Catch-all; Taichi

[momming]

Comments

[momming]

Probably. Really, they're making a mockery out of this.

[goalsides]

wouldn't be the first time
...
but i guess i'll do it if you're thinking of doing it
they didn't say it has to be telling everybody or anything anyway

[momming]

If you're comfortable with it... well, it will just stay between us.

[goalsides]

...
us and whoever the hell's listening to us
but okay
we should probably do this in person?

[momming]

<font face="courier>I think so. Where would you like to meet up?

[goalsides]

probably somewhere out of the way
are you at your dorm? i can meet you there or something

scream my html

[momming]

I'm near it, yes. I'll see you there, then!

im merciless

[goalsides]

[he doesn't reply via text! but a short time later, he does approach with some sense of reservation, hands in his pockets and a backpack over his shoulder. she gets a nod of greeting.]

Otome-san.

[momming]

Taichi-kun! [ And she beams in response, waving. ]

Thanks for coming out this way.

[goalsides]

Sure. It's not like it's really far or anything. [but he does kind of look like he wants to turn around and forget the whole thing.]

It's easier than making you come over to where I was anyway.

[momming]

Thanks for looking out for me.

[ And she looks at him, thoughtfully. ]

You know, if there's someone else... I don't have to be the one to tell. Not if it makes you look that miserable?

[goalsides]

[he thinks of saying "someone has to" but he doesn't. otome is, actually, an adult and he knows he can take care of herself. but he finds himself trying to grin anyway even as he shrugs.]

There isn't. Not really. [...] I'd rather just get it over with anyway.

[momming]

... Mm. All right. [ Well, he's decided on this. So if that's what he wants, she'll accept it. ]

[goalsides]

[he opens his mouth...and pauses.]

...like...just...say it? [what is so confusing about this, taichi.]

[momming]

... In my ear, yes. Would you like me to go first?

[goalsides]

...yeah, actually, if you wouldn't mind? [just...to get a feel for things.]

[momming]

Mm, not at all. If a lady whispering in your ear isn't too embarrassing?

[goalsides]

Why would that be embarrassing? [even if he now sounds a little embarrassed, but it's clearly because otome's saying dumb things!!] It'll be fine.

[momming]

[ She laughs a little, but moves in closer, going on her toes a little to whisper in his ear. ]

I regret fighting against my friends the first time.

[goalsides]

[oh. he pulls back a little to look at her, blinking in surprise.]

...did you have a choice?

[momming]

... I did. We each had a stance on something we refused to budge on, but in the end, only one decision could be made... so once we had formed our groups, we fought each other.

[ She closes her eyes. ]

I'm not proud of it... and I'm glad I was defeated. I lost sight of what was really important before that happened.

[goalsides]

...that's still pretty rough though. [he says, having known a thing or two about fighting friends.]

But things worked out after that? Are they any better?

[momming]

Mm, we reconciled!

[ She smiles, a little tiredly. ]

It's a long story.

[goalsides]

Sounds like it. Maybe another time, if you want. I've wanted to ask a lot of things but...the timing's always been kinda bad.

[...but.] Guess it's my turn?

[momming]

You're welcome to ask me what you'd like.

... Maybe Thursday morning, if we're to really be bracing ourselves?

[ But she smiles, encouragingly. ]

Whenever you're ready, Taichi-kun.