yumemigaoka | (no subject)

[Lisa doesn't mind heat normally, but boy, this is a little much for her. YumeTube suggested a no-bake dessert recipe she wanted to try, leading her to come out grocery shopping, but the heat's added a few cold drinks to her tote bag, which is itself a little too big to carry comfortably in this heat. Still, she prefers that to a plastic bag in her hand. So her hair, pulled back into a tail behind her to keep it off her back, keeps getting caught up in it... eh. She'll deal, probably.

But even in her cutoff denim shorts and beige T-shirt, she's melting. This weather isn't suitable for people to... be out in... oi, is this guy picking up trash?]

Hey, man, you're crazy being out in this! Are you holding up all right?

[in his defense, he's wearing a very loose, long sleeved shirt (currently with his sleeves rolled up) and equally loose pants so that he doesn't have to deal with sunburn... It might also be because he tends to shop in the clearance section of stores where all the clothes are at least two sizes too big for his slim figure but the important thing is that he's trying to not end up burnt to a crisp. Sort of]

Hm? Oh- I'm all right. [he rubs a sleeve across his forehead, wiping away sweat and pushing his bangs out of his face so he can actually look at the person he's talking to] Don't worry! I'm used to doing this sort of thing.

[m-maybe not during a heatwave, but he's surprisingly adaptable when he has to be]

Sorry, was I in the way? I didn't mean to interrupt.

[.......one eyebrow raising into her own bangs. She believes him about being used to it, but then she has to wonder why he's used to it. That's a whole separate concern and one that she's not sure she has good answers for.

Then she takes in his appearance more properly, and a vein in her forehead twitches as her eyes snap to his sleeves. Why does this poor soul own a shirt that he could probably wear as a winter covering over six other layers, let alone feel like it's sensible to go outside in it? This affront will not stand-]

N-no, you're. You're not in the way. I'm just having a moment out here, don't mind me.

[....is what she wants to express, but. Can she fix that? And crucially, in a way that isn't waaaaaay too forward?]

Sorry. Your shirt is driving me up the wall, which is not your fault, I'm just weird and notice strange stuff sometimes. Um. You don't have to respond to any of that, I know it's a really odd thing to bring up out of the blue... [-abort, abort...!]

My... shirt?

[he pulls at the hem of his oversized shirt, confused. And don't be ridiculous, wearing six layers of shirts under the one oversized one is too much even for Keiwa. The most he's ever gotten up to is four, including the outer layer. That's a totally reasonable number of layers! ... for the fall season at least.

Most people would probably be weirded out by the sudden comment on what they were wearing, but Keiwa just seems concerned for her instead. He thinks about it for a moment, then cheerfully replies;]

A t-shirt would probably be better for this weather, but the sleeves help with preventing sunburn.

[~~nailed it~~ Has the heat gotten to his head? But he says it so sincerely and with a wide smile on his face that it's hard to believe he has any sort of bad intention or... that he's taken any sort of offense to what she's said to him. He's got the same energy as that of a dog that's done something wrong but doesn't realize it at all]

That's... very true... [Surely he understands her frustration. He can't possibly... no, he probably is wearing this unironically and it's what he had in his closet, and maybe doesn't understand why she's asking. If it were her she just wouldn't go out and risk being seen, or worse having her picture taken. Amazon totally delivers same-day to Yumemigaoka, right? Just. Order something with right-now shipping.

-wait, hold on, she's not trying to retail therapy herself into new clothing, Lisa's trying to get him into new clothing somehow. Or at least understand what he's thinking.] I sew and knit as a hobby, so I have a habit of noticing fashion while I'm out. You look like you're drowning in that shirt, and now that I've seen it I can't un-see it. [She is trying not to be creepy, but she's conscious it's still really weird.]

[... If he knew her thought process, he'd probably shrivel up in embarrassment at how accurate her mental callout post is. Girl please, have mercy, he's on a budget-]

I'm- [he takes a look at himself] -I never thought about it. No one's mentioned anything and it's comfortable so... [he fiddles with his sleeve, unrolling it then rolling it back up when he remembers that he's here picking up trash. There's an awkward laugh after a moment;] Yeah, I never really thought about it.

Is it that bad?

[to most people, Lisa would absolutely come off as entirely too nosy if not overstepping into 'none of your business' territory. Luckily for her, Keiwa isn't most people. Instead, he has come to the conclusion that she doesn't mean to be... Well, mean. She just has a very strong and passionate opinion about fashion. That makes sense if that's her hobby after all. His body posture continues to point towards 'uncomfortable' but the previous mentioned puppy energy is still there]

It's... [How to put this at least a little delicately?] It's probably fine for most people? I just have hobby-related OCD, a little bit. But someone in a serious situation might notice. Like a job interview or something.

[A beat. Then, hesitantly:] I'm debating if it's something I could fix without it looking super amateur-ish, and if you were willing? [He probably isn't rocking the too-loose-for-comfort look of his own accord. Men's clothing tends not to be as expensive as women's, but it still isn't cheap...] Um, if it's not too presumptuous of me, I kinda need practice with men's stuff, and Papa isn't in a position to wear anything I would feel safe touching. [Or around very often,, she mentally adds.

And hey! If she screws it up she can always just make him something, but if she says that aloud she's inviting disaster, so she'll keep it to herself for now.]

[we appreciate the effort Lisa is putting in to consider Keiwa's feelings in all this. Truly an unsung hero.

[Keiwa listens quietly. A lot of his clothes aren't exactly new either, so he's not entirely sure what she'd be able to do with it. He thinks about for a second before nodding at her with a smile]

If it helps, then I don't mind letting you practice with my stuff. [he says simply, like it's not a weird request at all and his agreeing to it was perfectly sensible] Probably not today though, since I still need to finish up here but...

[he stops to think about it] I'm actually new to this city so I don't have any suggestions, but is there anywhere you usually go to meet up with people?

Oh, and uh... [his smile turns a little embarrassed, because she's certainly not wrong about job interviews but-] I have a suit I usually wear for interviews.

Oh, that's fine! I didn't necessarily mean today, just. The thought wouldn't leave me alone. I'm sorry, I know it's really weird of me to ask. We can trade phone numbers or LINEs or something. [She smiles softly.] And I'm glad you have something for the important stuff.

[The question about meeting people brings her up short. Where does she meet up with people? She feels like she just kinda... goes wherever other people already are.]

Um. I'm kinda boring in that respect. School, the Dreamer Union, maybe sometimes the department store or a café. [Does Camellia count, now? It probably counts.] Maybe the station, but that gets weird if you're already in the same ward...

[Keiwa pulls his phone out to get ready to exchange LINEs with Lisa but stops to consider her suggestions]

That's not boring! The most I usually come up with is the local park... Or my favourite soba restaurant.

[unspoken; the implication he doesn't have any friends to meet up with. But he has an easy smile on his face and doesn't seem too terribly bothered by this fact at all]

Somewhere easy to find would work best, I think. So... [he wiggles his phone as he thinks] How about the department store? Is there anything you want me to bring in particular?

... [he squints at his phone for a moment, then;] Ah, sorry! I probably shouldn't be keeping you out in the sun like this. Do you want to go into the shade?

Hey, there's nothing wrong with soba. Or the park. But... yeah, the department store probably works best for me anyway, for... reasons. [Like last-minute supplies, but he doesn't need to know that for this specific project.] Um, you definitely don't need to bring anything, though. Just whatever you need to be out for a bit. You're helping me out, so I'll cover food, too. You can test a new dessert recipe I've been looking at while I sew.

[Lisa stops rambling enough long enough to listen to the young man's concern, blinking in surprise. She's been so focused on his shirt she forgot about the weather. And the fact that her neck and upper arms are starting to feel a bit... bake-y. It hasn't been that long but she does not want to burn today! She'd rather him not burn either, but he's so unconcerned, maybe he just doesn't.]

A-ah, yes, please! I distracted myself so much I forgot about melting! Ahaha...

[he's wearing sunscreen! And has long sleeves and the like to reduce his chances of becoming charcoal! He might be slightly crispy when he gets home later, but that's a risk he's willing to take...!

Keiwa looks like he might turn down her offer of food but getting into the shade is more important. It'd probably inconvenience the stores if they snuck in to bask in the A/C so maybe they could get under the shade of the trees around the park...? He walks over to one of the benches that's just under a tree and sets his garbage collecting stuff out of the way, waiting for Lisa to walk over as well]

Phew... Sorry, I didn't mean to keep you out in this heat. Um... My name's Sakurai Keiwa. Nice to meet you.

[a little awkward to be introducing himself this late, but it's probably better to ask someone for their LINE after you've done a face to face introduction...]

[She's right behind him as he walks, joining him on the bench. She's not quite wilting, but she can feel her ears tingling. Why does the sun have to be a deadly laser today? Lisa lets out a long breath, smiling across at him.]

Imai Lisa. Pleased to meet you! And it's fine. There isn't much for it, this time of year.

[They can both be awkward together! She really should have introduced herself sooner than this, but if anyone asks the heat scrambled her manners. ~~Not that that was in doubt.~~]

[Keiwa returns the smile easily. Hey, being awkward together was definitely better than being awkward alone! He fiddles with his phone that's still in his hands for a second]

Then... Lisa-san- [erring on the side of politeness, I see...] -it would probably be better to arrange something over LINE.

[from the comfort of somewhere with A/C!]

Mm, that's not a bad plan. [She palms her own phone quickly and pulls up the add screen with practiced speed.] Maybe I'll be a little less awkward when I'm not frying out here. I'm sure you weren't expecting to be accosted by a random girl on the street today. [She certainly wasn't planning on it!]

Well... [he chuckles a little awkwardly] It was a little unexpected.

[he gives her his number once she pulls out her phone]

Don't worry about it. This was one of the nicer meetings I've had while doing these sort of volunteer work. [a sigh] But when you're placed next to a playground, it's only a matter of time before someone accidentally hits you with a ball...

[Lisa has the grace - and the restored energy - to laugh at herself.]

Well, I'm glad I wasn't a terrible bother, then. [A wince.] Hopefully you didn't literally get hit with a ball though. That would kinda set the tone for my day, personally.

No, not at all. It was probably about time to take a break anyway.

[he tilts his head back and forth in a 'kinda' gesture...]

Maybe once or twice.

[laughs] It was just little kids though, so it didn't hurt.

Just your pride, right? [She smiles; of course nothing major happened.] Maybe I've watched too much anime, I thought you'd gotten hit with a high school soccer team's errant kick or something.

A little bit. [he winces and rubs the back of his head at the thought of getting smacked full force by a soccer ball] That's a little too dramatic, isn't it? ... Hopefully that doesn't happen now or in the future.

[~~brb looking for an opportunity to bean Keiwa in the head with a soccer ball how~~]

Hopefully not, but I don’t take anything for granted in this city, you know? Too many people, too much strangeness. It’s home, and I love it, but I’ve seen a lot.