Airdalen Academy

Tadashi Kiomine

It wasn't very hard to sneak up on Tadashi when he was in the midst of making music. It was almost a laser focus he had when the process started and notes seemed to flow out of him delicately, like a gentle stream. Nothing was forced and every movement was graceful and meant to be. For Gen to see him in this state, it couldn't be called anything less than natural. He went on and on, brushing the keys and transitioning his hands and fingers expertly without looking. He wasn't actually looking in any particular direction, but his head was tilted down mostly with the occasional rise- his body mimicked the flow of the melody, the both of them connected as he went on playing. He was light, graceful and free. This was his escape. There was nothing in this world he could equate to quite this feeling. It was when he found this escape, that Tadashi had truly found himself during his time away.

As the melody came winding down, he momentarily checked back in to reality to find his friend Gen dressed in her usual manner, standing as gentle as flower to his side. All the while, he never actually stopped playing. Nodding in thanks when she poured him some tea, he delicately took the cup and small plate idly hitting some key's in a repeating hold before he set the cooling beverage down needing it to cool. When Gen sat beside him, he moved over to give the lady some room beside him. Both hands back on the keys, he very lightly struck some chords; it was incredible he seamlessly he could play from both hands, to one, then back to both hands again without a single bump or off key disturbance. He got the hint when her hands moved over the keys, she wanted to play.

"It seems we still have one way to communicate still." Tadashi hadn't said a peep until then, partially because he didn't want to put pressure on his dear friend to speak. He may not understand the exact reason for Gen's sudden muteness, but he knew far too well how a shock could make someone's body and mind react in strange or extreme ways. Stress could be rather destructive. He let his dear friend play a sheet of music, which was well done- if not, a little disconnected on the notes. Tadashi however gave her the kindest and most understanding smile he could muster, trying his best to project his acceptance and care for her. "Follow the chords I play after I play them, I have something special for you." With the upmost patience, Tadashi would play chords for Gen to repeat which was slowly turning into a song. He hoped she knew it. His dear friend was religious he knew and this song was a perfect blending of the both of them. No matter how long it took, Tadashi would build her confidence with the simple set of keys. When she was ready, he would step away to grab his guitar and pulled a chair next to Gen.



"Alright, now it's time to put everything together. If you get lost, that's fine. Do what feels natural... 1. 2. 3. And."(https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8Uw8mIcQJn8)

Tadashi would begin to sing. He had a soft smile on his face, letting Gen hear his beautiful voice. This was a safe place. For the both of them. He had been through so much, turning himself to the young man before her, singing for her (Gen's) benefit. A personal concert from one friend to another in their time of need. He truly cared. Tadashi's eyes shifted from purple to mostly red as he went, carrying on so easily and powerfully without being too loud in the space. He didn't need to belt out as if he was in front of a crowd, the audience was of one- who happened to be his playing partner. The lack of people present did not take away from the heart in every word he sang, he embodied the lyrics and personified them for Gen to feel in her heart.

The smile on his face, the conviction in his voice and how light he was. This was a whole new person in front of Gen. No one else knew him like this. From the downtrodden boy in her past, to this individual living with his scars and living passionately. During the last chorus, he looked to Gen as light peaked into the room. This beautiful intimate moment just between the both of them, with Tadashi making himself vulnerable through his music and Gen to do so as well if she pleased. But he didn't expect that, this was for her sake. She didn't need to be strong here with him, she could be herself. He would be her light for her when she was dark, like when she was for him. Things were on a head to come full circle between them.

When the song was over, Tadashi gently exhaled and smiled to Gen- hoping she liked playing with him. At last, he'd reach for his tea which was more than cool enough to drink. He was giving Gen a bit of time before he spoke, not one to hog conversations for his own voice. "That's one of my favorite songs. I'm glad I got to play it for you- with you. You're always welcome in here, you don't need to say or explain anything. If there's anything you need of me, I'll be here. I won't hesitate." Tadashi set his cup down, satisfied that their musical therapy session had made some sort of progress withGen. He would be ready for whatever she wanted. More music, a walk, dinner, conversation, late night cartoons- anything. It's what friends were for.
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xxxxxxxxThe atmosphere at the Kim household was suffocating because too much was going on for Devone to really handle. Everyone was quiet about Chey, her bodyguards had a poke of fun at her about Ryou, her ex-boyfriend Hiro had visited unexpectedly and she was preparing to go out with someone from the school later that night to fulfill her Kris Kringle obligation. She couldn't remember the last time she had attended a social event because someone asked her to and not because of business and it would be a lie to say she wasn't feeling uneasy about it. She was but she couldn't really verbalize it so she settled for what any wealthy teenage girl might turn to. Retail therapy. "Goro, prepare the car. I need to get out of here." Sitting around and waiting for nightfall was not her style and she had no work left on her desk to keep her occupied. Her emotions were driving her insane and she needed a diversion.

xxxxDevone didn't really set out with a plan when she arrived at the mall. Her outfit teased her curves and features but remained a little classy. Her black heels click-clacked, her hips swayed in her tightly fitted red skirt, and her long black hair flowed gracefully down along her back. Despite her inner turmoil, she was confident in the way she carried herself and garnered some attention from the opposite gender as she sashayed past them. "Kim-san?" She looked over her shoulder hearing someone call out to her. The last thing she expected was another social encounter at such an ordinary place. "Doing some shopping for that ridiculous gift exchange as well?" Devone spun around, face-to-face with the female senior class president she had been fortunate enough you could say to run into now and then given their different attitudes towards school. Shiori's choice of clothing was different from hers, conservative and covering as much skin as possible. Her lavender sundress and deep violet jacket while fitted, were not tight enough to show the curves that Devone had on display. It was on the cutesy side but suited her classmate she had to admit. "Kitogawa-san, funny seeing you here." Funny in the sense of how unusual and coincidental it was. She was definitely not laughing because it meant that she would have met up with 2 classmates in one day and 2 was one too many. She wasn't used to this at all. The last time she saw that many classmates outside of school were back when she had friends.

xxxxShe also wasn't sure how to answer the question. Ryou's requested gift was her presence later that night for some unknown occasion and it sounded awkward out loud. She wasn't even sure if Shiori would believe that considering both her and Ryou's demeanors to keep to themselves. They had started to make the rounds in the school rumor mill but meeting outside of school together suggested there was more going on. Devone didn't know if she wanted to imply that there was more going on. She barely even understood what was going on, to begin with. "More or less." She replied with a closed eyes smile. "So you find it ridiculous as well?" She asked a bit curious at the class president's description of a school-related task. It wasn't what she expected to hear from the lips of someone so studious but being studious in itself didn't mean everything about the school was fantastic she supposed.

xxxx"I've finished that work I offered to take off your hands, I can either email it or we can meet up before class on Monday, but I was hoping to find a way to pass things off seamlessly." Devone tapped her cheek in thought because she had almost completely forgotten about the assignment. It wasn't high on her priorities but it was good to know that it was taken care of and out of the way. "Email is preferable. I do like to look over things before submission and I'm sure it would be easier for someone in your position. Save paper while we're at it." She said lightheartedly, somewhat accustomed to the process. It wasn't often that Devone would actually devote time to take her studies seriously. It wasn't like she ever failed a grade to cause concern and there were other matters that stole her attention quite often. Although, it was peculiar the lengths Shiori was willing to go through when she stepped in to diffuse the situation with Harigae-san. She didn't peg the girl for being tight on money. The Kitogawas were well off in that department. So, what did Shiori hope to gain from her? Devone was naturally skeptical of any act that resembled kindness without a price. There was only one way to find out really and it would take time. Conveniently, she had a lot of time on her hands right now until nightfall.

xxxx"Since we're both here and shopping, allow me to show my gratitude for your efforts. Starting with those shoes, perhaps?" Devone was perceptive, noticing the girl's discomfort quite quickly. Shiori had done well keeping her composure but from one girl in heels to another, it was discernible. "There's a really cute and popular brand here. I'm sure you'll find something to go with your current outfit. I know we aren't here to shop for ourselves but we can't go far like that. We'll walk around and browse as much as we want after. " Devone's voice was friendly and accommodating. She sounded a lot like she did back when she did have a normal social life and friends to go out with. Deep down, however, it hurt her to revisit those days and she had to keep reminding herself that the pleasantries were fake. This was all fake. "Let's go, I know the way." Devone motioned for Shiori to walk with her and lead the way to the bustling store that targeted the upper class with designer shoes, bags, and other luxury items. Although the store was busy, very few in the store were there to buy. Most people in the store were just inside to admire and gawk at the price. Stepping inside, Devone already had her eyes set on the prize as she located a pair of strappy sandals. She picked up the display and enthusiastically showed them to Shiori. "How about this pair? It's violet, comfortable, and goes well with a sundress." Typically, the salespeople of the store were not keen on customers picking up the displays due to the price but they made an exception for the girls seeing as they did appear to be of the upper class and able to afford it. "What do you think? We could keep looking.." Devone was so used to shopping and touching everything she wanted that she was oblivious to the exception and general rule of thumb. She behaved a lot like a child let loose in Willy Wonka's factory but behind those eyes, she was devoid of joy. The more she behaved this way, the more she tasted the bitter memories of failed fake friendships but she had to keep going. She had to find out and prove what the class president really wanted from her while she had the chance. Only then would her curiosity be sated and she could relax again.

Popularity +1 Shiori

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Chase wasn't a mind reader but he didn't need to be to see that Tsukiko was also changed after the events of last night. His usually daring, bold and flirtatious friend was blushing and self-conscious. The red tint on her cheeks and her restless amber hues a dead giveaway between friends who used to be very comfortable with each other. The closer he advanced towards her while recalling the night, the more Tsukiko appeared to tremble from her lips to her fingers gripping the bedsheet. Thumb over her lips, he could feel the trembling for himself and it wasn't stopping. The longer he lingered, the more Tsukiko reacted nervously. Chase didn't know what to make of it. It never occurred to him that she would be so affected by a kiss. He wasn't in denial about the effect it had on him but he was prioritizing her by trying to figure her out and if he had done anything wrong.

"I'm...I'm sorry. I didn't mean to put you in a situation like that..."

He removed his thumb and lowered his hand to the bed to let her speak freely and listened patiently. In all their years of friendship, he couldn't remember the last time Tsukiko apologized like that and in such a serious way. It wasn't their first party and they had attended some pretty wild ones together. As members of the entertainment industry, partying was almost essential as a way to build and maintain connections and celebrate success. They had seen and partaken in their fair share of silly party games too. This just happened to be the... first time they crossed the line. As far as their show of affection went, they had always been affectionate maybe even over the standard but they were just both affectionate people, friends. They hugged, they kissed on the cheek a few times, they held hands and called each other sweet nicknames like, 'Ku‘uipo', 'Aein' and it was all fine and dandy so long as nobody got hurt like significant others. They had a mutual understanding of the generously sized comfort zone within their friendship and it had never been challenged until now. Neither of them was acting the same or undisturbed over a fleeting, delicate, tender kiss on the lips...

"It must have been a lot of pressure, especially as we were drinking."

He thought he heard Tsukiko's breath hitching in her throat before she laughed a little. Chase let her words seep in as he watched her form quiver in front of him. He still didn't know what to think because he'd never seen her behave this way before. He always aimed to make and keep people happy around him. When he promised her they would have the time of their lives, he meant it but this outcome wasn't what he had in mind. He was confused. What should I do? What should I say? Chase's blue eyes looked away as he took a few seconds to gather his resolve. Tsukiko decided not to ignore what happened and bring it up. He owed her a response. If she wasn't going to ignore or dismiss the situation, then he wouldn't either. It would only be rude to and he cared more than enough to not run away.

"It wasn't your fault. You know how... parties can be." He touched his chin thoughtfully, struggling to think and process the right words when he was still recovering from a hangover. "Hmm.." His hand moved upward from his chin so that his index finger rested over his lips and he shut one eye as a sharp pain hit him on that side of his head. This is difficult. Why won't the medicine kick in already? It wasn't a conversation that could wait and be postponed until their hangovers had passed. Putting off the difficult topic might make it worse. Tsukiko was already shaken up and he didn't want to leave her and their relationship in that state to worsen over a longer period of time. "I was the one who made the first move and if you say... sorry then.." He gazed into her eyes and felt drawn in, his body moving on its own as his lips parted slightly in the middle of talking. He was about to kiss her, again. It was like a craving, a temptation, an awakened impulse. They were so close together alone on her bed in minimal clothing so the setting was perfect to be intimate.

However, he reigned himself in that he shouldn't and changed course. Chase instead lowered his head to lean on her shoulder, nuzzling her bare neck acting exhausted. --then it means I made a mistake. He finished his sentence in the safety of his unreadable mind. "Don't be sorry, Tsukiko.. okay?" Chase exhaled and wrapped his arms around her like he had many times before as a friend, gently rubbing her back in an attempt to comfort her and ease her trembling. He could feel her heart hammering in her chest against his own but he wouldn't say anything about it. He didn't want to lose her so he pulled her close before the distance could grow. "It was a lot of pressure but it's over now. We'll be okay. I'm here for you." He relied on what she said about pressure and decided to agree. He'd say anything to make her feel better again. He just didn't know what she wanted to hear.

"I don't need one."

From his confused expression to his answer, Rhys' response to her offering to be his wing-woman earned a chuckle. The fact that neither Rhys nor Shiori seemed to notice their chemistry amused her quite a bit and a smirk soon followed, "Sure, sure~♫" Akira practically sang, clearly entertained by his answer, her mood brightening back up considerably. It wasn't her place to meddle, but she definitely couldn't help seeing that more was going on than simple friendship. Where it would go was anyone's guess, still, she couldn't resist teasing them whenever she got the chance, These two are adorable, they're so clueless. Akira mused, her smirk widening a bit. They certainly were fun to tease, that much was certain.

"I just need you to be.. you."

"I mean, there are a few rumors, so I suppose I could believe you." Akira continued her trail of thought before completely registering what he had said next. It felt like it was best to not think too far into that last bit. Letting her arms swing back and forth casually, Akira shifted closer to the hoop they were going to use for their game of horse. It was equal parts to dispel the nervous energy she was feeling and to loosen up her muscles a bit for the next round of their seemingly endless competition. It was... how was she even supposed to respond to that? Wracking her brain, Akira just grinned, "I don't know how to be anything else." Brushing it off, not allowing herself to overthink anything seemed most beneficial, it kept things simple. As simple as it could be, given the circumstances, at least.

"Oi! Y-You know I wouldn't have... if I had known."

Though it didn't last, All was better in Akira's mind the moment she saw how he responded to being called a pervert, a Cheshire grin forming on Akira's face, "Hahahaha! I dunno~ I've heard some stuffff on you, Reese..." Akira teased further, purposefully taking care to not go into much detail. This was normal, what they did before she told him the truth, and it helped return the heaviness to a more manageable situation. Well, for her, she wasn't even sure how the teasing made her friends feel. It was all in good fun, at least, that is what she hoped.

"And what do you mean too bad you're not...? Fuck, do I need to say that I am straight?"

Referring to the rumors about him and Sora, given the pool and the azure haired boy's knack for drawing attention every other time he's found with Rhys, "I support you, either way, ~" she continued dismissively, waving her free hand as she held the ball, nearly crying from held back laughter. It was too fun to lean into the rumors, regardless of what she had observed between him and Shiori, or her support for the two. Rhys' reactions made it too sweet to stop poking fun at him, but there was a game to get to, and she was determined to beat him at least once!

"Never."

Her rival's response to her jab that he might now be afraid to play, lest she wins the next game made her feel better, as she was concerned her gender would slap on an undesired handicap. It did not always happen, but it did on occasion, Not afraid to lose to a girl? Good. As long as he doesn't start throwing games... this seems to be fine, better than I ever could have expected. the mere thought made her pout a bit. Her brother and his friends never let Akira win, ever. Her competitive streak was nurtured over the years as a result of having to keep up with guys her entire life, but hatred of losing just came naturally. Having someone purposefully lose, felt more like Akira had lost in the end. Being faced with kid gloves, it was a handicap she never wanted, "Good, I'd have to kick your ass if you started going easy on me." She mumbled a bit, passing him the ball when his hand extended for it.

"I'm shooting behind my back."

Nodding, Akira began to chew on the inside of her cheek. She'd done that shot before, she wasn't a stranger to this game, it was her suggestion after all, but it wasn't a shot she had a high success rate with. Maybe it was her stature working against her, or she just wasn't great with her consistency, Akira wasn't sure as she was bad enough at math and science especially. As things stood, Akira was a little nervous about attempting the shot, but she didn't plan to back down or complain. This game was her idea and there was no room for excuses. She would do her best, and that was all there was to it. She hated people who made excuses all of the time for their lack of knowledge or skill, she was a shit student, but she owned it. What was the point of lying about it?

Trying to blame others or circumstances for failure was only an excuse to not better oneself, and Akira...she wanted to become the best version of herself. She didn't have money or fame to lean on, just her character. She wasn't the smartest girl in the room, or the girliest, she didn't want to be, what mattered most to Akira was how a person treats other people, especially when they think that no one is looking. Anyone could pretend to be nice for a reputation boost. With the shot in mind, if anything, Akira only made the shot about half of the time, maybe a little more or less, "Show off~" She rolled her eyes playfully after he made the shot, shaking her head. She was a good sport, one of the many things her parents had instilled in their children from a young age, and she felt by remaining one, it honored their values. Everyone hates losing, but what matters is how one responds to losses. Inspiration to do better, learning material. As bitter as it was, as much as she wanted to win, each loss was a lesson, so she clapped her hands at his successful shot.

"Your turn."

Swinging her hands to shake off some of her nerves, Akira retrieved the ball. Waving her left hand in a 'shoo' motion, Akira waited for Rhys to surrender the spot he shot from. Running her free hand through her hair, Akira closed her eyes. She wasn't going to let her grandmother and her teasing throw her game off again. Refusing to let anything mess with her head this game, Akira did her best to clear it, like she practiced the few times she volunteered at the local dojo. Taking the ball in both hands for a moment, she attempted to push her focus onto it. To picture a successful shot. Peering over her shoulder one time, to ensure her body angle was correct, Akira faced forward, the hoop to the back of her head. Then she just went for it, for better or worse. It felt like the shot went in slow motion, but Akira let out a breath she didn't realize she had been holding when the ball edged the rim and fell inside.

Retrieving the ball, Akira bounced it a few times, "Since we both made it... how about a reverse layup next?" Akira smiled almost ear to ear. It was one of her favorite shots, one of the ones that she practiced the most, and one that she was less likely to fail. As they both had made the shot, it was her turn to decide after all, and so she took off toward the baseline, dribbling the ball until it was time to prepare for her shot. Scooping up the ball a little later than one normally would for a regular layup, with a flick of her wrist Akira drove the ball into the air and subsequently, the hoop. That shot always boosted her confidence, even if it probably looked a little funny with her modest height. It wasn't that she thought the shot would be difficult for Rhys, it was just one she had a lot more experience with. There we go. Back to burning off steam. As things should be.

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Haruhi seemed to know his half brother/half-cousin better than he ever could within the span of a few measly minutes. Koichi was practically a stranger to Sora with how much time had been spent apart. Sora didn't understand as quickly as her, what Koichi wanted to achieve, and by what lengths. He listened to her every word with eager ears and his brain ticking away like clockwork. She knew Koichi's motive, methods, and weakness deducted from a single introduction. She also knew exactly what Sora should do if he wanted to win. That knowledge came so naturally to her what would take Sora days, weeks, months maybe even forever to conclude.

”You’re something else... I said that in case it would surprise you. It is difficult for me to ask you if you are okay with something in front of an audience... but I’ll do my best to act natural~"

Sora double blinked as Haruhi explained her initial intention in telling him to act natural. He nodded, allowing her to laugh at his misinterpretation just satisfied to know better. "It surprised me a little. Although I am not used to affectionate gestures, it doesn't affect me greatly. I can still function normally." He responded with his honest thought on the matter. Sora had never experienced the 'butterflies in the stomach' feeling and the other sensations of having a crush. He could recognize attractive people and attractive qualities but he still had a long way to go in terms of developing his emotional maturity. Instead, he advanced and exceeded intellectually. That world was much simpler and more reasonable to him which served as a comfort.

“Ready when you are.”

Sora observed as his girlfriend for the night prepared herself for the rest of the evening. She was tossed into this family mess of his but she had the confidence to take on the world. He sighed aloud, feeling freer than usual to express himself in that room of two. He could breathe again, the pain in his chest alleviated. Sora stood up and walked over to Haruhi, looking her over in case she missed anything while she was fussing with her appearance. He noticed a few strands in disarray and tucked them gently behind her ear with his fingertips while complimenting her. "You're so smart. You can understand people so quickly.." He stared into her eyes with great admiration then whispered more to himself than her. "I can't." He closed his eyes and sighed again because he had always avoided and run away from his family. Now he was confronted, cornered, and forced to face it one way or another. It was really not his idea of the perfect weekend or date.

"But I have to change." He admitted. Sora learned that running was not the answer. He had never run from anything else. As difficult as this obstacle was, he had to face it the same as anything else. He had taken school beatings without hesitation and he needed that same courage and strength to stand up for what he believed in even facing off his own flesh and blood. They were just people too and they didn't have to get in Sora's way. He had to learn and to grow. He had depended on his uncle and the maids to baby him long enough. He wanted to become a man, a man that could compare to Haruhi's smarts and strength. Staying as he was, he would always be inadequate. He opened his eyes again, the blue hues sharper. "I'm ready."

He offered Haruhi his arm to hold while he led the way back to reception. The same waiter stood there who had previously asked them for their reservations. This time, Sora spoke first and gave a different name from his uncle's. "Reservation for Harigae, Sora." The waiter nodded and directed them to take the lift to the upper floor. After thanking the waiter, he led Haruhi inside the lift and pressed the button to close the doors. Alone again and on their way up, he informed her more about the situation. "Are you familiar with the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant crisis demonstration in Tokyo on the 24th of October 2010? That's when it all began." He swallowed as a lump formed in his throat. Haruhi wasn't family and what he was about to tell her, shamed them all. "Mass media became known as masu-gomi (mass garbage) because the reports were inaccurate or simply wrong. Hizumi, Kazuo a journalist turned lawyer wrote a book with a theory that a complex network of institutions, such as elite bureaucrats, judiciary, education system, law enforcement, and large corporations, all of whom stand to gain from maintaining the status quo, shapes the mass media and communication in a way that controls Japanese politics and discourages critical thinking..." Sora turned to look at her to check she was listening and understanding. "My family is that network and that's why... I hate to lie."

The elevator doors dinged and opened to reveal the upper floor. It was time to press on. He didn't know what Haruhi thought of him and his family now and if it would change anything but his mind had been made up. He was not running away this time. The family reunion had already started as the doors were closed but he opened them up himself. The doors screeched and banged against the walls upon impact. The attendees were plentiful and eyed them both at the late and loud entrance. Sora could see Koichi standing at the front with a microphone midway through a speech. "Makasete da-rin (Leave it to me, darling)." Sora said softly to Haruhi, patting her hand and helping her locate a seat next to his uncle Kenta before letting go and making a beeline for the front, adjusting his tie to look more professional. He would have felt better with Haruhi by his side but this was his responsibility to live up to. Koichi scoffed into the microphone as people around started to whisper and gossip, none of them able to recognize Sora as the last time they had seen him he was a very young boy. He might as well have been dead. One of the elderly Harigaes seated at the table next to Kenta's was angered by the intrusion, stood up from his seat, and addressed it. "Just who are you to think you can waltz right in here?! We're in the middle of a very important family meeting!" Kenta Harigae was about to stand up and defend his nephew but Sora turned around and beat him to the punch. "Harigae, Sora. The legitimate son of Harigae, Hoka!" Sora proclaimed, hand on heart and fire in his eyes. It was like the ground shook at that moment. Nobody knew what would happen next.

Stat Summary
+1 Charm +1 Popularity[Haruhi]

As his hand returned to the bed, Tsukiko took a quiet breath in. It made it a bit easier to think, she didn't blame Chase for the situation, hell, she didn't even blame herself. It was a party, things got out of hand, it was bound to happen sometime. Honestly, it was a huge surprise that it never had in the past, it was probably a miracle or just dumb luck, but the fact was that it did happen last night and she was unable to forget it. She could remember a lot of issues in their friendship over the years. Insecure partners that didn't understand their special brand of friendship, paparazzi drama, running from the police after a wild party, and each had their own personal issues with family and the like, but they always got through it. Nothing they had been through together had been nearly this tough for her to navigate. She felt like she was grasping at straws, and she was terrified of losing her best friend, well, her only friend. She wasn't an easy person to get along with given how she held a general hatred toward other girls, how she had to be the center of attention with guys, Tsukiko was a handful that most wouldn't want to touch with a ten-foot pole. While she was a generous spender when it came to her paramours, she was pretty needy in regards to affection and attention, starved for it really.

It was a problem, her behavior, it was risky, she knew that. Tsukiko wasn't entirely proud of herself for how she behaved, but it filled a void she couldn't address, one that was too painful to admit she even had. Rather than talking about it, healing, Tsukiko chose to drown it out with parties, with guys, even if none of it ever lasted, even if she wasn't interested in the guy at all aside from him being a distraction from her pain. It wasn't healthy, but it was working, more or less. She didn't have to face the real issue as long as she kept her loneliness well fed. However, this time, it wasn't simple. If things got too real, if she felt herself even remotely catching feelings, Tsukiko would drop a guy just as fast as she plucked them out of a crowd and she felt no remorse doing it. Chase wasn't someone she could simply discard like that. Even if she could, she wouldn't be able to move on about her day as if nothing happened. She would feel guilty, and in all honesty, she didn't want to do it.

This was hard on Chase as well, Tsukiko knew that. He was a people pleaser, he always put others first, to a fault, she often would scold him for it, but it never changed anything. It was who Chase was, and honestly, it was part of the reason he was so difficult, why he was such a threat to her version of the status quo. He's...always been too nice. Like... No! Don't think about him. You can't. Tsukiko harshly reprimanded herself as her thoughts dared to veer to her relationship with Makoto. While Chase was his own person, the two boys were both insanely kind, understanding, warm. Makoto wasn't ridiculously attractive like Chase, she'd met him before her time as an idol, but they had that much in common. Enough to trip her up like this, to dredge up the painful memories and trauma that kept her from ever having a meaningful relationship, meaningful friendships, or anything worth true value really.

"It wasn't your fault. You know how... parties can be."

Nodding ever so slightly, Tsukiko agreed. Parties were their own entity, and it was unpredictable what turn a party would take. They were volatile, and they quickly got out of control in the wrong hands, or the right ones, depending on one's perception and tastes. As she saw his facial features tighten, Tsukiko noted he was still struggling with his hangover. This was horrible timing, the conversation should have happened later, when they were both prepared, less hungover, but it had already begun. Shutting it down now, it didn't feel like an option, she wasn't sure what would happen to them... but it also felt like it would do them no service to not be at one hundred percent.

"I was the one who made the first move and if you say... sorry then.."

He's going to apologize... it isn't his fault either though. It was impossible circumstances! This is a mess... Tsukiko thought to herself, torn from her thoughts as he grew ever closer, much like the night before. Her body froze, her heart beating so hard she thought it might explode if their lips did happen to make contact. Wetting her lips, her breath hitched again in her nerves. The thought of kissing again wasn't unpleasant, she wanted to do it as well. Chase wasn't alone in that regard, as much as real intimacy terrified her she wanted the same thing, but she knew she shouldn't. Couldn't. It would only make things messier, make her relationship with Chase harder, it would complicate her friendship in ways she didn't feel she was ready for. She wasn't girlfriend material for a nice guy like Chase, she would only hurt him. She wasn't equipped to be a 'good' girlfriend. He was too good for her in every way. Still, logic was not in the room, so Tsukiko closed her eyes. She was the farthest thing from a model of self-control. She was impulsive, selfish, childish, so it came as a relief when Chase shut the moment down, as she didn't have the discipline to do so herself, or the heart. The last thing she wanted to do was reject him in such a delicate moment, but it felt like either choice would damage things. If she pursued this with him, she would undoubtedly hurt him, she was no good, a flirt and a tease. She enjoyed attention of men far too much, she was hardly ever faithful to her 'boyfriends' after Makoto, purposefully choosing bad boys because it was easier to do as she liked. They seldom cared what she did, and if they did, it was for their pride or reputation, not because they genuinely cared for her. Chase...he cared too much, too deeply... and she would surely make mistakes that would rip him apart. She would ruin it. It was the only thing she knew how to do.

"Don't be sorry, Tsukiko.. okay?"

The hug was too reassuring, Tsukiko felt unsanctioned tears sliding down her cheeks. The girl seldom cried, but she was so relieved, and his embrace was too comforting, her emotions got the best of her. She was sorry, regardless of his reassurance that she had done nothing wrong. He was too good, too nice. She didn't deserve him, even as a friend. How in the world did she get so lucky to have such a person in her life? Even as a friend, she felt unworthy of the person holding her. As much as she wanted to say something, to reassure him too, there was a knot in her throat. She couldn't get words out through her tears, so she simply returned his embrace, her long slender fingers releasing the sheets to wrap her arms around him. With one in his hair and the other shoulder blade, Tsukiko clung on tightly, as if he might fade away if she let up even a little.

"It was a lot of pressure but it's over now. We'll be okay. I'm here for you."

Biting her bottom lip and releasing it, Tsukiko let out a weak laugh, "Me too." she agreed. It was scary, they'd pushed beyond her comfort zone, but she couldn't let go of him. He was too important. She knew she wasn't being fair. She had kissed back that night, hadn't tried to shut it down... She had been feeling a kind of way for some time but lied to herself that it was normal. I'm the worst... how could I catch feelings... He deserves a lot better.

Tsukiko reminded herself. She ruined one amazing guy, she wasn't going to let herself destroy another one, "O-Oh, we should go back to the mall. I have some shopping to do for my Kris Kringle, and well, Christmas in general. The bathroom is over there. I'll grab you something to wear." Tsukiko stammered, trying to get them out of the current atmosphere. If they were among people again, perhaps they could start putting what happened behind them that much quicker.

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It came to Shiori's attention as well just how different her own attire was to that of Devone's choice. It did not shake Shiori's confidence, she chose the clothes she did because they made her feel good, but she had to admit that the outfit the other girl was wearing complimented her body quite well. Devone, despite having a similar, if not much worse, reputation than her, was undeniably a beauty. Shiori wasn't equipped to give a seamless compliment however, she was much too awkward for it. It made her nervous, and when she grew nervous she oft said hurtful things. This was not something she intended to let happen. She needed the company, female energy, and there was none to be found at home. Kazuhiko would not make the situation better. He would either be amused or want to fight Kazuki, neither of which would lift Shiori's spirits. Running her knuckle over her lips, the petite girl let out a soft sigh. She was a bit out of breath, rattled, and admittedly nervous.

They had gone to school together long enough for Shiori to know that Devone had a sharp tongue of her own that she wasn't afraid to unleash if someone was bothering her. Still, something about Devone made her want to try, she couldn't place her finger on it, but she felt something she didn't feel with the other girls at school. It was hard to describe, but she was drawn to the equally dark-haired female. Maybe her soul sensed something that she couldn't? Regardless of her reasoning, Shiori felt compelled to reach out. If friendship was possible for the two of them, she wanted to try. It wasn't often that Shiori went out of her own way, to stick her neck out, but there was a first time for everything.

"Kitogawa-san, funny seeing you here."

It was a pretty big coincidence, Shiori did not leave the house often. Kazuhiko did the bulk of the shopping, she only left when she had a specific errand, and in this case it was the Kris Kringle event. Kazuki had been an intentional meet-up, but this was the first time she had ran into a classmate outside of school by chance. She didn't spend enough time outside of the Kitogawa estate prior to moving out, but now she was slowly being drawn out for this or that, "It certainly isn't an ideal place to be, in my humble opinion. Malls are certainly noisy, but I'm here for... Shiori's eyes averted for a second, darting as she tried to settle on what to call it. It wasn't personal, she had no personal connections with Kazuki, Business, I suppose you could call it.

"More or less. So you find it ridiculous as well?"

This earned an exhausted sigh, "I was given the task of finding something for one Miyamoto, Kazuki. It couldn't be any more ridiculous than that. Though the notion of giving a random classmate a gift is strange in itself. It's not like we are all friends because we share a class." Shiori stated bluntly, but in more of a matter-of-fact manner than a rude one. To Shiori, this was fact, it made no sense to give gifts to someone that you had no meaningful relationship. Hell, if it was business-related at least, she would understand, but she never once interacted with Kazuki before the gift exchange results were delivered. It was nonsense that brought her nothing but drama and a bad taste in her mouth.

"Email is preferable. I do like to look over things before submission and I'm sure it would be easier for someone in your position. Save paper while we're at it."

Nodding her head, Shiori retrieved her phone from a small purse she held, "I prefer email as well, documents can be lost or ruined in a number of ways, email is more reliable. I don't blame you for checking one's work, my partner was useless." It didn't insult Shiori to know that Devone would look over it, she would be more concerned if the girl simply turned in the work without any suspicion. People...were cruel. Her own mother made sure that she understood that from a very young age.

"Since we're both here and shopping, allow me to show my gratitude for your efforts. Starting with those shoes, perhaps?"

So Devone's offer to reward her in some way earned a quirk of her brow. It wasn't necessary, but she wasn't going to turn down the offer to accompany her. A gift on the other hand... Shiori did not plan to accept. The heiress still had access to her family's money despite moving out of the family home. I don't need a gift, I was just trying to be nice... was that unclear? I mean I'm not exactly the best at saying what I mean, so perhaps something was lost in translation. Besides, who knows, perhaps she would find something for the people she had in mind other than Kazuki. She was making friends, as such, she had some gifts to buy for those individuals as well, even if they couldn't get her anything in return. In fact, receiving nothing in return was favored, she felt more comfortable giving gifts than receiving them.

"There's a really cute and popular brand here. I'm sure you'll find something to go with your current outfit. I know we aren't here to shop for ourselves but we can't go far like that. We'll walk around and browse as much as we want after. "

There was no way for Shiori to deduce that she was being tested, but it kind of benefited the Kitogawa heiress to be the way that she was, at least where Devone was concerned. Shiori did not feel comfortable accepting gifts, so her classmate was not going to be pleased with the outcome of their trip for shoes. While Shiori did not possess money that she had earned with her own two hands, she preferred not to take from others. Her parents instilled within her from early childhood that being greedy while having so much already was not becoming.

"Let's go, I know the way."

With that in mind, Shiori followed along, she did need to change her shoes after all. She chose them with not having a lot of walking in mind, she never planned to still be at the mall. In Shiori's gameplan, she would have been there no longer than it would take to walk to a shop Kazuki liked, checkout, and then she could be home. It did not go as planned, that was evident by her throbbing feet. Running in heels was never a good idea, but walking barefoot in the store was disgusting. The floors were surely not adequately cleaned given the daily foot traffic. She was above it,and thus she accepted the discomfort. Looking around the store, she deduced that she and Devone at least had very similar taste in footwear. While she had no intention of letting her classmate buy her anything, she genuinely gave the sandals a look.

"How about this pair? It's violet, comfortable, and goes well with a sundress."

She had to agree. Sandals were very comfortable, and they were a cute, simple alternative to her pinchy heels. Writing off the fact that no one interrupted the two of them to the expensive brands they already wore, or that they were recognized by the ladies working there, Shiori didn't feel uncomfortable that Devone plucked up one of the displays, as she was doing the same. The heiress was not accustomed to the word 'no' or others questioning her during her shopping. Either they knew who she was or they could at least sense she was an elite of Japan by how she held herself, how she dressed.

"What do you think? We could keep looking.."

This was favorable, her mother often advised to look at three items before purchasing to ensure you aren't being too hasty and do not overspend. After looking, Shiori waved over one of the women working the floor, asking fo the first pair that Devone had pointed out, and a pair of simple suede flats. It wasn't very sensible giving the weather was growing colder, but it wasn't like she spent much time outdoors. She would hail another taxi, she seldom walked anywhere. Retrieving her card tied to her trust fund, Shiori paid for her own shoes, "No offense intended toward your genorosity, Kim-san. I prefer to buy my own things, it's nothing personal. Your gratitude is enough." she explained. Switching into the sandals to honor Devone's suggestion, she stood, "Now shall we get the dreadful responsibility the school has given us over with?" Shiori inquired, smiling a bit. A gold digger Devone would not find here. I've...never gone shopping like this with another girl before... It's kind of fun.

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The day began normally for the Himewari family, but Kaori was still high strung from the day before as she was still unsure about who sent that annoying text to Rocco. It wasn't a huge deal, they were in a fake relationship, an aquarium visit as a 'gift' was pretty tame. It didn't even really require doing anything particularly couply anyway... but that wasn't the point, this was a matter of principle.

To make matters worse, her father had the bright idea of going out as a family. There was a traitor amongst them and he wanted to hang out and pretend someone hadn't invaded her privacy? Kaori suspected one of the twins, but she couldn't figure out which one was the culprit. They couldn't be trusted, they were always playing childish pranks. She didn't know what her father saw in them, why he wanted them in the first place. Unaware of her own adoption, Kaori was lacking in the sympathy department, she found her new siblings to be more of a burden than anything else, that she wasn't enough for her father, that she was lacking so he needed 'replacements'.

Grabbing her coat, Kaori felt the immense dread already washing over her. They weren't even out the door and she was already done with her father's idea of a 'fun family event'. No such thing existed in their family. They weren't family. The twins were outsiders, at least to Kaori. She refused to accept the children that turned her world even further upside down. She despised them, almost as much as she hated Kei.

The drive was awkwardly quiet, aside from the annoying chatter between Naoki and Naomi. They were quiet enough, but Kaori had zero tolerance where the twins were involved, regardless of how unfair her hatred for them truly was. They had not done anything to earn it, at least not as Kei had, yet they were treated in a very similar manner.

Kaito on the other hand was just about to be on his way out when he was approached by the Himewari family, whom he did not know. The father greeted him kindly, which was odd, because if he had any relationship with the girl in front of him, he didn't know it. She looked a bit familiar, but he wasn't really acquainted with any of his classmates all that well, so it was anyone's guess why they approached him. Kaito sure as hell had no fucking idea, until he was addressed verbally.

"Funny running into you again, Blake-san!" The father cheerfully stated, turning a light on inside of Kaito's brain. So, he was being mistaken for Akira, well, that made a lot more sense. His sister was the more approachable twin, that much was evident before even speaking to them, but Kaito decided he would play along.

Laughing awkwardly, he raised his hand to wave as they came close enough to not shout. He recognized the girl as someone who was often found with Rocco between classes. A girlfriend perhaps? It was possible, but he wasn't going to bank on it given how flirtatious his most recent enemy was. Regardless of what she was to him, it did make bumping into her outside of school a lot more interesting than his previous company. As deplorable as this place was, perhaps he would stay at the amusement park for just a bit longer.

"Wait a second, this isn-" Kaori began, recognizing Kaito as the boy that nearly fought Rocco during the group assignment. However, before she could out his true identity, a pale index finger pressed to her lips, Kaito winking at the small girl. It was a signal to keep her mouth shut, he wasn't about to let the girl ruin his fun, "It isn't a surprise, Himewari-san told me that she was going to be here. I just happen to live closer so I arrived first. Kaito lied seamlessly, his smile not too hard to fake given his genuine amusement in the current situation.

Kaori on the other hand brushed his hand away, frowning a little. He might have looked like Akira, enough for the two of them to be brothers, but the two boys behaved nothing alike. Kaito made her feel uncomfortable whereas with Akira she was mostly at ease, despite her worries about being too vulnerable with others. Either way, the way that Kaori saw it, the boy standing before her was as good of an opportunity to escape her family for the evening, as any. She could always ditch him immediately after and catch a cab to take her home. So, instead of calling out that Kaito was practically Akira's doppelganger, it was like a bad sci-fi movie.

Nodding her head, Kaori gave her father her best pleading eyes, who reluctantly relented to his eldest's big brown eyes, as he often did, "Fine, fine. Have fun you two..." the older man chuckled, ushering the twins along, but not before they already had wide, satisfied grins on their faces, as if they had just been let in on a juicy secret.

Alone for the first time, albeit in a highly crowded place, the two were left simply staring at one another. Kaori's arms were crossed whilst Kaito adopted a more confident stance. With his hands in his pockets, arms loose and relaxed, he smirked down at her, "I was almost certain you were going to ruin the fun. You've got the look for it." Kaito teased her, ruffling up her feathers even further by the looks of it. Her cheeks were puffing up and everything.

Scoffing at his reply, Kaori rested her hands on her hips, closed into fists, leaning forward just a little, her sassiness given away in her posture, "I did not do it for you, so don't flatter yourself. The bottom line is that I was looking for an excuse to bail long before you showed up. she retorted.

"Ah... Is that so?" Kaito asked with a quirk of his brow. A wicked idea entering his brain at just the right moment, Kaito seized her by the wrist. Before Kaori could say a word, she found herself being dragged along. Blinking several times in disbelief, she used her free hand to pound her fist into his back, but he was unperturbed by her attack, or the next one, or the next one, Let go!" she snapped at him. He wasn't hurting her, it only hurt when she attempted to dig her heels into the ground to yank her wrist free, but he certainly had his fingers locked, they wouldn't budge at all!

"Are you stupid? Hard of hearing? I said let go! the brunette huffed trying to express her anger in a stern manner. This only made Kaito more amused, "I don't feel like it. You seem to spend a lot of time with that guy, so you're coming with me for a bit." Kaito explained, chuckling once again as she huffed and puffed to no end. He found it cute that she thought she had a choice in all this.

Finally, they arrived at the spot. With Kaori's wrist in his left hand, Kaito used the right to dig into his pocket producing a wad of cash to the man running the Ferris wheel, "You're reserved for the rest of the day. Do not let anyone else on, do not stop the ride, got that?" Kaito ordered as if he owned the entire park. His father did not, but it did not deter his rich boy mentality. The man nodded his head, opening a carriage for the pair to enter. Kaito seizing Kaori's shoulders, ushered her inside, following close behind to ensure any attempts to escape were futile, "You can't be serious! I don't want to be here all day!" the small girl hissed, Kaito finally releasing her now that she effectively had nowhere to go.

Kaori was fuming, panicking, they would be trapped like this for hours! What on Earth was this guy thinking!? He could see her displeasure, but Kaito didn't care. Sitting down casually, as if he had done nothing wrong, he made himself comfortable, "I'd take a seat, you'll be here quite a while. It isn't even dark yet. He reminded her, a mischievous grin on his features.

Begrudgingly sitting across from the ivory haired male, she growled in annoyance, You're a psychopath!. What guy was he even talking about?! She couldn't believe she once found the thought of riding a Ferris wheel with a guy would be romantic. She clearly only attracted the mentally unstable kind. Psychopath? He broke out into laughter at that one. This girl was too much. It's not like he actually planned to do anything to her, well, aside from question her a bit, perhaps poke fun at her a little if he grew bored, but he didn't have harmful or deviant plans for the small brunette. He wasn't a monster, he valued consent and privacy. This didn't turn out as Kaori would have hoped though, it seemed that she was not fated to make it back home any time soon, regardless of her choices. Maybe there was such a thing as Fate and it just hated her.

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"It surprised me a little. Although I am not used to affectionate gestures, it doesn't affect me greatly. I can still function normally."

This made Haruhi's brows furrow. As broken as her own family home was, neither her nor Alexei was left wanting for affection from their parents. Even though they decided to send her to Airdalen instead of paying for Alexei's surgery, they loved their son. Haruhi's parents did what they thought was best for their little family, even though Haruhi did not agree with their decision. As the healthy child, she seemed like a better investment, but in her eyes, a new public school would have been just as good. They loved both of their children, in their way.

The thought of not having that at the ready when she walked through the door made her stomach twist in knots. While she knew home was not always the best place for others, hearing Sora say it so casually was a little heartbreaking, and it kind of brought his personality and behaviors into perspective, especially his tactlessness.

"You're so smart. You can understand people so quickly.."

He didn't have any way of knowing why she had to be able to assess others so quickly, nor could she tell him, but years of running from the Russian side of her family, years in hiding, she was taught by her parents to pay attention to others. People gave away a lot more than they realized, you just had to know where to look. Still, it wasn't quite that, she was basing a lot of her theory on Asian dramas she had seen. Haruhi's Russian family was quite rich, but she was a small child when she was torn away in the dark of night. That world, its politics were lost on her. A little surprised when Sora brushed her hair back, Haruhi's eyes lifted from fussing with her clothes to meet his gaze. His words took her by surprise, she wasn't sure what to say to that. Laughing a bit, feeling awkward herself, Haruhi tried to take his words lightly, "A bit of practice, a bit of theory. I'm not that smart." Haruhi assured him.

With subpar grades and little time to devote to studying, Haruhi did not feel that she was. While there were different kinds of intelligence, not just book smarts, Haruhi didn't feel that she had any particular skill. She was kind of good at a lot of things, but even though both of her parents were ice skaters, they did not believe she was Olympic medalist material. It was a huge blow to her pride, seeing as she always wanted to compete like her parents.

"I can't. But I have to change."

This earned a smile amidst her less than pleasant thoughts, Haruhi nodding in agreement, "There is always room for improvement in ourselves. It's good for us to grow." Smiling when she saw the determination in his eyes, Haruhi was glad that he was recovering from the psychological assault that his brother ambushed him with. Power moves like that... didn't sit right with her. It was a really slimy thing to do, and it was just another bullying tactic. After her own time as a victim of human cruelty, Haruhi detested people who derived pleasure from beating others down whether physically or mentally, it was a sign of a weak person seeking a cheap dose of strength. It never lasted, and more importantly, it wasn't strength at all, it was a clear sign of a defective individual.

"I'm ready."

Accepting the arm of her date for the night, Haruhi made herself cozy, definitely planning to put on more of a show this time around for his family. It was mainly out of spite at this point, but it was also the best way she could show Sora her support. They weren't friends, she didn't know him at all, if they were being frank. The affection she could do, she was trained for it and had a lot of experience selling it, but she didn't know how to comfort him with words. For the night no one needed to be any the wiser, and because they pissed her off, she was more than happy to accept another appointment to maintain the illusion.

"Are you familiar with the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant crisis demonstration in Tokyo on the 24th of October 2010? That's when it all began."

Giving it a moment of thought, Haruhi shook her head. At that time she was not living in Japan at all. Explaining that her family had moved quite a few times over the years to protect themselves from her mother's powerful relatives was a lot more baggage than she was ready to place on anyone's shoulders. It was a lot to take in, a secret she had only shared once, when she was a bit younger, and certainly a lot more naive. Nothing came of it, at least, as far as she knew her secret had been kept... but she felt that it put unnecessary pressure on others. In hindsight, it was a very thoughtless thing to confide in another child, "My family has moved around a lot." well, at least she explained why it didn't ring any bells without lying.

"Mass media became known as masu-gomi (mass garbage) because the reports were inaccurate or simply wrong. Hizumi, Kazuo a journalist turned lawyer wrote a book with a theory that a complex network of institutions, such as elite bureaucrats, judiciary, education system, law enforcement, and large corporations, all of whom stand to gain from maintaining the status quo, shapes the mass media and communication in a way that controls Japanese politics and discourages critical thinking..."

Taking in the information, Haruhi raked her teeth over her bottom lip, sorting through the information he was presenting her with. Business, politics, those things didn't make sense to her, she was honestly in over her head, but she would do her best to keep up, "I think I am following so far." She nodded to him to verify she wasn't entirely lost. The media...regardless of what country she was in, made Haruhi more than a little suspicious, but that was because lying almost always held more benefit, more profit, than telling the truth. Well, at least in the short term, liars often were those who preferred instant gratification, after all.

"My family is that network and that's why... I hate to lie."

Taking a breath in as the elevator signaled it was about to open, Haruhi gathered her resolve. Given her own family history, Haruhi thought nothing of Sora's family, did not judge him for it, because you couldn't punish the child for the parent's crime, "We are our own people, we aren't defined by the mistakes of our family unless we choose to be. If anyone says differently, prove them wrong." Haruhi whispered under her breath. Upon entering the dining area, it took every bit of Haruhi's self-control to not smile at their boisterous arrival. So... what did you do this weekend? she asked herself, a bit taken aback. The arranged date had taken an unexpected turn, becoming quite a bit more intense than she originally anticipated. Was it just the difference between private and public school.

"Makasete da-rin (Leave it to me, darling)."

Finally allowing a smile to grace her glossed lips, Haruhi closed her eyes for a moment, "’не пуха, не пера~’’ [Russian: Ni pukha, ni pira! Literally: ‘neither fluff nor feather’. Similar to 'Break a leg'] Haruhi replied. As Sora left to take care of business, Haruhi took the moment to quietly greet his uncle. Ignoring him or behaving awkwardly would look more suspicious, not to mention it would be rude.

"Just who are you to think you can waltz right in here?! We're in the middle of a very important family meeting!"

Speaking of rude, there was always one in every family, wasn't there? Haruhi held her tongue, rolling it behind her teeth. This wasn't her fight, she was already in over her head. She had crossed many lines already by speaking her mind so freely, her disrespect to Koichi, but she couldn't press any further than she already had, as much as she wanted to be a protector, he had this. He wasn't quiet and petrified anymore, he could do this, she had to believe in him, even if she had only faith to rely on.

"Harigae, Sora. The legitimate son of Harigae, Hoka!"

A smirk crossed her lips, Well that is one way to get everyone's attention. Really is starting to feel a bit like a K-drama. but then she blinked a bit. If this was a K-drama...no. No. This date wasn't real. They were pretending, perhaps a little too convincingly. This would all end soon, she had a profession and he had his own life. This was a transaction, not some cinderella fantasy K-drama. She had to stop comparing the two. She wasn't looking for anything like that. Boyfriends were too complicated, a headache she wasn't searching for whilst trying to fund her brother's experimental surgery. Boyfriends got jealous, jealous meant she could be fired if they actively interfered with her work, or broken up with if they couldn't come to terms with it, and neither were good for business.

Things were going fine, at least, it seemed so in Kei's opinion. Quiet was good, right? Kei wasn't sure anymore, but it most certainly felt better than his relationship with Kaori, whatever you could even call it. Still, it was pretty awkward as Kei and Mao didn't know each other. Well, aside from their run-in at school, but this was their first actual interaction. Trying to focus on his duty to the food line, Kei closed his eyes. This day was turning out to be a lot more complicated than he had expected. Helping out those less fortunate than himself always made him feel better, but he wasn't even sure if he felt better right now or not.

With Mao standing so close beside him, he felt nervous more than anything. Her presence was distracting, which was nothing personal, but still quite distressing. Mao seemed like a cool enough person. It was her gender that made him uneasy, and whatever way he looked at it, she was interfering with his peace. Yet wasn't that was the point of asking her to come along? The only way to work on his issues was to face them head-on. Sure, this was a baby step because there was no real risk of touch, no flirting taking place, but it was a step, and that is what mattered in the end. Did he feel a bit guilty for using her as a prop for his rehabilitation? Definitely, but there was no way he was going to therapy for this shit. He could barely explain it to Rocco, let alone some stranger paid to listen to his problems and pretend to give a shit.

Things were loud, bustling, not that Mao minded that. She spent a lot of time in places louder than this. There were a lot of homeless and low-income families coming in, something Mao had never really seen in person before. Sure, she read statistics, researched these issues, but seeing it up close, made it personal, made it heartbreakingly real. The more she thought about it, Mao unthinkingly clenched her fist tightly around the ladle in her hand as her anger grew. Mao's jaw tightened, knowing that her father was in a position to change things, to make the lives of people in that situation better, but his view was that homelessness was a sign of laziness.

Lost in their thoughts, neither of the two teenagers noticed when the other reach for the paper towel roll. Their fingers brushed simultaneously and retracted as if they had attempted to take a hot cake pan out of an oven with their bare hands. Kei's cheeks flushed as Mao cleared her throat, no one wanting to address it, moving on as if nothing had happened. Mao was first to try again, retrieving one after their little blunder, pressing on with her volunteer duties. Kei took quite a bit longer to recover, but the complaining of those in the line that he was holding up brought him back to reality.

"Do you come here and do this a lot?" Mao finally spoke up, curiosity getting the best of her. Both of them were financially well off, so there wasn't a need for either of them to get their hands dirty when they had other means of contribution, and yet Kei chose to come in person? It was unusual, not unheard of, but certainly unusual for someone of their monetary status.

Giving it some thought, unsure if he should answer honestly, Kei nodded his head. Finding words to explain why he chose to come here was difficult. Many of the people that walked through those doors had an odor, and others had mental deficits, things that would usually make people uncomfortable and want to avoid them. Kei was a little put off by those things as well, but it was more about the feeling it gave him to do something for someone that could not repay him, doing something that he knew was right with no incentive.

Until now, Kei had kept it a secret from everyone except his parents. It didn't help his reputation at all, "Yeah, I've been coming here for quite a while. Most people are disgusted... I get it if that's what you're thinking, but I see people that could use a little compassion. It just feels better than spending my weekend at home playing video games all day. It feels like I've done something, something that genuinely matters, ya know?" Kei spoke frankly, his eyes softening a bit as he thought back to his earlier days coming to the shelter. He had met a lot of amazing people here, and despite their misfortunes in life, they were somehow inhumanly positive about it. He came to admire it so much that he couldn't help coming back week after week.

His answer seemed to be enough for Mao, as it earned a smile. As awkward as it was, perhaps things truly were going well after all? brushing her fingers through her short hair, Mao gave that some thought, "Wealthier people tend to feel that way, but I get what you like about this place. What you do here, well, it's really admirable." Mao stated in a mumble. It was a compliment, it did not slip off the tongue very well, but those were her genuine thoughts however grumpily she presented them.