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

[discard]

[...!!!]

W-well, it is not as though I know what any of these are, so...!

[he wants the sweets]

[mombastic]

Well, the little rounded balls over there are mochi...

[ He'll get a dessert lesson, that's fine. ]

[discard]

[he's listening, thoughtful--and then he sees it.

holy shit

He straightens despite himself, brightening a little.]

What--what are those?

[HE'S TRYING NOT TO SOUND TOO EXCITED but it's not really working]

[mombastic]

-- Oh! Taiyaki! It's, ah... sort of like a waffle with filling inside. Ice cream in this case, it looks like.

[discard]

I... suppose I should... not mind trying that, then.

[it looks delicious wtf]

[mombastic]

All right-- hold on, then.

[ She's going to speak to the vendor and grab one of the taiyaki for him after paying, passing it over. ]

Let me know what you think?

[discard]

... Of course.

[He accepts it with a nod of gratitude, and...casually takes a bit...

(This is the best thing ever.)

A-ahem.]

It is...tolerable.

[(He's so happy.)]

[mombastic]

Tolerable? [ Hmmmm. ] Well, if you'd prefer a different flavor...

[ Leon, you can say it's good, it's fine!! ]

[discard]

N-no--!

[...ahem]

That won't be necessary.

This is fine.

[mombastic]

If you're sure...

[ She honestly looks a little uncertain-- but he had looked happy, for about two seconds, so maybe it's just another Leon being reluctant to admit his love of sweets thing. ]

[discard]

[He's sure... he's very sure, evidenced by how he takes another bite, looking away.

It's delicious.

...]

Please...do not think I am not grateful for this.

[He definitely is.]

[mombastic]

Oh no, I didn't think you weren't! I just thought maybe you're the type who'd try something and then not like it but not want to be rude...

[ Just in case. ]

[discard]

No, it is--

[Delicious.

A-ahem.]

... It isn't as though I...enjoy things like this. But if I did, it would be... very good.

[mombastic]

...

Leon, I really hate to inform you of this, but I've known you enjoy sweet things for awhile now. There's nothing wrong with that.

[discard]

I--! I don't--!

[Aaaaaaaa.

He honestly looks more panicked over this than anyone should be over someone learning they like sweets.]

[mombastic]

There's. Nothing. Wrong. With that.

Okay?

[ CALM DOWN. ]

[discard]

But it is...

[It's hard for him to calm down. He's gotten used to Otome being a lot more caring and warm and accepting than any parental figure he's ever known--

But it's hard to shake associations that have been ingrained in him since he was a child.]

It is...childish, and... [Weak. Useless. Pathetic.]

[mombastic]

Not at all. I happen to like sweet things, myself. In a sense, they can be a good pick-me-up when you've had a long day.

[ And you don't want to drink Fumi's misovitawhatsit. ]

At any rate, Leon, I promise I'll never think of you as childish for liking anything.

[discard]

But that is what I... [What he's learned. What he's always been told.

What he's believed, for so many years.]

I...

[This is a hard thing for him to wrap his mind around, please hold.]

[mombastic]

If it's too uncomfortable for you to talk about, you don't need to mention it at all. I'll just be more observant!

[ This isn't a struggle he has to deal with alone. ]

[discard]

That is not--

[Otome's responsibility either...

He sighs, grimacing.]

I...do like sweets, yes. I am aware I should not, but...

[Here he is anyway.]

[mombastic]

... I don't believe there's a rule that you shouldn't.

[ For the record... ]

[discard]

But I was always told--

[...Ah.

Um.]

... Never mind.

[mombastic]

Were you told it was childish?

[discard]

[He just crosses his arms more tightly, looking away sharply.

Yeah.

Basically.]