Talk
- Location
- Elsewhere
April/17/09
Afternoon
Afternoon
You go up the stairs with an offering of fried tofu in hands. Tennouji didn't make any comments, but he gave you a meaningful and somewhat menacing look. He doesn't want you getting into trouble anytime soon…or at all, so you didn't comment on it.
Like always, you go through the same motions. Wash your hands at the chōzuya, make your way to the Inari Sushi and leave the plate there.
"I wonder…why do you insist on coming here? Surely you have better things to do than come here"
Before you even get the chance to clap, you turn to face Takako, who is wearing the same kimono as last time.
She simply shakes her head and moves past you, grabbing the plate and taking a pair of chopsticks out one of her sleeves.
You feel a bit frustrated at her, but if your suspicions are correct, she's well within her rights to do that.
She focuses on the fried tofu and the fried tofu alone, ignoring you completely. She skillfully grabs the tofu with her chopsticks whilst walking towards the bench where you both sat last time. Without waiting for her to say anything, you follow her.
Once you two sit, you focus on her face.
While she wears a small smile and seems to be enjoying the tofu, you can't help but think it seems a bit forced.
If you had to put it into words, you'd say that she is…well, maybe you hit the nail in the heat with the last sentence; she is wearing that smile, just like someone could wear a mask. It doesn't have even the slightest bit of warmth to it.
Once finished, she turns her head in the direction of the Inari.
"That is just a statue" she says "An empty idol made of stone"
Shaking her head she hands over the plate.
"I am not the Inari, if that is what you thought" she looks at you with a small glare "It is wasteful to just leave food out to rot, so I took it and ate it"
"That seems disrespectful to me" you speak your mind bluntly.
"Gods, no matter how grand or minor, can't live on empty prayers" she states matter-of-factly "If you don't give your heart to them when you do so, you might as well not bother"
The worst thing is that what she's implying isn't that far off. You don't give the offerings because you worship the Inari, or any Kami for that matter; it's just an old habit. You know that and so does she.
"So you'd rather I didn't bring any tofu?" you ask, trying to soften the atmosphere "You seem to like it"
At this one of her eyebrows rises. You simply shrug in response.
She places her fingers on her forehead and shakes her head with her eyes closed as she sighs.
"By the way…about last time?" you segue into the topic when you see that levity was only annoying her. However, she instantly looks away from you.
"Did you say something?" you ask when you think you hear some words.
"I said 'Forget about it!' " she yells, turning to face you. She's blushing pretty bad "I know that was completely inappropriate! I shouldn't have drank so much and started acting like some hussy! Much less after I invited you into my home! I know all that, so don't even mention it!"
+===============+
-[] "Hey, don't worry about it! I would have tried drinking myself into a coma too if I had been in your shoes. You have a lot of stuff to worry about, so I don't blame you for it." (Placate)
-[] "Hmm…you do know I didn't dislike it, right?" (Tease)
-[] "Look, I didn't bring it up because it wasn't appropriate. You can't do this to yourself. Drinking so much will just hurt you judgement and your liver in the long run. You have to pull yourself together Nasu" (Reprimand)
[] "...I wasn't talking about that. It's true that it wasn't ok and you made me feel more than a little bit uncomfortable, but we can put that behind us. I'm more worried about what you'll do about 'the game' between those two" (Sidetrack)
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