codeforhope | Voicemail

[The second hug snaps him back into reality, feeling Chihiro's head near his shoulder makes him realize how bad the situation got.

...Wait? Is it...is it really that bad? If this were any earlier, Komasan might have freaked out, a part of him still kind of wants to. ...But Chihiro is doing this all on his own, there's no need to freak out, is there? Komasan likes this, why...why does it have to be bad?

He doesn't want to be afraid anymore, just like that weird guy over the 'gear said. Why should his feelings be scary? He'll still blush a little, but he doesn't stiffen or tremble, but rather softly hugs back.

Did Chihiro see him cry? He didn't mean to, let's not ruin things right off the bat.]

H-Heh, I-I guess it really is the greatest thing if it's making me this excited, z-zura... [He sniffles a little, pulling back so he can wipe his eyes.] C-C'mon, I can buy lunch as a thank you, zura.

[He was going to buy lunch anyway, but now it only seemed appropriate.]

[Chihiro did see, but he's not going to make any mention of it. In fact, he pretends it didn't even happen at all, nodding when Komasan pulls out of the hug. He adjusts his bag back onto his shoulder just as his Linoone collapses onto the bed again with a long sigh, preparing to sleep for another three hours or so.]

Okay. Where are we going?

[He's curious to see where Komasan decides, especially since he's been to most of the places that Goldenrod has to offer. Chihiro also plans on treating Komasan to something else later on, but...well, that will have to be for dessert.]

Ah, right, one second, zura!

[Would be nice if he actually remembered his plans.

Komasan quickly turns around and pulls a tiny notebook from his coat pocket, the same one he's supposed to keep for breeding notes. It never gets used for its intended purpose. Ever. He flips through the pages, mostly notes he's taken over past conversations and doodles, until he finally gets to his dating plans. Most of them are pretty by-the-book, especially considering he took them...from a book. When he finally finishes glossing over them, he turns back around in a quick hopping motion.

Hopefully Chihiro wasn't expecting something amazing.]

Coffee!! I-I mean... [Calm down, CALM DOWN. No need to shout.] T-There's a cafe I've been wanting to go to, z-zura...

[Chihiro waits patiently for Komasan to face him again, just barely able to catch a sparing glance at his notebook. He can also hear him frantically flipping through the pages...sounds like he prepared for this.]

A cafe...that sounds good. Coffee will warm us both up.

[It's a pretty chilly Valentine's Day, which is why Chihiro is already so bundled up.]

[Oh thank god, he likes coffee.

Because the last thing Komasan wanted to do was take him somewhere he might not like. His eyes light up at his first "success" for the day as he hastily stuffs his notebook back into his pocket.]

Hah! We should go now before it gets too busy, zura!

[And he takes Chihiro by the hand as he starts to lead him out. It doesn't even occur to him that maybe, just maybe, that might've been a daring move, it's normal as far as he's concerned. He used to lead Komajiro by the hand all the time! What do you mean this isn't a normal friend thing?]

[Komasan takes hold of his hand so fast that Chihiro is out the door and heading down the hallway with him before it sinks in that, oh, he took him by the hand. He wonders if Komasan sees the possible implications himself, but only briefly. Chihiro is glad that he seems comfortable enough with him to do that, reflexive or not. As it stands, he lets Komasan lead the way as they head back down the stairs with the Eevee horde watching curiously from where they're dotting the halls and various places on the stairs themselves and beyond.]

Okay! Lead the way.

[Lead the way he does, sorry Eevees if he doesn't stop to say goodbye, he's stalled long enough. He'll be sure to give them all the pets when he returns. Instead, he jolts outside, Chihiro still in hand, as he makes his way for the cafe.]

You've been here waaay longer than I have, so have you ever gone to this cafe before, zura?

[After all, he's yet to object. So either Komasan picked a good spot or Chihiro's going somewhere new. The fact that multiple cafes could exist doesn't even cross Komasan's mind.

He...he's just really excited.]

Well...that depends on which one we're going to.

[Because yes, as cool as it would be, Chihiro in fact cannot read minds. And he doesn't have anything with him right now that can.]

I don't think I've been to one in Goldenrod that I haven't liked, though.

[It's so standard now, do I even have to say anything?

Guess who's at the door.

Guess who's determined not to scream when it opens this time.]

I-I can do this, zura!

[The Pokemon next to him for support isn't Shiro this time around, but rather his Nidorina, Ao.

Yes, he named the blue Pokemon "Blue."

She looks up at him, just a bit concerned, this is obviously her first time dealing with the fabled door. In fact, she's so confused, she just knocks for him, prompting him to nearly jump out of his skin.]

[Chihiro has gotten into the habit of answering the door himself, not wanting a repeat of...well, the first incident that seems to have carried over for poor Komasan. Since then, Chihiro has made sure that he doesn't let either of his Garchomp open the door for him, no matter who it might be. But beyond that, it's just more polite to answer it himself, isn't it?

He pulls the door inward, already smiling even before he sees who it is. His Flareon stands just behind his ankles, peering past at Ao with a curious twitch of her long ears.]

Ah- good afternoon, Komasan-chan!

[Oh...well that sure isn't Shiro, is it? Chihiro blinks, tipping his head slightly to one side as he looks down at Ao.]

Oh...is this your friend?

[There's a visible flinch when the door opens, Komasan turns away in hopes Chihiro doesn't catch that yet again he reacted. So close...]

M-Monge...

[He says it under his breath, as if to get it out of his system.

Ao looks over at the two, one of her own ears twitching as she wonders what the big deal is. Neither of them are scary, her trainer has literally no reason to be afraid. And yet...there he is, frozen in mid-flinch because he can't control his emotions.]

A-Ah...I mean...yeah, zura! S-She's cute, right, zura?

[Ao beams when she hears that, standing up just a little straighter on her back legs.]

I-I know she's a Pokemon, but most Pokemon... I can tell what animal they're supposed to be, zura... I...I'm not sure what Ao-chan is, s-so I thought I'd ask you, zura.

[Surely there's a real world counterpart to...um, spiky blue thing.

Oh dear god, did he just catch Sonic the hedgehog?]

[Komasan you kidnapped a beloved video game icon, how dare you.

It's hard for Chihiro to not catch that flinch, but he's proud of Komasan for keeping himself mostly together this time. It's kindof endearing, actually, how hard he's trying...

As for Ao, Chihiro leans over slightly so he can get a better look at her, recognizing her species without much difficulty after having lived in Johto for so long. He remembers seeing a lot of Nidoran in the Safari Zone the last time he was there.]

Well...sometimes Pokemon don't always exactly match an animal from home. But I think Ao-chan might be something similar to a reptile...crossed with a rodent, maybe?

[As he says that, he steps back inside, gesturing for Komasan and Ao to follow.]

So two animals, zura... Huh...

[That's a real shame, he was kind of hoping that there was something similar back home. At the same time, it's exciting to see a totally new animal, even if it is the ungodly offspring of two things that shouldn't mix together.

Ao sort of just waves the silly human talk off, literally waves a paw at all this ridiculousness. Nidorina are just that, Nidorina. She doesn't need to be classified by weird human labels or what have you.

The pair walk in, Komasan taking off his coat per usual.]

Do you think it's gonna get warmer soon, zura?

[Already off to the next question on his mind.]

Mm, it should! If not in the next couple weeks, perhaps the next month or so. It might even be sooner. The weather here can be unpredictable.

[Chihiro replies as he walks in further with Komasan and Ao following, Henko taking up the rear while simultaneously picking up stray Eevee in her mouth by their ruffs to place them out of the walkway.]

I'm glad you came by today. I've been working on some programs most of the day...and it was getting a bit lonely.

[Why did he feel the need to say that? Komasan doesn't need to be bothered with that, it's not like he should feel obligated to come over either....oh well.]

[Probably making Henko's job a little easier, Komasan finds himself picking up an Eevee or two as he follows after Chihiro. He just can't help it, they're so fluffy. As much as he loves his own Pokemon, none of them have such fluffy thick coats of fur. ...Or any fur at all, really. Even his only mammal-ish Pokemon, Ao, completely lacks fur thanks to her need to be half lizard.]

Aw, Chihiro, you know you can always call me if you're feeling lonely, zura.

[His Eevee collection seems to be growing, he's practically covered in them by now, carrying as much as he can handle.]

I love coming here! It's better than being in a hotel room all day, zura.

[He pauses briefly then, turning to look at Komasan over his shoulder as he approaches with his arms full of Eevees.]

I'm glad you think so. It's very kind of you to want to stay.

[Very kind. He really does appreciate Komasan's presence more than he can really say, especially over the past couple weeks. That appreciation and gratitude wells up inside of him in that moment, filling him with such warmth that he moves without really thinking about it, leaning over to give Komasan a kiss on the cheek.

Then, he turns back around and starts walking again, as if nothing happened. It isn't until he reaches the middle of the hallway that he stops dead, as if suddenly realizing what he'd just done.

...w...why did he do that?]

[...]

...

[Hopefully the Eevees have a good reaction time, because Komasan says nothing before he's plummeting towards the floor.

Good job, Chihiro, you broke him.]

[Before actually turning around, Chihiro hears a very...strange series of noises. Firstly, the sound of the Eevees leaping out of Komasan's arms and padding to the floor, dashing out of the way just seconds before he follows suit.

When Chihiro does turn, the Eevees are just skirting past him, leaving Komasan alone in the middle of the hallway, just...laying there.]

Ah, K-Komasan-chan!?

[He bolts over to Komasan's side, immediately kneeling next to him.]

Are- are y-you okay?

[There's nothing like a good floor to the face to snap you back into reality. Komasan manages to sit himself up after Chihiro kneels by his side, it was probably his voice that helped him gain consciousness so quickly. Funny enough, he doesn't seem bothered, just rubs his head like one normally would after bonking it.]

H-Heh, s-sorry...

[Boy, this is embarrassing. And those poor little Eevees, he hopes no one got hurt.]

F-For a second there, I thought you kissed me, zura.

[Oh.

...um.]

Ah, well....I...um...

[Chihiro stammers, trying to speak, but realizing rather quickly that his words don't really want to come out clearly.]

I'm...very sorry, I'm not sure...not sure w-what came over me...

[He has to look away, because by now his face might as well be glowing with how red it is.]

[Woah there friend, if Komasan didn't know better, he'd almost think Chihiro's implying that he totally did kiss him.

But that's ridiculous.

Unless...

Komasan gasps, slamming his hands down onto his lap.]

Chihiro! What day is it, zura?!

Day?

[Did Komasan hit his head when he collapsed just then? What does the day have to do with anything? Anyway, he's pretty sure it's the 19th--

...wait. Wait.]

It's...Friday, I think.

MONGE!!

[Koma—"I can't ever seem to look at a calendar"—san]

Why?! Why is it always Friday, zura?!

[It's evil.]

D-Don't worry, Chihiro, it's not your fault, zura! I know you'd never kiss me on purpose, zura!!

[...wait.]

[...ah. That...Chihiro actually isn't sure how to feel about that. He obviously wouldn't have just kissed Komasan out of the blue like that, but at the same time...]

R...right.

[Still looking away shyly, Chihiro reaches for Komasan's hand to help him up off of the floor.]

[And he takes his hand, like it's no big deal, much like he has before. Somehow hand holding is still less of a sin than the dreaded kissing.

And yet...]

A-Are you okay, zura?

[Maybe a dumb question, since it's Friday, but he's noticed Chihiro isn't reacting nearly as badly as he normally would. He's yet to tie anything around his face, at least.]

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[Action] Backdated 2/19

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