[ i don’t remember anymore. ]
She cannot utter a sound at first, for her mouth hangs by a sliver and widened eyes are devouring his profile. The gesture in itself was heroic. It was heart-racing. And like she’s ten all over again, his voice ( despite its brimming anger ) only perks her shoulders – until Chihiro actually processes what he’s saying.
“… Ma’am? … What’s up with that?” Not only are his words rigidly formal – they are implying something about her perceived age. Her form-fitting blouse only attests that she is fabulously twenty, which makes her not a child nor an elder, but a young woman ( or so she likes to think ) – a woman who is now teetering between two hefty decisions.
Smack the reporter, or smack him?
As brief as the notion was, the same reporter had found this his cue to retreat. The youth’s grip truly must have done a number on his wrist; in the man’s frantic sprint, she could espy his silhouette rubbing the afflicted area. That much was enough to unfurrow her brow and nearly elicit a giggle from rosy lips, even, but it occurred to Chihiro that she did need to thank her protector. Her protector…
… The resemblance is so, so cruel.
“I’m fine. It was starting to hurt, so thank you very much…” She turned to him and dipped forth in a deep bow, her etiquette finely tempered from, ironically, press interviews. That, and the harsh reality of adulthood. More than anything, it was a way to avoid his eyes. “Please, if there’s any –” An owlish blink punctuated her thanks, however, as a violet gleam caught her attention. The hair tie – no matter how many people told her the memories were fiction, she couldn’t stand to lose it; ‘woven from the threads of her friends,’ it protected her, like he just did. Frail fingers scooped it from the grass, and she straightened to secure it back into her hair. All the while, she still cannot bear to look him in the eyes, but – she’s stronger than that, she’s learned better than that. The brunette filled her lungs with a deep breath before cordiality lit her features, gaze readily flickering straight into his. Oh…–
“I mean it, though. Thanks, Ha – …” This time she must cut herself off. No, no, no – don’t say it, don’t even think it! The smile falters and it takes all she can muster to mind herself, because his display has rung clear in her heart: he doesn’t know her. Not like she knows him. “… Anyway, please – if I can repay you, let me know. I’m Ogino, Chihiro. U-um, I should have a business card…!” Bottom lip bitten, palms patted her pockets before diving into the pink purse slung over her shoulder. The last thing she wanted to admit was that she simply couldn’t let this go – she had to fish for an excuse to know his name, or perhaps even an excuse to see him again; she had the dragon by its tail ( pun intended? ) and she couldn’t let him slip away, now. Even if he was only a lookalike. Still painfully handsome, her thoughts bitterly slip.
There is a snap of tension in the already bleak atmosphere between the three, anxiety forming to displace the anger. The pit of his stomach twists over and over as he saw a FAMILIAR look of hers of mouth agape. ( where, oh where did i see that before? in a dream? ) His train of thought comes to a full stop, only then was the strained air between them broken when the reporter had disappeared. The two alone, feelings rush -- mostly a surge of relief that she was safe. Features relax, hard lines and edges smoothed over.
“ ah, it’s no problem --” wait, did she say Chihiro?
This tilts his world, now it leaves him to have lips slightly part -- as if he wanted to ask if she had the same haunting every night, the same deja vu experience of a bond lost. It unbalances his usual strong mindset and leaves him certain that those DAYDREAMS weren’t just dreams. It leaves him confused but not so much to bring it up to this woman who bears a resemblance to a girl he once knew, all grown up to be a beauty of a stranger. It didn’t seem like she knew him or so he thought, he had little time to indulge in this idea that she was aware of their connection ( his aunt’s teachings render him blind and breeds misunderstanding ! ).
“ Ogino-san, then? ” Cue his smile that hides faults and worries, a smile that was well versed in lies to prevent any further questions. How nostalgic, falling into his habit of keeping to the dark and giving only information when needed be. For what greater fear is there to have that this was all just a coincidence, that she was to deny that his existence was not tied to the one before. To a time lost in the sea of memories. “ My name is Nigihayami, Kohaku -- there really isnt’ a need for thanks.. ”
Body bends forwards, a respectful bow as hands are placed over his middle before he rises back. His hand extends, either for a handshake or for that business card that she was scurrying around for -- wait !
“ ah, this reminds me -- i work at an inn, for my aunt. maybe you can stop by? if that wouldn’t be troubling for you.” a free hand shoves into his pockets, looking for the damned cards. His aunt made him carry them around for promotions sake bfore retreating and shoving into his school bag. Fingers graze against the sharp edge of the card, grabbing hold of one before pulling it out. In large gold print: AUNTIE YUBABA’S INN, with the address and phone number neatly printed below it. At least with this he’d be able to keep her close, a step above ‘strangers’ to employee and customer.
gamechangershow
ellievsbear
izzy806
gummygunk
amandla
blakekathryn
areudirty
s-u-f-j-a-n-s-t-e-v-e-n-s
2087
