I disturb my town;

[jitensha]

[ with Makoto letting her know that he'd be close by her venue of work for the day, she'd thrown herself into the job with even more energy than her usual; the Producer had been awed and exhausted just watching her by the time it had ended.

She's just heading back to the car, pulling out her phone to call--

And that's when she hears a small, familiar voice. Ren...?

When she speeds up her steps, it's to find not just Makoto and his siblings, but some very disgruntled-looking high-school boys crowding them. ]

Hey--! What's going on?!

Comments

[jitensha]

One of your-- right, you said that name before.

I think we all just kind of contribute to each other's energy levels, so it can get a little overwhelming if you're not used to it.

... Or even if you are. [ since she's definitely frazzled-- but determined to return the favor, so she'll fuss with his bangs for a moment. ]

[makotoned]

[...ah. He bows his head a bit to let her fix his hair properly, and smiles. He saw it coming a bit, so he doesn't blush too terribly, but...it's definitely very nice.]

That's right, Nagisa-kun is on the swim team. He would probably get along well with a lot of the people here.

[...and he sighs, relaxing.]

Maybe a little bit, but I'm glad it happened this way regardless.

[jitensha]

You're glad you got almost all of them at once? I think most people would have wanted to take it one at a time-- at least a little slower.

[makotoned]

...Well.

[...yeah he can't deny that, but--]

Maybe so, but I can't be anything but glad with this sort of ending.

[With the two of them talking together now like this, and just knowing--something is different now, and in the best possible way.]

[jitensha]

Now that you mention it... even if I hadn't really thought about it ending like this, I wouldn't want to change it, either.

[ there's that warm glow of satisfaction, and she's definitely glad he'd said something, or she might not have realized it. Or at least, not anytime soon. ]

Oh, but... when do you need to head back?

[makotoned]

[He's also feeling very content and pleased; it's hard not too, in such a happy, quiet moment.

Neither of them would want this to change, either, so...he supposes that it's for certain.

And he's glad. But she does bring up a good point, and he chuckles, looking out the window.]

I guess it is getting dark. I should probably leave pretty soon, so I can get Ran and Ren to bed on time.

[jitensha]

I'd feel bad if I wound up making them stay up late again-- but I'll walk you guys to the station, unless you'd rather ride?

[makotoned]

I wouldn't mind walking at all, if you come with us.

[And that slips out of him way too easily, but he can't even think about taking it back.]

Ren and Ran will probably enjoy it too, since I took up most of your time this visit.

[But by the smile on his face, he hardly regrets that.]

[jitensha]

[ he'd better not take it back-- from the way she's smiling, she didn't mind hearing that at all. ]

Then walking it is! We can catch up on everything.

[ and that's more Makoto time, which might make her a little selfish, but shh. ]

[makotoned]

[He's perfectly happy for more Makoto time too, so she's certainly not alone there.

He just smiles, nodding cheerfully enough, and collecting Ren and Ran before they go.]

I guess we didn't have much of a chance to until now. That sounds perfect, though.

[And funnily enough, it really does. Walking to the train station with Makoto-chan and his siblings and talking about what they've been doing in their lives...

It sounds perfect.]

[jitensha]

[ and it is. It's nice, to have something beyond friendship, and to be able to talk to the twins like she actually has siblings of her own, and it's still a wistful feeling, but it's warmer too. ]

It's just too bad you live that far away...

[makotoned]

[Admittedly, she's right; it's unfortunate that they're so far away that these trips are still pretty rare.

He sighs as they walk, nodding slowly.]

It really is a shame, but...we seem to have done okay so far despite that. Now I'm sure we'll have reason to do even better.

[because he definitely wasn't ready to say goodbye, even if they had to for now.]

[jitensha]

Right! [ that makes her perk up, bouncy even as they keep the pace slow and leisurely. ] It's not even long long-distance, and I can still talk to you in-between jobs and I even get to see the twins more than I'd thought! I've been pretty lucky.

[makotoned]

That's the spirit!

[He just nods, smiling at her and looking very pleased indeed.]

I'm sure if we both work at it, we'll be fine. [...] Especially on my end, since I'm hardly as busy as you idols.

[He saw that white board, okay.]

[jitensha]

We get a lot busier in the summer, because we don't have to worry about school, so it might get hard soon... [ but she squeezes his hand. ] But we'll definitely be okay! Maybe if we could find a way to perform in your town...

[makotoned]

[Ah, summer...

He hadn't really thought of that...and honestly, he doesn't have the money to go travel to all of her shows, much as he would like to. So he just rubs the back of his head and sighs.]

We'll think of something when that time comes, then.

[...and a little sheepishly--]

If you did find a way to perform there, I would be the first in line though.

[jitensha]

We've been to an even smaller town before, where we had to set up everything ourselves! That was back in the beginning, but I don't think anyone really minds doing something a little smaller.

[ she's warming to this idea. ]

And if not... [ okay she's a little quieter, because she can say this now but still, twins. ] I bet I could put on a private concert for you.

[makotoned]

[He's about to respond to her about the small town shows, when she continues, and

Well, for a moment he struggles with words, blinking at her with his mouth slightly agape, because that's very attractive--

And then he blushes and laughs a little awkwardly but--]

I would really like that, actually.

[akslndlkansd just. laknsdlkabs.]

[jitensha]

[ oh she said something successfully flustering, GOOD JOB, MAKOTO!! ]

U-um, well, I can do that even if we do come out there to perform! As a special service.

[makotoned]

[..you're killing him here. "Private performance". "As a special service".

He just looks so astonished and then so flustered but--

Well, he can't quite deny that he's happy too.]

W-well, I...I mean, if you're up for it then--

[Makoto you are screwing this up big time.]

[jitensha]

I am! I definitely am! I think it'd be a lot of fun, actually, and performing's important to me, so showing you how I feel through that would be--

[ please shut her up she's nervously rambling now. ]

[makotoned]

[...a-aw. Adorable. And Makoto just chuckles, but does gently try to stop that rambling.]

That sounds great to me, then. I'm always happy to see you perform. You are an amazing idol, after all.

[jitensha]

... [ that gets her to quiet down, though she really couldn't be any redder. ]

You helped make my dream come true... so I'm definitely going to thank you for it with all my might.

[makotoned]

[It's okay, Makoto, it's okay. It's his turn to look startled and a bit embarrassed, though he feels it's important that he protest this a little.]

You don't owe me anything, Makoto-chan. I'm just lucky enough to get to be with you.

[And then he smiles at her, because--]

But if you want to perform, I'll definitely cheer you on. After all, I'm a big fan.

[jitensha]

[ they really need to stop smiling at each other like fools-- but Makoto can't help it. The walk's a lot shorter than it needs to be, and sooner rather than later, they're going to part ways again, but this time, she'll have much more to think about. ]

I'd say be prepared, but I'd rather surprise you.

... But it's okay to say we're both lucky.