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Post by Toriya Naoko on Aug 11, 2018 18:43:10 GMT
"Time really does move...differently there than here, huh?" Naoko stated, recalling something Haru had told her on her first day in Whitewater. It did feel like a while ago, admittedly... "Regardless...I'm glad you found friends here. I know my partner would be, that's for sure."
And once again the girl found herself blinking at Otohime's reaction to what she was saying 'bout school. Was she...actually homeschooled? "Apparently it's most educational...systems? Like I said, I'm only feeling so...apathetic towards it lately because of this tamer stuff." She explained, taking another sip of tea before snickering at the teacher and the student.
"...Would it be bad to ask what you mean by that, Madayoshi-san?"
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Post by Otohime on Aug 11, 2018 19:00:28 GMT
"Yeah, the human world ain't bad once you know the limits!"
Keijo looked out over the vast cityscape on the horizon.
"Imagine, if you will, finding a dog, a stray. People dismiss it, because it is aggressive, because it has not yet learned discipline, and what love is. Others tell you to not adopt it, as it is hopeless. But deep inside, you know this dog has potential. Indeed, the dog starts out aggressive towards you, but with time, comes to learn you are different than the others. The dog realizes you will not reject or harm it. And so, it slowly begins to open up to you. It follows you around, takes an interest in what you do, it clearly shows it loves you, but deep inside its soul is still the pride of a dog who survived on its own. It will seemingly remain cold, different from other dogs, but you know, your work bore fruit, and this dog has grown to its full potential. With a lot of hard work and patience, I managed to do the same with a young girl."
He then wordlessly sipped his tea again. Otohime said nothing about this.
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Post by Toriya Naoko on Aug 11, 2018 19:19:47 GMT
Naoko nodded. "Must be hard being a living plant...Hey, do you...photo...photosynthesize?" It was mostly idle curiosity but she also felt like someone was gonna be dumb enough to ask this at some point so she figured why not?
She then fell quiet at Keiji's anecdote. Or story or...or explanation. It was a lot of things. It didn't take long for her to realize the stray was Otohime. Admittedly, she felt like something was withheld, but at the same time she also felt like she understood a few things a lot better. With a sip of tea and a glance towards Otohime, that turned into a pat on the shoulder, Naoko nodded. "...I see...You two are kind. Kindred spirits, as my fairy would put it."
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Post by Otohime on Aug 11, 2018 19:29:59 GMT
"Eh? Oh, I do sunbathe a lot, and I feel sated after that, so I guess I do that, too! Never knew it had a name, though."
Otohime avoided Naoko's gaze, but the way the tension slipped away from her showed that she appreciated the gesture. She felt that her Teach should be the one to finish the story.
Keiji bit into a senbei and looked lost in thought for a bit.
"It was about 3 and a half years ago, now. I was accosted by a juvenile delinquent in the streets of Nerima. Of course, I showed her that I do not take such threats lightly. But where others would have fled after one karate chop in self defense, the girl kept following me. I was impressed by her sheer stubbornness. This girl, who lived on the streets for months, had more willpower in her than most grown men from fancy families do. I saw a seed that deserves nuturing, so I took her in with me. She did not trust me at first, but over time, we grew closer. Of course, we still fight a lot, but that's when two stubborn people butt heads. I've even been trying to adopt her legally, but that has run into some...difficulties."
Otohime giggled.
"Dude, last time we were at the office, and the adoption guy was all "What, you want to leave all your stuff to a girl?" in a really disgusted tone, teach just up and punched the guy in the gut! Now he's not allowed into the office for a whole year, that was awesome!"
Keiji just chuckled, and finished his tea.
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Post by Toriya Naoko on Aug 11, 2018 20:03:08 GMT
Naoko just held her tea and continued to listen to the story. She even snickered a bit at the office bit. "...Well, I can't say the guy didn't deserve that. This...does explain a bit, though. I genuinely mistook Otohime for a delinquent back when I met her so her being so...nice, albeit in her own way, that was...kind of surprising to me. Moreso than being drafted by my fairy partner into doing some construction work in the laziest workplace I have ever seen, like...damn."
It also just hit her that she was in the house of two people that could probably kick her ass three times in a row to Sunday.
And that was spooky.
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Post by Otohime on Aug 11, 2018 21:53:07 GMT
"Yes, Otohime is quite nice, but too proud of herself to act in any way that could be considered "soft". Think of her like a durian. Spiky, unpleasant to be around, but if you take the chance and give her a moment of your time, you might find something of incredible worth within her."
Otohime looked offended...and confused.
"Old man I have NO fuckin' clue what a Durian is but I feel like ya just insulted me!"
Keiji did not even look at her.
"If I had intended to insult you, I would have done so to your face, would I have not?"
There was a certain sharpness in his voice now, enough to make Otohime settle down. Must be something the two went through a lot.
"Regardless, Miss Naoko, it would appear you took the chance, and you have found out how wonderful Otohime can be. I am quite happy."
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Post by Toriya Naoko on Aug 12, 2018 0:11:06 GMT
"I...think he's trying to say you're a little rough around the edges, but there's something really good deep within." Naoko mumbled, quietly. That's what he meant with the durian comparison, right? Naoko was hoping so. She gave Otohime another pat on the shoulder. "So, I think it's okay."
She felt way more than happy though. She had made a friend that was just as happy to see her as she was for her! That was something, right? "Plus I'm not the sharpest person in the world. Or the easiest person to be around, so if anything, you should give her some props for dealing with me up to this point too!"
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Post by Otohime on Aug 14, 2018 15:35:17 GMT
Ah, uh, thanks! But, uh, ya don't hafta put yerself down fer me, yer, like, a billion times more smart than me!"
This statement made Masaki snicker, and not even Keiji could suppress a smirk. Jiro seemed rather upset about this.
"Well, Miss Naoko, it seems you have gotten yourself a very, very loyal friend. Let us hope you will not come to regret it."
He finished his tea, and looked ahead again.
"So, Miss Naoko, what is your Youkai friend like? I know Otohime's is a very scaredy but loving kind."
"Hey, Jiro is the bestest buddy there is!"
Otohime hugged Jiro is if to protect him. He promptly blushed.
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Post by Toriya Naoko on Aug 14, 2018 21:07:27 GMT
Naoko had not realized she was putting herself down. Uh. Oops. She just scratched the back of her neck and nodded at Otohime. "...You don't need to do that either, you know..." She'd mumble, staring at Jiro. Was he okay? Though, it seemed like nervous was the critter's default mood...
She turned her head to look at Keiji, nodding before taking a sip of her tea. Naoko took but a moment to think, before stating "I have my doubts that I'll regret it." Firmly, at that. "...My partner's a little fairy. Not very tall, tall enough that she'd be able to sit on my shoulder without a problem. She's...pompous. Nauseatingly pompous, and a bit of a slave driver, but at the same time she looks out for me which is...well, I feel like it's how most partners of this kind act. She's a nice person to learn from, too."
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Post by Otohime on Aug 16, 2018 10:43:04 GMT
Keiji nodded sagely.
"A fae, then. A yokai from foreign shores, who entrances mortals and follow their capricious wits. You must be quite strong willed to rein in such a creature."
There was a bit of silence, then he turned to Otohime.
"So what else did you plan for your friend? Surely you did not bring her along just to have her talk to an old man."
Eh? Oh yeah! We wanted to go to the arcade and play sum games!"
"And do you have the money for it?"
Otohime rolled her eyes and sighed.
"Yes I did not waste all my money on gachapon figures as I have done approximately 2 years and 7 months ago now."
Keiji smirked.
"Good, I hope you two have fun."
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Post by Toriya Naoko on Aug 16, 2018 20:23:22 GMT
Was she really that strong willed or was the digivice so strong that it could rein in such a force of slave-driving nature as Titania? Naoko remained quiet, having briefly forgotten that they were going to the arcade after stopping by here. "I've got money on me too, so we should be fine."
Plus she wasn't about to roll the GAAAAACHA either. She looked at Otohime and tilted her head. "...I can sort of respect that but at the same time...was it worth it? Were there any cute figures?" Yes, this was a question being asked right now. Naoko then quickly regained focus. "Um...Thank you. We'll be sure to. Promise."
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Post by Otohime on Aug 19, 2018 13:54:39 GMT
Otohime looked surprisingly embarrassed.
"It was totally worth it!"
"An' they were totes cute..."
She then shook her head and got up.
"We better get to that Arcade. Come on, Jiro, you're comin' too!"
"W-w-w-w-wha? Me? Why?"
"I ain't gonna go out with my bestest buddy without taking along my other bestest buddy!"
The Dracomon blinked, then giggled in embarrassment, and hopped up, activating his holosuit! The bespectacled, short, androgynous look of the suit fit the shy dragon perfectly.
"Right, onward, to kick some arrows and maybe earn some prizes from the grey area of the law because for some reason winning prizes is illegal in this country!"
And with that, she strode off. Keiji just nodded after them.
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Post by Toriya Naoko on Aug 19, 2018 18:22:21 GMT
If it was worth it and cute then it was a good thing to do. Even if it was a mistake. Naoko gave Otohime a pat on the shoulder and smiled, standing up after her pal. She also blushed a little at being called Otohime's bestest buddy. Was...she really valued that highly?
She wasn't really questioning it, though, although she did remain quiet as Otohime basically got Jiro to come along with them. D'aw. "It's nice to have you along!" Naoko declared, with a big ol' smile on her face. "...And yes, let's go get prizes!" Then she strode off after Otohime, notably having a bit of a peppy stride. She was probably super, super SUPER excited about DDR.
Question was, why?
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Post by Otohime on Aug 22, 2018 11:47:14 GMT
Jiro blushed when Naoko said that it was nice he could come along. Truth was, he still considered himself a nuisance unworthy of Otohime's kindness, but getting the same kindness from someone else...it felt really good!
Otohime knew the way to the arcade by heart. It was a small, local one, one built in the bubble years to accommodate the growing number of entertainment seekers, and which had managed to resist the takeover of the Pachinko front through the collected efforts of the locals. The inside was dimly lift, by the screens of the arcade machines and the neon lights that must've adorned the walls since 1987. Various drawings of video game characters had been painted where the neon had left room on the walls. And there, in the back, was the DDR Machine. A surprisingly new model, but the wear already hinted at the popularity with the locals.
"Here we are! This is where we kick arrows till the mornin comes!"
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Post by Toriya Naoko on Aug 22, 2018 17:35:18 GMT
Naoko accentuated her kindness to Jiro by patting him on the head. She felt like the little guy deserved it, truth be told. Now, then. Naoko followed Otohime along the way to the arcade, making sure to memorize the way as best as she could. Upon actually reaching the arcade, though, Naoko let out a squee. Turns out, this small, old-ish arcade was just her style. Somewhat. She liked it! She like it a lot!
And she immediately decided to walk in without much care in the world, beeling to the back with Otohime where the DDR machine was. "Yep, that's a DDR machine! Seems like people love it, too. Uh...Do you wanna pick the first song? I'd...go first but I don't think you'd like the stuff I listen to."
Naoko, for reference, listens to anime openings a lot. And pop music. A mixture of the two.
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