whenyouneedme | (no subject)

[He waved off the not-apology amicably- he'd deserved it after all. He glanced over at her, giving a small shrug.]

Tch I would have said be less reckless. I've got plenty of confidence.

[It was just a bit misplaced, maybe.]

No, no, I mean-- [ She had to pause. What was she trying to say? ] I mean, you should have confidence in the people who like you.

... Ah. Well.

People usually don't. It's... different here, I guess.

You have to practice! Different situations mean you can act differently!

[ And since Emi just came out and said he was used to being disliked, Chou was emboldened. ]

I haven't known any of my friends for much more than a year altogether, but the openings in my heart have already started to shrink a little! It's true!

[ She slapped her chest for emphasis. ]

Edited (timelines in 200+ chapter mangas are a pain) 2016-11-05 01:24 (UTC)

[Emi blinked, both at the display and because he was surprised to hear that Chou seemed relatively new to the whole friend business as well. He couldn't help but wonder what kind of misfit she had been categorized then-- he was certain it wasn't her personality that would have been the issue.

There was a tinge of sadness in the smile he gave her, a little too much understanding.]

I'm glad to hear that.

[And he really was.]

I don't think I can be anything but myself though. Can't be all that bad if you like me.

[ Her cheeks flushed a little at that last bit. What! That was so embarrassing! What a smooth thing to say. It was completely unfair.

She could only respond delicately, seriously. ]

That's not.... It's not just me that likes you. I already know one other person who does, and there are definitely more that I don't know. I'm really sure!

[See, he was perfectly capable of being confident.]

Chou, you don't have to worry, you know? One has always been enough for me, so I don't really care about the number.

Just having more than that is already a nice change of pace.

Of course I'm worried.

[ Amazingly, she doesn't come right out and say "Did you forget what brought all this on?" but it's probably written clearly enough on her face for him to get the message. ]

Of course you're worried.

[A quiet murmur as his expression softened. He could have expected that based on everything else. Emi looked away from her, reaching over to lift up the bowl that had also been born of worry. He gave it a little stir to redistribute its warmth, watching that instead of her when he spoke again.]

She told you I had hoped, right? Things are already different so don't... you don't have to worry too much, ok?

[Because you both came, and it meant the world to him.]

I dunno what to do with worry worts so don't become one of those.

[ Oh... things were different because his hope had been answered, he meant. Chou was sure it was mostly Eiji that Emi had wished for, but that was fine and to be expected. If she had played any part in making him feel less lonely, that was something to be happy about.

A warm calm settled over her as she watched Emi poke at the okayu. Smiling, she gave a small hum of assent. ]

If you say so.

[He gave an affirmative nod.]

I do.

[Finally scooping up some of the rice, Emi murmured a quiet 'thanks for the food' and popped the bite in his mouth to give it a try.]

Mmm.

... It's good!

[ Chou lit up with cheer. She hadn't been in any doubt about the dish's quality--she had checked the taste herself, of course, and it was only porridge anyway--but she wasn't immune to compliments. And it was reassuring to witness Emi taking in wholesome nutrition first-hand. ]

I'm glad! Next time, you have to tell me your favorite.

[If there was a need for a next time Emi was going to squarely punch himself in the face. He definitely would not deserve any okayu. But that wasn't an argument he was going to invite into his life right now.]

Tellin' you, whatever's around is good. I only ever made the plain stuff so anyhing more than that is fancy to me.

[ By "next time" she meant "when I bring you more, maybe tomorrow or another day," geez! Chou wasn't ready to imagine something like this happening to Emi again. ]

What, but that's not as much fun. I know how to make lots of things, so you should definitely go ahead and exploit me!

[Look he wasn't even expecting a second course, one was already exceedingly generous in his eyes.

Emi raised an eyebrow, gently jabbing the spoon in her direction.]

Oi. Watch who you're talking about exploitation with in a land of magical contracts.

[ Her gaze averted and she smiled darkly, an air of bitterness seeping out of her. ]

It's fine, it's fine. I already learned my lesson from the Witch's scam. I won't carelessly enter into any deals.

[He.

Stared.

And decided that he just wasn't going to reply to that, shoving another bite of porridge in his mouth awkwardly. A chill wind swept through the room.]

[ What, no response? Chou reverted back to innocence, looking at Emi through the awkward silence. He looked a little uncomfortable, she thought, but why? ]

... Are you tired? If it's too much, don't force yourself to finish it.

[he gave a small shake of his head, smile curling just behind his spoon.]

Mm, it's not that. Just remembering that you're really something else.

I'd be grateful for anyhing, really. Don't overdo yourself.

What? I don't get you. [ But she smiled a little lopsidedly, and decided not to pursue it. ] Well, if you won't tell me what you like best, I'll just have to keep guessing. But don't worry! I don't have the money to overdo it!

[Emi laughed at that.] No need to spend all your money on me, I honestly like pretty much anything. Egg is pretty good though. [Just in case she needed a truly definitive answer. Still not a ~favorite~, but more to go on than just anything.]

[ You will never get anything but bluntness from Chou when it comes to how broke she is.

But anyway, a hint!! Time to scheme some egg-dropped okayu for another day. She leans in a bit, grinning. ]

Don't tell me you're one of those guys who says he can handle anything. They always get found out!

[He fixed her a level look, raising his eyebrows a bit.]

Ha, no. I know I've got limits, just haven't found them yet.

[ Emi and his cool guy lines. Chou stared for a moment, and then averted her gaze, snorting lightly. ]

Geez. You're the one who's really something else.