yumemigaoka | (no subject)

S-Sorry... By the time I noticed the date it was cutting everything a little too close.

[worried about inconveniencing everyone with his skewed internal clock, as usual]

It's my first time doing this away from my family though so I, uh... Yeah, it feels a lot more intimidating that I remember it being. [his voice lilts up at the end, like he's asking a question rather that just commenting on something]

It is about family, huh... Hey, don't worry. It's not like you're the only one. Maybe it'll work out some way you didn't think of. Like some of the older spirits -- they might not have anyone here to remember to wash their grave, but now they got you.

Oooh.... [Keiwa - gentle, gullible soul that he is - is genuinely moved by the idea of being able to help someone else, even if it's just the idea of a poor spirit without anyone left to guide it. He's got the expectant ~~tanuki~~ puppy face on, even]

That's a great idea! Maybe it'll be a little less lonely for everyone... [now that he's stopped to think about it though. Meekly;] Um... Can I ask why you don't want to go back to your hometown?

[Maki sighs.]

My dad and I don't get along. He didn't do anything, just... that's the problem. You never know what he's thinking. He's always serious and he never gets what you're passionate about. It boiled up into a fight when I was still an actor, and I just. Left.

So that's what happened... Sorry, that sounds complicated... [and probably not something he should stick his nose in, if he's being honest] What about your other family members? Do you still keep in touch?

Sometimes. My mom and my brother call some days. Almost went back to Manoyama once, but I don't think it'd be any better if I did. At least here I have a steady job or two.

Hmmm, that's true. It's probably hard just packing up and moving out when you have a stable job somewhere... Nee-chan offered to move out here with me but she has work back in Tokyo. It seemed selfish to make her drop everything for me.

It's a little lonely though, huh?

...Something like that. I know the DU feels like home to a lot of us, but personally, the point that starts happening is the point you need to ease up on the overtime. Work is work, home's different.

[there's a laugh at that]

That's always an important distinction to make, isn't it? Are you speaking from personal experience or...?

[it sounds like something Zeke might say... Something about work-life balance for one's mental health or another]

More like I've seen how much of a mess we are and I gotta cover our bases.

Ah- [wince] That bad, huh?

[he's seen some examples but it's different to have it... Confirmed]

You were caught up in the month-long "trapped in the Dream Sphere" incident and you still don't know we're that bad?

Well... [he frowns, thoughtful] That month was different? It didn't seem to be caused by anyone of us. Not in the way that Disturbances or Nightmares are?

You were still stuck with half of us for that long. And speaking of Disturbances, how many have come from the office?

People aren't that bad! [/optimist]

... Two...? [sounding dubious, because she's got a point but he's being stubbornly optimistic]

Look... you're a nice guy, but I'm just saying, sometimes you gotta worry. Before something else happens.

I-I guess? It's not really... [he pulls on the hem of his shirt] It feels sort of invasive.

There's a difference between worrying and going up to someone like "here's what I think of all your personal problems, now go after your dreams and stop being messed up, despite how little sense that makes and how much I'm getting into your business." What am I, Genbu?

[there's a moment of stunned silence before a series of nervous giggling bubbles out of him] That's- It's always sort of impressive how he can just do that, honestly.

[basically, Keiwa could never]

[snrk] Right? I don't know how he manages anything, being that over the top all the time. How does he live?

[nod]

He makes it look effortless, but just thinking about acting like that... [he heaves a full body sigh] It seems exhausting. Or maybe he means to lead by example...?

Sure sounds like it. I know the guy worries, but seriously, it's also kinda stressful. Good guy, though, pain or not.

[nodnodnod]

It's definitely difficult to keep up with, even if it's also meant to be inspiring. The rest of us will just have to do our best to keep up.

Um... Do you mind if I follow you for a little bit, Maki-san? Just to get an idea of where things here are. [since it's his first time participating in Obon 1) alone and 2) away from his home]

Don't see why not. Come on, this way.

[She gestures and starts walking up the stairs with a smirk.]

The festival in general is pretty normal as they go, you're gonna be fine. Just let me know if you have questions.

[he jogs after her once he gets the okay, looking pretty relieved to not be at a loss by himself at a busy shrine]

Admittedly, I probably should have paid more attention to what we were doing when we went together but... Who knows? Living alone really puts things in a different perspective.