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Stories in the Concrete Labyrinth [Open]
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Post by Mikazuki Nakamura on Aug 25, 2019 16:04:10 GMT
To say Mikazuki was excited would be underplaying how giddy the abnormally large teen was as he watched the scenary go by. He was positively brimming with enough joy to draw the attention of even the most distracted of passengers on the local train, pointing out to himself every little detail of the trip. From how narrow the seats were, the volume of people, the advertisement on the other trains, to the very fact he WAS taking the subway route to meet up with both Junpei and Yuu-Chan after having to plead with his parents that he could be trusted to do it by himself, all of it helped raise his spirits tremendously.
Eventually the time came and the first stop came about and Mika, ever the inattentive boy he was, left the train and started looking around, trying to find his friends, only for the smile he had to be replaced by a confused blank face as he stopped in the middle of the station. "Huh? They said they'd meet me at..."
After trying and giving up remembering the exact address, Mika opened up a little folded note with writing belonging to Yuko. "Northern Shibuya." was what he read out loud as he continued to look outwards, walking aimlessly amongst the station and trying to find his friends, but in vain.
Eventually, the boy-giant's glee turned to sadness as he sat on a bench, sighing sadly and eating an apple he drew out of his pack, looking as downcast as a puppy.
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Post by ryouta on Aug 25, 2019 17:36:39 GMT
"Sooo, why are we NOT riding our motorcycle right now?" a voice came out from what seemed to be a phone. A youth walked toward the station, passing the Hachiko Statue, and straight toward the station. The phone is bluish silver with green accents on some of its buttons... the owner? Quite hulking actually, with slightly sun-kissed tone of skin. The youth is wearing white parka with casual shirt underneath, both sleeveless.
"Well for one, I still think a custom Fenrir-like motorcycle is too much to be used in Japan you know."
"Is there any law that's forbidding you to ride such a motorcycle? Seriously?" the voice countered.
"Well, there are regulation about plates and whatnots... Well that's not important. We most likely need to traverse some highway anyway if we want to get to Northern Shibuya."
"...What are you doing there again?"
"Well for one, delivery! For two... I guess I just have a bit of a business in cat street?"
"We do delivery? That's the first."
"Only for loyal customer, you know?"
On the youth's hand, he got what looked like a box of a cake. A chibi dragon gleefully nomming a cake could be seen on the side, along with the store's name "Petit Draco". Normally, the delivery is done by the youth's father, but today he's busy, so he ended up doing it instead.
"...Ay, there's a lost child." the voice from the other side suddenly told him.
"Where? We best help t--- dude, that's not a child by any stretch. Dude is probably older than me..."
Yes, his sight is currently affixed toward the sitting huge guy. He rarely seen someone TALLER than him, to be honest... but here is the guy, looking like a lost puppy... He understood that Valt probably jesting, but still... hmmm, this is awkward. Is he a foreigner? ...Doesn't look so huh?
"...'xcuse me, are you lost?" Ryouta asked.
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Post by Mikazuki Nakamura on Aug 25, 2019 17:48:42 GMT
"Huh?" looking ahead, Mikazuki found something he had yet to have seen in his life: Someone actually broader than him! The guy in question seemed to be carrying a box of sorts, probably a cake by the looks of it, and was by far the largest person the Nakamura scion had yet to meet.Another contrast could be seen in their clothing, with Mika's basic getup that didn't leave much out being mirrored by the stranger's much more revealing attire.
The awkward part came in the fact Mika was staring for a while at the other male's body enough to suddenly notice what he was doing and look up towards the other youth's confused face. "Oh, uuuuuh..." Mika stuttered as he rubbed a hand behind his back and flashed an embarassed smile at the stranger. "Not really. My friends told me to meet them up in Northern Shibuya a while ago, and i'm waiting on them." he explained in the most clueless way a human being could ever sound, completely at odds with the fact he was NOT in the renzdevous point agreed between his peers.
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Post by ryouta on Aug 25, 2019 18:09:26 GMT
"...?" Northern Shibuya? But... but this is Central Shibuya? The black haired teen looked back at the sitting one in equally confused look. Is he someone from the other city? In that case that sort of explain it... but... he guess he shouldn't assume huh? It's rude after all.
"Erm, sorry to tell you this, pal, but you're in different place altogether. It's Central Shibuya here... You're currently in Shibuya Station, in front of Hachiko Square... if you want to go to Northern Shibuya... er... this is not the place. So... uh... you might want to purchase another ticket?"
Then again, should they even go together? "...Actually, I'm heading thee myself. If you want, probably I can guide you until you meet up with your friend or something?" Ryouta offered. "Ah by the way, name's Ryouta, Noguchi Ryouta. Shibuya High School student, third grade... Though I guess the last part is unnecessary, heh. So what says you? No pressure of course. I'm just there to deliver a cake."
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Post by Mikazuki Nakamura on Aug 25, 2019 18:20:52 GMT
Green eyes met blue ones with a look that screamed absolute confusion as Mika processed the information the stranger gave him.
He wasn't in Northern Shibuya
His name was Ryouta...Noguchi?
And then it hit Mikazuki as he put his hands on his head and let out a frustrated whine. "AWWWWWWW DANGIT!" he exclaimed quite a bit loudly, not minding the odd looks he got from the surrounding people. "I thought i got it right for the first time! Yuu-chan is gonna be so mad at me! Way to go, Mika, you failed on catching a Train!" he then munched on the rest of his snack and looked up as Ryouta offered to help him out, which managed to bring the ever-so-bright smile the Nakamura boy was oh so known for back as he suddenly pounced on his new "friend and proceeded to hug the ever-loving stuff out of him "Thanks, Ryouta-San! That'd be great!"
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Post by ryouta on Aug 25, 2019 18:40:13 GMT
...Errrr, so the poor guy doesn't seem to be... noticing that he's in wrong part of the city. Bad sense of direction? Thankfully he's not a kid, so he doesn't think he'll get kidnapped or whatnot... and there's the fact that he immediately yelled out his exasperation of.. being in wrong place. Ryouta's phone let out a small 'ouch' as Valt felt his ears ringing from the sudden yell.
"...Er, it's not that bad, you know. I'm sure you can still catch the train or so---!" and he got suddenly hugged. Thankfully Ryouta quickly grabbed his cake and place it overhead, lest it got crushed when the taller boy suddenly hug him. Bless Digital World training, geez! He awkwardly looked around as people stared at the two, wondering what's going on. Some kids pointed at them, while the mother said something like 'don't point, it's rude'. Well... this... he guess he should just smile awkwardly?
...Maybe he'll looks like this guy's senpai in the club or something...
"...Er, right, let's... let's move, shall we?"
Ryouta headed toward the gate and immediately scanned his Suica card then heads toward the right platform... Easy enough, right? Does... does the guy know this? He does, right? Part of him is nervous about this, somehow.
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Post by Mikazuki Nakamura on Aug 25, 2019 21:15:51 GMT
After his new friend ended their little hug, Mika took it to heart to observing everything he did and tried to mimic every bit of it. Surprisingly, this time he didn't get the odd looks from the people around him as he also bought his ticket without event, but for some reason the clerk on his bank couldn't help but flush around him for some reason. Now, this was something that had always boggled the blond giant, but why the heck did girls blush so much? Was it some sort of disease or something he did wrong?
No, it didn't make sense to him. He was being what he always was. And not once did anyone say there was something wrong with his way of being.
"Um..." Mika suddenly rummaged through his things as the two waited for the next train to arrive and pulled out a green apple, which he proceeded to offer Ryouta "Sorry if i caused a scene..." the apology came out a bit shier than the Nakamura heir was before. "I get that i'm not the sharpest tool in the shed, and if i embarassed you, i didn't mean to."
He inhaled and released a breath.
"It's just that this is the first time I ever go out on my own without my family driving me to the place." A chuckle left the boy-giant's lips. "And I don't really know how it works."
Y'know, Mika's chin was feeling quiiiiiiiiiite itchy at the moment, and as such, with a nervous chuckle, he proceeded to scratch it.
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Post by ryouta on Aug 26, 2019 17:59:52 GMT
...Ay, the dude's a ladykiller. Ryouta admittedly is kind of jealous of that, to be popular.. how does it feel he wonder? He's a huge guy and gave this aura of unapproachable person. Not that many girls really like him, and most of girls that do like him doesn't consider him a 'man', but a 'big brother'. Well, he's happy, but it's complicated sort of happy.
And now, while waiting on the platform... he... apologized? And offered him a green apple. Nice. The price of fruits are kind of expensive in Japan, and snacking on fruits like this is a bit of luxury, so he took it gratefully with a smile and proceed to take a bite. Mmm, just how he likes it too.
"Sounds you got a really protective family, dude," Ryouta commented. "Well I wont blame you but looks like you're also treated with utmost care so that you're happy... Can't say that I'm that much of a hugging guy type, though, so warning would be appreciated..."
He finished the apple and tossed it toward the disposable trash bin. He can't really snack inside the train after all! That would be rude! It's not shinkansen, it's just local train, thus eating and drinking is a bit of a taboo.
"Mmmm, so this is the first for you. Well... Experience, then I guess? Are you some sort of a conglomerate's heir or something out of curiosity?"
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Post by Mikazuki Nakamura on Aug 26, 2019 20:26:33 GMT
"Sorry, my friends also don't like hugs all that much, but i can't help it. Hugs are just me showing them that i like being around them and how much they mean to me. My parents tended to hug me all the time when i was younger and still do, but i never understood why other people didn't like them." Mika retorted without any sort of bite as he intently observed his new friend eat the apple with enthusiasm, which helped brighten his mood even after the failure he had gone through in the subway system today.
Then it hit him that Ryouta asked him yet another question, this one pertaining to his parents. A chuckle left Mika's lips as he fetched a piece of chocolate from his bag and downed it with barely a few bites.
"My parents don't actually tell me much about their jobs, but they run a company here in japan. Nakamura Foods! I think they won an award for cleanest factory a few years back, even!" He explained with quite a hint of pride at his family name being mentioned. After all, even the purest souls fall to the vice of superbia sometimes...
Still, the pause wasn't long and soon he continued.
"They are really busy with it, but i never minded, since the staff of the house always treated me well and i was never bored or alone most of the time, even though i didn't have that many children around me when i was a kid." A chuckle escaped his lips. "Heck, i barely ever left the house on my own and only managed to get enrolled in a school when i was 14, and it took us having our first fight ever for them to let me!" His eyes momentarily darkened at the memory, but soon regained their overwhelming brightness. "I'm really happy they actually let me, though. Meeting people is fun, and i'm glad i have some friends to teach me about things like that!" he proceeded to point to a man eating cup noodles in the corner. "I never thought you could prepare noodles like that! Our chef always told me it took time and dedication to cook, but that guy just pours hot water into his food and poof! instant food!"
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Post by ryouta on Aug 29, 2019 17:41:54 GMT
"...Ah, yeah, I'm... definitely not the hugger type. I understand if it's part of your habit though," Ryouta answered. The guy in front of him is far more innocent to the way of the world it's seem.. "Well see, it's more to people being shy I guess... and they're not used to be hugged by someone they just met. I think it's the former for your friends... Well, sometimes my friend hugged me too, but I think we agreed that it's something that we best done while we're not in sight of many other people..."
...So he really is a rich guy... interesting. Nakamura Food, though... That doesn't quite rang a bell. Maybe a bit of a jog of mind is needed. "Well, let's see... what exactly does Nakamura Food sells? Are they distributor or manufacturer? I'm a bit interested."
...Being a chef, the need of knowing which food you have to source and from where they're sourced is definitely a crucial thing.
...Still, the overwhelming amount of social disparity made Ryouta sweatdrops. He wonder if this teen doesn't get into any sort of bad social circle by being this innocent... What if he got extorted? Honestly, part of him is already worried for the guy.
"..........Well... instant food is cheap, fast, and easy I guess. That's why they're 'instant'. Sometimes if you're lazy they're good just to squash a bit of your hunger enough so you can cook when you're actually hungry..."
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Post by Mikazuki Nakamura on Sept 2, 2019 20:58:21 GMT
"Oh... so people prefer to be more withdrawn then?" To Mikazuki, such a notion was anathema and his tone perfectly mirrored how baffled he felt. Being shy was never something that was even considered by the blonde teen, especially with his seclusive background. How could people dislike the company of other people?! It was like a fish not liking water! It was simply... senseless!
His musings were interrupted by Ryouta inquiring about his parents' business. "Hmm, that's a good question, Ryouta-san!" Mika responded, scratching his chin. "I've heard them talking about both a lot. Mostly we deal with fruits though. We have greenhouses for the more exotic ones, but we also have farms and deal with imports from Brazil, Germany, America, and Spain." The boy-giant explained, eyes wandering about the station as he continued taking in the details. "That is also why they had me take those language classes, I guess."
Following that, Mika simply listened to the explanation of how the instant noodles were prepared and why people liked that. "Huh, I guess that makes sense! Sometimes I tend to forget not everyone is in the same situation I am." His eyes then wandered to the boxes in Ryouta's care. "What's inside those?"
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Post by ryouta on Sept 3, 2019 10:27:14 GMT
"Mmmm, that's not quite it," Ryouta answered. This is... complicated. "Rather than withdrawn, it's more that they... don't feel comfortable with too personal sign of affection. Culture wise, Japanese aren't as open to public display of affection, but people on other country doesn't seem to mind much. Hugging is one of them... hugging a stranger felt weird when the necessary level of comfort isn't there yet. It's like... you don't know someone, they suddenly want to act like your forever buddy. The natural reaction would be weirded out usually.
But at times rejection doesn't mean they don't like you. At times they're just very embarrassed. Like, some peoples are fine with hugging one another, but another aren't as fine you know? It's based on cultural view pretty much."
So this big guy here is really a bocchan of some important groups. Interesting. "I see, I see, that's interesting." The scope is probably too big... but if only he can get wholesale at nice price for the cafe--ah well, he'll let his father deal it for the meantime.
The train soon arrived, and Ryouta quickly came inside. He preferred to sit because the cake to be honest. "Oh, this box? It's cake. Ordered from someone on the northern shibuya. Our cafe also do a bit of a delivery, but my father was busy, and I don't have the license for highway driving yet, so I had to take the train."
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Post by Mikazuki Nakamura on Sept 3, 2019 12:44:54 GMT
"Oh, I get it! So it's better to ask first!" the boy-giant nodded enthusiastically at his newest friend's speech about hugs. So he should avoid hugging people he didn't know without their consent. Which also meant he was justified in continuing his glomps on both Junpei and Yuko.
Much like a dog usually followed its owner without question, Mikazuki followed Ryouta without a word of protest. Once there, he took a seat beside the other youth and set his eyes on the box in his lap, which served as a container for a cake. Curious still, the blonde continued analyzing the details of the box, taking note of the bakery owned by Ryouta's family, the address specified on it (which he didn't know yet), and finally the size of it. "Can I ask what's the flavor and what's it for?" Mika asked right as the train started moving towards northern Shibuya.
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Post by ryouta on Sept 7, 2019 16:58:19 GMT
"Yeah, best ask first." That's easier to understand isn't it? Obviously Ryouta just smiled at that and nodded. The boy looked like he really likes his friends and how he uses physical sign of affection though... And honestly, Ryouta just felt it's too intimate for his taste, but whatever...
"Flavor?" Ryouta parroted. Could it be that he's actually hungry? Well, if he knows about Digimon, Ryouta could have pulled some of food he made from infini-store, but doing that to muggle is obviously out of question. But either way, best to answer that before it takes too long huh?
"I think there are several cake samples inside... I think. They ordered it per slices. I think there are strawberry shortcakes, cheescake, citrus goodness, blueberry cake, some chocolate mousse, matcha tiramisu... As for what... well I dunno. That's for the client's business isn't it? It's not quite my business if they doesn't share it with me. They just said they want several samples of sweet, fruity, and slightly bitter. So there you go."
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Post by Mikazuki Nakamura on Sept 8, 2019 16:37:11 GMT
"Those sound great!" Mika cheered after the appetizing description Ryouta took great care in elaborating was finished. Truth be told, the blonde teenager wasn't so much as hungry as he was curious about what WAS inside the box. Sure, he loved sweets but he was quite satisfied with the snacks he was given at the moment. Still, the smell of the many desserts inside was tempting, but he'd get them later if need be.
Wait, maybe he could get them for Junpei and Yuu-Chan! They could eat them at lunch tomorrow! Yeah, that was a good idea! In no way something that would backfire if the two outcasts ditched him to go spray some statue!
Nuh-uh! Not at all!
"Hey, Ryouta-san, would you mind giving me the number of your bakery? I'd like to ask for something tomorrow." His eyes momentarily glanced to the outside where the tunnel was finally giving way to the station of Northern Shibuya. The right one this time.
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