yogen | (closed) do you want to change your life? change your mind

The clock tower...

[ Hm. He can't remember if he's ever been to Yogen's before. Maybe during a different lifetime, or however that worked. ]

Sure, I'll go for it. [ A pause. ] Be nice to have a little bit of alone time with you again.

[ Inaba's smile softens when he tells her that it's nice to have actual proper alone time with her. It's in a way that nobody else sees her in this school. ]

Yeah, it would be nice.

[ It's such a small thing, but it makes him feel so much better about being there. Another side of Inaba that, selfishly, he gets to keep for himself.

...he'll probably keep that thought to himself for the moment. As they head towards the clock tower, he just can't help but remark. ]

It almost feels normal, doesn't it?

Almost. It's kind of weird, admittedly, that maybe this place could have some semblance of normalcy in the first place, after everything that's happened.

[ But she doesn't hate it. Not in the slightest bit. ]

I couldn't agree more. Really, it's...

[ He thinks about his words carefully. A miracle? To some, maybe. Since he had his momentary flashback, a few statements had been ringing in his ears. ]

...It's a testament to what we've been trying to accomplish here... and really, what we in the student council can accomplish. Actually showing the long-tenured students something along the lines of humanity can go a long way to those who've forgotten what it's like.

Really?

[ Even in a calmer voice, there's still those hints of skepticism that can't be hidden in her voice as she finds herself looking up in the ceiling. ]

To be honest, and maybe it's kind of sad to admit this, but--I don't feel like I've made any strides to actually do anything, you know? That was all... everyone else.

Hm. This may sound like a cop-out, but... I recall being told that this school is a reflection of those within it. With more of us taking over faculty roles and more positions of power so to speak, it gives us a chance to change the culture.

For you though... [ A brief pause. ] I can't pretend to know what you'd been up to since we arrived here, but think of it like someone who started to exercise regularly. It's hard to gauge incremental progress yourself, but it's apparent to those around you that you've made progress. Be it through investigating with others or just wanting your school life to be less chaotic, you were just as integral to fixing this school as the rest of us.

...Although, I guess I might be a bit biased. I always thought you were helping in the background.

You absolutely are biased, Miyuki. But that's fine. Well, it's true that I've made personal progress, but that doesn't do anything for the whole fundamental picture.

But that's enough about that nonsense. I didn't come for some debate on whether I made an impact on anything or not and I honestly don't give a shit right now. I just want to have a nice relaxing lunch.

Right, right. Sorry.

[ It probably-- no, it was more like 95% trying to placate her, so it's definitely better to let that go. Onward to the clock tower.

When they arrive, she'll find, in her bento: a small helping of veggies, rice, tamagoyaki and, naturally, sausages cut into octopus shapes. He's got the exact same thing in his. ]

I didn't really know how much to make for you, so I erred on the side of caution. Everything should be good though.

It's fine.

[ She opens up her bento once they're there and just finds herself staring at it for a long few moments in true disbelief. It does make her pause and she almost... finds herself tearing up, just a little bit. ]

Geez... I didn't expect any of this, though. Um, thank you.

[ Just going to grab her chopsticks so she can actually appreciate the food. ]

[ As is usually the case-- when she's staring down at it, there's a precious moment of him nervously trying to tell what she's thinking. Did it seem like too much? Was it not packed well?

Then, she thanks him, and he nods. ]

Yeah.

--If you wind up liking it, I can make one for you again some time. It doesn't take much time at all, really.

If I do end up liking it, I might end up wanting to marry you.

[ Inaba?? ]

[ --Seriously?! He chokes momentarily, and nearly drops his own chopsticks?! ]

I-- hey...! Don't just say things like that?!

[ Inaba please?! He has confidence in his cooking, but in that manner--?! ]

What, you don't like it?

[ She grins with full confidence before taking a bite of the food, humming with enthusiasm. ]

Ah, this really is good~!

Edited 2022-08-08 07:51 (UTC)

That just came out of nowhere...! My heart wasn't ready for it--

[ Which explains why it's pounding out of control right now. He knows she's kidding, which makes it even worse that it still flusters him. Compounded with her compliment... ]

Th-thank you. [ A brief pause, and, a comeback. ] I do know how to make miso soup, so... I'll be prepared to make that for you every day.

Eh?

[ Wait a second. Now it's Inaba's turn to go red, but not without yet another quip of her own making: ]

What are you, a housewife from Showa? We're in the 2000s, if you don't remember!

Well-- you know, sometimes it's good to be old fashioned. There are plenty of ways to ask that question, this one just seemed to fit the best.

[ Ha ha ha ha... ]

I'm glad you like it, Himeko.

I suppose that's true...

[ Her gaze glances away, looking a little sheepish. ]

I wouldn't be opposed though. But I'm getting ahead of myself.

Just a little. Usually, marriages like that tend to fall apart instantly. We should probably start slow.

[ ...actually. ]

I have an idea. Look at me for a second.

Do you have experience with that sort of thing?

[ She asks with a raised brow. Although she can't say she knows either way. But she doesn't mind starting slow. They have all the time in the world, after all. Until one of them graduates, at least.

The thought of it is a bit too heartbreaking to think too much on, so she opts not to.

So instead, she focuses on his next words and looks at him with curious eyes. ]

Of course not. Like I told you before, this is my first relationship. And as such, going slow and learning more about my girlfriend is key here.

With that said--

[ He remembers exactly how this goes. He doesn't know if he'll get the correct response out of it, but. ]

"Honey, I love you. Will you give me a smile?"

...

[ She just stares at him. ]

I'm going back to class with my lunch.

[ AH

SHIT. ]

W-Wait, no, sorry! That was dumb of me, pretend that didn't just happen!

[ He'd even gotten up the gumption to say it, and he wasted it on something that dumb?! ]

Nope, I'm going to remember it for the rest of my afterlife.

[ He is so, so lucky she didn't secretly record it. ]

Isn't that another way to say "forever"?!

[ Gaaaah.... ]

Okay, okay, slower than that then.

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