things I will never quit

[jitensha]

[ so, Makoto may not be very good at video games. But one outing (date her mind had supplied, even though she'd turned pink just thinking about it) had led them to an arcade, and she'd thought to try and improve by doing a round of games.

... She hadn't been very good.

But that was before she'd seen the DDR systems in the corner.

Sorry, Makoto, your girlfriend is over there and enthusiastically trouncing her competition. It's been awhile since she's been able to just dance like this, and it shows. ]

Comments

[makotoned]

[He's honestly perfectly content to watch. This has already been an amazingly good day (unsurprising, since he got to go on a date with Makoto), but getting to top it off by seeing his very athletic girlfriend (he can think that now, right? Girlfriend...it's amazing) dance like the pro she is is more than he could have ever asked for.

So he's happy to watch Makoto's skills at work, clapping when she finishes a particularly difficult song and smiling cheerfully. It doesn't hurt that the people willing to face her are rapidly thinning with how effectively she's beating them.]

You're amazing, Makoto-chan!

[jitensha]

[ she pauses to take a deep breath after the last song; she's already sweating, but she's grinning like it would be impossible to do anything else. And then, a wave. ]

Makoto-kun! You should try a song, it's really fun!

[makotoned]

[...and he blinks.

He probably should have expected her to invite him, but--oh dear lord, being invited to dance.

AHA...]

I don't think I can dance that well--

[no really he's happy to watch.]

[jitensha]

You don't know unless you try, right? We can do an easy one!

... Please?

[ she's learning. ]

[makotoned]

[...she's learning quickly, and it's a critical hit. He blinks, and then immediately moves to join her, though he sighs and his shoulders slump.]

Ah...if it means that much to you, I guess it wouldn't hurt to try...

[He's putting a brave face on it, but this is going to go so poorly.]

[jitensha]

Great! [ but look at how happy she is as she welcomes him up. ] Do you want to pick the song?

[makotoned]

[...and he hesitates. And tries hitting the up arrow--wait no that's difficulty--wait augh.

.........]

Why don't you pick the song, Makoto-chan...

[while he tries to...figure out his buttons.]

[jitensha]

Are you sure? [ she gives him a dubious glance, but he's... trying to puzzle out the arrows, so she'll smile after a moment and take control of the menu. ]

... Here, try this one.

[ nice and peppy and beginner, just for you. ]

[makotoned]

[Nice and peppy and beginner is good.

Probably. He thinks.

He knows that Makoto wouldn't tease him that way, so--he assumes it'll be a good song. And he takes a moment to take a deep breath and prepare himself for this...and then he nods.]

All right.

[And he's aware enough to hit start, at least--

HIS FIERCE DETERMINATION is what carries him through but...honestly, he's not any good at this at all and he knows it. It's a bit of a disaster, but.........at least he does get through the song, if awkwardly.]

[jitensha]

[ ... poor Makoto. ]

Hey, you made it to the end! Your perseverance really shone through!

[ BUT IT WAS KIND OF BAD... ]

[makotoned]

[...he knows it was bad. So he slumps and sighs.]

I'm sorry, I'm not very good at this game or at dancing...

[jitensha]

That's nothing a little practice won't fix!

[ ... says the one who taught herself. ]

[makotoned]

[...haaaa]

I suppose so, but not everyone has the same inspiring determination that you do.

[But then he smiles, because he can't stay down for long-- it was just a game, after all.]

It's more fun to watch you, anyway.

[jitensha]

... Is it? I always thought it'd be more fun to be involved...

[makotoned]

Maybe it is usually, but I never mind watching you dance.

[jitensha]

T-that's.... well, I can teach you anyway! You never know when it'll come in handy!

[makotoned]

[oh makoto, never change.]

In that case, I'd be happy to learn from you. Please be patient with me.

[eheh...]

[jitensha]

Of course! But you'd better be prepared to work hard!

[ ... run. ]

[makotoned]

...For some reason, that sounds a little ominous...

[AHEM.]

I mean, I'm definitely ready!

[jitensha]

That's the spirit! Come on, we can practice somewhere else for now.

[ and she'll hold out her hand, instead of... dragging him off. ]

[makotoned]

At least we won't be practicing in public...

[GOTTA HOLD ONTO THE POSITIVE--though he'll at least grab her hand, accepting this task.

They're in it together.]

Please treat me gently, Makoto-chan.

[jitensha]

Don't worry! A little soreness is good for you.

[makotoned]

[. . . . . .

suddenly he feels a terrible sense of encroaching doom.]

...Is...is that so....

[jitensha]

Isn't it like when you train for swimming? You're a little sore, but the glow of satisfaction is stronger!

[makotoned]

I suppose that's true...Though honestly, I practice as hard as I do because I want to see how far we can go as a team.

[jitensha]

... Ehehe... that's your selfless side speaking again!

[makotoned]

[He just shrugs as that, walking with her and looking content.]

Don't you want the same for your friends? To work with them to see how far you can all go?

[jitensha]

Yeah, of course! Everyone at the company's like family, anyway, so it wouldn't feel right if we didn't reach the end goal together.

[makotoned]

So I think that we all have that same selfless side when it comes to our friends. We may just show it differently.

[like haru. and rei. and rin. and nagisa.]

[jitensha]

That's true... Iori's a lot more reluctant to show it. But it's like Haru with you too, right? He's not as honest about it as you are, but...

[makotoned]

[isn't there a word for people like that...

...

...anyway.]

Of course. He has his own way of showing that he cares. So really, I'm not being particularly selfless at all.

[jitensha]

You're always selfless, though! Not just about this, but with everything!

[makotoned]

[...oh. He scratches the back of his head at that, looking awkward.]

Oh, I don't think anyone can be selfless all the time... I'm certainly not.

[jitensha]

When was the last time you did something for you?

[makotoned]

[ . . . ]

Eh?

[uh]

I joined the swim team, of course.

[jitensha]

That wasn't for Haru-san?

[makotoned]

[...]

Well...It was to swim with him again, sure, but I wanted to be able to enjoy swimming with my friends again.

So it was for both of us, in a way.