★ so perfect as a liar, you are really

[liedol]

⭐ Who: Ai and you!
⭐ When: October catchall
⭐ Where: Primarily in Yumemigaoka, open to closed prompts in the Dream Sphere
⭐ What: After the Absolutely Everything that went on last month, Ai does her best to get back on top of things as the DU's idol. This means looking out for her trainees and all the other Dreamers caught up in that mess and... trying not to admit any of it had gotten to her. Open and closed prompts inside!

Comments

[i_peace]

[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?

[liedol]

[ 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.

[i_peace]

[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.

[liedol]

[ 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?

[i_peace]

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.

[liedol]

[ 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.

[i_peace]

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.

[liedol]

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.

[i_peace]

... 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.

[liedol]

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!

[i_peace]

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.