battering | ic contact;

[ Way off the mark. ]

Hmm, I think that would be a problem. [ Wouldn't that make her more like Morgiana!? ] But it sounds like fun. I'll try it.

[ ...He's such a great influence, yeah. She laughs. ]

I can't make flames like you can, though.

That's okay, water and ice powers are cool too even though they're not red!

[ Speaking of water and ice-- ] Mm, should we turn back before we get too far?

[ Kougyoku couldn't do ice until she got here, but it's okay, she doesn't need to tell him that yet. She'll let him think she's cool for a while longer. ]

Ah... [ A frown. She wants to skate a little longer! Well, the trip back should be just as long. ] Right.

[ He never really taught her how to stop, though, so she holds on to his sleeve. ]

[ He saw that frown, princess. And while he may not be good with girls at the very least he knows that they shouldn't be sad! Not when he could help prevent it!

When she holds on to his sleeve he slows down and helps her do so as well, helping her turn before he stands to face her once they've come to a complete stop. ]

Hey, grab on to my hands for a second, I wanna try something.

[ That said, he stretches out his arms in front of him. ]

[ She almost wants to ask, "Why do you like holding my hands so much!?" but she knows she isn't in any position to complain, so she does as she's told. ]

What now?

[ Wow he actually has a reason this time!!

Yata looks behind him to make sure the path is clear, then begins to skate backward, tugging Kougyoku along. You better be ready for a wicked spin/circle right now because it's happening. ]

[ So he didn't have a reason for all those other times...

At first, it sounds as if her life is flashing right before her eyes, but she handles it better after the next three seconds. It even gets her to laugh. wow he's so good at this etc. ]

[ ~~Smooth Criminal plays in the background.~~

He's glad she seems to handle it pretty well. Not wanting to make them dizzy, he stops after another spin, making sure that Kougyoku can balance by herself before he lets go of her hands and gets himself to skate beside her again. Accomplishment?! ]

[ They're still losers. ]

That was fun! [ But she's so happy, she's laughing, so it's okay!? ] Hey, what are we having for dinner tonight? [ Don't say yeti, don't say yeti, don't say yeti— ]

[ it's Kougyoku's lucky day, ]

I was thinking curry! I wanna check out that indoor garden thing. [ And he was getting tired of yeti too. ] Why, had something in mind?

Anything but yeti, please! [ Said dramatically. ] You like curry a lot, huh? [ Because it's all he ever cooks. ]

It's... good, right?! Curry's filling and really tasty! [ And it's all he knows. ]

What's your favorite? We can try making it.

[ No comment. ]

... Steamed white fish fillet with ginger and spring onions. [ why ]

[ Ah, the longest pause in eternity. What the hell kind of favorite food was that?! ]

... I can make fish curry. [ Close enough. ]

So you're still going to make curry!?

What you said sounds too fancy!!

[ She puffs her cheeks up and groans. ]

Don't say you can make anything when you can only make curry...

You can put anything you want in curry, that counts as a lot of things... [ Sound logic, yo. He waves a hand to dismiss it. ]

Whatever, I'll try to make you your fish fillets, but I can't promise it'll be as good as my curry! [ a) Implying his curry was anything more than the norm?? b) How the hell do you even cook fish. ]

[ She's tasted better curry than that, Yataaaa! She's never going to say it, though. In any case, she doesn't expect him to actually accept, so it's a pleasant surprise when he does. ]

I'm looking forward to it. If it's good and I get fat, it'll be your fault!

... you'd look even more like a bunny if that happens. [ He kind of wants to see it now. ]

[ Hits his arm, omg. ] Hey!

[ They soon reach the place they came from, and Kougyoku holds onto Yata's sleeve again so that he can help her stop. ]

There's another thing I'm good at, you know.

[ Hehehehe.

Yata makes sure to slow down steadily so she doesn't fall. ]

Yeah? What's that?

Being pretty.

[ Ah, embarrassing... But Koujaku said it was nothing to be ashamed of and even complimented her efforts, so she wants to put that out there. ]

[ That... was nowhere near what he'd expected, and his first reaction is to burst out laughing. At least even he realizes how terrible that was and quickly covers his mouth. ]

--Shit, sorry!

[ How rude, she doesn't have a lot of talents to begin with! She stomps her foot when they're back on land. ]

Shut up! It takes a lot of effort, you know, especially in a place like this! Why? Don't you think I'm pretty?