yumemigaoka | (no subject)

[Poor, poor Keiwa. He tries so hard, doesn't he? Tsukasa isn't blind to this! He sees it.

But unfortunately for poor Keiwa, even if Tsukasa can respect the grind and the true effort this tanuki puts into it all, Tsukasa has got to Tsukasa. So without any warning (how is this kid so quiet?!), he is behind Keiwa.]

What usually goes away in a week?!

[If he scares you, sorry. But well, not really. Scaring Keiwa is hilarious.]

[the startled scream could probably be heard a block away as he jumps out of the chair he had been sitting in. It's only because he's used to being startled while carrying coffee at the Camellia that the zenzai remains mostly intact]

Huh?!

[a couple of the older volunteers have stopped to check to see if everything's okay but go back to their tasks once Keiwa gives them an okay... A few passerbys are laughing at the response though. The person in question turns around to look at Tsukasa, thoroughly flustered]

Wh-when did you get here?

['how' would have been a good question too, considering Keiwa could have sworn that the younger Yugi twin wasn't here several minutes ago]

[Tsukasa does not even react to scaring Keiwa. He doesn't laugh or jump. His smile staying on his face. Ever present.]

Ages ago!

But you don't look good.

Ages- Huh?

[he's holding his bowl of Zenzai up protectively (of the bowl or for himself? Who knows!) but he relaxes after being sure that Tsukasa doesn't have a follow up prank. The ever present smile doesn't even bother Keiwa anymore. At this point, he'd probably be more trouble if Tsukasa wasn't smiling...]

Um... [he reaches up to touch his own forehead but it's hard to tell between his fingers being warmed by the food and the cold weather] What?

[He puts a finger to his chin.] Hmm, how do I put it...? You look like you tried really hard and it didn't go well.

Well. That's how it usually goes for you, huh? But worse! Are you feeling okay? Do you need a cough drop?

[When in doubt, a cough drop always helps.]

[there's a strained little chuckle at that first part]

Tsukasa-kun is as perceptive as usual...

[he sounds a little defeated, considering Tsukasa's usual lack of tact but, well... It wouldn't be Keiwa if he didn't take the (un)intentional insult with his usual patience. Besides, the offer of a cough drop was as good an indication as any that the younger Yugi twin was just trying to look out for people in his own way.

Keiwa shakes his head to turn down the cough drop though]

What brings you all the way out here? Oh- We have some extra zenzai, would you like some?

Exploring. But then I saw you.

[It was a hobby he always had and one he wouldn't be stopping any time soon. Even the cold doesn't stop him. Though what he does when he explores? As good a question as any and not one he will answer. You got to have some secrets!

And then he saw his favorite ~~target~~ employee. It was always a good day when he got to see Keiwa.

He lights up at the offer of zenzai and nods.]

I can really have some?

Tsukasa-kun... [there's a worried smile at that. He trusts that the young boy knows better but it's with the tone of someone saying it more out of reflex] Just don't go anywhere you're not supposed to, okay? Your parents will be worried.

[he reaches over to ruffle Tsukasa's hair gently before standing up to go ask for another bowl from the older lady managing the booth. Keiwa comes back with an extra (still hot) bowl in hand]

Here.

Only one bowl though. If you want another one, you'll have to donate some money for the garden.

[Tsukasa doesn't say it but he's not sure they would be worried. He was so used to travelling about, going places he shouldn't and it wasn't like they knew. When they'd been younger, it had been a blessing when Tsukasa wasn't demanding so much attention.

And maybe that's part of the problem now with his behavior but it isn't time to unpack all of that. Luckily for Keiwa. He's got enough on his plate.

Tsukasa takes the bowl with a quick thank you and thinks.] Hm, I wanted to get some for Amane but I don't have money...but I guess it won't stay hot...[Dilemmas.

But he looks to Keiwa.]

What's wrong with you?

[Blunt as always!]

[Keiwa doesn't know the finer details of the Yugi household, but it seemed natural to worry about family... Even if the person in question was the human equivalent of an outdoor cat]

Hmm... Maybe we can get him a sweet potato instead. That one you can split with him more easily-

[he freezes at Tsukasa points out, again, that Keiwa's not looking too hot]

Huh? What do you- Oh... [a sheepish look] It's just a headache... But is it that obvious?

[Every family has their drama and the Yugi household is no different. Luckily they keep their employees out of it or else that is a very toxic workplace, Keiwa, and you should get out!

Get sweet potato for Amane, he reminds himself.]

Mm, kind of? I just think you always look obvious. [what does that mean?] I know when people have headaches, they should take medicine. Do you have any?

'Always'-?

[were this an anime, there would be the cartoonish image of a round tanuki getting shot through the chest by an arrow. He doesn't even know what that means but it feels like the usual blunt honesty that the younger twin was known for]

Mmm... [he shakes his head slowly before taking a bite of his (quickly cooling) Zenzai] Well... I have some in my bag - for emergencies! - but the last time I had a headache from the Dream Sphere it didn't... Really do much.

Other than make me tired, at least.

Thanks for worrying about me though, Tsukasa-kun.

[A look of understanding comes over Tsukasa and he nods.]

I get it, I get it! It went so bad it followed you here? [That is absolutely an innocent question, not one he means to be offensive. Which is always how it goes with Tsukasa.]

Uwah...

[holding no punches back... Typical Tsukasa. Keiwa takes to the bluntness like the mild tempered tanuki that he is]

It did. It's part of what happens when you get knocked out of the Dream Sphere by a Nightmare.

This usually goes away after a few days or a week. It's just... Hm. [Actually, he's been in a few failed hunts recently, huh?] It didn't go very well this time around.

[Tsukasa has a good read on people. Something Keiwa knows all too much about given how Tsukasa talks to him.

But he knows Keiwa is a good person. Someone he likes and so when you like someone, you want them to feel better.

So he pats Keiwa's shoulder.] There, there. [Like Keiwa isn't how much older than him? ] You always try hard and sometimes things don't work out. But it's better you tried at all, right?

[there's a soft laugh. He seems to find Tsukasa treating him like a young child funny rather than demeaning. Maybe he should be offended? Keiwa really shouldn't be letting this kid get away with being rude like this Tsukasa-kun is pretty thoughtful, hm?

[welp]

It can be pretty dangerous in the Dream Sphere, but we did do our best. [then again, this is Tsukasa so-] You've got a good sense about this sort of thing, so it feels you wouldn't change anything even if we tried to warn you.

[Nobody can complain about Tsukasa when they let him get away with this.]

It always works out anyway, doesn't it? [No, Tsukasa, that's literally just how it is for you.]

Do you feel bad it didn't work out the way you wanted it to? Well, that's normal. Sometimes you can try really hard and it doesn't work out! But you'll keep trying because that's who you are, right?

[Tsukasa rolls with the punches enough that even when it doesn't work out, it still works out]

... You know... Sometimes Tsukasa-kun sounds much more mature than he is. [he gives the younger boy a lopsided smile] It would be nice if you could stop trying to startle customers.

[Not Keiwa though, and you would think that by now he would know better than to leave that door open. Yet here they are... Luckily, Keiwa doesn't actually complain about Tsukasa much beyond "it would be nice if he stopped jumping out at me from around corners"]

Hm? It doesn't bother them too badly, though. They come back, don't they? [Versus how many customers have not wanted to come back because the gremlin thinks jumpscares are funny?]

But you feel a little better now, don't you? I can tell.

[And he does really like Keiwa. He'd really wanted to come over and see him.]

I guess so... Still, it would probably improve their experience to not be startled while enjoying their coffee.

[he's making An Attempt]

Hmm... A little bit.

[he slowly finishes his remaining red bean soup as he talks]

I'll let your mother know if I can't come in to work in a couple of days. I wouldn't want anyone to catch anything if this isn't just Dream Sphere related headaches.

So when they're not drinking their coffee? Got it! [heard loud and clear, Keiwa!]

If you can't come, I'll go and visit you! [Terrifying.]

Tsukasa-kun... [said the sort of exasperated but fond tone that a very patient teacher might have for an unruly student... That, or the tone of your typical cat owner complaining about their cat]

Hmm... It's not that I mind if you come visit, but it probably wouldn't be very interesting. More than that though... I don't want you or Amane-kun to get sick because of me.

I don't think you're sick. You just got a little scrambled! [That is a surprisingly nice way of him putting it?]

And I like seeing you. If I don't get to see you when you work then who knows when I will next. [Tsukasa did like Keiwa, for better or for worse. That could never be denied. He was actually a pretty affectionate kid...in his own ways.]

[there's a quiet laugh at the 'scrambled' comment] Like an omelette?

[it's a good thing that Keiwa's so patient. He doesn't even think to point out that the way Tsukasa said it? Makes it sound like they might just suddenly never see each other again. It ought to be more concerning, but Keiwa's been working at Camellia long enough that the oddity doesn't bother him too terribly much]

That sounds a little ominous when you put it like that... Hopefully, it doesn't get that bad.

Yeah, your head is like an omelette right now! [and Tsukasa likes those so worse things for your head to be!]

Who knows? Anything can happen. But if you did just die then know I'd miss you a lot! [TSUKASA......]

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