codeforhope | Voicemail

A-Ah, you like it, zura?!

[Chihiro's reaction is all Komasan really needs, but he supposes he better follow through to keep up said reaction, huh?]

Then we should get going before it starts to get crowded, zura! Maybe...maybe they'll let us wear one of those fancy outfits, zura!

Hehe, I don't see why they wouldn't. They already let Noko-chan.

[He can't say he blames them though. Who wouldn't want to see a snake in a dress?]

We can go get something to eat afterwards.

[Woah, food!? Whose birthday is this again? Komasan practically feels spoiled.]

Yeah! ...Ah, did you have anything in mind, zura? I, um, I don't know what's around here, zura...

[And it's definitely not because he wants to go somewhere Chihiro likes to go. For his birthday. Which is today.]

[It's everyone's birthday when good food is involved, obviously.]

There's a place that I really like that isn't all that far from the theater...I'll show you where it is on the way there.

[Chihiro says this as he walks back into the hotel room for a moment to gather up his bag, checking to make sure all of his pokeballs are secure in one of its side pockets.]

[Meanwhile Komasan leans against the door frame while he waits, like a cool person would do. ...Because he's cool.

Please think he's cool.]

Well, if you like it, then I'll probably love it, zura.

[Both Shiro and even Noko just give him a look. That...that wasn't cool at all, Komasan.]

[He smiles as he closes the flap on his bag and hangs it over his shoulder.]

I hope so! It has the same sort of feel to it that the rest of the town has...it makes it easy to forget you're someplace else, sometimes.

["Someplace else" meaning Johto. He does miss Japan an awful lot sometimes, especially since his last memories of home...weren't.

As he walks back over to where Komasan is standing, his expression turns just a little bit shy- or hesitant, perhaps- as he glances down at his hands gripping his bag's strap.]

And, um...thank you for offering to do this with me, Komasan-chan. It's very nice of you.

Mm...yeah, this city reminds me a lot of home, zura...

[Not his house near the city, but more so his old shrine. There was just a more...traditional feel about this place, and Komasan often expected to run into a komainu statue sooner or later. Sadly, he'll just have to make due with real komainu-like Pokemon. Ugh.

As Chihiro walks by, Komasan pushes himself off the door frame and recalls his Pokemon, unsure what to make with the sudden lack of eye contact. Chihiro must really want to go, that's what he tells himself as he follows him out. Well that's fine, it's his birthday after all, he's allowed to be excited.

Like before, he doesn't hesitate to grab his hand. It's fun to walk together.]

Ah, you're very welcome, zura. Don't worry, I didn't forget you're supposed to get people presents on their birthday, zura.

[He's actually really proud that he remembered that.]

[You're so good, Komasan. Has anyone ever told you that?

He glances over when Komasan takes his hand, responding by tightening his grip just slightly before continuing on down the hallway.]

I wouldn't have minded if you didn't, really...I'm glad to just have you with me.

[Well it's Komasan's turn to act all shy, although he makes a much bigger show out of it than Chihiro does. He looks away, face bright pink as he scratches his cheek with his free hand.]

I-It wouldn't be fair to not get you anything after I got you presents on those other holidays, z-zura!

[...Wait.]

Are...Are birthdays holidays? Heh...I'm not sure, zura!

[Haha, nothing weird about that! R-Right? He'll just drown out any doubt with an obnoxious, nervous laugh.]

[If Chihiro notices Komasan's shyness, he doesn't say anything about it as they make their way down to the lobby together.]

Ah...I suppose you could count them as a holiday, for you and your family if you decide to celebrate it. Bigger holidays are for lots of people all over the world to celebrate.

[...but thinking about that, it causes him to pause, looking over at Komasan.]

Do Youkai have birthdays?

[...That's a good question.]

Mm...Maybe? If they're a new youkai, they might try to, zura...

[It sounds like something someone who just became a youkai would do, to try and hold onto their old life. But even then, after awhile, it'd just become pointless.]

Now that you mention it, I can't even remember the last time I've had a birthday, zura.

[Is that weird? Maybe that's too weird. As they walk through the lobby, Komasan doesn't say anything more as to not make things any weirder, opting instead to quickly open the door for them.]

Really?

[That's both a little surprising to Chihiro, and...somewhat sad. He imagines Komasan out of anyone to really want to celebrate his birthday, so hearing that he hasn't wasn't what he was expecting at all.

He walks through the door, but no sooner does he do that before he's turning back to Komasan again.]

Why don't you celebrate your birthday today, with me? It might not really be today, but...I figure if you haven't had one in a while...it would be nice, right?

[Komasan nearly walks into the door frame when he hears that, and it takes everything in him not to yell. Oh god, Chihiro, why do you have to be so cute? He's the only person he knows who would be so kind as to share his own birthday, his own special day.]

T-Thank you... B-But this is about you, zura!

[Chihiro's already done a million things for him, Komasan can barely keep up at this rate.

...At the same time, rejecting his offer might hurt his feelings. IT'S LIKE HE CAN'T WIN.]

I mean...w-we could, but I wouldn't mind either way, zura.

[It's easier to share your birthday when you've already done that, once. And it would be nicer to share the celebrating, he thinks.

Chihiro's smile turns soft.]

It would be more fun if we could both celebrate. And everyone deserves to get the chance to have a birthday.

Hm, the weather is still kinda cold, zura...

[Komasan stood outside the inn they're currently staying at, waiting for Chihiro to join him for...something he's honestly trying to not think too much about. The only Pokemon joining him for this outing is Noko as per usual, and that's only because she's claimed Komasan's bag as her own and so help anyone who wants to remove her. Although he does consider letting Shiro out, the weather not being snow-meltingly terrible enough where the ice Pokemon would be comfortable, he'd rather not overwhelm Chihiro with his need to be surrounded by his monsters. If he let Shiro out, then he'd have to go grab Komajiro. And then if he grabbed Komajiro, that isn't fair to anyone else, and so on and so forth. Everyone understood Noko had special privileges.]

It doesn't feel like it's changed much either, zura...

[Making comments to himself about the weather might be strange, but it helped Komasan distract himself. He knew what a swimsuit was, and he'd wear one as a dog even if it wasn't necessary, this wasn't a new idea or anything. But as a human...well that's a whole different ballgame. He couldn't explain it, he doesn't even want to understand it, but it felt different somehow. More exposed? Fur did have a certain feel to it, like you were always covered.

And now he has to deal with this awkwardness with Chihiro. Good. Great.]

[For Chihiro, shopping is something he's gotten used to doing frequently on his own. Clothes shopping, though...he's had to slowly gain more confidence about over time. It's gotten a lot better, and nowadays he chooses things that he likes, as opposed to things he "should" wear. Today's even easier, because he's not shopping for himself, but Komasan.

Chihiro has Shiruku with him today, his Leavanny who adores fashion and all things related to clothes. She comes bouncing out the door ahead of him, flashing Komasan and Noko a cheerful smile as she waves with a hand that isn't holding a cloth shopping bag as Chihiro appears behind her.]

Are we ready to go?

[A Leavanny who adores fashion is probably the greatest thing to both Komasan and Noko. Noko's eyes practically shimmer when she sees who's joining them, is she even worthy? Her trainer's awe doesn't last as long however, Shiruku being the big reminder of why they're out today. Good, she can see what a big weenie he is too, great.]

L-Let's do this, zura!!

[You're going clothes shopping, not running into a battle, Komasan.]

...You look great today, zura!

[Well, I mean, gotta go for ultimate weenie points, why not?]

O-oh, do I?

[Chihiro smiles, blushing a little as he pushes a lock of hair behind one ear before Shiruku starts to lead the way down the street.]

Thank you. I would have worn something less thick, but it's still very cold today for some reason...

...

[Oh come on, that isn't fair. Komasan tries his best not to make a scene over something as simple as pushing away hair, and is relieved when Chihiro mentions the weather. YES! THE WEATHER! WHAT AN AMAZING TOPIC!]

You've noticed that too, zura?! It's weird, right? I haven't seen a single cloud, a-and it hasn't been raining at all, zura. I'm getting kinda worried, I know everyone said it'd be too cold to go to the beach, but I was hoping it'd be warmer at least once, zura...

[Noko watches as Shiruku heads in front of them and ignores her trainer's need to weenie, surprised that it would appear she already knows what she's doing. Teach her, fashion sensei.]

The weather hasn't been this unpredictable in a while, but...I'm sure it will soon. It's about time for it to start really getting warm again, anyway.

[And while Chihiro handles warm better than he does cold, he isn't looking forward to it being over 90 degrees every day.

As for Shiruku, she is a Leavanny on a mission. She needs more yarn for one thing, but she's also wildly curious as to what sorts of clothing this town sells in comparison to what Goldenrod has.]

If anything, it's more predictable now, zura.

[That was a bad joke.]

...Thanks for helping me with this, Chihiro. ...Even if it ends up being too cold, zura. Shiruku at least looks like she's having a good time, zura. Who knows? Maybe it'll get even colder and she can make scarves early, zura.

Oh, I don't mind at all. I like going shopping, and so does Shiruku. It will be fun anyway, and you'll be needing a swimsuit for the summer even if you end up not being able to use it now.

[He hopes that isn't the case, though. They came to the beach for a reason, after all.]

["You'll be needing a swimsuit for the summer even if you end up not being able to use it now." Komasan nearly chokes, Chihiro makes it sound like this is mandatory.]

A-Ah, yeah, I guess you're right, z-zura! If I can win that badge, I'll be able to fly back here for the summer, it'll be...fun, zura.

[It's totally mandatory Komasan, didn't you get the memo? Also try to keep up, because Shiruku is on a mission up there and Chihiro's almost having to powerwalk to keep up with her.]

That's right! I think you'll be able to get the badge without much trouble. You've been training a lot, right?

[Komasan notices about last second, where he tries to catch up as majestically as possible. Which is to say, he flails about as he tries to close the distance between himself and his pals.]

You really think so-- I-I mean, yeah! I've been training really hard, z-zura! Ah... It's been difficult switching between all my Pokemon, but I think it'll be worth it in the end, zura!

[Now that they're in a city, Komasan has been taking advantage of cycling through his Pokemon to make sure everyone's getting at least some training in. It's not fair to the others if he just focuses on the babies, right?]

Voicemail

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject