justfists | (no subject)

[She is doing her best to not be obvious in that she's looking for signs of injury, but she's... pretty obvious. Despite her best efforts. In her hands, she has a small box, the bento she was talking about earlier.]

Hi.

[said a little awkwardly.

She knows powers are a thing but she was... expecting some sign.]

[ Makoto... He knew you were an honest person based on the letters, but he didn’t think that sincerity would make it harder for you to seem subtle. Raising his hands, he does a little twirl for her to see that he’s FINE. He’s only a little pale in color. ]

Healing powers does wonders, doesn’t it?

[ Here, let him lead her into the living room which is adjoined to the kitchen. There’s a platter on the kitchen island with some wrapped maple muffins made just yesterday. ]

Have a muffin.

[She can tell he's teasing her, but there's a part of her that wonders if he would have told her? If he could get away with it... She smiles, just a bit.]

They do. But I'm glad Yusuke told me anyway. I'd hate to have found out much later.

[and she's suspicious of his cooking, after seeing how easily he partnered with her roommate.. Still, she pauses at that, and then holds out the bento.]

Of course, and, as promised. I really did make too much.

[ He... Would have! Though he couldn't find the time to do it early enough, then he wouldn't have mentioned it at all seeing that he's fine. Just a little tired.

Ouch, there it is. Sharp words to the throat. Play it cool, Kurusu. Once he takes the bento, he passes her a muffin—it's fragrant, laced with maple goodness, with a cream cheese vanilla icing. IT'S SAFE AS CAN BE. ]

I'm surprised Yusuke found the time to give our friends a heads up about our condition since he looked exhausted when I passed out on him.

[ He should thank him later. ]

What's in it?

[ OPENING IT WITH EXCITEMENT. ]

[SURPRISE-- There are some riceballs, with some grillled veggies next to them. Clearly, it's a decent sized, very Japanese lunch.]

Like I said, I'm glad he did. I'd rather have worried than not known at all. I didn't realize how dangerous those areas were...

[she taps the side of her face with a finger, considering.]

I made riceballs with salmon inside. I wasn't sure if you liked them, but... It seemed harmless enough to me, especially after your adventurous chocolate.

[ At first he's quiet... Pensive on her words, but tries to perk up. ]

They can be, but it was cathartic on my part. There's something about fighting that I find therapeutic?

[ He does love all of this, actually. Don't mind if he tries a riceball out right now. Food has been his only solace as of late since it helps his health and energy. Nibbling on it, he seems content and satisfied despite how subtle he is. ]

You're right. Why wouldn't I like something like this? I've ventured through the spicy chocolate waters, so salmon riceballs have nothing on me.

[ Come, come!! Sit on the couch with him and have some munchies. ]

I... wouldn't know.

[she sits next to him, as she seems a little pensive over the statement. And then she frowns.]

I don't have any special abilities, so the monsters were all overwhelming for me. Yukiko was even hurt because of me.

[she sighs, and then smiles lightly at that.]

At any rate, that whole spicy chocolate episode did help me understand my roommate a little better.

How should I explain it...? It kind of feels like you have control of your life, that you can really do something, and for a moment you... Become someone else.

[ Which implies that you don't really care for who you are now. Quiet, he's realizing that it all sounds sad? Odd? Off? How does he even follow up? ]

I'm sure you'll understand soon in the future and you'll be able to show Yukiko what you're made of.

[ He doesn't think he can go into a whole explanation on the Metaverse, cognition, and Personas right now seeing that he takes a lot of brain power and energy he can't afford. Second rice ball is now his. ]

I'm sorry about your roommate.

[ HE MADE A MONSTER ]

[she doesn't notice the implication, at least, not entirely. Though she does think it's strange to "become someone else", she doesn't think that can't be anything but negative. She... can somewhat relate to it.

She leans forward, resting her chin in her hand.]

She's nice, I'll just have to be careful about food from now on. And you looked like you were having fun. You seem to be a little bit of a show-off in person.

I can't imagine she'll go too overboard. Some suggestions should steer her back on track.

[ He hopes? But that means being there to supervise. Since she's leaning forward with her head propped up, he feeds her one tempura vegetable after she's done talking. ]

Should I be flattered or offended—wait, what did I do that would be considered showing off?

[ RUDE ]

You seemed like you wanted to make quite the show of it. Honestly, it seemed like a lot of fun, even if the results were... questionable.

And, well... The video recording just made me think you wanted to be seen.

[she then teases lightly]

Don't tell me, all this time you were actually shy?

[ What? What... Sure, he likes being dramatic and doing tricks, but it's fun. Is it showing off—fucking yes, it is. Groaning, he wants to drag his hands down his face, but he only closes his eyes and puts on a wry smile.

HERE. HAVE ANOTHER TEMPURA. ]

I didn't know it was recording, but I would rather go unnoticed.

[ It's partially true? He doesn't like being under the spotlight, but he can really work with it if he has to, almost like he belongs there.

LIKE HELL HE'LL SAY HE'S SHY BECAUSE HE ISN'T!!!! ]

[she takes the tempura and laughs at that, her smile brightening again.]

I believe you. But also, embracing that part of you wouldn't be so bad. It didn't seem anyone was surprised by it, at least?

[which just. Made the memory she'd received more strange... Either way.]

Also, I made this for you. You should enjoy it, instead of feeding me, like we're dating.

Or at least save some for Akechi?

[ He was eating fiiiiine, even squinting at her as she makes... Good points? He always thought people were accepting of his eccentricities, not that he was showy, but he's starting to wonder if that's how people see it. Then doesn't care. It's not big deal, but still weird to think about—Everything was Fine.

Until Makoto and her armada attacked.

HACKS!!

HE STARTS CHOKING, THANKS. ]

Akira?

[oh. she was too mean to him.

... oops.]

Are you alright?!

[well now she has to try and pat his back or something]

[ Patting his back only helps him somewhat because he actually isn't choking. Just... Just a tad bit surprised? Why would you do this? Patting his own chest, he's settling down again. ]

I'm fine... Even though you tried to kill me.

That is hardly trying to kill you. Didn't you just--

[she pauses, looking a little lost in thought. She can hear Ann's voice beside her. You are such a showoff. She pauses just a little too long, and then regains her composure.]

... At any rate, you're in my memories a lot.

It was definitely trying to kill me!

[ He gently elbows her a bit since his hands are dirty. Ah, he’s also getting the same memory. God, Joker... He can’t tell if you’re super cool or super embarrassing.

Not going to lie, he wants to jump out of a stained glass window in style, too. Looks fun. ]

Really? I guess I should be flattered, but something tells me I should be worried.

I should be concerned that simply calling you a show-off was enough to trigger a memory. Akira-kun, you were quite... extravagant in your previous life.

[she smiles a bit-- yeah, he gets a kun. IT'S FINE.]

And how was that trying to kill you?

You can say reckless. It’s fine.

[ There’s no other way to say it when you see a costumed fool jump through a stained glass window with a twirl. Akira likes to embellish and sometimes water down descriptions, but there’s nothing he can do about THAT. With a huff, he’s back to eating the bento, now munching on the other things. ]

For one... You’re using a honorific now. Two, I was eating. Three, I didn’t see that coming? Four, you’re using a honorific.

Is being called Akira-kun too much for you?

[she laughs a little bit, and then leans forward, draping one arm over her knees, and resting her chin in her other hand.]

And-- alright. Reckless.

No... I just haven't heard it in years.

[ Like... His parents stopped calling him that after a certain age. He picks at his bento now that it's almost empty. Actually, he barely hears people say his name in general and he told her that before. She may call him by his first name.

But like.

HONORIFICS ARE DIFFERENT. He coughs once. ]

Yes. Reckless Kurusu.

[she smiles lightly, tilting her head.]

I'm sorry, I didn't think about it that much... It's just what I'd call all my boy friends in Japan. But after your letters, I should have considered...

[she hmms.

also ignoring she called him her boyfriend. sigh.]

[ She... She obviously meant friends that are boys. He can easily excuse it as her grasp on English. With a deep sigh, he nibbles on what’s left of the bento, feeling the dissonance in being physically energized yet mentally exhausted. ]

I don’t mind if you use -kun with me, though I don’t know if I can handle... calling you Makoto-chan...

[ ... ]

You mentioned in your letters you used to have a boyfriend?

[ KARESHI. ]