Two worlds, one family--

[mombastic]

[ It's strange to be in a world with not one set of memories from another world-- not two, but three, not that Otome can really discuss this with anyone. It's difficult enough, when she wakes up these days, and can't remember if she's in her own home, or her apartment. If she needs to call Fumi to check on preparations for the day, or...

But no. This is her world. And not a school day, so she's stuck trying to focus not on what she's missing or what she's lost, but on what lies ahead.

What that actually is, she doesn't know, but she's out and about today, and there's a strong breeze. Maybe today will be a good day for clearing her thoughts. ]

Comments

[mombastic]

Really? You hadn't said anything about it before... if I'd known you'd had an interest, I would have let you use the kitchen more.

[discard]

[... Ah... well...]

It isn't... an interest, per se... I simply wanted something to further fill up my time.

[Next he's going to go back to practicing violin or something.

Keep him busy.]

[mombastic]

I wouldn't worry too much. I intend to keep you studying very hard.

[ LOTS OF COLLEGE-LEVEL STUFF FOR YOU. ]

[discard]

[Quite frankly:]

I will look forward to it. It will be interesting to experience a challenge.

[What a smug loser.]

[mombastic]

I do think you'll enjoy it!

[ She's pretty game for it herself. ]

[discard]

Regardless, it will be interesting to see you performing the job you care this much about.

[He's just...constantly curious about Otome, okay.]

[mombastic]

I didn't know you were so curious... but it's not very impressive. I end up talking almost as much as Fumi, so I'm worried our students might get bored!

[discard]

It isn't that I'm curious.

[clearly...... but:]

If they are bored, they clearly have no sense of proper priorities.

[mombastic]

Mm, no, it's just that they want to test new theories for themselves. I can't fault them for that. But it's always wise to understand the basic principle of something before you try experimenting with it.

[discard]

...Hmph. Well. They should pay more attention.

[THEY SHOULD LISTEN TO THE WORDS MOM SAYS]

[mombastic]

It's always possible they'll learn from your example.

[ Just don't threaten them. ]

[discard]

[...Ah....]

... It isn't as though we will be in the same place, or I wouldn't hesitate to teach them a lesson.

[mombastic]

You're welcome to sit in on a lesson, if you'd like.

[discard]

[Ah......... well.....]

... I would not be opposed, I suppose.

[mombastic]

Then let's do this. I'll bring you with me tomorrow, and you can start reading your books during breaks. You'll also get a feel for my teaching style, and we can get to work on your lessons once we get back.

[ A full day, but Leon looks like he needs to be kept busy. ]

[discard]

Is that all right?

[For a moment, his eagerness is betrayed a little by the question... but it's true, he doesn't like the idea of sitting around all day tomorrow. This helps. But...

A-ahem.]

That is. I suppose I do not have much else to do.

[mombastic]

... Leon, you don't have to speak a certain way. I'd be happy to take you with me.

[ So stop acting so formally tsun. ]

[discard]

I--

[He doesn't know how else to act.]

I have no idea what you're talking about.

[mombastic]

If you have to correct yourself, you're worrying too much.

[discard]

I'm not-- you are assuming too much.

[!!!!

Now he's just defensive and embarrassed though.]

[mombastic]

If I am, I'm sorry. You just seem as though you're being careful with your words.

[discard]

Of course I am careful with my words. Not doing so is just asking for trouble.

[Everyone...is careful with their words, right...?

Isn't that a thing everyone does?]

[mombastic]

Fumi seems to manage, honestly... but I'm not about to be troubled if you just say what's on your mind.

[discard]

That... you can't say that for certain.

[Sure, it's... Otome. Otome wouldn't take issue with a lot of things, he's sure. But even so, he's been conditioned too long to be careful about what he says and how he says it.

All it takes is one slip-up for things to go rotten. He... doesn't want that to happen (he's always a little afraid, perhaps, subconsciously, that that's going to happen.)

Is he ever going to get out from under the shadow of growing up with Hugo? It's honestly hard to say.]

[mombastic]

I most certainly can. But that's something I'll have to prove to you, I think.

[ Which is fine. ]