When I was younger, Ayato refused to let me have a bigger part in the Yashiro Commission. But I couldn't let him do all the work himself...
[ Because that would have been so much to bear. As his only family left, it was her job to help in carrying their name. As a person, Ayato could not have done it alone.]
I had never bested my brother in a duel before, but I challenged him to one, anyway. If I won, he would allow me to hold authority.
[ And she did. That's how the Shirasagi Himegimi was born. Ayaka doesn't speak of other details now, such as that was also when she got her Vision, a gift from the gods. ]
I do not think it the case, but... my heart aches thinking Ayato doesn't need me. [ She doesn't want to believe that, but it's a thought she has now. A thought that she's had for some time, disappearing every now and then but only creeping back into her thoughts whenever she's feeling down.
Cloud might hear some shuffling on Ayaka's end. She's getting comfortable on her bed. ]
Would it be okay if you distracted me from such thoughts?
[ Cloud doesn't have siblings. Or any family at all anymore. Yet he's still absorbing and trying to see things from Ayaka's point of view. Yet judging by Ayato's character, he can also see his side as well. They both lost their mother and father at a very young age, right? Asking a little girl like her to stop playing so she can shoulder the responsibilities of her clan... No. He unfortunately can't put himself in her shoes. Not truly.
He holds his tongue, mulling over how she'd bested him in a duel. How she became the Shirasagi Himegimi, caged yet strong enough to loose Ayato's share of the load. Then...why can't he trust her to do the same here? She didn't have to duel him again...did she? No.
"-my heart aches thinking Ayato doesn't need me."
To that, his heart feels heavy, and he starts to regret even implying that he didn't need her help. Cloud meant well! And he meant maybe he didn't need financial help. But still... His breath catches as he takes a deep breath to rethink what he said. He doesn't have a brother. Or a sister. His own mother and father are long gone, and five years of his life were a blur. Yet still, deep down... ]
Of course he needs you. He cares about you a lot.
[ So much that he'd entrust someone like him to watch out for her when he couldn't. But that's a conversation he'll keep between Ayato and himself. ]
I... [ It's as she said. She needs a distraction, and knows her thoughts aren't true. Cloud telling Ayaka what she thinks isn't true is helping, as well. They may have only known each other for a short while, but she believes in him.
Ayaka exhales from her nose, audible through the call. But she doesn't seem that down when she speaks next. ]
I told Ayato that I can't get him any gifts using his own money. I would like to be able to give you presents, as well. And if we go out on dates, I would prefer to use my own money.
... um. What do you think would be a suitable kind of work for me?
[ A more relaxed breath when they get on the topic of how they want to spend their money for the future. And it makes sense! It's satisfying knowing you earned the money you've spent things on, rather than just borrowing or having it given to you by someone else. At least, for him, if that were the case all the time, he'd feel more bad. ]
Then we're on the same page. Gotta make enough to spend on you, too.
[ They can both play rock, paper, scissors over who pays for which meal. ...that's how couples do it, right? No. ]
A job for you?
Hmm...
[ He leans back on one hand, canting his head as he relaxes again. ]
Let's see... Professional Shogi player doesn't sound stable enough. [ He's joking. ] Maybe...something relaxing. Something you already enjoy doing. You got a lot of talents...
Maybe sharing them for business is just the ticket.
They'll look professional to me. After kicking my butt enough times.
[ But he'd like to learn how to play. Call it the competitor in him. ]
Think you'd nail it as a florist. [ His voice has an uplift to it, more encouraging at the prospect. If only because this is exactly what he was thinking of. Tea ceremony. Ikebana. Teaching Hanakotoba. A dojo for Kenjutsu (if not the Kamisato Arts) may be more work...
... Ahem. Anyway. Cool as a cucumber. He goes back to lying on his back. ] They will.
You got a customer in me.
[ But you're biased, Cloud. ... even if her arrangements would fly off the shelves. ]
[ Hahah... Hearing her tell him he's sweet, but he can't even be there in person for it. Cloud's still content either way. ]
I'll help. [ Just like how she was so eager to support him when he wasn't sure what to do or where to go in terms of work. ] If I find anything for you while I'm out and about, I'll let you know.
[ And he most certainly will tell his friends! He'll tell Aerith, too. Something tells him these two would get along. Two flower girls... ]
Tomorrow? [ He repeats what she just said, as if filling the space and to give his brain enough time to catch up. It wasn't very often that Ayaka's travels took her to the other side of the tracks. And there's almost no hesitation, the audible sound of fabric rustling as he pushes himself upright in bed while saying: ] Yeah...!
[ Ah... She caught him off guard, he failed to temper his excitement. ]
I-I mean no. Yeah, I don't mind.
[ Okay trying that again with a little huff. Aaand, ]
Ah— [ She sounds so surprised! Cloud's response makes her so happy; this should have been what she asked first when she wanted to cheer herself up... ] Would it really be okay?
[ He's not the only one excited... ]
Perhaps we can meet for lunch, if your schedule is still free.
[ So is his. Yet even from so far away...he can feel a warmth in his chest that makes him relax and get even more comfortable. *:･ﾟ✧*:･ﾟ✧ ]
[ See?! Just muttering outloud and they figure it out. Lookit these two go.
Even when there's silence, it doesn't feel awkward. If he could just lay here and listen to her talk, his thoughts so loose that he'd tell her anything, he would. ]
[ Those places are usually more expensive, especially when you want a private room with a chef and stuff! But that's okay. She won't make Cloud pay tomorrow. One of the last few times she'll use Ayato's money for their dates. ]
I have been before, but... I'd love to go to one with you.
[ He'd, admittedly, planned on using part of the money they retrieved from Kyushu. Cloud can break his frugal routine for Ayaka. If it's just for one little thing like this... But they'll cross the bridge for money and who pays when they get there. ]
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timeasmymeasure
no subject
Date: 2022-07-13 10:50 am (UTC)[ Because that would have been so much to bear. As his only family left, it was her job to help in carrying their name. As a person, Ayato could not have done it alone.]
I had never bested my brother in a duel before, but I challenged him to one, anyway. If I won, he would allow me to hold authority.
[ And she did. That's how the Shirasagi Himegimi was born. Ayaka doesn't speak of other details now, such as that was also when she got her Vision, a gift from the gods. ]
I do not think it the case, but... my heart aches thinking Ayato doesn't need me. [ She doesn't want to believe that, but it's a thought she has now. A thought that she's had for some time, disappearing every now and then but only creeping back into her thoughts whenever she's feeling down.
Cloud might hear some shuffling on Ayaka's end. She's getting comfortable on her bed. ]
Would it be okay if you distracted me from such thoughts?
no subject
Date: 2022-07-13 09:06 pm (UTC)He holds his tongue, mulling over how she'd bested him in a duel. How she became the Shirasagi Himegimi, caged yet strong enough to loose Ayato's share of the load. Then...why can't he trust her to do the same here? She didn't have to duel him again...did she? No.
"-my heart aches thinking Ayato doesn't need me."
To that, his heart feels heavy, and he starts to regret even implying that he didn't need her help. Cloud meant well! And he meant maybe he didn't need financial help. But still... His breath catches as he takes a deep breath to rethink what he said. He doesn't have a brother. Or a sister. His own mother and father are long gone, and five years of his life were a blur. Yet still, deep down... ]
Of course he needs you. He cares about you a lot.
[ So much that he'd entrust someone like him to watch out for her when he couldn't. But that's a conversation he'll keep between Ayato and himself. ]
You bet. I tend to be pretty good at that.
no subject
Date: 2022-07-13 10:41 pm (UTC)Ayaka exhales from her nose, audible through the call. But she doesn't seem that down when she speaks next. ]
I told Ayato that I can't get him any gifts using his own money. I would like to be able to give you presents, as well. And if we go out on dates, I would prefer to use my own money.
... um. What do you think would be a suitable kind of work for me?
no subject
Date: 2022-07-14 01:15 am (UTC)Then we're on the same page. Gotta make enough to spend on you, too.
[ They can both play rock, paper, scissors over who pays for which meal. ...that's how couples do it, right?
No.]A job for you?
Hmm...
[ He leans back on one hand, canting his head as he relaxes again. ]
Let's see... Professional Shogi player doesn't sound stable enough. [ He's joking. ] Maybe...something relaxing. Something you already enjoy doing. You got a lot of talents...
Maybe sharing them for business is just the ticket.
no subject
Date: 2022-07-14 02:08 am (UTC)[ But that's very nice of him to say! And amusing. It's doing well in cheering her up. ]
I do like taking care of flowers, and tea ceremony, as you already know. Do you think I would do well if I worked at a flower shop?
What if the customers don't like my arrangements?
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Date: 2022-07-14 05:38 am (UTC)[ But he'd like to learn how to play. Call it the competitor in him. ]
Think you'd nail it as a florist. [ His voice has an uplift to it, more encouraging at the prospect. If only because this is exactly what he was thinking of. Tea ceremony. Ikebana. Teaching Hanakotoba. A dojo for Kenjutsu (if not the Kamisato Arts) may be more work...
... Ahem. Anyway. Cool as a cucumber. He goes back to lying on his back. ] They will.
You got a customer in me.
[ But you're biased, Cloud. ... even if her arrangements would fly off the shelves. ]
no subject
Date: 2022-07-14 06:43 am (UTC)The money you'd give me would just be the money we'd use on dates!
[ So it'd be as if he didn't pay her at all! It's funny to think about. He's biased. She likes it. ]
no subject
Date: 2022-07-14 06:55 am (UTC)[ He laughs from his chest, soft, in the same lane as Ayaka. Now there's a smile on his face. ]
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Date: 2022-07-14 07:32 am (UTC)[ And he's doing very well in providing her with a distraction. ]
If I do find work in doing flower arrangements, I hope you'll tell your friends, too.
no subject
Date: 2022-07-14 07:42 am (UTC)I'll help. [ Just like how she was so eager to support him when he wasn't sure what to do or where to go in terms of work. ] If I find anything for you while I'm out and about, I'll let you know.
[ And he most certainly will tell his friends! He'll tell Aerith, too. Something tells him these two would get along. Two flower girls... ]
no subject
Date: 2022-07-14 08:15 am (UTC)[ And she's not just saying it to be polite. She truly is grateful. If only she could express her gratitude properly.
Ah... ]
Um... Would you mind if I went to see you tomorrow? I promise not to take too much of your time.
no subject
Date: 2022-07-14 08:22 am (UTC)[ Ah... She caught him off guard, he failed to temper his excitement. ]
I-I mean no. Yeah, I don't mind.
[ Okay trying that again with a little huff. Aaand, ]
I wanna see you, Ayaka.
[ And not just for a "little while" either. ]
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Date: 2022-07-14 08:52 am (UTC)[ He's not the only one excited... ]
Perhaps we can meet for lunch, if your schedule is still free.
no subject
Date: 2022-07-14 09:02 am (UTC)[ As for his schedule? ]
I'm free all day. Like I said, Bricks doesn't have anything lined up for me right now.
no subject
Date: 2022-07-14 09:27 am (UTC)[ Now, if only it could be tomorrow now...! ]
Ahaha... My heart is beating really fast right now. It can't wait to see you.
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Date: 2022-07-14 09:36 am (UTC)You gonna be able to sleep tonight?
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Date: 2022-07-14 09:39 am (UTC)[ It's time travel!! :) ]
no subject
Date: 2022-07-14 09:47 am (UTC)[ Give Cloud a couple years to start studying how the human body works to cure an incurable disease and he'll get right on that. ]
no subject
Date: 2022-07-14 10:02 am (UTC)[ It's not even sarcasm but she's still taking Cloud seriously... ]
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Date: 2022-07-14 10:40 am (UTC)[ See?! Just muttering outloud and they figure it out. Lookit these two go.
Even when there's silence, it doesn't feel awkward. If he could just lay here and listen to her talk, his thoughts so loose that he'd tell her anything, he would. ]
no subject
Date: 2022-07-14 09:29 pm (UTC)[ Full agreement there! Now the only problem is actually falling asleep because she's excited. ]
Where should we eat tomorrow?
no subject
Date: 2022-07-14 10:48 pm (UTC)[ Summer makes him think of BBQ and grills. But as he hums and thinks... Oh, wait! ]
Ever been to a Hibachi grill?
no subject
Date: 2022-07-14 11:30 pm (UTC)I have been before, but... I'd love to go to one with you.
Have you?
no subject
Date: 2022-07-15 12:49 am (UTC)Not yet. Sounds like we've got our spot.
no subject
Date: 2022-07-15 01:02 am (UTC)[ So Cloud doesn't have to pick her up at the station! ]
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