week two, saturday, post-trial

[digestif]

[ there are like, a thousand other things they need to worry about right now, too - but Mizuki tries to get all of their worries in order after the trial. It takes a little while before they make their way down the list to Guy; they do eventually come for him, however. They are still feeling rather achey and disgruntled about the whole matter, especially with the evasive answer he did give. After a bit of searching, they manage to track him down in the parlor. ]

So this is where you've been hiding.

[ they can't quite manage their usual jovial mood, but they try. a little. ]

Still feel like telling me what happened back there?

Comments

[menially]

No, nothing like that. It usually doesn't get this bad unless things just line up the wrong way...

[He cuts himself off, clears his throat. No, stay on topic. He owes Mizuki at least a little bit of good old fashioned honesty, even if he doesn't really like to talk about this.]

Sorry. I should actually explain.

I'm afraid of women. Have been for a good chunk of my life. The whole reason that mess in the trial even started was because one of the other girls touched me from behind.

[Which... is why this conversation is going to get really awkward really quick.]

When I fell back into you-- I don't know. It's like I said before. My body just reacted. Sometimes I can get a hold of it, but sometimes it just happens.

[And that it happened with them in particular is... uncomfortable? He's not sure how he feels, really. Guilty, at least.]

I'm sorry you had to get caught up in it.

1/2

[digestif]

[ This was not the reason they'd predicted at all. Some kind of trauma, certainly - but a phobia of women? Not even on the table. Mizuki's eyes widen a little bit in surprise. ]

Afraid of women...? In other words...

[ they point at themself. ]

Guy-kun, you see me as a woman...?

2/2

[digestif]

Huuuh... I see! Mm, I see now! Interesting!

[ they seem completely unfazed by this; in fact, they lean in across the table a little, eyes bright, and continue in a coquettish tone. ]

Guy-kun... Am I a cute girl, at least?

[menially]

[He chokes a little on reflex alone, leaning back in his chair. Whoops.]

Y-you... yeah? Yeah, of course you are. [It's entirely sincere, without hesitation.]

B-but you know that's not what I mean, right?? You've touched me plenty of times before, things that I usually react to, and I've been fine! [And yet now he's got the jitters. Splendid.]

[digestif]

[ the honesty of that answer gets a genuine laugh out of them, and they sit back again, chuckling good-naturedly. ]

But not anymore? In other words, you've suddenly become aware of me... [ after a few nods to themself, they continue in a conspiratorial tone. ] I think I see the issue here. Your problem, Guy-kun... It's something called love...

[ i'm so sorry guy ]

boy the shippers are sure gonna love this thread when we do unlocks

[menially]

I... really don't think we're on the same page here... It's not like that, really...

[please no stop all the girls flirting with him at the bars was difficult enough

SIGHS EXASPERATEDLY]

It was just the once...! Besides, what you are doesn't matter to me, Mizuki. Y-you're just you, right? And you're someone I'd consider a friend.

HAHAHAHA

[digestif]

[ at that, they laugh even more, this time more openly and gently. Poor thing. It's too easy to tease him about something like this, but he's a nice enough guy... ]

Ha ha ha! You're a good man, Guy-kun. [ they wave him off with a hand. ] Sorry, I'm just teasing you. But I really wouldn't have guessed the reason was something like that.

[menially]

What, you really think I'd have an excuse to throw you around like that? You saw Majima. He would have killed me!

Don't worry about it. I can promise that it's usually not that... extreme. I'm sure teasing does me good here and there, anyway. How else am I going to learn to get over it? [The last words are said a little too easily, like being recited from a script. But Guy doesn't sound dishonest, at least.]

Just... try not to grab me like that next time. Even if it means I fall on the floor. I don't know if I could forgive myself if I hurt you again.