[ Ungovernable he may be, and he likewise has no regrets. How could he pass up an opportunity like that? Especially when contrasting back on what it was like the last time this happened... ]
Maybe I was feeling generous. [ Sharing how good she looked in that outfit...π³ ] Or maybe I wanted everyone to realize how jealous they should be of me.
[ He also saw it as an opportunity to give her a little confidence boost, but he has to be a goblin about it first. ]
[ It's only then that she does turn her head away and avoid his gaze, though the reddening tips of her pointed ears do give her away. ]
You say or, but you really mean and, you dummy.
[ But judging by the fact that he'd kept telling others to pass their compliments over to her properly, she can tell that he'd meant this as a way to boost her confidence, too. She can't be entirely upset about it, but... ]
Minaaaa. [ A distinct whine. ] "Too much" is my way of life.
[ A fact which she is already well-acquainted with and he's not particularly apologetic for. He can't help that the timing of the post was while she was sleeping, and what would she say if he woke her up just to fill her in?
...Still, he's leaning over to winsomely roll his head onto her shoulder, giving her a big, ol' close up of the puppy dog eyes. ]
[ She is very well-acquainted with his way of life, indeed. In fact, it's that "too much" way of his that arguably wore down Sumina's own defenses, making it impossible to keep him at arm's length like as if he was a guest at the Elderflower. The same "too much" that endeared him to her, that drew her to him... That made her fall so deeply for him, in the end.
Even if it is so antithetical to her own self, to how she carries and conducts herself. He's "too much," and for a long time, she was the opposite, she was "not enough." But having made strides away from that way of thinking, she answers sincerely, instead of dismissing her own feelings: ]
I'm not mad. Just... embarrassed.
[ He and others said some very nice things about her, yes, but also some very, uh, interesting things. ]
When this happened at the hotel, it didn't feel quite so uncomfortable. I suppose because we were in the company of acquaintances... But here, I don't quite know the others at all, so now I can't help but worry if my looks are all they'll focus on when we do meet.
He can't relate, personally β even if he's grown more used to not being recognized on sight, he would love to be flaunt his looks and body to make a good first impression, shameless as ever. But even if he can't relate, he can still see where she's coming from, and how that might not be the kind of impression that Sumina might want to give others.
He might not care what others think of him, but it doesn't feel quite right to attempt to impart the same mindset to her. ]
If they do, I'll whip their asses.
[ Once again sing-song, but a moment later, he adds: ]
Even if they do, it won't be long before you get your real self across, and if they're worth knowing, they'll see that, too.
[ Anyone who thinks she's nothing more than a pretty face ought to have their head checked. ]
[ Well, yeah, but also being described as a snack!? Suddenly she's not so jealous of Angewomon anymore!!
His first response pulls her lips almost into a pout, but he soon follows with more thoughtful words, and ones that do quell her worries somewhat. ]
...you always seem to now just what to say. It's not fair.
[ In so saying, she's giving up on staying mad-slash-embarrassed, and she says as much with a sigh and the way she turns her head to press a kiss into his hair. ]
It was sweet of you, to encourage people to pass their compliments over to me properly. [ And then she reaches over with a hand to pat his head. ] Good boy.
[ If he knows what to say, he likes to think it's only because she pried open the walls of his heart to let that genuine sentiment slip through. He's not really the reassuring sort, but he's also the biggest Sumina Heartleaf simp in the cosomos. Anyone who stops at her looks β as much to appreciate as there is β isn't worth her time, period.
A cheshire grin blooms, shortly routed by her compliment, which makes his eyes widen and his brows jump high. ]
Oh. [ Hello??? ] Eheh...I am your good boy, aren't I, Mina?
[ Purring along with that smile, he drapes an arm across her middle, tipping up his chin so he can nuzzle the bridge of his nose against her own, butterfly kisses dancing over her lips. Crisis averted... ]
If I didn't know better, I'd think you were trying to signal something. [ Sex! ] But I've been waiting this whooooole time for you to wake up so we could have dinner. I've been famished!
[ She all but melts into him as he holds her and nuzzles her, a sweet little laugh bubbling up against their fluttering lips. Crisis averted...
Except, oh. What he says after is unexpected, and by know she can easily recognize it as trouble. Come to think of it, they've only ever used such words for each other when they're having sex, haven't they... She sees the error of her ways now and will never call him a good boy in casual conversation again— ]
Ahaha. I sincerely wasn't trying to signal anything... [ sex. ] Though I'm sorry to keep you waiting, honey. You could have gone ahead and eaten dinner without me, you know.
[ Or do call him good boy in casually conversation again, anytime she needs to easy put a leash on him β
Metaphorically speaking β
Anyway. ]
No I couldn't! I was to busy being a miscreant. [ You know. Hot or not. ] What're you in the mood for? That strawberry shortcake in the fridge has been calling my name...
[ She has kept their places well-stocked, and at this point, their apartments are as much each other's as they're their own. It had...just kind of happened that way, and they haven't really talked about it yet, but β
Well, it's a conversation they're probably not ready for. Right? Hell if he knows. He's never really...been in a relationship like this for this long before. He's just winging it at this point. He'll allow her to wriggle free as he is quite hungry, but he does trail behind on her heels, one arm resting atop her head. ]
Mhmm, my thoughts exactly! We can bake a cake.
[ Though really, baking anything would take too long. Cooking it is! ]
[ But no, Sumina certainly isn't ready for that conversation, given the fact that said conversation couldn't be further from her mind. For Sumina's part, her keeping his place as well-stocked as her own is simply a foregone conclusion, an act of service for Satoru done out of her love for him. However, she would be remiss to deny that being around each other for the beginnings and endings of their days has been nice, and a precious boon.
She may not have an entire inn's worth of people to take care of at the moment, but she does have him.
Making her way into the kitchen with Satoru in tow, Sumina begins by looking into the pantry. ]
[ She has him, and even given what transpired before the left the hotel, it's still...kinda weird. Like part of him, in the shadows at the back of his mind, still expects to wake up in the morning alone, back in Tokyo, without another warm body beside him, without her, but even that's a fantasy, because he wouldn't wake up there at all.
Maybe it's still the novelty of being alive that his body continues to adjust to. Will it ever feel like it once did? Should it?
...He nudges the thought aside, to drop his chin against the crown of her head as she peeks into the pantry. ]
Sounds downright scrumptious. Might not be cake, but...I can get behind it.
[ Reaching an arm over her shoulder, he pulls the box of noods out of the pantry. ]
[ Unaware of how his thoughts have wandered, Sumina can only serve as his chin rest, but at least she's grown accustomed to it by now. Chin rest, arm rest, she can do it all... ]
Ah... Why don't we prepare it in the Japanese style, for a change?
[ Surely they'd had some during their casual foodie adventures at Hotel Caelum, and her beautiful innkeeper brain and her supertaster tongue remembers exactly what goes into it, so she starts gathering some of the other requisite ingredients! ]
I'm going to put you to work, you know. This way, you can't possibly continue to post such embarrassing messages...
Hehe, you underestimate my ability to multitask...
[ But he more or less said his piece on the hot or not, which was: Sumina is a 10/10 and anyone who disagrees is an idiot, and anyone who agrees a little too enthusiastically is asking for an ass-kicking. Everyone knows the truth anyway, even if they're unwilling to acknowledge it.
While Sumina starts to gather the ingredients, Satoru takes up the task of prepping the cookware and turning on the oven, filling a pot with water at the sink. ]
Oh, do we have any of those lil' sausages? I can dart out and get some.
[ It's important! And he can be gone and back in a flash. ]
[ He says that, and yet he seems like he's going to behave... for now. Which is a relief. To his question, Sumina offers an immediate response; she knows their inventory quite intimately. ]
Ah! No, actually. Could you please go and get some, sweetie?
[ She deposits the other ingredients on what little counter space they have, and then goes to collect a cutting board and knife. ]
Maybe something for us to drink with dinner, too? It doesn't have to be alcoholic, of course.
[ He offers her a spirited salute. You just know he's going to come back with Pirate Sprite. ]
I'm on it! I'll be back before you know it, Momo!
[ Hopefully she didn't have anything else to add to the impromptu shopping list, because he's gone in an instant β only to return a second later, grabbing a bag from near the front door. ]
...Da-da-dah! Money get!
[ Anyway, off he goes again, to return a few minutes later with a sack of said lil sausages and a bottle of Pirate Italian Soda instead. ]
[ ...Well, he's quick to remember this time, at least!
When he returns a few minutes later, however, he'll find Sumina in the midst of chopping vegetables, though her voice sounds particularly warbled and broken up with quite sniffling when she greets him. ]
[ As he saunters back in with the groceries and sets them on the countertop and spots Sumina's current state of distress, he knows what he must do β
As he gently splays one warm palm against the small of her back, he leans in and glances at her over the rim of his glasses. ]
Hah, you cryin', Sumina? Didn't miss me that much, did you?
[ And then before she can get too flustered, he kisses affectionately at her temple and draws away, so he can start unpackaging the sausages and soda. ]
Maybe you should've come with. You never have to leave my side, you know.
[ But, ah, he's truly got her all figured out, as that sweet little kiss to her forehead does stymie what was surely to become some kind of overload from the way he peers at her, and the teasing yet unfairly attractive lilt of his voice... However: ]
I can't tell if you're joking. In any case, it's just that these onions are quite... potent...
[ She puts the knife down so she can pull a hand towel out of her apron's pocket and dab at her eyes... ]
[ Is he joking? Who can say. Not even Satoru, as he keeps the gag going for even longer, taking out a knife and cutting board for himself to begin dicing up the sausages. ]
Sure, sure! Whatever you say, Momo. If you want to spend even more time with me, just say the word.
[ As if they aren't...already together most of the time, and have been more or less since the moment they arrived. ]
[ Can't, or won't?? Since she's mentioned it anyway, he had been meaning to bring this up at some point, once they had settled in a bit... ]
You could come along on them, y'know. There's a lot you could pick up with that tattoo β your new one, I mean. [ And since her barrier tattoo is already there to keep her safe, why not? ] Wouldn't hurt to pick up some fighting skills anyway β I know what you're gonna say! But it's a lot more dangerous here than it was at the hotel. I could train youuuuu.
[ He says with a wave of the knife he uses to dice up the sausages. He'd certainly be gentler with her than he is with his students, even if he suspects she has more up her sleeve than she lets on, even now. ]
I wanna see you use that move you used against the gangsters against me.
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Sumina's still-eepy gaze slides sidelong at him as his finger pokes into her soft cheek, a mild pout forming on her lips. ]
You're truly ungovernable. That whole ensemble was for you, and yet you post it for everyone to see like it's nothing and then say all these things...
[ she harrumphs tsunderely as she shuts her shellphone. she can't do this no mo. ]
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Maybe I was feeling generous. [ Sharing how good she looked in that outfit...π³ ] Or maybe I wanted everyone to realize how jealous they should be of me.
[ He also saw it as an opportunity to give her a little confidence boost, but he has to be a goblin about it first. ]
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You say or, but you really mean and, you dummy.
[ But judging by the fact that he'd kept telling others to pass their compliments over to her properly, she can tell that he'd meant this as a way to boost her confidence, too. She can't be entirely upset about it, but... ]
This is too much, Satoru...
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[ A fact which she is already well-acquainted with and he's not particularly apologetic for. He can't help that the timing of the post was while she was sleeping, and what would she say if he woke her up just to fill her in?
...Still, he's leaning over to winsomely roll his head onto her shoulder, giving her a big, ol' close up of the puppy dog eyes. ]
Are you mad?
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Even if it is so antithetical to her own self, to how she carries and conducts herself. He's "too much," and for a long time, she was the opposite, she was "not enough." But having made strides away from that way of thinking, she answers sincerely, instead of dismissing her own feelings: ]
I'm not mad. Just... embarrassed.
[ He and others said some very nice things about her, yes, but also some very, uh, interesting things. ]
When this happened at the hotel, it didn't feel quite so uncomfortable. I suppose because we were in the company of acquaintances... But here, I don't quite know the others at all, so now I can't help but worry if my looks are all they'll focus on when we do meet.
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He can't relate, personally β even if he's grown more used to not being recognized on sight, he would love to be flaunt his looks and body to make a good first impression, shameless as ever. But even if he can't relate, he can still see where she's coming from, and how that might not be the kind of impression that Sumina might want to give others.
He might not care what others think of him, but it doesn't feel quite right to attempt to impart the same mindset to her. ]
If they do, I'll whip their asses.
[ Once again sing-song, but a moment later, he adds: ]
Even if they do, it won't be long before you get your real self across, and if they're worth knowing, they'll see that, too.
[ Anyone who thinks she's nothing more than a pretty face ought to have their head checked. ]
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His first response pulls her lips almost into a pout, but he soon follows with more thoughtful words, and ones that do quell her worries somewhat. ]
...you always seem to now just what to say. It's not fair.
[ In so saying, she's giving up on staying mad-slash-embarrassed, and she says as much with a sigh and the way she turns her head to press a kiss into his hair. ]
It was sweet of you, to encourage people to pass their compliments over to me properly. [ And then she reaches over with a hand to pat his head. ] Good boy.
[ oh ]
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A cheshire grin blooms, shortly routed by her compliment, which makes his eyes widen and his brows jump high. ]
Oh. [ Hello??? ] Eheh...I am your good boy, aren't I, Mina?
[ Purring along with that smile, he drapes an arm across her middle, tipping up his chin so he can nuzzle the bridge of his nose against her own, butterfly kisses dancing over her lips. Crisis averted... ]
If I didn't know better, I'd think you were trying to signal something. [ Sex! ] But I've been waiting this whooooole time for you to wake up so we could have dinner. I've been famished!
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Except, oh. What he says after is unexpected, and by know she can easily recognize it as trouble. Come to think of it, they've only ever used such words for each other when they're having sex, haven't they... She sees the error of her ways now and will never call him a good boy in casual conversation again— ]
Ahaha. I sincerely wasn't trying to signal anything... [ sex. ] Though I'm sorry to keep you waiting, honey. You could have gone ahead and eaten dinner without me, you know.
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Metaphorically speaking β
Anyway. ]
No I couldn't! I was to busy being a miscreant. [ You know. Hot or not. ] What're you in the mood for? That strawberry shortcake in the fridge has been calling my name...
[ Cake isn't dinner, but he can Try. ]
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Strawberry shortcake is not a proper dinner, Satoru.
[ Firmly, as she writhes under his arm to urge him to let go so she can stand up... (or keep cuddling her I'm not his boss) ]
We've been going out to eat quite a bit lately, haven't we? Maybe we ought to cook something...
[ Sumina has of course made sure that the place is stocked. Whomstever's place they're at. Both places, really. ]
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Well, it's a conversation they're probably not ready for. Right? Hell if he knows. He's never really...been in a relationship like this for this long before. He's just winging it at this point. He'll allow her to wriggle free as he is quite hungry, but he does trail behind on her heels, one arm resting atop her head. ]
Mhmm, my thoughts exactly! We can bake a cake.
[ Though really, baking anything would take too long. Cooking it is! ]
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That's not what I meant, and you know it.
[ But no, Sumina certainly isn't ready for that conversation, given the fact that said conversation couldn't be further from her mind. For Sumina's part, her keeping his place as well-stocked as her own is simply a foregone conclusion, an act of service for Satoru done out of her love for him. However, she would be remiss to deny that being around each other for the beginnings and endings of their days has been nice, and a precious boon.
She may not have an entire inn's worth of people to take care of at the moment, but she does have him.
Making her way into the kitchen with Satoru in tow, Sumina begins by looking into the pantry. ]
Hmm... How does spaghetti sound to you, honey?
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Maybe it's still the novelty of being alive that his body continues to adjust to. Will it ever feel like it once did? Should it?
...He nudges the thought aside, to drop his chin against the crown of her head as she peeks into the pantry. ]
Sounds downright scrumptious. Might not be cake, but...I can get behind it.
[ Reaching an arm over her shoulder, he pulls the box of noods out of the pantry. ]
We doin' this traditional, or Japanese style?
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Ah... Why don't we prepare it in the Japanese style, for a change?
[ Surely they'd had some during their casual foodie adventures at Hotel Caelum, and her beautiful innkeeper brain and her supertaster tongue remembers exactly what goes into it, so she starts gathering some of the other requisite ingredients! ]
I'm going to put you to work, you know. This way, you can't possibly continue to post such embarrassing messages...
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[ But he more or less said his piece on the hot or not, which was: Sumina is a 10/10 and anyone who disagrees is an idiot, and anyone who agrees a little too enthusiastically is asking for an ass-kicking. Everyone knows the truth anyway, even if they're unwilling to acknowledge it.
While Sumina starts to gather the ingredients, Satoru takes up the task of prepping the cookware and turning on the oven, filling a pot with water at the sink. ]
Oh, do we have any of those lil' sausages? I can dart out and get some.
[ It's important! And he can be gone and back in a flash. ]
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Ah! No, actually. Could you please go and get some, sweetie?
[ She deposits the other ingredients on what little counter space they have, and then goes to collect a cutting board and knife. ]
Maybe something for us to drink with dinner, too? It doesn't have to be alcoholic, of course.
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I'm on it! I'll be back before you know it, Momo!
[ Hopefully she didn't have anything else to add to the impromptu shopping list, because he's gone in an instant β only to return a second later, grabbing a bag from near the front door. ]
...Da-da-dah! Money get!
[ Anyway, off he goes again, to return a few minutes later with a sack of said lil sausages and a bottle of Pirate Italian Soda instead. ]
1/2
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When he returns a few minutes later, however, he'll find Sumina in the midst of chopping vegetables, though her voice sounds particularly warbled and broken up with quite sniffling when she greets him. ]
W-Welcome back, honey...
[ these onions sure are powerful ]
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As he gently splays one warm palm against the small of her back, he leans in and glances at her over the rim of his glasses. ]
Hah, you cryin', Sumina? Didn't miss me that much, did you?
[ And then before she can get too flustered, he kisses affectionately at her temple and draws away, so he can start unpackaging the sausages and soda. ]
Maybe you should've come with. You never have to leave my side, you know.
[ a fate worse than death ]
i cant believe you hit me with the you cryin'?
[ But, ah, he's truly got her all figured out, as that sweet little kiss to her forehead does stymie what was surely to become some kind of overload from the way he peers at her, and the teasing yet unfairly attractive lilt of his voice... However: ]
I can't tell if you're joking. In any case, it's just that these onions are quite... potent...
[ She puts the knife down so she can pull a hand towel out of her apron's pocket and dab at her eyes... ]
it was too perfect...
Sure, sure! Whatever you say, Momo. If you want to spend even more time with me, just say the word.
[ As if they aren't...already together most of the time, and have been more or less since the moment they arrived. ]
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[ In fact some days she could use a little less time with him!! (so she can spend more of her nights actually asleep :y_ipretend: )
Regardless, with her eyes more or less free of tears but still stinging with the onion debuff, she goes back to chopping it up. ]
I thought you might spend more time out pursuing bounties, you know... And the other sorts of quests that I can't come along on.
[ can't... or won't? ]
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You could come along on them, y'know. There's a lot you could pick up with that tattoo β your new one, I mean. [ And since her barrier tattoo is already there to keep her safe, why not? ] Wouldn't hurt to pick up some fighting skills anyway β I know what you're gonna say! But it's a lot more dangerous here than it was at the hotel. I could train youuuuu.
[ He says with a wave of the knife he uses to dice up the sausages. He'd certainly be gentler with her than he is with his students, even if he suspects she has more up her sleeve than she lets on, even now. ]
I wanna see you use that move you used against the gangsters against me.
[ He hasn't forgotten!! Nor will he let it go. ]
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