week three, thursday night

[digestif]

[ they have a feeling that tomorrow is going to be more of the same: more dreams, more deaths, more depression, despite the group's efforts today. Mizuki's as powerless as anyone to do anything about it, outside of checking and making sure their friends are safe before curfew hits.

Funny - they'd thought the whole living together thing was silly at the start, but now they're missing the benefits it offered. At least they'd known everyone was where they were supposed to be then. This time, they have to actually go track them down - and by them, they mean Majima, because if anyone's going to get themselves killed in that household, it would be him. (That's the excuse, at least.) ]

Majima-kun! [ wherever they end up finding him, they wave him down. ] Wait up. I wanted to chat with you.

Comments

[haw]

[ oof. unlike the last one, this wince is unmissable. ]

I... already made arrangements. For tonight, at least. [ the corners of his mouth tug heavily downward, guilt evident in both his face and his voice. for someone who can effortlessly code-switch between professional and personal at the blink of an eye, majima's genuine reactions are surprisingly transparent. ] If ya still trust me next week—if we're both still around... I swear. Ya have my word.

[ a beat. ]

If ya don't, I understand. Can't say I'd be able to blame ya, either.

[digestif]

[ their first instinct is to laugh it off, as they often do, but they gave him the benefit of asking seriously and not making it a flirtatious joke; they'll accept his response with the same gravity. It's hard not to when he looks so genuinely apologetic about it. ]

I see... The fault is mine for waiting until the last minute, to be honest, so it's fine.

[ on the other hand, Mizuki remains entirely professional. It's difficult to tell if they're actually surprised or disappointed by this reaction on a personal level at all. Even they don't really know. That's how they prefer it. ]

Let's worry about next week once we've lived through this one, all right? I'll leave what you want to do then up to your discretion. [ a small laugh. ] My ego's too big to ask for help a second time, frankly...

[haw]

[ where mizuki closes themself off, majima basically wears his heart on his sleeve. funny how that one works.

with a deep sigh, he shakes his head and rolls his eye. ]

I already know yer gonna haunt the shit outta me an' tease me from beyond the grave if ya do kick it, so I really hope that ain't what ends up happenin'.

[ just as fast as he was back to telling jokes, it doesn't take long to steer the atmosphere back to a much more somber mood. ]

. . . Sorry, Ioti-han.

[digestif]

[ oof, back to ioti-han. At that, Mizuki's expression does relax a little - they give him an exasperated smile and a playful jab to the chest. ]

Eh? What happened to Mizucchi? I liked that nickname, too.

[ he really is a softie, getting this upset. ]

You're right, though. Don't worry. I don't plan on getting killed that easily, even if I'm on my own. There's still a lot I have to do.

[haw]

[ ah... they liked it? there's another little prick of remorse at his skin. he can't help but feel kind of pathetic when they're able to keep their cool. weak. ]

Didn't feel right bein' jokey with ya after a kick in the dick like that.

[ HE AIN'T BEIN DISRESPECTFUL IT'S HIS DEFAULT 'WOW THAT SUCKS' REACTION . . . anyway, he manages to crack the faintest of smiles at their attempts to cheer him up. ]

See if Beauty-han'll let ya spend the night. I hear he's a big fan of yours.

[digestif]

[ they're the one feeling annoyed for how relieved they are that they got him to smile again. It's no wonder a guy like this couldn't stay in the yakuza - he's way too nice. ]

It's not like I can take it personally when you're this guilty about it, you know. It's all right.

[ they'll live, probably. They always have backup plans. Although the one Majima suggests wasn't on the docket. ]

Are they allowed to do that? Harbor their followers? That sounds like it would be cheating.

[haw]

[ hahaha... ha... #staytuned ]

From what I got, even if you're with a god when curfew hits, they can't do anythin' to give ya any extra protection. It's about as good as stayin' with anyone else. So if it's company you're lookin' for, it's an option.

[ he refuses to believe it is specifically because of him. even after we have established that this takes place after the date. fuck u. ]

[digestif]

[ fuck YOU ]

... Well, I appreciate the suggestion, but have you met Beauty-kun? I think I'd be the one protecting him.

[ they love beauty so much but he is even more of a flamboyant twig than mizuki is and much less prepared to stab someone, on top of that... ]

[haw]

. . .

Good point. Maybe he could try bribin' the would-be murderer with stacks of cash?

[ BOY'S RICH AF... ]

[digestif]

Hahaha... I'm worried because I feel like that might work on some people here...

[ a guy like indulgence is holding onto followers, after all... present company excluded. With a dry laugh and a shake of their head, they dismiss the notion. ]

No, I'll be all right by myself. I know there are people planning to try and make the temple safer tonight. If worse comes to worse, there are plenty of bottles in the parlor, and I've got good aim.

[ they're partially listing the options to soothe Majima and partially doing it to help organize their own thoughts going forward. Once they're done, they pause, looking up to meet his eyes and giving him a serious nod. ]

Goodnight, Majima-kun. Don't get killed.