codeforhope | Voicemail

[Well. None of that was dumb at all.

But it sure does have Chihiro getting redder and redder by the second, and he has to stop himself from reaching up to cover his face with his hands.]

O-oh...K...

[He doesn't finish though, his words trapped in his throat as he wrings the front of his shirt, ducking his head down a little until his chin is brushing his chest.

Instead of saying anything else, he instead fills the silence by quickly closing the space between them and throwing his arms around Komasan, pulling him in a close embrace.]

...t-...thank you.

M-Monge...

[Well, he can't say he was expecting hugs, but he definitely won't say no to one. What was supposed to be dinner turned out to be a tidal wave of feelings, but that's okay.

And that's really what he should focus on. Everything's okay. Komasan was so worried that every possible terrible outcome was sure to happen, that he couldn't even see what was going on right in front of him. He just assumed Chihiro would think he's a giant weirdo, he just assumed Chihiro would want him to leave.

Instead he got hugs.]

[So he hugs back. Komasan doesn't even care if Chihiro feels the same way or not, this is good, too. It actually feels sort of nice to get all your emotions out, not having to worry about them anymore. It's like a weight's been lifted from his shoulders, and he can't really complain about that.

It's good to know his feelings aren't dumb, though. Confirmation is always an added bonus.]

You're welcome, Chihiro.

[To be honest...Chihiro isn't sure how he's feeling right now. He's a little surprised by everything that's happened in just a few minutes, but he's also glad Komasan is being so honest with him, forced or not. But no matter what...he does care for him deeply. That isn't going to change. He finds himself lingering, his hand briefly petting Komasan's hair again.

He pulls back after a moment, glad that his sudden hug wasn't unwelcome, but he doesn't quite let go yet either.]

You're...still welcome to stay for dinner, you know.

[Right, dinner. Komasan didn't forget, and in fact would be happy to get back on track. He really believed he brought something Chihiro would like, as well as a great dessert--]

[Komasan's eyes snap open.]

I left Shiro alone with the groceries, zura.

Eh-?

[Chihiro blinks, a little surprised by Komasan's sudden change in demeanor.]

Is...that a bad thing?

Please forgive me, zura...

[Komasan does the worst thing imaginable, he breaks the hug. Hopefully Chihiro will understand, but right now he needs to rush over to the kitchen and make sure everything's okay.

Everything is not okay.]

M-MONGE!!

[Oh boy.

Chihiro turns around and quickly heads back through the door, a little afraid of what he might find in there.]

What happened-?!

[The scene probably wasn't scream worthy, but Komasan loved to yell. On the floor, one of the bags is torn apart, the very one Komasan put a delicious cake in for a "monge" dessert. All that remains of said cake is the cardboard base, accompanied by a Shiro who rests by the scene of the crime. If an ice cream cone can look stuffed, he manages to pull it off perfectly.

Even worse, Noko appears to have some traces of cake on her face, too. Compared to Shiro, she at least looks a little more guilty, but seeing her trainer upset causes her to pull her routine: She sits at the base of her tail and tilts her head.]

N-Noko-chan is forgiven, zura!!

[Komasan turns to Shiro, who still contently lies on the floor. Very well, Shiro. Very well.]

Grounded forever, zura!!

[At the very least, it looks like they only went after dessert. The rest of Komasan's groceries haven't been touched.]

[Luckily for Komasan, Porygon don't really seem to be the cake eating type. Unfortunately for Komasan, Zip and Whiz weren't interested in getting their new friend(s) in trouble, so they didn't actually...stop them or anything.

Chihiro offers Komasan a sympathetic smile as he walks into the kitchen, bending down to briefly pat Noko on the head.]

I guess they couldn't wait.

[Porygon are also grounded forever.]

I was really looking forward to eating that with you, zura...

[But no use crying over eaten cake. Komasan sighs as he finally walks into the kitchen, picking up the garbage his Pokemon left behind.]

Guess I'll have to buy another one some other time... B-But that's okay, w-we can still make dinner, zura.

[Noko seems especially pleased that neither human seems upset with her. She's not sure what kind of magic she has, but she'll take it. No further head pats from her trainer though, Komasan goes straight for the counter after he finishes picking up that mess.]

D-Did you still want to help, zura...?

[Nodding, Chihiro walks over to help Komasan clean up the rest of the mess that his Pokemon left, picking up the bags they'd knocked over.]

Mhm! Just let me know what you need, and I'll help however I can.

I'm gonna need a pot, a measuring cup, and a teaspoon, zura.

[Back to smiles, Komasan figures it's best to just list what he needs rather than rip apart the kitchen looking for them.]

Oh, and two bowls for when we're done. If you can slice the green onions, that'd be a big help too, zura.

[...]

I-If you're okay with all of that, z-zura.

Of course!

[He wouldn't have offered if it wasn't okay. Just as well, he knows where all of the utensils and things like that are already, so it would be faster to have him pull it all out.

Chihiro walks over to the cabinets, standing up on his tiptoes to pull one of the top drawers open.]

What are we going to be making?

Kitsune udon, zura.

[Because in the end, everything goes back to youkai with him. Speaking of which, just because he got through that talk, doesn't make it any less Friday. Komasan watches Chihiro stand on his tiptoes and absolutely loses it.]

Monge~ S-So cute, zura...

[And of course he catches it, and of course he double facepalms.]

[Chihiro absolutely heard that, but this time he doesn't say anything. In fact, he just keeps on doing what he's doing, gathering the utensils and bowls as Komasan had instructed him to do.]

Mmm~ That sounds perfect. Especially with how cold it's been lately, right?

[Komasan can only drag his hands down his face, grateful Chihiro is willing to put up with him right now. He'll have to make it up to him again, make a dinner not on a Friday. That sounds good, that's a foolproof plan.]

Y-Yes, that's what I thought, z-zura!

[HAHA, EVERYTHING'S FINE.]

There were plenty of times when I was traveling that I wished I could have something nice and warm. Now that I'm in the city, I have to make up for all that lost time, zura!

[After finishing up with his rummaging in the cabinets, Chihiro walks back over to the counter and deposits everything he could carry in one trip with a soft clatter, returning to the drawers a moment later to get smaller tools- knives, a cutting board, things of that nature.]

I can imagine. Traveling makes you hungry, too...

What is your favorite thing to eat, Komasan-chan?

Soft cream, zura!

[Komasan doesn't even skip a beat as he grabs the pot and prepares the ingredients for the broth. That's not even his lack of filter, just his pure devotion to all things ice cream. As if on cue, Shiro finally hovers off of the floor and towards his trainer, helping emphasize his point. Everyone needs a visual cue.]

Back when I still had to guard my shrine, I used to watch the nearby festivals, zura. Everything was so monge~, but I especially liked it when people would come up just close enough where I could see their soft cream, zura~

When my shrine was torn down, the first thing I did was go to the city and look for some. Ever since then, I can't think of anything that tastes any better, zuraa~

[Unable to control himself any longer, his mouth latches on top of Shiro's head. If only Vanillish actually tasted like vanilla...]

What's yours, zura?!

[He says with a mouth full of Pokemon.]

[Ice cream, huh? He'll have to make a note of that for the future.]

Mine? Well...I do like sweets, myself. Though I'm not sure I would say they're my absolute favorite...I try not to be very picky if I can help it. Chocolate is nice, though.

[So clearly, they need to go out and get some chocolate ice cream sometime. Komasan's a human, not a dog, so that's probably okay, right?]

[He was also a magical dog, so eating chocolate has never been a problem. Are you saying normal dogs never get to experience the wonders of chocolate?!]

Monge~, I can see it! You definitely look like the chocolate loving type, zura!

[How anyone can look like they love chocolate is questionable, but apparently Komasan knows.]

Then the next time I come over, I can get you one of those chocolate boxes I always see at the store! They've been everywhere lately, zura!

[Chihiro sets out the cutting board while Komasan chatters away, preparing a space so he can start cutting up some green onions.]

Oh, that's right...it's getting close to February now. You'll probably be seeing a lot more chocolate and things in the stores here soon.

February is chocolate season, zura?! Monge...

[He is totally okay with that.

Speaking of cutting, though, Komasan pulls out the narutomaki once he finally finishes putting the broth together, cutting up some thin slices so they're ready to go when he needs them.]

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