Ryou Shibata - Slumbering Healer

Barely waking, hardly sleeping - not even fresh air can break this daze. (A Katawa Shoujo OC) Affiliated with Yamaku-Academy-Roleplay

[slumberinghealer]

Frenzy

[kimiko-misaki]

Kimiko watched the younger boy slowly stand, nervous, straight backed and stiff. She frowned a bit, not liking that he was so… Scared. She opened a drawer from her desk, taking out a small pendant she no longer wore. It was nothing special, just a worn leather cord with a worn silver star hanging from it. She smiled, memories flooding back to her. She wore this every day at the last school. It was her good luck charm, and got her through a lot of days. Whenever she felt like she couldn’t take anymore she would rub at the star and close her eyes. Somehow, it always caused her to feel better. Someone close to her had given it to her, maybe that was why. However, it was time for someone else to have it. Someone else needed it’s magical aura, and she was willing to part with it to help this boy. It looked like he needed something like this.

Kimiko still sat on the desk and reached down to grab the boys hands with her own, bringing them to her lap and holding them gently, holding the necklace in her right hand between their hands. She leaned over and kissed his cheek gently before smiling and letting go of his hands. She wished she could talk to him now more so than ever, in this moment especially. Now would be the perfect time to talk and tell him to open his eyes. Tell him what the necklace was all about. Just tell him that it would all be okay. She took the pen and flipped to a brand new page and wrote the words “Take this. It got me through some rough times, and now it’ll help you through even the roughest of days.” She positioned the notebook so he could just look down and read it then simply waited until he was comfortable enough to open his eyes.

[slumberinghealer]

Scraping wood. A small breath. Ryou hung on each of these minute sounds, the only stimulus his panicked mind could pick up under Kimiko's orders. What did she want? More importantly - when did she want it? How would she want it?

His thoughts followed Kimiko's every perceived move. He felt her warmth, the smile on her face etched into his mind. Her hands took his, guiding them to her lap, her right unusually clenched. Ryou scrunched his eyes. His experience with the cinema told him that something romantic would follow this, but all that came was an odd pressure on his hand and cheek. His eyes fluttered open for but a moment to see Kimiko's face a mere heart-racing millimetre from his. They slammed shut until another, larger weight found its way into his hands.

Kimiko's notepad. "Take this," it began, as Ryou tried to juggle reading her words and examining the gift. A necklace, leather strap and silver charm, dangled between its fingers. It wore years of use, shimmering slightly less than brand new jewellery would.

"A-ah, I can't accept this!" Ryou said, voice hitching in his throat, "It's er, really personal and I've known you for, like... less than a day. This is something you give to a super close friend, or... um... Why are you giving this to me?"

[slumberinghealer]

Frenzy

[kimiko-misaki]

Kimiko cocked her head a bit, wondering why the boy wrote instead of speaking. Was he perhaps so flustered that he didn’t know what to do and just wrote as a response? Was he too tongue tied? Kimiko huffed a bit, looking curiously down at him before taking the page again. “Why did you write? You have the opportunity to speak, and your voice is lovely. Don’t hold back speaking if you feel as though it makes me feel bad. I enjoy hearing others talk. So please, do continue to speak.” She shifted the page so he could see it, smiling again. She perked up a bit, taking the page back quickly before he had the time to read it fully. “I’m very glad you’re staying though!” Sliding the notebook back into his view she propped herself up on the desk, sitting there, smiling, swinging her legs a bit, the setting sun setting a golden shimmer around her form. She couldn’t stop smiling around this boy. She felt like she used to, before the belittling from her parents formed her into the stuck up woman that her father wanted. Her heart was fluttering a bit, a feeling she hadn’t felt since before she came to this school.

The boy spoke one word again. A single stutter more than anything. Kimiko didn’t know how to take it. Did he perhaps want to leave? Maybe, but that seemed unlikely. She was trying to be herself and be as friendly as she could be for the boy. What could she do to set the boy at ease? She took the notebook once again, flipping the page to begin writing at the top. After she was done writing she flipped the page back, hiding what she just wrote for a moment, her heart racing.

The sentence was short, only saying “Close your eyes.” in her usual, elegant hand writing.

[slumberinghealer]

If he'd wanted to speak, Kimiko's writing had put a stop to that. His eyes flitted between the page and the author, cheeks flushing. "W-well-" he stammered, "I, um, thank but I thought it might be nice if we, ah, talked using the same... thing..."

She'd torn the page away again to scribble another elegantly flummoxing compliment on the page. His sleep-deprived mind did its best to keep up, forming bumbling answers to the poetry on the page. Something rough glutted his voice, causing it to trip and break in ways he hadn't experienced since before high school. "You're... welcome...?"

Again the note disappeared, as if Kimiko had resolved to unstick his throat by sheer force of her literacy. There were certainly worse ways to manage it, he mused...

Her last sentence appeared for but a moment, a flash of black on white that Ryou only just registered before it vanished towards her chest. "Close your eyes," she wrote, simply.

"Cuh-close my..." the lump thickened quickly, blocking whatever garbled protest Ryou could manage. Kimiko watched him, carefully, expectantly. There was little else he could do. Her body obstructed a chance at a coherent answer, a chance to properly explain himself. Ryou stood, straight-backed, stiff, and closed his eyes to the room, hoping to sort through his head whilst Kimiko did whatever she'd planned.

[slumberinghealer]

Frenzy

[kimiko-misaki]

Kimiko let out another silent giggle, tucking her hair behind her ear on her right side. Another perfect smile to the boy, strutting towards him to bend over and pick up his groceries. She thought about how much easier this would be if she could talk. No, this wasn’t the time for those thoughts. She slowly stood back up and walked over to her closet, opening it to reveal the mini fridge inside, her clothes neatly organized above it. She debating on bending over again, but decided against it, crouching down to set the bags down instead. It wouldn’t be nice to tease this poor boy too badly. She suddenly had a realization. Ryou was probably hungry, and this was the perfect time to teach him how to cook. She stood back up, walking over to the boy, a smile on her face. She took his hand and guided him towards her desk, taking a notebook from on it and a pen from a cup full of writing utensils to write “Are you hungry?” She leaned on her desk slightly, waiting for the boy to respond.

Kimiko was genuinely enjoying her time with the boy, although she wondered if the boy was having as much fun as she was. She took the piece of paper again, writing towards the bottom “You don’t have to be nervous, you know. You can also leave, if you so wish. I understand.” She shifted the piece of paper so Ryou could read it, smiling again. She felt like she liked the boy, which was very odd. The only other person she had liked was… It clicked. Who this boy reminded her of. She understood everything now, and it set her mind to ease. She now knew why she liked the boy.

[slumberinghealer]

"Ah, so there- oh, okay um-" Kimiko seized his hand and pulled him towards the desk. He stumbled along.

 “Are you hungry?”

"N-no, not really..." Ryou began, only to have the paper whipped away from his sight for a fresh addition. He scanned it, lips and brow creasing in unison. The way she danced around him, and the page... He wasn't sure what to make of it. Or how quick she was to read his mind. Was he truly nervous, or...?

He reached across to grab a pen, differently coloured to Kimiko's, and began to write on the line underneath her's, settling in a half-lean at her side on the chair. "It's alright. I can stay for a bit if you want."

He left it there, his inexperience bleeding onto the sharp, angled letters. He punctuated the sentence with an "Um," hoping that the one used to this would take the lead.

[slumberinghealer]

Frenzy

[kimiko-misaki]

Kimiko looked away, a ghost of a giggle showing before her hair fell just enough to hide her face, and perhaps a tinge of a blush. This hadn’t happened since she had been in school with the other girls. Since… She pushed her mind away from that subject. One of the many her family shunned her. One of the reasons she was sent here as well.. She focused back on the male, her smile fading slightly. She wrote on the notepad “Shall we head to my room then and sort things out there?” Showing him the notepad she swayed her hips a bit, putting on a well practiced cute act for the male. Admittedly, she was bending his will to do whatever she wanted but, it wasn’t for a bad reason. She just wanted to be with this boy because he made her feel… Well… Free. Was that so bad? She decided it wasn’t and picked up her bags, not giving time for the boy to answer fully, turning to head towards the girls dorm.

Kimiko lead the two up to the building, her hips swaying just enough, a walk that had practiced to perfection and then engraved in to her. It didn’t bother her so much. Of all the things to happen, this wasn’t so bad. She kept leading the male through the hallways until she got to her door, setting the bags down to unlock the door and open it before picking the bags back up and heading inside.

The room was rather plain, but everything was in perfect condition and perfect order. Her comforter was a sky blue, pillow covers to match, with a single stuffed animal on it. An old teddy bear, who had seen better days. On her side table was a picture frame, face down, as if Kimiko didn’t ever want to look at it. Her desk? Also in perfect order. Papers were stacked neatly, flush with the edge of the desk, or perfectly aligned with something else on the desk. The only thing that seemed out of place was the bear. It was the only possession that wasn’t in the best condition it could be in. Kimiko removed her shoes, sliding them just to the right of the door frame, and set the bags by her desk, smiling back at Ryou, waiting for him to come in.

[slumberinghealer]

Ryou tried his best to focus entirely on the paper. "Sure," he began, his throat crying out for a drink. He cleared his throat, "Lead the sway-way. Lead the way. Um."

Perhaps talking wasn't the best idea. He followed quickly behind Kimiko, eyes on her back, and the long hair bobbing back and forth with each step...

His eyes snapped back to reality when the click of the lock sounded out across the empty hall. Ryou blinked away the daze. Where did this come from? What was going on here? He looked across to Kimiko, who wore an inviting smile into a room so immaculate it put his functional chaos to shame. An itch formed on his neck, one the shopping bags prevented him from scratching. "Ah, sure," he said, ushering himself inside and dropping the bags quickly to ease the habit. "Where... where-"

He looked Kimiko over. The swaying hips, the bouncing hair... he'd seen this all somewhere before, on a screen more silver than pixels. He coughed. "Where would you like this stuff? The shopping. I-I mean, if we're in your room do you have a mini-fridge or..."

[slumberinghealer]

Frenzy

[kimiko-misaki]

Kimiko felt… Different. Not bad different, definitely not bad different. This was a good kind of different. It was something she hadn’t felt in a long time. She vaguely remembered having this feeling a long time ago, when she was very young, and tried to recall what it was. She slowly began to realize it was happiness. The smile on her face widened a bit as the realization came to her. This boy had given her happiness, even if only for a moment and only a sliver of it. It was still there. She came back to reality and something hit her. She had slowed her paces to match Ryou’s and was closer than normal. Her gaze slowly made it’s way to the boy, and she gave him a smile. Not the smile from before, but a real smile. One she hadn’t used in years.

The two finally made it to the top gates, walking side by side. Kimiko hadn’t tried to communicate with the boy. She hadn’t felt the need to. She felt like she could just be with him, not exchanging any words and be okay for once. He gave her an island to relax in the middle of a stressful ocean of order and strict rules. She slowly turned to face the boy, the smile still on her face, and began sorting through who’s bags were who’s. She grinned a bit, setting her bags down to retrieve her notepad and pen. “Do you need help carrying anything to your room? I wouldn’t mind spending more time with you. I enjoy being around you.” She showed him the notepad, holding it carefully in front of him. She had let her guard down completely by now. She was slowly returning to who she was. However, that could change with any passing moment. She would try to keep this going as long as she could, though. She liked this.

[slumberinghealer]

Ryou came to the top of the hill, his lungs drawing sharp, cool air in frequent pants. He set the bags down to rub the sweat building on his neck, contemplating just how unfit his phobia of sports had left him. Perhaps this trek would do him some good; at the very least, it would help him work off the caffeine pushing his mind forever onwards.

The bags dropped once more to the concrete, and Ryou along with them - he squatted outside the gate, dropping his blazer and revelling in the breeze. Kimiko, as always, seemed unfazed. Her smile remained forever warm. Their conversation resumed on her notepad. “Do you need help carrying anything to your room? I wouldn’t mind spending more time with you. I enjoy being around you.”

Warmth spread in Ryou's face, battling the air. He decided very suddenly that trying to find the individual dots of drying ink announcing Kimiko's intentions to be a worthwhile endeavour. It seemed so unrealistically blatant. He finally turned the pad back to her and mirrored her grin. "Why don't we sort yours out first? I can handle mine at some other point."

[slumberinghealer]

Frenzy

[kimiko-misaki]

Kimiko shifted all of the bags to her left hand, patting Ryou gently on the shoulder, giving him a practiced, gorgeous smile. One that was supposed to set him at east. One to show him it was okay, and to not worry. She raised her hand, holding up the last three digits to show him the number three. Then, after holding the digits up for a moment, pointed at him, mouthing the word “You?” to him. She hoped he understood. It was quite complicated for her to communicate with people, and the current situation only made things more difficult and aggravating. She wanted to really speak with the boy, and wished she could to make things easier. She felt at ease around him. Perhaps it was how easily he swayed to her will? No, that couldn’t be it, especially since she felt relaxed. Perhaps the male didn’t remind her of her brother after all. Perhaps he reminded her of someone else. She scavenged her mind for who it could be, but came up empty handed for the moment. She decided to leave the thought and come back to it later.

Kimiko lead the two towards the hill, ending up at the bottom shortly. She looked over at the male as he spoke again. His head dropped, staring at the ground. He apologized. Kimiko furrowed her brow, then did something completely out of character. She set down the bags and hugged the male tightly, her arms wrapping around the male’s shoulders. She held him for a moment, as if to say that it was okay, and to not worry. She slowly released her hold on the male, a small smile upon her face as she took a few of the male’s bags, picking up her own as well, and beginning to walk up the hill. 

[slumberinghealer]

Ryou took the gestures as a godsent relief. "A third year? That explains how you're so used to things like uh, things like me."

She deftly turned the question on him, no doubt used to conversing with those ill-equipped for or unskilled at signing. "I'm new. First year - parents shipped me here because of... well, y'know why most people study at Yamaku."

He quickly realised that Kimiko had usurped his lead, expertly guiding them towards the base of the hill that marked the approximate half way point between town and Yamaku. He pursed his lips. Sure, she was the eldest of them, but each expertly crafted assurance served only to cement his uselessness. He strived to keep step, but that just tired his legs and sooner than he liked, he'd slowed to a crawl as the path's incline began.

Setting the weighty bags down did little to assuage his frustration. He pinched his brow. "Kimiko, I-"

By the time he registered the touch, Ryou caught the light scent of Kimiko's shampoo. His muscles tensed, then melted all at once into the stranger's embrace. How could he remain so terse with a companion so eagerly and easily soothing him? She breathed his frustrations in with an easy smile, and Ryou found his focus on soft arms and the gentle breeze slipping downhill.

She broke away and claimed yet more of the bags. The smile on Ryou's face stopped his complaint dead - he hurried to catch up, his burden lighter and a thank you on his mind for when she could next answer him.

[slumberinghealer]

Hello

[artificiallyisolated-deactivate]

Hanako opened the door slowly, wincing at the long creak that seemed to fill the room. Every movement felt forced, muscles seizing as her frantic mind sent a dozen conflicting signals. Run. Hide in your room. Find Lilly. Turn back, grab your bag. Sit back down…something but stand there. None of them felt like the right answer. There was no easy response to this situation for her. "Don’t let me stop you." Even though what he said was soft and caring, it still cut into her. She ran from him before. Twice now, in fact…but he still tried to be polite. Friendly…if she took off again, that would be the final nail in the coffin, wouldn’t it? No friendship was worth that much work, especially not one with someone like her.  Hanako swallowed hard to find her voice. “C-can we see Lilly…please? Food and…and then…” She turned to him, steeling herself rigid and tall. 

[slumberinghealer]

Ryou cast his eyes down. The creak of the door ended something - marked a final surrender in this long struggle to win Hanako's friendship. An ending set to blotch his first week at Yamaku.

She didn't move. Hanako stood there, battling with a mental inertia. He daren't look away from her feet. Did she want him to leave? Waiting for him to step back and give full permission?

No - this was Hanako's sanctuary. Ryou intruded here - Ryou should leave. He finally tore his gaze away from her shoes and concentrated on the door frame, his eyes only dully recognising the items like badly drawn shapes. What had he done wrong? Where would this leave him?

"C-can we see Lilly... please?"

His heart jolted up despite itself. "Food and... and then..."

Ryou looked up to see Hanako's eyes already fixed on his. Her shoulders stiffened with every jagged breath. It chilled him to know this was the result of his invasion - the life of Hanako would be forever marred by these two terrible encounters, and yet that was not what her eyes told him. He tried not to blink, afraid that doing so would give her a chance to escape, to quickly undo this impulsive, dangerous decision.

His face twitched. His heart pulsed awkwardly, suspended in liquid, turning over on itself in slow revolutions. It merited a smile, he thought - he hoped. "Sure. Yeah, let's go - do you know where she is?"

[slumberinghealer]

Debt

[hymndi]

Hymndi shrugged as he leaned over, barely managing to get the books on to his lap. He wondered why the boy hadn’t just given him the books he was holding on to, but dismissed the thought quickly. The boy spoke, but trailed off at the end of his sentence. He must have wanted to say more, so why didn’t he? Did he want to say my name? Did I not say it? Was I really that rude? He racked his brain for the answer, trying to turn back the events. “Oh, it’s not a problem at all. My name’s Hymndi by the way. Did I not say that? I thought I did. Hymndi Yokahiro.” He waited a moment, brow furrowed, trying to sort through his thoughts for another moment before setting off to put away the books in their respective spots. 

Hymndi rolled along the isles, slipping books back in to their homes, his thoughts racing. This interaction had been hell for him. It was one awkward screw up for him after another. He couldn’t manage to get a stable foothold so he kept stumbling each time they attempted to interact. He sighed, pushing another book on to the shelf. He hoped that things would get better from here, especially now that he was actually helping the boy. Then again he did just kind of leave him after talking, not giving the guy time to respond. He let his head drop back, looking up at the ceiling, realizing how stupid he was. He sat there for a moment before setting out to put away the last book and then find the boy again. There was probably an apology he owed to him anyways. 

[slumberinghealer]

"Hymndi," Ryou repeated, "Hymndi. Hi."

They split up to return the books after a prolonged silence. Ryou's brain tightened again. Perhaps his nascent caffeine addiction wasn't such a good thing after all.

As he returned the last book to its home he lingered, finger on the spine. It wouldn't kill him to try again, but... With everything his fresh surroundings had brought him, Ryou found himself longing for warm sheets and the gentle rhythm of his PAP machine. Resolved to find this Hymndi again some time, he began making his way towards the exit, furtively scanning for the familiar face lest he chase him down with yet more awkwardness.

[slumberinghealer]

Hello

[artificiallyisolated-deactivate]

As he stood up and approached, Hanako took a few steps back, trying to keep the distance between them. Her timid footsteps weren’t fast enough, and his stride caught up with her by the window. Hanako’s dark eyes locked onto Ryou’s in a flash of surprise at his touch. Fingers gracing the side of her elbow through the crisp fabric of her uniform blouse. She froze in place. Blinking slowly, she took a soft breath in through an open mouth. Her tearful gaze broke just as quickly, glancing down at her feet. The toes of her shoes tapping together. “Uhm…” she choked on her words. 

Instead, she nodded quickly, keeping her eyes down, holding back the nervous sobs. Her scarred hand smoothed the hair around her face, and her other came across to hold her elbow. She took a small side step toward the door, turning away from facing Ryou. 

[slumberinghealer]

Ryou bowed his head, uncertain if he regretted his decision. He knew immediately, however, that it had been the wrong call. He might as well have levelled a gun at her head - and in any subsequent action threatened to pull the trigger.

He did little more as she retreated, making a slow but obvious route towards her only escape. As she reached it, he finally looked back up and smiled, trying his best to sound sincere and understanding, spiting the frustration boiling his insides. "It's okay," he began, clearing his throat of whatever bile threatened to spill out, "Don't let me stop you."

[slumberinghealer]

Hello

[artificiallyisolated-deactivate]

"N-no, it’s…okay, I…" Hanako stammered, realizing how she’d thrown the safety of atmosphere around them back into disarray. Ryou’s apology and backtracking sent a jolt of adrenaline into her vulnerable heart, and Hanako’s hands fumbled, knocking over the knight she planned to move. Like a frightened bird she panicked, the small silent room suddenly feeling a little too warm and a bit too crowded. Her chair scraped loudly against the floor, and before she knew what was happening, Hanako was on her feet, her fingers gently touching her forehead to cover her scarred side. 

It was a simple conversation. One all students would have a hundred times. As casual as asking about the weather, yet here she was, turning it into some drama worthy of the Acting Club. Hanako’s face felt hot, exasperated with her own behaviour. “I…” She tensed and cringed, trying to force the words out. “A-are you…hungry? We can…and…t-tell me about…why a doctor…”

[slumberinghealer]

The piece clattered into several others. Plastic scraped against the floor as Hanako bolted from her seat, set to flee the room were it not for the paralyzing fear grasping her feet. Ryou watched it all in slow motion. "H-hey..." He breathed, finding her stammer and stumble to be incredibly infectious. She radiated tension like a dynamo, whirling her anxiety in great bursts around her.

He scratched the back of his neck, a gesture that did little to defuse him. "Don't sweat it, seriously."

His assurance fell on flat ears - what was it that scientist said about trying the same thing and expecting different results? Ryou creased his brow. How he wanted to react was certainly the worst idea. His mind had all but perished the thought. Best to leave her be. Let her settle. There was nothing he could do. This was something she'd have to get past.

Right?

Hanako showed no signs of slowing down, staggering between sentence fragments like a damaged typewriter. Ryou made up his mind, stepping forward and in the same movement reaching out plainly with his arm. He daren't speak until his fingers brushed the first wisp of her sleeve. "It's okay, Hanako. I, um, I'm ready when you are. For lunch. Or I can run out and grab it - whatever works for you. It's okay."

[slumberinghealer]

Debt

[hymndi]

A loud clatter broke Hymndi from his concentration, his head snapping towards the direction. His jaw dropped immediately as he saw the male on the ground, his books scattered around him. the chair he was sitting on also toppled over. He quickly set his book down and rolled over to the male, slipping out of his wheelchair and onto his knees to begin gathering the male’s books. 

"Are you okay?" Hymndi asked, putting what books he had gathered into a small pile, unable to reach the others from where he was kneeling. Of course he’s not okay, idiot, he just fell and probably hurt himself. Hymndi scolded himself for asking such a stupid question, but it was more or less reaction for him to ask. “I’ll get the rest of your books, okay? You just sit tight and gather your senses.” He went to work, pulling himself towards books, gathering them and sliding them towards the pile he had started before returning the the pile, stacking the remaining books on top. 

"You know, I could help you take these back to wherever it is you are going" Hymndi smiled as he pulled himself back into his chair, patting his lap to show he could easily take some of the books.

[slumberinghealer]

Ryou's brain tensed, a small pressure pushing inwards from his forehead to the nape of his neck causing him to close his eyes. "I'm fine-" he began, and allowed him to gather books until the sensation eased, if only a little. Stress? Fatigue? He pinched his brow, eyes still closed. 

"You know, I could help you take these back to wherever it is you are going."

Ryou looked up to see the pile of books settled neatly before him. The boy patted his lap. "Uh, sure," said he, each word a comforting honey oozing through the gears of his mind, "Yeah, that would be nice. I'm just taking them back to the shelves. You take this half."

He stood and picked up the top half, gesturing with his foot to the rest of the collection. "Sorry for the trouble, um..."

[slumberinghealer]

Hello

[artificiallyisolated-deactivate]

"I-it’d be…a lot of…work." She agreed softly, trying to curl the right side of her mouth into a reassuring smile. "B-but…if you really…want it…then…y-you can do it." She moved her white bishop two squares, hoping to put pressure on his rook and get his attentions away from the other side of the board. 

A game in, and Hanako could see Ryou was already playing better. The dust brushed off his skills, and he seemed to think a bit further ahead in regards to his pieces. She still slowly took control, following her own formulas and mid-game studies, though his words nipped at her full focus.  After graduation. It was a harrowing thought, suddenly being out there in the real world. She’d be too old for the support of the orphanage. Yamaku Academy might try and aid for a little while, but that was hardly something to count on. While she couldn’t really tell Ryou, Hanako often had the pipe dream of a nice, quiet job at the firm Akira worked for. Surrounded by file cabinets and papers to be sorted and stacked. Free from interaction…then she could ride back to the shared apartment, her and Lilly as room mates…they’d make dinner together and get matching braille/English copies of books to work through. but it all seemed too small and perfect. As much as she wanted that ideal scenario, Hanako knew it would never really come about. Lilly would find a handsome charming man. Akira and her boyfriend might start a family some day. She couldn’t live off of those sisters forever…there wasn’t a permanent place for her there. "N…n-no." Hanako mumbled, biting the inside of her bottom lip after. She sat in silence, the only sounds from her the occasional tap of a peg connecting with the hole. The mood started to drain from her, her racing mind devoting more and more concentration to her depressing thoughts.

[slumberinghealer]

It had been going so well.

Another landmine of silence exploded across the chessboard. Not even the gentle tapping of moving pieces distracted Ryou from the vicious change in Hanako's behaviour. He'd done it again. "Um..."

Watching her retreat back into the grim shell gnawed painfully at Ryou. He clenched his hands and tightened his jaw. Not once had he caused so much pain in one person in such a short space of time. He fidgeted when the turn next passed to him, sure that to take no action would be to allow a wrecking ball to swing catastrophically through the little rapport they'd built.

"Still, there's loads of time to get stuff sorted, right? Nothing to worry about!" Ryou laughed hollowly, scratching the back of his neck and all but abandoning the tactical mishap he'd landed himself in on the chessboard. "I'm sure you'll get where you want to be. When you - ah, never mind. I..."

He looked to the festival outside. Things seems to picking up - no chance of a quiet afternoon lunch with her outside, but a change of scenery... He thumbed the pawn in his hand contemplatively. "I'm sorry for bringing it up. I didn't realise..."

[slumberinghealer]

Frenzy

[kimiko-misaki]

Kimko let out a silent giggle, her hand covering her mouth once again. It was an odd sight to see, one she could imagine looked quite out of place. She nodded after the boy was down speaking, taking a moment to write down a few things. “Of course I can show, I planned on it anyway to be quite honest. Also, this grocery list shall be on me. I can cover both of ours with ease.” She took the basket from the boy, a soft smile on her face. It was faint, but still there nonetheless. She turned quickly and began walking away, her hips swaying from side to side with each step. It was a practiced walk, perfected over the years to turn heads. One that was forced to be practiced. She didn’t notice anymore, it was natural by now. 

Kimiko approached the cashier and began swiftly unloading both baskets for the cashier to ring up. He eyes bouncing between the baskets and the spot where the cashier was picking them up to ring each item. As the price came up she quickly produced enough yen, not giving the male a chance to protest, or even produce his own yen, and began to grab bags. She made it quite clear this was how it was going to be and, shooting a playful smile off to the male, began walking away, leaving a few bags for the male to carry as well. There were more bags left sitting there than she was carrying, on purpose of course, and she stood at the door waiting to see how the boy would react. 

[slumberinghealer]

Ryou found himself staggering to the door, bags in hand. Not because they were heavy; rather, the sheer tempest of determination that was Kimiko whisked him through the motions of protesting her payment, trying to force yen into her hands and suggesting that he carry all the bags. She countered like a practised veteran, her smile composed, understanding - humouring him. If it wasn't so draining, he'd be annoyed. Instead he shuffled to the door with a resigned smile so frayed at the edges that it would be hard-pressed to even recognise it as one.

She handled him like a pro - batting his every attempt at autonomy away. Impressed was the best way to describe his vision of her. "So, uh, you sure you don't want me to carry some more of those? Wait-" he took stock of the situation - importantly, her distinct lack of ability to reply, "Stupid question. Let's go."

He edged his way past her and pressed forward, gripping to the best mental map his brain could scrawl. So long as they made it to the hill he wouldn't have to fake knowledge of the area. He had no idea if Kimiko was following; her faint footsteps were the best indication, and they were easily lost amongst the chatter and crowd the small village offered. He checked back frequently, then fell back to her side when his neck muscles threatened to snap.

"Uh..." He began, fumbling. How to entertain someone who couldn't respond? His usual avenues of interest in her person or hobbies fell flat on their face. "Um. So you're... a second year? Third? You look very..."

A lump glutted in his throat, crushing further attempts at speech. He hung his head. "Sorry - I'm not quite used to- to Yamaku yet, y'know?"

[slumberinghealer]

Frenzy

[kimiko-misaki]

Kimiko thought for a moment, her brow furrowing as she stood there. “I do not believe there really is anything wrong with being happy, I suppose.”  She wrote back to the boy before walking slowly down the aisle. She enjoyed going shopping, it let her relax oddly enough. She did’t have to worry about school, or people, she could just find what she needed, check out, and leave with no problems. She knew here grocery list by heart and began to make her way around the store picking up the things she needed such as bread, white rice, noodles, different fruits, and different spices, as well as her own special treat. Strawberry jam. It wasn’t special jam, just regular old strawberry jam, but as she found it she held it for a bit, a brief smile on her face before she put it in the basket. She was never allowed to have sweet tasting anything in her household, but whenever she went to her grandmother’s house, there was always strawberry jam there that she could sneak. It was foolish, but it was an inexpensive item she adored, so she allowed herself to get it. After her pause with the jam she went to get both milk and orange juice, as well as some tea.

Kimiko then turned to Ryou and nodded, signing quickly [ This is it. Is there anything else you would like? ] out of habit before shaking her head, mentally chastising herself, and writing out the same thing. She was sure the male wouldn’t attempt to, but she wrote out “If you would like, we can get bacon. I know how much boy’s adore it.”. She smirked softly towards the male, a soft touch of playfulness in her. 

[slumberinghealer]

They continued in silence for a while, Ryou mirroring Kimiko's movements, picking from the same rows, making the same sweeping movements into his basket. He felt like a teen following a pop idol's dance routine, except with spices and herbs as opposed to twirls and flourishes. Together they gathered all the ingredients for dishes Ryou probably couldn't even name, let alone visualize in his head. How would all these powders and green bits coalesce into something edible? What kind of food alchemist would even try?

He decided against speaking up. Judging from her focus, it seemed that the exercise of picking foodstuffs was a particularly enjoyable one for his new mentor. Further, the distraction of stopping to write into a notepad would be too frustrating to bear, or so he pictured it. A huff, a slump of the shoulders, the agonising wait for her to rummage for her notepad and pen... Not the best way to make a friend.

Kimiko turned to him, her hands ablaze with complicated gestures that he recognised as sign language a little too late. No matter - she translated the baffling gestures into comprehensible writing.

"Is there anything-" more writing interrupted his reading, "We can get bacon..." Ryou looked up to see the playful glint of Kimiko's eye, the cheeky curl of her lip. He looked to his now considerably fuller basket, and the way it dragged his hand towards the floor. He shook his head. "I think I can resist it. Though, I would ask that you show me how to use all this... er, stuff? that I've bought with your list. Otherwise I really will have to succumb to bacon."

[slumberinghealer]

Frenzy

[kimiko-misaki]

Kimiko nodded, bowing again slightly. She flipped the page in the notebook, adding the page to the previous one sided conversations. “It is quite alright, no need to apologize. You had no indication that I was a student. I was not wearing the uniform. Besides, I think this looks much better than that uniform anyways.” She showed the male the notepad. Why was she being so.. Kind to him? It then clicked. He reminded her of her brother. The awkwardness, the helplessness, the panic, it all made sense. She knew what she had to do.

Taking the notepad to herself once again, she began writing. “Perhaps we should abandon your shopping list. I can duplicate my shopping list and show you a few easy dishes that I usually make. It would be quite simple for me and would take much effort at all.” She nodded to confirm the thought to herself. It really would take no effort at all. Perhaps this would be good for her as well. She did need to get out and talk to people more, and perhaps teaching this male a few things would be perfect. She slipped in to her own world for a moment, smiling to herself, ignoring the male completely. She giggled silently to herself, the thought of this male attempting to cook causing the odd action. She brought her hand up to her mouth, not allowing the male to see her actual smile, turning her head slightly as well. After she finished her silent laughter, she wrote again to the boy. “I apologize for that. Shall we?”

[slumberinghealer]

Ryou stowed his list away with a nod, accepting Kimiko's duplicate with a smile of thanks. Being swept away into this whirlwind of shopping and culinary lectures pushed his mood up - the thought of an onslaught of bacon sandwiches and take-away food twisted his stomach uncomfortably. At least now he'd have the motivation to prevent his body's inevitable explosion into rolls of fat, and new skills could never hurt.

Kimiko laughed gently but the sound was absent, like a damaged video, or a memory Ryou couldn't remember correctly. It seemed so strange. He stepped aside and allowed her to take up the mantle of both mentor and guide through the store. "You don't need to apologize for laughing," he chirped as they began, "There's nothing wrong with being happy, is there?"

[slumberinghealer]

Hello

[artificiallyisolated-deactivate]

Nimble hands turned the chess board, switching the colours from the last game. Hanako adjusted her chair closer, smoothing her skirt in her lap as she looked up at Ryou, head tilted down just enough to flash that one uncovered eye. It was a silent acceptance to the re-match, a faint eagerness behind her quiet personality.  

"A…a doctor w-would do?" She picked up on that word, leaning slightly forward in her chair, and found the courage to steer the conversation toward something more meaningful outside of polite fluff. "Are…y-you…d-do you want….to be one…some day…?" 

[slumberinghealer]

"Huh?" Ryou took his move with all the assuredness that a relative novice could muster. His experience with Hanako suggested a quick demise, but nonetheless. "Oh, yeah. Doctor - that's me. Well, it would be. I-I can't quite make the grades yet. I doubt I can, but... yeah. I'd like to be a doctor when I'm done with school."

He carried the game as well as he could, cheering on the rare occasions one of Hanako's pieces left the board. Thus far, it had played the course set in their first game. "Do you... uh, do you have a career in mind? When you're graduated and all that?"

[slumberinghealer]

Hello

[artificiallyisolated-deactivate]

Hanako froze as Ryou stood up, and slipped out of room without saying a thing to her. She felt her mouth drop a little in surprise, a snap of confusion and self-despair hitting her. After all this, the following her and trapping her with company, the game and eating her snacks, and he just walks out…? She couldn’t shake her eyes from the doorway, a sunken feeling in her chest. 

It took the whirr of the machine and the clunk of a can for his actions to dawn on her. Hanako finally let her tired lungs exhale, a welcome relief in understanding. It lasted but a moment, that warmth, as she took the can with a grateful bow of her head. “Th-thank you…but…uhm…” Hanako set the can down on the table beside her, wiping the condensation from her hand onto her skirt. “Y-you…don’t have to…play a-again…You’re…bored, aren’t you?”

[slumberinghealer]

He nodded as she accepted the gift. Something weighted her eye, but by the time he could begin to discern its meaning she'd moved on to bowing her head.

Ryou slouched into the seat opposite her with a brief sigh and a long drink from his can. The change from extremely sweet balls of candy to a slightly less sweet beverage did little for his aching teeth.

He smiled and shook his head. "I'm not bored. Quite the opposite - It's been a very long time since I played chess with anyone and, now that I think on it, I've always wanted to give it a try. Seems like something a doctor would do, so why not? How about a rematch?"