battering | ic contact;

[ Of course he trusts her, and he gives her hand a squeeze when she asks to say as much.

He's fine walking in silence, but when Kougyoku continues he has to actually think about that before responding, 'dates' never having been high on his list of things to daydream about (and even if they had been, some generic cookie-cutter date really didn't suit the two of them). Hummmmm. ]

First I'd take you to walk around Hibiya Park. We'd take lots of pictures and the cherry blossoms would be blooming and everything! And... we'd watch the sunset by the lake there and I'd be super cool, putting my arm around you and stuff and you'd definitely be impressed.

[ He laughs, the smile staying on his face. ]

Then we'd go over to Akihabara when it's dark-- people call it the electric city so that's pretty cool, everything lights up at night and all the shops stay open late and we'd play video games together. I'd win like three stuffed bears for you 'cause I'm awesome at prize machines, and we'd stay out late just looking at everything, watching everybody that dresses up in costumes, and eating good food.

[ Stop being cute! Stop!

The cherry blossoms, the lights, the hustle and bustle of a city she's never been to—Kougyoku takes it all in. The image she forms in her mind must be a good one, because she steps in front of Yata and takes both his hands with enthusiasm. ]

I'd really love that! After all this, we should go! [ Her smile falters. ] Well, someday.

[ She was crying about it earlier, but since she's in such a good mood? She can be a little more optimistic. ]

Maybe—maybe I can find a way. Alibaba and I know great magi. Maybe they know something about traveling to other worlds.

[ Her enthusiasm was contagious as hell. ]

Yeah! We'll figure something out, I'm sure of it! If the people here can do it, others probably can too, we just hadn't thought it was possible.

[ Maybe. It was a big maybe, but things were supposed to work out in favor of people in love, weren't they?

Fuck, he's excited, and if Kougyoku was going to hope then he would too-- and Yata slips his hands away from hers just so he could wrap his arms around her waist. Yeah, that's right. He lifts her off the ground and twirls her. ]

[ Yata watches too much TV and Kougyoku daydreams a lot, but that's fine. Clearly whatever they wish for has to come true as long as they want it hard enough. The prospect of going to Yata's world has her daydreaming again, which is why he takes her by surprise when he sweeps her off her feet, and she giggles and holds on tightly as twirls her. ]

Stop, stop! [ She's having fun. Almost too much fun. Shouldn't she be cutting ties from this world, not strengthening them? But the thought never crosses her mind.

When her feet are back on the ground, the distance between them remains the same. Her hands take his once more. ]

We should really be heading back. Izumo might nag.

He'll understand, this is important. Or... I'm pretty good at climbing in through windows, so it'll be fine if we say we were there all along.

[ Still, Yata starts walking again, swinging their linked hands back and forth lightly. ]

You do that a lot, don't you?

[ Amused, she smiles at him and swings their hands in bigger arcs a few times. ]

Hehe, it'll be like we snuck out... [ Proof that Yata is a bad influence #495 ]

[ He's a great influence shut up. ]

Have you snuck out before, caused a little trouble?

Not really. Well, sometimes I would, just so someone would try to find me. I never went too far. It wasn't for the sake of leaving. [ She wasn't that bad... ]

Just so someone would find you? [ laughs, ] You're so weird! [ it's said as fondly as if he'd just called her pretty. ]

I'm not! [ Kougyoku groans and pouts. Now she's insecure. Maybe she should start being more self-conscious around him... ]

[ Another laugh when she pouts, and Yata leans his head down to bump her shoulder with his forehead. ]

Relax, that's one of the reasons I like you so much. You're a weird princess but, uh... in a really good way.

[ Oh, well that's not so bad. She puffs her cheeks up and looks at him from the corner of her eye, feigning dissatisfaction. ]

How is that good? I bet you're just making fun of me again.

I'm not! It's just kinda hard to explain it. [ His free hand reaches over to press on Kougyoku's cheeks. Nice fishy-face. ]

Besides, when have I ever made fun of you?

[ While making that fishy-face: ]

Misaki! Ooh... [ He has a point. She gently pulls his hand away. ] Well, if you say so.

...I'm just scared I'll mess up.

[ Ah. Aaaah. ]

... Yeah, me too. Promise you'll tell me if I do something bad and I'll do the same?

[ Holds her little finger out for him to take. ]

[ Kisses her instead. Oops. ]

That's not how it works! [ She's blushing like mad. Yata. ]

[ Victory. ] It's the secret way!

[ Kougyoku covers the lower half of her face with her sleeve. She can't win. ]

I-it's a promise, then. [ She's quiet for a while. ] Um. Since when?

[ With her, Yata doesn't mind the silence, and he's caught a bit off guard when she speaks again. ]

Since when what?

[ She hesitates. ]

Did you start liking me. [ Look, she's curious. ]

Uh... is it dumb if I say from the moment I met you?

Really!? [ She wasn't expecting that answer, but she's happy with it. Just let her get over her initial shock. ] No, it isn't dumb at all! It can happen. Sometimes, you can't even explain it...

Haaa, I always thought that love at first sight stuff was all a bunch of crap... you're the exception, I guess!

[ They arrive back at the house though and Yata's glad, if anything because admitting to the length of his crush was a little embarrassing. He doesn't let go of her hand, leading her over to a window on the side. ]

What about you? Since when?

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