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[He'll reluctantly let go, quickly mumbling a prayer for the food out of habit and begins eating. It's good? It's good, he's actually going to slow his roll to savor it, embarrassment cast aside in favor of giving Akira an appreciative smile.

At least it's not butt o'clock? Just getting dark. It's less romantic and more camp feeling too, which is. not something he's experienced before, how quaint.

... he doesn't trust himself to talk but his bubble's doing a swell job of blooming flowers.]

[ Goro may be eating happily, but Akira just holds a sandwich in his mouth like it's toast and he's some anime girl running to school. Why? The dumplings are generally reserved for his friend. AND there are so few fireflies out, so he has to multitask here. Silver might be better at this, but he catches one in his hands.

Muffled noises. It sounds like he's trying to instruct Goro: "Please get the jar." ]

[... But his dumplings??

Goro tilts his head for a moment, trying to figure out what Akira's trying to tell him, and a firefly blinking in front of him registers the thought. Oh, oh. Yes. Okay. He'll take the jar and open it up, scooting closer to ready himself for capture of the little lightning bug.]

You handle the jar after this. I can get the fireflies.

[Because it's easier to eat dumplings and catch them than whatever the fuck Akira's trying to pull off, gosh.]

[ They aren't running anywhere?? Akira leans over so he can ferry the little lightning bug into the jar. There are already some small indention to the lid to make sure that they have enough oxygen. There's their first! It lights up periodically with a flicker...

It's probably not happy about this. Now that's done, he'll finally bite into his sandwich and talk once he's finished chewing. ]

All right. I entrust our bug bounty to you, Goro Akechi.

[ When he said those dumplings are reserved for him, he was lying. He'll have some now. ]

[Goro throws a playful pout at Akira's dumpling thievery, but sets the jar aside with their first hostage to get up and find others, taking a few dumplings for his venture. Honestly, he's really excited about this? It's his first time doing this with a friend. He's gonna impress the hell out of Akira with his capturing skills. Of which he definitely has plenty.]

When I was much younger, I always wondered why I couldn't keep them for longer than a few hours... and why they didn't light up the room very well. They'd have to be quite large to manage the latter, and I think that'd be a little terrifying.

[Here, there's another. Have a buddy, firefly friend.]

At the same time, can you imagine having one as a pet? It'd be fun to fly around on a giant firefly.

[ Shhh. It's fine. He doesn't eat more of the dumplings. There's still miso soup to drink, so he pours some for the both of them and proceeds to take some pensive sips. It's relaxing not doing anything at all. He's watching. Impress him— ]

I think there's a difference between having a pet firefly compared to a giant firefly.

[ But look! They have two of them. They're buddies now. Akira is just staring into the jar as he munches some more. ]

It would still be cool... Though cuddling with it sounds strange. Would you cuddle with a firefly?

[... Would he cuddle with one. A firefly lands on Akira's head and Goro reaches over to gently capture it, bringing it close as he studies the little bug.]

I don't know. They're certainly not the oddest looking insects, and they'd be soft since they don't have a hard exoskeleton, but blown up to that size... they might be a little much.

[He lets it crawl on his hand for a bit, turning so it never has a ledge to fly off, then carefully shakes it into the jar with the other two. Three, now. A little group.]

Would you?

[ As an afterthought, he touches the area the firefly once nested without a second thought. Why are bugs landing on his head? He takes one more look into their container... Only three and there aren't that many out in the chill. Humming, he considers they should do this in early July next time if the weather permits. ]

If it likes me and it's nice, I don't see a reason to deny it some cuddles? It sounds kind of cruel.

[ Picking up a dumpling, he forcefeeds Goro without warning. ]

I suppo-- mmph!

[Why!! He enjoys the food, yes, but he is so bewildered at this. Why. Akira. Does he want him to shut up..? Whatever. He'll eat it, though he's got a look of puzzlement on his face as he remains quiet.]

You kind of remind me of a hamster.

[ Have a thought bubble imagery that... Shows a hamster of the same color as his hair? Stuffed cheeks, confused look, and a little button nose. It doesn't seem at all that Akira wants to shut him up, he just wants to feed him. ]

And you were protecting your precious sunflower seed earlier.

[ The maple pastries. Here, have another dumpling. ]

[A... hamster. Is that an improvement from the dog comparison earlier..? Goro takes the next dumpling, working through his current and settling a hand on his "precious sunflower seed".]

I'm not sure if I should feel flattered or not. They're a little dumb, aren't they?

[ All animals are good to Akira, maybe even better than actual people. Since he sees Goro going for the pastries, he'll go ahead and open the container. The sweet maple aroma bursts out as if recently baked, wafting around their general area. ]

I guess hamsters aren't known for their intellect, but they are cute.

[ Cute is a positive, isn't it? ]

[Cute's a fact, thank you, exhibit A being Goro's widened eyes and bright smile at the unveiling of the pasteries. He'll take one, humming pleasantly at the flavor and softness as he bites in and gives thought to their odd conversation.]

Well... they're not so bad, hamsters. They're quite popular, but surprisingly difficult to take care of properly. Wild ones have a pretty coloring.

[ Akira is back to munching on his sandwich as he watches Goro nibble through the pastries like a true fiend. He guesses they must be good if he looks that happy? In return, it makes him smile a bit, too. ]

I've actually never seen a wild hamster, so I'll just trust you on that.

[ Since they're on pets: ]

Have you decided on your perfect cat yet? Or since cats aren't in your top five, a different pet?

[ Even if those moving plans have been put on halt, he's curious about Goro's journey to getting a life companion of his own. ]

I may adopt one of yours, actually, since we're already familiar... other than that, I'm caught between some sort of small dog or a lizard. I'd be lying if I wasn't thinking of just getting all three, but I know my limits.

[... Hmmm.]

Or maybe a bird... a parrot of some kind. They're wonderful conversation partners. I suppose I don't know what I want still.

[he's heavily leaning towards bird and cat though.]

[ Akira is imagining Goro with each of those animals, then all three. Which does he look best with? The answer is everything, so he's definitely lost in how to answer. Well, he's sure his friend will figure it out. ]

I'd be careful about getting a talking bird if I were you.

[ Can you imagine all the shit it'll learn to say? Someone's going to make sure it makes Goro's life hard. ]

I am fully aware of the dangers, especially when living with Silver and Miss Velveteen. But I'd like to have Watson at my side once more. I miss his inane riddles.

[he liked so many of goro's jokes?? perfect pet]

When it all goes wrong, don't come to me telling me I never warned you.

[ Goro gets roasted constantly, so he guesses he'll be all right. While stretching his arms up, he plops backward softly so that known of the food budge on the rest of the quilt. ]

... Have you received any memories lately?

[ It's been quite some time since they talked about this. ]

[All the food is now his. Akira has given them up. Excellent.

At the question, though, he pauses. Yes, but... it's not like there's anything he wants to necessarily tell Akira on at least one of them; Goro takes another pastry and bites into it, pulling his knees to his chest as he half-hugs himself.]

... I did today, actually. When I was hanging out with Silver earlier.

[It's not a nice one, judging from his distant tone, but. You know. He can talk about it if pressed.]

[ He was expecting maybe something lighthearted? Akira wants to say that he got a couple, but... Shit, he doesn't have any. Rolling onto his side so he can face the curled up Goro, he idly reaches out to the pastries to take a small morsel. ]

What was it? If you don't mind telling me.

[ Gotta bet on the thought bubble to help him out here, so we'll see. He wants to at least be considerate. ]

[There's only dark swirls to be found, bits of words peeking out. ..only, it's no won... I wonder why he... That sort of thing.

Luckily, Goro is ultimately willing to talk, if only because Akira could get something out of it too. He hesitates a moment, then props his chin on his knees.]

Well. Your other self works in a lovely coffeeshop. It felt very... nice there, I liked the atmosphere. [Akira looked nice in the apron too, but the thought's lost.] The coffee was delicious as well, though... I don't think you made it, going from context.

[He pauses to eat more of his pastry.]

I learned a bit about my other self, and... I think I understand him a little better. [mmmm.] He's actually quite lonely. His father was a vile man, his mother... passed away while he was young, I think, and he feels as if he doesn't belong very much anywhere. Despite his popularity.

[Goro knows those feelings are real and true. He has another memory to back it up, after all. Kinda gets how he feels, too.]

[ Akira munches on the pastry himself as he watches Goro with eyes of curiosity and worry. There's something about his posture, the tone of his voice, and general aura that spells distress and... It seems lonely.

It's only backed up by what he says. ]

Seems like I can't escape coffee. [ C'est la vie. ] A tragic backstory—I hope he ends up finding a place where he feels at peace and friends on the way.

[ He's a little sympathetic, even glad that Goro has his mother here in Recolle. It must have been hard for the other Goro, even if it seemed like he had his life made. There's always something behind the charismatic smile. ]

I guess that makes both of our other selves somewhat outcasts.

Yours too? What happened?

[spill the tea akira. Goro's unfolding himself, intrigued.]

I don't remember anything specific... But there was this teacher at the high school in these memories—Suguru Kamoshida. He apparently spread information about me, so it made my school life difficult. The guy did a lot some horrible things, really.

[ It's not that bad as Goro's since it's vague. He only remembers what Kamoshida did, but not the actual memories that come with... It's just a general idea. He has been burying it over the days, just keep it out of his mind.

But it's almost haunting, even if he doesn't seem all too mad about it. ]

I wonder what it was.

[ Because he's guessing he was probably a pain on Kamoshida's side, to be honest, so why it was spread is a no-brainer. ]

[... How alike. Goro wonders if something about that information struck true with his other self too, or if it was just the outcast typing that made the other him feel so strongly about their bond.

He moves closer, petting through Akira's hair.]

I'm sure you'll learn it in time, whether you want to or not. But such things ultimately don't matter, of course. Not just here... but I don't think it mattered very much to my other self either, outside of a shared experience in loneliness of course. He seemed to think that you and I -- that is, your other self and him -- had a kind of bond.

[Said rather fondly, or... maybe wistfully, wanting a connection. What a muddle. Did his other self really have a thing for Akira too, is this just life laughing at him.]

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