August catch-all ♫

[traceofeffort]

⭐ Who: Lisa and you! Yeah, on your phone in the front row! Get up here!
⭐ When: August! Waterpark threads will be on that log, but she'll be busy the rest of the month too.
⭐ Where: Mostly in Koubai and Kihada, but maybe also Akabeni? All over the place, really. See individual top-levels.
⭐ What: After taking a bit of a mental health break earlier in the year, Lisa's ready to put her life officially back on track! Part of that's going back to school, but her social life seems to be developing too... If you don't see anything you like, swing by her plotting top-level and we'll hash something out.
⭐ Warnings: Probably nothing, but while Lisa's mood is more positive than usual it's also a little more swingy. Lisa-typical poor self-image, possibly.

Comments

[traceofeffort]

[Lisa blinks slowly at the admittedly very good advice, before putting the dress back on the rack with a sheepish look.]

Ah. Yeah, I can't. Really wear this out. I'd turn too many heads, along with the one I want. I got so excited thinking about what I could wear... [She shakes her head, not finishing the meme.] And I think I'll take that advice about comfort over style. [Lisa grins at him, largely honest even if she's still a little off-balance.] I'm happy for the vote of confidence, at least. I just need to make sure I don't go overboard, or I'm gonna look like a weirdo. [A beat, as she glances at the price tag on the blouse she's still holding.] I also need to make sure I don't go overboard so I have money to spend on my date.

[i_peace]

[he chuckles quietly]

That's good, isn't it? That you're so excited for it... The person you're going with will be happy to know you're looking forward to the date so much. The important part is that the two of you enjoy yourselves after all. It wouldn't be much fun if you sweat the details too much, right?

Though... [he thinks about it, remembering some of the giggly girls talking to his Aunt back at the Milk Dipper about going on dates with their boyfriends] Planning for it is part of the fun, maybe?

[when she mentions the price, Keiwa stops and nods in agreement, moving slightly so he's not blocking the door as he does so]

Hmmm... That's true. Where will you guys be going? [a pause, then sheepishly;] If you don't mind me asking.

[traceofeffort]

Planning is definitely part of the fun, yeah. Imagine the feeling of being able to put a big smile on the face of someone that's important to you, especially if you did it without actually knowing if they'd enjoy what you came up with. It's... exhilarating. [A little bit of that feeling bubbles up inside her, and a bit of a dreamy look crosses her face just thinking about it.] But even if it's not quite that special, I'll still enjoy it. I'm... just happy to spend time with someone that enjoys spending time with me.

[Okay, Lisa, pull it back a little. You're gonna freak him out.]

Ah, we're going to the aquarium, I think? And then dinner after, but we haven't made plans yet. I think it'll depend on the mood, you know?

[i_peace]

Oh, I see... [he nods along cheerfully, seemingly not disturbed at all by Lisa's little slip. To him, it just seems like Lisa's enthusiasm and not... Any sort of underlying issue, something that will land him and the other person in trouble one of these days... But thankfully not today] That's good! It's nice to see that Lisa-san is having fun regardless. It's important to enjoy your time with friends.

The aquarium, huh? That sounds nice... My aunt and uncle went out to an observatory to stargaze for their usual date location, but- [pause, then sheepishly] That's probably a bit too intimate for a first date.

[he's struggling here. Considering he was just passing out chocolates willy-nilly, it's clear Keiwa has no idea what he's doing. Other than encouraging Lisa in her own endeavors]

Hmm... I wonder if it's better to have an idea of what options are available around you or not... Well, it would probably be fun to find someplace to eat together too.

[traceofeffort]

[She's about to comment that she is very happy to spend that time, but then he pipes up with his suggestion and she can't help but imagine it... and then her face flushes bright red, lips twisting in an overwhelmed almost-grimace.]

That's. That's way too intimate. Maybe for, like, a fourth date. It would be fun, but I'd be way too self-conscious. [A beat; she seems to really internalize the idea, and she nods, smile returning.] I'll remember that though. If I make it to a fourth date, I might do that.

And I do think it'll be more fun to look for somewhere to grab dinner after we leave. I can look it up, sure, but I don't wanna plan something quiet and romantic and then end up feeling awkward if we ended up loud and energetic, yeah? [She shakes her head.] I think she's going to have every restaurant in a four-block radius memorized anyway. It's just kinda how she is.

[...did you say what gender your date was before, Lisa?]

[i_peace]

[he stiffens slightly when he spots her grimace and apologizes awkwardly;] Sorry...

[she's already miles ahead of where he'd be - which would be offering to eat at koubu-ya, his treat - so maybe... Keiwa ought to stay out of it? Maybe he could ask his sister for pointers- Wait, that's probably a bad idea. Well-meaning as Sara could be, Keiwa also isn't sure that she has that much more experience with this sort of thing...

But it sounds like it won't be a problem]

'She'?

[he is sort of curious who the other girl is... Is this normal? He usually hears about girls talking about boyfriends, but just because he's never heard the opposite doesn't mean it doesn't happen, right? Probably. More importantly, Lisa's happy to be with this person so, general curiosity aside, it's not as if Keiwa was in any position to disapprove]

[traceofeffort]

N-no, you're trying to help, Keiwa-kun, and I appreciate it! It is a good idea, too. I just... have some social anxiety sometimes. I think you've seen it at least once.

[She feels a little bad about Keiwa apologizing, although as she says, she's pretty sure it's not the first time she's done something socially a little strange. Speaking of saying something strange, she realizes she's said too much and flinches.]

Oh, um... well... [But it's probably fine if he knows, right? He won't do anything she'll regret. So-] i-it's Junna. That's. That's my date.

[i_peace]

[a lopsided smile is sent Lisa's way as she tries to soothe over whatever social faux pas just happened. Keiwa missed it himself, though he swallows down the impulse to apologize lest it upsets Lisa more. She's doing her best, after all, and the last thing he wants is to make her feel bad]

... Oh!

[and again, the wide eyes and blissfully head empty straightforward realization appears on his face before he laughs softly]

Ah, that's right. She was planning on getting you a gift a while ago... Congratulations to you both!

[traceofeffort]

[Don't worry about it Keiwa, it's not you, it's her. (And she's perfectly able to upset herself, sorry.) But the wide eyes telegraph she's made her point well enough, and for a tiny moment, she's worried he's going to think she's weird or something. But he laughs, and Lisa feels that tension drain back out as she smiles at him, warm and honest.]

She was, huh? But... thanks, I really appreciate it. I've been a little hesitant to tell people - it's... kinda hard to predict how they'll react, you know? [She absolutely doesn't want Junna to be looked down on for this. She doesn't deserve that.] But I'm excited, when I'm not a nervous mess!

[i_peace]

Ah- Has she not had time to give it to you yet? We were looking at it when Cherry Blossom season was ending...

[... Oh. Maybe the anniversary event put a damper on it? Keiwa's not quite sure, but he decides to keep the gift unmentioned for the time being. He looks a little embarrassed at having partly spoiled the surprise already]

Hmm... It's not really something you hear about a lot, huh? Most of the girls that visit the cafes I worked at would be talking about their boyfriends... [he says it so innocently, like it's just something that rarely happens and not... Well, an actual issue. Then again, following the whole Valentine's chocolate fiasco, it's clear Keiwa's just oblivious to romance]

As long as you're equal parts nervous and excited, it should be all right. [said with sincere cheer] Both of you deserve to be happy.

[traceofeffort]

[She gives him a mild, slightly apologetic look.]

My head's been all over the place since then, so I wouldn't blame her for waiting for a better moment. [A beat.] Then again, I feel like my head is always all over the place? Eh. That's besides the point.

Still... I'd be surprised to hear a lot of girls talking about it. Junna- [Lisa pauses, before shaking her head.] She took a risk asking me. I'm really happy she did, but it took more guts than usual. Because you're right. She does deserve to be happy. I... I'd like to hope that's with me, but even if it isn't...

[She shakes her head hard, before setting aside the stuff in her hands roughly, slapping her cheeks, and looking back up at him, a small fire in her eyes.]

No, you're definitely right. We both deserve to be happy. [Her expression relaxes into something calmer and appreciative.] Um, thanks, Keiwa-kun. Like I said, I'm all over the place.

[i_peace]

[Keiwa listens to Lisa working through it all quietly and without judgement. His aunt and her younger brother has a similar sort of scatterbrained approach to things, and while it sometimes ends up unintentionally funny, Keiwa found that just acting as a sounding board for them helped too. Though he winds up jumping when she abruptly puts away the stuff she was holding, surprised]

Well... [he laughs softly] I feel like that's part of your charm too, Lisa-san. I won't spoil the surprise more, but I hope you like the gift Junna-san got you.

[then, more brightly;] And that you both have fun!