“Keep his voice in mind…?”
Somehow, it was a little frustrating to imagine Kanesada’s voice and his straightforward advice at a time like this, but it did manage to crack a smile through the melancholic frown Horikawa had previously worn on his lips.
Certainly he would have said something to distract me away from this sadness even if it meant getting on my nerves… that Kane-san.
But Nikkari also had a solid point.
Just because they were separated from the others didn’t mean that their missions had come to an abrupt end. There was still a lot they could do away from the citadel: train, gather intel, improve relations with one another, track down vagrants of the Time Retrograde Army…
“… Haha. You’re right. Thank you Nikkari-san. I think that’s what I needed to hear, after all. You’re really good at this.”
Lifting his head to show the other his grateful expression, Horikawa finally remembered their time and place here, simply bantering about in the open streets of Hive…
“Oh..! We’ve just been standing out here, um…! If it’s not interrupting anything important, would you like to come over to my lodgings for some lunch, Nikkari-san? It’s really not much, but…”
He really wasn’t quite sure whether or not his words would have the intended effect, to be honest. He’d worn a smile and mustered forth a positive spin upon things, but would it be enough? Yes, he didn’t know his fellow waki all too well, but he at least knew enough to grasp that the other seemed to focus so deeply on things at all times. Was that good for him?
But a smile sprung forth upon the other’s features, one that didn’t seem forced, and so Nikkari took it as a sign that his words had gotten through. He’d never really considered himself one for good pep talks or anything of the sort, but if you put your mind to things...
“Well, perhaps I have more hidden talents than I’d thought,” there’s a coy undertone to his voice that betrays what he’d just been thinking to himself, followed by an amused chuckle. He almost seems as though he’s going to speak up again, before he stops, as Horikawa’s words catch his attention.
...They had just been standing here awfully long, it seemed. Surely the people around them had gotten annoyed... not that it mattered too much to him, but still.
“Ohh? Inviting me over so suddenly? My, you should’ve given me more time to prepare.” He’s teasing, of course, but he still seems pleased by the offer. “I’m not opposed, for sure. Though if your lodgings are anything like my own... well. They’re certainly luxurious, aren’t they.”
The last statement now comes out dryly; he’s clearly not all-too impressed with the huts, but there’s really nothing he can do about it for now.
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