swirly-head

"What's wrong with being alone?" > AU Chrono Shindou RP blog > Affiliated with Toshi City > Sunflower Rm. 8

[sendoaichi-blog]

 ”That’s so sweet, Kurocchan..”

Chrono was honestly too good of a child and was hard to pull a lot of honest feelings from… but surely, when he did, it was always something treasurable and kind. "But wild rabbits belong… well, in the wild. Especially baby wild rabbits; if we’re not careful there’s a lot of ways he can die.. And we absolutely don’t want that for Tasubun, right? Who knows maybe he’ll really warm up to you, Kurocchan, and you can still visit him!"

[stridegeneration-blog1]

Grumbling, trying to ignore the burning in his cheeks, he focused instead on the baby bunny still lapping up the remnants of milk from the bottle. It was just about finished now, though, and was settling back into its makeshift burrow.

"I know, I know..."

He doubted his ability to be able to juggle everything with a pet added into the mix, anyway... What Aichi said next did bring a smile to his face.

"...Yeah. Maybe."

"Guess I'd better take good care of the little guy, then..."

[dragxnpower-blog]

on the outside, looking inside ;

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Snacks, hm…? A good deal of what was sold here didn’t seem as if it would hold a substantial amount of nutritional value, though…so was it really all right for this boy to substitute them for proper meals? He was still a child, and growing, so wasn’t it important that he eat well…?

…

… It was no concern of hers. This was merely a chance encounter—one that, although pleasant, likely would not occur twice. She was hardly the right person to lecture him on proper dietary habits.

"I’ve seen a handful of advertisements and heard people refer to them in passing…though I’ve never tried such things for myself."

Perhaps this might be a good opportunity to do so, though. Her opportunities to gain hands-on experience with modern civilian culture had been very few up to this point, so wasting a chance sitting just two aisles away would be…—

"I appreciate the guidance." Miyako smiled, offering a brief but nevertheless polite bow before turning in the direction the boy had described to her. "I’ll begin there, then."

[stridegeneration-blog1]

Has this girl been living under a rock her whole life...?

It was a little...odd, but there were all kinds of people in Japan. And Chrono had been fortunate (?) enough to meet such a unique individual...

"You don't have to bow to me or anythin'. I kinda dragged you in here, so..." It was always a little awkward. To say nothing of the fact that not many people even stopped to show him such gestures--he was more used to finger-pointing than bowing and the like.

"Right. Take care, then... Don't get lost."

[sendoaichi-blog]

 ”You’ve got the right idea, eheh..”

—And Tasubun it was, a conscientious agreement between just Aichi and Chrono. As the baby rabbit snuggled into the fabrics and got comfortable after its meal, Aichi looked up at the redhead with an enthusiastic nod. "Mm! I’ll look up some shelter numbers that can take him in.. I’m afraid he might not last too long if we keep Tasubun holed up here in Marigold for long.."

[stridegeneration-blog1]

"Yeah... I dunno how to take care of rabbits either. And it'll probably cost a lot of money... And he'll probably chew all my stuff up..."

"..."

Though the bunny was the very picture of cuteness, its big, black eyes staring up at him as it slowly emptied out the bottle of its contents...

"...Kinda wish we could keep him, though--"

Oh crap... He hadn't meant to voice that at all. He couldn't have Aichi thinking he was some kind of softie...

[sendoaichi-blog]

Watching Chrono truly try his best was heartwarming, Aichi noticing that slight curve on his usually scowling lips.

 ”… He’s really cute isn’t he? For some reason it makes me think of Tacchan.” —Now that was a topic to muse. Though naming animals meant an attachment would be made, Aichi wouldn’t be so careless as to put the rabbit’s life in danger by being selfish. But it was just a little humorous food for thought.  ”Let’s call him Tasubun in secret, okay? Eheh..”

[stridegeneration-blog1]

"...Yeah."

He found himself agreeing a little too easily...

"...Huh. Really?" He didn't know all too much about Tasuku; the only times he had seen him was in class. Though the large eyes and round, squishy-looking cheeks were something in particular that had stood out in his mind... 

"I guess I can see where you're coming from."

"Heh... Tasubun, huh? Alright. Let's get Tasubun back into top shape so he can find a home."

[sendoaichi-blog]

 ”Don’t worry about it, Kurocchan. I’ll take care of it. Keep your money, all right?”

And Aichi wouldn’t hear any if, ands, or buts about it. He was getting better at putting his foot down, after all. —— Returning with a tiny bag of animal goods in tow, Aichi got the puppy formula ready in the kicthen and warmed it to the slight temperature raise the online guide listed. Getting the dropper ready and allowing Chrono to do the favors, he was clear on the instruction of how to feed the baby rabbit properly, too. "Keep the tissue there on top still and tilt him backwards nice and gently; you want to get the end of the teat just between his side teeth so he can know it’s safe to feed.. give him a little bit to adjust."

[stridegeneration-blog1]

"Right..."

He did as he was told, handling the rabbit as gently as he could. It was almost as if he held a fragile glass sculpture in the palm of his hand... Though he'd be shattering something worse than glass if he was careless.

Fumbling around with the squirming bunny, he finally coaxed it into the appropriate position, allowing it to suckle from the tiny bottle. It must've been starved; it drank hungrily, barely pausing for a break.

"Easy, little guy..."

Admittedly... There was something enjoyable about all this. Chrono had never handled animals at length before. And the bunny was just adorable...

[dragxnpower-blog]

on the outside, looking inside ;

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She couldn’t blame him for feeling surprised. Miyako had lived a life very different from his—and from most other civilians’ as well—so what the two of them considered ‘commonplace’ or ‘natural’ was bound to differ.

—… apparently, convenience stores were one such point of divergence.

"Oh…no, thank you." She smiled faintly, quite clearly appreciative of his offer despite her declination. He hadn’t pursued the subject of her familial circumstances either…

"… but, if it’s no trouble…could you recommend me a section to start in? Where do you usually start when you come here?"

[stridegeneration-blog1]

"Well, gee... It depends on what I need to buy. People usually don't come in here to browse..."

"How about... Hm... I guess most of the time I'm here, I come here to pick up snacks. Just for when I don't have time to cook. Stuff like CalorieMate... And instant noodles..." 

He stared at the girl for a little longer. "Have you seen those before?" It seemed like a silly question, but...the lady had never even set foot in a combini before. Anything was possible at this point.

"...Uh, anyway. It's two aisles to your left if you want to look around there..."

[sendoaichi-blog]

As he scrolled through the various articles popping up on his mobile, Aichi now remembered reading sometime ago on how difficult wild rabbits could be… This was a special case, given that it would have been eaten up if not for Chrono’s valiant act, but they were truly better off bringing the poor thing somewhere with more professional care. Until then, they’d just have to do their best, of course.

 ”According to this, they absolutely cannot drink cow’s milk.. I’d better run over to the pet store really fast and get him a substitute. While I’m gone, just keep him warm. It says it might help to put a light tissue over him and cover his ears and eyes, since baby rabbits are comfortable in dark, heated places.”

[stridegeneration-blog1]

"Got it..."

Grabbing a tissue from the nearest box, he gently laid it over the furball, watching as it slowly settled down--not that it was moving in the first place.

"Oh, if you're going to the pet store... Tell me how much it costs, okay? I'll pay you back. I was the one who brought him to you."

[sendoaichi-blog]

 ”Oh… he’s so small..”

Reaching out carefully and touching the ball of fur in Chrono’s hand with his index finger, Aichi felt the quickened pulse of the baby rabbit, tiny nose sniffling in panic as it fearfully tensed. To be honest, Aichi wasn’t necessarily sure what to do for an animal this size, but it wouldn’t hurt to try at least something. "Here, I can look up what to do on the internet just to be safe. Come inside." Allowing Chrono to move past and settle down, Aichi closed the door behind them, pulling out his phone as he made a quick browser search while getting a clean hand towel to bundle the rabbit up in. "He’s not injured is he?"

[stridegeneration-blog1]

"I don't think so. Maybe he's hungry? He wasn't moving that much... You think milk will do the trick?"

Settling down inside the apartment suite he had come to know surprisingly well, Chrono shrugged his blazer off and arranged it into a sort of nest, placing the baby bunny in the middle of it.

"Hey, don't be scared. We ain't gonna hurt you."

Though maybe it would've helped if Chrono didn't look like he was glaring at it...

[sendoaichi-blog]

 ”… Eh? Kurocchan..?”

Attentively looking up from his school reading material—which had been the only alternative to being somewhat productive before going to the hospital to visit Tasuku later—Aichi slowly got up after hearing that familial voice call out, putting down his text. Getting the door open, he offered a happy smile, always more than glad to see the redhead come around. "Were you in the neighborhood? What’s that you got there..?"

[stridegeneration-blog1]

"You're still calling me that...? Ah, whatever..."

It was a little embarrassing, but irrelevant at the moment. 

"Yeah, kinda. Actually..." He held out his hand, the tiny baby bunny curled up on his palm. "I found this little guy out in the cold getting attacked by crows... He looked pretty weak, and Marigold was closer than my apartment, so..."

It was a little embarrassing to admit, but... "I don't really know what to do... I thought you would."

[dragxnpower-blog]

on the outside, looking inside ;

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'Surprise' was probably most akin to what she felt when the boy she'd spoken to just a few minutes prior appeared before her, but…Miyako supposed it shouldn't have been terribly startling, in hindsight. She felt exceptionally out of place here, and most likely looked it, too—'lost,' as he'd said…and she'd been warned before coming to this city that civilians could be a bit nosy, even when it wasn't warranted. Of course someone would notice her plight…

"I’m fine, but…I have no immediate need for any of this business’s wares." She replied, brow furrowing slightly as she turned to look at the person standing just a little ways away. "I was merely curious, I suppose…since what you said before wasn’t wrong.

"I’ve never patronized one of these…’convenience stores,’ before. Admittedly, it’s difficult to decide what I want to get a closer look at first…"

[stridegeneration-blog1]

"Huh? Then why'd you--" Oh. Right. Because Chrono had invited her in. "If you really didn't need anything, you should've just said something... I wouldn't have had to waste your time like this."

"Wait, you've...really never been in a convenience store before??"

Now...that was one of the strangest things he'd ever heard. 

"So, what, are you like...from a rich family out of town or something?" He paused, and then shrugged. "I guess it doesn't really matter... You...don't need a tour of the place or anything, do you?"

[stridegeneration-blog1]

"Achoo!"

Groaning, Chrono slouched a little more as he walked, trying to conserve what little warmth he could in this frigid winter air. Marigold was a little ways away yet...

"So cold... Waugh--!"

A crow dove past his head, its black feathers just barely brushing against his face. Was it an attack? He turned on his heel in preparation for another possible assault, only to find instead a whole group of birds that appeared to be tormenting some small, hapless creature... And his bleeding heart couldn't let it slide.

"Hey! Get outta here!"

Abandoning reason, as he usually did in the heat of the moment, he charged at the group loudly, inducing an array of caws and flapping from the flock. What he found at the center of the mayhem was a small baby bunny, curled up and trembling.

It's so tiny... I can't just leave it out here.

"Hey... Don't worry about a thing, okay? I'm gonna get you some place warm."

Scooping the tiny furball up--it was tiny enough to fit onto his palm--he held it close as he walked briskly down the sidewalk.

--

"Aichi-san!" He rapped on the door with his free hand. "It's Chrono."

[dragxnpower-blog]

on the outside, looking inside ;

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She made no comment on his (very much correct) assessment of her words, her calm facade slipping only when the boy suggested she go inside.

This person…had no way of knowing who she was, she knew, but the fact that he could suggest she do something so ludicrous with such nonchalance still came as something as a shock. That he deemed it fine, simply because there was no one there to stop her was just…

…

He…wasn’t wrong, though, in saying that, was he…? Miyako had come to Toshi City alone; any aides or attendants that tended to or supervised her were back in Sapporo. They would only know of what she chose to include in her reports.

Besides, this—this could potentially be a learning experience, couldn’t it? She had only textbook knowledge of modern culture, so this may be a chance to broaden her horizons…

"… I…suppose so." Miyako nodded slowly, and following the strange boy’s example, she…stepped into the store.

—

Though she had been able to see a certain amount through the window, seeing what the ‘convenience store’ offered in terms of products was…quite amazing. The available selection was vast, ranging from popular sweets, drinks, and pre-made meals to cosmetics, magazines and comics, and household goods.

It was…more than a little overwhelming for someone of Miyako’s upbringing—so much so that she hadn’t the faintest idea of where she should look first. She didn’t particularly need anything, so…

"—…"

[stridegeneration-blog1]

What'd I get myself into...

Those were his first thoughts upon seeing the clueless girl surveying the shelves quizzically. Needless to say, Chrono had no more obligation to her, but he would feel bad if he just left her to her devices. It'd probably linger in his mind for the whole day...

Grabbing a carton of milk and placing it gingerly atop the array of snacks and instant noodles he had already acquired, he jogged back to the girl's side only to find that she still seemed to be deliberating on something or another. 

"You're not gonna buy anything?" Actually, the better question was probably... "Uh, are you okay...? You look a little...lost."

[dragxnpower-blog]

on the outside, looking inside ;

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Miyako blinked, and turned her head to peer questioningly down at the (honestly quite…unique-looking) boy that had appeared a little ways behind her. She was in the—? Oh. Oh…!

"No, I…I don’t believe I am." Looking was one thing, but actually entering a store like this was quite another. Such a thing…would no doubt be severely frowned upon, were she home…

"Forgive me—I have had few opportunities to inspect establishments like this at such close proximity, so I suppose I…"

She trailed off, opting instead to step away from the door. There was no real need to explain herself here, she realized; and the mention of a directory served as a needed(?) reminder as to her purpose in walking to this district as well.

"… I appreciate the advice. Thank you."

[stridegeneration-blog1]

"...??? What're you talking about? You're talking like you've never been in one of these before."

He could've sworn she had wanted to go inside... It was written all over her face. Her eyes just screamed it. And what was this about inspecting the building? This was just a run-off-the-mill convenience store...

Ugh. Now he felt like bad. Like he had just chased her away...

"Look, I dunno what your deal is, but if you wanna go in, you should just...go. You can do that, you know, no one's stopping you."

He stepped forward where the lady had stepped away, and the automatic doors slid apart. A blast of warm air met him as he entered, warming his frozen ears.

"...Are you coming? You must be cold."

[dragxnpower-blog]

on the outside, looking inside ;

So this was what a civilian establishment was like up close? How interesting… She’d only ever seen stores like this from within a car, or from the window of a building; and as such, she’d never had the opportunity to peek inside and see what wares the shop owners had to offer.

She’d rarely been granted the luxury of indulging in frivolities, had instead been taught that she had no use for such things, but…—

—admittedly, the displays in the front windows of the store were quite lovely. 

[stridegeneration-blog1]

Chrono would've thought he'd seen quite a manner of strange things, but watching this young woman stare, quizzically almost, at the store was the icing on the cake. It wouldn't have been so much of a problem if she hadn't been standing in front of the door for the past 5 minutes...

"Hey, uh... Are you going inside? You're in the way."

He jabbed his thumb in the opposite direction. "If you're lost, there's a directory over there."

[stridegeneration-blog1]

here's mama

[sendoaichi-blog]

"—….."

Listening to Chrono’s response almost incredulously, Aichi’s heart swelled painfully, hearing such earnest suggestions. Truly… truly if only it were that easy… When all of his calls and texts never went through anymore… when Alcor himself hadn’t even been attending his college classes since the beginning of the semester.. what more could Aichi do to try and find him, or begin to tell him his feelings? He couldn’t spout another word on the matter though, nodding and smiling per usual as he gave a forced laugh.

 ”…. You’re right! Eheh… I shouldn’t be so afraid. Or else I’ll never know the truth. Thank you for the advice, Chrono-kun.” Looking over at those big green hues that quickly averted almost sheepishly, Aichi’s cheeks dusted somewhat, warmed that the younger was putting himself out like this.. From happiness to sadness, to a strange mix of relief and heartache, it made things so much more bearable to have someone else here to listen to his petty complaints. "Are you really that concerned for me, Chrono-kun? I wasn’t planning on doing much but grabbing a bite to eat and heading to bed… But, ah, if it’ll put you at ease, you’re free to spend the night. I promise I won’t bore you with my personal banter anymore."

[stridegeneration-blog1]

"Well... You got mixed up with some pretty bad guys because of me... And then you brought me back to your place to patch me up... You didn't need to do any of that stuff, but you did anyway."

"All I've done was take a walk with you to the hospital, so... I mean, you went out of your way for me so it'd feel wrong for me not to do the same..."

He shrugged before sighing and quietly adding:

"I'd feel bad if I didn't, okay?"

Such annoying feelings... But all the more better to get rid of them by doing this, right? He didn't feel troubled in the least--he really was just returning to an empty apartment suite, and he could work on homework at Marigold, at least... There wasn't even much to begin with.

"If you think it'll help, then fine, I'll stay the night with you..."

[stridegeneration-blog1]

here's mama

[sendoaichi-blog]

 —Aichi was so surprised with his own self when he hadn’t even squeezed out a single tear, even in the face of those intimidating double doors leading to where Tasuku had been operated in. It was as if everything had suddenly turned off in his head, remaining poker faced as he held onto Chrono’s hand all the while. He hated to admit it, relaying on the comfort of a stranger to pacify himself, but it was his one life line keeping him from breaking down. He could wait patiently for the dire news so long as there was an anchor keeping him from fretting the worst alone. 

Don't worry, Sendou-kun. Ryuuenji-kun will be just fine. It was only a few stitches, and luckily he didn't sustain any other injuries. He'll wake up by tomorrow, I'm sure.

"…Thank… goodness…" So long as Tasuku would live, that’s all Aichi could ask for. He didn’t have to worry himself to death knowing that the injuries hadn’t procured anything long lasting either. Bringing the younger into a private room, where he’d sleep soundly for the night, Aichi would be sure to rush in first thing in the morning to see him, of course.

—— The walk out of the hospital was sullen, quiet as not even crickets could be heard over the buzzing of the street lamps bathing the pavement in flickering light. By his side was the redhead still, who, after being silent for this entire journey, finally spoke up. "You actually know Tasuku-kun? I’m so glad… I’m sure he’d appreciate knowing a classmate visited him.." But that was making light of things. The inquiries asked couldn’t remain so pleasant, and even against Aichi’s morals of involving others in his own problems… it was just so easy to confess to Chrono.

 ”….. Well, yes and no. Marigold used to be lively but… during the last month or so it’s been a little more emptier than usual. Tasuku-kun has always been busy, so I can’t blame him, but the other tenant, my—someone very important to me hasn’t.. been coming home anymore. There’s really not much I can do for him either… I’m probably nothing more than a nuisance to him; I’ve always suspected my own self of having been the one reason that he’s held himself back from whatever it is he’s doing now.. He probably feels a lot more free without me grounding him in one place. Ah— "Sorry.. you didn’t have to listen to something so personal. So please, don’t let it bother you, Chrono-kun. I mean, you’ve already done so much coming all the way here despite your own condition.. and for someone you only met this afternoon. You’re a good person."

[stridegeneration-blog1]

"Well, not really... We're in the same class, but that's it. I only transferred in about two weeks ago, and we haven't talked all too much since then..."

There hadn't really been an opportunity to, anyway. If Tasuku wasn't hanging around with that kid with the dark blue spikes, he'd be rushing out of school to who knows where. Other students had mentioned some sort of job, but...

Ah, well, it was none of his business.

He wasn't really sure what to say in the face of Aichi pouring his heart out to him... It was a little awkward listening to a stranger's troubles, or anyone's troubles in general--Chrono couldn't remember the last time someone had confided in him to this level.

"No, it's fine..." What more could he say? There was something he wanted to ask, though.

"If you're so worried, why don't you just...ask him the next time he comes home?"

Perhaps it was a simple solution only in Chrono's eyes, but he never knew how to be anything other than blunt and to-the-point.

"I mean, it's better than not knowing and questioning yourself... No one needs something like that."

And now, he was attempting to give advice to a stranger... Aichi was probably the only person in the world who was able to do this to him.

"Uh, anyway... You don't have to listen to me."

"The reason I asked, was, well... Are you gonna be alright? On your own?" A pause. "I don't live with anyone, and I don't have to be home, so...I can stay until you're okay... If you want."

Awkward, awkward, this was so awkward...

[stridegeneration-blog1]

here's mama

[sendoaichi-blog]

He’s… really such a kind person..

Despite that grumpy looking mug and roughened exterior, Aichi could tell that there was something so much more beneath all of that; a seeded consideration for others, awkwardly trying to show itself in the only ways he knew how. It was no different from the likes of Alcor, who was also still learning how to be human.. Maybe that’s why he had been so drawn towards Chrono to begin with…?

 ”Thank you, Chrono-kun… thank you..!” Taking up that smaller hand into his own once again, simply to quell his shaking nerves and gain the confidence to step out with his eyes facing forward, he left Marigold with Chrono in tow. He’d be okay… and surely Tasuku was fighting, too. They just had to endure, together, even if in only in spirit. I’m on my way… Tacchan..!

[stridegeneration-blog1]

"Y-yeah..."

It was odd being thanked at this level, and even stranger being touched in such a way, but... It wasn't bad, Chrono decided.

--

The visit to the hospital was a tense one, but it seemed that they had arrived just as the operation was finishing. Within an hour, the unconscious boy had been wheeled out of the ER and Aichi and Chrono assured that he would live. All that was left was to wait for him to wake up.

A stabbing, though... That was disturbing in itself, but Chrono recognized that distinctive shock of blue. And as they were ushered home, out into the cold evening air, Chrono couldn't help but mutter.

"That kid was... He's Ryuuenji, right? We're in the same class... He was completely fine this morning..."

Even with someone who fought hard to maintain a strong exterior, it was still numbing. Of course, what he was feeling, Aichi probably felt tenfold...

"Do you...live with anyone else, Aichi-san?"