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Post by Shimakage Seitaro on Dec 17, 2017 19:33:16 GMT -5
hi nik please pretend i have swimsuit sprites for this thread because i'm lazy but also want to use sprites
New bodies, apparently, meant new locations to explore. In this case, those areas seemed to be external to the lodge, so of course Shimakage was going to jump at the chance for a change in scenery. It wasn't as though there was anything better to do; he'd never exchanged words with Karina, nor Mukizu, so of course he wasn't about to mope around mourning their deaths. No, Shimakage was an opportunist - a man with places to go and faces to see! And, well, potentially damage to undo, if Marugou's comments had taken root in any of his peers' hearts. He couldn't afford to dwell on possibilities, however. Not when a heated pool, of all things, had opened to exploration. The conman is quick to make his way to the Lifeguard Research Lab, where he is immediately greeted with the first pool he'sseen in years. For a few moments, he does nothing but stand there and stare like an awestruck child, though he's quick to regain composure, lest one of his classmates come in and see him looking less than composed. Once the initial shock wears off, he wanders the area leisurely, taking in everything from the heavy scent of chlorine to the gentle way the waves cascade from one end of the pool to the other. And then he stumbles upon them: swimsuits. He doesn't know why he's surprised - they are on reality TV, and swimsuit scenes always drive ratings up - but it isn't every day that you find a pool that provides swim trunks instead of requiring patrons to bring their own. He quickly sheds his clothing in favor of a pair of swim trunks before taking a seat in one of the pool chairs (and of course, he ties his hair up, because lord knows that chlorine will damage his hair if he decides to take a dip). If he closes his eyes, he can almost pretend he's lounging by the pool in the heat of summer. Until the door swings open, and Shimakage prepares to scathe whoever interrupted his relaxation...until he sees the identity of the culprit, that is.
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Post by Yanagi Tsuneo on Dec 17, 2017 20:46:04 GMT -5
As it turns out, his feet had led him to a pool. He knew the word, but didn't have any memories of a pool- the smell was familiar, lodged in his brain, and yet, he didn't know why. The most important thing, however, was that it was warm- and Yanagi decided he could stay here, for a while. His melancholy peacefulness is short-lived, of course, and replaced by a soft, easy smile upon seeing Shimakage standing in front of him... Looking for the world as though he were a model in some sort of pool magazine.
(Was that his underwear or a swimsuit?)
He waves, quietly, before walking closer to Shimakage. It feels warm, in here, almost uncomfortably so, and he tugs at the collar of his shirt before fixing his gaze on Shimakage's face.
"... In all truthfulness, I just sorta... Ended up here, Shimakage-san. Maybe I have a sixth sense and knew you were here," he laughs, but it doesn't quite reach his eyes. He stares at their feet, quiet for a few long moments- too long a pause after Shimakage's question, though after a long, uncomfortable pause, he peers up at him under his eyelashes, tapping his fingers together anxiously.
"I'm not sure. I mean- would it just be muscle memory, or would I have to re-learn how to swim? Is it ever that easy? I..."
He huffs, closing his eyes and rubbing his temples, and sighs quietly. It was hard to distract himself when he was thinking like this, allowing his thoughts to spiral dangerously, and he finally looks pathetically up at Shimakage, resignation in his eyes as he tries once again to flash a smile that conveyed as little of his inner turmoil as possible.
"Will you teach me how, Shimakage-san? Just, uh, just in case I don't remember how? Do you know how to swim?"
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Post by Shimakage Seitaro on Dec 17, 2017 21:08:03 GMT -5
This isn't the first time that their proximity has flustered Yanagi, and that realization causes a cat-like grin to spread across Shimakage's face. He doesn't, of course, know how to answer Yanagi's questions suitably, but he does know how to take his mind off of it, so he leans down an inch or two - close enough that their noses almost brush together for the second time in the short duration that they've known one another - as a light chuckle reaches his lips. (He wonders, distantly, what the viewers must think of their interactions.) Without warning, he straightens up, looping an arm around Yanagi's waist almost as though he intends to push him in the pool, but instead of leading him towards the water, Shimakage leads him away from it...and towards the swimsuits. Objectionable unpredictability leads to distrust, after all, and if there's one thing he wants, it's for Yanagi to trust him.
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Post by Yanagi Tsuneo on Dec 18, 2017 2:13:06 GMT -5
#drowning mention, farren don't read
Once again, Shimakage enters Yanagi's personal space, leaving him flushed and flustered and unsure of what, exactly, to do. His cheeks are red, bright red, and he stares blankly at Shimakage. He was sure, at this point, that it certainly wasn't amnesia that made him so confused around the other boy--it was simply the fact that Shimakage was unpredictable, throwing things at him out of left field near constantly. He attempts to stutter out a reply, but finds himself unable to form words until Shimakage backs off just slightly, at which point Yanagi rubs his temples, closing his eyes while Shimakage leads him toward the swimming suits.
(Was he really going to wear one of those on television? That was... Lewd.)
"Problem is, if... You did just throw me in there and I don't know how to swim, you'd have to go find Marin-san and explain to her why I'm dying in the pool. Unless you know how to save people?"
He laughs, somewhat nervously, thumbing through the swimming suits awkwardly. The truth was, he didn't know what size he wore, and settled instead for grabbing a few different pairs in order to attempt to try them on. When he finally turns around, face to face with Yanagi, he swallows hard, blinking with doe-eyes before turning his gaze away to stare at the floor, chewing the inside of his cheek nervously. It was hard, not to embarrass himself in front of the other boy, and yet, it seemed all he was inclined to do.
"Thanks for supporting me in my dreams of swimming, Shimakage-san," he mumbles, peering up at Shimakage under his eyelashes.
And then he poses a new question, a strange one, and his eyebrows shoot up, raised in shock. He didn't, exactly, know how to feel about the question- he hadn't taken what Madoka said to heart, hadn't taken it as hard as he perhaps should've, but he peered quizzically at Shimakage, lifting his hand to tap a finger against his lips in contemplation.
"Well-... Are you? I trust Madoka-chan's judgement, but, I also trust you, Shimakage-san. I'm not inclined to think you're actually some sort of felon, so... Just be honest with me, I guess. I won't hold it against you."
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Post by Shimakage Seitaro on Dec 18, 2017 3:02:25 GMT -5
Yanagi's concern, misplaced though it may be, causes a laugh to bubble up from Shimakage's lungs. Of course he wasn't about to toss Yanagi in the pool without warning; he was a criminal, certainly, but not enough of an asshole to recklessly endanger someone else's life, especially after what had happened to Karina. He watches as the other boy thumbs through the suits, apparently searching for the correct size, a smirk playing on his lips the entire time. Part of him wants to say that Yanagi doesn't look that heavy - that he knows he could pick him up - but the truth is that Yanagi looks sturdier than he does, and Shimakage is sure that if he tries, he'll end up injuring them both if he tries. Instead, he keeps his mouth shut for a change, leaning against the closest wall in an effort to look as smooth as he possibly can. Again, he wants to keep Yanagi interested, and he doubts that winning him back over will be easy if he makes a fool out of himself. Right now, he's skating by on Yanagi's probable attraction, after both his performance in the trial and Marugou's accusation. He can't afford the slightest misstep. ...Which is why Yanagi's request for honesty leaves him with a bit of a dilemma. On one hand, revealing his lie now ruins any chance he has of extorting money from him. On the other, if he keeps lying and Yanagi later uncovers the truth, he has no hope of receiving anything from the amnesiac. The question causes Shimakage to wage an internal war with himself for a few moments. (It was only twenty-thousand yen. Coming clean might lead to a bigger payout later down the line.) As though to seal the deal, he reaches out and gently plays with Yanagi's bangs.
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Post by Yanagi Tsuneo on Dec 18, 2017 15:45:12 GMT -5
(What the hell was mouth-to-mouth?)
"Ah... Maybe not the deep end, then. Just in case."
Yanagi's eyebrows draw into a line, confused by Shimakage's teasing, though he makes no move to question what he says, instead flashing a small smile before darting into the nearest room to change in, finding himself actually looking at himself for the first time in a mirror. He hadn't, yet, had had no need to study his looks, and at this point, he wasn't sure why he would've bothered to begin with. He was... Normal, as far as he could tell. The other students here with either extravagant or just attractive, whereas he was plain and simple.
(How boring.)
As soon as he exits the room, arms folded over his chest, he flushes- both with the memory of cameras watching his every move and the fact that he was so exposed in front of Shimakage. It was still lewd, he figured, and wondered why people couldn't just go swimming fully clothed. Wouldn't it be more fun, that way? But the conversation now had no place for questions like that, so he simply frowns at Shimakage, raising one eyebrow suspiciously as he tells him that he trusts him, and plays with his hair. Yanagi pretends he isn't flushing thanks to that motion, and instead peers to the side, watching the water before Shimakage's voice reaches his ears again, and he pauses.
So he was a felon- and a liar, at that- but somehow, Yanagi didn't know if he minded. He should, his conscience tells him- he shouldn't consort with criminals, should go running back to the morally upright, and yet, he doesn't move. His fingers are tapping an anxious rhythm, and he's frowning heavily, trying to digest the information he's been given, before he turns a sharp gaze to Shimakage's face again, gaze steely and cool, yet not angry.
"... Please don't lie to me again, Shimakage-san," he mumbles, puffing a sigh. "Of course I still trust you, you... Haven't exactly given me a reason not to, especially now, thanks to your honesty." He pauses yet again, peering into Shimakage's eyes as though it'll convey the words he can't seem to say, and finally puffs a soft sigh.
"Why were you in prison? You're a minor, aren't you? They... Don't usually imprison children, do they?"
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Post by Shimakage Seitaro on Dec 18, 2017 16:42:48 GMT -5
Shimakage breathes a quiet laugh when Yanagi yet again expresses concern. He wants to reassure him that he isn't going to let him drown, if for no reason other than a desire not to be executed, but before he has the chance, Yanagi exits the fitting room in a pair of swim trunks, arms folded over his chest as though he has something to hide. Shimakage is certain it's to avoid drawing attention to himself, but he's never been one to refrain from speaking his mind. (It's simple enough to provide acknowledgment and approval, yet curt enough to avoid embarrassing him further. Nailed it.) As Yanagi chastises him, Shimakage yet again loops an arm around his waist and guides him to the shallow end of the pool. He's certain that it appears he's being flippant about the brevity of his lies, and, really, he is. Lying is in his blood, and despite Yanagi's pleas, Shimakage can't guarantee full transparency for the duration of their stay. To promise otherwise would be a lie in itself, but as he takes the amnesiac by the hands and leads him into the water, Shimakage's brows furrow almost angrily. It's a rare break in character, but after a few moments, his irritation seems to ebb away, and he shrugs casually.
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Post by Yanagi Tsuneo on Dec 18, 2017 18:59:46 GMT -5
The more watched he feels, the more insecure Yanagi gets, hunching his shoulders and looking to the world like he's sinking in on himself, hiding away from Shimakage's gaze and the cameras. Apparently, Shimakage approves, which surely means the viewers do too, and he flushes darkly, chewing his lip with nervousness. At least the water would hide him, if they ever got into it. He allows himself to be led to the water, enjoying the feeling of the warm water on his toes, lapping around his ankles, and he smiles gently. Maybe he was a swimmer- since he liked it so much, that he didn't even mind the feeling of Shimakage's hand on his waist, holding him like he was something he wanted to keep track of.
(What a strange feeling.)
Shimakage's suddenly angry with him, frustrated, and Yanagi allows his eyebrows to raise, deadpanning at Shimakage with a sigh. He didn't know much, but what he did know was that Shimakage certainly had no reason to be angry with him- he was on the moral low ground, shouldn't be angry with Yanagi for having assumptions, but Yanagi doesn't seem to take his frustration too seriously, and he laughs, softly.
"Well, I don't know. Maybe you went to prison when you were, what, eleven? I don't know anything about you, Shimakage-san," he teases, finally feeling comfortable enough to actually make (bad) jokes.
A part of him doesn't like how nonchalant Shimakage is being, doesn't like how calm he is in the face of admitting his sins for Yanagi to hear, and his laughter quickly ebbs away to be replaced with a concerned frown, staring blankly up at the other boy as though daring him to care more about what he was saying. Thankfully, he explains one of the words Yanagi doesn't know, but he still taps his fingers anxiously, like he can't believe what he's hearing.
"... That actually seems like a good way to make money," he mumbles, tilting his head. "But... Why would Hope's Peak rescue you? No offense, but a conman isn't really the 'face of the future', I don't think. Not that- er- not that I don't think you're talented, if you were good enough at it to actually get in legal trouble for it."
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Post by Shimakage Seitaro on Dec 18, 2017 19:40:55 GMT -5
As they talk, Shimakage slowly leads Yanagi further and further towards the deep end of the pool, hands wrapped loosely around Yanagi's own as he walks backwards. An onlooker might find meaning in the situation - might say that it's a metaphor for how Shimakage can so effortlessly guide Yanagi into certain peril - but there's also something to be said for the way Shimakage remains remains vigilantly by his side. He's still upset, but Yanagi's attempt to diffuse the situation proves successful, and the conman's scowl relaxes. A pause. Finally, they reach the deep end - the area where it's still possible to keep your head above water if you stand on your toes, though barely - and Shimakage looks down at Yanagi with a smirk and a twinkle in his eye.
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Post by Yanagi Tsuneo on Dec 18, 2017 20:26:28 GMT -5
The water is warm, though the second it reaches his bellybutton, Yanagi jumps, inhaling sharply through his teeth- it suddenly felt cool on his skin, and he squeezes Shimakage's hands far tighter than necessary due to his startle. Maybe he hated water and couldn't swim, then- and the fear of drowning comes back, as the water continues to creep up his body, and he wonders if it's always this scary, learning to swim. However, as soon as Shimakage speaks again, Yanagi allows himself to laugh, relieved, and shakes his head delicately.
"What? Maybe we should give you one here-- uh, if we have the supplies. This is basically prison, right? We're locked up here against our will, with a bunch of strangers, and also someone might kill us."
His eyebrows once again draw into a line, and he thinks, for a heartbeat, that people were far more complex than he'd anticipated. Shimakage, on the surface, seemed like a skilled liar, who took nothing and no one seriously, and yet, he asks Yanagi for his opinion, and defends his statement about his grandfather, and Yanagi no longer knows how to feel. There's water lapping at his shoulders, making them cold once they're exposed to the air again, and he's no longer sure what to say.
"I-... Well, you're not necessarily a bad person, Shimakage-san. Just... An opportunist, I think," he explains, peering away from him like he can't stand to look at the other anymore. "... At least you didn't kill someone. ... Did you?"
The water's deep, now, and it keeps licking at the ends of Yanagi's hair, and suddenly, he feels terrified. He doesn't know how to swim, doesn't know how to move his limbs in the water, and he worries of scenarios he didn't even know were possible. However, he didn't want to be a coward- this was about figuring out who he was, so he nods, setting his jaw with a frown.
"There's only one way to find out, Shimakage-san. Let me go."
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Post by Shimakage Seitaro on Dec 18, 2017 20:49:40 GMT -5
This time, the conman's laugh isn't so airy. Instead, it's more genuine - a delighted, amused sound that bursts from his lungs. The suggestion that the lodge is like prison could only come from someone who hadn't experienced prison, of course, but he appreciated the sentiment nevertheless. But then his mood shifts - darkens, almost. He knows, intellectually, that Yanagi's choice of words isn't meant to be harmful, and he supposes he should be grateful that the other boy wants anything to do with him at all, after revealing such a weighty secret, but it's more than that. It's the way his eyes flicker away from his face almost nervously, the way Yanagi says he isn't necessarily a bad person - as though he actually is, on some level - and Shimakage finds himself missing the Yanagi whose face lit up like a beacon whenever he inched a little too close. That Yanagi, at least, had been wrapped around his little finger. (Was Yanagi about to become the first victim who escaped his clutches?) He stares at Yanagi for a few beats, almost as though deciding what to do, but then Yanagi commands him to let go, and Shimakage doesn't hesitate. He retracts his hands, fingertips dragging along Yanagi's palms until there's nothing left connecting them. He's at the ready in case the situation goes under, but he utters no words of encouragement; he merely watches.
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Post by Yanagi Tsuneo on Dec 18, 2017 22:09:34 GMT -5
He grins, toothily, and for once feels relaxed. He stretches, a little, tilting his head, and hums, thoughtfully. It was strange, how easy it was, to talk to Shimakage, as though they really had known each other for years. Of course, he knows that isn't true, and a part of him is wistful for the past he can't remember- did he have friends like this before, did he have people who talking to was just so easy- he hoped he did, and secretly hoped they just forgot about him too. They shouldn't miss him.
"What would it be of, Shimakage-san? Oh, let's get matching ones, with some dumb memoir of us being here, or something. A snowflake, or something, haha-"
The water is still warm, but he feels cold, because suddenly Shimakage looks frosty, looks angry, and Yanagi's stomach bottoms out.
"That's not what I-"
He stutters out a reply, humiliated, splashing his own face with water in a feeble attempt to get rid of the burn in his cheeks. He wants to apologize, still wants to tell Shimakage good things, but he feels like he's floundering, so the second he's released, he allows his feet to buckle beneath him, plunging under the water and holding his breath. He stays down there as long as possible, feeling the soft current around him, his hair floating like a halo, and the distant warmth of Shimakage, before he finally surfaces with a gasp, bangs falling into his eyes.
"I didn't drown!"
He laughs, giddy, though he's pretty sure swimming has more to do with moving than being able to hold your breath and stand in it. However, it was a little victory, and he continues to smile before his brain reminds him that he insulted Shimakage, and he swallows, hard.
"Earlier, I meant, I-... You're still a good person. A good person who, maybe, did bad things. So what. I still trust you, and I still believe in you, so who cares what morality means to you? To me? I- I don't even know who I am, Shimakage-san. Maybe I was a criminal, too. Maybe I was worse. So who gives a shit what people think?"
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Post by Shimakage Seitaro on Dec 18, 2017 23:02:09 GMT -5
He's teasing, of course, though his choice of subject matter, admittedly, might not be in the best taste. Still, Shimakage can't pretend to be upset over the ballerina's tragic demise (nor Mukizu's, for that matter), so though his words have the potential to wound the people who cared about them, he still cracks jokes as though two of their classmates hadn't just died mere hours ago. He doesn't get a chance to continue that train of thought, though, or to take further offense at Yanagi's dismissal, because as soon as the physical link between them is severed, Yanagi sinks beneath the water's surface. And doesn't come up. Intellectually, Shimakage knows that if something were truly wrong, Yanagi would probably be flailing about instead of peacefully sinking to the bottom. He knows that, but circumstances aren't the same here as they are back home. In the real world, if someone drowned and Shimakage did nothing, he couldn't be held responsible, but here... (When did he start caring about his own life?) ...And then he surfaces, face bright and laughter bubbling up from his lungs as though he had never been in any danger to begin with. Shimakage stays frozen for a few moments, but when their eyes meet, he breathes a sigh of relief. It doesn't take long, however, for Yanagi to launch into an explanation of what he'd meant, and, really, his points are good ones. Yanagi being a criminal is something that neither of them have considered, really, and he supposes that there's nothing preventing Yanagi from having done some awful things in his previous life. (An assassin, maybe? That would be a good ally to have.) If he's touched, or even if he appreciates what is, more or less, Yanagi's apology, Shimakage doesn't show it. Instead, his lips curl into a smirk - almost as if he knows something Yanagi doesn't - and he lets out a quiet, almost teasing chuckle. The truth is that Yanagi's words resonate with him, though perhaps in a different way than intended. In that moment, he realizes that he gives a shit what other people think - or, at least, what their audience thinks - because there's always the possibility that viewers will influence the game in more ways than they expect. Being on their good side, then, couldn't hurt. So right there, in the pool, he leans down and presses his lips against Yanagi's. (Gotta give the fans what they [probably] want.)
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Post by Yanagi Tsuneo on Dec 19, 2017 14:03:38 GMT -5
He snorts, at that, laughing into his hand and tilting his head quietly to peer at Shimakage. It feels sick for laughing, feels wrong to make some sort of humor in the situation, but Shimakage makes it funny, and it feels better to stop moping about it, and he shakes his head, rubbing his temple with one hand.
"Please- if we got knives, people would think we're enjoying it here. Maybe it should be a sad face... Maybe crying," he suggests, laughing once again.
Part of him liked being under the water, liked floating there as though he wasn't real, floating like he only existed in the water, and he allows himself to relax. He doesn't want to surface, at first, but his lungs scream for air, and they hurt, they burn, and the sweet oxygen that he gasps for as soon as he surfaces feels like ecstasy, feels like the best thing that's ever happened to him, even as he has to push his bangs back out of his eyes just so he can see Shimakage. Shimakage, who looked surprised, as though he didn't expect Yanagi to come up, but he grins, nonetheless.
"Oh, I- I don't really know what constitutes--"
The feeling of lips against his is foreign. The soft pressure, the feeling, is something completely new, and his eyes flutter wide, staring in shock as he's kissed. They're not touching, and his hair is still wet, the air is cold on his shoulders, but he's being kissed, and he doesn't know how to react. His cheeks burn red before Shimakage even pulls away, and he's left pressing his fingertips against his lips as though he doesn't quite believe it happened. When he finally remembers to look at the other, eyebrows raised dangerously high, he swallows hard.
"... Was that just for T.V., Shimakage-san?" He asks, voice so soft he's not even sure if Shimakage heard him over the gentle crash of waves or the pounding, percussive beat of his heart.
(A part of him hoped not.)
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Post by Shimakage Seitaro on Dec 19, 2017 15:53:41 GMT -5
Making light of a terrible situation is more his speed, and when Yanagi follows suit, cracking a surprisingly successful joke, Shimakage can't help but cover his lips with his fingers and laugh in kind. But once they separate, Shimakage notes that whatever strides Yanagi had been making towards normal social interaction are now gone. Instead, he's standing there with his fingertips pressed gingerly to his lips, as though the kiss actually meant something. Shimakage wants to explain that reality TV sometimes allows for audience participation - that there are shows that let the audience vote on who to give an advantage to - and that audiences, traditionally, root for couples. He has no way of knowing whether or not the statistics shown at the end of the trial will actually impact the game at all, of course, but if there's even the slightest chance that hamming it up will get him further in the game, Shimakage Seitaro is going to be the most insufferable ham this lodge has ever seen. (If it's a show they want, it's a show they're going to get.) He wants to explain all of this, but Yanagi's giving him a look, and Shimakage can't bring himself to shatter the poor boy's hopes completely.
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Post by Yanagi Tsuneo on Dec 20, 2017 0:58:09 GMT -5
Somehow, he made Shimakage laugh, and there's a swell of pride in his chest in knowing that maybe, just once, he was funny enough to make someone laugh. Obviously, humour wasn't that inaccessible to him--though, really, most of the time, it was. Of course, Shimakage reminds him that he had no sympathy for murderers, and Yanagi's bravado fades away, leaving him frowning nervously at his blurry reflection in the water.
"I mean, I'm still- I'm still shaken up about it, I understand why they're crying, hah. Are... Are you particularly used to death, Shimakage-san?"
He's still a little lightheaded, and a little confused, and no longer knows how to feel about Shimakage, or the pool, or really anything-- he was overwhelmed, and it showed, even as his gaze flickered to Shimakage's face quietly, watching him with drawn brows before his neurons remember how to make his voicebox make noise, and his mouth to form sounds, and he's finally able to open his mouth, mumbling out a few sentences as he slowly lowers his hand.
"Yeah, I'd say not knowing is... Not the most fun, Shimakage-san," he laughs, nervously, shaking his head. But his eyebrows knit, and he realizes that, essentially, Shimakage hasn't given him an answer either way, and he frowns. He's not sure what to make of the riddle that Shimakage has presented him with, so he swallows, laughing quietly and trying to put on just as fabricated of a facade, smiling shyly.
"Ah... If you say so, Shimakage-san," he murmurs, breathing a short, shy laugh, cheeks tinted pink. "... What would you say my charm point is-- being helpless and dumb?"
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Post by Shimakage Seitaro on Dec 20, 2017 20:55:37 GMT -5
Yanagi's question poses a bit of a dilemma (something Shimakage is, unfortunately, somewhat used to by now). Of course he's never seen a person die, but to disclose to such a softhearted boy that he just doesn't particularly care about anyone in the lodge could blow up in his face. So he goes for a different route - one that will, hopefully, garner some sympathy. He's well aware that Yanagi isn't truly satisfied with his non-answer. Not only is it written all over his face, but it's evident in the way he falls silent, in the hushed words he mutters when his amnesia is brought up. If Shimakage were a good person like Yanagi claims, he would provide him with some definitive response - a 'yes, it was only for TV', or a 'no, I genuinely wanted to kiss you' - but that locks him into one path, and frankly, that's never really been his style. He does, however, drag his fingertips down Yanagi's cheek slowly, almost affectionately.
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Post by Yanagi Tsuneo on Dec 20, 2017 22:34:09 GMT -5
While, initially, Yanagi feels a tidal wave of sympathy for Shimakage, it's soon replaced with a black hole of anxiety when he realizes that his very own parents may be dead, and he has no idea who they are. It causes his face to pale, staring at Shimakage with a frown, and while he wants to offer more comforting words to his companion, all he can do is gawk for a few long moments, before swallowing hard.
"You're right, though. It's... She killed someone based on an assumption that she had little proof of. I mean- Mukizu-san wasn't all that suspicious- he knew a lot, but-... He wasn't malicious."
He doesn't like the way Shimakage is looking at him, doesn't like the soft way he calculates when he peers at him. It makes him feel like Shimakage is reading into his every response, and even though he still feels electric, still feels the phantom press of lips against his own, he tries to ignore it in favour of being rational and looking calmly at Shimakage with a tilt of his head. He's frustrated, with how easily Shimakage has unraveled him- like all it takes to break him is one pinprick and he pops. He didn't want to be fragile, didn't want Shimakage to think he was a baby, so he sets his jaw, peering across the water with a soft hum.
At least, he tries to look as composed as possible until Shimakage calls him handsome, and his cheeks burn, but he makes no move to hide it. Besides, compliments were new, right?
"Utazawa-san might be, er, eccentric, and kind of a moron," he mumbles, raising an eyebrow. "But at least he understands how the world functions. I'm... I'm naive, Shimakage-san, wouldn't you say? I'm awkward, and naive, and more likely than not I'll get myself into trouble because I don't have any sort of memory telling me not to."
He pauses, staring into the water once again, and his voice is meek when he answers.
"Besides, what if the real me isn't spirited or gentle? What if he is a criminal? What if I wake up one day and I'm... Myself, again? And it's not who we thought it was?"
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Post by Shimakage Seitaro on Dec 20, 2017 23:07:53 GMT -5
He neglects to expand further upon his parental situation, preferring to yet again reiterate why Karina's actions were, in his mind, idiotic at best. It isn't until Yanagi responds that Shimakage falls silent, brows slowly drawing into a frown with each passing second. They're unexpectedly harsh words, but judging by the tired expression on Shimakage's face, he doesn't speak them with malice. This judgment is reinforced by the way he cups Yanagi's jaw in his hand, eventually opening his grey eyes to stare intently down into Yanagi's orange ones.
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Post by Yanagi Tsuneo on Dec 21, 2017 15:00:19 GMT -5
Shimakage's words ring true, and Yanagi finds himself frowning slowly, biting his lip with the realization that he'd been, essentially, defending murder for no reason. He'd been saying that it would've been okay had Mukizu been innocent- but he realizes then that he could never, ever truly believe that. He rocks, side to side, on his feet before coming up with an answer, and his eyebrows draw into a line.
"It wasn't as though she was in any danger, either- I... We're relatively safe, and comfortable, here. It's not like we're... Starving, or something. So it... I don't get it," he finishes, lamely, looking at Shimakage with a frown that reveals just how exhausted he is.
(But he won't be able to sleep, tonight.)
As soon as Shimakage tells him to shut up, though, his eyebrows shoot up to his hairline, surprised- and for just a moment, he's hurt-- can't Shimakage see what he's going through? Can't he see that he's suffering? But Shimakage grabs his jaw, forcing him to look at him, and the words that were beginning to form in Yanagi's mind fade away to nothingness, instead leaving him staring blankly at him. It was terrifying, having no point of reference, no fixed point, and no one seemed to get it. And yet, there was a touch of wisdom in Shimakage's words, reminding Yanagi that it wasn't all terrifying. There were good parts, wonderful parts, things that he got to relive as though he'd never seen them before (snow, for example. That was fun).
"Shimakage-san, I..."
He pauses, biting his lip, though he does manage to breathe a soft laugh when Shimakage suggests they really were destined to meet, if they were both criminals. His smile is only there for a second before it disappears, however, and he closes his eyes, tightly.
"It's really, really scary, you know. My mind's just... Empty. And it feels like I should remember things- it's like... Deja-vu, except I never remember where I experienced it before. But, I-I, uh. If you're around, and you keep saying things like that, then surely it can't be that bad."
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