[ And that's the timer going off. Akira puts on oven mitts as he pops the oven open to take out their long awaited baked salmon. It looks good and the herbs make it more than just aromatic. ]
Why don't we start with what you want him to understand?
[ This is so hard. He's confronting an issue that he's been running away from for weeks. It's only normal that Nanashi doesn't know what to say or how to cope.
But he can't flee at the sight of Jouhei so he has to come up with something to say. ]
I need to apologize to him somehow, but for what? Seems like there's a long list of things I should be sorry for.
[That salmon smells good . He's distracting himself with food.]
[ Hmm... Akira knows it's difficult when you need a starting point, but after that it should come out like a waterfall. Nanashi only needs a push for that. Once the plates are ready, Akira places them on the kitchen dining table and motions Nanashi to come eat. The salmon is nicely baked with a small miso glaze, then there's garlic grilled asparagus on the side. ]
Then let's narrow it down to top five things you want to apologize for. Easy enough?
[ Uhm... He's not even sure what to touch first? There are some concerning things coming out of this high schooler's mouth, especially the killed part. It makes the hair on his neck stand on end, finding it hard to even start eating any piece of their meal. ]
It's up to you... But maybe you should start with running away with home and not contacting him. Everything else can come after.
[ Akira can finally have a bite or two as he contemplates on this a little more. He understands not knowing what to say when it's important sometimes, especially with someone close. ]
You can keep rehearsing until you feel comfortable, but I'm sure he would be most comforted hearing it in your words. [ ... ] It's important to you.
[ Of course you're thinking a lot about it, dumbo. ]
[ ... Akira tries to smile a bit, finding it endearing that Nanashi cares so much about his cousin. Even if he never had something like that or felt like that towards an actual family member, he understands. ]
I think you'll do fine, Nanashi. Even if you blurt something dumb out, it sounds like your cousin might be used to it.
Huh, you really weren't pulling any punches with that one. [He's not wrong, but why Akira!!]
I've done a lot of stupid things in front of him before. Like that time I went shopping with Jouhei and Minato. Everything went to hell in a few hours.
[That was fun though.]
I got scolded afterwards...but it's not as if I hated it. Did you know that senpai got in trouble too?
[ He's chewing on his asparagus with eyes bright, ends of his lips quirked upward as if trying to stifle a small chuckle. That sounds like a great story to listen to is the first thing that comes to mind. Second, it's also funny how Nanashi has to emphasize Minato got in trouble, too. ]
It can't just be you in trouble. Anyway, I didn't know he did.
It happened around Easter? I just took senpai with me to do some groceries. You'd think we'd be able to handle that much. [They couldn't even do it without ruining lives.]
I felt like playing a prank on Jouhei so I slammed into him. We made a mess of things. I think one of the ladies screamed?
[That poor shopper didn't get out unscathed. ]
Senpai stood there acting all innocent like he did nothing wrong. Jouhei was really fucking pissed. None of us said a word.
[ Oh? Oh. Oh. Akira is suddenly not too sure about this now, but... You know what? That's fine. He can survive all of them if things go to shit or they bully him.
Or he can use Nanashi as a meatshield. ]
Sounds like it runs in the family... I can only what you can do aside from running fast and summoning demons.
[ He thinks he's getting the hang on this cooking this! So he's glad that Nanashi likes it, though he doesn't know if zombie taste buds are different from normal ones. ]
... Have you thought about calling or texting him saying you would like to talk to him in-person?
[ Propping his head onto a hand, he stares at Nanashi. If you think you can stall as long as you can, boyo, you thought wrong. He just wants to keep you accountable!! ]
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[ ...Hm, yeah no. He's gotta make the first move. Akira's right. Nanashi can't be a wuss about this. ]
Fuck, I can't just show up and shout "hey?? what's going on?"" after going away for so long.
[ This is the worst. Nanashi sticks his tongue out in disgust at himself. ]
It'd be so awkward.
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[ And that's the timer going off. Akira puts on oven mitts as he pops the oven open to take out their long awaited baked salmon. It looks good and the herbs make it more than just aromatic. ]
Why don't we start with what you want him to understand?
[ Do that while he plates their food. ]
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But he can't flee at the sight of Jouhei so he has to come up with something to say. ]
I need to apologize to him somehow, but for what? Seems like there's a long list of things I should be sorry for.
[That salmon smells good . He's distracting himself with food.]
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Then let's narrow it down to top five things you want to apologize for. Easy enough?
[ At least try. ]
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Sorry for getting wasted? Running away from home? Getting killed??? Not replying to text messages??? That's already four things....
[It's too much. When he says it like that it sounds really bad too. ]
Do I really have to list them out this way?
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It's up to you... But maybe you should start with running away with home and not contacting him. Everything else can come after.
[ What the hell, Nanashi? ]
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Dunno what's wrong with me, bro. It's like everything that comes out of my mouth is garbage. Finding the right words is hard.
[He yawns while looking utterly exhausted.]
Maybe I'm thinking too much.
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You can keep rehearsing until you feel comfortable, but I'm sure he would be most comforted hearing it in your words. [ ... ] It's important to you.
[ Of course you're thinking a lot about it, dumbo. ]
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[Nanashi frowns and he looks saddens by this.]
If I do then I've got no place to return to. He's a nice guy so I think he'll be able to understand my reasons. I just have to talk it through.
[talking is the hard part.]
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I think you'll do fine, Nanashi. Even if you blurt something dumb out, it sounds like your cousin might be used to it.
[ It is... a nice yet mean thing to say. ]
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I've done a lot of stupid things in front of him before. Like that time I went shopping with Jouhei and Minato. Everything went to hell in a few hours.
[That was fun though.]
I got scolded afterwards...but it's not as if I hated it. Did you know that senpai got in trouble too?
[woops. THEY SURVIVED JOUHEI'S IRON FIST. ]
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It can't just be you in trouble. Anyway, I didn't know he did.
[ Time for questions. ]
What exactly happened?
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I felt like playing a prank on Jouhei so I slammed into him. We made a mess of things. I think one of the ladies screamed?
[That poor shopper didn't get out unscathed. ]
Senpai stood there acting all innocent like he did nothing wrong. Jouhei was really fucking pissed. None of us said a word.
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[ Scratching his cheek, he guesses that's normal of Minato. Maybe doing nothing is the same as doing something, being an Observer.
HE SHRUGS as he cleans off his plate. ]
He's an accessory to shopper abuse now.
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[ Nanashi makes a tired face and then continues to eat his meal. ]
He seemed a little too calm and it was suspicious as hell. I got five pinches to my face that day!! FIVE!
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[ Being a bystander makes you an offender, too. Akira believes in that wholeheartedly. He does squint at the next part as he pats his lips clean. ]
... Isn't that child abuse? Even if you did deserve it.
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[ His family household is....interesting. They're a mess with their pinching habits. ]
I think she took up Judo? She's freakishly strong...and so is Jouhei.
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Or he can use Nanashi as a meatshield. ]
Sounds like it runs in the family... I can only what you can do aside from running fast and summoning demons.
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Oh yeah, it does. That's why most of them get in trouble with the cops at some point, anyways.
I can't do anything too crazy. That might be for the best.
[He doesn't want to be a crazy yakuza kid!!!]
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[ Nodding, he's speaking from personal experience here. Morrigan meows loudly from the counter, still here and watching them. ]
Did you enjoy dinner?
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[NOT ANYMORE though. He is a freeman who's shouting like a little kid??? So much for staying quiet??? With that he smiles. ]
I enjoyed dinner. Your cooking is seriously great. Thanks!!
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[ He thinks he's getting the hang on this cooking this! So he's glad that Nanashi likes it, though he doesn't know if zombie taste buds are different from normal ones. ]
So are you going to talk to him tonight? Or...
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[ zombie taste buds aren't too different from normal ones... ]
I'll try to speak with him when I can. [ That's all Nanashi can promise for now. ]
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[ Propping his head onto a hand, he stares at Nanashi. If you think you can stall as long as you can, boyo, you thought wrong. He just wants to keep you accountable!! ]
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[Woops.]
Doing that first might help? I hope I can manage this.
[Nanashi buries his head into the table and lies flat on his face.]
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