yumemigaoka | (no subject)

(no subject)

⭐ Who: Keiwa and whoever runs into him
⭐ When: Throughout February!
⭐ Where: Around Camellia, the DU and Koubai General Hospital in the waking world, various(?) locations in the Dreamsphere
⭐ What: Working at the Kissaten, passing out chocolates, donating blood, being ignored by the Nightmare because he's a chump and entirely too trusting/honest with people. 8(
⭐ Warnings: ???

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Apart from the bitter taste of rejection - [He wasn't even rejected in the first place.] - they're not half bad. Can't really go wrong with chocolate.

[You probably can, but for a guy who'll eat literal garbage - you really can't.]

So what gives? You struck by some belated Christmas spirit, or are you taking pity on all of us losers without dates?

[Projection...]

[there's a flinch at the taste of rejection comment, followed by a mumbled apology, like it's actually Keiwa's fault and not Misfire being dramatic]

Hm? Well... I don't really have a date either... [to his sister's paradoxical relief and disappointment] My aunt used to give chocolates out to customers who come in for coffee. So I just felt a little nostalgic.

[he scratches the back of his neck, embarrassed to admit it]

It's nice to get gifts, right?

[That’s a pretty endearing reason. Misfire doesn’t have any sentiment for the holiday like that, but he’s not exactly in a place to judge; he did pay out of pocket for an (admittedly, kind of shitty) Christmas party after all.]

Oh yeah, who doesn’t love free stuff? [He kind of stripped all the sentiment away in one brutal sentence.] Plus, this saves me from having absolutely nothing to show for myself this holiday.

[Does it count? Not really, but he’ll take it.]

Remind me to pay you back when - what’s it called - that other day comes around.

[his eyes go wide before he laughs, the surprise probably leaving little for for any other sort of response. Considering he usually shrinks away when he's surprised, this is an improvement]

It's 'White Day,' in March. [said between little bouts of laughter. Once he recovers;]

You don't have to get me anything though. I just wanted to do something nice for people.

[why he included Misfire is a mystery...]

[Misfire squints at him, not because of the laughter, but-]

I don't get it.

[He goes for another chocolate before continuing.]

You're generous, not bad to look at, and clearly know your way around a kitchen - how come you're left out with the rest of us losers on Valentine's?

[he blinks at Misfire, originally because he's confused and then... No, he's still confused]

Left out? [he shakes his head] I actually have to work at the Camellia later today. They could really use the extra hand so I'm helping out. It's not that bad.

[... did the entire point of Misfire's comment fly over his head?]

Ohhh. I get it now. It’s ‘cause you’re an idiot.

[He nods slowly. It all comes together.]

Seriously - working on Valentine’s Day? Even spending it alone is better than that.

Wha- [the look on his face says 'You didn't have to say it out loud!' but Keiwa himself is too stunned to say anything]

I don't- [/flustered] The kissaten has been understaffed recently. And if me being there means someone else can spend time with their loved one, that's fine, right?

[he seems to be completely missing the point that seeing all these lovey-dovey couples on Valentine's is probably massively demoralizing to someone who is single. But Keiwa's also wired different from the average person. There's no accounting for stupidity(?)]

I’m sure that self-sacrificial streak can be very attractive if it wasn’t literally keeping you from getting a date.

[As much as he finds comfort in not being the only singleton here aside from Ango, he can’t just stand by and watch this happen. Something has to be done.]

Alright. How’s this: you and me, after your shift finishes, hit up a bar and I - being the excellent wingman I am - land you a hot date so the world is no longer denied access to your beautiful bod by virtue of your complete obliviousness. Sound good?

[there's... There's a lot of words coming at him that Keiwa has no idea how to respond to. It reminds him of that one time in university, where a bunch of his classmates had gotten together to hit up the local bar to try and pick up girls. Keiwa had volunteered to be the designated driver that time, winning him points with his drunk classmates but ultimately missing out on the tried and true university drinking experience.

Did he even notice anything Misfire said after 'hot date'? Who knows, it would probably be the same response either way.

He sputters, face red, shoulders hunched and hands held in front of him defensively. It takes him a few tries before he manages to string words together into coherent sentences again]

I don't... I'm not really- [he trails off, mumbling, and it seems like all that confidence he had when he first handed over those chocolates have evaporated into thin air- wait a minute. He's still mumbling, but he sounds confused rather than indignant or accusatory]

... But if that's the case, wouldn't you have been able to get yourself a date...?

Wow. Way to go straight for the jugular.

[Brutal!!!!]

Have you considered that I could be nursing a broken heart from the breakdown of a long-term relationship that defined my very being and am struggling to learn to love again?

[He's not. He's just being an ass.]

Edited 2024-02-20 09:37 (UTC)

... Really?

[The look of uncertainty on his face. It's not quite doubt, not yet, but judging by that frown, he's not buying it either]

You seem to be recovering well if you're able to make fun of someone who just gave you candy like this.

[oh my god, is the tanuki actually prepared to defend himself? But his comeback is mumbled and delivered without any sort of venom in it. Whatever he meant by it, it's clearly not said to really hurt Misfire's feelings]

[Did Keiwa just…? Honestly, it takes Misfire a moment to process Keiwa actually coming back at him. Not that it’s particularly aggressive, come on we’re not under some freaky Dream Sphere personality inversion here, but it’s still enough to make him double-take.

He should be so proud.]

Call it a coping mechanism. It’s the only way I’m gonna get through this holiday. [And there is technically some truth in it!!] I meant what I said, though. That was an honest to God offer.

[the look Keiwa levies at Misfire is doubtful at best, but he seems to be thinking about it. It's not as if Misfire has done anything other than give him candy corn without much warning that one time... And wasn't he part of the group that handled Ango's Night Terror? Even now, he's offering to help Keiwa even if Keiwa himself isn't particularly keen on the sort of help being offered.

Surely he couldn't be a bad person]

It's going to be pretty busy so... Maybe not tonight. It wouldn't be fair if your efforts went to waste, right?

[Oh sweet summer child.]

Great! Then we’ll reschedule it for another night! What’s the significance of a dumb arbitrary holiday, anyway?

Um...

[mistakes have been definitely been made this day]

All right...? Maybe... Maybe next month...

[where did that hint of a spine go? Already, Keiwa's drifting back into his usual meek self. What a shame]

[oh, honey.]

Should be good for my schedule. Next month it is. You better prepare yourself, loser.

[today, Keiwa learned to fear... j/k he's always some degree of afraid]

Right... [he sounds so unsure] Then I'll see you around...

[He fires off some fingerguns just before he goes, as both a promise and a threat.]

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