yumemigaoka | ★ so perfect as a liar, you are really

[Keiwa and his sister would usually tackle large sales like these together. Usually with the smaller Sara leading the charge and the taller Keiwa pointing out where the best route was, hot on his sister's heels. But Sara isn't here so it's just Keiwa, by himself, trying to make his way through the crowd.

It took a little longer than usual to get the produce he was aiming for with the crowds the way they are, but not enough for him to call it a waste. The local vegetables looked really good and even if he had no intention of coming every week, it seemed like a waste to not try some at least once. He's humming to himself, thinking about what to make for dinner when he hears the sound of something heavy hitting the ground (wince) followed by a barely restrained yowl.

Is he a busybody? Can he just not help himself? Either way, he's picking up some of the wayward produce rolling away from the crime scene and jogging back to the original source]

Hey, are you oka- Eh?? [wait, this time he recognizes her! Progress!! And he's got a soft voice in the first place, so it's not like his surprise draws anyone's attention. He smiles a little sheepishly before adding;]

Umm... That was probably a dumb question. Here, let me help.

[ When Ai looks up at him, it's with her glasses and her cap both a little askew from all the commotion. She blinks – and then recognition clicks into place in turn and she hastily straightens both of them with a little laugh. ]

Aah, you caught me at a bad time, huh? [ She sounds a little sheepish – even dressed up like this she's recognizable enough that she can't exactly be losing her temper like that where anyone could see her. She shoves a few errant potatoes back into the bag, recaptures a carrot that was at risk of going rolling again then gives Keiwa a little grin. ] I really didn't think everyone would be going this crazy over veggies!

[he passes her the items he picked up before standing and offering Ai a hand up. One day he'll understand the importance of idol culture to the general population. Today will not be that day and Keiwa simply continues to be too polite for his own good]

Well, this is usually what happens during sales... Sometimes it can't be helped. [a laugh] There's nothing like baked sweet potatoes in the fall.

[ Up she gets...! She ends up taking hold of his wrist more than his hand, just to give herself some good plausible deniability in case anyone else recognizes her, eases up onto her feet. Her veggies are secure, at least, and if they're a little bruised... well, it's not like you can tell once they're diced and turned into curry! ]

I guess you're not wrong... there's definitely been some major scraps for sales over at the Tsubaki Department Store every year. Matsuba's not usually so bad, though! I guess I was expecting everyone to be little better behaved? Heehee.

[for his part, he lets go as soon as she's standing. Even without her being an idol, Keiwa's been volunteering at places long enough to recognize that he doesn't need to hold on longer than necessary]

It's probably because it's the start of the month... After everything that's happened-

[a pause, because how much did that Distortion event affect the average populace? He probably wouldn't have noticed anything other than the earthquakes. They're just dreams after all]

Some people are just really gung-ho about sales, I guess. [he scratches the back of his neck] But we should probably move out of the way. Before... [a nebulous gesture to one side, probably meant to indicate 'someone recognizes you' without completely giving away what he's talking about]

[ After everything that's happened–

Recognition drops into her belly with a thunk. Real recognition this time, not just the vague awareness of this being someone she knows and where from. That's right. Keiwa had been one of the people who'd gone right to the heart of Mio's dream and rescued her. She's seen the reports and she's talked to Ango so she's already heard some of what happened in there but–

But she wants to know.

Without missing a beat, she snaps on her brightest, prettiest smile. ]

You're probably right! [ She hefts her bag up onto her shoulder and tilts her head. ] Should we go and grab ourselves some drinks? We've probably earned it at this point, huh?

[... He recognizes that smile and subconsciously recoils a little bit, hands raised slightly in a gesture that's caught between both defensive and placating. Did he say something wrong? Why was she using her winning smile on him again??]

S-Sure...?

[he readjusts his backpack holding his groceries before gesturing for her to go first. There's less people away from the grocery section but... Keiwa still isn't that familiar with places to go around town. Where would someone as recognizable as Ai go for coffee anyway?]

I won't drag you too far out this time, I promise! Matsuba's pretty quiet, so there's a few places we'll be able to grab a drink to go.

[ Camellia would've been a good place to have a chat like this, but if Tsukasa and Amane are there, it'll make things a little harder to Engage Interrogation...

She's nice(??) enough to not go all in right away though, simply tossing a question over her shoulder as she casually leads the way away from the market. ]

Speaking of last month, I heard you were really in the thick of things. How are you doing after all that?

[Keiwa does not know what disaster he has stumbled into, only that he is immensely concerned and a little uncomfortable for reasons he isn't quite able to put his finger on. He chalks it up to the experience of their last meeting; Ai's smiles are... Well, they're definitely weapons of their own. As to be expected of an idol, probably.

Obediently following behind her, he blinks at the question before awkwardly rubbing the back of his neck]

I'm... All right. [a strained smile] It doesn't feel real. I still don't know what to think about it all.

[he’s relieved that Chaosbringer is as flashy as he is. Keiwa had no idea what he would do if he was thrust into the spotlight like that, other than looking like a startled ~~tanuki~~ deer. He shudders a little at the thought of dealing with that after-]

... What’s going to happen to Mio now?

... I'm not sure. I guess at the end of the day, that's up to her.

[ She's a little relieved that she's leading the way – and that Keiwa won't be able to see whatever complicated emotion is passing over her face. ]

It sounds like she's stepping back from Pure Candy, which is a good start. And by the sounds of things, nobody's blaming her, so I don't think she'll get a lot of backlash, if any. But even for a girl her age...

[ She makes herself smile and glances back over her shoulder at him. ]

It can be tough to shake the 'idol' image once you're famous enough.

[ Not that she would... know... ]

[Keiwa isn't quite staring at Ai when she's talking, somewhat distracted while thinking about what she's saying about Mio. He looks up when she trails off, one part concerned and one part uncertain, though he looks away again when she glances over at him]

... I can't even begin to imagine.

[at best, he's only familiar with idols through secondhand exposure. You hear about it, the idols that never really manage to take off and instead are forgotten about, shunted off to who knows where. Then there's the successful ones...]

But she's a Dreamer now, isn't she? So... [he pauses, clearly struggling to articulate what it was he wanted to say. After a moment, he says quietly;]

So she doesn't have to be alone in this, at least.

That's right. And helping out kids like her is what the DU was made for.

[ Odette had impressed that on her every step of the way when she'd been a girl not that much older than Mio, terrified of the world she'd stumbled her way into. Odette had reassured her, guided her and reminded her that for as impossibly bright and larger than life as her mentor had always seemed, there had been a once upon a time that she'd been a girl just as uncertain and unsure of herself as Ai was.

That was why the DU had been created. Because for as long as the Dream Sphere existed, there would be kids who stumbled their way into it and needed a guiding hand to show them that for all there might be there to be afraid of, none of it was beyond their capacity to handle – especially once they had help. ]

Even if she doesn't sign up, we're going to help her every step of the way.

That's good to hear. I wish we could have done more for her...

[he has no frame of reference for what Mio must've went through. Less for the life that Ai lives now. But he saw a glimpse of it in the Distortion, the need for perfection, being thrown around at the whims of others, until your appearance takes on a separate life from the truth.

It doesn't sit well with him. But... It's not really his place to question people's choices, not when he barely has a goal of his own he wants to achieve]

Um... What happened last month. [he adjusts his backpack on his shoulder, hesitating before he just goes ahead and says what's on his mind] I only recently became a Dreamer but something that big... Was that really the first time it's happened?

Mm. As far as we know.

[ She says that quickly – maybe just a little bit too quickly. ]

The thing about the Dream Sphere is... I guess it's sort of like the sea. Did you know that apparently, humans have only explored about five percent of the ocean, even though we've been interested in it for so long? It's a lot like that. Even though we've been doing our best to understand it for as long as we've known about it, there's still a lot of things we just don't know for sure. But...

[ She's grateful that they're not facing each other as they walk – she doesn't want to know what kind of uncertain expression she's wearing right now. ]

If anything like that's ever happened before, we haven't picked it up.

[there's silence behind Ai as he thinks about it before suddenly stuttering;]

Sorry, it's not- I didn't... mean to imply that the DU wasn't doing what they could.

[she's not looking at him but he feels like he's overstepped in some way. Or maybe that's just his nerves getting the better of him once more. Keiwa's not sure, and winds up looking down and away again]

That makes sense. It's hard enough to keep track of people when they're awake. Trying to do that somewhere like the DreamSphere...

[he wants to be more helpful, but he's still just a Novice that still doesn't know what his goals are. What he wants to do outside of the nebulous 'I want to help'...]

Sorry- [again?] -I didn't mean to bring down the mood. Um... Where did you want to go for drinks?

[ That makes her stop in her tracks so she can turn properly and look at him with an expression of mingled surprise and confusion that comes out more honest than she might have otherwise let it.

He's not quite retreating but something about his apology feels like one – like he'd offended her in some way and needed to make up for it. It leaves Ai with a feeling of missing a step on the way down the stairs and the only thing she can think to do is...

Well. Smile. Isn't that what she always does? ]

You don't have to apologize. You'll never find anything out if you don't ask, right? And after the month you had, I'd have all sorts of questions too.

[ There. Now things seem a little brighter and safer. ]

How about a macha latte on me? Since I've been talking your ear off so much.

[He's fiddling with the cuff of his sleeve and doesn't catch the moment of honesty from an idol. Not that... Keiwa would recognize it even if he saw it.

Maybe he's trying to think of what sort of questions he could possibly ask, what sort of answers he wants (he doesn't know, if he's honest). But that line of thought grinds to halt when she offers to buy him a latte ~~fancy...~~]

Eh? You don't- [wait, it would probably be rude to turn her down-] -- Thank you very much.

[isn't that a little too polite? He smiles sheepishly]

... It's not a problem. I should be the one apologizing for taking up your time.

[ Ai tilts her head and gives him a grin you can only really call cheeky – even a little disarming. ]

Two in a row, huh? C'mon, no more saying you're sorry for this and that! I'm technically your senpai here, right? This is all just part of the job.

[ Never mind that this is technically her day off... though given that this is Ai, it's questionable whether she ever has an actual day off Vs. a day she does slightly less work than usual.

With drinks decided on, she pauses at a crossing and inclines with her head for Keiwa to follow. ]

The DU is a union because we all help each other out. Don't feel bad for needing help or asking questions. Isn't that what you joined up for?

Ah- Right.

[was that stutter him stopping himself from apologizing again? Must've been, judging by the sheepish look on his face. But Keiwa returns the smile with a nod and continues to follow behind her]

It's just... [Keiwa pauses then he looks at Ai's grocery bag] I didn't mean to interrupt your day. Any questions I have can always wait for when we're actually at the DU.

[ She waves a hand, a friendly sort of dismissal. ]

It's fine, I promise! I didn't really have anything else planned today, so it's not like you're taking up my time. If anything, I owe you for helping me out with my shopping, right?

[ The crosswalk lets out a cheery jingle and Ai takes that as her cue to cross. ]

Besides. If you've got questions, that means you're thinking over things pretty hard. Sometimes asking the right question is what it takes to figure situations like this out.

That's...

[he looks up when he hears the crossing signal go off and starts after Ai. He takes a second to collect his thoughts before he speaks up again]

Like you said, we all help each other out right? [Keiwa seems oddly happy about this fact] I just wish I could contribute more than just helping you pick up wayward vegetables.

I don't know about that. You did a pretty good job of contributing last month, didn't you? If anything, I'd say you've earned yourself a little downtime!

[ Even as she says it, she laughs like she's saying as if, right? She's starting to get the impression she's with a kindred spirit – the type who can't be happy until they've done everything they can and then some. ]

That and you're still learning the ropes, right? You don't have to push yourself so hard right from the start.

... Maybe.

[is he commenting on his contribution to ending the Distortion event or about earning downtime? It's hard to tell from his tone, he doesn't particularly sound convinced about either. At least Keiwa a little more light hearted than earlier.

There's a momentary pause before he laughs quietly]

That's easier said than done! [he was fighting alongside CHAOSBRINGER after all, that's a hard act to follow] Even if I'm just a Novice-

[he trails off, like he's not entirely sure what he meant to say] ... The least I can do is try to not be a burden.

Ah-ah-ah. [ She waggles a finger disapprovingly – then points it right at him. ] Party foul! Acting like you're dragging the rest of us down is off limits.

[ Her tone is playful enough to take any sting out of the scolding as she slows on the sidewalk, setting her hand on the door of a cute little cafe – evidently, they've arrived at their destination. ]

You're doing your best, right? So long as you're trying your hardest, nobody gets to call you a burden. Especially not you!

O-off limits...? [it sounds a little like something his sister may say and Keiwa can't help but wonder if she's actually been stealthily channeling idols to motivate him... That he can't immediately rule it out is a little concerning.

So he winds up laughing about it instead]

Right. Then... I'll do my best. [quietly, but with a little more conviction. Keiwa looks at the door of the cafe Ai led them to and adds;] I didn't know this was here.

★ so perfect as a liar, you are really

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