others would help me sleep better. I don't know. I've never tried.

[ Gojo will receive a polite message inviting him to come over to Megumi and Yuuji's apartment in Enma. There's no real agenda to this meet up, nothing like a dinner party or movie binge. Just an invitation to spend time together. In actual fact, it's the result of this conversation between both boys. Megumi doesn't know what's going to come of it, but he's not going to overthink that too much, focusing instead on his desire to bring his mentor (and cherished person) some cheer. That's why he pulled Yuuji into this at all. If anyone can make their teacher feel better, it's the boy with sunshine for a personality.

They went shopping earlier that day and bought their individual gifts - Yuuji's being a pair of sunglasses, and Megumi's being a few packets of convenience store snacks (strawberry pocky, assorted kitkats, gummy candy and konpeito -- all the sweets he used to scold Gojo for buying). Once Gojo enters their humble abode, Megumi pushes their gifts towards him. ]

We got these for you. [ He doesn't feel like explaining the occasion, so he doesn't. Maybe Yuuji will instead. There's a pointed look at Gojo now. ]

Eat responsibly.

[ In other words, don't eat all of it in one day or so help him god -- ]

Edited 2022-09-18 03:24 (UTC)

[ yuuji was standing nearby, seemingly annoyed with megumi's decision to ruin the surprise. okay, yes ... he didn't tell his friend that he planned a special reveal of the gifts, maybe he had an idea to wait for the right moment to ambush gojo with the gifts when he least expects it— to make it more dramatic and uplifting. regardless, he didn't predict megumi would hand them over like they are exchanging a notebook.

so formal, so bland. ]

Dude ...

[ he gives megumi a little nudge on the shoulder, but— nothing can be done now. he finally greets gojo with a smile, he then points at his personal gift, hyping it up because he's actually proud of it. in all honesty, they both made the effort to give their teacher something he would enjoy, and in yuuji's case— maybe something he needs as well? ]

They are trendy, really popular here aaaand they will keep your eyes safe! You need the shades, right?!

[ something about gojo's abilities? even if they are heavily suppressed for now. eventually, he allowed the other man to settle on the sofa and get comfortable. ]

( the invitation isn't surprising, but there is some level of it that is cautiously suspicious: he figures that megumi will want to do something to try to make up for the alleged slight, or hurt feelings, even though it isn't necessary; that's just the way that megumi is, and bringing yuuji into it isn't a far reach. the two of them seem particularly close, in this place--something he's grateful for, in all honesty--and living together must also mean that they have to handle some things together, namely having their wayward teacher over for whatever it is he's coming over for.

it turns out to be, to some surprise, gifts: that much is a surprise, and while he holds his large hands out to receive the bundle of things, a pair of sunglasses and a few convenience store sweets, he lets out a low whistle, like it's a pile of treasure being deposited into his grip. )

Wa~ah, for me? ( it's his usual warm voice, completely content, as though he's resolved with himself that it's better to be this way in front of the kids. even if megumi wanted him to be more honest, he doesn't want to make either of them worry about him when it isn't necessary. ) Hang on, let me settle here...

( he maneuvers to the sofa so that he can take a seat at the corner, crossing one leg over the other so that he can put the snacks and the glasses in his lap. to yuuji, he gives a big thumbs-up. )

I need the shades, you're right! These are cute! ( closing his eyes, he takes off the pair he's been wearing--they get folded up into his pocket, and he makes a show of placing the gifted pair right onto the bridge of his nose, waiting to open his eyes once they're on properly. ) C'mere, let's share.

( there's a tilt of his head to megumi, too, indicating he means the both of them: and he's smiling his usual smile as he gestures towards the snacks in his lap. )

This is dinner, right~?

[ Though Megumi stares at Gojo's excitement over the glasses in his usual, stone-faced blasé, there's a slight ease to his posture, like he doesn't hate what he's seeing, even if he doesn't fully understand the appeal of Yuuji's gift (then again, he doesn't understand the appeal to his own gift as well). It seems to have made Gojo happy, and that's what matters.

The nudge he gets from Yuuji is ignored. What's wrong with the way he had presented the gifts? It's very practical and to the point. He's not someone who sees the appeal in ceremony or fanfare.

Anyway, that last question from Gojo, innocent as it seems to be, makes him bristle immediately. ]

No. I'll bring out the actual food. [ The offer to share the couch is ignored for now, as he busies himself with getting their food. Yuuji will probably take it up, and it's better if he sits between them. ]

And if I find out you've been having chocolates instead of meals, I'll take it all back.

[ Has anyone told Megumi that what has been given cannot be taken back?

Anyway, he heads into their small kitchen and brings out the dishes prepared by Yuuji - ginger meatballs and hearty vegetables in soup, along with some steamed fish and rice. A typical but fulfilling homecooked meal. Since they are eating on the couch, he places the dishes on the coffee table in front of them. ]

[ yuuji, on the other hand, was more than happy to accept the invite and flopped down next to his teacher. they end up fooling around for a bit with the ridiculous shades, in which he asked gojo to put them on and then proceeds to compliment how good they look on him. for a blissful moment, yuuji felt like he was back home, enjoying a casual day after school while hanging out with gojo and the others. it was bittersweet— in a sense, he didn't miss the anxiety of being alive yet he missed what they all had.

he waits for megumi to finish setting up the table, happily spreading his arm to brag about the beauty of his cooking. no, their dinner won't involve them having only sugary treats, but they can totally enjoy them after a proper meal. ]

Go wild. Eat as much as you want!

[ and of course, yuuji and megumi will join as well. there is no need to urge anyone into grabbing a plate and serving themselves; it's not their first time sharing a meal together, and hopefully, it won't be their last. as megumi joins them on the sofa and everyone had their share in hand, small talk aside, yuuji's forward honesty might be a bit too bold given the situation— but that's how he has always been, right? ]

Sensei.

[ he waits for gojo to give him his full attention, and then: ]

... how are you? and be honest.

[ after all, being in this city is a lot. their history as sorcerers, their upbringing, the burden on their shoulders, and the failures will always find their way to lurk behind them. while gojo is the strongest, the best, the formidable—

he is still human. ]

Edited 2022-09-19 18:31 (UTC)

( it does start to feel like the old days--not that those days are very old, at least to him. it doesn't feel like it's been so long since he's seen either of them, no matter the time he's spent locked away; it's impossible to know how long he stayed trapped there before arriving here, hard to know when time seemed to stop within the confines of the prison realm, but even so, nights like these, spent in the warmth of yuuji's excited voice and megumi's glowering face, feel something akin to home. it feels less like they're trapped in some strange, foreign city and more like they're back in tokyo, enjoying a light evening together--which is why he settles in comfortably, taking up a plate so that he can dish himself up.

of course, compliments are due to the chef, which he gives, liberally--nothing wrong with hyping up yuuji's ego, after all, as he sets his dish on his lap, legs crossed comfortably to support it. the candies and sweets are, of course, tucked dutifully by his thigh; he hasn't forgotten about them, and he isn't the type to indulge much in regular food, anyway.

it's why he's idly toying with the piece of fish he's snagged onto his plate when yuuji speaks--and his brows lift in question over the rim of his new sunglasses.

it isn't strange to hear such a forward question from yuuji: he's perceptive, in a different way than megumi, but he still picks up on things without realizing; it's more that he isn't sure whether or not honesty suits the situation, or how to proceed. he's still wearing a smile as he sets his chopsticks down and smacks a hand onto yuuji's back, lightly, fondly. )

He~ey, what's with this? You guys are looking so glum. Shouldn't you be glad to see me? ( his hand draws back, fits up the chopsticks with one smooth move. ) ...Really, you don't need to worry about me. I'm just adjusting, you know? Moving...some thoughts around.

( it's honest, at least. he just isn't saying what those thoughts are. )

[ Once on the sofa with Yuuji in the middle of them, Megumi allows Yuuji to steer the conversation, sitting with their sides lined up comfortably as he picks up his bowl of rice and starts to get through it. Yuuji's very forward with his questioning and concern, not one to beat around the bush or allude toward his meaning, and a lot of the time, it helps to have someone able to ask direct questions with no sense of awkwardness. Though he appears focused on his meal, Megumi listens intently during the conversation for their teacher's response.

And it's just about as expected. ]

... I told you he wouldn't tell us.

[ He did tell the other boy that, but Yuuji seemed to want the opportunity to show his concern, which explains why they're sat here on the couch having this get-together at all. Megumi could probe further, but that last attempt only went so wrong - causing more harm than good - and he's humbled and deterred. Talking about more delicate matters has never been his forte - especially given how unnatural it feels for him to express his feelings with sensitivity.

He'll leave that to Yuuji, if that's what he wants to do. If all that happens is that they have a quiet meal together, he doesn't mind that either. Not everything has to be laid out in the open, and he does note that his teacher is just slightly more open than he used to be thanks to their last conversation. ]

Edited 2022-09-24 13:59 (UTC)

closed 🐇 September catch-all

GEN | AKIRA - Post Ember 🐇

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cw: gore mention

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GEN | YUUJI & GOJO - 😎🍬🍫 (order based on whoever tags this first?)

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